fatpants

Hi Janesunny, I have never heard of 'Europe surgery', I booked through word of mouth straight with Chris. Thanks for all the info, it is true that once you are told all of these things that it seems to make common sense, but I think it should all be explained why we can't eat certain foods, and it should be broken down into laymans terms so we understand, and what happens if we do eat the wrong things, ie: it can cause a blockage, it can cause a slippage, it can cause a pouch and the consequences of these problems, I think it would help us manage the band better! Take care Fatpants

Dear Crazy, Thank you for your support and kindness, don't you just love being slim! I know I couldn't live without my band, as each time I had a blockage and had to have an unfill it was like opening the flood gates, slowly but surely bad habits resurfaced, and the weight went straight back on....but in different place than before!!! takecare Fatpants

Thanks for the reassurance. What boggles my mind though is Chris gave me a fill that day, instead of telling me the band needs defilled to give the pouch a chance to reactify itself! I am quite cross, I do not think we are properly educated in the care of living with the band, that speel he gives us after the op and at consultations isn't enough, how are we supposed to remember everything he says. I also think that they should explain why we can't eat certain thinks, for example bananas? I asked him on my last visit and he explained that things with high protien take longer to digest and therefore must sit in the stomach longer, ok that makes sense. What about the other things...rice swells, meat is too chunky? Celery and citrus..perhaps too acidy? Who knows, but I would rather understand why then it is easier to handle. Educating our selves on the forum seems to be how most of us have gotten through the process, but I don't think this is enough. I did mention it to one of the secretaries that we need a booklet with questions and answers on it so as that we have more of an understanding. Fatpants

Dear Crazy, That's what he called it a pouch! Thank you for sending me the link, that's what my xray looked like. Chris didn't really explain anything to me, except just to drink. Have you had this? Do you think it can go away on it's own? I'm not sure what I should be doing! Fatpants

Hi everyone, new and old! I haven't been on here for a while, so here goes! I have had several problems through out my band life, I did get down to my target weight after 18 months and I went back to Chris for a tummy tuck. However, I have had several blockages which meant that I have had to have my band loosened in A&E, which was not great due to discomfort and the expense of refilling! But at the time -what a relief! On one occassion I thought I was having a heart attack! Anyway back to now, a few months ago I travelled to London to have an xray and a consultation with Chris, he said that I had a....I think he called it a bulge, above my band. I was shocked, and as always felt under pressure not to take up too much of Chris's time, he spoke in his ussual manner...very quickly and abruptly! I asked what this was, he said it was the same as a slipped band, however that's not what he called it. He told me to only drink fluids to try to allow it to disperse. CAN ANYONE ENLIGHTEN ME? Or has anyone else had this? Takecare of yourselves Fatpants

Dear emsey, Well, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to men! I thought losing weight and getting back to my pre-married size would improve my marraige...but it hasn't! He says he loves for what is on the inside...that he misses my bum...No compliments..., it's me that's been on the verge of leaving, but we have 6 kids so it's not that easy...so I'm still here. I don't understand, I thought it would bring the spark back and we'd be like newly weds, I can fit into my wedding dress again! He did propose again but it didn't make sense as we were not getting on at all, I actually thought I had misunderstood him! I hope you get on ok, and things go smoothly for you, just think of this as a new chapter in your life! Fatpants

It was Chris in Belgium and I am delighted with it, it's just on scar from hip to hip, my friend had one done here in UK and she also has a vertical scar from the horizontal one to level with her rib cage, this does benefit getting rid of excess skin on the upper belly and pulling in the waist. Chris doesn't do this tummy tuck and I couldn't afford to have it done here it cost twice the price. Fatpants

