Loriha

Hi Tracie - from Ireland too just revisiting this forum was banded in 2006

Hi just wondering is anyone still active in this forum ?

Oh Shannon - That is awful - I know ACS used two types one the other is supposed to be a 10 ml band. What doctor did you go to for a fill - Did he empty it completely ? When I went for my fill he emptied to see what was in there and when he put it back along with another 2 mls it was over filled I had to have 1 ml removed but have good restriction so far since -He reckoned it was because he emptied it completely first that I felt such restriction it might be worth having a complete defill for a week or two and then filling again to find restriction -does that make sense? ACS have alot to answer for - Hugs x

I met with many people in the clinic the other day follow up aftercare for Chris de Bruin all were extremely positive about there experience in Belgium -If I had to do it all again I would go abroad they have the facilities and the experience - and a proper hospital environment - after care for one year may not be adequate find out who the surgeon is where he works is he registered is there any complaints against him does he work full time in Ireland how many bands has he fitted can you talk to any of their patients who have had it fitted - before you go ahead. Best of luck Lorriane xx

Thank you - I hope that you will have the surgery wherever is the best for the most successful outcome for you xx I feel motivated again - I will continue to do weight watchers with my daughter as that was my main reason for going back to them this summer we have both dropped 16lbs since July - but its been soooooooo hard and it shouldn't be - but at least she can recognise now what healthy eating ect is and hopefully it will prevent her from needing such drastic action in the future - I feel like I am betraying her somewhat - having had the fill today - however I have also upped the anti with regard to excercise in the last few weeks while she is still a bit sluggy - so im hoping if I start to lose a bit more than her each week she will think its the extra exercise thats doing it and she might be encouraged to follow suit -sneaky I know but she is only 14 and her current weight is 13stone 2lb so I really want her to do this so she can enjoy her young life and have fun shopping with friends ect.... so I feel a little justified. Take care of yourself and keep us postedI will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Lorraine xx

Hi Girls Just back from Dublin having had my first fill since mar 2008 - with Frederick - I have to say it was very pleasant to be treated with such respect after the ACS disaster - He removed all the fluid in my band to see what was in there - there was only 3 mls - so he put that back in and added another 2 unfortunately it was overfil and after some unpleasant bringing back the water he took out 1 ml leaving me with 4 mls - he suspects I only had that reaction because I had been emptied first but there was no other way to check what was in and with no records from ACS. Brenners I met a friend of yours from Ennis when I mentioned the forum having just started back looking through posts I'm so sorry to hear of your band experience - I wish you every success with your bypass and hope all goes well for you xx Gerri - Tummy Tuck impressed indeed I need to start saving for that one !!! Hoping for some more success now that I have some restriction again I have lost 6 stone but another 3 to go and 3 stone of that is only because Im back at weight watchers grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr having paid 10k its so fustrating. But I shall keep you all updated on my progression and look forward to hearing all your updates... Banded in ACS in November 2006. Cant believe I allowed myself to be operated on in such conditions thank god I haven't had any further complications - Having read some of the nightmare stories I feel truly blessed. xx keep well talk soon Lorraine

My port site was uncomfortable for about 5 months but settled when i got used to it Will catch up soon goto run

yup Still lurking just so quiet around here afraid to comment !!!!!

Hi Every one just popped in to say Hi havent been on for a while things generally mayhem New resolution to write at least once a week It will probably take me all this week to catch up with everyone Ad recognise some names Best wishes to all Any news from ACS re fills ect Talk soon Love Loriha

Congratulation allure what success - and a baby on the way !!! I know nikki32 is a banded baby lady just gave birth a few weeks ago and lost weight all the way . I think there is a dedicated Pregnant bandsters thread. Looking forwardto seeing you post again its been quiet here for the last few weeks Well congrats again best of luck in your new married life .

Hi sorry I havent posted for a while busy in work exams coming up and general family and extended family eating my time |I was defilled in belfast on 28th March having lost 18 lb in the previous 3 weeks being severely dehydrated and unable to eat anything - now I wish i was still like that I have put back on 3 lbs and seem to have little or no restriction again I had 1 ml added on the 7th march and just 1/2ml taken out on 28th - how do we find that sweet spot I was being so good and now i am being tempted again where is my will power it was so much better when i DIDNT HAVE A CHOICE ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GOOD oops sorry switched caps lock without noticing! Jerome wanted me to have an exray when I saw him on the 28th this was aranged for me and i got an appointment in the Beacon last friday I had the exray done I got a bill for 120 in the post yesterday - surely I Dont have to pay for that again input would be good - hubby went to educo training today for consultation with a personal trainer - 6 wk programme 3 intensive training sessions a week €546 inclding a bag load of Tony quinn shakes vitamins and supplements anyone any experience of this programme - talk later - i just poured myself a glass of red wine i somehow feel i deserve it tonight its been a very tough week and im feeling very sorry for myself.

Hi Lil that was me for the last few weeks until I went back on Friday and saw Jerome - He was upset that I had not been seen sooner as its dangerous to be so dehydrated.I lost 18lbs in the 3 weeks since I had seen him i had bug as well - but it was no joke I felt terrible and the constant retching was a night mare - He wants me to get an xray as he feels that much vomiting poses potential for band slipping and if that happens.......but He took 1/2ml out for me and the relief was instant - i have been able to drink havent lost anything since friday - but at least i havn't put it back on. Ring ACS see what they say - but dont wait too long hope things settle soon Loriha

I know we said we would love the ACS Talk to PM but has anyone heard that ACS has been Sold?

Marge No need to be sorry I just hope what ever you decide to do you will find the strenght and support from others here as we all have and like coco said at the start you are very welcome.

I think everyone reading and contributing to these posts who were banded by ACS are feeling a little threatened right now after all we dont expect to see what we write here end up in print!! Marge I think there has been a misunderstanding here COCO I think and correct me please if Im wrong.... Was fustrated by your post as she had tried so hard before your post to get action and response from other less commited members like me -I think all imput here is important but we dont know who is reading. I'm not sure that someone here went to the mail - When we were in belfast we met a girl who told us she had talked to the mail - she was given details about this site after she had explained that she was to remain anomonous in the papers by some of the other there - if she didnt know about htis she certainly did on Friday . We know from the article that the journalist confronted Jerome in Belfast on Friday - who is to say that he did not meet up with this girl first or after. This was a safe haven for us to talk about our worries concerns now its all very cloak and dagger and our privacy has been threatened and violated it is understandable that feeling are running high. Marge I can understand why you felt threathened by wellas questioning about your interest in the site. But under the circumstances you must see why - and your responce was so defensive it might have been miscunderstood. I suggess that ACS and the papers have done enough damage to our aftercare without our support network being destroyed by recent events. Lets stay strong together and continue this thread in the supportive community it once was for each other and leave the ACS Comments and info to PM or another thread for those banded by ACS and who are ultimately responsible for ensuring that ACS will continue to provide for them.. Sorry if I have offended anyone - no offence meant i promice just the need for support and togetherness instead of a divide.

I took a look a their website Gerri -followed the link to rte Primetime programme of the 18th dec I missed that one - scary stuff.

