Hello from Scotland

[Gordon C 0]

Hi folks

Two weeks to go before banding !

I'm from near Edinburgh in Scotland and have finally decided to take the plunge and go for banding. Op being done two weeks today and I'm feeling a mixture of excitement, dread and fear of the unknown.

Wish me luck ......

Gordon

[tskelli 1]

Best of luck to you, Gordon! I look forward to hearing how well you're doing!

[sfeiner 2]

Hi Gordan, Look forward to getting to know you. I don't think there is anyone else here from Scotland (I may be wrong) Hope you can tell us some interesting things about where you live in addition to keeping us informed about your lapband progress. Good luck with your surgery.

[janieb 0]

Hi Gordon,

We all wish you the very best on the road to your new adventure! It's normal to be a bit nervous and unsure of the unknown, but you will be glad you took the leap of faith.

My lap band surgery was on January 30th of this year and as of Feb. 29th (My Leap Year birthday.) I have lost 26 lbs. But, the absolute best thing that has happened for me now is that I am not hungry allll the time and I don't long for potato chips/crisps, chocolate, hamburgers, etc. I was always on a diet or failing to be on a diet and disliking myself for not being able to control my weight. I feel free of that now. (Not to say some of the psychological hunger won't pop up now and then.)

Before the surgery I had a "long goodbye" with my "friend" food. I was afraid I'd miss this part of me, but I don't. I am looking forward to joining the world of regular sized clothes. And, to be honest, after I gained weight in the past, I could see that people looked past me/through me. That is not a fun experience.

Again, all the very best to you! Keep us posted.

Jane from Pennsylvania

[cowboysfan 0]

Hi folks

Two weeks to go before banding !

I'm from near Edinburgh in Scotland and have finally decided to take the plunge and go for banding. Op being done two weeks today and I'm feeling a mixture of excitement, dread and fear of the unknown.

Wish me luck ......

Gordon

Hi there Gordon. It is VERY normal that you feel that way. I was terrified the day before my surgery. But it is the best thing I've ever done for myself & my health & I do not regret it at all. You won't either because you'll do so well, and you'll have all of us here on the forum for support. Please keep us all posted on your progress, and remember, it'll be fine.

[Gordon C 0]

Thanks for all the reassurance folks - it helps a lot. Like you Jane, I'm a bit afraid of how I'll cope without "my best friend" (food) - but with a bit of helpful counselling I'm starting to see how the big jigsaw of life all fits together and the faulty role that food has been playing in my life for years now.I'll keep you all posted. Thanks againGordon

[jen22 0]

Hi Gordon

Glad you have decided to say hello! guess what i am from Scotland and funnily enough live outside Edinburgh too!! yes you are not alone, there are some Scottish people on this site too! Big Hello to all the US bansters too!!. I was banded on the 11th jan 08 in Belgium, and have lost 20lbs so far!! where are you getting yours done? let me know how you are doing or if you need help!

good luck

Jen22

[Gordon C 0]

Thanks Jen

I'm going down to Bristol to have the banding done. I looked at Belgium and France but eventually settled on Bristol because they seem to be the UK centre with the most holistic set up and one of the longest track records - also good long term success rates.

Thanks for your support

Gordon

[elainemcd 0]

Hello,

I am from Scotland and am goint to see a surgeon at the Nuffield in Glasgow on the 16th of June. I just cant wait to get it done but I am slightly anxious. I need this to be the answer but worry when I hear stories of people gaining after a period of time. I am prepared to work at it but I have lost and gained so many times in the past. I hope all goes well for you. I stay in Crieff by the way, childhood home of Ewan Magreggor.

[cherieinnv 3]

Good luck with your band and welcome! I have found so much support here; it has been a huge help to me with calming my nerves and answering my questions.

[tracey78 0]

hi, im from scotland too, stirling infact and am desperate for a lap bvand, have you all gone private or did you manage to get it on the nhs.

tracey

[elainemcd 0]

hi, im from scotland too, stirling infact and am desperate for a lap bvand, have you all gone private or did you manage to get it on the nhs.

tracey

Hi Tracey,

I am just along the road in Crieff, I have been advised that it will be a waste of time going the NHS route so I am going to go private. I discounted going abroad because I know I will need the follow up just as much as the operation. I picked my surgeon because he is a Christian and thought he would understand me a little better. As a committed Christian I find it hard to reconcile this problem I have with my weight and my faith. I have a meeting with my surgeon on the 16th of June and I want the operation as soon as possible. I am so fed up with losing weight and gaining it all back plus more besides. I hardly ever leave the house and it just isn't fair on my husband and kids. I am 5ft. 8inches and weigh almost 20 stone. I hope you do have some success going the NHS route, your area might be different to mine!

Good to chat,

Elaine

[tracey78 0]

thanks elaine for replying and i hope you have the luck in june, let me know, my gp id not a fan of this surgery and doesnt know if it is available on the nhs, but il have to keep on at him as i cant afford to go private and im 5'1 and 17 stone, it will kill me if i go on. speak soon

[janieb 0]

Elaine from Scotland,

Hello from the US. I know how it is to be sort of nervous...okay, a LOT nervous about lapband surgery. When I found out that my surgerly date was postponed for a day, I burst into tears and could hardly speak. BUT, the day finally arrived and everything went fine and I did have a complication (surgical site infection that my doctor treated aggressively with antibiotics). That was scarey. But, a fellow lapbander from Australia shared with me her similar experience and she got better too.

I have lost steadily, but not a lot, every week. So, in the 4 months since my surgery I've lost nearly 40 lbs. I'm not sure how many stone that is. Anyway, I can lose that much on my own without surgery, however, when I tried to lose weight through the years on my own, I always had a difficult time curbing my appetite, and my weight always came back ...and then some.

So, now with the lapband, my appetite is not totally gone, but I now feel "normal" in the sense that I don't always want to be eating. Also, and this is biggg for me...I actually don't always finish eating what's on my plate. I never in my life experienced that before! I always ate whatever was on my plate, even if I was full. You will feel full much sooner and will be able to manage your appetite without a lot of stress and emotions weighing you down.

All the best to you. You will be glad you took this leap for the best and you will be able to enjoy your family and will have energy to do more things with them!

Sincerely,

Jane