SingingParrott

It's a year today since I was banded. I'm 50lbs lighter and a whole new person! Chris was great, the op the best thing I've ever done and Wendy at WLS fantastic for post op follow up, support and fills. I've had interviews wearing new suits and been looked at for the person I am, not the lardy lump I used to be. I've done a return to nursing Uni course and got a great nursing job in the speciality I love. To any of you having doubts - don't - this op really turns your life around. Thanks everyone for keeping the forum going, I drop in occasionally and keep up. It was this forum which helped me to decide in the first place. Keep writing and keep losing!

Hi Puddlejumper and all those of you preparing to go to Belgium! If you have a look on page 447 I posted a few ideas on where to order money, what to take with you and food ideas for afterwards. I hope you'll find them useful. I'm happy with my progress, it's slowish but steady. Wendy at WLS is so supportive and will see us whenever we want (at no extra charge) whether for a fill or just a chat, and their monthly teaching sessions with the dietician are really helpful, giving guidelines for healthy eating whilst losing weight. I highly recommend them (WLS group Weight Loss Surgery Group - Aftercare) And no I'm not being paid, just speaking from experience! I have gained the confidence to make the career move I've been promising myself for years and come out from my corner with a smile. :frown: AND I'm now wearing size 12 jeans - a long way from the size 26 I used to be. Wishing you all the success you deserve SP

Hi Cankster and well done on a fantastice weight loss already, don't expect it to continue at that rate (though we all wish it would!) I'm almost certain the lump you feel is the port, it's about 3.5cm across and close to the largest scar on your left hand side. The tubing from the band comes through the muscle there and the port itself is stitched to the muscle to hold it in place. It will be sore and bruised for a while, especially until the stiches are removed. If however, as said previously, it is much larger than that, becomes hot, red or more sore, please do visit your GP or practice nurse to get it checked for infection or haematoma (Mega bruise!) Keep up the good work and be kind to your body and its band! SP

Hi all, just to let you know I'm still here, calling in regularly and reading all the news. I'm doing fine and after only 4 months and 30lb lost, the first person noticed today that I'd lost weight! Hooray, it's working! Wendy at WLS says I've lost 40% of my excess body fat, not bad really when you put it that way. I'm beginning to find some confidence too and for those who may remember my appalling work situation, I've found the courage to come out of the corner and am leaving to go back to mursing, my first love. All I have to do now is tell the current lot I'm off without causing major family ructions..... I have a target date too, my elder daughter announced her engagement at Christmas, so I shall be "the mother of the bride" summer 2011 and I intend to wow them! Well done to all the rest of you who are turning your lives around, keep up the good work. SP

Where is everyone? Are you all partying / shopping / at school nativity plays? Just an interesting fact I learned this week. As a blood donor, they don't want you to dontae for six months after surgery and for six months after each adjustment. Shame really, but useful to know. Have a great Christmas one and all and here's to a thinner New Year! :biggrin:

HI Fatpants. I had an extended tummy tuck in 2006 by Geoffrey Wilson at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London. He repaired all the separated muscles (from child bearing) and umbilical hernia, then removed all the excess skin using an anchor shaped incision and resited my tummy button. It was on the NHS as my "overhang" was really bad after 6 stone weight loss, two pregnancies and massive steriod doses for asthma. I had two drains, six weeks off work and now have a beautiful flat tummy! The weight I put on since (which I'm working on with the band) has gone elsewhere as he liposuctioned out all the fat cells from my lower abdomen. I healed really well except for a small patch round the tummy button. It is unusual for people who have unhealthy diets or smoke to heal as well so that's worth considering. My scar is about 30inches long in total. You can see some of the scar line in the photo of my band wounds on my profile. Do hope this has helped. Feel free to pm me if you want to know more. Best wishes SP

That's just the way it's done I'm afraid. We've all done the same and I've not heard of any problems at all (and I have read every single entry on this forum!) The only alternative I can see is that instead of just payiing the deposit by bank transfer in advance of your arrival, you pay the whole lot, half a month before say, and half 2 weeks before so that the transfer all clears before your surgery date. You could suggest that to Fred if you wish and your other half finds it preferable.

I'm afraid you'll find it can be done in surprisingly few notes - they have a €500 note, so you only need 8 to make €4000 Carry 4 each and don't lose them! I took the money out in £ from my bank account gradually over a period of time, then swapped great wads of it to Euros at a bureau de change in London (See page 447 for links to recommended places for good rates of exchange) Had my 3rd fill (.25mls) at the weekend and attended a very helpful talk by Colleen from WLS on recognising the difference between emotional hunger and genuine hunger. WLS offer so much more than fills, they're a great group to go with post op. Colleen was saying she went to Belgium recently and went into theatre with Chris and Fred to see how they work. She was impressed. It's quiet here without Freckles, hope she's having a great time, and is happy and healthy. Best wishes to all SP

Well done you! Great piccies, too many memories! What's a skerrick? Is it something you northerers aspire to? I've seen WLS Wendy a couple of times now and now am the proud possessor of 4.5mls saline, and it's made a noticable difference. She's lovely and so encouraging. Thanks forum folk for helping me find her!

Hi Sheila! Lovely to hear from you! Yes, this is a lot tougher than I'd expected, but it is working slowly. Reading the boys chatter a couple of pages back, it takes time and we're still in the early days. I've had two fills now with Wendy and although I lost no weight with the first, I did lose 1lb of fat and gain 1lb of muscle, so it's not all bad. Today is day 2 of post fill mushies, and I've not really felt hungry since this fill (the 1st one made no noticable difference whatsoever) Yesterday I sinned big time, it was a Birthday at the office and although I avoided the cakes and biscuits, I couldn't resist the tin of chocolates that sat in the kitchen all day. Must be better today, at least that temptation's all gone now. I do feel it is really a one day at a time thing and we must put each bad day behind us and get on with today in a more positive light. Not one single person has noticed I've lost weight, which is quite disheartening, but then again, it means they're not watching me to see if I lose more or eat something "naughty", so I guess it takes some of the pressure off. Have you heard how our partners in crime are getting on? Do keep up the good work and be kind to and patient with yourself. It'll be worth it in the long run!

Hi Dizzy. I had my first fill with Wendy at WLS on Saturday. It was simple and painless. I'm now on liquids for 3 days, then mushies again for 3 days before returning to normal food. By the time Saturday came I had become more hungry and had started looking for food (but still brought back anything I'd not chewed properly!) I would highly recommend the WLS aftercare package - you can go almost as often as you want whether it's for advice, adjustment or just accurate weighing (with a nasty printout of how much actual fat you're carrying!) They offer 12, 24, or 36 month packages. All the details are on their website - Weight Loss Surgery Group - Home Good luck in your weight loss SP

So glad you're feeling better and looking to eat! If you have a look on page 447 (I think) of the forum, you'll find a list I posted of suggested liquids and mushies. Do take it slowly; I'm a month in and still find it difficult to eat some things - not bad for the weight loss, but a little tiresome on occasions. Hope this helps

Please remember that although price is a very important part of the consideration, the experience of your proposed surgeon is too. Find out how many gastric bands he has placed, how many he has had to abort or remove shortly post op and if he has had any slippages or deaths. Does he teach other surgeons or is he still learning? What back up emergency facilities are there at the clinic or hospital where he operates? Will the use of these and his time be covered or extra? Lots to consider, but very important. I took some weeks to read every posting on this thread. It helped me make a fully informed decision. Good luck in whatever path you choose.

Hi Wendy! Well done for finding us - that's a complete banding day set!! You've certainly found your way round the forum quickly too, and your ticker is showing a brilliant weight loss, well done! Keep up the good work! Do you or Sheila have the same funny little lump in the lower central scar as Bev and I? Wonder what is is. Will ask WLS Wendy when I see her on the 17th Keep in touch SP

Well done, that's pretty well the worst over with! As far as getting out of bed is concerned I have found the follwoing helps: roll onto your side facing the edge of the bed, drop your feet over the edge of the bed keeping your legs in the same bent position, push up with the uppermost arm (on the bedside cabinet is most steady) You should end up sitting on the edge of the bad without having used your tummy muscles! You can drink whatever thin liquids you want, I posted a list several pages back of liquids and mushies you may like to try. I had my op 3 weeks ago and after the Wednesday my oesophagus swelled up so much all I could manage were ice lollies until about the Sunday when I just managed cold fruit juice. We're all different though. Just remember, liquids only at the moment! (I even strained cuppa soups to start with) Work - personally I doubt it - unless you're some kind of superhero! Take a sickie and use it to rest totally! Good luck with everything SP

Yup - Lovely Jarrow Sheila has found us on the forum. Her name is Lynxie and she last wrote on the 26th. All we need now is Wendy and we've got a set! :scared2: Have noticed I'm the only one on here this morning, apart from 4 guests, it's a little lonely writing to empty ether - come on guys 'n gals, where've you all gone?

Hi Bev, Sheila et al! Your weight loss is fantastic, well done! I too find mealtimes a bit of a bind. What I seem to crave is flavour not volume. I can have a small amount, then give the rest to the hens - they're loving it! The hiccups are not constant any more, but come back all too quickly if I swallow any lumps, chasing things through with some water seems to help. Not sure that I'm very swollen, just fat I think! I can feel my port, but it's not very obvious and doesn't interfere with my sleeping postion. I do have a pea sized hard lump in the lower central scar. I've started massaging it with bio oil to try to disperse whatever it is. I'm not a gym goer either but am now back to walking the mile and a half each way to and from work each day - lovely whilst the sun's shining and good for my pocket too! I have a fill booked with Wendy at WLS in London for Saturday 17th October, not too long now and I'm excited to get really started and properly monitored. My GP has been great and wants to see me every few weeks for monitoring too, and has even asked if I'll chat to other prospective patients. Almost ready to go back down a jean size, currently holding these up with a belt, but a little uncomfotable when leaning forward over my desk or curled up on the sofa. Maybe next week. Great isn't it! Freckles, I'm so pleased that after all those dark days your mum is home and you've got someone coming in to help. We had that with M-i-L's mother who was at home on her own until we lost her aged 107! Family called in every day, but we had carers got her up, washed and dressed, then settled her again at night. It all worked very well. What will happen whist you're off on your fantastic holiday? Take care all SP

Hi Tanyac, if you look all the way back to page 9 of the forum, English Rose gave really clear instructions on tickers. I find it encouraging to see how the weight loss is going coz if it's only the odd 1/4 or 1/2 pound it seems so slow, but cumulatively on the tick is so pleasing! (The most important bit is to copy and paste in the ticker bit to your footer or signature) Hope that helps SP

Welcome Sheila! Well done for finding us! Glad you're doing well, except for the sneeze! It prob did no major damage and the pain will go off as the swelling subsides again. I have sneezed quite a lot, as well as hiccuping for hours on end. If I feel a cough or sneeze coming on, I hold my hand firmly against my tummy - it seems to help. Bev, sorry you're still sore. I guess we all heal at different rates, just keep up the protein and vits as that's what you need to heal well. How was the spa weekend (nudge nudge, wink wink!!) :smile2: My narrowboat trip went well, except that elder daughter turned up home from France the day before and announced she was coming too! That was that cat out of the bag! Actually, I said I'd had an op and lifted my shirt to show her, she said "Oh, you had a gastric band fitted?" and that was that. No-one else knows and work and my dreaded sister have no idea, thank goodness. I sang a three hour gig last night and all my muscles ache from being used so much. Good exercise for them I suppose. One stone down so far, and no real hunger, just a very noisy belly! Fun this adventure isn't it!! Keep up the good work all :smile2:

Hi there, bookings for Wendy Stubbs are made through Colleen Campbell. Their number is 0800 78 79 029 and the web site is Weight Loss Surgery Group - Home Although I've not met them yet, Wendy was very helpful over the 'phone when I had a panic in the first few days. Hope this helps

HELP PLEASE I've just got back from being "done" and have had non stop hiccups for the past three hours. I'm exhausted enough as it is! I've tried Motilium, Zoton and Windeeze to no avail. I also have a lot of frothy spit. PLEASE HELP!

Hi Oliverdog. After much mailing I received a confirmation email from Fred of my booking and he included the following information - " If possible, it is best for you to go on a general low fat diet at least two weeks before surgery which will cause your liver to shrink, and thus making the operation easier. You enter our hospital on the day of surgery at 07.15h am and a preoperative electrocardiogram and blood sample will be taken. Then you will be operated on under general anaesthetic and will leave the hospital the next day at 13h00, after the standard postoperative examinations." I hope this is of help. The Milk Thistle is from Boots or Holland and Barrat, it is a herb which is supposed to help remove toxins from the liver Wikipaedia says "it is the seeds of milk thistle that herbalists have used for 2000 years to treat chronic liver disease and protect the liver against toxins. Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle" My theory was that taking it may be benificial, so it was worth a try. All the best SP