Maincat

That's a great effort Sue - really well done.:biggrin:

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. When I went for my first fill, my tube was seen to be broken/split/damaged in some way, and it looks as if I'll need further surgery too to replace the tube. I'm told this is a simple enough procedure, but it's very frustrating. I don't think it's a common situation. However, that's no great consolation when it happens to be you that has to have further surgery. Take care and I'm sure all will turn out fine in the end.

Believe me, I'm really not interested in your private life - did I say I was? As for anal views (which were they BTW?), your 'lurgies' statement is offensive to all those people in the NHS who are working like crazy to ensure that people have a comfortable, safe and good experience.

WestCoastFatGuy is right - you've lost lots of weight. Celebrate that. I have found what helps me is to have other interests that means I don't have my weight loss dominating my thoughts. An example is I'm studying for Microsoft Server qualifications which takes a lot of my mental energy. I also have the support of my family which has been essential to keep me on track sometimes. My weight loss is just another aspect to my life. Perhaps you could find a new interest that takes your mind off weight loss? Forgive me if you don't find that useful, just passing on what's helped me.

Time to find out what exactly? Why didn't you give a fuller explanation in your post? You painted a picture that UK hospitals are to be avoided. You didn't give an explanation, just a banal statement about 'lurgies'. Yes this is a forum that aims to support, but don't expect crass statements to be unchallenged.

God, posts like this make me angry! Yep, our news and comic newspapers are just full of dirty filthy hospitals aren't they? God knows how anyone gets better in them. I've been told that the NHS saves lives, but hey, why believe that? You don't think that Belgian hospitals have their lurgies too? Let's hope you can spell the place before you travel. Don't forget to believe everything you're told. Good luck.

Hi, I have a document called 'Service Specification For the provision of Obesity Surgery at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust', that is available on the Internet. It is dated September 2004. To quote from it: This service specification has been agreed between Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and TrentCOM, representing PCTs in Southern Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire (exc. Bassetlaw PCT) and Lincolnshire and relates to the provision of obesity surgery. NICE issued guidance in July 2002 on the appropriate use of surgery for morbid obesity. In accordance with the NICE guidance surgery will be funded for people with morbid obesity only where all the following criteria are met. • People with a body mass index (BMI) either equal to or greater than 40kg/m², or between 35kg/m² and 40kg/m² in the presence of significant co-morbid conditions that could be improved by weight loss. • People who have been receiving intensive management in a specialised hospital obesity clinic. • Aged 18 or over. • Can provide evidence that all appropriate and available non-surgical measures have been adequately tried but have failed to maintain weight loss. • Surgery should be undertaken only after comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessment. • No specific clinical or psychological contraindication to the surgery, with pre-operative counselling a pre-requisite. • Individuals should be fit for anaesthesia and surgery. • Individuals should understand the need for long-term follow-up, including post-operative counselling and support. That will give you an idea as to the criteria for an NHS funded operation (assuming they are still working to that list). By the sounds of it, you have a background of attempted weightloss under supervision. I would be optimistic of getting the operation via the NHS, but only your consultation with Mr Leeder will help confirm that. The tests are nothing at all to worry about. A simple blood test and blood pressure measurement is done at pre-op (mine was two weeks before my operation), neither of which hurt or are anything to be scared of. The initial consultation involved no tests, but rather an explanation of the operation and how it works. I'm doing fine at the moment with the weight loss. I've lost 82 pound, at the moment losing at around two pounds a week on average, which is great. Sorry for the long post, but I hope you find it useful. You can always give Derby a ring and ask any questions you may have - they are very helpful. Take care and keep in touch.

At the hospital where I had my band fitted, the following applies: People with a body mass index (BMI) either equal to or greater than 40kg/m², or between 35kg/m² and 40kg/m² in the presence of significant co-morbid conditions that could be improved by weight loss. I had a BMI of 41.2 at surgery, which I guess is quite low compared to some people (especially some I've seen on the Discovery Channel). I do have co-morbidities. But, I may need further surgery on my band (long story) and I'm now at a BMI of 30.0. There's been no question of a problem having the surgery because of my weight loss. I am fortunate enough to be a patient of our NHS.

Don't really know the answer - just wanted to wish you well for your operation.:thumbs_up:

When I was considering the band operation, I balanced out the risks of doing it with the risks of not doing it. For me, it was no contest. Life is a risk. Who knows how long they have left? The question is rather of minimising risk, whilst still enjoying a quality of life. Only you can make that call. Don't get too hung up about risk. Sometimes you can spend so much time asking the 'what if' questions that you can't really answer, you miss out on the really important stuff, like enjoying life. Just my 2 pennies worth.

