Lisa-R

Oooh La La - look at you!!! You honestly look 10 years younger! I have pm'd you - your blogs and enthusiasm are great.

Hello all, I thought I would do a little thread as I am feeling positive after having a consultation with my dietician who has now advised me that I will be commencing a 'milk diet' to shrink my liver 1 week before banding (28th Feb is band date). I can only have 4 pints of semi-skimmed milk per day and one oxo, one sugar-free jelly. I hope my willpower will hold out... Seondly, out of curiousity for anyone considering a band, or who has a band - were you secretive about having the op? I have only told 2 friends and close family about my banding. How did you feel and did you tell anyone about your band? For me, I don't want to shout about it - not because I am embarrased, but just because I don't want to tell everyone the ins and out of the procedure, what I can eat, how it works etc. Also, I don't want to be in a position where people are checking me out weekly/daily to see what I am eating and whether the weight is coming off......:smile: If I do lose a noticeable amount of weight, I will just say I am eating less - which will be the truth! So, did you keep your band a secret? any replies are appreciated.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Dawn Loss so far is 31lbs since 22 Feb 09. That was the week I started the liquid diet, so I count that as the beginning for me. Loss during the first 4 weeks - well, during the liquid diet week, I lost 9lbs. However, everyone is so different. If you have been advised to do the liquid pre-op diet, then you should lose a fair amount. Week 1 to 4 was my pre-fill phase. If you have a look on the forums, you will see that most surgeons will do your first fill around 4-6 weeks following surgery. During that time, weight loss is expected to be minimum a) you are recovering from the op and need to build up strength and :thumbup: most people have no restriction and can eat a normal amount of food. I think during that time I lost just a few pounds. Tips on foods - well, for me , I stuck to Dr's orders. No diet-coke (my drug of choice) and lots of squashes and Water. I still had tea and coffee. For the week following the op, I was mainly eating Soup and pureed fish and mash. You can be inventive. Mushies is the next phase and I ate lots of minced meat, soft vegetables, jacket potato, fish. I avoided bread, just because I have nearly given that up now. As the weeks pass, it does get easier. I bought a slow-cooker and cooked using that to tenderise meat, make Soups and stews etc. I now eat 'normal foods' have had 3 fills and enjoy food again. I find that eating a good amount of Protein each mealtime, helps to fill me up. I can eat just about everything now, but avoid bread (toast is ok though). The only meat I find hard to get down is steak....but to be honest, I don't mind that at all. I find I really enjoy my food now, buy good quality stuff and take time to prepare nice meals. Before, it was very much quantity over quality at mealtimes. Fills: I was banded in the UK - in a private hospital literally 10 mins from my home, so I am lucky in that context. My surgeon sees me every month at that hospital. My fills are included in the price I paid for the op/aftercare. After 12 months, fills are £50 per time. Hope this information helped and the best of luck too. Hope you op goes very well - I am so pleased with my progress and the band, it has changed my life! Lisa

Hi I know your thread has been going a while now - but I wondered if you are getting used to your 'new you'. I see you have reached your goal too - which is fantastic! Well done. I am newly banded 28 Feb and so I am just beginning. However, I have been on this journey before and lost 5 stone myself - twice ! Only to pile it all back on. Funnily enough, I remember when I too had lost a significant amount and looking at clothes in shops - thinking, oooh that size 14 looks like it is would fit age 7! I will never get into that, and then finding that actually I could. It did take a while to get used to looking and feeling trim - my brain was still hard-wired to think I that 5 stone heavier. One of the moments I remember was asking my husband if he had seen a particular t-shirt. Oh, that one he says, I thought it was Jack's (our son aged 10 at the time). I am in the weight-loss zone now and for me, in the past couple of weeks am finding that clothes are now getting roomy. I am struggling to find work clothes that don't look I could smuggle a couple of cushions inside! It's a great feeling. Well done on your journey - I bet your life has changed so much, you must be very proud.