The Article in the Mail on Sunday is not helping us - Jerome is being made a scapegoat I am worried about the negative impact this is having on our aftercare. Most of us have done this and didn't tell people about the procedure. Why? because of media bad publicity etc - we are already vunerable about our self image and if we have tried his as a last resort we dont want to be ridiculed for spending such a huge amount of money on yet another "FAD" We are not stupid people we did not do this lightly We chose ACS So that we could get proper aftercare close to home -And not the cheaper option of travelling abroad - It seems to me here that people are not taking into account that ACS hands may be tied in what they can offer us with restrictions from the Medical Council / Board ect. May be we should clarify the position with ACS They do need to notify us of were we stand. And If the Medical Council/board or whatever authority have taken our surgeon away from us and he can only see us outside the Rep of Ireland - then surely they have a duty to provide us with the back up of a reccomended surgeon in Ireland who is qualified to deal with our aftercare and can review the procedure that is so under question that they deem it a health risk - If this is the case then we need a clinic set up to monitor the patients that have undergone this surgery and give the necessary aftercare required for sucessful followthrough - I don't want to wait for an emergency to find out Im in Trouble. I also dont want to have to justify what I have done in having this procedure by going public, But more than that I don't want to be punished by the Irish medical council and our health system that cannot offer people suffering with obesity a solution that does not require a ridiculously long waiting list and Gastric by pass instead of Banding as a preferred method of treatment - a surgical risk I would not be prepared to undergo at least banding is reversible and I hope some day having lost the weight I can go on to leading a normal healthy and fit lifestyle that will keep my weight under control. If an Irish surgeon is suspended his patients are followed up to - why not us! Just my two cents - This board is now public property and I Suspect most of us will remain reading. I fear for where our future lies with ACS as I can't see Jerome coming back to Belfast next month - He told me He would see me in France if there is a problem but who will pay for that!! A meeting I feel could turn into a Media event - Its not just members of this board that need to attend but all patients who have been banded by ACS - This is what we should be asking ACS to organise. An Information evening for all their patients - as we already know they are watching I think we need to coordinate our actions - Everyone should write directly to ACS to protect their anomininity and an action group of people willing to go public be formed to monitor the progress of action - if nothing is forthcoming than we will each individually have to make a decision to seek both legal & medical advice as we cant live with an unmonitored device inside us. I do think the Minister for health should be notified of the situation now so if action does have to be taken that we have a documented case of concern with regard to appropriate aftercare for patients of ACS - Sorry its so long I hope it makes sense and I'm not rambling too much ! I think maybe we should PM Any Details about meetings or dates venues or times and not broadcast on the board

HI Hope all who went to Belfast for a Fill with Jerome made it back ok and are finally having some restriction. It was nice to put some faces to names - it was very disconcerting to hear the stories each had to tell about treatment from ACS. I asked Jerome what would happen for Fills in the future he said he hopes to come back to belfast each month for a clinic. He also said that it would be June before a decision would be made by the Medical Council to restore his registration to operate in Ireland or not. He said to email him direct if I had difficulty in getting an appointment. He gave me 1 ml fill yesterday. I do feel like it has worked so far so good. We met a very inspirational woman there yesterday Wendy who has promised to check out this website. Wendy was banded in October 06 the month before me! and she has lost 11 stone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she looks fantastic and has never had a prob! It has given me the boost I need to follow this through I paid the same money and I want the same follow up and aftercare. Hoping for some real weight loss to start now Ill keep you posted Best of luck to all - By the way one of the girls there said she had been in contact with the papers re treatment of ACS so expect to see The Mail on sunday Highlight issues.

Hi Paulina what Time is you appointment in Belfast - Mine is at 1pm might see you there Why are you bringing people?or didi I pick that up wrong!!

I rang today and got an appointment for 7th March in Belfast with Jerome Manaceau She told me they were trying to organise to transport a group from Dublin to Belfast for appointments that day.As I live in the muidlands it would make no sense to travel that way - Just wanted to let you all know

Fantastic newss coco well done - sorry didnt get a chance to reply was dealing with bereavment this weekend a young neighbour all very devastating everthing fades into insignificance when face with such tragedy. Don't knbow what to do with ACS afraid to push it incase - because my op is over a year they can walk away Im having difficulty finding any of the paperwork involved - dont want to ask for replacement in case they come adjusted............ Im a bit paranoid .

I have just had a phonecall from ACS in Dublin Cancelling my appointment for a fill on tuesday she could not even give me a date in which I could have it done all she could offer was to get back to me next week and give me an update - They have no surgeon to do the fill is what she told me . When I asked was there no one else she told me no one else was allowed to do the fill - Lou did one for me before - is she gone now!!!Help I am so worried that this is the end. Is there fills available through anyone else in Ireland Any info would be appreciated.

Not sure what happened there - does anyone know who does the fill in fitzwilliam st now

Thanks Coco I used to be a rgular user just find it hard to get logged on - but will be making a concerted effort to stay in touch cheers Cant wait for that sweet spot I hear you all talk about