Sazparella

It's strange isn't it. Until I joined this forum I hadn't heard of another lady with PCOS and I've lived with it for 12 years (I'm 28 now). Did you find that doctors were unhelpful? Everytime I queried my weight they just said exercise and diet (the usual) which is so frustrating as it's like catch 22. It's really difficult losing weight with PCOS, but then PCOS causes you to be overweight! Anyways hopefully this cycle will stop going round in circles for us shortly! xx

Thanks Gillian and Slinky Both of your advice given over the past few days has let me grow my confidence enough to book the surgeon. I've went from being unsure to certain this is what I need and want. I'm just really excited now that I've got my surgery date I haven't felt so much hope in such a long time! I started my pre-op diet early this morning just to make sure I've got a fighting chance at losing enough weight before surgery As Tesco says, every little helps Look forward to sharing stories throughout our journeys

Hello band buddies! What are these shakes you're all talking about? Are they pre-made store bought? I'm just wondering whether I could get something similar in England... Hi Curtysgirl Thanks for your post-op advice I hope your wounds heal shortly and you can kick start your weight loss journey xx

Oh definitely... breathing space is much needed otherwise you'll become obsessed with the band. I took my family to the zoo yesterday so there's my exercise Hope you enjoyed your shopping! I guess stress is inevitable with the lead up to surgery. You didn't want anything or anyone getting in the way on Friday, and now you have the right decision from the surgeon so you can take a break and just wait for the pre-op diet Enjoy your meal tomorrow!

Well done to those ladies who've been banded and had weight loss To me any weight loss whether it's 3 or 30 lbs is major! Tamara - try not to beat yourself up! Remember it's only been 4 days and you may even be retaining Water. Give it two weeks then see what it is you can change about what you're doing. *hugs* I've also got PCOS so I guess we're PCOS buddies too haha I could diet relentlessly and go the gym 6 days a week yet still not lose anything. The band is pretty much my last hope - probably like you ladies! Good luck to everyone!

Why not! I'm getting banded on 29th March in the UK. How about you? Have u started your pre-op diet? I've got started on mine a little early just because I'm nervous that I won't have shrunk my liver enough or I won't have lost the required 8 lbs that my surgeon wants. Sarah xx

Hi Everyone I've started my pre-op diet today as well. I have surgery on 29th March but I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible! My diet is food based rather than liquids... example: Breakfast = 2 weetabix with skimmed milk (using semi at the mo but will gradually work it down) snack = 2 plums lunch = 6 ryvitas, 2 laughing cow light cheese spread, salad snack = apple or orange dinner = Quorn "chicken" fillet, new potatoes and vegetables Does this sound right to any pre-op UK banders? I get concerned when I hear people saying they're on liquids already! Good luck shrinking our livers!

Thanks for this Chris It reassures me further that I've made the right decision to stay in the UK not only because all of our health concerns are investigated in advance of surgery, but it also takes the further stress out of surgery and travel for fills/checks ups etc. Needed this the past few days xx

Hi Everyone I'm sorry if I've offended anyone by not going with Dr De Bruyne. I know he is a fantastic surgeon, however the idea of going to have surgery on my own in another country is too much for me at the moment as I'm not stable enough. As I've indicated before this, I suffer a lot from depression and I can't predict how I would react the night before in Brussels when the nerves take over me. I've had a full consultation with a medical team in Liverpool, and every aspect of my current health has been looked into. I would rather have the security of mind now that my illnesses have been properly assessed in advance, than getting to Brussels, and possibly turned away or the proper care wasn't prepared for my intracranial pressure. I worry about the pressure in my head every day, and I can imagine the worries being ten times as worse on the day of surgery. I also get quite severe headaches after flying so that is another factor I've taken into account. I think staying in the UK is the best choice for me because of my health and concerns. My surgeon is Mr Sigurdsson and I have checked him out thoroughly. I've also been assured that Mr Sigurdsson is experienced in neurological conditions such as mine. If I didn't have such illnesses, I wouldn't hesitate to go to Brussels. In fact, if anyone was to ask me who to get banded with I'd say Dr De Bruyne because of his track record! Again, I'm sorry if any of you are disappointed and think I'm making the wrong decision, however I have been considering this for the past two years and have weighed everything up. I value all of your advice and support. Thank you Sarah xx

Ooooooooh I see you've lost another 3lb!! You're on fire, even without the band! That is a lot of things to go through before surgery, but I guess it's for your own good to prepare you for the future! I wish I could live in USA, I just adore all of the different accents (and sun)! My aim is to lose enough weight so that I am proud to have my photo taken and then book a holiday to USA We'll all be supermodels in our amateur photos I'm now in the Springer Group xx

Thank you Tee and Slinky You've all been so supportive and allowed me to make the decision that I probably knew the answer to already. Just to let you know that I have booked in for 29th March at Dolan Park (although I've been offered 22nd March which I'm still debating. I really didn't fancy the thought of being uncomfortable in a hotel room. I'm a big lover of my own bed when not 100%. Plus I've heard and read that you need to keep moving for your circulation, and I fortunately have plenty of nice parks where I live - so home op it was! I'm going to get started on the pre-op diet today. Any suggestions to add a bit of variety?

Wahey Thank you! Good luck everyone!

Hey, 1lb to me is a hell of a lot! Aww good luck with your appointment. It all becomes real when you meet up with them. I've been told I need to lose 8lbs off my 18st 11lbs current weight so I'm kinda freaking out!! 26 days to lose 8lbs WTF I have PCOS as well, so no matter if I do excessive exercise and dieting I can't shift much. Have you been given any info at all? Like pre-op diet sheets? Overall I want to lose just under 10 stone :-o that'll get me to a healthy BMI. I'm not looking to be skinny, just healthy. Although, should I have supermodel looks underneath the fat, I won't complain! Haha I live in Liverpool, England. How about you? The pic is indeed Snoopy! Taken at Canadian Wonderland, Toronto last summer! Best two week holiday of my life, It was just a massive shame I wouldn't let anyone take pictures of me except this one with my hero Snoops How do I join Springers? Jerry's swingers, eh? xx

Hi All I'm being banded on 29th March I cannot wait!!! Smmrsue - congrats on your 1lb loss! How many have you got to lose before surgery? xx

Hi All I'm getting banded on 29th March, so very early spring! Sooooooooooo excited after a bumpy start of should I or shouldn't I Good luck everyone xx

Hi I'd like to hear any views on people's experiences of Dolan Park, England. I'm still undecided as to whether to stay in England for surgery or go abroad. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Sarah xx

That's a very kind offer, thank you Chris! I will definitely consider it. I'll see what the co-ordinators say to me and we'll have a chat Nah night Sarah xx

They have a clinic in Liverpool where you go to get your pre-op and post-op adjustments, but from what I understand, Dolan Park is where most of the surgeries are performed... Could be wrong though. I've asked for a consultation Imagine if we ended up having surgery on the same day? Woah!! If they work for BUPA too then that is saying something! I'm hoping for an evertonian surgeon I'll check the BUPA site out. Thank you as usual!!! Sarah xx

Excellent! I was looking into Dolan this afternoon and now I've just seen an advert for them. Have you done much research on them?

Thank you all for answering my questions and putting some nerves at ease. It's probably a stupid question but can you actually feel the band and port? Is it uncomfy? Has anyone got any problems with excess skin now? My problem is that I have an addictive personality. I don't like surgery but I can easily see myself having various nip and tucks if I'm not happy with myself, where does it all stop? As I've said before, I like bike riding so *hopefully* too much excess skin won't be a major problem... You must all be so proud of yourselves to get to the stages where you're at now! I can imagine you're really excited. One of the most depressing things about being this size is clothes shopping. You can hardly find things you like (I love wearing pinks and purples). You're restricted to maybe one or two shops and then when you actually find something nice, it costs probably 3x or 4x the price of the normal sized clothing shops! Slinky - I can see myself turning into a fashionista like your niece! Well done Jo! I don't know a single person who has been able to maintain weight loss with PCOS. It's one of the worst diseases to affect your mental health. I still find GPs and non-PCOS specialists are quite ignorant of it's effects. They grill you over your weight and then you get told PCOS is an excuse after you know yourself you've tried everything. I'm feeling really encouraged by all of your stories! I know it may seem weird to be affected so much by a forum, but you are all I needed for that extra push! You really have given me a little hope and I'm going to act on it now! I'm just in the middle of emailing Frederick!! *nervous* I'll let you all know of any updates! Sarah xxx

Thanks again for your responses Slinky and Claire After all of your advice, I've decided to take a big step (for me) and email them! Is there a specific address? I can't seem to find one on the website. Did you have a lack of energy a few months after the band? What kind of foods were you eating just after having the band? And what are you eating now? What does it feel like exercising? Particularly riding a bike, as I enjoy this. I can imagine that the upwards leg/knee movements may cause the band/port to dislodge! I've heard a few women saying that they lost their hair. Has anyone else had this experience? Sorry for the million questions!! Thanks Saz