gillian

Hi Wishfull.no, Ive not got email from Bridget yet..Ill look later, Ooh yes!! 7 weeks today well be arriving..im so excited now, let alone then...and it will be a hard job for him getting band on me cos my stomach will be doing backflips and it will be full of butterflies too!..I have just been out and bought some medicine vitamins for after cos imagine the horse size tablet ones i have now wont go down very well? either that or crush em and mix em into some jam!? x

Hi tropical..well done you are getting very close now!!. dont worry about the campinille being booked up..I think what happens is that operators such as europebookings, and expedia etc buy the rooms in advance and then sell them on..I went on one website and it said no rooms available for this date..I went on another and it said only one room left (i need 2 for me and my sister and husband) when i went on the europebookings.com they had several rooms available..and that was only yesterday..so I reckon that the rooms have already been bought in advance.. I have heard a lot of people saying that they are worried as they have not had confirmation about taxi and hotel etc..but they have all said afterwards that it was set up fine when they got to the airport ect.(I havent booked with Frederick,I have done it all myself seperatly) Im sure it will be ok! let us know how you get on wont you,well all be thinking about you and waiting for your first post..post op! Gillian x

I have gained about a stone since booking to have this band..It seems to take a weight off your mind! (but put it on your hips!) I will prob put more on as my blow out to xmas seems to be going too well..oops! I will be pre op dieting from the 1st Jan...or maybe the 2nd! I do that every single year though..a new year diet! it lasts for two weeks and then i give up and put even more on!...not this year though..I will have my little band friend to help me..I WILL DO IT!!.. New year..New me!...dont forget to take the before and after pics too..Im gonna do them every month in same clothes!

Go for it Steffic!!..girl power! yes I know what you mean with husbands and kids...its about time we got something for ourselves now,lets put ourselves first!!..it will be a present to them too when were running round in our little bikinis on that next holiday?!, Gillian x

Hi..have you tried Bridget at www.europesurgery.com to see if she can get you in with doctor chris for those dates? seems a shame as you have all you arrangements in place...Gillian x

I have tried all the diets..I have had the dieticians help too on NHS...I thought that was useless...I just got a list of what I should eat and what I shouldnt....I mean..we all know that anyway dont we?!.I felt so daft..like i should have said..AAAHH, so THATS why Im fat?! I shall mend my ways immediatly now you have told me that!.. I have had reductil xenical and the others..they help for a month or so..but you cant stay on em forever..so I lose 2 stone and then stop em and put 2 stone back on plus another one!..Hope they work for you..Im lucky i have saved up money to go..but my friend at works doctor has said same as yours..she has had all the tablets for a year..lost a stone put 3 on etc etc..and is now being told that she cant be reffered for NHS til she has BMI of 50...so what is she doing now??..she is really going for it risking her health to get fat enough..she is already 20 stone and only 5 feet tall..its just not fair is it..its about time NHS saw it as preventative surgery like they do in America..I went into my doctor saying..I AM having this done..and she didnt get a word in edgeways..and luckily she agreed that diet pills etc dont work longterm, and I was fighting losing battle..and she gave me her blessing...Good luck with the tablets, and hope you get some better support from your doctor next time..Gillian x

Oh wow, friday! thats come round fast! bet you have got butterflies now?..I wish you all the best of luck and cant wait to hear how you go on! will look forward to your posts!!..Gillian x

HI everhopefull! you have done FANTASTIC!!.hope I do as well as you!. Its reading posts like yours that make me feel Im doing the right thing..good luck with your remaining weight loss. I cant wait now!..Gillian x

Hi TC!..Im still here!...Im still counting the days down...my sister Gail is going on the same day as me now too...(come on Gail get joining this forum,not just reading it!).she only made her mind up for definate the other day and Bridget got her in too,which is good as shed be travelling alone otherwise..Wishfull is being done on the same day also. you are not far after us,and some others inbetween. at least we can have a blow out at xmas and then start pre op diet on 1st Jan!.Gillian x

Yes it is going quick isnt it..but I think this time of the year always does as were getting busy with christmas etc!..cant wait for it now...so pleased you got your flights..didnt like the thought of you walking, and not to mention swimming the channel! november will nearly be out then well soon be saying were going next month!..I might get an advent calender to start 25 days before surgery..with my last chocolate the day before!.then I will get my best before photos taken...then every month im going to take one in the same clothes, hopefully they will be dropping off me by end of next year!. gillian x

Hi..I kept trying to get in touch with doctor chris personally about a month to two ago, but he just wasnt getting back to me..and when I did get an email from him he said hed pass my request over to his management team..I never heard anything though..I wonder if hes stopped doing that now as a result of that television report?.I know it was cheaper and I would have liked to have saved the money! shame, I couldnt get any joy.. Anyway,Glad you got it done at that price..you will be able to spend the money you saved on new slimmer clothes!? you have done well with your weight loss.hope I will too!..Good luck,Gillian x

Hi Im getting everyones posts mixed up this morning!..Im just not with it sorry!..Welcome anyway!!.read my last few posts on here, there is details of surgery with Dr Chris through Bridget at professional beauty! Good luck! Gillian x

Hi Fox I got yours and Tamisus replies mixed up!! so read Tamisus for details..Sorry Tamisu! x

Hi Tamisu, seems like your another one who has been bombarded with phone calls from Tullia Law..she doesnt do herself any favours by being too pushy does she?! she just scared me off actually and like you I didnt want to pay anything upfront. anyway why dont you try Bridget at Professional beauty? youll get her contact through www.europesurgery.co.uk she isnt pushy, and you wont pay upfront for anything..it works out about the same price as the others in the end anyway..you can book very cheap flights..mine were £58.48 with ryanair for me and husband return fare. and you can choose your own hotel too..Dr Chris will do your consultation the night before or the morning of your surgery...best of Luck anyway! Gillian

Hi Tanya I booked my flights ..they are the same ones as youd said,unbelievable price eh!?! dont know if wishfull has managed to get hers yet, she was having technical probs..I told her maybe she could ring em too..I booked mine on wednesday, but the ryanair flight sale ends today...if you or anyone else is thinking of booking? have you been in touch with bridget yet?..good luck, Gillian x

Hi Tamisu!..welcome! Like you Im having my band done in january..on 16th..what dates yours? I know three others having it done in january too. No doctor Chris doesnt ask for a referral from your doctor, but its a good idea to tell them before or straight after..they cant stop you but you may be suprised at their positive attitude..most do seem to be supportive..I think you need a referral if you have it done in UK.. Anyway tell us some more about yourself, how much have you got to lose etc?..looking forward to your posts, and how you get on etc.good luck! Gillian x

Hi TC!..Ive not heard of anyones doctors being against the band..my doctor says its the way forward, and when the NHS realise its preventative surgery..it will be done,she reckons it will be about another 5 years..I cant wait that long though! I have now told all my family and just one very close friend...and this forum of course! everyone is supportive now..i feel so much better..yes maybe its a good idea to gather some positive info for your family..its just that they havent looked into it as much as we have. I think that seeing your GP is another hurdle,and youll feel better getting their approval..I was scared stiff of seeing mine and was over the moon with her response and letter!..have a nice weekend, Gillian x

Hi fox...wow your only a few weeks off!!.make sure you keep up with us and let us know how your doing!!..well be thinking about you and eager for your first "post band" report!..bless,your 11 year old! aah, im sure your weight loss will benefit him too, I know it will my boys, looking forward to doing more with them! I bet you feel so much better with yourself inside,for making a decision that benefits you..I feel good already..and mines not til 16th jan.. Im sure everything will go great and...good luck! Gillian x

sorry Tanya, I think I said eurosurgery ..i meant europesurgery. you will reach bridget through that or through bridget at "professional beauty" also if you google it...good luck! gillian x

I think ill be booking the campanille vilvoorde...sounds like its closest and most others having op have stopped there...sounds very basic but clean and its quite cheap too..hope you have some better luck later with booking your flights x

hi Tanya..well you have made your doctor appointment..hope shes as helpfull as mine and wishfulls!..you will be one step closer now!..we went through Bridget youll be put in touch with her through eurosurgery.com as wishfull said..she isnt pushy and answers you straight away. good luck and hopefully you will be joining us next year with your band! x

its brussels international near zaventurm yes...its near everything, but you can get some very cheap flights to charleroi..brussels south... its a bit out of the way but theres a shuttle bus into brussels or taxi is about 75euros i believe...Anyone else out there know how much it is to vilvoorde from charleroi airport? whatever Im going to save a lot of money by travelling to there instead.as ryanair had a cheap flight sale which ends tomorrow. gillian x

Hi, no the campanille doesnt have a gym, but if you look on booking.com it tells you of some of the other hotels nearby that do ..hope you find one, and good luck!! gillian x

Hi Tanya...Im feeling really positive about this band and just cant wait to get it done now...I have been looking into it with Dr Chris for over 6 months now, and reading all the positive comments from the others already banded I finally thought..Yes! its now or never..have booked for january 16th also..and it cant come quick enough!.my doctor knows Im going and has given me her blessing, promising me NHS aftercare even..I have heard nothing but good reports from the thousands of people Dr Chris has banded..Good luck! Gillian x

Hi TC! I was really surprised with my doctor yesterday...I went in all on the defensive and was rolling off why i needed it and why i wanted it, and why i was having it....she was just staring at me open mouthed as i was going on..she said..have you looked into this then?! I slapped my gastric band surgery book on the desk and said yes! she said..Oh yes so you have!..she told me..it was a good idea and that they worked she had seen how other patients had done after having them and was very positive..she apolagised that i couldnt get it on NHS but she was sure that in another 5 years that would change and shed be recommending them left right and center!..she said sympatheticly that if this was America...and with the tiniest amount of sugar I have I would have got one straight away, no probs, cos they have recognised it as preventative surgery...she even wrote me aletter recommending me for any surgeon who wanted to see it,detailing why,my history etc, she wished me good luck and gave me her blessing..she also said that she would transfer me over to the NHS for aftercare,as there was ways of getting round that..shell help with any stitches injections etc too So there we go!!.I left so happy and showed my mum and husband the letter..I am so pleased at her approval and it has made my mum and hubby happier too! like you say..you want approval...its bad we have to feel like this..the people who matter will understand in the long run when they see the results. I am now much more positive and cant wait for it doing now..I hope you feel the same soon..that doctor hurdle will help you and i too hope she is as supportive as mine.I feel like I havent got a "dark secret now"! good luck! X