Hi Tracey Sorry for the late reply, our computer was being 'health checked' no internet - nightmare!! You will be well into the milk diet by now. Yes, it is tough, but keep going as you will likely lose a nice amount and that will get your motivation going. It is one of the toughest things I have ever done. I didn't cheat at all, but did come close. There is not much you can do with just milk. I mostly had milky coffee which was bearable. You are right, watching people tuck into 'normal' food can be really hard. My son and hubbie were very good and tried not to make it obvious. I usually slunk away to the bedroom or watched tv - well away from the waft of 'real food'. Dribbling like Homer Simpson! Luckily, I only had to do a week of milk; which was long enough. I know it varies from surgeon and Country as to what they like you to do. Sounds like you are doing more that than a week - keep going! I had my surgery in Farnham - Mr Toh. It went very smoothly and I am nearly 2 stone down from my start date - which I count as the start of 'milk diet' start. 23rd Feb. I have a fill next Saturday - my third and I feel I need some slight tweaking until I get to the 'sweet spot'. I am so glad I have done this, it is really worth it in the end. Good luck with the milk and your surgery.:sad: Lisa

Hi thanks for joining the thread. Vicky - The milk diet for me was quite tough, but I didn't cheat at all. You will get through it and it is worth it in the end and I lost a fair bit during that first week - 9 pounds, which I was very pleased about. The reason I have not told everyone about my band is due to my failings on previous diets. Some I have done quite well on before piling the weight back on and more. I just didn't want to explain to everyone - especially work colleagues - for the fact that I would then be monitored and checked on for progress. Hopefully, when I lose a significant noticeable amount, I will tell them. I won't lie and say it was all down to sheer willpower. For me it is early days - just one month post-band and one fill, but when it is time, I will divulge all. Those are my reasons for being secretive, mostly down to past losses and gains. Good luck to everyone. Lisa

Hi I am really pleased that everyone here has shared their experience, thanks for starting this thread, it is really reassuring. I had surgery 9 days ago and am feeling really upbeat, with hardly any pain, but after 2 days post-op, my appetite came back with a vengeance and I got worried that this feeling was 'normal'.? I am sticking to the diet sheet of mushies and am consuming no more than 900/1000 cals per day. I feel like I would if sticking to a rigid diet - deprived and and hungry I will stick to it as there is no point over-eating at this stage putting on, to take it off! I have found that I do fill up faster than I would normally - that's good isn't it? One thing I have noticed is that after food (slops) my tummy rumbles like crazy. This morning at work, I was embarassed and am sure the guys I sit next to could hear me! :crying: I have my first fill on 21st of this month and am excited about the forthcoming 'squeeze' and for the band to work. Good luck everyone......

Hi Goddess Wow - you are lucky, just 2 days on liquid diet. Lots of other bandsters went for 2 weeks! I did one and it was tough, but I did stick to it. The hand blender is great - I got one and am now 'Queen of Soups' It is a handy piece of kit to have around. Good luck with your pre-op. Lisa

Hi all Lisa-S - oooh the gas, it is horrible, Ben is suffering too. I feel bloated and my tummy is rumbling like a geyser about to blow - so gas problems too! It gets worse when I eat and drink - seems to set it all in motion. I can burp though and seem to be getting some out - if y'know what I mean :hurray: The pain isn't too bad at all - I feel stiff today (day 2 post-op) and achey, but nothing major. I have managed some Weetabix (slush) for brekkie and that went down without a hitch - now feel very bloated! How is everyone with their liquidised foods - much better than the pre-op diet isn't it? I don't feel too deprived. Hope we will all be feeling better soon - keep in touch :party:

Marnin' Ben!!!!!!!!!! You are awake bright and early!!!! I hope you get released soon. Mmmm - all that gas/air -not looking forward to that one bit......how is the hospital food........have you had anything yet???

Hi all Glad all went well Le-Le. I am on in about 1hr 45 mins to the hospital for my op. I am feeling quite nervous, but excited! I hope all the Feb bandsters are on the road to recovery now and good luck for the future. Lisa

I haven't cheated. I am on the last day of my pre-op diet (starvation diet more like!) and get banded tomorrow Some evenings I have been craving food like a mad-woman, but definitely, positively have not cheated!! Good luck to all of you on the pre-op...

