Puddlejumper

Hi Kerry Thought it was about time I popped back to see how everyone was doing. I am feeling like you. I had a small defil of .5ml 6 months ago. weight has plateaued once again grrrr. had a hard year with my wife being told she had breast cancer, didnt help me concentrating on me! Any way my weight hasnt altered until 3 weeks ago when finally I weight 2 lbs less than normal. However I have a good idea why and thats because I have bought me a bicycle and love to go on 14 mile rides at least 3 times a week. Recovery time is ace compaired to a year or so ago! My "man belly" is now causing me to think WTF is this hanging about for, so I am enquiring with Chris and Frederick about having a Tummy tuck. I guess its not a man thing but I am seriously wanting it gone, which ofcourse will help as it will reduce my weight and I am quite close to where I'll be happy. All said and done I am pleased that I had it done 18 months ago, and would not ever think it was a mistake. I am well pleased, its done my confidence no end of good. Still chuffed to bits after my choice to have my band fitted. If anyone is about to go for it, then do it and enjoy the boost in all areas of life. Hope youre all doing ok Regards Paul

Hi Freckles, thought s as today was my band anniversary I better show up and say hi to everyone. I can't believe it's a year ago today I had my band fitted by Dr Chris. I am so pleased I had it done even moreso of late since my last fill in Nov to get over the prolonged plateau I was on. I went to try a new shirt today and instead of being an 18" or 19" collar I fitted into an 16.5", what a shock but such a nice one. I bought a new overcoat the other week in "L" rather than XXL. I would like to say good luck to anyone about to start their journey and suggest that they go for it. Hope you are doing ok too.

Freckles me darling, a word from the wise if you would be so kind. I have 8ml in my band now and I feel that when I have my main meal after work each day that within the first 3 mouthfulls I feel like I'm stuck, and it sometimes gives me such a long timeout before I resume normal eating mode. Is this possibly a sign that my restriction is just about there? I am booked for FRIDAY 13/08!, Spooky huh for my 4th fill, what's the chances I will get to the ole sweet spot do ya think?:blushing: I do hope some of my dear friends are comng to Manchester on Friday 13th with me, I would hate to be the only one who turns up just because of the day & date combo??? Hope youre all doing ok bandsters. Banded on 9th March 2010

Hi Fullfat, I did a balloon in 2007, while it was in place I lost a wonderful 5 stones in 6 months. As you say once it taken away youre back to square one. My BP went haywire and I put the 5 stone back on over the next 3 years. March this year , enough was enough and I was banded , best thing I ever did! If youre really serious about this then even if you dont take my advice alone, just take a good long read through the post that all the other bandsters posted in here, and hopefully that will make the decision for you ok? Good luck either way. Paul Banded on 9th March 2010

Hi Freckles, Thought it was about time I said something on this forum, its been a while. Well I had my third fill a few weeks ago and I can finally feel that my band it doing what its supposed to do and its great. The weight is finally starting to move and I am within 1lb 4 ozs of hitting my 2st goal since being banded 09/03/10. I did meet Jasmine101 there and bless her shes having a hard time losing it, but we had a good old yarn as Im sure you can well imagine. Mind you poor old Ange was upset when one of the ladies in the waiting area asked if she had a band, when she said no, she said " Well your not that small are you" , can you imagine how Ange felt? I had to take her to a retail therapy session afterwards to consol her! Anyway I am planning to have a 4th fill on Friday 13th Aug if I feel right and dare "Friday 13th and all that" ha ha. Hope youre doing ok my dear too. Hi to all the new ones just banded and those about to be. It can be a hell of a journey but well worth it in the end. Banded on 9th March 2010

Thanks freckles. Finally got a text saying something along those lines off my son who is nursing a hangover from what I can make out!

Hi jojo. Great to finally hear from you again. I hope you can come on 8/7 then we can have another yarn! Got my appt at 3pm see if you can get one around then if poss. Looking forward to another fill hopefully it will get me to or close to where I need to be on that sweet spot were all heading for. Booked my hold for next June today so I am expecting to be considerably slimmer by then. Take care and keep going ok. Regards to all bandsters. Paul and my dear long suffering wife Angie! Those of you who have met her will understand what I mean lol!

hi Carrie Jess , hope your ok and looking forward to being a mummy :-) guys Carrie is a well practised bandster and what she says is very true. I for one take note of those more senior bandsters as they have "been there n done it all before", so take note and stop worrying time will tell ok. Keep smiling bandsters we are special in our own right ! Paul

Ladies, just to make you feel more at ease I will back up exactly what Freckles said... I had my op 09/03/2010, I lost initial weight thanks to the pre op diet and the surgery itself. But for 6 longgggggggggggg weeks I never moved another ounce. I missed my second fill as I was on holiday, but went for it on 08/06/2010 and now have 4 mls in me, and the weight has started to move again and in the right direction. Since last Thursday I have lost 4 & 1/2 lbs in 6 days. So restriction does come eventually, so don't give up too early. I am half expecting to go for fill number 3 on 08/07/2010 in Manchester and maybe just maybe I will get to where I need to feel the true restriction I am waiting for. They do say and it's true it's not a miracle cure but a tool for us to work at and with. So be patient like I am and many others are and I am sure it will be what you want it to be. On a great news note for me, since Xmas 2009 I went to my doctor who said my blood pressure was high and that was down to my weight. I have lost 16kg since then, and now my BP is "normal" again, so I am impressed. Long may this continue I say! Good luck and keep thinking "my turn is coming soon" Paul :devil_smile:

Better late than never to reply jojo. But WELL DONE my dear what acheivement and a milestone. I am half a stone and a month behind you chasing like mad!! Paul

hi strangers. I thought it was about time I surfaced and had a word with you all. Well three months post op and things are doing ok. Paid a visit to see Chris this afternoon in Manchester to have my 2nd fill. Missed it last month as I was sunning myself in turkey. I got my scars tanned now lol. Anyway the weight had plateaued for the last 4 weeks which was ok as at least I did not add any on which I suppose is a good thing really. Managed a full 2ml fill today to top me up to 5ml. I must admit I felt it react almost immediately with drinking water. Having a nice milkshake for tea! Anyway here we go on a kick start to more loss and see how the next four weeks go to see how effective it was. Hope all my old friends are doing ok and to all those newbies good luck. Paul

hello freckles, I feel very much the same, bread is like committing hari-Kari , it's always something that tends to give me so much trouble so I steer clear as much as possible. I think I've had 2 slices in 6 weeks does feel weird after a life time of eating it, but lately it doesn't worry me any more. As far as red meat goes and I'm a carnivore by nature I haven't dared try my favourite steak yet am a little wary from what dr Chris mentioned when I got banded, seems white meat and fish are the better option these days. Well my weight has stayed static for a week which is a little disconcerting but the other way of looking at it is that I haven't put any on! The old war wound is still grumbling but I expect that now. All things being equal people are noticing a shrinking violet which boosts the old ego no end! Take care everyone and best of luck to all those trying to get to belgium to begin their journey. Paul

Hi Lynxie , If you want to telephone Fredrick his number is 0032 472 01 90 91. Go for the package they offer, it does take so much stress away from the whole journey. Good luck Paul

Hi It may be a wise move to use the more popular thread for Dr Chris http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/anyone-know-dr-de-bruyne-chris-41669/index584.html Loads of us use this one, so chances are you'll get on better ok? Good luck Regards Paul

Thanks Garry , looks like I must look after it so it does not moan too often! Paul

Congratulations Jasmine on becoming a fully fledged bandster. I am sure you will get out of this what you really want. Regards Paul

hi freckles I hope it does too it's so painful and thanks to bobaldy for his thoughts too. I think I will give it till Thursday which will be a week after being messed with And If it doesn't stop by then , email to the boys it is. Just booked my second fill this morning with Julie for June 10. I have to miss the may run as I will be securely fastened to a sunbed in turkey, hard choice huh lol. It would be great to see my friends there again. Here's Hoping, mind you to wet ur appetite girls Julie told me that it's more than likely to be freddy so I guess you'll all be queueing up to have him prod you ha ha. Take care all. Paul ... Ps I've lost 4lbs since fill last Thursday!!!! Impressed to say the least.

extra note for the experts.... Since my fill I notice that I get a very sharp stabbing pain near my port if I bend too much. I am guessing it could be for one of two reasons, 1 just because it's filled now or 2 that I have been prodded by Chris and it's moaning about it. Anyone got this too? And any possible reasons for it please? Paul

Hi jo it was lovely to meet you and Angie thought so too. I am doing great since my fill I have literally just had my first solid food since Thursday and it's now 930 Sunday morning and that was a whole ounce if special k, I can feel a full feeling already. It's had a good effect on my weight too another 2.5lbs off since then! I am happy to say the least. My bmi has gone down over 3 since my op a month ago too. Keep going honey we all will get there sometime no too far away I hope x Paul

hi freckles, what kind of a man would I be if I never kissed all those lovely ladies? Yes, Angie is an angel I do often tell her that she deserves a medal for putting up with me!! Anyway it was great meeting you all yesterday , look forward to our next meeting x Paul

Hi gonnabeslinky! Lol Doing ok so far thanks. The weight reduction is doing ok but I know I have to patient. had my first fill yesterday but I had to have some of the antiseptic removed from my port side, it should have been absorbed into my body by now but there was a small amount in a pocket, no wonder it was still tender!! Today i just had some soup and by heaven I can feel it! Gotta be working. Let's hope it continues good luck to all those about to get banded. Regards Paul

Hi Julie, I was the only fella when I got promoted to a bandster, but the 4 girls with me did wear their own PJ's, I looked great in the backless number the hospital donated for my stay, mind you the white stockings didn't do anything for me, may be wise to take your slippers too seriously! I didn't take dressings as the ones they put on stay put till a day atleast after you get home. Have a good time and I am sure you'll wonder what on earth all the should I shouldn't I thougths were all about! Like me I think you'll not regret the decision you've made to have a band. Regards Paul