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Hi Freckles, Yeah! I'm working on the fluids, but it ain't easy!-T

As far as I know he uses the standard larger one when placing the band. I mean we must have quite a bit of extra fat there or we wouldn't be getting the band. The larger port is surely easier to find under the extra flab. If after losing weight, you want the smaller port you have to pay for it. He told me nobody has to have the smaller port, but some people want it. I figured since I was going under the knife anyway, it was the perfect time to get it done and I'm very happy I did.-T Why can't I change my profile to show I'm female??

Hi everyone! It's been almost 5 months since I've been to the forum. Sure has been a lot of activity on the board. Welcome to the newcomers and I'm excited for those just about to start their journey. Congrats! I had my gallbladder removed by Dr. Chris early March. He also put in the smaller port. What a relief it is to not constantly feel that thing, the port that is. I hardly ever felt my gallbladder. Anyway, he took some fluid out of my band for surgery, but before the two weeks was up and he would replace it, I moved. So I had the fluid repalced in June, but haven't lost a pound since. thankfully haven't gained either. I was told that the band should be tighter once I got to Qatar because of swelling from the heat (it is 45C right now). However I haven't noticed a thing. Perhaps I'm not drinking enough and am a little dehydrated...-T

Hi mmm! Thanks for askin'! I've known for a year that I have 2 gallstones (1.5 and 1.7 cm). At my annual exam w/ Dr. Chris, I mentioned it to him. He told me my gallbladder must come out because if it becomes infected, my band could become infected and then I would have to have my band out. Well, I can't have that!! The thing is, it hardly ever bothered me, (I mean like once or twice a year, but now it is hurting pretty regularly for the past couple days, but not too badly). Hope I make it to surgery date. -T

Anyone booked for surgery on 9 March? I already have a band, but Dr. Chris is taking my gallbladder out that day. Hope there will be someone from this thread in hospital with me. -T

mmm thanks for the speedy reply. Yes, you're right, what you paid is just a little more than what transportation alone is to Brussels. I haven't seen anybody outside of ECFS since surgery. There is not any alternative here in Norwich (at least none that I can find). So, I've been going to London, which turns out to be much fun every time, like I said, I've only had 3 fills. Anyway, I'll see how this check up goes. Looks like we are moving to the Middle East soon and I know Dr. Chris has monthly surgery in Dubai. I'm glad to hear all was (is) well with you and your band.-T

mmm, have you scheduled for your annual exam with Dr. Chris? I'm hoping he can fit me in next week. I see you've recently had an x-ray. Was that for the annual thing or something else? I only have 6ml in my band (3 fills with Frederik). I was so tight after the last one that when it finally loosened up I swore I wouldn't have another, but now I'm not so sure. What has happened to Gillian and her gang? I haven't been on the forum in months, but I never was on often. I am amazed at how much the forum has slowed down without them. Glad to see flirty is still doing well. Gary as well. -T

gillian, bigsister, and wishful Happy One year anniversary!! How are you guys doing? Still happy with your bands? Where did you go for your annual x-rays? My one year was yesterday, Ive got 16 pounds left to lose. It is slow going, but going. TC 27 are you still out there? If so, hope you are doing well! -T

Welcome newcomers and hello to you oldtimers. Glad to see everyone is doing well. I haven't been on in a while. I just got back from 2 weeks in the states seeing my first grandchild (born 15 April)! His name is Sam and he is so handsome. Anyway, I was scheduled for a fill before I left, but cancelled. I've only had 2 fills, total of 5 (cc, cl, ml, whatever it is they use to measure). While on vacation I ate whatever I wanted and when I got home Friday I was so scared to step on the scales, but turns out I lost 5.6 pounds while I was gone. How exciting is that? Anyway, I had so much fun trying on old clothes yesterday and putting them in the charity pile, I can't stop smiling. My daughter put her feet on my lap yesterday and made a remark about my lap being "boney"! I love it. This is all so exciting and happening much faster than I could have dreamed. Those of you trying to decide whether you should get a band, for me it is the best thing I have done in a long long time. By the way, TC27, where are you and how are you doing?? -Tammy

Hi wishfull, thanks for the reply. I have 5 (ml, cc, whatever). My third fill isn't until April 30th, but if this doesn't get better, I'm not gonna have anymore put in. You've also been getting your fills from Frederik, right? -T

Hi Everyone! I just had my second fill 3 days ago. I can feel everything going down, even water, and it doesn't feel too nice. Has anyone else had this happen? Please tell me it will loosen up some. Also, anybody else having these strange noises coming out of their throats after they eat or drink? :thumbup: Thanks-T

