Hi from Ireland!

[Coco 0]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.Hi Guys

Lovely to see so many of us back on the site sharing and talking again. Not surprised to hear about ACS stopping the WLS op's. particularly after the Prime Time show on RTE1 the other night. The thing that pee's me off about all the bad publicity that ACS is getting between the Mail on Sunday and now Prime Time is that it is so unbalanced. They've not had anyone who's has been happy with their ops to give their stories. I'm quite sure that there are hundreds of WLS patients who are very happy and by the law of averages there must be some people who have been happy with their cosmetic surgery. And to see the doctors in Loughlinstown harping on about one consultation, where the bogus patient was sent in to ACS with a hidden camera, saying that WLS should not be performed on this type of patient. What the hell else are we to do, there is nobody else in Ireland to perform this surgery for us except ACS doctors. Why don't they concentrate on changing the laws so that people like us who know nothing about medicine or operations or qualifications surgeons should have so it wont be a game of Russian roulette when we choose to have any sort of procedure done be it cosmetic or WLS. I don't suppose that will happen anytime soon. I'm very concerned that if all this bad publicity forces ACS to close or move out of Ireland where will that leave us. Those of us who are relying on ACS for our aftercare, there is no alternative for us. If we have any complications with our band and don't have ACS to turn to our band will be whipped out of us by some gastric surgeon who knows nothing about us or our band and all our efforts will have been in vain because I know I and many more like me will gain all the weight and more back again if this band is taken out. OK rant over, I'm sorry but I just had to get this off my chest.

On a more positive note, I would love to meet up after Christmas. How many of you plan to spend some time in Dundrum Shopping Centre at the sales after Christmas? Would that be a good place to meet? There is a great big restaurant there where we could grab a coffee and a quiet corner to meet up and have a good old chinwag. Or there is always Bewleys Hotel in Sandyford which is great for privacy, or has anyone any other ideas. Let me know and we'll sort something out.

In the meantime, I wish you all comfortable restriction, shed loads of weight loss and a really really happy Christmas and a peaceful and productive New Year. Love to All.

[penny2 0]

Wish I had seen that Prime time programme-you are absoloutely right-it is a maze out there,not knowing where to turn and who to submit your body/life to. Just wish I had jumped in and got banded a year ago and I wouldnt be in this situation(and might have something to wear for Christmas)however,I wasnt ready then.

It wouldn't surprise me if some smart group of gastric surgeons saw their chance of making major bucks and started doing it here soon-there is an obesity centre opening in Cork in the New Year in the Mercy Hospital and I reckon its a matter of time before it will be offered here-probablY have huge waiting lists tho.

It is so disappointing.

Anyway.hopefully I will get something sorted out for March and join all you inspiring losers!!

CAN I APPEAL TO ANYONE WHO HAS HAD THEIR SURGERY DONE ABROAD TO POST THEIR EXPERIENCE PLEASE!! particularly inrelation to fills and how that went .

Have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful and successful New year!!

[ellen 0]

Hi Penny2, Coco and everyone

Sorry to hear ACS decision. It must be really disappointing for you when you'd set your mind on it. I went to Healthier Weight centre in Manchester and would be happy to recommend them - though of course its more hassle going to the UK but that wouldnt stop me. I paid 7900 stirling in sept 07 and all fills are free for a year. Since I had it done theyve started operating in Italy where I gather its cheaper. The surgeon they use is Favretti who has an excellent reputation. (Have a look at the Healthier Weight centre website). Apparently the hospital they use in Italy is run by nuns and is spotless tho I havent seen it myself. PM me if youd like any more info on this option. Last time i was over for a fill there was some talk about opening a branch in Ireland for fills (as opposed to surgery itself).

all the best,

ellen

[Lyn2481 0]

I understand how yous feel. We should have more choices in Ireland than just one clinic. I wasn't critisizing the surgeons as I know little about them, it was the attitude of the people meant to be providing the aftercare.

[ellen 0]

Hi Coco

I have just watched a recording of the prime time programme. It was pretty negative for ACS alright. I couldnt really understand why the dr in loughlinstown found the "patient" so unsuitable for the op (apart from her comment about having had a trauma in her life) as she was clearly overweight. He seemed to make a big issue of the fact that they didnt weigh her and check her BMI which seemed almost beside the point as it was obvious her BMI had to be over their minimum 30 threshhold.

To me the far greater issue is (a) how well ACS install the band in terms of minimizing potential future problems such as erosion and slippage and ( what they can do in the small number of cases where something drastic goes wrong during or after the op (possibly as a result of ones own state of health rather than any error on the part of the surgeon). It really is a pity that there is no other provider in Ireland. I live in fear and dread of something going wrong with my band and as you say having it removed as a first resort. Who is the woman "Lu" who appeared on the programme, is she the nurse who does the fills?

Ellen

[penny2 0]

Thx for the sympathy Ellen!!(sniff!) I will have a look at that website and have also looked at a Chris de Bruyne in Brussels who does the fills in London apparently.

How are the fills going for you now?are you at your "sweet spot"Did you manage to get on to proper food yet?x

[Emerald 0]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to wish everyone a gr8 Christmas and heres to a healthy new year for all of us ! I'd certainly be interested in meeting up in January!

Dee

[Coco 0]

Hi Coco

I have just watched a recording of the prime time programme. It was pretty negative for ACS alright. I couldnt really understand why the dr in loughlinstown found the "patient" so unsuitable for the op (apart from her comment about having had a trauma in her life) as she was clearly overweight. He seemed to make a big issue of the fact that they didnt weigh her and check her BMI which seemed almost beside the point as it was obvious her BMI had to be over their minimum 30 threshhold.

To me the far greater issue is (a) how well ACS install the band in terms of minimizing potential future problems such as erosion and slippage and ( what they can do in the small number of cases where something drastic goes wrong during or after the op (possibly as a result of ones own state of health rather than any error on the part of the surgeon). It really is a pity that there is no other provider in Ireland. I live in fear and dread of something going wrong with my band and as you say having it removed as a first resort. Who is the woman "Lu" who appeared on the programme, is she the nurse who does the fills?

Ellen

Hi Ellen,

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw the programme:), although in a way I'm quite glad that it wasn't all over Joe Duffy the next day.:cheated:

Lu is the nurse who does the fills and although she can come across as quite aloof and cold she is really quite nice and knows her stuff as regards the band. One thing I know I would do if I had a problem with the band and didn't have ACS to turn to, I would refuse point blank any operation to remove it. I would ask to be put on a drip if I was dehydrated and if they couldn't insert a syringe and remove the Fluid from my band I would just hop on a plane to Paris or London and have it seen to. I have heard about a Dr. in Galway who is supposed to be doing the band so if anyone has heard anything please let me know. I think at this point we who have been banded with ACS should be looking at alternative aftercare in the event that the media has its way and closes ACS down.

Anyway, hope you are all doing good and if anyone is up for a meet in Bewleys Hotel in Sandyford let me know and I'll see if I can come up with a date that suits us all. Saturday the 5th Jan sounds like a good date to me. Anyone else?

[Elsie 0]

Hi All,

This is my first post but I have been reading them for a few weeks now. I have more or less made the decision to be banded. I have found this forum very useful to help me come to my decision.

I had a consultation with ACS about a month ago but after some research online I decided I'd rather go with Healthier Weight Centre in Manchester. Has anyone else gone with these? Would you recommend them? I'd love to hear from you.

Elsie

[ellen 0]

Hi Coco, Penny, Lyn and everyone

Havent heard of anyone in Galway but will keep my ears open. I'm living here in Galway so would be very pleased to know there was a Dr here who could do the job.

I'd love to meet in January and Sat 5th sounds good. I have a friend in Dublin whom I visit frequently so could combine the two.

I went to the UK before Xmas for my 3rd fill... a measly 0.7 cl in a 10cl band involving a 16 hour roundtrip. Not a happy bunny! I was told that normally ppl feel restriction at 4-5 cl but of course I have now had 5 + 1+ 0.7cls and my restriction is little or nothing and I'm not losing an ounce. I'll try and organise a 4th fill for early in the new year. Of course the problem has been exacerbated by the ghastly weather and the fact that I've been finding any excuse not to exercise.

I have today ressurected and polished an elderly treadmill. Perhaps tomorrow I might actually give it a shot.......

