camjay

Hiya. Went private - couldn't wait any longer. Yes- I was seen at the Nuffield and has surgery 3 weeks after my first consultation. I could've had it done sooner, but I had to organise time of work etc. Mr Galloway is very nice. He's realistic and explains the pros and cons. But it didn't deter me. I've lost more than 18lbs now, I haven't weighed myself in about 2 weeks, but I've lost more than that - i'm sure. So its working great. Go for my first fill on Wednesday though so I'm a bit nervous about that. Straight after the op, it was really hard to get anything down for the first week, then it eased off. There are still things that I struggle with but i;m managing to eat a bit more. That'll change after Wednesday though!!!!! Good luck with everything. This site is great. There's loads of info on the American section too, although things are slightly different over there. Give me a shout anytime.:thumbup: x

Hi Arran. I live just outside Glasgow and David Galloway did my band on the 25th June!!!! Its made a huge difference to my life already (honest). It is not easy - but its worth it. Give me shout anytime you need to talk. xx

Hi SBlue I'm struggling now! Its 4 weeks post op and I'm starting to get really hungry. Managing to get things down much easier - I've been eating a lot of chilli and spaghetti bolognese (Blended). Tried toast - nearly killed myself! Getting fed up of Soup for lunch and really need to try and think of something else to eat at lunchtime. I'm craving sweet things terribly, but I'm having a little low fat chocolate mousse every now and again. I've lost about 18lbs which isn't bad, but I thought I'd have lost more than that (being very unrealistic)!! Otherwise I'm doing very well -I've been getting a few comments about my weight loss. The only thing is constipation (sorry way to much information) and my skin is starting to sag EEEKKK!!! Went for a 4 mile walk on Monday - going for another tonight. First fill 6th August - can't come quick enough. LOL xxx PS - No Regrets either! xxx:thumbup:

Hi. Sorry to hear you had to go through this. My surgeon did explain to me that this could happen if there was difficulty and he made me sign a form saying I would agree to this. It was the first thing I asked when I came around in the recovery room - whether he had to open me up or not - fortunatley he didn't. Wishing you a speedy recovery. xx

Hi Also banded 25th June. Age 39 - 2 young kids.:cursing:

HI guys. I know how you feel. I wasn't going to weigh myself until my first fill, but I couldn't help myself and weighed myself today. I was banded 25th June and have lost 14lbs, but I'm disappointed. :cursing: I know I'm mad because normally this would be great weight loss, but I really thought I would have lost more than this! My expectations are too high (at least I have insight into this) and my friends and family think its a fantastic weight loss but I am a bit disheartened. Its comforting to know that there are others out there feeling the same.

Hi guys. You've probably answered this a thousand times but I would be grateful if you could try and answer it again for me. What does it feel like when you get a fill?? Is it the same sensation as you get when first post-op? I'm due a fill in a couple of weeks - can't come quick enough - starting to crave like mad and am getting a little bit hungry. Thank you. xx

Hi there. I was the same. My wounds were itching like crazy, but it eventually settles down. I thought it might have been the dressings, but no it was the incisions themselves. I know its difficult, but try and leave well alone. You could always try and anti-histamine, it might relieve the itch. Also, when your wounds heal - apparently Bio-oil is very good for scar tissue (very popular with pregnant women for stretchmarks )! Good Luck.

Hi Georgina. Just read the thread you mentioned. Its so true - it makes sense, but its so frustrating when your really trying to lose weight and are making a conscious effort to really cut down your intake, and the weight doesn't come off!! Like the lady said in the post - it probably took much more than 2 years to put the weight on, but if your like me - I'm looking for instant results and I know I'm being unrealistic!! Anyway - its really comforting to know that we're not alone and there are people all over the world going through exactly what we are at the moment!

Georgina. I'm probably not much help, but just want to offer you a few words of support. I haven't weighed myself yet, but i am 2weeks 2days post op (not that i'm counting)! The first couple of weeks I felt I lost loads, but although I haven't weighed myself, I think my weight loss may be slowing down too - just a feeling. You sound to me like a seasoned dieter (me too) and if you think about times when you were dieting before, there would be weeks when you would be fantastically strict and were sorely dissapointed on the scales. This used to happen to me a lot and I would wonder how that could be. Other weeks I would be a pig and would have lost 2 or 3lbs!!! Just hang on in there, keep going you may find it comes off in the next couple of weeks. I agree with the other girls, I have heard before if your body holds onto your stores of fat if you don't take in enough calories. Being female we're also cursed with Fluid retention at certain times of the month! Are you exercising? Thats one thing I really need to step up with. Maybe increasing your activity may give your body the little push it needs. Hang in there girl!!!:confused: N xx

That is fantastic weight loss. Well done. I am so desperate to weigh myself but it'll wait. Chinese - YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry i couldn't help it - the only thing i can think of is the soup! I think rice is a bit tricky, but I wonder if noodles would be better? Not very helpful, but I know our more experienced bandsters will be able to help. ENJOY. :biggrin2:

Hi guys. I've read a couple of threads recently and some people have mention x-ray after banding? Is this common practice? I was banded a couple of weeks ago and have a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks time. No x-ray was mentioned. Is it only some consultants who will x-ray or has everyone else had one. I'd be grateful if someone could get back to me on this so as I can query this at my appointment. Thanks xx

Hiya. Definately notice a difference with my clothes. My jeans are huge and I can slip them off without having to take buttons or zips down! Sometimes I look in the mirror and I think I can't see any difference. Other times though, I can really notice it - which is fantastic after just 2 weeks. Very lethagic and grumpy though - I'm off on holiday from work and go back next Monday. I hope I lighten up my mood and get more energy before then. (haven't told workmates)!!

