juliatabor

froggi thanks for the link thats brilliant! I've got a ticker now! you're a star!

its like waiting forever for Christmas day to arrive when you're a child! I think the next 3 weeks are going to be long ones!! all the best! Julia x

dragonsingapore I had to chuckle reading your post becoz I could have written it !! (apart from the exercising bit..3 half hr swims a week is enuf for me!) I'm having my band in 3 weeks and like you my bmi is low. I will be reading your replies with great interest so thanks! How have you found it post op? just wondering what to expect really Julia

oh well done on getting your band Georgia, lucky you! I hope you're making a good recovery.I'm being done on 4th July. Ive been trying to find out about how to get the tickerfactory graph thing too but have no idea. If you find out pls would you tell me? if I find out b4 u I'll post u! Anyway, all the best Julia x

thanks froggi! this is a brilliant site, I've learnt loads and the people who use it or so willing to help. I'm very grateful for all the replies Ive had. I've got my date for surgery 4th July in Brussels. I'm finding it hard to eat sensibley at the moment, I'm eating all the rubbish foods I dont normally eat becoz at the back of my mind i'm thinking 'make the most of it coz in 3 wks time you wont be able to do this!' not great.

Hi Orea I'm getting my band 4th July! I'm counting down the days. It cant come quick enuf! I'll be honest, my eating has been dreadful this last week since I decided to go ahead with it, I think in the back of my mind I'm thinking 'make the most of it coz after 4th July thats it!' Not very sensible and I need to get a grip or I'll be a stone heavier by then. How are you coping with it all? Julia

Hi Tanya Well i saw Dr Chris on Thurs and am booked in for the op on 4th July ( thats 3 wks!! and it cant come soon enough!) I think the way I am going I will be a stone heavier by then, I cant stop eating and it's all the wrong stuff I dont usually eat. I think at the back of my mind I'm thinking 'well i'd better make the most of it before I get the band.' I'm embarrassed to admit that! I need to get a grip. Anyway, I'm wondering what to stock my cupboards up with for after the surgery. I know Dr Chris said fluids for the 1st 10days, any advice on specific do's and don'ts? One other thing if it's ok to ask, what should I expect emotionally after the op? I've only considered the physical side effects but really I think I ought to be prepared for the emotional side aswell. What do you reckon? Just wondered how you coped? Thanks again for all your sound advice this week, wot a difference it makes being able to chat to someone who's been through it. I hope you've had a good week and are enjoying your weekend. Love Julia x

Hi Elsie Can you remember the dietary advice you got after your op? At the consultation Dr Chris said fluids for the first 10 days and then after that I cant remember! What stuff should I stock my cupboards up with? I'm also wondering about the emotional side effects after the op? How did you cope? were you ok? Sorry to bombard you with another heap of questions! Julia x

Dear Mollymolly thats realy helpful info, makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much! Julia x

Hi Liz thanks for the info, it's incredibley helpful to hear other peoples's experiences. I hope everything goes well for you at your next appt for a fill. It must be weird having the band and yet still being able to eat pretty normal after expecting the 3 teaspoons scenario! I had had my 1st appt with the surgeon yest and am booked in for 4th July. I am apprehnsive about how well I will adjust to changing my eating habits ie chewing properly, eating slowly, not drinking etc but after nearly 30 yrs of battling with my weight and yo yo-ing up and down I am ready to try something new. It's exciting, but a little nerve racking! All the best on your journey. Keep in touch! and thanks again Julia x

Hi Elsie I will remember not to drink if something gets stuck, thats really good advice, thank you. I had my 1st consultation with the surgeon yesterday and have decided to def go ahead wit it. I'm booked in for 4th July in Brussels. I'm a bit nervous about how I will cope with eating in a new way ie chewing properly, eating slowly, not drinking with my meal etc but I'm ready to give it a go. I've spent all my life with my weight yo yo-ing up and down ,10stone either way and I'm sick of it. After 30 odd years of having the same battle I think it's time to try something new now! Many thanks once again for sharing your experience, its been a huge help and Im grateful to you. Julia x

I there anyone who can advise me what life is like ( re eating habits) once you've lost the excess weight? does the band need to be as tight as it always was or can i be loosened a little? I dont want to carry on losing weight past my goal and dont understand how it all works with the band still in place. Also, if the band is loosened a little after losing the weight would you be able to have a bit more lee way with the food s you can eat? Not that I am intending to go mad or anything, that woukld be pointless, just would I have to be as rigid with my food choices? Any comments would be appreciated Julia x

yes that helps a lot, thanks very much! Julia x

not being able to drink with my meal is one of my biggest concerns. it really worries me. How are you coping? if you were to sip a little water with your meal what happens do you know? is it really that bad?! Julia x

Hi Linda Ive not been banded yet, am still in the finding out stage before I make my mind up. Do you mind me asking you a few questions? I'm just wondering since you've had your band what changes have you had to make? Has it made any difference to what you you're able to eat and the quantity? Good luck with it all! Julia x

Hi laura How are you getting on now?Thanks for replying. I havnt decided for sure if I'm going to get the band yet but it helps me to make an informed decision hearing honest experiences like yours. Can I ask you, despite the disadvntages of the band would you still recommend it? Julia x

my surgeon has told me that lapbands can last anything between 2 and 15yrs. i am confused becoz I've seen ads for lapbands that last a lifetime and i dont want to have to replace it in a few yrs becoz basically I cant afford to. Can any one shed any light on this please? has my surgeon got it wrong? julia x

thanks Molly, thats really helpful. congratulations by the way on your phenomenal success with the band! Julia x

Dear Tanya oh my goodness, your info is fantastic, I'm very grateful. I have been laughing though becoz we have more than a few similarities! its a standing joke that I am the biggest wooss when it comes to pain, and as for your manflu comment I laughed out loud! you could be describing me! Im in a rush right now so cant reply properly but just wanted to say a big thanks. Julia x

Hi Honey Its me again! the price I've been quoted for the op with Dr de B is 3950 euros. When you had yours, where there any hidden extras? I dont know if I will need to budget for pre/post op visits in Brussels or anything like that. just a thought! Julia x

my doc said they last anything between 2 to 15yrsn but I've been on websites where they've said the band lasts a life time. I wouldnt be able to afford to have it replaced anytime soon hence the concern.Anyway thanks for replying. Julia

Dear Honeyduen I am thrilled to have heard from you! Congratulations on your success to date, I'm so pleased to hear all your feedback, I am very encouraged. Your website is excelllent by the way, very clever and a great idea. When I've been done I will sign your book.AnywayThanks so much for taking the time to reply. I am feeling much better about seeing Dr Chris. Its so great to be able to talk to someone who's a patient of his. Do you mind if I ask you some questions about it all? I was wondering if you were in a lot of pain after the op and how long did it take you to fully recover? i'm a bit woried about travelling home afterwards if I'm in pain. Would you recommend staying an extra night in the hotel afterwards like they suggest? Also, can you actually feel the band in your stomach? There are so many things I want to ask you!! Hope u dont mind! What aftercare does he offer? Thats another of my concerns. If I need help or advice where do you go? I think I've bombarded you with enough questions for now! Thanks again! Hope you have a great week! Julia x

Hi Elsie it really is very helpful talking to you, thanks ever so much for taking the time to reply. You must be delighted with how yours is going. 2st since March is incredible! good for you! I have read about not being able to drink whilst having a meal once banded and I understand why but does it literally mean you cant even have 1 or 2 sips of Water? I think i will find that hard. How have you got on with that? Julia x

thanks for getting back to me! Julia x

LOL!! thats so funny!!