Bigstuff

Don't bet on having better follow up because you get the band in the UK. Banding surgeons are still fairly scarce on the ground and if yours is on holiday or away somewhere chances are there will be no cover.

I can get to Belgium quicker than I can be seen by a surgeon in Scotland. The private hospital in Scotland that does banding does not have a resident surgeon - they come from the South of England - so make sure you know what you are getting. There are many private bandsters who are less than happy with the care they received privately in the UK.

My own GP advised me to go the Belgium for the op (apparently MRSA is practicaly unheard of in Belgium).

Hi

He told me no meat, no raw vegetables, no rice, NO fizzy drinks, no bread and no fatty foods and most important to stop drinking with meals - a habit I had got back in to. I have to admit that I do already feel a little difference. I struggled with the rice bit to start with though as I ate a lot of rice based dishes.

You may have stretched your pouch. My surgeon confirmed for me last week that I had. I was not following the rules - I ate white bread, red meat and drank fizzy drinks. I felt I had no restriction, but when I watched the barium x-ray it was clear that there was restriction. My doc gives you the barium photo and I compared it with last years - my pouch is twice the size. My doc has given me 6 months to shape up or he will defill completely since the stretching could lead to complications.

Hi

I was banded by CDB in Belgium in April 2006. Chris is one of the most experienced banding surgeons in Europe, as well as being a fab person, and has loads of UK patients. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Hi

I was banded by CDB in April 2006. Feel free to PM me with questions and also for a copy of my 'how to get there' guide for travelling to Vilvoorde.