angie324

hi angel! i was wondering if you could tell me if you went to see Dr Ashton? and was it with the Healthier Weight company? i am trying to find a good surgeon for my lap band! can you tell me what price they were charging for this and if you went ahead with the surgery was it successful and what was the after care like? sorry for all these questions but i really need to do my homework before i book an appointment as my funds are limited! angie xx

hi Flirty! your information is very appreciated! i will weigh up the pros and cons of each and speak to my doctor to see what she thinks. Thanks so much for your help and support and i'll be thinking about you on the 5th!! please keep us posted as to your progress! and enjoy your new life! angiexx

hi wriggle, sorry to bother you again, but do you have the name of the place in Liverpool that charges £5000? would just like to check it out! thanks so much for your time and advice! angie xx

Hi Wriggle! gosh you too!!!! hope you are doing well and glad to see you are planning for your new future! i had double mastectomy too. I was 27 when i was diagnosed with three young children!! the youngest was only 12 months!! Anyhow, i thankfully am 10 years down the road now and apart from a couple of hick ups, one being a hysterectomy! and ongoing lymphodema, high blood pressure and osteopirosis lurking in my future (i know it prob spelt wrong lol!!) i am doing fine!. ha ha!! but this operation could solve so many of these problems in just a couple of years! I'm not as brave as you, couldn't bring myself to have the reconstructive surgery. It might be more of an option for me if i can get the band put in. would feel more confident going under the knife again if i was carrying less weight and had better blood pressure! Thanks so much Wriggle and yes, i would love to stay in touch! i think i need to go back and speak to my doctor now and most importantly to my husband! lol! take care and god bless!

Hi Flirty!! Thanks so much for your advice!! i saw that doctors name pop up a few times on this site! don't mean to interegate! but were you able to have your consultation here or did you have to fly to belgium first and then again for operation? also did you mean that the price included hotel stay and airport transfers for 2 people? and finally !!__lol! how long did you have to wait between consultation and operation date? If you have a website or contact numbers i would be very appreciative! good luck with you operation! you must be so excited about starting your new life! anigexx

Thanks so much wriggle for replying so quickly!! :wink2: wow!! you have actually had it done! i'm soooooo jealous!! Your advice and information is priceless and much appreciated!. i was concerned that if i had to go to england it would mean costly flights to get the band fills. You really must have done your homework! How many times did you actually have to fly over to leeds in the end? and did you go on your own or would you advise that i bring a friend along? I think i should probably go back to my GP and inform her that it seems pointless waiting for the consultation in Belfast! All i need to do now then is try and find a way of funding it! My husband is great and after problems with breast cancer, blood-pressure and all the other ailments that go along with them, he understands why i want this surgery done! My doctor thinks it is a good option for me due to my health issues, but i must admit that i am disappointed that it's not available in Ireland:frown: would love to hear how you get on and it would be nice to have a link with someone who has recently undergone surgery. You are now on the journey to your new life!! it must feel wonderful!! welldone for being so brave!:frown:

hi Lynn and Wriggle!! i am new to this site! i too live in N. Ireland, and am desperate to have the gastric band surgery. I was wondering if either of you have progressed any further? any luck with a consultation? £8000 for the op in Liverpool is a lot of money for me, just wondering if either of you know if a payment plan is available? My doctor is fully supportive and has referred me for a consultation in Belfast which she says can take upto 6 months!! but if as you say the op is no longer available here ??? i am now wondering if there is any point to this consultation?? please help? angiexx

hi there! i haven't had surgery but am seriously considering a private consultation with Dr Kennedy. i heard that the operation is no longer available in this country on NHS and has to be done in england - some newspaper article i read online that was published in Feb 2008. not sure if this has been changed though! seriously considering going private here but not sure what the cost is and if payment plans are available? would love to know if you have seen Dr Kennedy and can answer any of my many many LOL! queries!! my doctor supports me which is great and has referred me for a consultation in belfast, but this could take upto 6 months alone! angie xx