Hi everyone, Happy New Year 2011! I haven't been on for ages, last time I spoke about putting on my photos, I think this is why I haven't been back on......the tread of putting my naked body on the net!!!! Thanks freckels for your offer to frost out discriminating bits! I am not against this I just can't track down all the stages of progress and I really wanted to share every little detail: from the size of my tummy when I was in labour with my twins, then me at my fattest, pretummy tuck then post Tummy tuck op, and now after from 235 lbs to 160lbs, size 22 to 12 M&S skinny jeans without stretch!!! What a journey...but it's not over, I seem to have really bad reflux. I had a fill in July and have been happy with this, enough restriction without too many restraints, no reflux and only occassional discomfort due to be stupid or distracted when eating and gulping. Recently I have been extremely stressed in my marriage and the dilemas of what to do etc...My Doctor suspects an ulcer and has referred me to the hospital for an endoscopy -a camera down my throat to see what's going on. I had oesophagitis (inflamation of the oesophagus due to acid reflux) before and had to have a defill, this too was due to stress tightening my band. Freckles , you are doing really well, I noticed your ticker is getting closer to the end!! Well done and good for you. I too put on several pounds over Christmes 6 to be excact, but I've them again due to the acid or ulcer, what ever it is! Very soon after eating I am in extreme pain, so it's better not eating! Hope all yuo guys are well and doing well! Fatpants

Dear Sammy77, Yes, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason as to how much you can eat and the fullness of the band, but I have learnt the hard way, by over doing it and not being carefull and have ended up with an emergency de-fill on the NHS and they take everything out so it's an expensive indulgence! Fatpants

Thank you every one for your posts and positive feedback...Life can only get better! Fatpants

Dear Wannabe slinky, Yes the band surgery was much worse, the TT was really easy, no pain, it was incredible. Yes I have before and after pic's but they're naked ones, I didn't want any clothes hiding anything! Would you like to see them? Fatpants :smile2:

Hi everyone....new and old, I know it's been a while since I've written any news....I've just been too busy...buying new clothes and soaking up the compliments!!! What a life changing experience, I wish I had started the whole thing 5 years age! All I can say now is thank you Fearn Britton for giving me the inspiration and will to do all of this, only one problem...My husband complains about me loosing the big bum! Oh well, you can't please everyone! Here's my story, hopefully it will inspire others to be positive and move forward and onward with your lives! I am 47 years old, I am married with 6 children ranging from 21 to 7, life was fine and I was contented with my lot, but battled with weight, turning to food when I was tired, stressed and angry, it always makes you feel better and when you are already just 2lbs shy of 17 stones a few more treats won't make any difference! Deep down I hated myself, I hated what I had allowed myself to become, I just felt like a big fat ugly tub of lard, who was stuck in a catch 22, I was depressed being fat so hate to comfort myself. Over the past 6 years I had gone on diets, I started fitness regimes and they all worked...I did lose weight but only till the next crisis or row with my husband and I would 'punish myself' by pouring food down my throat and all the good work would be out of the window....and each time I'd put on more weight! Then one day I saw Fearn Britton and the big 'scandal' she had had a gastric band, I decided there and then; if she can do it so can I! I started immediately researching, I tried to get it on the NHS...that's just a waste. I discovered a couple of people that had been to see Chris and so that is were I went on the 17th March 2009. The Op itself was fine, I suffered a lot from air over my shoulder, which often returned after a fill! I did have a couple of hiccups when I suffered a blockage, once clearly my own fault celery... this was very bad as it caused bad acid reflux and burning of my oesophecus, each time the local NHS were very addentive and relieved my suffering by emptying my band!!!! This was fraustrating and expensive as I then had to go through the lengthy proceedure of refilling! On June 17th I returned to Belgium to have my annual check up, and also a Tummy Tuck! Yes, something I had only dreamt off and never thought I would ever do. On the NHS they would have wanted me to be 75kilos and this had been my target but I got inpatient and went at 78 kilos! woweee... I am sooo inpatient, even that was diffecult but everything just fell into place. This operation was not painful at all, after three weeks the muscles in my abdomen did feel tender...I was probably doing too much! Well three and a half months on, people don't regognise me and have to look twice, I feel fantastic...I am now a size 12 and weight 74kilos (11stones9). My friend went over in May after she how well it had worked. May I also say I now know what the sweet spot is, I am still losing weight..without any effort, I just don't feel hungry, sometimes when I know I need to eat, there is just nothing I fancy. I now understand my band and can live with it happily! For all you people hesitating, or wondering GO FOR IT you'll never look back! Fatpants....no Longer! Takecare everyone!

