karob

Hi All I haven't been on here for ages. It's a year today that I had the band done and currently have 5.5ml in my band. I have sometimes found it hard and as a result have made bad food choices. I have lost 4 stone to date and am quite happy with that, but I know if I had of eaten properly, it could have been alot better than that. I'm not too bothered as I wanted to take it easy. I didn't want people to think I was ill. I had 3ml put in my band last June and got restriction straight away. I found it hard to adjust at first and I just plodded along and things eased off after a couple of weeks. Had another 2ml put in in July, and that was definetely a new learning curve. I found most things hard to eat, and was living on mashed potatoes. Spent most of the summer eating soups, and anything mushey. Not a great diet, but I managed. In September, I went on a 2 week cruise to the Caribbean and October I spent 2 weeks travelling from San Francisco to Vancouver and actually managed really well. I had spoken to Chris before I went and he said that I would be alright not having a defill. I had no problems flying. I made sure that I had a good meal before I got on the flight, and then just nibbled on a few things on the plane. I normaly find it hard to eat if I am not sitting completely upright, so on a plane there's no way. After my travels, I went and got 0.5ml in. I didn't think that I could manage much more than that and I could feel how much tighter the band was. So I am now sort of stuck in a rut. I have just come off a 4 day cruise to Amsterdam and Copenhagen and I did struggle a bit. I was finding that I couldn't eat until much later in the day and also had to be really careful as the band felt quite tight when I was eating. I'm off again on Sunday to Vancouver and then an Alaskan cruise and i am really hoping that the 12 hours travelling isn't going to effect me too much. At least there is one thing about cruising, you can make some really good food choices (as well as some bad ones) because everything is there, no going out and buying stuff and then trying to deceide what to cook. That's one thing that I have noticed, I have completely lost interest in cooking, and I think that is half my problem. So I am hoping that over the summer I will get my arse back into gear and shift the rest of my weight. As for more fills, I'm not sure. I sometimes think that I could do with another 0.5ml, but than I start to struggle with food again. My husband asked me the other day if I would do it all again, and I told him I would, 'cause at the end of the day I am still 4 stone lighter. I may not be twiggy yet, but i feel so much better with myself and not as knackered all the time. I have NEVER regretted getting my band.

Weight loss is almost non-existent for last few weeks, even after 3rd fill - WHY?? I am gonna start the slim fast diet tomorrow cos sick fed up of this bloody band not working Kerry Hi Kerry I found that the less you eat, the less likely you are to lose weight. I was afraid to eat and it took me 4 weeks to lose 4 lb. The last week, however, I have eaten alot more and managed to lose 4lb in a week. I didn't go for my 3rd fill, and I am glad that I didn't. I have 5ml in and have enough restriction. I had found it hard to eat and I think that was the main problem in not losing the weight. Only time will tell. I am off on hols in september, so wont even be able to get another fill untill November. On a positive note, since 10th May I have lost 44lb and 28 inches overall. I couldn't believe it when I measured myself. Trouble is most of it has gone off my bottom half and not alot off my top. Dont let it get you down. K

Thanks Garry. It just took me by surprise, I wasn't expecting restriction so soon. I have decided not to go for a fill in August, unless I am eating something a bit more solid. I'm going on a cruise in september for 2 weeks and don't want to be setting myself up for problems. I would still have time to go for a defill in september if i needed it. if i did have the fill. So many decisions. K :sad:

Hi All. Haven't been on for a while. Had my second fill on 1st July and now have 5ml in a 10ml band. I have been really struggling since. I managed to drink 2 glasses of water after I had my fill, but when I got home and had some more water, it seemed to get stuck and the pain in my chest was so bad. I tried yogurt and after 2 spoonfuls, that would get stuck and I had to make myself sick. Hot soup and drinks go down alright, and now I'm living on really smooth mash potato. I also have to take my time eating, 'cause everything just gets stuck. Can anyone tell me if this is what the restriction feels like? After 2 weeks I am managing to eat a bit more, but nothing that isn't smooth. I don't know whether to go for another fill in August or get a bit taken out. On the up side, I don't feel hungry and I am definately not eating as much. I just don't want to end up eating aload of junk just because its the only thing that will go down. Please tell me that others have had this problem. In a way it would be great that I am at my restriction, as it would save me a fortune having fills. Anyway, Good luck to all those going to Belgium in a couple of weeks for their band.

Sher, I paid 4150, but it was direct with Frederick and Dr Chris, they do include hotel and taxi. If you have booked with someone else, then I don't know what their deal is.

Hi wannabe The pain I had was mainly on my left side where the port is. You are given some soluable pain killers when you leave hospital and they can be taken every 4 hours. The flight home was uncomfortable, I was just glad that my husband was with me. I was in alot of pain when we landed, but another pain killer sorted that out. There wasn't any english channels in the hotel, but I had my laptop with me and a few films. They also have wifi in the hotel so that kept me occupied. To tell you the truth, you may not be up to watching telly. I just got myself into a comfortable position and stayed that way. Make sure you keep moving afterwards. I found that walking up and down the corridor helped. The day I was going home I managed to walk down to the town and back, even though I had to stop and sit down every now and then. Bring some smooth cup a soups, a mug and a spoon with you. You won't want much after the operation, but they are handy to have if you get hungry. Also stock up on some bottled water to have in your room. Remember that it will be a slow process and it's not a quick fix. You have to work with your band, but just think how you will feel when you start losing weight and feeling great. I have only lost 2 stone so far, but I feel so much better about myself. I have even started to throw out all my fat clothes, 'cause I know I won't need them any more. If there is anything else you want to know, just ask. K

Hi Sher You need to book 3 nights. If you have anyone with you, they just stay in the hotel while you are in hospital. Are you not going with the package? The hotel is booked for you and taxi fares to and from the airport and the hospital are included. You arrive the day before your operation and stay in the hotel. The day of the operation, you go to the hospital at 7am and they do tests. Depending on what time your op is at, you just spend the rest of the day waiting. I was lucky to get a private room, but generally the other rooms have 3 beds in them. I just watched telly until it was time for me to go to the OR. (Channel 19 is BBC1). After the op, you spend some time in recovery and then you are brought back to your room. I think I was only gone for 3 hours. They put you straight onto oxygen and you are on it until the next morning. I think it helps with sickness, 'cause I never felt sick or didn't have the pain from the gas. The next morning they take out the drain and get you up out of bed to walk around. You get something to eat at 12.30 and you get discharged back to the hotel at 2pm. You spend the rest of the day in the hotel and then you fly home the following day. If you need anymore info, just ask. K

Well, It's a week since I had my first fill. I had 3ml put in. My weight seems to have slowed right down, but I think that is normal (I Hope!!!). At least I am not putting on any weight and I seem to have lost inches. I can't believe how well I feel. For those out there who are getting negative responses off 'friends', just remember that you are doing this for YOU, not them. I didn't tell anyone I was having my band done for that reason. I didn't want anyone getting into my head. I have told a few people since, and their inital response was 'what did you do that for?'. But as the weeks have gone on, they can see how happy I am. I still struggle sometimes trying to find things to eat. I don't want to fall into the trap of sticking to one type of food or end up eating the wrong types of food. I have been making my own soups and smoothies, so at least I am getting some goodness into me.

Hi Sussie I had my first fill today with Fred. He put in 3cc. I couldn't look at the needle when he was finding the port, but it wasn't too bad. It did feel weird going in though 'cause I could feel the band getting tighter. Have to go back onto liquids for 2 days and have lost 9kg since the op. :biggrin: K

Well, I got my stitches out today, what a relief. My blue stitch seemed to have disappeared. Did that ever happen to anyone else. Maybe it wasn't there to start off with. It did say in my discharge letter that there may be a blue stitch. This would have been where the drain came out. I also booked my first fill for 3rd June. so skinnydom here I come. On a positive note, the walking has got a bit better. My side still hurts going up and down any sort of hill, but I'm sure it will sort itself out soon. Can't wait 'till I can go swimming again. I can't believe I still don't feel hungry and I have already gone down a dress size. It's going to cost me a fortune to get clothes. I might have to lean a little harder on my wallet, oh! I mean Husband. Hope everyone who was banded with me is doing good.

Hi Sussie Note to self, do NOT go out walking where there are hills. Just got back from a walk that I thought would be nice and I'm in agony. I normally drive up the hill. Never really noticed how steep it was before. Coming down a hill is a lot more painful. It felt like my left side was gooing to rip right out of me. That will teach me. :smile2:

Can anyone tell me if they felt cold all the time after being banded? I am normally the one, that as soon as the sun comes out, out comes the vest and flipflops. I just can't seem to get the heat into me.

I know what you mean about drinking water. I can't drink half as much as I used to. I feel ok, but it just feels weird. I would say it will get better as time goes on. I also have hardly eaten anything. I just don't feel that hungry. Half a bowl of soup and a crisp bread and I'm full. What a difference it has made. Just spent the morning cleaning the house to the best of my ability. I am claiming it against some exercise for today. It's hard to do anything clutching your side. Still haven't managed to pluck up the courage to have a look at my scab. My sister-in-law is coming up later, so I will get her to look at it. On a positive note, the pain in my sidee isn't half as bad as it was, but the stitches are really starting to itch, so i suppose thats a good sign as well. Hope Ant is still vertical with the sight of banadges and needles. Ste been quite good, but I think his patience is starting to wear a bit thin. Just as well I'm not in too much pain or discomfort. Talk soon, K :confused:

Hi Sussie That's what I thought the pink stuff was for, and anyway, the stitches are supposed to dissolve. I used some on my wounds last night. I didn't put alot on though. The wound where the drain came out, the bandage is stuck on a scab, I thought better about pulling it off. I nearly fainted doing it. Might try later. K

Hi everyone. Sorry I didn't introduce myself. I was sitting in Campinile Hotel in Vilvoorde with EnglishRose, ready to go home and she got me to go onto this forum. She said 'Hi' by the way. Had my band done on 4th May. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Still a bit sore, but I know it will be worth it in the end. I had been thinking about having the band for a long time, so finally bit the bullet and had it done. I was done by Dr Chris de Bruyne in Belgium. I met Frederik in Dublin and he was very helpful. Have loads to lose, but plenty to gain. Despite everything, there was great crack with all the girls and their partners. The laugh we had in the hospital was great and we all stuck together. It was painful and funny when we laughed, 'cause we all grabbed our sides. The Hospital was spotless and the staff were great. I would recommend going to Belgium to anyone thinking of having the Op. I also managed to beat the ash cloud. That would have just done my head in.

I was fine with the injections, it was the changing of the dressing that had me passing out. Already lost 6lbs. So sick and tired of the stockings. Roll on Sunday and they are getting burned in the fire pit.