Maree77

Gosh, how amazing, I've also lost 61lbs and have had two periods after a gap of three years of having none at all! Apparently when losing lots of weight that the hormones really waken up again.

I've lost 61lbs so far, I'm now weigh 215lbs. Still have a long way to go though as I want to get down to around 150lbs. I love shopping in Penneys now as their clothes fit and are cheap and more fashionable than what Ive been able to buy for a long time! If you feel nervous in the lead up to your op, keep reminding yourself that you are about to do something that will help you to get healthier in everyway (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Its a great idea having the hols first as it will help take your mind off it. Bring a really loose pair of trousers for coming home as you will feel very bloated from all the gas, the looser the better! Slinky, have a great holiday!!!! Everything will go well for you! Maree

Hi wannabe slinky, just wanted to wish you all the best on being banded on the 27th! Have you to do a pre-op diet? On the 27th, I'll be banded exactly 4 months. You can always pm if you want to ask me any questions etc. Once again, best wishes and I look forward to following your progress!!!! Maree

Sorry guys, having read yesterdays posting today, I realised how 'ott' it was. I think I was on some kind of medication 'high' or something. As you'll probably all gathered from my previous postings, I'm only a 'newbie' at it and keep making lots of mistakes. I just wanted people here in Ireland to know that there was another good place to consider! Today, (day 3) has gone very well. Started feeling hungry at lunchtime for the first time. Got a phone call this afternoon from the aftercare team here to find out how I was. The advice I was given was to start taking some slightly thicker Soups. I had some earlier and I was impressed by how long I had felt satisfied for! I haven't needed any pain medication today and I'm starting to feel so much better! Maree

Hi Emerald, Im down 61lbs and feel I'm really close to the sweet spot if not already there! I had a fill on the 2nd July so I now have 3cc in my 10cc band. Im due back on Wed to see the dietician and supposed to be having another fill. I still have really good restriction now so I don't need a fill just yet. Emerald, how are you getting on? Maree

Hi Geri, sending lots of good wishes for success!!! I'm sure everything will go really well for you! Will be thinking of you on Wed, Geri. Geri, I brought a photo of my hubby and me (taken after I lost over 6 stone) when I went in for the band. This gave me great hope and motivation. Good luck Geri!!!!!! Maree x

Hi Wannabe Slinky, I got banded on the 27th Mar in Dolan Park Hospital, Birmingham. This hospital is run by the Hospital Group, they have clinics here in Dublin, Galway and Belfast (might be 1 more). Their after care so far has been great! For example, Ive had problems with my bowels (waiting to have an operation). I rang the clinic in Dublin this morning and mentioned that its been bad in the last week. I got an appointment for today with their dietiction who gave me lots of advice and I've to see her in two weeks time. I really love my gastric band!!!!!!! Maree

Hi July, have you been given a date yet for your operation. Good luck and much success with it! Geri, hope you haven't been caught up with the flights situation. What date are you due to have the op? Keep telling yourself that you are about to do something really worthwhile and life changing! Brenners, thats great news that VHI should pay for the gastric bypass! It must be a huge relief for you. Good to know that you are healing well from the band removal. Don't be hard on yourself over weight gain. You've been through such a difficult time. When you have the bypass the extra weight will fall off! Its probably frustrating you now but keep telling yourself its only a temporary gain. Just a quick update on my progress! Really pleased with how things are going. I have lost inches right below my bust, lots gone from my thighs and bum. Friday is my last day for soft/mushy food. I've had more fish in the last 10 days than what I had in the previous 3 months. At times I'm forgetting to eat, me, who was a compulsive emotional eater. Ina way its hard to believe that its only 3 and a half weeks since the op as I've been so active that Im hardly at home now. Hence the reason why I haven't been posting here much recently. Maree

Hi Geri, Thats great news that you are so close to your surgery now!!! I understand totally that feeling of wanting it over and not having to wait. I felt the very same as you, I was just dying to have it done. Geri, I see that you have started the pre-op today. Are you allowed eat healthy low fat/low sugar meals or are you on a liquid type diet? I was allowed to have healthy meals and even had a small chicken salad in the hospital the night before the op! Geri, you are really strong to give up smoking as well. I'm glad that it will help you not to feel too hungry during these couple of weeks! One thing I would advise you to bring with you is a very loose pair of trousers. During the op, they pump you full of gas and you end up very bloated for the first few days. I nearly got caught out on this myself! I spent most of Sunday worrying how could I fly home if my jeans didn't fit me. You really want something loose and comfortable to wear when traveling home. I glad to say that the inches are falling off (esp from my thighs) Have already gone down a size which is great motivation for me. I'm coming near the end of the 2 week liquid diet (tg). Since Sunday I've been craving chicken and eggs. Im turning into this mad lunatic that wants to steal plates of food from others! (I've just about managed to resist so far). Thank God, I start soft/mushy foods on Sat, can't wait. I'll be able to have some foods eg scrambled eggs, mince, fish pie etc. I'm so looking forward to savouring every mouthful (obviously chew, chew, chew). Speaking of chewing, I've really missed not having to chew for this last while. Geri, my goal is to get down to 10 st 10lb (from 19st 10lb).I know it will take time but I so excited to finally have this tool to helpme . :thumbup:Geri, I'm so delighted for you and I really wish you the very best with it all. I've found it so worthwhile already and Im only 11 days post op. Ive so much energy now and I know it the best thing that Ive ever done! Geri, keep in touch and ask me any questions that you want. Maree

Hi everyone, I had my band and a hernia repair done on the 27th Mar in Dolan Park Hospital in Birmingham. I actually live in Dublin but since I had surgery done in the UK, close to your dates I thought I could respond. Like all of you, I was really struggling with the gas and pain in the left shoulder till Thurs when it finally settled down. Yours too, will settle and when it does, you'll realise how great you feel! I found walking really helped, quite a few nights I had to get up a couple of times and walk because the pain was so bad Keep saying to yourself that this will pass soon. Good luck everyone and keep in touch! Maree

Hi Geri, thanks for the tip about the best place to post! Geri, I wish you all the best for your surgery at the end of April!!!!! When do you start your pre-op diet? I was terrified of putting weight on in the lead up to mine (scared I'd go mad with one last binge that would last weeks). I went on a low fat diet early and started walking, just with the aim of trying to be slightly fitter for the op. With the result that I had lost 11lbs before surgery. Gosh I feel so excited for you!!!! There is only one thing that I would have changed about the operation and travel (from my experience). I would have stayed on one extra night rather than travel home the day after the operation. Had op on Sat and travelled home on Sun. Sunday was the most painful and most uncomfortable day for me. I was so improved by the Mon and the journey would have been easier. Maree

Hi everyone, just a quick update on my progress. I'm feeling really good, more energy etc. Some of my old medical conditions are totally gone, eg excessive sweating, bladder problems, breathing is much improved already! On top of those extra benefits, my trousers have become so loose (did start pre-op 1st Mar). Its the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Always lacked in confidence and never really spent money on myself, normally rather spend it on my family instead. Maree

I had my band put in on Sat as well as a hiatus hernia repaired. Had it done in Dolan Park Hospital (UK). The hospital is more like a hotel. Unlike any hospital I've stayed in over here. Such a calm tranquil air about it. The night before my op, my blood pressure reading was 117 over 79 (no, I hadn't taken any medication). the week before in Beaumont Hosp it was 131 over 98. The staff were so chirpy, caring and friendly, nothing was too much trouble for them! On Sat, I was really great after the op till maybe 9pm when I first had to look for pain relief. Woke yesterday, feeling sorer to be honest and wondering how was I going to cope with the travel home. We were allowed to stay in our bedroom till 5pm which was fantastic. A taxi picked us up at 5.30 (compliments Hosp) and we went on our way. Home by 10pm absolutely exhausted but so delighted with myself!! It was great that my husband was allowed stay with me!! He was provided with a comfortable fold down bed, that meant he didn't have to pay for hotel etc. I was even encouraged to bring someone with me. It does help having a partner/friend with you. This is day 2, and already I'm having spells were I'm feeling quite good!!! I'll keep you posted with how I'm progressing! Maree

