sparklyjayde
New Member
Hi all
This is the first time in years I've been on a wls forum. For years i have struggled but I'm in a good place now and wanted to share my story and also get support as I have not done so well on my own.
My surgery was done privately in 2007, great surgeon and no issues but only lost weight on the pre op and the liquid/mushy stages. Had several fills in the first year and got to 8.5ml and had a lot of restriction but struggled so much with food. My provider was not good in my opinion at nutritional help or practical support just the medical side. And basically once the after care ran out I got fed up if paying huge amount ts to see someone and not feel listened to or supported.
Then I had about 4 years of trying diets and living on my own with the band and you quickly become isolated without aftercare support I think. Weight was not coming off and most solid foods I could not eat properly. In 2009 I started getting some pain. It took several trips to a&e and being told by nhs that if it's band related I would need to pay to see my private provider and then one horrible night in 2012 where I begged to be helped that they found I had gallstones and a very yucky gallbladder. That was taken out but I still got pain and swollen in the upper abdomen. My lovely nhs consultant who took out my gallbladder ruled everything else out and finally said maybe it is the band and so I was referred to an nhs team to had a defill.
This takes us to now, 6 weeks ago I had half the saline removed and all my pain as gone. I spent years over tight...even though my provider said I was fine I was not. I have learnt now to be strong in what I think as I know my body! I have been given more support in the last 8 weeks than I have in nearly years and I finally realise how the band works. I truly knew nothing. Partly that is because advice has changed since I had it done. I appreciate I have some part to play in this, anyone with a band realises how basically we are the people who make the decisions and make it work. But I was made to feel a failure and so embarrassed because I had failed the band. Well actually my provider failed me and with the right support I now feel I have a fresh start. Yes I've done things wrong, but when you are over tight you do seek out easy foods. So with the new knowledge I have of the red amber and green zones and other stuff I am starting again as of today.
I would like to encourage anyone who has the band to really follow the providers instructions but do not be tempted to be over tight. You are the key to success not the band it is only a tool. I never got that before surgery even though I was told as I was just so desperate.
I have an xray adjustment booked for 20th April when they are also going to check out what everything looks like and my oesophagus is working as it should. I pray I have not done too much damage being over tight for so long and over eating on crap foods.
I need lots of help with portions and what to eat so I hope to get that. If anyone would like to join me and offer support that would be ace
This is the first time in years I've been on a wls forum. For years i have struggled but I'm in a good place now and wanted to share my story and also get support as I have not done so well on my own.
My surgery was done privately in 2007, great surgeon and no issues but only lost weight on the pre op and the liquid/mushy stages. Had several fills in the first year and got to 8.5ml and had a lot of restriction but struggled so much with food. My provider was not good in my opinion at nutritional help or practical support just the medical side. And basically once the after care ran out I got fed up if paying huge amount ts to see someone and not feel listened to or supported.
Then I had about 4 years of trying diets and living on my own with the band and you quickly become isolated without aftercare support I think. Weight was not coming off and most solid foods I could not eat properly. In 2009 I started getting some pain. It took several trips to a&e and being told by nhs that if it's band related I would need to pay to see my private provider and then one horrible night in 2012 where I begged to be helped that they found I had gallstones and a very yucky gallbladder. That was taken out but I still got pain and swollen in the upper abdomen. My lovely nhs consultant who took out my gallbladder ruled everything else out and finally said maybe it is the band and so I was referred to an nhs team to had a defill.
This takes us to now, 6 weeks ago I had half the saline removed and all my pain as gone. I spent years over tight...even though my provider said I was fine I was not. I have learnt now to be strong in what I think as I know my body! I have been given more support in the last 8 weeks than I have in nearly years and I finally realise how the band works. I truly knew nothing. Partly that is because advice has changed since I had it done. I appreciate I have some part to play in this, anyone with a band realises how basically we are the people who make the decisions and make it work. But I was made to feel a failure and so embarrassed because I had failed the band. Well actually my provider failed me and with the right support I now feel I have a fresh start. Yes I've done things wrong, but when you are over tight you do seek out easy foods. So with the new knowledge I have of the red amber and green zones and other stuff I am starting again as of today.
I would like to encourage anyone who has the band to really follow the providers instructions but do not be tempted to be over tight. You are the key to success not the band it is only a tool. I never got that before surgery even though I was told as I was just so desperate.
I have an xray adjustment booked for 20th April when they are also going to check out what everything looks like and my oesophagus is working as it should. I pray I have not done too much damage being over tight for so long and over eating on crap foods.
I need lots of help with portions and what to eat so I hope to get that. If anyone would like to join me and offer support that would be ace