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Ok. Typical day at the moment would be Breakfast : yougurt drink Lunch: Protein shake Approx 20g I think Dinner: smoothie (fruit and skimmed milk) Also drinking Water and juice through the day (approx 6 small cups of water in work, maybe one mug of tea and a couple of glasses of juice to fill me up and stop hunger pains)

I had a very sore throat post surgery from the breathing tube. After about 3 days I started coughing and couldn't stop. Thought I was going to throw up but instead hawked up a huge plug of mucus and blood.:thumbup: Been fine since then. I think it is to do with the tube and some people get it, some don't.

I don't think she has. Didn't she do some cycling trip recently in the desert? Plus her hubby is a chef so is probably able to cook low fat meals for her.

I put on some weight at 13 but was always about the 182 pound mark but I am tall. Then when I was17 I went to university and was working hard, partying and always broke so dropped to about 140. I couldn't believe I was attractive for the first time in my life as my friends were always the pretty ones while I was the "funny" one. At 20 I fell pregnant and was back to my pre pregnancy weight(about 160) within weeks of having my daughter. When she was 6 months old I had the contraceptive implant and gained 85lbs in 6 months! I got depressed and wouldn't leave the house and ate for comfort and over the next year I put on another 24lbs. I'm 25 now and have been trying for 5 years to lose the weight. Slimming clubs, weight loss pills, crash diets, gym etc. My appetite is huge though and my partner is really thin but he eats what he wants (usually junk food) so thats why I'm hoping the band will be the tool for me! So my target is 180 and I would be happy with that. If I could get lower than that great, but I won't worry if I don't!

I wouldn't really see the point. I had my daughter at 20 and only had a few stretch marks. Then I piled on weight and got loads all over my stomach, upper arms and thighs. I am planning to have more kids in a few years and would just be wary of shelling out so much money for a tummy tuck when it may be in the same condition in a few years. Some people get stretch marks when pregnant, some don't. It depends on your genetics and the baby size and position. Knowing my luck I'd have a tuck and then fall pregnant with twins and have as much saggy skin as before and have to get it done again. Also, and I'm not sure about this, but wouldn't a tummy tuck involve cutting through the stomach muscles in order to tighten them? Would this make pregnancy riskier? I had a c section and know that any future pregnancy is slightly higher risk due to the fact that the muscles aren't as strong. The fact that the uterus wall has been cut before also is an issue but that isn't relevant in terms of a tummy tuck.

Thanks all. I was just at my GPs as I had a stitch that I needed out (from the drain). Also wanted to tell her I'd had it done. She was fine but said she didn't really approve so now I'm glad I didn't go to her to discuss it She is really lovely but would be big into "healthier" methods. She advised to have some protein shakes which I got from the chemist and a multi vitamin. I had been using slim fast up to now as it was the only thing I could think of. Was supposed to go back to work today but still feel sore if I sit for too long so I'm leaving it for a day or two. Doctor wants me to stay home for the rest of the week but I'm bored and when I get bored I eat so I'm better off going back as the food in the house is too tempting. I saw a lady having a salad today and was salivating!! I'm surviving on home made soup, bananas blended with skim milk, yougurts and ice pops. But all in all not doing too bad and the pounds are falling off! The weight you lot lost in the first few weeks, when you went back on normal food, did it go back on before you got your fills? I'm almost a stone lighter and would hate to put it back on when I go back to eating normally!

Best of luck Elsie. You're in good hands! Let us know how you get on when you feel up to it!!! :laugh::thumbup::drool::thumbup::biggrin:

Go to your GP. I found a large lump before and went to the GP who told me I just have lumpy breasts. She explained the difference between the type of lumps and showed me how I basically had a matching one on the other breast. It is probably nothing to worry about but there is no point ignoring it either. Get it checked out and have your mind out at rest.

Just had mine fitted last week. It's a 10cc band so it will probably take a few fills to get good restriction.

Hi Michelle. I have been on any liquid since the op so long as it is not lumpy. So have been eating Soup, yougurt, fruit smoothies etc. 2 weeks post op I can eat mushy food (baby food in other words). Amazing how much it differs from person to person, doctor to doctor. As of this morning I am down 11lbs. Surgery was 5 days ago.

Hi all. Quick questions. I'm on liquids for this week and next and then on to mushies for 2 weeks. My questions are 1. I was recommended to take Complan (there's another name for it) but the diabetic (i.e. low calorie) version which I can't get here. What do you guys take for your vitamins, proteins, iron etc. and 2. Should I restrict when I eat. At the moment I am eating a little and maybe an hour or 2 later I'll be hungry again so I'll have something to eat again. For example today for brekkie I had a full pot of low fat yogurt, at about 11 I had a cup of tea, at 1pm I had half a bowl of homemade soup and at 3 pm a cup of tea. Between 5 and 7 I sipped on a slim fast for nutrients and I'm hungry now (8pm) so will probably have something else (jelly) and tea before bed. I'm also drinking loads of water. I go from being sort of full to being ravenous in about 5 minutes. It's crazy. Is this right or should I be eating breakfast, dinner and tea?

Down 6lbs :w00t:

I was banded 02/26 and ave the same feeling. Feel like I need to burp and want to force it out but feel like if I force it out I'll vomit. Had it less today than other days so I'm hoping that as the gas goes, the feeling will too.

Hi all, I'm doing good. Not much pain after day 2. A little uncomfortable and scars are itchy but not too bad. Have been able to stop taking pain killers and only had a little gas pain. Best news of all is that I've already lost 6 pounds since tuesday!!! Wahoo!! I'm still very bloated and look about 7 months pregnant but I'm sure that'll go once the swelling and gas goes!

Hi all! Well I am now a bandster!!! It all went really well. Flew to Brussels Monday morning, checked into the hotel and did a bit of sightseeing. Went to meet Dr, deBruyne at 7pm in his office which is close to the hotel (about €10 in a taxi). There were a lot of his Belgian patients there having fills. He is a very lovely man. Very straightforward. Explained everything and gave me ample opportunity to back out if I wanted to! So I paid the €3400 and he went to see if his wife would drop us back to the hotel (his surgery is attached to his house) but she was gone so he called us a cab. Went into the hospital at 7am and got checked in. Was brought to a private room and given an EKG, blood tests and prepped for surgery. Was brought down at 9.15am (think I was first in) and DrDeBruyne came in to talk to me and see was I ok. Then I was knocked out! Woke up in recovery and was in a fair bit of pain. Worst part was about 5 mins after waking up (not sure if I was panicking) but I couldn't breath. They noticed straight away and came over and sat the bed up a bit which helped straight away. Iwas unfortunate as I had a very bad sore thoat due to the tube from surgery. I know it was only a sore throat but the pain!!! Plus i wasn't allowed water for 24 hours which is hard when your throat is sore and dry. So at about 12pm I was brought up to a different room with 3 beds, both others were empty. I pretty much slept all day! Was given plenty of pain relief. The main difference between there and Ireland was they leave you alone (which is good as I wanted to sleep) but if you need anything you just buzz them. They won't really check on you (apart from the routine checks every 4 hours or so) so don't be afraid to buzz! Dr, Chris called in on the Tuesday night to see how I was feeling. Then yesterday morning I was allowed some water, dressings were canged and drain and drip were removed. They washed my feet in the bed and brought me to the bathroom to wash my upper half and helped me dress into PJs. Then I slept for another while. Around 12 they brought in some soup which I had a bit of and then Dr Chris came in to say I could go. Gave me literature and diet sheet etc plus a pack with painkillers and anti nausea tabs and 5 injections for anti clotting (which I was dreading giving myself but they don't hurt at all). Then he called us a cab and we came back to the hotel. I pretty much slept all day yesterday too but feel 80% better today. Still have some pain but not much. Last night Dr, Chris' colleague (also a surgeon) called to the hotel to check on me and is probably calling today. Before we left the hospital Dr Chris gave us his phone numbers, as did his colleague in case we have any problems. Hospital is immaculate, a million times cleaner than any Irish hospital and all the nurses I encountered speak English. Hotel is basic but spotless also. I am very bloated from the surgery but have very little gas pain thank God. As Dr Chris said "the first day or two you will think 'what have I done this for?' but after a few days, weeks and months you will think 'why didn't I do this sooner?' " And I am so glad I did!! If anyone has any questions give me a shout! Especially you Elsie! I can hopefully answer any questions you might have before your big day! One piece of advice for you elsie is the morning of surgery go to the hospital at about 6.45am (straight through the main door and about just past the stairs and lifts there is a small waiting room to your right). They don't open til 7 but we got their early and I was the first admitted and the first down to surgery. It saved me waiting around all morning. By 7am there is a lengthy enough queue!

