MummiesBB

No nothing yet Planning to go for 1 ml but will listen to whoever is over and take their advice Would be good to eat a more varied diet and not worried about the portion as long as I can have a little bit. Gosh I didn't post anything about being annoyed - concerned yes As for winding myself up again - no not really just when I eat or drink certin things it causes pain or the burning so just want this gone. Thanks - how are you doing?

I have just sent Frederik an email because I am at the end of my tether and need a solution. Here's the message: I have a couple of queries that are, I feel, now at the stage of urgent. I am booked for an appointment on Thursday this week in London. Are you doing the clinic this Thursday? I have been for the last couple of months (of and on) having a little difficulty with acid reflux. I have 6ml in my band and am below my target weight but now very concerned because I have good days and bad days but by no means am I able to eat a proper small meal. Although saying that I have been able to eat seeded bread with cheese (soft) as and when. I have also over the past few weeks managed a couple of pieces of pasta (x 2) and small bits of chicken (approx 1/2 inch in size) and not been sick. I have survived mainly on soup since December 2010 and I have to be honest I am fed up with eating just liquids. I am so exhausted as I am finding it difficult to get the right amount of protein etc and my energy levels have plummetted over the last few weeks where I have to take a nap in the day (when I am not at work) beacuse I am so exhausted. I also have this horrible burning sensation and find that milk helps but amvery worried. So do you think it would be a good idea to have a slight defill? Any thoughts anyone? Thanks Claire x

Also Dr Chris also have a facebook presence http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1180657996&ref=tn_tnmn#!/profile.php?id=100003093806933 Cx

Hello all Have just posted the latest photos which show my journey over the year http://www.lapbandtalk.com/gallery/album/9007-across-the-year/ Enjoy Cx

If you are looking for good value, excellent care and a professional doctor/medical team in Europe, take a look at Dr Chris De Bruyne in Belgium.

Hello It's a case of having to as I can't eat solids without throwing up and I am fed up of this as it's been a year. I have managed off and on but probably more off some solids at odd times. Each day is different but it would be lovely to eat something without worrying that I may not be able to benefit from it nutritionally. After all we need as much nutrition as we can get. I am 17 pounds below target so have a little to play with and am comfortable at my weight 9st 4lbs. So definately think this is the way I need to go in order to benefit from eating a little more. Will email Frederik to see what he thinks so that I have their professional opinion. Happy New Year and stay positive and well. Happy losing Cx

Happy New Year everyone. Amazing that I have been a member of this forum for 18 months + and it's wonderful to see those that are making an active choice to change their lives so positively. Also toknowthat our journeys help them to see that the ups and downs of the band are part and parcel of what we have chosen to do. No it's not cheating and definately not a short cut. It's best to take it easy and slowly especially when you just don't know how your body is going to react. 18 months down the line and I have no regrets as I have a wonderful body and this was the tool to reveal it. I am so chuffed especially when I see friends who haven't seen me and they are so shocked by my appearance. Gosh it was bad before! Anyway, planning a litle defil for January my belated Christmas present to myself as I would like to keep hold of some solids rather than losing them. So shall contact Julie to book an appointment for the latter half of the month. Just want to be able to eat a little bit more and on a regular basis. Not worried about gaining a few pounds (wownot sure I would have said that 18months agao) just shows you the powwr of the band. Well have a lovely New Years day. Here's to 2012 being a positive year. Cx

Congratulations for taking the wonderful step of booking your surgery. It's definately a big decision but so worth it. So pleased i had mine. I have lost over 8 stone and feel fabulous! Dress size 10 from a 22 and very little saggy skin. Just need the top half sorting out mini project for this year if the NHS will support it. Well done read loads, ask lots of questions and don't ever think there is a silly question Cx

Hello Kerry Feel for you as I have suffered with a acid reflux on and off over the last few months sleeping upright or propped with a v pillow contemplated a defill but found eating earlier and avoiding acidic things helped. resorted to milk before bedcand creamy things. As for cuppa soup this is my daily life so can sympathise completely actually have started to eat more solids particularly over Christmas which i am pleased anout. Am planning to go and have a ml out in the new year I do hope you get some resolve and have a happy new year. Take care Cx