Please read my post above. It does not automatically mean that you will have the operation. The consultant, Mr Leeder, will have the last say. You will have blood and other tests. I think I had a wait of about six weeks between referral and consultation. Derby are very helpful indeed. If you do not see Mr Leeder at consultation, then he will phone you and talk through the operation. PM me if you want more information.

I've just spoken to the Surgeon's lead nurse. She is going back to him to ask if the endoscopy is really necessary. My guess is that he will say yes it is. He wouldn't want to lose face in front of his staff would he? I'll be emailed by the nurse in due course - hopefully today. I'll let you know the result.

Hi, I went for my first fill after 11 weeks post op. It failed because the Fluid did not get to the band, as the tube appeared broken. Now, the surgeon is suggesting that it could be band erosion. Excuse me? 11 weeks and the band may have eroded?:huh2: Anyone with any experience of this?

Thanks for all of your posts. I really don't think it's an erosion issue, but I talk to the hospital next Monday morning to discuss it with them. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a great day:smile:

Hi there, I didn't have a sleep test when needing to have reduced pressure. The hospital gave me a CPAP that tracked the pressure I needed for a week, then reduced my CPAP machine to the pressure that I needed. I just knew that I needed the pressure turning down - I experienced a dry mouth and the mask was noisey. The hospital did all the adjustments. Eventually I will have a sleep test to see if I still need the CPAP. Please bear in mind that I'm in the UK and get all my treatment on our National Health Service, so I can't be helpful when it comes to your insurance schemes.

Thanks for that - yep I do feel so much better. I can't wait to be sub 100kgs! I'm even getting into 'medium' sized shirts!!

That's great Chris - good luck with the SA. I have to wear a mask and have had the pressure reduced to 7 - about half the pressure it was on - and I hope to be rid of SA in due course. I've always been OK with the machine, so I guess I'm lucky in that respect.

I've had the pressure on my CPAP machine reduced by about half since I lost weight. I expect to be able to do without it in due course, but I don't know when that will be. My CPAP machine has been my best friend whilst I've had it - about four years now.

Well done, that's great. I hope to be there myself perhaps in three months.

Any question in the third person - 'can he eat wafer thin ham?', 'what does he feel like?' etc

I do look at my weight in terms of pounds lost, but increasingly more important are the NSVs that I'm having. I was wondering how important to you they are too. In this poll are ten NSVs that may or may not apply to you. Which do apply and how important are they? Please vote for up to three NSVs and let's get an idea of the most popular ones.

OK, I think that this is a good time to look at the results. The votes cast are as follows: 48 Clothes fit better 46 You are or feel healthier 42 You feel more confident in yourself 19 Your sex life is better 15 Family have complimented you 12 It's easier to play with the children 10 You find it easier to do jobs around the house 09 Work colleagues have complimented you 05 You enjoy playing sports now 04 You don't have to wear a CPAP mask now So, on this very unscientific poll, the top three most important NSVs are clear. Personally, I'm surprised about the top choice, that clothes fit better, beating (not by much) you are or feel healthier. Any comments?

My method of losing weight has been exercise (about 25 minutes a day), eat breakfast and portion control. I don't count calories as such, just don't eat as much. I've cut out bread, alcohol, sweets, cakes, biscuits, discovered bananas, apples. I eat lots of vegetables. No magic involved here, just eating better and smarter. I'm certain some people do have a problem in losing weight - see your doctor. You want it straight, so let me ask you a straight question. How much do you really want to lose weight? Do you really want to? It takes effort, commitment and support from family and friends, an understanding of the processes your body goes through in order to work and how you can improve your generally physical and mental well being. For me, the support of my family has been paramount. Above all, losing weight can be fun! But be patient. It doesn't happen overnight. I've given myself a year to get to target, which means I don't beat myself up each week, I take a longer view. I hope that has helped. Good luck with your weight loss, and with the approach that works for you I'm sure you can succeed.

I'm really pleased for you. It's great when the numbers show success, as well as the NSVs. Good luck to you.

Hello, Is there a chance of a computer issues sections on the forum, so that anyone with computer problems or questions can have their issues answered? I am a Microsoft Certified Technician and would welcome the chance to help any fellow bandster.