Gerri

Hi Shannon, I had my surgery done on the 11th September and am 99.9% sure you came in the following morning and were in the middle bed opposite me. I remember thinking how young you were and right to do it and not wait and I think you may have had lipo done previously? I have my card from ACS and the surgeon was Mr Bernd Ablassmaier. The band is definitely the minimiser the hospital group told me that when I went to Belfast for one of my fills. Glad things are going well for you in Australia. I was delighted with my Tummy Tuck, I felt even after losing 9 stone that I was still carrying the baggage so when they removed 5lbs of skin it was great:thumbup:. The web site is great to see how other people are doing and to get advice and even to vent. Take care. Ger

HI Shannon, I have a feeling you came in to ACS the morning after I had my surgery I had mine done on 11/09/2007 . I assume they gave us all the same type of band which is a Minimiser. ACS were a joke but I have since dealt with Dr Chris De Bruynes team and can only praise them on their service. Hope things go well for you in Australia.

Hi Geri and all, Geri, good luck with your trip, things will go great for you. Nerves are normal, I was in tears before my band op and before my tummy tuck but wouldn't change either for the world. Brenners, it would be fab if you could get the byepass if thats what you want at no further charge. Like yourself I forked out €10,000 to ACS but I have been lucky and no complications to date, I do believe its just been luck and not the standard of care (ha,ha) that ACS delivered. I'm going for a fill on the 6th of May with Frederick as I have had virtually no restriction from the 2.5ml he put in post surgery. I'm feeling good though and the tummy tuck recovery has goine suprisingly well. Things will work out for you you have done fantastic. Bye for now. Ger

Hi Dee and all, I have to admit I was suprised at how little pain I had after the tummy tuck. I am just over two weeks done and had a check up appointment today. Everything is healing nicely, no infection and no pain just a little tenderness depending on how careful or not I am being. My band had been empty for the two weeks so had a partial refill today, due to the type of band I have Frederic was only able to put 2.5ml in today. I am hoping this will be enough to kick start me or stabilise me. Have to say I did enjoy the two weeks or being able to eat "normally", tried not to go mad but hey I am human and needed to build myself up after the surgery:rolleyes2:. Sounds as you like myself have no regrets in having the band and that things are going well for you. Take care. Gerri

Hi folks, I am just back from Belgium since yesterday:smile2:. I had an abdomnioplasty (tummy tuck) with an excellent surgeon called Dr Dedonker. I saw Dr Chris De Bruyne and 3 of the patients he had fitted band to on Tuesday also. The hospital is spotless, the staff excellent with excellent English and the care faultless. I booked my surgery, hotel, taxis etc through Frederic in ECFS and again couldn't compliment him enough. The surgeon removed 2.5kg of skin in two sections each measuring 10"!! He said it was the hugest tummy he had worked on and after dedating this I decided it was a compliment :thumbup:on my weight loss. 7stone 4lbs down since my lapband and 8 stone 11lbs down since my heaviest. My band had to be emptied for the op and won't be refilled for another couple of weeks so I have to try build myself up and be sensible at the same time. Hope ye are all well. Gerri

Hi July, Lil, Brenners, Ailbhe and all. July my friend had his surgery done with Dr Chris De Bruyne in Belgium and had nothing but praise for the whole set up. I believe it was around €4,200 for the surgery, the hotel stay and the transers from the airport to the hotel and hospital. I think if you google Dr Chris De Bruyne you will get the contact details for him. Ailbhe, I am feeling good apart from a chest infection that I have just gone to the doc about despite coughing for two weeks! Glad to hear things are going well for you. Brenners, hope you are coping well without your band, you strike me as a determined woman and I think you will do great. Lil, well done on your recent weight loss. Glad to see posting again.:thumbup: Gerri

Hi Dee, Welcome to the site, I had my surgery with ACS :smile2: on 11th September 2007. I have never regretted having the surgery just my choice of provider. I have a band with an 8ml capacity and I think there is about 4-4.5ml in it at the moment. I'm happy with the restriction and with just 1lb to go to 7stone down I am happy with the loss. Even at this stage I am still learning to work with the band and eat things that I know I shouldn't and then wonder why I'm feeing uncomfortable or stuck:scared2:. Hope things continue to go well for you. I will be dealing with Dr Chris's team when I go over to Belgium for my Tummy Tuck have only heard good reports about them. Ger

Hi guys, its gone very quiet again.. I've been in touch with Frederik regarding getting a tummy tuck, hope to get done the second week in March in Belgium. I'm trying to sort our respite for my Dad who lives with us at the moment. Brenners, hows things have you had your band removed yet? Ailbhe, hope things are still going well for you. I'm happy enough with my level of restriction at the moment, 1lb to lose and I'll be 7 stone down since the band was fitted and and 8 1/2 stone down from my heaviest. Lets start posting again guys, I for one find it a great support to be in contact with others who know what I'm talking about. Ger

Hi Brenners/Lil/Emerald and all. Brenners, just read your post and am nearly in tears on your behalf. All I can say is like yourself the only success I have had losing weight is with the band. I know I haven't met you but I get the impression that you are a strong person and that you will be able to face getting a new band fitted when everything heals properly. I am meeting with Frederik who is Dr Chirs De Bruynes right hand man next Thursday for a consultation about having a Tummy Tuck done. Did some research and they came back with a good inclusive price and have only read good things about them. Friend of mine just back from Belgium on Saturday having had the band fitted by them and said the hospital and care was top notch. Best of luck Brenners on Wednesday, your luck will change for the better. Please stay in touch on the site. xxx Ger

Hi Ailbhe, Thanks for that info, I have been in contact via email with a group in Belgium but I think I'd be more comfortable contacting Dr Chris. Well done you, 4lbs down in a week, go girl! Keep up the good work. Gerri

Hi Lil, Glad you are back even if it is minus the port. I'm sure Dr Chris did the best thing for you unlike ACS who just took our money. You seem to have the right attitude for going forward and I'm sure you are going to do great. Could you pass me on the email address that would be great and I'd be happier seeing someone who is recommended. Look after yourself, stay in touch. Gerri