No, but i'm going on the 6 July 2010. You did this quote ages ago, have you now been? I would be really interested in hearing from you! Fatpants

Wow, you did well I think I had 4 fills before I got to 5.25! Lucky you. I didn't get restriction until I was at 6mls. but I have had a couple of hiccups and had to be defilled twice! It's a long story, actually I'm sure I've told it on here! Well I booked the wrong train so didn't actually arrive in edinburgh till 1.30. Good luck & take care Fatpants

Sorry I missed you! Fatpants

What time is your appointment, I'm in at 12.20

Off to see Chris for a tummy tuck on the 6 July, got great price for flights to Charlerio Airport. Please can anyone tell me about travel from Charlerio to the Campanille Hotel. Thanks a bunch, sorry rushing to work no time to chat! Fatpants! Take care of yourself!

Hi Homecare, I'm glad you are able to eat, this is very possitive! I know what you mean about the weight loss asn starvation mode, it just doesn't make sense , when I am bad and eat chocolate etc I still seem to lose weight, when I am really good and very strict with myself i usually stay the same or even put on weight! No sense! Take care Fatpants :scared2:

I'm going for a fill on the 26th Feb it'll be interesting to see how much fill I'm going to be given, I will be taking all the advise and not pushing for too much too soon, although I have put on 9lb over the last months I'm now going to take my time and do it in a health way. Best wishes for the 25th and your fill, dont forget to let me know how it went and how you feel after it. mmmxxx :scared2: Dear MMM, When I had a blockage in November and had to have 2mls out to clear it I gained 8lbs which was soul destroying, it took 2 fills to get back to my original amount, and now I've just had 4,5mls out I am really freaking out! I phoned my closest Spire which is in Edinburgh, and this is what they quoted me: barium swallow £218 Fill with xray £418 fill £299 I told her what you got done and how much you paid, she just said all hospitals are different and charge differently! My God, that is some difference! It would be worth my while to fly down from Inverness to your hospital, can you please let me know which one it was. Today, I have to say I am almost fealing normal, just a little selfconciouse of my oesophocus! Take care everyone Fatpants :crying:

Dear MMM, Thank you so much for sharing your information with me and all the other bandsters and pre-bandsters that have the privilage of using and sharing this thread! After reading your last entry I just spent an hour reading all the entries for the last God knows how many days! and eventually found the offensive entry you were talking about, this person was very rude to you, so I am even more grateful that you took your time and effort to reply to me, as I know that an offensive entry like that could be enough to put anyone off sharing anything. My husband thinks this is a fantastic site and that we all need to put all our experiences , good or bad, on here as the information we get from Belgium is limited. Well they do give info if we ask the questions but I would just feel like a nuisance e-mailing with questions all the time. I keep thinking someone should make up a booklet with info. they could get it all from this thread! £160 is fantastic for everything you got. I remember when I phoned a private hospital to ask if they would give me a fill they said it would cost £200 just for a fill!!!! You say that you have to wait 4 weeks before a partial refill, well i phoned Fred yesterday and told him everything and he told me it would be fine to have a partial refill on the 25 February just 2 weeks after being in hospital, I have to say I was very surprised, I wonder if I should check with Chris. Thank you Homecare & Carriejess for your kind words and thoughts. Takecare everyone Fatpants :thumbup:

MMM I was just wondering how did they manage to find out your specific levels of fill for your restriction. Who did this for you? Was it on the NHS? I just thought if they can do this for you, surely it should be something that is done for all of us so as to prevent these problems. Takecare Fatpants :rolleyes2:

Thank you MMM for your clear discription of what causes the reflux...:rolleyes2: HOMECARE I hope you are coping! I phoned Fred and he told me just to stay on fluids for 2 days, and then go onto mushies, by now I had already been on fluids for 2 days but I decided to try another 2 days. My situation changed yesterday, the pain just became intolerable si I went to my GP for some pain killers, but she said they would make it worse, she gave me some antiacid tabs and gaviscon, the antiacid tablets didn't seem to make any difference and the gaviscon exasperated my Oesophagus, the pain was excruciating. All afternoon all I could do was take a gulp of water, even sitting up in bed, I was burping these white foamy bubbles! This went on from 2.30 to 8.30, I just counldn't take it any more and asked my husband to phone an ambulance! The A&E and the ward were great, I was given morphene immediatly, put on a saline trip and a paracetamol trip, they gave me an anti sickness injection. Everyone was very attentive and looked after me really well. I was given an ACG (as the pain was in my chest I guess they had to check my heart), they Xrayed my chest and my stomach, to check the band and to check for blockages. They did blood tests to check for gol (!) stones and other things I can't remember. They were very thorough! I had been afraid of what kind of treatment I might recieve. They even found a surgeon who had had some experience with gastric bands, and even though my port area now looks like a pin cushion! He managed to loosen my band. Guess how much he took out? Horror!!!! 4.5mls!!!!! I was admitted to the ward and stayed in over night to make sure all was well. They really were fantastic apart for the 4.5mls! Take care all of you! Fatpants :thumbup:

Hi Homecare, Thanks for letting me know about your call to Wendy. Yesterday I only drank hot water and hot water with stock cubes and that was fine. During the night I kept on waking feeling as if I were drowning with my mouth full of saliva. I was realy tired this morning so I went back to bed after the kids went to school, but i slept perched up on pillows, i didn't have the problem with saliva. today i have tried a cup of hot water a stock cube in hot water and a small cup of tea, I had bad pain with them all and so made myself sick. I have just had a dessert spoon of ice cream and I am now in pain. I didn't think of taking a pain killer so I think I''l take some calpol... see what happens. When is your defill? I was looking on Chris's website and I could go to Glasgow on the 19th. The thought of having another defill makes me quite upset, I was fine for two weeks, so why now? I don't know.... Take care Fatpants

Hi Freckles, I tried the lemonade, and as you said it was very painful, so much so that I had to make myself sick, the lemonade is all that came out though! Anything is worth trying. Take care Fatpants:thumbup:

Hi Homecare, I very rarely come on here now, usually only when I need some support or information! There are a lot of new bandsters now and the pages are so many to try and catch up with! Anyway your problem seems tobe exactly what I'm going through! Back in November my weight loss seemed to plateau, so when my sister suggested I join her on a 4 day diet I thought it was a good idea... even though it involved eating raw vegetables,,,I just thought if I cut them in really thin slithers and chew them really well it would be fine...Little did I know! On the 2nd day I had to eat raw celery which I cut extremely thinly and I chomped very thoroughly, on the 3rd day I didn't feel right, I felt a fullness in the middle of my chest, so I continued and just ate less (I wanted to win and lose more weight than my sister!) How stupid of me! I made myself really ill, No amount of gavascon would help. My husband suggested I dring a cup of hot milk, I used to suffer terribly from heart burn when I was pregnant and this always worked, so I tried this, during the night I would wake up choking, my mouth was full of foam and curdled milk - it was really disgusting, I am making myself feel ill just thinking about it! I tried to make myself sick but this didn't work. I think that celery got caught in the hole where the band was ans this is why being sick wasn't working. Having food trapped here made the acid in my 'lower stomach', were it's supposed to be, come right up into my 'upper stomach', above the band, causing terrible burning and discomfort, I really thought I was having a heart attack! The long and short of it was fortuneatly Chris was coming to Edinburgh the next day were I was booked for a fill, instead He took 2mls out which instantly resolved the problem, presumable what ever was trapped was released. OMG what a relief! I was like a different person! Unfortunately I put on 7lbs, it was as if the flood gates had opened, I was just stuffing my face with anything and everything! I had to have had 2 fills in December and January, my weight is back to were it was in November and guess what I think I got something trapped in the hole again! I had a fill two weeks ago, everything has been fine then 3 days ago I could only manage half of my food, I wanted to eat it but I felt uncomfortable, the next day was fine till the evening meal and the same thing again, then the fallowing morning I couldn't drink tea! for lunch I had 2 rice cake with pate and that seemed to go down, last night I had a very small portion of spagetti carbonara which was fine but I just felt in discomfort all night, and twice I woke up choking, as if saliva went in my wind pipe. I do feel like there's something trapped but I really don't want to have a defill again, it's an absolute disaster, putting on weight and having to pay all that money. Eating that celery cost me £270 and that's just for the docter, there's the journey's aswell! Please tell me what your outcome is, or if there is anyone else who has been through a similar experiance please advice me what happed to you so as that I can resolve this. This time I have not eaten anything I shouldn't have, the only thing I can think it is, I read way back on this thread that stress can cause your band to get tighter. At the moment I am under a lot of stress and anxiety. Welcome to all the new bandsters! Fatpants:thumbup: