annika

I got an email today saying congratulations you are 3 years post banding and that really hit home becasue 3 years have passed and I have not lost a single pound of weight since I had my band operation in 2008. I have had 8+ fills and should have 9mls in an 10 ml band but last time I went back to see the fil surgeon he said I only had 5 mls in place. The very first fill I had caused some discomfort when he expirated the band and he said 'oh thats interesting that usually only happens if there is a leak in the band, I will check next time to make sure'. Next time came and there was still the same amount of Fluid in the band so he dismissed the idea of a leak. I then went back every 3 months paying £90 each time to be told at the last consultation there was only 5 mls, the same amount that I had after 1 year post op. My partner is very unhappy says it was a complete waste of money and will not allow me to go back and see the surgeon so now I am stuck (literally) with a faulty band and still about 5 stone overweight. I thought i could really change my life I don't mean to upset anyone I really hope everyone else has a much better expereince than I have and succeeds where I clearly have failed. Love annika

Thank you Dave I appreciate you taking the time to reply, I felt awful after writng my expereince as everyone else seems so positive, in reality I saved for 10 years to have the op and was selfish in thinking about me and how it would make me feel better, if I went to another dr I would never be able to have the funds again to correct it but I won't know unless I ask the question, sorry for being pessimistic.

As the thread title suggests I am really struggling, to explain. I was banded almost a year ago on the 11th August 2008 and have had 4 fills since then but to date have actually managed to put on weight. I have been diagnosed with diabetes, only about 1 month ago and am seeing the diabetic nurse on the 21st July, yes it really has taken 2 months to get an appointment. I do feel the effects of the band, i don't eat bread or pasta etc but I'm truly devastated as I really thought a year in I would be seeing some results, has any one else had this experience? Apart from seeiing the nurse that does the fills I have had no support from the hospital. I am careful with portion sizes and I reall have noticed that the band works there, it is still ony 5.5ml full and its a 10ml band so am I just being impatient or is there anyone who can give me more advice etc to help me. Hope this all makes sense?!! love Annika:mellow:

hi there everyone, i was banded on the 8th august 2008 and since then have had two fills now got 4cc but have lost absolutely nothing, not even a lb and in fact probably weigh a tiny bit more, about 4lb more, i have struggled to excercise as i have two young girls who get up about 6 every morning and whereas before i would excercise at the gym from 7-8.30am now that time has gone and in the evening by the time the girls are in bed by 8 i'm totally shattered, so i know i need to improve that. 5 years ago i was a marathon runner now im 15 stone, morbidly obese and unhappy. I really wanted the band to work for me but now feel lost, no real idea about what i should or shouldn't be eating or why i've plateued before even starting. I thought by Christmas I would at least have lost a stone but to weigh more than when i began this journey is heartbreaking to me, does nyone have any suggestions, ideas, help or support?:tongue2:

Dear Sallieanne, I had my band fitted on the 8th august and lost 14lbs in the first week, was thrilled and then slowly the weight has gone back on despite doing a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I now weigh just 5lbs less than before the banding. I too am quite upset by this and can only think that i need to start excercising more. My partner is more postivie and says it will take time but its all part of a downward trend in my weight so in 6 months time i will definitely have lost weight and not to worry but like you i guess i expected more instant results and certainly never thought i would put on weight one i'd lost it!!!! Keep smiling and reman positive, it will happen. love annika

Hi Mooster, No that wasn't me, as I was staying at the holiday inn express by the airport but i met 3 women at the hospital who were staying there and were discharged back there. I think the hotel campanile is quite familiar with people staying there for surgery reasons. In many ways i wish i had stayed there as i left hospital on my own whilst the 3 ladies chilled out together. 5 days post op now and feeling much better.:Banane37:

Hello everyone, I'm completely new and feeling slightly nervy. I am flying out to Brussels on Thursday night to be banded on friday, my partner can't come as he is looking after the children, so going it alone. Don't really feel prepared as I havn't been on any pre-op diet. My surgeon is Chris de Bruyne, has any else had ops with him? Also i have to be back at work on Monday (i'm interviewing 7 people) thinking this wasn't the brightest idea now! Any advice help supoprt would be greatly received as i'm feeling very strange, scared and excited. annika:mellow:

Hi Bubble, After the surgery i slept a fair bit but generally felt fine, was really apprehensive aout the flight home esp. take off and landing but they were both fine, in the car travelling home tho i started feeling very odd and tummy started heaving/retching but as I hadn't eaten wasn't exactly sick, lots and lots of air. This carried on until about 1 when I went to my out of hours doctor who gave me an anti-sickness injection, this seemed to work and I was able to sleep. On Monday woke feeling ok so headed off to work (interviewing all day) and by 10.00am i was tired, drained and my tummy was heaving again, this carried on throughout the day (not during the interviews thankfully but i was running to bathroom between applicants!). I went back to my own GP and he prescribed buscupan and that has worked a treat no more nausea and I've been able to drink fluid now. They were contemplating having to put in a drip as everytime i drank even a small amount by tummy wouldn't accept it but now i've managed about 1/4 cup of tea about 4 times a day so improving. I am taking day 2 and 3 off work but back interviewing on Thursday but feel so much better today. Still haven't had anything else besides tea and water, just taking gentle steps but have lost 13lbs in 5 days! By 6 days hopefully you should feel much better but even if you don't, don't go in. Arnica has also helped with the bruises both cream and tiny tablets. Definitely worth it, just to be fit and active with the kids thats my reason. X:smile:

Hello, I'm from wiltshire, my partner is taking me to the airport on thursday so i arrive at about 3, then staying at the holiday inn by the airport, seeing Dr Chris de Bruyne at 6.30am and then being operated on the same day, overnight stay in the hospital and then back to hotel, then fly home on sunday. My partner is just very concerned with me going on my own (we have little children) with that amount of euro's, he is natuarlly quite reserved and thinks worst case scenario! Your message has reassured him that he is actually a real doctor. I don't feel very prepared though as i have only done a fat free diet not this liquid diet that everyone else seems to have done and i'm not sure what to expect afterwards either, did you find out from the internet or do they give you information at the hospital? i'm starting at 215lbs and need to lose 113lbs so really excited but nervous too. annika

Hello Mrs JJ, I am having the op on friday in brussels with dr Chris, could i ask one question of you, my partner is really concerned as I have to take the money with me and pay at the consultation, he is convinced I will be mugged! Did you have to do this? i'm so relieved to hear the hospital is lovely I;m really quite worried now! also were there any hidden extra's? as i've only taken out a set amount of euro's and don't want to get caught out. your anwers would be really most welcome, thankyou

To be honest i don't know why I haven't done the pre-op diet as everyone else seems to be doing this liquid one, all i have been told is that it would be better if i did a fat free diet which i have been doing but certainly not a liquid one! I also have undergone no tests either, some people seem to have loads of tests and I just completed a questionnaire. I've only just thought about posting on a forum to hear other people's expereinces, mainly becasue as the op gets closer I get more nervous, especially as I'm going on my own. I have 2 young children and i keep thinking is this the right thing to do, but deep down I know it is, i want to start living! I will keep in touch tho and let you know how it all goes, if you'd like. annika:smile2: