Hi from Ireland!

[Coco 0]

hi princess jules Coco& all out there. so good 2 see so many posts thank you all for the advice i 2 was banded in oct ober by jan i have lost 15 lbs so far not what i was hoping for . im learning patients coco is great she keeps our spirits up, we are so lucky to have experinced banders .to give us advice, im back on feb 8 for a fill with lou but i might change that 2 jan .Lou is very nice but talks alot. im not expecting any restriction this time from reading the posts i feel it will be my 4 fill till i get any restriction. i have a 6 mil band in, are they the newer band. there seems to be alot of talk about slippage, does anyone know if we had a slip where do we go .i dont expect jan would fix it coco you had a slip some time ago how much did it cost to have it fixed. , we would need to have a little something put away just in case.ill sign off now from the one finger typest .

Hi Roe,

Your band is different to mine, my one is an 8ml band. As you know I was banded by Jerome, my band slipped 5mths after the op. I was text book lap bander up until then and was loosing 2lbs every week even while on hols. I was in complete panic when it slipped as I thought it would set me back months. Thankfully, I was dealt with very quickly and within 2 weeks I had my band repositioned and was back on track. Although I was overfilled and suffered with some heartburn and was only able to have fluids the whole time I was away (the whole month of August) I lost 10lbs in that month, (not the best way to do it, but had no choice as I was out of the country) I finally got my restriction to a comfortable level (with some defills and refills and an barium swallow xray) within six weeks or so of coming back from hols. Anyway, as regards the cost, I was told by Debbie in ACS that the 10K I paid for the op covered me for the life of the band and that any problems I had with it I was covered. So it did not cost me an extra cent. That is the main reason I went with ACS. that and the fact that they were based in Ireland. I know that they have received a lot of crap in the media, but I have to say, and I do regularly, that I have no complaint about the way I have been treated. Dr Jerome, the nurse Lu and Debbie have been nothing but respectful and helpful and professional any time I have needed them. You must not expect a slip, it only occurs in about 2% of people and it doesn't always mean a re op. in many cases it can be fixed with some defills. So don't worry.:seeya:

Is everyone enjoying our new look LBT? Maybe it will work better than it has been for the past couple of days.

[Coco 0]

Thanks Justjules, I suppose it's not the worst. Just booked another fill with Dr. Jan for tomorrow week. Hopefully this will help. do you mind me asking if you have been able to follow all the rules ie. no drinking before or during meals? I keep forgetting this and before I know it I have drank a glass of Water with my lunch, I'm sure this can't be helping, was considering hypnotherapy to help me with thsi habit - worse than smoking!!!

anyway, glad you're feeling better and can eat a little, must say I look forward to feeling some restriction soon though

Hi Princess

You must follow those rules, they are fundamental to the band working. If you drink anything with your meals you will be forcing food through your band. This will cause several problems #1 You will force the food through your band and will eat more as the pouch will never fill up. #2 If you do this repeatedly you risk a band slip.

#3 You will not lose weight and will most probably gain as you are not using the band as your guide to fullness. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you must not drink while you are eating, drinking more than 30mins before you eat is ok, but wait an hour after you eat before drinking anything. Don't worry, it will become easier with time.

[penny2 0]

HELP!!!

Has consult with (really nice) Prof Basil Ammori, Bariatric surgeon at Manchester Spire Bupa Hospital yesterday.Flew over and back in the day.He spent one and a half hours discussing options with my husband and I. Basically, he said that i could only expect to lose about 4 stone with band(getting me down to 16 stone)and that my thoughts about getting to 12 stone with the band is "a little unrealistic" I am 55 with no medical problems to worry about(in regard to op,I mean-I do have joint and weight related arthritis issues)he is advocating a bypass.

His reasons are as follows-#1.distance.Big reason.He says that it is sometimes necessary to unfill and that will necessitate a flight back.(perhaps in discomfort)he does NOT advocate fills with out xray guidance so would not approve of someone flying in to do fills one day a month in Dublin#2.ability to "cheat"with band on sweety things.#3.proof that bypass patients tend to keep weight off better on a longterm basis#4 I have very slight reflux/heartburn and the band can irritate this

He saw that I was spooked by the idea and was NOT pushy and said several times that it was his job to give me his opinion based on his experience but that it was our decision.

My husband thinks i should go for the bypass(despite it costing 10,000STG against 7000STG)-I am miserable as I had planned for the band which is SO much less invasive but if i can only lose a few stone,is there any point.I have never felt so hopeless and distracted about anything-apart from the support here(thank you girls especially Sally,Elsie and Coco) NO ONE else can advise whats best(my 2 bfs are skinny and just dont get the whole thing)

My GP is worse than useless and just keeps repeating the mortality rate of the ops when i bring the subject up.

I would really appreciate any help/ideas/suggestions as I am at the end of my tether on this long lonely road.Thx Penny

[ailbhe 1]

HELP!!!

Has consult with (really nice) Prof Basil Ammori, Bariatric surgeon at Manchester Spire Bupa Hospital yesterday.Flew over and back in the day.He spent one and a half hours discussing options with my husband and I. Basically, he said that i could only expect to lose about 4 stone with band(getting me down to 16 stone)and that my thoughts about getting to 12 stone with the band is "a little unrealistic" I am 55 with no medical problems to worry about(in regard to op,I mean-I do have joint and weight related arthritis issues)he is advocating a bypass.

His reasons are as follows-#1.distance.Big reason.He says that it is sometimes necessary to unfill and that will necessitate a flight back.(perhaps in discomfort)he does NOT advocate fills with out xray guidance so would not approve of someone flying in to do fills one day a month in Dublin#2.ability to "cheat"with band on sweety things.#3.proof that bypass patients tend to keep weight off better on a longterm basis#4 I have very slight reflux/heartburn and the band can irritate this

He saw that I was spooked by the idea and was NOT pushy and said several times that it was his job to give me his opinion based on his experience but that it was our decision.

My husband thinks i should go for the bypass(despite it costing 10,000STG against 7000STG)-I am miserable as I had planned for the band which is SO much less invasive but if i can only lose a few stone,is there any point.I have never felt so hopeless and distracted about anything-apart from the support here(thank you girls especially Sally,Elsie and Coco) NO ONE else can advise whats best(my 2 bfs are skinny and just dont get the whole thing)

My GP is worse than useless and just keeps repeating the mortality rate of the ops when i bring the subject up.

I would really appreciate any help/ideas/suggestions as I am at the end of my tether on this long lonely road.Thx Penny

Hi Penny, Not sure what to advise you. I was going to have the bypass over the band but was recommended to have the band as I am only 25 and pregnancy after a bypass is not recommended for a few years. Maybe you could try to get a second opinion from another surgeon. If you send your details to Dr. De Bruyne by email he will be able to advise what he feels is best for you (he persuaded me to go with the band over the bypass). Best of luck with your decision.

[PrincessLK 0]

Hi Princess

You must follow those rules, they are fundamental to the band working. If you drink anything with your meals you will be forcing food through your band. This will cause several problems #1 You will force the food through your band and will eat more as the pouch will never fill up. #2 If you do this repeatedly you risk a band slip.

#3 You will not lose weight and will most probably gain as you are not using the band as your guide to fullness. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you must not drink while you are eating, drinking more than 30mins before you eat is ok, but wait an hour after you eat before drinking anything. Don't worry, it will become easier with time.

Thanks so much for the advice Coco, I need to start being honest with myself and I have been drinking with most meals...no wonder I'm not feeling restriction and not losing like I expected. I suppose there's an element of me just wanting this to be the magic potion to being slim and fit without having to do any work for it but I think any thing that's worth having doesn't come that easy. Head down now and stop making excuses and get my money's worth from this band. I want to be down 75% of my weight that I need to lose by my year anniversary, that's 37 weeks away and if I lost an average of 2 pounds a week and I would be more than happy with that. My best friend is a dietician and she says that the slower and steadier it comes off, the healthier you will be and the stronger your chances are of it staying off for life as you're slowly but surely changing your bad habits of a lifetime. Time to stop this self destruction now and start looking after myself. I have a beautiful little boy to do this for so I can run around with him!! I am really inspired by your success and your story, I was thinking about what you said about you all in Dundrum just looking like a healthy group of people having coffee and I couldn't ever imagine me being like that but now it's getting closer!

[PrincessLK 0]

Hi Princess

You must follow those rules, they are fundamental to the band working. If you drink anything with your meals you will be forcing food through your band. This will cause several problems #1 You will force the food through your band and will eat more as the pouch will never fill up. #2 If you do this repeatedly you risk a band slip.

#3 You will not lose weight and will most probably gain as you are not using the band as your guide to fullness. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you must not drink while you are eating, drinking more than 30mins before you eat is ok, but wait an hour after you eat before drinking anything. Don't worry, it will become easier with time.

Thanks so much for the advice Coco, I need to start being honest with myself and I have been drinking with most meals...no wonder I'm not feeling restriction and not losing like I expected. I suppose there's an element of me just wanting this to be the magic potion to being slim and fit without having to do any work for it but I think any thing that's worth having doesn't come that easy. Head down now and stop making excuses and get my money's worth from this band. I want to be down 75% of my weight that I need to lose by my year anniversary, that's 37 weeks away and if I lost an average of 2 pounds a week and I would be more than happy with that. My best friend is a dietician and she says that the slower and steadier it comes off, the healthier you will be and the stronger your chances are of it staying off for life as you're slowly but surely changing your bad habits of a lifetime. Time to stop this self destruction now and start looking after myself. I have a beautiful little boy to do this for so I can run around with him!! I am really inspired by your success and your story, I was thinking about what you said about you all in Dundrum just looking like a healthy group of people having coffee and I couldn't ever imagine me being like that but now it's getting closer!

[roe 0]

hi penny 2 sorry Icant give you any help.all i know is that the last day i was in acs there was a lady there and she had lost 6 st on the band its the first time i heard it mentioned that 4 st was the most you could lose,i think that would be very disapointing for alot of us .i think this is one for our experienced banders. hope you get the answers you need luv roe

[penny2 0]

Thanks Ailbhe and Roe-its lovely to get the sympathy anyway!!I should qualify what Dr said about 4 stone.He said bandsters only lose 40-50% of EXCESS weight whereas bypass lose 65-75%.My age(55) and constant dieting(since I was 12) lessen my chances of being on the higher side.

CAN ANYONE OF YOU WHO HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DUBLIN FOR FILLS,TELL ME IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE 48 HRS AFTERWARDS?just wondering if he is exaggerating the problems with the travel.

Have had a good whinge and a big cry now on husbands shoulder and am feeling a bit better.THANKS GIRLS!!

[roe 0]

ive only had 2 fills so im not in a position to give advice.but for whats its worth ,Ive no problems so far, i think if we take our fills a little at a time we will be ok. i was going to ask for 2 ml the last time and then i thought whats the hurry.ive lived with this weight for the last 48 years another couple of months wont matter

[kermit 0]

hi girls

Thanks for the supportive comments when I was down. I had a major episode of feeling sorry for myself and then had to kick myself in my own ample ass. The fact that I can now do this is cause for hope. I have begun to embrace the good news and chill out about the bad. I have lost two stone and kept it (mostly) off. First time ever. I have a forum with loads of people who understand the band journey. I have a fill next Wednesday and I have a new resolution to stop sabotaging myself by drinking with meals.

SO - Alesha, band buddy, after reading your post I realised we have both lost the same amount in the same time - cannot be bad, eh? We are doing something right! Only positive thoughts from now on.

PS - I started Aqua aerobics again after Christmas - the thought of going is awful but once I get into the pool I feel great (sweaty and grunting and bobbing maniacally but great nontheless). I had to buy a new pair of togs because my old ones had become too big and I was in danger of knocking some lady's eyes out with the unrestrained boobs. SUCCESS.

Thanks again guys for the positive words.....I think January is a misery for everyone.

[Coco 0]

Thanks Ailbhe and Roe-its lovely to get the sympathy anyway!!I should qualify what Dr said about 4 stone.He said bandsters only lose 40-50% of EXCESS weight whereas bypass lose 65-75%.My age(55) and constant dieting(since I was 12) lessen my chances of being on the higher side.

CAN ANYONE OF YOU WHO HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DUBLIN FOR FILLS,TELL ME IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE 48 HRS AFTERWARDS?just wondering if he is exaggerating the problems with the travel.

Have had a good whinge and a big cry now on husbands shoulder and am feeling a bit better.THANKS GIRLS!!

Hi Penny,

You poor thing, I've never heard anything so ludicrous in my life. You know from my posts that in the past year I have lost just a couple of lbs shy of 5 stone and dropping. I've at least 2 more stone to go. It is obvious to me that this doctor is simply thinking of the aftercare issues. He is not prepared to take the distance into consideration and so the easiest option is the by-pass in his eyes. Oh my god this sort of stuff really pi**es me off, as if it wasn't difficult enough for us to make the decision to go down the surgery route without this sort of miss information being bandied about. Penny all you have to do is look on this forum on the bandster who were banded a couple of years ago to see the amount of weight they've lost. It was suggested by Roe I think that you contact that surgeon in Belgium, I think she is right, particularly if they are setting up an aftercare service here. Most GP's don't want to get involved with WLS but there are a few who are very supportive. Sorry yours is not one of them. Keep doing the research, come back to sound off here:smile:, and we are all routing for you.

[Coco 0]

hi girls

Thanks for the supportive comments when I was down. I had a major episode of feeling sorry for myself and then had to kick myself in my own ample ass. The fact that I can now do this is cause for hope. I have begun to embrace the good news and chill out about the bad. I have lost two stone and kept it (mostly) off. First time ever. I have a forum with loads of people who understand the band journey. I have a fill next Wednesday and I have a new resolution to stop sabotaging myself by drinking with meals.

SO - Alesha, band buddy, after reading your post I realised we have both lost the same amount in the same time - cannot be bad, eh? We are doing something right! Only positive thoughts from now on.

PS - I started Aqua aerobics again after Christmas - the thought of going is awful but once I get into the pool I feel great (sweaty and grunting and bobbing maniacally but great nontheless). I had to buy a new pair of togs because my old ones had become too big and I was in danger of knocking some lady's eyes out with the unrestrained boobs. SUCCESS.

Thanks again guys for the positive words.....I think January is a misery for everyone.

Hi Kermit,

Good to hear from you again, you know the best time to post on here is when you're feeling down, all of us are here to support each other and its when we're down that we need the support. You have the band, it takes time for your head to catch up with what you've done to your stomach. Take that time, obay the rules and I swear that weight will fall off. Sometimes we need to kick our own asses, so well done there:lol:

[Coco 0]

ive only had 2 fills so im not in a position to give advice.but for whats its worth ,Ive no problems so far, i think if we take our fills a little at a time we will be ok. i was going to ask for 2 ml the last time and then i thought whats the hurry.ive lived with this weight for the last 48 years another couple of months wont matter

Hi Roe,

I'll second that, hear hear.

[ellen 0]

Hi Penny

Sorry to hear youve had this upset.

I too would recommend that you get a second opinion just for your own reassurance.

I wonder could you expect your ability to exercise to improve once you got down to 16 stone say. Having dieted since the age of 12 myself I feel that after the first couple of stone any further loss for me would be dependent on exercise. Since Xmas Ive started walking on my treadmill to the sound of lively music every night and believe it or not Im almost enjoying it now and believe me I have always utterly loathed exercise of any kind.. If, because of the arthritis issue, exercise is not an option for you even after you lose the first 4 stone then he may be correct in favouring the bypass option. If on the other hand you would be able to walk for 30-40 mins a day once the early weightloss slows that could change things considerably.

As regards the fills, I have been going over and back to the UK for my fills since my op there in September. I live in Galway and work full time and have 3 small kids. Its certainly a nuisance but its do-able. To lose this weight, I feel pretty much anything is doable and lets face it, the fills have involved 4 days out of my life so far (4 fills) and hey, I'm worth it!. As regards the need for unfills, well yes, my last fill was probably a bit too much and if I could have been defilled more easily Id probably have done it by now. Im going to grin and bear it for a while more and enjoy the extra weightloss resulting from taking Protein Shakes alone for a few weeks and maybe the band will have loosened by then. You could maybe get around the defill issue by overnighting in the UK when you go over for your fills. If the fill turned out to be excessive, you'd probably know that on day 2 and you could get your defill then before coming home. Not an ideal solution in terms of time or money but it may make the band a realistic option for you if youre not comfortable with the bypass idea.

The other thing to consider is that there are likely to be other providers based in Dublin in the next few months. The Healthier Weight Centre is one and I think another poster recently mentioned someone else (cant recall the name). The HWC are planning to have a Irish doctor here to deal with any issues (eg need for defills) which arise in between the surgeons visits.

These are my thoughts for what theyre worth. Best of luck with your decision. I know it must not be esay for you.

All the best

Ellen

[ellen 0]

Penny

Oh yes, I forgot to say in my last post that I have had major heartburn/acid issues for the last few years following my pregnancies which involved lots of sickness. When I had my op in September they discovered I had a massive hiatus hernia which they fixed during the op (free of charge incidentally). Not a single rennie has entered my mouth since that day, I have literally not had a seconds heartburn since the hernia was repaired so Im surprised that Prof Ammori raised this as an issue for you - I thought that hernia repair was not uncommon during the band op.

The other thing I forgot to say in my last message was that the only time I experienced discomfort from the fills was the last time when I got twice the amount as I had previously. The other times I had absolutely no discomfort and enjoyed my shopping spree in England.

Ellen