I was the only person (of the 7 who were done on my surgery day) who had booked through ecfs and I was the LAST op done. I was told that it went by weight (something about adjusting the surgery table) and since I weighed less than the others, it makes sense. They line you up just inside the surgical theatre like an assembly line. When the person to the right of you goes in to their op room the nurse slides you on over to the right. The people surrounding you in line can be awaiting different procedures, not just lapbands. For me it really didn't matter what time I had my op, I just take a good book to read while I was waiting in my room, then if you are nervous it is something to help take your mind off it and helps the time go by. Try not to worry about the op, he's done over 4000 procedures. Very experienced. Just relax and enjoy your low-fat diet and before you know it, you'll be one of us!! -T

Welcome back freckles, glad all went well. -T

Hi Guys and Dolls, Welcome to the newcomers! I haven't posted much because I figured out that if I don't spend all my time here on the forum, it's much easier to fit exercise into the day (DUH!) and I definately need to get my metabolism going. Flirtylass, pole dancing sounds like an absolute blast! Let us know how it goes. I had my first fill yesterday, in London. Frederik was great and asked questions and asked if I had any questions. He seemed truly surprised and pleased that I had lost just under 2 stone in 5 weeks. Especially since I felt no restriction. He put in 3ml or whatever measurement they use. It was really fun to meet some of the other patients there, some have had their bands for years and some just a few months. It was so nice to see people who had lost 6 or more stone and talk with them about the changes. The best part was that I wouldn't have guessed that they had had a weight problem, they looked so good. Sammy, I think it was you mentioned fills in London? There are 2 days a month (Thursdays), 2 weeks apart. Dr. Chris does one and Frederik does the other. It costs 80 pounds. I forgot to mention some things about my stay in the hospital for surgery. First, when I was checking into the hospital, they put the wrong wrist ID strap thingy on me. The lady realized the error before I got on the elevator, so be sure to check that your name is on the wristband. My surname is also a mans first name. Even though my first name is Tammy, they thought I was a man so they reserved a bed for me in a room of men. That was easily straightened out. Also, I guess I never told Dr. Chris that I'm American, so coming from the UK he thought I was English. Anyway he told me after the surgery that had he known, he would have given me an FDA approved band, but as it is I have a Heliogast. We haven't lived in the US for almost 20 years, so I don't know if there will be a problem with fills when/if I move back there. Sammy, I went early to Brussels and did a lot of Art Nouveau sightseeing. Haven't made it to Bruges yet. It is supposed to be a beautiful city. I also stayed an extra day after surgery, there is a park with pond close to the hotel that you can walk around. The train station is right next to the hotel if you feel like going into Brussels on Sunday as everything in Vilvoorde is closed. It cost less than 10 euros for both of us round trip. You can get off at any of the 3 stations in the city and can get on at any of the 3 stations to go back. I have an ultrasound scheduled for March 4th to check for gallstones, but I haven't had anymore pain, so I doubt they will find anything. Hope everyone continues to do well and those being banded today will return with good news. -T

Thanks Gillian, and yes you can buy motilium from the pharmacy. They are tablets (tiny) not melts like Dr. Chris gave us. Thank you to bigsister and wishfull too. Hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day!-T

Hi All, Sounds like everyone is still doing well, glad to hear it. Today is 3 weeks since my surgery. For about 2 weeks I've been having these back aches, then it started moving to the side, then the front at the bottom of my rib cage. Yesterday it hurt so bad I went to the emergency room. Turns out I'm having trouble with my gallbladder. I've never had problems with it before. They gave me an IV, some anti-nausea meds and some morphine. They seem pretty sure it is from the rapid weight loss. I've lost 21 pounds so far. They sent me home with some percocet and I bought a box of motilium (the anti-nausea stuff Dr. Chris sent home with us). My doctor should be calling early next week to let me know what he wants me to do. I had a couple episodes today, but not bad. Anyway, I've been reading that a lot of people have gallbladder problems after lap-banding because of the rapid weight loss. So you guys watch out in case you start. Other than that everything is fine. Although, I think I could eat a whole chicken. I haven't felt full yet, not even a little! I keep a food journal and weigh my food, so when I have eaten a half cup I stop eating. I'm getting around 650 calories a day, but I'm not hungry. No Snacks either. I'm scheduled for my first fill on 26 Feb. in London. Oh, someone mentioned a drop in blood pressure. I am now on half the medication dosage I was pre-op and it is still lower than it was. So, I'm very happy with it, hopefully I can stop taking it completely sometime soon. Oh, one more thing...has anyone else noticed a difference in their skin? I used to get these little bumps on the back of my upper arms, they are all but gone now! My complexion seems better as well. The hairloss thing scares me as I don't have much hair as it is. My ponytail has gotten so skinny. Hope you all have a great weekend and the girls that were done today will be back and posting good things.-T

Hi All! Glad everyone is still doing well I've been lurking, but not posting. I weighed myself yesterday (2 weeks post-op) and my BMI is now 30.2...almost out of that darn obese range! I started with a BMI of 35. About the tummy tuck, I had one in 2002 in Brussels. Not with Dr. Chris. I was in the hospital for 5 days. They put that machine on my legs that squeezes your legs to pump the blood through to avoid blood clots. He tightened my ab muscles and that is what was the worst for me. My kids were at their funniest and that didn't help one bit. When I had to laugh or sneeze or cough, my husband would put a pillow on my stomach and lay across it to try and hold everything still. It helped. I think it was about 9 days before I could get in and out of my little Audi TT. I felt naked when I finally quit wearing the compression garment. Like you bigsister, my husband found those stockings very sexy. He was disappointed when he saw the ones with the lap-band surgery were only knee high! I guess after 27 years of marriage with him, it shouldn't have surprised me, but he's still full of it (er, I mean surprises). Anyway, I had no problems with the surgery or afterwards. The drains (2) were removed before I went home. The surgeon had me use cica-care www.cicacare.com on my mile long scar, it has faded, is smooth and is so low that it doesn't show. I'm just hoping that I won't need another one after this weight loss, but if I do, I'm not worried. I just don't look forward to paying again. I'm saving for a breast lift... Gillian, I read on another forum that some poeple when they get food stuck, chew a papaya enzyme tablet. Some others drink some pineapple juice. Don't know if it works or not. I had broiled chicken and mashed potatoes last night, no problem, but I did eat slowly. Well, I'm sure I've bored you all to death by now.-T

Hi mmm. Thanks, you might also want to get some arnica gel or lotion for bruising. I had a monster bruise on the back of my hand where they tried to put the IV. -T

Happy Birthday, Bigsister!! You're not getting older, you're getting better. The older the berry, the sweeter the juice! You're just a babe, compared to some of us. Tammy x

[Does anyone know what fredericks medical status is - eg doctor etc? Make the most of your husband's attentiveness, it doesn't usually take too long for it to wear off! Is there anyone recently banded who can let me know how long the dissolving 'fishing line' thread/knots on the scars take to break up and fall off? I keep rubbing gently at them while in the bath as the nurse who took the blue stitch out advised me but I can't see any signs of em letting go of me yet! Grateful for replies, thanks bigsister x Hi Bigsister! I asked Dr. Chris and he told me that Frederik is a male nurse and assists him in the OR. He also told me that anyone who writes to him (Dr. Chris) about having surgery will be forwarded to Frederik, Dr. Chris only does the patient care and Frederik handles all the logistics. I liked hearing that. I have my stitches removed Monday. Dr. Chris told me that the clear stitches will dissolve within 4 weeks. Glad you're still doing well. Hope we all continue that way. -Tammy

Hi TC, glad you are back home and doing well. Funny that Frederik said that about going first if you booked through him. I was the only one that day that had booked through him and I went last. Later one of the nurses told me that it went by weight. Who knows?? I haven't written much 'cause I don't have much to write about. I'm still feeling fine, but I will be glad to get the stitches out Monday! My husband is still spoiling me, he even does the bandages! I've started using the treadmill again, working up quite the sweat! I still haven't eaten to the full feeling, just till I think I've eaten enough. I put powdered milk in everything, even in my milk. I can't stand my protein shakes and didn't want to spend any more money on them, so this is my solution. Hope everyone is doing well-T

Hi Everyone!! Just got home from being banded on Friday. Thank you for all your good wishes and encouragement. Everything went great. I was the last op of the day, so the long wait got kinda hard. Saturday my hospital mates asked me if I was sure we had the same operation because I felt so good and was flying down the hallways. Those bottles of paracetamol they hang with the IV are good for 6 hours. I wasn't in pain, and only asked for the second bottle because I was worried that if I didn't have more, I would hurt. I haven't had any pain relief since. Didn't suffer the shoulder or gas pain. The port site is sorta uncomfortable at times, but no pain. Don't get me wrong though, sneezing hurts! Did any of you have the pleasure of being treated by JORIS, that 19 year old male nurse? He changed my bandages and removed my drain. Last time I'd had a drain removed, I vomited, but this kid was fantastic. I didn't even get the least bit queasy. I met TC27 last night. She was very nice and I hope she sails through tomorrow. Sorta tired, so I'm off for a nap now, will write more later. Thanks again!!! -Tammy

Welcome back gillian, wishfull, and bigsister. I'm glad to hear all went well for you. I'm leaving in the morning for Brussels. Op isn't until Friday, but I'm going to do a bunch of Victor Horta seeing. I love Art Nouveau and try to see some with every trip to Brussels. Here are some samples of what there is to see, but there is much, much, much more... HORTA MUSEUM MIM www.kikirpa.be Maison Autrique - Victor Horta - Welcome www.autrique.be/docs/promenade/plan.en.pdf Belgian Comic Strip Center, Brussels ? Home Reseau Art Nouveau Network - Bruxelles-Brussel H Hope everyone here has a great week!!