Lyn, in answer to your question, yup Ive gotten onto proper food alright (not forgetting either some proper wine it being the festive season) .. but too much of it. I definitely have not met my "sweet spot".

All the best

Nora

[ellen 0]

Elsie

You are very welcome. You must be so excited to have made this decision. I wish you the very best of luck with it.

I was banded at HWC in Manchester in early September. I felt very safe with them and the operation went very well. I think they are a very good choice. They discovered a "massive" hiatus hernia during my op so they repaired it and I was none the wiser until after the event. I havent had any heartburn since though I had been plagued with it beforehand and never really invetigated it.

My weightloss has been slow enough because I probably havent followed the rules exactly, because my BMI is on the lower end, my metabolism is low after years of dieting and probably also because very few people seem to be lucky enough to get good restriction on their first fill.

With HWC you can also opt to get fills in Birmingham (and possibly London) if that suits you any better. I have been over for 3 fills already. I lost about a stone and 3 lbs after the op and have remained at that weight for the past couple of months. In the past I would have started putting it back on immediately so to some extent it is working even though not optimally right now. Im hoping my next fill and better (post Christmas) behaviour on my part will do the trick.

I went over on my own in September telling family (apart from my husband) that I was on a work trip. I stayed in the Village hotel in Cheadle for 1 night after the op then flew home and went back to work the next day, no problem. If you have any questions or difficulties you can ring one of several ppl at HWC on their mobile or landline numbers. They seem to have technical difficulty ringing me but to be honest it has not been a problem. I call them when I need them. As I have mentioned before on the forum it is a bit of a pain having to get to the UK for fills but to be honest thats not the end of the world either if it works in the end.

Very best of luck again

Ellen

[Coco 0]

Happy New Year to All.

Hi All,

Well here we are another year over. I have to say from a weight point of view it's been the best year ever and I'm looking forward to shifting the last 28lbs in 2008. I'll be a year banded on Jan 3rd. and 65lbs lighter. :whoo: Its been great to share stories and problems with all of you particularly, Jean, Juile & Bernie and I look forward to another year of support and friendship.

Now how about a meet up on Sat 5th Jan in Bewleys before we all go back to the daily routines of work and school runs and shopping and meeting up for coffees.

I think now is a good time to log our current losses and our expectations for the coming year. I love hearing how people are doing :ranger: some might say I've too much time on my hands but hey!

So heres wishing you all the very best for 2008 and hope to see a few of you on the 5th.

[roe 0]

hi everyone and happy n

ew year. i hope this will b my best year. its sad to hear whats going on at acs. i hope they keep doing the fills there. england would be inconvient for me in fact it would be impossible with five small kids im like the donkey on shreck there was a little article in sundays irish mail about acs not doing any more opps and where did yhat leave the 300 banded patients.it made me think was it only a matter of time till they stopped doing the fills.does anyone know where we stand legally.ROE

[nikki32 0]

hi girls

just popping in to see how you all are i think i can make january 5th and will be bringing friend who got banded only a few weeks ago in paris as op wasnt available here so she went to jerome care of acs !!

ive had a wonderful 2007 i was banded december 06 and this xmas i am 6 months pregnant and 94lb lighter !!!!

i dont know how we stand legally if acs goes belly up im hoping they can get their act together and put on a better front than they have so far i think the people there are great but organization needs alot of work but not just from my personal preference i dont think they deserve quite the slating they are taking ,i think if you delve into the goings on in any local hospital they would find errors..where there is people there is errors ...so i have no problem the medical council getting involved and shaking things up but i dont think they should be used to be made an example of .anyway thats just my opinion .the powers that be will decide but it great to have support here on LBT and would love to meet and chat about how its going /been for you all do we have a time to meet ??

[penny2 0]

Coco, your last post was so inspirational,I decided to hell...go for it and have booked myself and husband over and back to Manchester on Friday week.We have an appointment with Basil Ammori at the Bupa Hospital there. Hope he wont disconcert me by trying to push me into bypass as his side kick did.However after a lot of research I have stuck with the idea of the band.150 stg for the consultation!!these guys certainly know how to charge.

Hope I will be posting like yiou, Coco, here next year! sorry cant make it up this Sat as we have a party but hope to make next onexx:clap2: