blondynurse

Hi there, I know exactly how u feel.my band worked well about 7 years.i went recently for additional fill after 6 years of being happy...started 2 gain weight so i i thought i'll do with a wee fill 2 get me back on truck.i had no restriction after so i went 2 same nurse 2 do a refill but I suggested 2 check how much fluid is in the band...supposed 2 b 5.5ml...she could hardly get any fluid..retried fills but she wasnt getting any fluid back.diagnosis:band leak.i was devastated with the news but because otherwise i feel fine band will stay in.surprisingly i started 2 feel restriction on unfilled band if i dont chew properly.so plan 4 me live with it in...pay attention when eating,exercise willpower...i'll need plenty of that.

hi slinky, I rang julie and she gave me a phone number to a couple doing emergency unfills... guess what I still waiting for their reply since 3pm yesterday. That is a total disgrace that they have thier phone switched off for all that time.that has to brought up to frederik because in case of emergency like myself yesterday we r left alone here in northern ireland. I rang julie back and said that I was trying for hours and there is no respond.I ended up ringing frederik and got number of emergency nurse in dublin. and guess again at 7pm I just got to my car and travel all the way down to dublin just for 2 min procedure.I was back home at 1am.The girl is really lovely waited for me and done quick unfill. I am glad I went because I got really bad on the way there, I defenately wouldnt survive another night.I still feel a bit sore because of the swelling but it will get better in a day. As a conclusion to the whole thing we are really neclegted in NI. I thought that if someone is for emergencies means it, Very unresponsible people,should be available in cases like that one. at the moment the main thing is that I feel much better, I very weak and shaky wasnt drinking since monday,just take it easy, it was some lesson learnt and my fill last week was so small only 0.25ml but I couldnt believe how much problem so litlle can cause. thanks for ur help yesterday, blondynurse

hi slinky, thanks for such a quick reply.I know they train one in bangor but with all respect she is far from capable...but if I have no choice I will have to go ahead and rely on her.thanks again and I will keep in touch, let you know. blondynurse

hi slinky, I had another fill last week in bangor.Everything was ok till last monday, my band must be too tight.I am in pain and at nite is the worst, pain and i feel all in my mouth, bar reflux.I will need defill I cant go like that, maybe if i was pain free but pain is really disterbing. Can u help me and give my phone number to anybody who can do defills here in NI,asap PLEASE !!! I hope she can come to my house and do it, or will I have to travel. please I am waiting for ur reply. thanks slinky blondynurse

hi everyone, I has been long time but again redeployment process has started again and I have been having so many problems at work. long story... and I really would like to see final of it soon. I have lost 50 pounds I feel well but start to feel more hungry,there is definitely less restriction. I was checking september appointments in belfast and dont see anything for this month. any one from N. Ireland planning to have any refills in september? let me know please. blondynurse

Hi slinky, It was lovely to meet you, you look fantastic.I am doing ok but so restricted, tolerate only fluids and soups. Tried solids couple of times and got badly stuck with panic attacks. one time the food was stuck for at least 2hours I really panicked... settled eventually but I am so affraid to eat anything solid in case if it gets stuck again.I dont feel hunger at all, but when my hands start to shake I realize that its time for some sugar.I tried some 'soft'solids but got stuck again.I feel fine,still normal levels of energy,dont feel any weaker, keep walking regularly, drink my protein shakes once a day.most defenately I will not need any more fills for quite some time.I will have to start eat some solids soon, to keep my energy levels. It was nice to meet you and have a chat, you really look so well, please do me a favour and change that photograph because you look so different with your new hairstyle,so much better. Talk to you soon. blondy nurse

Hi all, Hi Slinky I cant remember exactly what time is my appointment but must be around noon time.Hopefuly I will meet you there. Sorry I havent been here for a day or two but as you know still straggeling at work. I eventually got a temporary post until they find permanent post for me but had to change already. so it is constant stress big unknown,dealing with new people every so often.once I settled get to routine have to be moved again pure madness.but I am not going to give up without fight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fighting for my rights thats my nature. I was surprised after my first fill I was pretty restricted maybe not from the very beginning but its been 6 weeks since my first fill I I have to eat slowly, I can only dream about bread.But I think I am ready for another little fill. worring me. at the port side just under the skin I can feel quite large lump.I started to feel it shortly after surgery. at first I thought that was a port but when I went for my first fill Chris Deprez told me that this is scars wherever the muscles were stiched but that 'thing' is getting slightly bigger and uncomfortable when I sit its located just below ribs but when I sit ribs are pressing on it making me feel uncomfortable.any one experience anything like that before... any idea who is comming to belfast on 21 April?will it be possible to find out. Slinky have you by any chance confirmed that clinic, just in case of cancelation.let me know please. nice to hear from you all blondynurse

hi slinky, I paid £90 when travelled for my fill to dublin. R u for clinic in bangor on 21st April? I am booked to, hopefully we'll meet. good luck Blondynurse

Thank you very much for your reply.As A qualified nurse I really feel let down by trust but I have made formal complaint against HR. Hospital closed yesyerday and yesterday after 18hrs I was told finally when I am being palced. But because there wwas more staff than permanent posts I was placed on temporary post have to travel nearly 30 miles one way. I am still not happy but have to relax for while get along with new place and see what can be done about my complaint because fact that I was trown somewere just days before new week doesnt change anything and the way I feel about whole redeployment process.Whatever HR did to 6 of us remaining nurses without jobs was unacceptable.For now at least I know where I am going on Monday morning. but thank you very much for ur reply and help I still can use ur advice for further action. thanks blondynurse

thank you all for support. yes I am a member of trade union but we all dont know what we pay the money for every month, so far they are usless. As far as they are concerned the whole process has been followed by redeployment policy and that's all matters to them. I thought about ACAS myself so tomorrow morning first thing I will be busy making phone calls. I also thought I can seek advice from Industrial Tribunals and see if there is any slight chance of fighting it. thank you all again and I will keep in touch, blondynurse By the way, I must have lost 3rd of my body weight, hihihihihihihi, because I walk about 15miles a day, that calms me down and help me think.I try to kill that stresssssssssss but I am not sure if it works.

hi everyone, I would like to ask you for advice, sorry for changing subject but it is very important and time factor in an issue. As I mentioned before I am with a group of other nurses in the redeployment process due to closure of hospital I work in now. we r closing in few days exactly on thursday 31 March 2011. Group of us nurses including myself still have not got post and we feel discriminated during all that redeployment process. I dont want to go to many details because is complicated. The reason I sharing that with you all is that perhaps somebody was in similar situation(being discriminated or feeling that being disciminated).Maybe somebody can help me with complaining, we a bit lost in that whole situation, very stressed out,confused,scared at times but from the other hand we all know the whole process was very poorly handled. Our boss says that they followed redeployment policy and they can sleep peacfully at night( would you believe that). I would be so greatful for any help suggestions or even contacts with competent people to possibly help us. Looking forward to hearing from you, blondynurse

Hi all, sorry I havent been here for a while but I am in a process of changing jobs so it is pretty stresful time for me, especiallly that I did not ask for it, employer decided to close the hospital I work in and all of us nurses have to be redeployed somewhere else. But I managed to have my first fill at 3/3/11 in dublin. I t felt so weird for next 2 weeks I felt restricted but couldnt stop eating and craved sweets.It's been a week now I started to feel fuller much quicker, stopped craving sweets and eat small 3 meals again. there was a moment that I regreted that had that first fill because I was doing so well before it and lost 24 pounds. going for my second fill on 7/4 in dublin because dont want to wait till 21/4 in belfast.I still think I am not so bad with all that stress I am under I have to cope somehow. hopefully next week I will know when I am going to be moved. I havent lost much weight abviously since my first fill but if I did not gain any either thats the main thing. will be in touch with you all. blondy

hi laila160, have you heard about 5 DAY POUCH TEST .you have to try it. it will get you back on track.thaT is a fantastic solution to get back to some regime and to start to feel your pouch when you are hungry. LET US KNOW.I lost 5 lb ib that 5 days. It really is worth trying. blondy

Hi all, I am 4 weeks post op on solids. eat 3 times a day up to 3 oz meals sometimes even less than 3 oz just feel so full and stay full up to 4-5 hours. feel well, back to work after 3 weeks. so far lost 23 lb, happy days!!!!!!! life is so nice, every pound off motivate me even more. going for my first fill next week. nice to talk to you all again. blondy

Hi freckles, I am so sorry about your daughter...I know how she feels because I was in exactly same position. It was twin pregnancy and babies died at 16 weeks.had to go to hospital, tried to be induced for 2 weeks when finally I went into labour... It happened 10 years ago, I have 2 healthy boys, 6 and 3,5. Never look back but think about my past sometimes, imagine in my mind about the twins. time is the best soul healer, your daughter will be fine but it will take some time. she will need a lot of support, patience, understanding and you. my parents gave me all support I needed and for as long as it was necessary. blondy

Hi Slinky, My stitch is out, all look well, I feel better and stronger day by day. Stay another week at home so 3 weeks post op recovery should be enough.But I still need to b careful because my job involves some lifting, pulling and pushing so that's why I stayed home a bit longer. I spoke to Chris and endeed the clinic in Bangor is closed on 17th march so I will probably wait till april unless something will drastically change and will have to go to dublin on 3rd. I am still quite restricted - fluids only.dont feel hungry since I am back and that is the best feeling, because hunger was my biggest problem and biggest fear after surgery but so far so good.I can keep on fluids as long as I do not feel hungry... huray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. My winter coat in hanging on me, found in wardrobe some smaller size fleeces and they fit perfect. I am so excited about comming summer, there will be some serious money spend for summer cloths but I love that idea already. talk to you soon slinky. take care, blondy

Slinky, I am so glad for you, I see there is another 5lb off you, that is fantastic. Loosing all those lbs is the biggest motivator for us to be good. Good for you girl !!!!!!!! I am going to remove that one remaining stitch on my own, wish me luck.It shouldn't be hard, let you know how did it go. Lots of hugs, blondy

Hi Slinky, Thank you for reply, I am glad I am back here so can get in touch with everyone. I really had good experience there and thank to you I knew exactly what to expect. I received the best care I could imagine.I was in the hospital with another Irish girl which was great for company. Everybody was so helpful, nurses did a wonderful job. I am still on my holidays at home, take advantage of it and rest a lot, still get tired very quicly but hope will get stronger. I like my new journey with band, it gives me a lot of confidence and allows me to control my own body better then ever.I know it is early days to make such a judgement but it can be only better from now on. I found a proper website to make on line appointments: www.belgiumsurgeryservices.com You go there than click on 'coaching and clinics'. very easy and confirmed by chris. Congratulations on ur weight lose another 5 lb, thumbs up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let me know if you have any questions. talk to you soon slinky, Best regards, Blondy

Hi everyone, I am 8 days post op. Feeling better everyday was very well yesterday but today feel much weaker, no energy at all and have funny sensations at the port site, it is not pain just like muscle discomfort more like pulled muscle. There is no pain when I touch port site I can feel it under my fingertips. I have already lost 11 pounds since surgery (28/01),dont feel hunger at all, mostly drinking, having my protein shakes and liquid vit. can feel and hear my stomach rumbling but that all. So far so good just worried a bit about those stomach muscles but I am going to rest today and see tomorrow. Have a good weekend all. blondynurse Can anyone give me website to make an appointment on line.Frederik did not have it with him when we met after surgery. Hopefuly I'll get it from yous. Thank you so much, blondy

hi Audrey from Belfast, We met in hopsital, shared room, on 28/01(surgery day)discharged on sat. afternoon, you came with your daughter. Unfortunately we did not exchange phone numbers If you read that message please reply to me and let me know how you two getting on. Looking forward to hearing from you. blondynurse :tea:

hi honeybelle,slinky and everyone, I am back, banded.Still feel sore, return flight was a nightmare, I felt really sick, weak, nearly fainted again ( once in hospital). Cannot use oral painkillers, disperseble tabl I got in hosp. caused me a huge alergic rash all over my body.So that only pain relief for me is suppositories.tolerating liquids today fine but spent most of my day on the sofa. everything went well, nurses were very carring,checking on me regularly.hopefuly I will start to feel stronger day after day. no regrets so far. nice to be back, missed you all, blondy

hi slinky, I am just 3 days away from my new journey. I am so excited not even scared just want to go and have it done!!! Of course it would've been so easy if for once I had no complications... My flight was cancelled due to aer lingus strike, I managed to rebook it but less convenient time but what can you do, these things are beyond our power. I emailed Frederik because he is back to work as normal I also contacted Bridget in europesurgery to let the hotel and taxi driver know about changes. when things like that one happen I always start thinking 'maybe it wasn't meant to be' maybe this is a message, sign for not doing it.but I am going to stick to my plan get rid of the cold feet feeling and change my life. I actually feel much better now after I told all my worries. I'll let you know how everything went and try to keep in touch with you and all here. I am sure I will need plenty of support, advice... keep fingers crossed for me on friday. Blondy

hi kristal, thanks for the email, I already been in touch with bridget. did you go on any pre op diet or just ate normal food.I have hard time motivate myself to go on pre op diet. let me know how did it work with you. thanks Blondy

hi there, thanks for your letter. you mentione that is better to contact european surgery, can I get an email there just in case if I dont any reply from frederik. thanks, talk to soon, blondy

hi dubgirl, I op is booked for 28th Jan, so not much time left but I get so nervous and having second thoughts all the time. I know that is normal and I will go ahead with that anyway.I am from N.Ireland. let us know how you're progressing and how you feel. take care, blondy