Hi girls. Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with ACS. They seem to be quite poor at service. This is from Chris deBruynes website Consultation Dublin: Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin2 (030408,080508,050608,040908,…), This address can be changed in the near furure. All consultation dates and other urgent information you can find on my website Wilkommen auf der Obesity Assist Website From now on all patients who require an appointment for London, Edinburgh or Dublin should phone this number: (the new mobile of Miss Tosh 07872963503 ) They are open 8.30 am untill 5.30 pm Mon - Fri You just have to refer that the consultation is for Dr De Bruyne Chris and for Obesity surgery. You can find the consultation dates on my website Wilkommen auf der Obesity Assist Website You will be informed about prices and where and when to come. For any urgency you can phone the same number. Thanks. Dr De Bruyne Chris I would say you will be able to have fills with him in Dublin even if you aren't an original patient of his. Worth a call anyway! The band isn't much use if it's not causing restriction! I think the charge is about €120 per fill though I'm not 100% certain. HTH and all going well I'll be able to give a full report of Dr Chris on Wednesday! :thumbup:

Not really Elsie. Dr Chris recommends a low fat diet 2 weeks before surgery (which I only found out a week ago :thumbup: My own fault as he sent me the info but it was in Word format and I didn't have Word on the laptop so I only opened it this week) So I've been trying to stick to that. I'm terrified of something happening especially as I have a daughter who is just turned 5. But at the same time I am trying desperately to get rid of a head cold I have in case it means I can't have the op. I know I'll go ahead with it I just can't help but feel apprehensive. Still, I'm in good hands and looking forward to life with the band!

Oh my God..... I just realised it's only 3 days and a bit to my op and I'm so nervous now. I just want it to be over now!

I'm due for surgery on 26th too. Looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive. Here's hoping we all get on ok! :tongue2:

Atimeforachange, go to your GP asap! I passed out in the shower a few years ago. Was a combination of the heat, very low iron levels and low blood sugars. You should probably have an x ray and get bloods taken to measure your vitamin and mineral levels and suss out what is going on with your band. If you can't get that done with ACS then don't wait around. Just go to your GP. BTW I'm a bit brain dead these days. Confirmed the op with Dr. Chris and realised I've been saying the 25th is the date for the op but thats the day I fly out. Op is the 26th. D'oh!

For those who have been banded in Belgium can I just ask, is the payment for the op all we have to pay or is there a charge for the pre and post op consultations also? If so, how much? Cheers.

I am staying in the Campanile and it is costing €366 for 2 of us for 4 nights. i booked the flights with Ryanair (did not know there are 2 airports :cheers2: so am flying into the wrong one - about 30km from hotel) so we'll probably see if there is a shuttle bus or something heading in the right direction! Flights were under €100. I was offered the package too but decided not to g for it but then my partner is coming with me so I'll have him to help me out too. My main reason for staying in the Campanile was it's proximity to the hospital as poor other half will be toing and froing for the day and I wanted it to be handy for him. Elsie, I'll be there the week before you so hopefully I'll have some advice! I'll be bringing the laptop, books, dvds etc. Anything to relieve the boredom!

Nearly there!!! Feb has just dragged for me! Flights are booked, hotel is booked, op is confirmed and I'm raring to go! Any tips from previous bandsters? Things you wish you'd known/done when you had your op? Reading the previous posts about €15k and €11k price tags I can't help but feel Belgium is the better option (in my opinion ayway!) as for that prce I could have the op 4 times and still have change left over. The fills will be approx €120 so I'm allowing approx €1000 for the next year or two for that. A reop would be €3500 again. So even with a reop you are still talking about €8000. If I paid €15k and had a slippage I wouldn't be able to afford to have a reop unless it was covered in the €15k. Wih Belgium I know I could find the money. But that's just me! Also the lack of MRSA in Belgium is a big thing for me. I had MRSA when I had a c section (though they didn't tell me at the time). It's not pleasant and I only had a "mild" case (i.e. no rotting skin) Anywhoooo..... that's my tuppence worth!:thumbup:

Penny, glad to see your previous experiences haven't put you off! Glad to hear Dr Chris will do fills here for patients he hasn't banded as ACS left it all up in the air for a lot of people. And €120 isn't too bad for a fill when you save thousands on the band :rolleyes2: I hope it will be third time lucky for you. Let us know how you get on and what you think of Dr Chris! And you're off to Florida you lucky sausage! Heading to Belgium is my holiday this year. Not that I'm complaining! I'm really excited about my op now. I wish I had booked it a bit earlier as I have everything organised and am just itching to get it done.

Hi Elsie. I'm glad to hear you're meeting him in Dublin as he had said he was coming over here for fills etc but I had heard no more about it. I'm thrilled i won't have to go the whole way to Belgium or London for a fill. I too inhale my food. My fella is always giving out to me for it as I eat so quickly. I spend hours cooking a meal and clear my plate in about 10 minutes. That will take some getting used to!