Baarbs

Hi Cankster, Glad everything went well and hope you are on the mend now. Your posts make me laugh I didn't notice the F problem with Fredrick. But just to let others know there were 7 being banded on our day 2 were in single rooms two were in twin rooms and I was in a triple there was another bandster in with me and a Belgium older lady who didn't speak English and left the afternoon we checked in but she was very sweet and was also Dr Chris paitent. Sorry you had lack of attention but I don't think that is the norm as we had exceptional care I suppose there must have been several people calling at the same time. I don't know about anyone els I was drinking tea and coffee when I came home but just don't over do it and stick with the soups and jelly and bovril etc for at least 10 days.

Hi everyone, I don't know about you but I have been enjoying the banter, info and support on this site. There is always one A.H. that will try and spoil things. My suggestion is to let T.I.N carry on with his bitter twisted remarks but ignore him and don't even give him the satisfaction of a reply. Don't even bother to read his postings. He's behaving badly so treat him like a naughty child ignore bad behaviour and bad manners. It' sad to think that someone who had and probably still has a weight problem can say such nasty things about other people with the same problem. Other issues there one thinks. Pity him as weight loss has obviously not been the answer.

The Hospital is spotless and the staff are wonderfull all speak English and are very attentive and caring. the operation takes about 30 minutes but you are away for about 4 hours as they keep you in recovery. You don't get to choose what time the op is HIgher the risk the earlier the op I was next to last so 4pm but you won't know till the day and you are kept busy with one thing or another. You will be fine don't forget wear really loose waist banded clothes as sitting on the trains will be uncomfortable. You won't be let out of the Hospital till around 2pm the next day as you have an X Ray befor you leave and you won't feel like doing anything when you get back to the hotel as you will probably feel groggy and sleepy. Don't be frightened it will all be over in a couple of days and you will be on your way to a new you. Baarbs

Hi Oliverdog. Oooo handsome young man eh, can't wait to go, shame my hubby is going with me. The Cougar in me is surfacing lol :thumbup: (Cougar is the new word for older women who date or marry younger men) Perhaps we shall meet up eventually. Keep up the good work. Baarbs

Tell me about it, I had an American holiday in November and Christmas before my band and gained half a stone I only managed to loose one pound on my pre op diet I was rubbish but once you have the band on you must only have liquids for the first 10 to 14 days because if you don't you may break stiches inside so that gives you a brilliant start and honestly you don't feel hungry it's the cravings I have trouble with and as time goes on as it relaxes and you do get hungry you get fill and you are back to square one. Everyone is the same thats why we get the band but you have to help it a bit. Just read the back posts you are not alone but I don't think any of us has regretted having it done. The girls that I went with that have kept in touch are all happy so I'm sure you will be fine. Baarbs:thumbup:

Hey Janie 2 and mrsjotaylor, Havent heard from you both for a while how are you getting on?

Hi, If there are other people in the hotel having the same you will all chum up I expect, You won't have much time to get nervous as by the time you check in and get sorted go in to have your dinner then Frederick arrives and you all go into a meeting room for the low down on the op etc then hand over the Euros it won't be long till bed time as you will have to be at the hospital to register at 7am. Take a couple of mags with you and maybe a DS that will keep you occupied. Don't forget to take a mug with you for your hotel room as they have those awfull plastic things. A couple of cup of soups and 4 yogurt drinks and a couple of low sugar juice drinks. Wear loose waisted trousers as sitting down traveling you won't want the waist band sticking into you. Thanks for the compliment but to be honest apart from the first week I haven't got any restriction so I am just being carefull and watching what I eat, I don't have my first fill till 26th Feb. Dieting isn't too bad it is keeping off the weight I struggle with.:bored:

Hi We all had the last supper in the hotel so yes a nice meal on your last night is fine and maybe one drink but I decided to abstain from the alcohol didn't want to take any chances but like I say one I shouldn't think would do any harm but nothing no food no drink of any kind after midnight day befor surgery.

Hi, I won't be going for my first fill untill Feb 26th as this week is only 2 weeks but if you are going next month I may see you. Hope it sorts you out and gets you on track

Hi Paul, Welcome to the Bandsters site. My advice to you would be "listen to Garry he's the man" What he doesn't know about banding isn't worth knowing.My only regret is that I didn't find this site before I booked I would have saved at least a couple of hunred euros. Good luck:thumbup:

Thanks for the tips Guys (Lill and mm)I feel better knowing that it is a complaint others have had and I will try that. I don't know who I am seeing in Newport she wasn't sure maybe Frederick. I will be able to tell you more after my first vist. I don't feel any restriction only this shoulder pain after I have eaten. Still it is early days and I have lost 7lbs to date so am well please with the results so far. Went for an hours walk today Knackered!!!!

Does anyone els get a pain behind their left shoulder blade and a dull ache for an hour or two after eating?

Hi Cankster, Don't be scared, Everyone is so nice over there and I'm sure you will meet others in the Hotel that are going and will all pal up. Ask Sharon T!!! If at all possible take someone with you. When your in hospital it is so much better to have someone to wake up to but more importantly you are having an operation and to travel home on your own will not be easy as you will be sore. If you really can't take anyone with you travel very very very light. 1 small bag will be all you need and will be able to manage. Off Eurostar in Brussells see time table for Valvoorde from Jon in earlier posts.10 mins on local train 3 stops Campinaile Hotel a short walk across the car park at back of station. See things to take above. You will be fine none of us have regretted it. If you need anymore info ask any of us. Garry is a wizz.

Hi Sharon, Glad your feeling better, Have you changed your dressings yet? You should have on monday maybe that ill help. I'm still on the liquids but still craving It's driving me mad. I feel good still tender on left side on the port but like you have slept on my side for two nights now. Can't wait to go on solids, I'm so impatient. Keep up the good work.xoxo

Welcome home Lill. Sorry things didn't go as well as you had hoped but they only do things in the best interest of thier patient so it's for the best and they will look after you. Hope you get better soon. Thank for all the support you gave us. Baarbs x

Hi Jeaniejinx, Things to take Loose waisted nightwear and day wear for travelling home and slippers.For in the Hotel a mug ( they only have these silly pastic cups in the room) a couple of packs of cup a soup, some low sugar NON fizzy drinks like fruit shoot type things, 4 LF Probiotic yoghurt drinks may be some coffee and tea for the room Bovril if you like it. A towel and flannel for hospital and toiletries. Don't bother with loads of make up and hair products you won't feel like useing them. maybe take some rennies or similar. That should do you.I found I wasn,t hungry but boy I was so dry. I had the yoghurt on the train back as well. You won't need to take any food or drink for the hospital, they will give you what you need. The hotel food is Ok but you are not alowd to eat or drink after midnight (don't have the pizza it was rock hard) Hope this will be helpfull anything els ask You are mean't to start the LF Diet 2 weeks befor the op Like Weight Watchers or similar. Baarbs:thumbup:

Give me a shout before you go and I'll tell you what to take I took too much. You don't need to go on slim fast it's hard enough without that. get Bovril, cup of Soups, fresh soups (watch the fat content) Probiotic flavoured yoghut low sugar ready made jelly Low fat hot chocolate or ovaltene (only 1 a day) that will give you more variety for the firt two weeks. I have now lost 6lb since I have been back. less than a week you won't do more than that on slim fast,

Hi Jo (and to Tom)Great to hear from you 7lbWOW thats great I get hiccups too a bit sore when I do but doing OK and a bit tight in the chest. I am already fed up with liquids but I keep saying to myself not long now. I don't feel hungry at all but it's just getting my head around not picking and still craving it's a pain. I get my fill on the 26th of Feb in Wales so I'll keep you posted. xox B

Feeling Quite good today still suffering from ache i shoulder blades but other than that OK hope the rest of the 15th bandsters are feeling a bit more perky today x B

Hi Tracy That form is a pain I had the same trouble. Just print it off then fill it in and mail it to him that's what I did and it was fine, I also printed off a copy for my records to take with me they also give you the same form when you get there. Good luck if you need anymore info just ask. One thing I would stress is don't go on your own take your hubby or a friend you will be sore and to travel and carry luggage is a nightmare on your own. Also you will find the support of having someone with you a massive benefit.

Hey Garry how often to you weigh yourself and amend your ticker. Also do you have to go to ticker factory to do it and re paste or will it change it automatically if you amend it. B

No Haven't heard from Jane yet I phoned her the morning we were leaving and she felt a lot better but was going to get a taxi direct to the eurostar good idea as she was on her own. I have been to my doctor she was very supportive and see the practice nurse next Monday for the removal of stiches. I think I probably feel less sore as Sam did all the lugging of the luggage and I did as little as possible. I've booked my first fill in Newport in 6 weeks thats the first time I can get it done there. I bought a wii sport today!!!! well I have good intentions anyway.You look after yourself and keep me posted xox

Having just returned from Belgium I can now answer your posting, and from the horses mouth. 1. Dr Chris has had no mortalities 2. Out of over 4500 band operations Dr Chris has had 3 complications and all three had complications before he operated. 4. The care and attention was excellent 5. The hospital was spotless 6. And yes Dr Chris is my Hero!!!