ailbhe

Hi Cadence, I actually ended up not getting it done but my GP offered to write me a referral for the x-ray and then it would be reviewed by the Belgian doctor. I am going back again on Friday for another fill. I haven't gained any weight but I haven't lost any either So I think I need another fill. (I had to have an xray on my back recently and the band showed up and seems to all be in order) I now have 6.25mls in an 8ml band but very little restriction. Am really hoping the next one makes a difference.

Thanks everyone. I'm starting day one of the 5 day pouch test, trying to break some bad habits. Liquids only for the time being.

Hi everyone. I was banded in Feb 08. I did really well and the band worked well for me initially and I lost about 70 pounds in the first year. I had 28 pounds to go but stalled and didn't really mind as I was happy with that weight. I maintained that weight for 2 years. However in the last year I've slipped into bad habits and have been eating around my band and gained about 7 - 10 pounds. But in the last 6 months I lost all restriction and gained another 20 pounds. I went back for a fill in January and have some restriction now but am still eating around the band (chocolate, drinking with meals, heavy handed on the sauces etc). Please help because I can't remember what I am meant to do. Over here you're banded and that is it. You pay for each fill but it's a case of in and out and no real help or advice. I don't think I need a fill. For example I can only eat a couple of bites of red meat or bread. But I can eat a large bag of crisps (chips to those from the US ) I could really use some help and advice because I am floundering a bit and at a loss as to what I did the first time to make the band work for me. Thanks

Hi again. Had my fill on the 20th and am in love with my band again. not even a week and I've already lost 7 pounds. Thank god! Could still use a bit of restriction so might go back in a month or two if weight loss stalls.

Hi, not sure if anyone remembers me. Had my band fitted in Feb 08 and was really happy with it. Had good restriction right away and lost 5 stone in a year (dropping to 14 stone). In the last year restriction has been practically non existant and I've put on 2 stone Raging with myself. I was putting off going back for a fill because of finances (I became a single parent after I had the band and money has been scarce for the last few years). I also have to have an xray which is yet more money, plus a day off work, travel etc. But anyway, have decided enough is enough. Priced an xray at 60e with euromedic and am aiming to go for a fill on Jan 20th 2012. Hopefully all will be in order with the band and a fill will be enough and I can lose some weight again. Anyway, just thought I'd drop by and say hi

Hi guys. I'm still hanging around. :sad: Weight loss is slow as I don't have much restriction. Plus, I got the coil in and the hormones have me going haywire! I pile on weight everytime I go on the pill or anything so the fact that I'm not putting it on and am actually (slowly!) losing some means I'm happy. Brenners, I'm so sorry you had to get the band removed. :w00t: But you've done so well and the band is just a tool, it didn't lose the weight for you. Just keep avoiding the large portions and the junk food and you'll do great! Gerri, wow, you've done amazingly! I probably wouldn't recognise you now. :smile2:

Geri, good to hear from you again!! You've done amazingly. I probably wouldn't recognise you at this stage! I know Chris has a colleague in Belgium who does plastics. Chris himself doesn't do them but I'm sure he can give you a referral. Tummy tuck - Obesity Assist - Obesity Surgery If you email Chris he'll respond fairly quickly. He was very good when I was emailing him pestering him about the gastric band lol. Lil, sorry to hear you couldn't get the port replaced just yet but your health is very important and if they felt that replacing the port was a bad move then it's probably for the best. I too found the hospitals in Belgium amazing, so clean and so professional. I was very impressed and wouldn't hesitate to go back for more procedures. One week of paying heed to the band rules and I'm 4lbs down! Annoyed at myself for wasting a year fighting it for want of a better word. I could be at target now. But live and learn and hopefully stay away from the vino and chocolate!! :biggrin:

Brenners, glad to hear about the date for your procedure. Things are on the move and hopefully it gets you back on track. As I said I'd fallen into bad habits but getting back on track. First couple of days were a nightmare. Headaches, cravings etc but it's all died down now. Back "listening" to my band on not pushing it on meal sizes etc. Only been at it since saturday and already people are asking me if I've lost weight! My face tends to puff up a bit when I eat rubbish so I think thats more it than anything. But people saying it has given me motivation and hopefully I can keep going and get out of all the bad habits I got myself into! :mad:

Hi all. Good to see this thread moving again. I was banded in Belgium in Feb 06. Wend from 19stone to 13st 11 lbs in a year and then got complacent and have gained about a stone back. I need another fill but as a single parent again, I just haven't been able to round up the money to travel up to dublin and take a day off work and pay for the fill. I need to though so I'm going to start putting some money aside and hopefully I'll manage to get up soon. Just feels like something happens every month, between car break downs, weddings, birthdays etc. I was 14st 13lbs after xmas so I started back in force this week. Just cut out wine, chocolate, ice cream. All those things we're NOT supposed to have! I still have restriction but not as much as I'd like. I can't eat bread or meat but no problem horsing down big plates of fish and veg which isn't a bad thing but not what I want either. Must say though, even with just the 4-5 stone gone, it's changed my life. I'm so much more confident and happier. I got dumped shortly after the op by my partner for a younger, slimmer blone (I'm only 27!) and I think it'd have killed me if it weren't for the fact that the band meant that comfort eating was out. So after he dumped me I went from a size 22 to a size 16 lol. It made it a lot easier to bear that I could dress up and go out and feel good about myself rather than hiding away because of my weight. So I've had an amazing couple of years since the band. Some ups, some downs but mostly ups. Now, off to have my porridge!

Hi all. Was in for a fill today. Went to get 1ml but could only get .75 in. I'd forgotten how wonderful restriction was! Haven't been on here in ages! Am down over 4 stone now. Hope to lose another 2 at least. Elsie, hope you got my pm. I'm such an eejit. Forgot my phone but remembered my laptop. Duh! All is well in my world anyway. Am going to start posting here more as I have fallen into bad habits that I need to lose Almost my 1 year anniversary! Feels like a lifetime ago.

Hi all. What with this recession going on there is no money in the pot for new clothes! I'm looking for stuff in 16s and 18s (mostly 18s ) and wondering if any of you who are skinny now have them stored away anywhere and want to sell them? I'm 26 and usually dress out of New Look and Dunnes (just to give an idea of what I'm after). Thanks

Hi all. Was up 2 pounds last week. Raging with myself but it was my birthday so I guess it's ok Weight is slowly decreasing most of the time. Not sure about another fill. Sometimes I have only a bit of restriction and others I can't eat the band is so tight. Still losing hair but not bald yet! :cool2: All in all though i'm a happy bunny and loving my band! All my family are now seriously considering getting it done and they all thought I was slightly crazy when I did it. I'm jsut glad i got it done when I did because i can enjoy the rest of my 20s seeing as I wasted the first half as a big blob! The clothes thing is driving me mad though. I want to buy all around me but can't afford to! I'm investing in a lot of belts but my 22s and 20s are literally hanging off me. Might try some 2nd hand shops or something as I'm loathe to spend money on clothes that will (hopefully) be too big by Christmas! Hope everyone else is doing ok!

Hi angie. I've travelled a bit since the band and never set off an alarm. I thought I was setting off shop alarms for months but I discovered there was a security device under a sticker on a tube of make up :tongue2: Once I got rid of that there were no more incidents. I got a booklet with a card in it from Dr. Chris after the surgery. How did you all get on with your fills? Hope there is some good restriction out there!