Here goes as promised found my fill history and weight loss attached to it. Makes interesting reading Enjoy x Total weight 123.5 30/07/10 - 23/09/10 up to 1st fill (0ml) 25.5 23/9/10 - 28/10/10 from 1st fill to 2nd fill (3ml) 7.5 28/10/10 - 10/3/11 from 2nd fill to 3rd fill (2ml) 35.5 10/3/11 - 5/5/11 from 3rd fill to 4th fill (0.5ml) 18.0 5th May 11 - present from 4th fill (0.5ml) 37 Pounds lost 123.5 Equivalent Kgs 56.1

I thought I would have a look at where I have lost the most inches over the last 18 months and these are the results. Total lost is 101.5 inchs all over. Neck 2.75 Chest (Over) 16.75 Chest (Under) 10.5 Waist 15.75 Stomach 16.5 Hips 12.5 Leg Right 9.25 Leg Left 7.75 Arm Right 5.25 Arm Left 4.5 101.5 Have you kept a record of your weight and inch loss? I also have my fill history aswell. So I will have a look and see if I can paste that aswell. I found this very motivational during the 12months I set myself to lose as much weight as possible and found it helpful to see where I was losing it and if there was a pattern. Cx

Ohh wow, thanks for your lovely words. I had my doubts please believe that as I was so sure that the band would fail me. But then I think I was lucky as I really focused on what I wanted to achieve. I was really selfish (sorry for those so family foscused) I endured my other half having a go at me about 10 days in and accusing me of having to deliberately eat differently. I realise that this was jealousy talking and have taken it with a pinch of salt but at the time I was very hurt by it. Out families need to be supportive and understand what this journey can entail. For me I have been very lucky as the weight appears to have pealed off more easily. However, this has been a testing journey in that I have had weeks where I hardly ate and had colleagues wondering why I looked so pale? Others thinking I was anorexic etc. I have had some odd comments aswell such as cheating etc and really think that those who make the comment should have a band fitted so they they can experience just what it is like. Never knowing what the new day will bring whether the porridge that worked yesterday will be the same today or that you celebrated eating a small piece of chicken for dinner and the next day you were barely able to keep a small glass of milk down. This is extreme and others on here have not had this type of journey and been fortunate. Others who have pushed for too much when having a fill and paid the penalty of being overfilled or there are others who have had the 0.5ml or 0.25ml fill gently taking them up to their sweet spot and there are those that want to lose the weight for a purpose to fall pregnant, to have improved health, to regain their self esteem. So many reasons why we embark on this journey and all valid to us and so important especially for our loved ones to understand and acknowledge that we are drawing a line in our lives and wish to focus and achieve the one thing that is important to us losing weight, feeling happy in our our skin! I still think I am going to get on the scales and see that I have gained it allback on again! I know what an idiot especially as I seem to be the other way and can't stop losing which is why I need to go for a small defill! So happy that you have made such a positive decision for change in your life and wishing you a wondeful 2012. Bon chance! Cx

Hope you have booked drect with Dr Chris as I found his a more secure way than using any of the agents plus I made the full payment online via my bank. I didn't get any hassle what so ever and it was very smooth process and transaction. 18 months on and absolutely no regrets. Only wish is better support nutritionally as I have had a ver suck and see journey but lucki.y iwht my background I have been fortunate to be able to make good food choices and know that once I have a defill in Jan/Feb 2012 then I shall be eating more solids rather than soup, soup, soup etc Please don't take that as a negative just that we all have very different journeys and some are able to eat solids majority of the time. I have had a few issues along the way. I managed a meat platter in Zizzi's last night minus the mozarrella and tomatoes. So all good for me. However, I have been mainly on liquids for months with the odd solid every kow and again but it is very much taking each day as it comes. HTH Everyone has an individual journey and we aren't text book so just take it one day at a time. All for now Merry Christmas Claire x

I always found it inspiring to go and chat to the others waiting. I invariably arrive early for my appointment and get to sit there for a while. It's nice when you feel that you have inspired a client to keep with it when they hear your weightloss journey. I have gone below the 9 1/2 stone mark and really don't want to lose anymore! I have hollows where the fat has disappeared in my breasts and they just hang southwards. I am really hoping that I can get the surgery via the NHS when I go back in 2012 to see if my GP can refer me. I had to wait 12 months so that my BMI could be at x for 12 months. I will take a little visit to see Dr Chris in January aswell as I haven't had my year check up and it's coming up to 18 months since I had my band fitted. Managing to eat bread now and again if I take it easy and I have good days and so so days with solids. I feel like I need lots of protein-rich food even my hair has thinned and doesn't look healthy. So a defill is on the cards and hopefully I can maintain the weight at 9 1/2 stone. 18 months ago I would have been grateful to have lost just a few stones and here I am moaning about being at x weight when there are others not so fortunate out there who can't get the funding for the surgery etc. (NOTE TO SELF: Wake up and smell the roses Claire and see how lucky you are!) Hope your loss keeps going and you are managing to enjoy yourself. Take care Cx

Hello yes here is a link to the photos: www.mummiesbirthbuddy.co.uk/weightlossphotos.htm HTH Cx

Definately a good decision and one I certainly haven't regretted. I feel so much healthier and look much younger. I even managed a slice of toast the other day 16 months after having the band. It was yummy. Now at the 9st 7lb mark and to date have lost 120lbs and 99.25 inches which is phenomenol! Enjoy your journey! Cx

Hello all Hope you are well? Wow what a new look to the forum it's great! Well I have had an interesting few weeks. I managed half a piece of toast last weekend and a full piece today. I love seeded bread and this was my first slice in 16 months since having the band as I wasn't able to eat it before as it wouldn't go through. It was delicious. Still mainly having soup but trying to have more solids but it is difficult. I can eat cheese so that is a bonus and drink milk plus cashew nuts for the fibre and I have stumbled across Belvitas a quick breakfast snack which is keeping me more regular - sorry if TMI. So can't wait to see if I can manage more toast tomorrow as it would be lovely to be able to eat this in the morning with some lovely strawberry jam. Weight wise I am now stable at 9st 8 - 9st 10 and a BMI of 22.7 Happy in my place at the moment and can see lots of changes happening in terms of the loose skin with the yoga. I teach 5 classes a week and it's a mixture of well woman and pregnancy yoga. So getting lots of focus on my pelvic floor area and toning my tummy (especially as can't do sit ups etc) just brilliant all over toning. Anyway, just thought I would touch base and say hello. Hope everyone is ok and staying focused. Take care Claire x

Well done on a great loss. That's brilliant. Best thing I can say is take it easy, make good food choices, and try to do some light exercise even something like yoga. Easy on the joints etc Enjoy Chistmas and then start with a real vengeance after this and set yourself little targets x number of pounds = little treat! Lots of pounds = lovely treat! HTH Claire x

I think I would take it easy and enjoy Christmas and not worry until January start the New Year with a bang! Take care and thank you for your lovely words. I feel years younger and know that people are really shocked. I met up with an ex-colleague at the end of half term and it is easily 3 years since I saw her so she was really shocked. I explained I'd lost it in the last year she was amazed. Anyway take it easy. Cx

Just take it easy, see my post to Sade. I love sleeping on my tummy and I remember it taking a few weeks to get back there and confidently feeling that I wasn't doing any damage. You'll be back there soon! Hope the swelling is subsiding. Have you been weighing and measuring. I weighed and measure this week (week 66) and I have stayed at the same weight (st 9.5 lbs for the last 5 weeks but had lost 3.75 inches so Yoga is doing the job of toning. I am trying to gently tighten the lose skin. Don't have much just top of thighs and arms and a little on my tummy. I've managed to come out the other end quite good I think but all my husband says is you are a bag of skin and bones so demoralising! Anyway take it easy and be gentle on yourself. All for now Claire x

That's a fabulous loss and I bet you feel fab for it. Well done sweetie! Do YOUR family realise how hard you have worked. Perhaps you need to gently remind them with the before and now pictures and perhaps they will see just how far you have come. When do you celebrate your bandiversary - perhaps have a party with blow up pictures of what you were and who you are now. With regards to your fill we aren't here to advise but to support (canyou tell I have my doula hat on!) and I always say do what you feel is right for you at that moment. I had a defill planned for Thursday and I have postponed. I have had quite bad acid reflux but it seems to have eased. So see how you feel book the appointment and then see how you go, Have fun and stay positive - it's about you!!!!! Not some silly grilfriend who needs to keep her emotions in check (sorry if not appropriate!) Take care Clairex

Yes I think so, when do you go for your first fill? Hope you are ok now. Take care Claire