lesleyland

I was banded on July 19th 2008 and for the most part, everything's gone very well but every so often I get terrible problems with digesting anything - soft food, liquid, you name it. It doesn't always happen just after a fill either - sometimes very randomly. I go to my surgeon and he removes a bit of liquid each time but does anyone else have a similar problem? or could anyone suggest what might be causing it? thanks very much, Lesley

I really would advise going to see your surgeon who did the operation if you can. My heart also goes out to you - hope you manage to sort it out and good luck.

I had my band filled on Monday (the 4th time) and it has been really tight - I'm back on liquids for a week but even those have been hard to digest. I had the fill done under x ray and he made me drink a glass of Water post fill that went down fine but I'm just having trouble with liquids. I'm reluctant to get any liquid taken out - will the band loosen and how long might it take? any help much appreciated! I've lost over 50 pounds since being banded in July so things are going well. thanks, Lesley

Hi there, I had my op in July and had my third band fill earlier this week. I had a little bit of cheese with some guacamole for lunch today and have been suffering with terrible vomiting for the last three or so hours and it shows no sign of subsiding. I have reactions like this but they only ever go on for ten or fifteen minutes. No idea what the problem is but I'm not feeling any better. Not really bringing up any food, just slime but it doesn't seem like it's going to stop! Any ideas much appreciated, thanks x

Hi there, I had my band done a week ago and am absolutely craving diet coke. I was told not to have any fizzy drinks immediately but how long is this supposed to last? Any answers massively appreciated! thanks so much, lesley

Hi there, I had my operation on Saturday 19th July and am at home recuperating. Professor Nadey Hakim of Harley Street conducted the operation and everything seems to be going well so far. Is there anyone else from London or from the UK that wants to say hi? thanks so much, Lesley

Hi Diamond, I have struggled with me weight for around 15 years and i'm sure like everyone on here, have tried everything! I am feeling so positive about this and already feeling better. Happy to help with any questions or happy to recommend my amazing surgeon, Professor Nadey Hakim.

Wow - 11kg since June is still amazing though. How much do you have to lose? What kinds of food are you eating at the moment? Are you hungry? It's so strange having no appetite at all. You are SO lucky not to have the shoulder pain - it's awful!!

Hi Miss Wilde, I love Brighton - was at uni down there. How are you getting on? 11 kg is great - well done! When were you banded and how are you getting on? I'm on week 1 having been banded on Saturday - feeling okay apart from the most shocking shoulder pain!

Hi Catherine, How are you feeling today? I had a good night's sleep last night so feeling quite alert - made a Protein shake at about 10am and still haven't finished it. Just have no appetite at all which is SO strange. I didn't make a conscious effort not to have overweight friends but I work in public relations which notoriously has glam girls and the friends I have from childhood are just not fat. I mean, they might be in their own way - as you say, every woman has hang ups about her weight, but I'd love to look like any of them. My biggest concern at the moment is exercise - I'm so lazy. I just can't be bothered and that really worries me. I haven't walked more than a mile for about 2 years due to getting sweaty and out of breath and I'm really worried about motivating myself. What are you feelings on exercise?

I absolutely know what you mean. I told my parents, my boyfriend, my brother and a few colleagues at work as I wanted the support but they are never going to truly understand. I've been overweight since the age of about 11 and I've always been under pressure from my parents to lose weight as they are both quite glamorous and don't really comprehend how I got like this. It does really irritate me when friends/colleagues grab imaginary fat and say things like god, i'm so fat, i had to buy a size 12 in topshop etc...! Oh for the day I can do that. I don't think non-overweight people will ever understand what this is all about. I don't have any overweight friends and perhaps this forum is just what I need as a support mechanism - other people who know exactly what it's like.

No, not at all. Welcome. I got banded on Saturday so literally just getting used to my first week of my new life. Got a little bit over excited and weighed myself already which I got told off about my Doctor. Lost 6kgs since Sat but I know it's not going to be like that all the way. I have a lot to lose but feeling very postive. I wouldn't have had this operation if I knew I couldn't do it. How are you feeling?

Yes, I suppose it is lucky - he's based in New York and has lost 175lb over three years - amazing. He says I can call whenever I need to but I feel a bit weird thinking he doesn't want this paranoid girl calling him everytime I have a question! It's weird about telling people because even though I have, they don't properly understand. One of my colleagues put a lunch appointment in my diary for next week which I declined and they sent me an email saying, oh just come along, pretend you have a headache and eat a salad which really riled me. I think they all expect me to come into work next week having lost 10 stone and wham, bam, there's my quick fix. Totally agree about us being in the same boat. How much do you have to lose?

Hi there, I was banded on Saturday for the first time and am suffering terrible shoulder pain in my left shoulder. Is this normal? Is there anything I can take for it this early on? Any answers much appreciated. thanks, Lesley

thanks so much everyone. I've just been for a walk which really helped. Sadly our drugstores in the UK really aren't as good as the US - I could really do with a CVS right now! thanks everyone!

that's so weird. I have that very soup in my fridge right now. How much have you been able to drink of it? My Doctor just came back to me and said the shoulder pain is normal - it's to do with trapped wind - and the best thing is to walk around and take some paracetamol (liquid calpol 6+) if it still hurts. I've been making Protein shake smoothies with orange juice and spirutein. A friend of my dad's who has lost 175lb since being banded said Protein shakes were a complete lifesaver. I too have a stressful job and the break is definitely welcome.

thank you so much, I'm going to take myself for a walk right now! Really appreciate the answer.

Oh good idea - might go and get some today then. I didn't realise there was a required liquid quota. Guess my Doctor isn't as good then! I didn't know if I could have Covent Garden soups but I might go and buy some today then. I was drinking Protein shakes, clear broth and juice. Miso is a good idea too. Have been going for a small walk every day but feeling quite useless being at home.

I too have horrific shoulder pain today in the left side. just awful - just left a message for my doctor as not sure what to do about it. Had a much better night's sleep last night and just had (very slowly) an ice lolly for lunch. What kind of food are you eating? With regards to weight loss, I basically need to half what I am now and lose around 65kg.

Hi there London lapbanders. I was banded on Sat 19th July by Professor Hakim - op was done at St John and St Elizabeth's Hospital. Everything seems to be going well so far - to other patients of Professor Hakim's - has he advised that you do a liquid diet for 2 weeks too?

I am not retaining water yet but I fully expect to be doing so soon! I slept so much better last night though and finally feel like I have a bit more energy. How are you feeling?

I too am taking it very slowly. Been staying with my parents and going for a walk every day. Am feeling slightly less sore each day but suffering from shoulder pain today. I am surprised at how well the liquids are going down but nervous about moving on to solid food. Am going to see the Doctor on Saturday to assess progress.

Thanks for the email Catherine. I feel okay - just a bit lightheaded. Been told by the Doctor I can only be on liquids for next two weeks - taken this week off work but already getting worried about next week. How are you feeling?

Hi there, I was banded by Professor Hakim on Saturday - how are you feeling at the moment?