Noobie -band consultation 23/03 Op 29/03

[BandedHun]

Wow! That's amazing, you sound like the sort of person I am.
I don't have much to loose, like 6st at a push but that would make my my very lowest ever and a BMI of 19!!! Which is not a goal of mine, if I achieved it then fair enough. I feel like you the mere cost involved in looking after my weight and the fact I have this implement inside me would be enough to sort my head issues out, like when I'm on my strong head dieting mode anyway. Thanks flutterby1965 . That's a great insight.

 

[WeightlossDreamer]

Hey everyone, wow the response is amazing. Thank you everyone. Louloumoo, I just want to say thanks for posting your story being a lower BMI.i truly am so unhappy and when you get to the stage where u want to give up on life because you know you always fail I figured for me I didn't think I could put a price on it. Everyone I just wanted to thank with all my heart as I feel alone with it. I probably will have to tell someone eventually, but for now I feel that I just want to try and make a success of it. Like many of you could possibly identity I was born a foody, when I was young I remember sitting in the car on long journeys and my parents would buy the travel tins... Bolied sweets in the powder, I remember they would open them and give us one and if they were put on the back seat with me I would literally focus on the tin until they were all gone. I'd often sneak an extra one when I took one so I had a "reserve" ... So yes I guess I've always used food. I figured the band was the best option for me because it offers a lifetime of control , I know at further expense but you can get filled all your life and that appealed. As couple of questions for some of you.... * do any of you regret having the band? * do you instantly feel different with it? ( unable to eat the way you used to etc) * how long is the recovery realistically? * how painful is the recovery, side effects? * in relation to Dolan park, how is the aftercare and getting appointments for fills? Any London clinic experience out there? Apologies for the bombardment, just wondering from a patients perspective. Also I'm trying to work out how to do this App thingy as it's not a simple to use as other sites. Thanks everyone xxxxx

I do not regret the band one bit. It's hard and a huge learning curve but it has helped me get my life back so no I cannot regret a thing about my band.

I did feel instantly different. I had no hunger for a long time post op! Have only really started to feel hunger over the last couple of months. I can no longer eat the way I used to at all! Portions I would say per meal are at least 70% less. I was used to having large portions and eating 3 course meals sometimes for lunch and dinner! Often I would have a McDonald's for breakfast. My taste buds have changed I love the taste of healthier food now and I love having salad cos it's crunchy! I now only eat off a side plate and that is enough for me. I snack regular but not in the same way I was before.

The recovery for me I think was quite quick after about 10 days post op I turned a corner and started to feel a lot better. I think making sure I got out of the house and walked helped this. I did have pain but not for long. Occasionally my port still twinges or my band will get a little tight but that's small fry in comparison to the daily drudge that was life pre op. Pre op everything ached and everything felt like a mammoth task. I'm now full of energy n don't have to go t bed at 8:30 anymore.

 

[BandedHun]

Thanks. I'm so nervous about tomorrow. I feel in such a bad place. I've been readin everyone's questions and pain pans stories and I'm so worried doing this alone that this is going to go wrong from me. I wonder whether this is because I'm in a stressful time in my life. Lots going on. There are lots of posts regarding stress and the impact on the band.

My OH isn't really supportive of it, he is of the opinion I can do this myself and don't need surgery , but I wonder whether its because he's scared if it works he will still have the same weight demons in life. My life is so based on my weight , when I'm over weight I hide in baggy clothes no make up and won't socialise and then I loose weight and I will go out but the fear of food kicks in as I can't control portions outside home and work. When the weight goes on I punish myself more with vast binges and large portions. It do sent always have to be sweet binges, I would cook pasta and bread sandwiches etc. I just want not to be able to eat huge portions anymore, to have satisfying level at a normal portion size. I'd love to eat off side plate.

I am the sort of person who when the heads there, it's there and the nurse who called ( although I gather she's a sales consultant too assured me that with a low BMI you are likely to get the best results with a band and for longer term as there is not so much to loose) ... not sure If any one else has any knowledge of this.

I'm hoping that being the last port of call for me Is enough to sort my lifestyle out for good. Take the pressure I put on myself to be perfect off.

Xxx

 

[top_kat]

Here's my response to your questions, my journey is a bit different from some as even tho I will be 19 months post op this month I still do not have restriction from my band and they also believe that it could be leaking.

* do any of you regret having the band?

Despite the fact my band isn't working as it should, that I've not found restriction from my band (apart from an awful experience of over restriction due to swollen stomach) I do not regret having my band. It doesn't work as it should but I've lost over 11 stones with my band and simply by it's placement it has changed my life, my view of food, eating and more so the choices I make. It's given me a level of control I've never had before.

* do you instantly feel different with it? ( unable to eat the way you used to etc)

I have not felt different with my band, and the only reason currently I cannot eat the same as I used to is because I'm suffering from dreadful acid issues which my GP believes could be an ulcer. However the guidelines put in place by my provider changed to way I had to eat. No more than 4-6 tablespoons, eating slowly, chewing more, the thought that if I didn't could stretch the pouch or damage the band makes you change. I've lived by the motto, just because I can eat it, doesn't mean I have to. But physically I can still eat all foods as I did before and in large portions IF I allowed myself too (which I don't)

* how long is the recovery realistically?

I was back driving on day 3 and ready to return to work on day 5. I didn't suffer wind pain and had discomfort for a few days.

* how painful is the recovery, side effects?

I didn't suffer wind pain, just discomfort from the wound sites

* in relation to Dolan park, how is the aftercare and getting appointments for fills? Any London clinic experience out there?

I didn't use THG, I was put off by them completely at consultation and went with another company. I do not regret the choice that I made.

 

[BandedHun]

Thanks that's great.

Can I ask what happened at the consultation that put you off?

I'm at the appointment with them in London tomorrow at 3:45 .... Apprehensive is not the word . I've read everyone's diaries and there are general patterns but on a who
E every story is different.

Your weight loss is amazing and so very inspirational it seems like your WILL has completely kicked in. Mine never stays when I do traditional weight loss programmes, its 5 months maximum of loss and then no maintenance, hence this being my final option,

Thanks for the response xx

 

[louloumoo]

Hey everyone, wow the response is amazing. Thank you everyone. Louloumoo, I just want to say thanks for posting your story being a lower BMI.i truly am so unhappy and when you get to the stage where u want to give up on life because you know you always fail I figured for me I didn't think I could put a price on it. Everyone I just wanted to thank with all my heart as I feel alone with it. I probably will have to tell someone eventually, but for now I feel that I just want to try and make a success of it. Like many of you could possibly identity I was born a foody, when I was young I remember sitting in the car on long journeys and my parents would buy the travel tins... Bolied sweets in the powder, I remember they would open them and give us one and if they were put on the back seat with me I would literally focus on the tin until they were all gone. I'd often sneak an extra one when I took one so I had a "reserve" ... So yes I guess I've always used food. I figured the band was the best option for me because it offers a lifetime of control , I know at further expense but you can get filled all your life and that appealed. As couple of questions for some of you.... * do any of you regret having the band? * do you instantly feel different with it? ( unable to eat the way you used to etc) * how long is the recovery realistically? * how painful is the recovery, side effects? * in relation to Dolan park, how is the aftercare and getting appointments for fills? Any London clinic experience out there? Apologies for the bombardment, just wondering from a patients perspective. Also I'm trying to work out how to do this App thingy as it's not a simple to use as other sites. Thanks everyone xxxxx

Hi bandedhun.

I don't regret getting the band at all... It has been amazing for me, it has allowed me to have freedom with food and gained some control... I say some control.. Because the band has not controlled my mind.. I am still and always will be addicted to food... I have days were I eat eat eat... And I feel guilty! But at the end of the day when I analyse I have only eaten half of what I would of previously eaten on a binging day!
The key for me is keeping busy, and having a regular pattern, which is hard as I'm a nurse! I don't think this will ever go away, but I can except it better as I am a size 10... And my weight has been stable for 2 months now. I do not feel deprived at all.
I do have the normal worries people have about the band.. Will I have problems in the future? But for this reason I don't have my band to tight and luckily that works for me.. I have 6.75ml in my 10ml band, I am prob in the green zone just.

I felt the band working from day one, but I had 4ml put in at surgery.. Which is quite a lot and not all that common, maybe because I was lower weight.
I really thought I would be fit in a week, and I wasn't, I spent 1 week in bed, pretty fed up and then another 3 weeks till I fully recovered.. I was in a pain.. But I think I'm a wimp!
Dolan park were fine, no concerns there. And I have my fills in Liverpool.. THG have been fine for me, it's all been straight forward, the nurse who does fills is loverly and great at what she does.
Good luck today, hope it all goes well, so so very exciting xx

 

[leedsburr]

Hi Bandedhun,

Thought I would throw my 2 pence worth in...

I was banded last Tuesday 18th march. I used THG but was banded at Nuffield hospital in Leeds due to other potential health issues.

It's early days for me, but I am totally loving it.

Thg are brilliant a in my opinion and I have not bad any issues when I needed to talk to a nurse etc, someone always there.

I think I'm healing incredibly well at the moment, scars are clean and tidy.

I lost 1.8 stone pre op and have now gone on to loosing over the 2 stone mark.

While we all have different experiences mine has been amazing.

 

[BandedHun]

Hey guys and dolls,

Thanks loulou that's fab about your experience as I imagine I'm pretty like you in lifestyle too... I can't imagine wanting to punish myself too much when I'm a size 12/10 and have spent my entire life savings!!! Lol... Unless I out the sh!t in my mouth again... And like sooooo many if ya'll have said it dies click your head in to gear. Like you I'm s shift worker. Not a nurse but another government position shall I say, I work 10-12 hour shifts with 2 hour journey each way into London from home so my days are 16 hours plus. I find it soooo hard eating at work coz a normal girl say for examples sits at work on nights and eats her microwave meal and I'm climbing the walls if I just are that!!! And that's when I go to the connivence junk foods, biscuits, crisps etc.... As I'm still hungry having put the two mouthfuls of microwave meal in my mouth to have notice its vanished!!! And when I read everyone's journeys I realise that a microwave size meal becomes MORE than enough if not too much and it's that effect I'm after.

Leeds, thank you. Its so lovely to have guys perspective on this as not having much at home makes it nice to read that some guys are actually helpful and interested in sharing their thoughts and feelings at the moment I'm greeted by " your do what you bloody want Hun so I don't know why your asking me" shortly followed by " you don't need it because you lost weight before ...." D'OH MR do you NOT get it... I can't maintain because there is only so blinking long I've been able to take the starving feeling and then that's usually no more than 5 months in which I loose all the weight and then I'm exhausted moody and unhappy as I'm watching people each a microwave meal and think that X?Y?Z points/sins/ cals or I can't have that coz I can't literally only eat water based foods or I put on 7lb over night.... Just a normal stomach size and portion seems all I'm after in this journey. But yes, anyway after my waffle.... Your experience with the THG seems fabulous so thank you. How are you doing in general since having it? Did they put any Fill in during your surgery ?

Bug hugs everyone xx

 

[leedsburr]

Hey guys and dolls, Thanks loulou that's fab about your experience as I imagine I'm pretty like you in lifestyle too... I can't imagine wanting to punish myself too much when I'm a size 12/10 and have spent my entire life savings!!! Lol... Unless I out the sh!t in my mouth again... And like sooooo many if ya'll have said it dies click your head in to gear. Like you I'm s shift worker. Not a nurse but another government position shall I say, I work 10-12 hour shifts with 2 hour journey each way into London from home so my days are 16 hours plus. I find it soooo hard eating at work coz a normal girl say for examples sits at work on nights and eats her microwave meal and I'm climbing the walls if I just are that!!! And that's when I go to the connivence junk foods, biscuits, crisps etc.... As I'm still hungry having put the two mouthfuls of microwave meal in my mouth to have notice its vanished!!! And when I read everyone's journeys I realise that a microwave size meal becomes MORE than enough if not too much and it's that effect I'm after. Leeds, thank you. Its so lovely to have guys perspective on this as not having much at home makes it nice to read that some guys are actually helpful and interested in sharing their thoughts and feelings at the moment I'm greeted by " your do what you bloody want Hun so I don't know why your asking me" shortly followed by " you don't need it because you lost weight before ...." D'OH MR do you NOT get it... I can't maintain because there is only so blinking long I've been able to take the starving feeling and then that's usually no more than 5 months in which I loose all the weight and then I'm exhausted moody and unhappy as I'm watching people each a microwave meal and think that X?Y?Z points/sins/ cals or I can't have that coz I can't literally only eat water based foods or I put on 7lb over night.... Just a normal stomach size and portion seems all I'm after in this journey. But yes, anyway after my waffle.... Your experience with the THG seems fabulous so thank you. How are you doing in general since having it? Did they put any Fill in during your surgery ? Bug hugs everyone xx

