deecawley

Hi there, Just saw your question regarding Heartburn!!. I was banded in Belgium in June 2009, I went on to lose 5 stone in 2 years, happy days.. However, I started developing some serious heartburn and had a de-fill in Dublin in August 2011. The problem went away overnight and I began enjoying eating and having a glass of wine again. However in the past 18 months or so the heartburn has come back as bad as ever.. I know having constant acid reflux is very damaging so I only just wrote to Dr Chris in Belgium a couple of days ago regarding a removal of the band.. I have been quoted a price of 2,500 for a 4 night stay (I in hospital and 3 nights in Hotel). So now I am saving for this. Over the past 5 years I have gained 2 of the 5 stone back, however I honestly think I will be eating healthier as I have really cut down on my veg unless mashed. Eat no fruit just too difficult, and love mash potatoes and gravy, everything has to have loads of sauce. Thank is my story, I don't regret doing it has I may have put on more weight.. But I am ready for change.

Hi Gerry, Just wanted to congratulate on losing nearly 100lbs that is fantastic! and to be brave enough to go for more surgery with the Tummy tuck (I have to ask was this very painful?) Well done, I had my band fitted last July by Dr Chris De Bruyne and I agree they are an excellent team. I have lost just over 40lbs and have another 30 or so to go. I must admit I am taking the slow route I have these great bouts of motivation and will start losing a few lbs then I stay stuck for many many weeks (but I do know why, no great mystery!) But the brillant thing I feel with the band is that I havent put any on. Even over Christmas usually it would be at least 7lbs. So im very grateful. Keep up the good work. Deirdre

Hi there, Just read your thread, congrats on your decision on going for the band. I had my operation done Last July 09 in Belgium by Dr Chris De B. It was a good experience. After a lot of thinking, I decided to go over alone. My husband stayed at home to mind our two kids. I thought it would be a lot less hassle this way. the day of your operation you sleep most of the day and night, if I had brought someone they would have been very bored. On the 3rd day when you are released you do feel a bit woozy, but there was 3 of us staying at the same hotel so we got a taxi back together and all you do for that day is sleep mostly, once again your partner would be very bored. I did worry about returning by plane on the last day. Taxi picked you up at hotel and brings you straight to Airport (only 15 mins. away) just allow a lot of time as you will be walking slowly and a little be sore. Your are on the plane before you know it and in Dublin within 1.5hrs (I think). I come from the West of Ireland so I decided to fly down to Knock later on that day (just sat around and relaxed and read for hours). But I am glad I went alone, I would have felt bad that the other person would not be having so much fun. Hope this helps. Deirdre p.s. I have lost 3 of my 5 stone I need to lose. I am taking the scenic route (taking it real slow) and I'm glad I had it done hoping to have another stone off in time for my 1st year anniversary!! Good luck :thumbup: =July;1436947]Hi Gerry thank you for your information:smile2: I sent a message for Dr Chris already and just need to decide when i will be able to do the surgery in Belgium..He sent me back a presurgery questionnarie... ahh one question someone you know or in here had been in Belgium alone for the surgery?? I just want to do it but anyone in here agree with that and i will need to go alone if i decide to do it.. Just want to know if someone had that experience and if i will be able to manage come back to Ireland alone..My hubby just dont agree with that and either his family and all my family is in Brasil(i am brasilian) so hard to me but i really need do that surgery because i am feel horrible and i have back problem so that is one more reason i need to lose weight.. Hope someone give me a tip about that.. very happy for see the jorney of a lot of people in here and i hope i will be one of banders in here soon.(sorry about my english isnt so good)take care everyone and thanks for everything!!!

Hi Deborah, Was just reading about your "problems" and they mirrored mine so much. I got banded last year 30th June 2009 in Brussels was doing so good eating and walking and the weight was slowly but surely dropping off. I had 40lbs of my 80lbs to lose off by November and I was getting loads of compliments and bang everthing stopped. Complacent how are you!! I now like yourself love indulging in wine, biscuts and general crap as long as it has chocolate in it!! Iam very much a sweet tooth sort of person, if only I enjojed savory foods better this band would really be a miracle.. But of course I love crap and it goes down so easily no feeling stuck or that Iron fist feeling in your chest.. chicken breast or bar of chocolate. Chicken sledom wins.. Every morning I give a talking to myself (haven't quite lost it yet!) that thats it no more crap, but by noon a biscuts has usually reached my lips.. I keep saying now that the weather is changing (no more big freeze) I'll go out and be active more.. still waiting. Your holiday in Germany does sound exciting although you are very brave to do it via motorbike. We are going to Lanzorote in Easter and did that motivate me to start losing again..NOPE!! If only you can buy motivation I most likely would be very poor. Sorry to babble on hopefully we can get each other motivated!! By the way I am a 42 year housewife with 2 girls (10 and nearly 5) I'm a Clare lass living in Mayo, Good luck on your journey I knew it was going to be slow so I'm still delighted with myself I just need to start losing again. I have only had 2 fills last October was the last (didnt want to be 2 full for Christmas and now my excuse is don't want to be 2 full for my holidays can you just imagine struggling to eat on holidays) I'm off to Dublin the first Thursday in May for a fill no more excuses!! Where do you have your fills. I'll finish my rant now. hope to chat soon

Hi, I have just discovered ye're posts and I'm delighted that there are people from Ireland posting. I have had by band done on June 30th 2009 in Belguim by Dr Chris De B. I have been very please initially with my weightloss having 36lbs off to date saying that this has all been before Christmas and nothing since. NOT Surprised some days I can eat quite alot of junk and have been doing little to no excerise since the Big Freeze, what I need now is spring to commence and a kick up the butt and start losing again.. With all that said since December and all I have eaten I have not gained 1lbs. I so love this band. Like to hear your stories.