Hi Mr Hip, I'll be having my fills done in town (Dublin) which is handy. Thanks for the encouragement! Can I ask how much weight have you lost? Maree

Hi Gerri, just wanted to say congratulations on your fabulous weightloss!!!! Between that and the tummy tuck, you really must look fantastic!! Have you any before/after photos on this site? You are so inspirational to somebody like me only starting out on this journey.

Thanks Anne, just thought I can over as being aloof when I'm not like that at all! Maree

I had my band put in on Sat as well as a hiatus hernia repaired. Had it done in Dolan Park Hospital (UK). The hospital is more like a hotel. Unlike any hospital I've stayed in over here. Such a calm tranquil air about it. The night before my op, my blood pressure reading was 117 over 79 (no, I hadn't taken any medication). the week before in Beaumont Hosp it was 131 over 98. The staff were so chirpy, caring and friendly, nothing was too much trouble for them! On Sat, I was really great after the op till maybe 9pm when I first had to look for pain relief. Woke yesterday, feeling sorer to be honest and wondering how was I going to cope with the travel home. We were allowed to stay in our bedroom till 5pm which was fantastic. A taxi picked us up at 5.30 (compliments Hosp) and we went on our way. Home by 10pm absolutely exhausted but so delighted with myself!! :thumbup: It was great that my husband was allowed stay with me!! He was provided with a comfortable fold down bed, that meant he didn't have to pay for hotel etc. I was even encouraged to bring someone with me. It does help having a partner/friend with you. This is day 2, and already I'm having spells were I'm feeling quite good!!! I'll keep you posted with how I'm progressing! Maree

btrieger, well done for coming up with this fab idea!!! Just wanted to wish everyone in our group the very best of success as we all go forward together!! I was only banded last Sat

Hey Effie, congratulations on being rebanded!! You already know from experience that the band works very well for you! Go Girl! Maree

Oh my God, I'm cringing here with embarrassment! Just read my earlier posting and its so over the top! I tried to make it sound positive but I guess I tried a little too hard! Guys, can we just put it down to the side effects from the anesthetic and pain relief? Anne, thanks for your good wishes. I think the important thing is that you are going to have the band in (+ hernia repair). This is going to be a tool to help you have a healthier, longer life! Don't focus so much on the hospital, focus on all the possible benefits there are to come. Its one night out of the rest of your happier, healthier life!!!!!! Let me know when you start getting appointments etc. Good luck with it all Anne! And Blaze21, thanks a mill for your reply! This is such a great friendly forum where prebandsters and bandsters can chat! Maree

Hi everyone, its great to know that there is support in Ireland for this. I'm having my consultation on Mon(22nd Mar) and travelling to Birmingham's Doolan Park Hospital to have my gastric band fitted on the 27th. Just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through hospital.ie and/or Doolan Park Hosp? If so, what's the aftercare like for support and fills? I'll keep you posted about how I get on!

I'm being banded this Saturday in the UK (live in Dublin). I'm really excited and feel its all a bit surreal! So looking forward to becoming healthier and fitter! I've been fighting and losing this weight battle since the age of 12. I'm 44 now and feel too much of my time has involved food and all the neagtive emotions surrounding it! Anyone else being banded on Sat?

My last posting should have said I'm having my band fitted by hospitalgroup. Consultation is in Kildare St, Dublin, operation in Doolan Park Hospital, Birmingham. Anyone have any experience of these?