gingercat

Hi - I only told my mum (she already had gastric bypass surgery many years ago - so very supportive :wub:) My Dad & his partner (he was initially worried ie about whole change of food lifestyle & eating habits as we are a 'big' foodie family- Obviously! :ohmy:) But he had good understanding as was with my mum when she had surgery & he has been really understanding & supportive also. Also told a very select 4 good friends who have all been great & non judgemental & supportive as seen how weight has been such a struggle for me! They are my few select longstanding most valued friends.:cursing: I decided to tell nobody at work as work in a large office & know that i would have 'all eyes' on me for my weight loss progress if i told everybody & did not need this added pressure.Also people at work have previously seen me lose a lot of weight & gain it all again & I know that they would just think i was on another diet yet again! The decision who to tell is a very personal choice and I don't regret telling a select few. You have to concentrate on you for once in your life and not concern yourself on what other's think,as the band alter's your whole life! Also once you tell somebody you can't retract it! Hope this helps & good luck! Ginger Cat

Hi All. I had my 2nd fill today & orginally I had 5 ml in my 10 ml band. My consultant told me he takes out the fill first & checks the amount then adds more. But in my case he told me he could only manage to take out 4ml & explained this as sometimes the band is 'crinkled like a deflated paddling pool' & some of the liquid gets stuck in the ridges & some amount stays in the band'. Has anyone else experienced this? I now have 5.5 ml (or is it 6.5ml) in my 10 ml band. I am a bit concerned & confused about all of this - anybody out there had this experience & could put my mind at rest? Thanks in Advance Confused Gingercat :laugh:

I know this is a stupid question...but I an due to have a fill next week & after this want to take my neices swimming will this be ok?? :thumbup: Thanks in Advance Gingercat

Cheers! Yes this will be my 2nd fill - But I didn't think to ask about swimming on my 1st fill.Well done on your excellent weight loss! Gingercat

Well had my 1st fill today (lap-band surgery date was 28/04/08) so waited 10 weeks for this! What an experience...felt like i was on a sci-fi/disney ride!!!:thumbup: They scanned me lying down -injected me- tilted me upright - drank barium - etc etc total of 4 times to get the right amount in my band. In the end I have had 5.5ml in my 10 ml band. Now here comes the question...Is this usual to over half fill the band on your first fill? I can keep liquid down & had some thin soup tonight so presume all ok & feel fine :biggrin: Any advice would be great - Thankyou Gingercat:kittykay:

When you eat x3 sweets & feel guilty (like you wouldn't of eaten the entire packet before the band!) :eek:

Hi CC, Boy you made me laugh out loud!!!:w00t: Cause Just 2 nights ago I am ashamed to say I was there too...only worse because I opened a box of wine gums (stored away for my dads birthday later this month I might add - God the shame!) And had to have some....but there was a bonus as before WLS would of ate the whole box but only managed 3 cause had to chew forever & overall not worth it! And now I have to buy him another box....sugar the enemy.....:thumbup: Gingercat x

Hmmmmm...I think your brother is a little bit envious you are now getting your health & future on track! Also to be fair it may well be his (stupid) way of saying he is concerned & worried about you having WLS??? I know its difficult with family opinions but its your life decision not his & by the sounds of things the rest of your family are backing you 100%! Can't you meet up with him on his own & have coffee & a better conversation about the WLS & give him your take on this? Take Care Gingercat Ps Keep us all posted :-)

Hi eeyore, I was saddened to read your post...a breakup is hard & difficult at any time in your life but especially at this time,when you need good support prior to going into surgery! Don't let your relationship breakup affect your weight loss surgery decision though, as you must of had good reasons prior to this for having the surgery in the first place. Keep strong & surround yourself with good supportive friends and family & keep posting us all on your progress..You are not alone! Take Care Gingercat x

Mine was loose scrambled egg on a small soft white roll (but was too scared to eat the roll after reading about bread on this site :confused_smile:..... food never tasted sooooo good :thumbs_up: Gingercat

On Mushies at Moment: Breakfast : 1 weetabix & hot skimmed milk Dinner: X3 Crispbreads (well chewed :thumbup: ) & small amount of houmous + small yoghurt Tea: Small amount of mashed potatoe & gravy Gingercat :thumbup:

This is my 15th Day with the Lap Band & allowed Mushies as of today :thumbup: Have had a small amount of scrambled egg & some cottage cheese and a small yoghurt - Can anyone suggest more mushie food ideas for the next 3 weeks? As a bit clueless i'm afraid....:confused2: Lost 20lbs so far - Love my band :eek: Gingercat

I Love this site :thumbup: Thankyou all soo much for the mushie food ideas - I am going mushie food shopping today! I do agree we are all different on this lap band weight loss journey but everyones support is fantastic - Thanks Guys :tongue2: Gingercat x

Hi All Just to update you - feeling loads better now & have stopped taking souble meds as fear upsetting my stomach. Seems no ill effects though & no big pains! Also changed my dressings & healing well :tongue: Just going 'stir crazy' at home now - might venture out tomorrow!!!:cool2: Hows everyone else healing? Gingercat xx ps Never been a patient patient!!

Hi All I'm home now - Very tired & a bit sore & can't bend down too far but otherwise getting better each day :smile2: Thankfullly not suffering with the gas pains though. Good to hear everybody else is ok too :biggrin2: - I'm also not at all hungry - now theres a first! :lol::mad: Gingercat xxx

Thank you all for your kinds words of support & encouragment :huh2: Still excited & feel like a kid at christmas :w00t: Will post again when back home after opening my present (but in my case my stomach !) Take care all Gingercat xx

Hi All So excited :grouphug: :frown3: I had my consultation early feb and was weighed etc & due to work committments could not have surgery until mon 28/04/08. I must confess & after consultation went 'food crazy' saw it as 'last chance saloon' & ate lots of rubbish (there confession over!) So was really worried when went back for pre-op tests would weigh more than I did in feb...but I have managed to pull myself back & been on low-fat pre-op diet for 3 weeks & now weigh 5 kg less than in Feb. :biggrin2: I consider monday as my new birthday & can't wait to stop my life time of obesity... Just thought I would share my thoughts & joy & is it normal to be this excited? Gingercat

Hi All My pre-op diet is for two weeks & reason given to shrink the liver size by as much as 50%... Breakfast Fresh fruit juice and black tea or black coffee (as much as you like) lunch Slimfast Product - ie shake or soup Supper One less than 3% fat ready meal + small amount of green veg (but not root veg) In between times can drink as much Water,low-cal squash or black tea or coffee If in an emergencies & desperate can have 1 piece of fruit - ie apple,orange,banana! I have to admit found this hard but have managed it. The only thing I can't to is have a black tea in the morning (yuk) So put in a tiny amount of skimmed milk in morning cup of tea only! Its been effective & lost loads of weight + has got me into 'mind set' for the surgery & future eating patterns. :huh2: Gingercat x

Yes I,m having lap band surgery on monday 28/04/08 pm Personally cannot wait - see it as an end of a life-time of obesity! And my 'new birthday' rolled into one. :grouphug: Good Luck Everyone & best wishes for a painfree recovery.... Gingercat

Hi All Just to update you all that have decided to take annual leave instead of sick for my operation due 28/04/04 (but thankyou for all the really good advice re-sicknote!) I just think it will be the easier option at my company :biggrin: Have booked 1 week & 1 Days leave (hope this will be enough!) Did anyone have serious 'wobbles' before the lap-band op? Am I doing the right thing? I love food (obviously!) & kinda feel like its a food berevement of some kind! Also cannot seem to kick start myself to stop eating rubbish & feel like its the last fling?!!!! Any advice would be great from people before op & after would be great...Thanks Gingercat x :cursing:

Hello :biggrin: I have had my consultation & am due to go for surgery in april 08 in the uk & feel really positive about it! But I have a slight concern ref sick note - obviously i do not want my employer to know I am having gastric surgery, but IF I need longer than 7 days off work, will need a gp sicknote with a reason also will need reason to phone in with on 1st day! (I work for a big company) Any suggestions please would be appreciated... Also just found the UK thread on this website & its fantastic:thumbs_up: Gingercat

:mad: Hi I am in the UK & already had my lap-band consultation & due to have surgery in april 08. I feel really positive about it & have spent years thinking about it & researching this course of action...but I have a concern ref sick note certification. I do not want my employer to know I am having this surgery & am concerned if I need more time off work after the operation what reason could be put on my sick note without giving real reason ...any suggestions please? Thanks in advance:confused2:

Hi All, I had a consultation with the HG on 27/01/08 in london & I didn't get a very good impression off the surgeon . He was very rough when he examined me & he acted more like a salesman than a surgeon! He wanted me to put down an immediate deposit & then book a firm date within 3 days to recieve an apparent discount?! Also I felt it was all about the money & didn't like the hard sell element. At that point I ony went to HG as big company with lots of advertising - Since looking at this forum am so glad trusted my initial instincts & now booked to have lap band surgery locally in april with Bupa who are fantastic. I would not trust the HG at all & especially after reading all the feedback on this forum. This is a big enough decision to make with out having somebody giving you the hard sell! Good Luck Everyone Gingercat

Hi Rhapsody Just to say congratulations on getting banded! And also a massive thankyou for your 'in detail' hospital stay & operation account, as I am due to have my op at end of april & am really nervous & by no means brave about it! Your thread really helped. Hope you continue to heal quickly & thanks again Ginger Cat

Hi All I hate to say this but a relative of mine had gastric stapling surgery 12 years ago & she still looks at clothes in shops that are far to big for her! I wonder if you know you have lost the weight but your head tells you something different when looking at clothes??? She looks great though & am really proud of her !!!!!