Brenners

Hi I am from Ireland. I had my band inserted 3 years ago. I lost 130lbs in 2 years and then despite several fills lost restriction. I gained 40lbs since last May. The clinic I had the band done with went bust so I was left with no aftercare. I eventually got an appointment for a fantastic private surgeon in Dublin who arranged an OGD and to my devestation he discovered I had almost 100% erosion. I had my band removed in February. My surgeon was able to remove the band through my mouth and my port through a small incision in my abdomen. I have only gained 5lbs since removal but emotionally I am so devestated. I cannot cope with being able to eat normally again and I am so scared about regaining the weight again. I have discussed the posibility of having more wls with my surgeon. He said he does not rule it out but he wants me to see a food counsellor and dietician first. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this and what advice they would have. I am very open to having more surgery. I am just so depressed and consumed with gaining the weight again. Thanks Brenners x

Hi to you all. Well I know its been a while but boy have I been through a rough time! As you might remember my port moved and my surgeon said that as a result I would have to have it changed. Anyway, I also got an infection when it moved so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days. I was so sick, I dont think I was ever as sick in my whole life. The antibiotics really drained me. I had temperatures of 103 and was in so much pain. I finished the antibiotics last Thursday and had an appointment to see my surgeon on Monday. The infection was gone and since finishing the antibiotics I was feeling so much better. Anyway the surgeon decided to leave the port where it is as it is not bothering me at all now. I asked for a fill as I was starting to feel hungry and it was 4 weeks since my op. He gave me a 1cc fill and it has made a small difference to my hunger. I am feeling so much better and full of energy and can still say that I have no regrets getting the band. I have started walking for 30 minutes every day and my clothes are starting to hang off me!! Its good to be back in the land of the living again and I look forward to sharing the highs and lows with you all!! Brenners xx

Good morning to you all! Hope you are all doing great. Im feeling a lot better. The antibiotics seem to have taken the edge off the pain, I must have had an infection in the new site where the port has taken up home! The swelling and redness on my abdomen is much less, thank God. I was feeling really hungry by the time I got home from work yesterday but when I went to eat my mushy dinner, I could barely manage 3 tsps. I think the port is pressing against my band or stomach because I have huge restriction. I just stopped eating and felt ok after about 1/2 hour. Im just worried that Im not eating enough. God this is such an alien thing for me to be worried about!! All my life I have been overeating and now Im concerned that Im not eating enough. I think maybe I should start keeping a food diary. Roughly how many calories should I be aiming to have per day? I know I should be aiming for 50-60g protein but Im not sure when it comes to calories. I am using protein shakes for breakfast and for supper so Im not too concerned about my protein intake. Its so nice to put my clothes on and each day for them to feel looser! I havent weighed myself since last Friday and I am only going to weigh myself every 2nd Friday. I hate the scales anyway after years of yo-yo dieting!!! Wishing you all a great day and any advice on the calories would be so greatly appreciated. Brenners x

Kity, yes he gave me painkillers which I have to take 3 times a day. They are taking the edge off the pain but as I said by the evening I am very sore. Im just concerned that the port is pushing against something it shouldnt be, but the surgeon said that it is not. I am disappointed as I had started walking 30 minutes a day and for the first time in my life actually enjoying excercise! My surgeon said no walks until the port is replaced. I cant wait to get back on track and re-start the walking. Thanks for your thoughts and positive energy! I still have no regrets being banded, and even though its only been 2 weeks I can say, hand on heart, thats it is the best thing I have ever done. I am just going to look forward to having it replaced and getting on with my weight loss! Brenners

Hi there to you all. Well I am in trouble. On Friday last my port moved and I have been in terrible pain. I had been suffering with gas pain but that seemed to have eased off. I noticed on Friday evening that the middle of my abdomen was sore and swollen. Then by Sunday it was red. I went to see my surgeon yesterday and he as confirmed what I already knew, that the port has moved and needs to be replaced. I am so disappointed. He has put me on antibiotics for 10 days and he will replace the port on May 21st. He can do this under local anaesthetic. Has this happened to anyone? I would love to hear from someone who has had this problem. I am still in pain especially by the evening as it is pressing against something and the pain is going right through into my back. I am banded 2 weeks today and apart from bad gas pains have been doing ok. I am only just starting to feel slight hunger the past couple of days, but I have been full of energy and definitly feeling the benefits of my weight loss so far. Anyway I am not going to get myself down over this. I will hopefully be sorted on the 21st May. Glad to read that you are all doing great, keep up the good work. Brenners x

Good morning to everyone, I was banded last Tues 24th and apart from gas pains Im doing ok. The whole procedure went very well with no complications. I am at times find the gas pains really hard to deal with. I get them in my shouldors and around the band area. I have no hunger yet and I find that after I eat something they get quite bad. I am just having smoothies and soups. Im wondering if anyone has any tips how to ease them. I have been going for walks but it doesnt seem to help. How long will this last? I live in Ireland and we dont have GasX strips. From reading your posts these really seem to help a lot. I actually thought I was having a heart attack last night and my DH was really worried about me. Apart from the gas pains I am so excited to be banded. I am having my stitches removed tomorrow and cant wait because my bra is irritating one of my incisions. I had a slight problem with constipation but I had prune juice and that helped a lot!! Anyone any advice would be so good. Brenners x

Well I cant believe that I am almost there! I am being banded tomorrow. I am very nervous but excited. I have a touch of a head cold. Does anyone know if that will be a problem? I got a nasal spray from the chemist and that seems to have cleared it a bit. Anyway, I will be in touch after, when I can. Thanks for all your support, I know I dont post much but I read ALL the posts and have got much support from them. Brenners x

Hi there, just to let you all know that I was scheduled to have my op on Thursday 26th April. I got a call this morning from the clinic to see if I wanted to have it done 2 days earlier on Tues 24th April, so I agreed! I cant believe that this time next week I will be banded! I am up to ninety! Anyway I hope all of you who have recently been banded are doing great and any last minute tips would be greatly appreciated. Brenners x

Hi everyone, hope your all well. I had my pre op blood tests etc and it looks like Im all set for 26th April. Its all pending my blood results, but I had my bloods done in February and everything was normal, so Im hoping things have not changed. I am excited but I have to admit that I had a bad day on Saturday where I was very emotional and wondering if I was doing the right thing. I tend to focus on the negative comments on here and remember those and forget easily all the wonderful comments about how the lap band has changed peoples lives. I had a good long chat with my DH and he reminded me of what the surgeon said at our first consultation. He told me that diets dont work and it is obvious that dieting has made me obese and that while this is not going to happen overnight and without considerable effort from me that diets will be a thing of the past. Anyway another issue that I know I will have to cope with is that I am an extremely impatient person, this is part of my compulsive nature. I need to promise myself that its progress Im after not perfection and that this is new to me and to work with the band and hopefully it will work for me. Its so great to have this site to read and get such wonderful feedback. Love Brenners x

Hi there, I am scheduled to have my lap band fitted on April 26th! I am so excited but I need to get myself organised for when I get home after my op. Has anyone any suggestions on what I should have stocked in the house. I will have dinners in the freezer for my DH and DS so they will be well looked after but I just would appreciate any advice as to what I should have ready for myself when I get out of hospital. Thanks, Brenners

Hi to everyone, I am scheduled to have banding done in Dublin at ACS on 26th April! I had my first consultation with the surgeon last Friday and I have my pre-op tests this Thursday. I am excited but anxious at the same time. I look forward to sharing my experience with you all and Im sure you will be sick of me asking questions!! Talk soon Brenners x