Hi Kevin 2 and half stone in a month is blooming brilliant!!! I'm now 2 weeks and am dying to weigh myself, but I'm waiting for my follow up appointment which is in another 2 weeks time. I think I'm getting my fill then. I'm starting to feel a little bit hungry, but I haven't even attempted toast yet - I'm too scared. Still sticking to a soft diet but I think I'm craving sweet things. To be honest I don't think I'm hungy, I think I'm craving more than anything! Keep going won't be long til your fill - your doing great so far.

Hi guys. This is just me being nosey. I like to visit the american pages (if you don't mind) its really interesting how things seem to be a bit different as far as banding goes. We have the NHS - where (SOME) overweight people can get their banding done free - although you need to wait a very long time (and the list is getting longer) - usually about 2 years and if anything goes wrong with your banding - its fixed free. I think you may need to pay for extra fills though. I got mine done privately - unfortunatley had to pay, but I couldn't wait any longer. When I went to visit the doc on 23rd May, I was in for 20 minutes and accepted straight away. I didn't have a complicated history and the doc could have fitted me in the following week if I wanted!! I have seen the dietician and had my bloods checked, but that was it. I see a lot of listing on yours with dates of certain appointments you need to go to before surgery. Can someone explain to me the process you need to go through and how long does it take. Does everyone have to pay in the US? N xx Happy 4th July by the way. :thumbup:

Hi I'm a week post-op too. This is a fantastic site - I'm addicted. Best of luck to you. xxx:thumbs_up:

Hi. I have several embarassing stories, similar to everyones. In February, My husband and I went to Poland for the weekend and for the first time in my life, I couldn't get my seatbelt to fasten on the plane - I was too embarrased to tell the stewardess and get one of those extention things, so I covered it up with my hand!!!!! That was one of the main indicators for me getting the band. Also, went on a nursery trip to a farm with my 2 year old. Some of the nursery teachers were there too and he wanted to go on a little ride on the train - I COULDN'T FIT IN :thumbup: I was so ashamed, because everyone was looking - so much so that one of the teachers came over and went on with him instead of me:crying: But, do you know what - what the hell - that was me then - not anymore:tt2:

Hi there. My friend had her band put in in 2004. Her band is also "broken". She was finding she had no restriction ever after fills. It appears her port site has tarnished. Luckily, hers was done on the NHS and she is getting it fixed in August - she doesn;t need a new band, just a repair (unfortunately, she has put a lot of weight back on :thumbup:). I know where your coming from - I think its unfair that this is the outcome for you. I asked before I had my surgery about this because of my friend. The consultant said my fee included 2 years aftercare. I asked him if this also included fixing "tarnished" bands and he said yes!! I'll need to check my contract! I hope the outcome in your situation is a positive one.

Hi guys. I think its each person's individual choice. Personally, I've only told friends and family. It's workmates that are the problem! I feel terrible as I took 2 weeks holidays but said it was for "minor investigations" I've had gyn problems in the past so they summised it was this (I feel guilty)! :lol: I don't know how I'm going to get by the eating thing at work as we're quite a sociable bunch and often eat together as well as going on nights out - which always involve eating! The reason I haven't told anyone is not because I'm ashamed or the money spent (that's my business), but I can't be bothered with all the gossiping and questions that go along with it. One of my friends was banded 4 years agon, and she still has only told me and her family!! She's lost about 7 stones (98lbs)!!

Hi guys Advice please. Although I'm only 5 days post-op a couple of my wounds are still a bit leaky - not very bad, but I thought they would be dried up by now. I am absolutely terrified of infection. There's no odour or serious redness, just slight bruising. My port incision seems to be leaking most - although again not a huge amount!! HELP!!!:wink_smile:

Millie. I'm originally from Dundee too. Banded 25th June 2008. Mr Galloway at the Glasgow Nuffield. Hope to lose about 8 stones (but dreading excess flab)!:wink_smile:

Good for you sblue. We can carry on our journey and moans together!!! How are you feeling anyway. Today, I went out shopping (not heavy stuff) felt great. Feeling a bit hungry though!!!!! Can't stand slimfast any longer - anybody got any suggestions??

Hi Millie I've been looking through the other forum's and there's a thread from one of the American girls and she's been feeling the same - I've been quite irritable with my family and panicking about the slightest little symptom (so unlike me). I've had surgeries before and felt a bit "low" afterward - I know it'll pass. Feeling better each day though. Keep in touch and let me know how you are going. xx :thumbs_up:

Hi there. Good luck with the banding. I was done on 25th June. Nervousness is totally natural. I thought I would have a heart attack waiting for the aneasthetist to knock me out. Just before, I looked at the clock and it was 11.40am - as soon as I came round, I looked at the clock again, and it was 1pm - as quick as that. I would agree with the others, mobilising definately helped with gas and nausea, although rest is important too. Here's to a new you. xx PS - haven't weighed myself yet, but due to the pre-op diet and the past few days, I'm down a dress size already!!!

Hi Guys. Browsing through the US site, and thank goodness I did. I was banded 25th June and I have felt totally miserable since. I've questioned why I've done this (although I'm delighted I have) - does that make sense????? I've been arguing non-stop with my husband and shouting at the kids. I've been close to tears on a few occassions and generally feel quite low. In saying that, I haven't weighed myself yet, but some of my clothes which were tight last week are fitting me and I am ecstatic about this. I've had a few surgeries in the past and have always felt like this afterwards, so I know it'll pass!!! Anyway, its great to know that other people out there cand sympathise and know where I'm coming from. Good luck with the weight loss (this time next year we'll be looking a feeling great)!! :thumbup:xx