Thanks for your comments

My band is currently empty with a view to having a first fill at 4 weeks I've been told.

I'm doing well... Feel a little low on energy at times but found that a coffee with a. Few sugars has helped, I know it's not ideal but it levels me out a bit.

Yea, my partner asked the question when I was doing the pre op "you have done really well, couldn't you keep this going"?

And I was like... Sure, if you want me to become totally obnoxious because I'm eating the same thing day after day....

Some people just don't understand... And I get that it's not easy for them to get it of they don't have issues with weight or their own image....

Saying that He's been really good since the op, and is helping me out lots....

 

[BandedHun]

I'm hoping that will happen too Leeds.
He will see I'm doing well and it will help him too. He has weight issues. But he's been a body builder in the past and he has a lot of under muscle and big shoulder he just needs to slim down, although last year we decided to go into distance running along side a weight watchers programme and in 5 months and every day being feeling starving and number obsessed. He lost 3.5st and has only gained 1st, I on the other hand lost 4.5st and groaned 5.3st.... So there are differences in the quantities of food we eat. I literally have to live on fruit and lettuce whilst he could eat sandwich , steak etc.... And I was running around 4000cals off a week, it was little wonder when I wanted to match hhis portions I'm a fat heifer again.....

Anyway, keep up the updates and I'll let everyone know how I get on this afternoon xx

 

[louloumoo]

I'm hoping that will happen too Leeds. He will see I'm doing well and it will help him too. He has weight issues. But he's been a body builder in the past and he has a lot of under muscle and big shoulder he just needs to slim down, although last year we decided to go into distance running along side a weight watchers programme and in 5 months and every day being feeling starving and number obsessed. He lost 3.5st and has only gained 1st, I on the other hand lost 4.5st and groaned 5.3st.... So there are differences in the quantities of food we eat. I literally have to live on fruit and lettuce whilst he could eat sandwich , steak etc.... And I was running around 4000cals off a week, it was little wonder when I wanted to match hhis portions I'm a fat heifer again..... Anyway, keep up the updates and I'll let everyone know how I get on this afternoon xx

I found that years of dieting and weight loss/gain, doing stupid low carb and many other diets, that I had ruined my metabolism!
I felt I only needed to look at food and I would put on weight.. I lived on fruit and salad... And went long periods without food! I only lost weight by starving!
Anyhow since the band and a little time, I have found that my metabolism has improved soooo much, due to me eating very small and very often (not always good stuff) I feel as thou I eat more then before (although I know I don't) I don't have the massive blow outs and eat huge takeaways anymore... 2 pizza slicers is like a whole pizza... Less then half the amount of Chinese takeaway! Kids happy meal and I'm happy..
So I still eat all the same shiz but less then half the amount, just had a cheese salad wrap and packet of Crisps for lunch, one round of toast for breakfast. Off to Costa soon for one of their chocolate tiffins with the kids. And a child size roast dinner tonight.. Easy peasy...

 

[BandedHun]

You know what loulou.. That's sounds so like me! I just don't want to feel like I can finish a cartoon of egg fried rice and a all the chicken balls, I want to be one of those girls who has a 1/4 of rice ( if I can tolerate it) and a ball and go... Yep I'm done!!!! Like you the more dad diet got the bigger my appetite got and the worse the binges after were!

I'm so impressed with your story. Thank you for sharing it xx