Well done - that is incredible, It was nice to read your story - Keep up the good work.

Hi Thinking of all of you guys as your ops are becoming closer. Good luck bfrancis and le-le for tomorrow. I am still on schedule for Saturday!

Hi all I feel your pain - I am day 4 of a 7 day 'milk diet'. I have 4 pints of semi-skimmed milk per day, 1 sugar free jelly and an Oxo cube (for the salt). Day 1 and 2 were really tough....I think I went through every emotion and felt absent-minded, fuzzy headed, woozy and hyper-active! Day 3 I awoke with a migraine and just thought I cannot do it, but after some medication, I got up and went to work and just drank the milk (Mooooo). Funnily enough, the hunger has subsided but I am craving food textures. My hubbie is doing all of the cooking (for himself and our son) and I just keep myself away. I did put a pizza in the oven for my son yesterday, but then ran away!!! Keep strong everyone :smile: Lisa

Hi there I can't advise whether you would get NHS funding as I know every area have their budgets. Please go and see you GP who would be the best person to speak to in the first instance. As Jacks says - keep on doing your research, most things are covered on these forums and they are really helpful. Please don't think that the band will change your life and transform your world - you are the only person that can do that, with or without the band. Any weight loss I am sure will boost your confidence, but from your post it does seem that you have other hurdles to get over too. If you made one positive step to do one activity away/out of your home, that could possibly make you feel better. I am in no way patronising you as I don't know what it is like in your shoes. But due to weight gain, I have become less active, a couch-potato and the only trips out I enjoy lately is to somewhere to eat! I wish you well and hope you will be a bit more positive about life soon. Best of luck with your research, you at least have made a positive step by posting on the forum here.

Hi again thanks for replying. Kelli well done on losing 24lbs in 2 months that is amazing. 48hrs until I start on the milk - Moooooooooo

Hi I saw your thread and my heart goes out to you, I have real advice but would urge you to go back and see your dietician or consultant to see if your band needs adjusting. Do you feel full after small meals, or are you still feeling hungry lots? I hope things get better for you.

hi Tammy Glad you are feeling a bit better - you are over the worst now. I hope you have a speedy recovery and will be back to normal soon.

Hello I am scheduled for the 28th as my surgeon does operate on Saturday's. I am a private patient, and am funding myself as in the UK you have to be a certain weight before the Health Service will fund this type of op. I guess my surgeon does Saturday's for a bit of pocket money!! :cursing: I will be having a few 'lunches and last blow-outs' for sure!!! I feel a bit bad thinking about doing this, but hey, for me it's like having the last fix! I was due to see my dietician this week but we had heavy snow in the area an my appt was postponed, so I don't have any info about diet/ pre-op diet yet, but I am not looking forward to that. Good luck with your banding.

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Well done and thanks for posting as I am soon to be banded and am reading everything I can. Gas :cursing: Is that due to the op when they inflate you or a just a side-effect......... It is all worth it in the end. Keep smiling and walking - indeed, the snow isn't helping much! take care Lisa

Hi all I am in the same situation as you guys - not big enough for the NHS to fund an op. I saw Consultant last Saturday - Mr Toh in Farnham (Clare Park Hospital). If I go ahead this will be as a private self-funding patient. The op / aftercare / 1 year of fills will cost £6,995 :cursing: From my research, I believe that is about the going rate for the UK (South East). I have also done some research about going overseas where the cost is considerably less. I am sure this has worked out fine for some people, but I am a little nervous for the pure fact if something goes wrong, where do I stand and more importantly, what would I do.....?? As the private hospital is less than 10 mins from where I live, that is a plus factor. Having met Mr Toh, I thought he was very good and explained the procedure and went through my weight history in detail. I didn't feel rushed at all. My next step is to see his Dietician and then commit to the op. I am 99.9% certain I will go ahead. Good luck with your decisions. Lisa