Gill27UK

My doc told me to eat liquidy, mushie food for about a week then start introducing normal stuff chewed really well. To try and avoid heavy tough meats etc. That's all. :-)

I was banded friday the 11th and am suffering with sharp gas pains. They only last about 2 seconds so I just wait for them to pass. I too have shoulder pain in my right shoulder!! My nurse said that pain can sometimes manifest itself in other areas so this must be one of mine! I really am not hungry, but am forcing myself a to eat a few teaspoons of yoghurt occasionally. My doc didn't give me a strict diet after, he just said mostly liquid or anything that 'wizzes up' in a blender for about a week then slowly introduce other stuff. As for the 'calls of nature'... I can pee fine, but I would've killed for a suppository this morning! I sucked a small square of Ex-Lax chocolate yesterday afternoon and also came of my pain killers as if they contain any Codeine based substance, then that's what's blocking you up! I switched to paracetamol but today haven't needed the pain relief as I'm only in a little discomfort. I do have a headache now though...... Gill, 27 uk :-)

Hi Donna, I'm Gill and live in Cheltenham, I'm 27 and have just had the band put in on friday 11th April. I was sooo excited about getting the band that that feeling is still there. I'm only in a little discomfort with a bit of gas (wanting to burp but can't) and am not feeling hungry at all (I'm having to force myself to eat teeny amounts) I've stopped taking my painkillers so am seeing if I can last a day without but it's fine at the moment. This for me is the best thing I've done so far. In the past 3 years I've lost weight and gained more, so I paid £6400 private but was quoted £7270 but had to have it done in a different hospital due to the dates I wanted the surgery. I'm a teacher so needed it done in the Spring holidays. Do it whilst you're young! Do it Do it Do it! Don't tell anyone you're doing it as you'll quickly learn that many people are against it (even closest friends and family- as you've already encountered!) You need to remember one thing- YOU DO NOT NEED TO JUSTIFY YOUR CHOICES TO ANYONE ELSE AS YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR YOU- AND ONLY YOU. I can't stress this enough. Tell your very closed family that you are doing this anyway no matter what they say and ASK for their support. Explain to them that they are not helping you by giving their 'advice'. My mum was shocked to start with but after a tearful phonecall to her explaining how very unhappy I was with my weight she was on my side. I went to a different doctor than my normal one encase he was going to be unsupportive but these days, they are alot more open minded to 'cosmetic procedures'. Then after your family and Doctor, Don't tell a soul! I told my best friends 4 days before I was due to go in to have the op so they couldn't talk me out of it. You must stay strong while the rest of the world will try to sabotage things for you. You're welcome to have my direct email address if you'd like to talk more. Read this forum and let the other ladies be your inspiration. I'll keep you posted as to how I'm getting on :-) Gill x x x

I am on my 3rd day of being banded. I had my op friday 11th April. I'm fortunately not in much pain due to the slits in my tummy but I do have sharp bouts of gas every 5-10 minutes. I just breathe through them and wait for them to subside. I'm not feeling hungry and am forcing myself to eat a few teaspoons of yoghurt or Soup a couple of times a day. JANABANANA- You're welcome to have my direct email address as we are similar ages and can be support for each other. Let me know and I can rivate message you :-) Gill x x x

I can't wait til tomorrow! I'm being banded about 8.30 in the morning (it's now 11.45 pm) and can't sleep so I thought I'd write a bit down this evening :-) Wish me luck! Gill x

I'm being banded this friday! Can't wait! Any tips for preparing myself for my hospital stay? I'm not really nervous as I had knee construction about 5 months ago so feel fine about it all.

My surgeon recommended a week of eating yoghurt! He then said in the same breath that providing it was low fat and sugar, and less that 1000 calories a day then it was fine. I saw him today and I mentioned that the fat content of my yoghurts wasn't as low as I thought! (I did wonder why they were sooooo yummy!) He said to me that being young and healthy at 27years old would mean my liver would be small enough so I'm wondering if it's an age thing. I have cheated as I've certainly not only eaten yoghurts! I've kept it low-ish fat but haven't beaten myself up, then again, I haven't gone overboard either. I'm being banded this friday :-) and have made a million little pots of homemade Soup and put them in the freezer ready for next weeks recovery :-)

Also, How do I start a new thread as I can't seem to find a 'thread starter' button anywhere!

I've just spent 4 hours cooking 4 different types of yummy Soups ready for my operation in 72 hours time! YAY :-), Can't wait. I've divided them into a mixture of tiny, mug sized, 'Cereal bowl' size and larger 'enough for two' sized pots. Then stuffed them in the freezer. HAVE I WASTED MY TIME??? I've made enough for a couple of weeks worth of liquids and I thought that at least I know that there's not fat or additives in my Soup. They are yummy enough for my (very fussy) housemate to steal half of my batch of curried parsnip soup to freeze for her dinner party on friday and another big bowlful for her lunch tomorrow. That's all I'll be eating right? I'm soo excited I can't think straight :-) Gill x x

truckoholic- are you being banded soon then? Or are you just visiting the site. It's been a useful tool to me and is packed full of all sorts of information. I've got my consultation on monday and hopefully my operation 1-2 weeks after that. I'm paying myself so it's pretty quick. Gill x

I am in the UK and have had cats that have had the op from the side AND from underneath. The only difference has been the type of cat. The Pedigree cats tend to have the operation from underneath as the hair needs to be shaved before the operation and regrowth can be un-naturally patterned and can basically grow back a bit oddly! Hence, if the cat is of 'Show' quality then this is a major flaw. The common 'moggies' as we call them here in the UK (basic mis-match of many different breeds all rolled into one perfect jumble) don't need to perfect after the operation so the side entry operation can be performed. The side entry is the easiest option! Hope this helps. Gill :-)

eek, sounds nasty but glad to hear it's better now though! Yesterday was my birthday and I was really ill with flu etc so we were both feeling pretty rotten on March 25th! I'm hopefully due to be banded in the next 3 weeks (date TBC) and can't wait. Let me know how things go with yours, it's good to hear you aren't in any pain as that's what I'm not looking forward to (I had a knee op in Oct 07 and was off work for nearly 6 weeks which was uncomfortable and painful) so I'd not like a repeat of that! Take care, Gill :-)

The only diets that have ever been 'successful' for me (I use that term loosely as the most I've ever lost is 2 stone [28lb] in about 9weeks with Lighterlife/Cambridge diet. I have put it all back on. This diet did work for the 2 years that I kept it off but alas, I found love a year ago and we both love eating out, so have put it all back on. :sneaky: I had been thinking about banding for about 4 years and am finally in a financial situation to pay for it. I have consultation this monday and the surgery is usually within 2 weeks after that. I'm a lecturer at college so the spring holidays are an ideal time for me to do this. I have a wedding to go to in June so hopefully will be on my way and looking a bit less frumpy and hippo-like by then, even half a stone would be nice but I'm expecting a little more as I lose loads in the 1st week of diets (it's just the following weeks where I then screw up!) Kossde- I totally agree with what you're saying. Our friends 'owe' us a fancy dinner out as we paid for the last one (expensive 5 star, lots of £150 a bottle Champagne etc) and I've got that awful gut feeling of "we have to go out for this meal very soon or i'll be banded by the time we get round to doing it and then I'll have to miss out on all that lovely fancy food..." I hate the way food rules my life. I also have worked out from my own psychological study on myself and my eating habits that I panic if there's a chance I could ever get hungry. If I know that I'm going out for the day and maybe not stop for lunch for AGES... then I'll eat extra amounts at Breakfast and even take emergency Snacks. I was either starved as a child (highly unlikely!) or a hamster in a former life- filling my cheeks so I had plenty for later times. Does anyone else get this panic? I've never told anyone else about this as they'll think I'm a freak and say stuff like "well, that's why you're fat then!" hmmmm..... I'd love to be hypnotised or regressed as this may shed some light.... Any advise from anyone? Gill :-)

Hi Debbie, Has Mr Hewin given you a post op diet to stick to. My collegue has just had it done and had to eat yogurt for a week (nothing else) I've been reading up on all sorts of pre op diets (low fat, low sugar, low carb, high Protein, shakes, Soups etc) and wondered what he suggested. I have my docs appointment tomorrow so he can refer me as my blood tests were clear. How long does it usually take from consultation to operation? I'd love it done in the spring holidays as I'm a teacher. I can't wait to have it done but there's still a chance he could say no :-( Gill :-)

Wow, thanks for your replies. I have an appointment with my doc on thurs as my blood tests were all normal (they wanted to test for thyroid probs before referring me to Nuffield) So hopefully have my consultation the week or so after.... Wish me luck. When I know more and have dates etc I'll post more questions etc. OOhhh ,I'm so excited and nervous all at the same time! :-) Gill x

Any one close to me? I'm 27 years old and am hopefully having my band fitted in the 1st or 2nd week of April (in spring hols) Can't wait..... I hope there are no hurdles or hold ups as I'd like a weight loss before summer when my boyfriend wants to go on a diving hol. It's only so that I won't need half a ton of diving weights to keep me from floating to the bloody surface! HAHA :tt2: (that's not the only reason I want the band... I've been wanting it for 3 years now....) Gill :-) :rolleyes2:

I'm in Cheltenham but teach in Bristol and am at the first stages of the process. I'm 27 years old and hope to have a band fitted the 1st or 2nd week of April (Spring Hols) If I was free this weekend I'd come along and join you all to get advice and make friends etc. Do you know who my most local banded person is? Like I said, I live in Cheltenham. I'm soo excited to have found someone so close as I've only chatted to ladies in USA and one in Oz! Gill :-) :biggrin2: