Maincat

Hello all, It's now five years since I had my lap band. Seems strange to think it's that long. It's true to say it's been a great move and one that changed my life. I've maintained my weight loss because of a changed lifestyle. Gone are the days of failure to understand my own body. Exercise and good eating are just parts of my natural day. It wasn't always like that. So to all of you perhaps just setting out on your lapband journey, good luck and best wishes. The effort and work is worth it, not just for you but your loved ones too. KIng regards, Steve

Hi, By reading some of the threads on this forum, I guess that the majority of posters had their bands by going private and paying themselves, instead of using the NHS. Is that really the case? Please vote and let's get an idea of the mix. Kind regards, Steve

Just to say that after my major weight loss in 2008, I've kept a consitant weight, mainly through the changes I made to my lifestyle, including exercise, eating high quality foods and maintaining personal responsibility for my body. Having a lapband for me was the start of a journey that will never end. It's effects have enabled me to be functional, much healthier and fitter and just more alive. I'm convinced that people can succeed in the Quest to lose weight, and I wish everyone great success and best wishes. Kind Regards, Steve

Thanks again for the kind posts. The face images still surprise me. I never saw that coming. I remember that some people who hadn't seen me for months didn't recognise me, even after I started speaking! Losing a lot of weight can have some surprising and unexpected results. Kind regards from Nottinghamshire, UK.

Thank you for your kind replies. Below are my 'before' and 'after' images, and I promise that they are both me:) Success to you all.

Hi again everyone from Sherwood Forest, UK, Had my band in November 2007 and lost 69kgs in a year. It transformed my life in many ways. You can view my images here. I've kept the weight off and I've not had a fill for two years. A great experience. Hope all is well with you all. Regards, Steve

A thread for those of us banded at DCH by Mr Leeder. I was banded there and have now lost 110 pounds in eight months. I had excellent care from the whole team and everything has turned out well for me. The support is great from the whole bariatric team. How did you get on? What are your experiences? How much have you lost? Have you been to a support meeting? Are you going to be banded there? How are you feeling about it?

There is a change of location for the Derby Support Group from next month. The group be based at the City hospital (soon to be called The Royal Derby Hospital) from July onwards in Room 2, The Education Centre (which is near to A +E). Best accessed from car park 4. Last Wednesday of the month 7-9pm remains the same. Steve

Well done for your operation. You've started a wonderful and exciting journey. Just follow the rules, be positive and enjoy the new you. I had liquids for four weeks, which wasn't a problem for me. A variety of foods help, not just eating the same day in, day out. You will be sore, but it does go away. You're doing the right thing by walking around, better to go for short walks when the weather improves. So, good luck to you with your weight loss.

Nope I'm here. Your email didn't require a reply. But if you'd like someone else, feel free.

Hi, Your body has been shocked in to action by the radical change of diet, so I'm not surprised that you can feel it. As your body gets used to the new regime, it will feel better. Stick with it. You may find that you lose an amount of weight during this phase - got to be good. Best keep in touch via email as I don't look at this forum every day. Hope that's OK with you. Take care,

My weight loss chart November 2007 to November 2008

Great - probably the best way is for you to email me at steve@milward.org.uk and give me an update as to exactly how you're doing. The more information you can give me the better. Also, any questions, big or small, that you may have. Don't forget to ask the questions that you may think are silly ones - they won't be! Let's get this going straight away. Drop me an email when you can. Take care

Hi Lisa, I had sleep apnoea, diagnosed after taking a sleep study at my local hospital. Sleep apnoea is a very serious condition and the hospital would take it under consideration as to your treatment and operation. In my case, I had two nights in hospital when I had my band fitted, instead of the normal one. If you are a bad snorer, have you seen your GP about this and possibly considered a sleep study? Are you certain you don't have sleep apnoea? It will be raised at the consultation - or at least it ought to be. It isn't an operation stopper per se - I had mine when I had sleep apnoea. I made a TV program last year called 'Inside Out' with the BBC about my sleep apnoea. If they don't raise the subject at your consultation, you should.

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the forum and good luck with your consultation on Saturday. As for Dr Toh, I don't know him, but I'm sure everything will be fine. Is this a private hospital, or are you being referred by the NHS? (I'm guessing private). The liver shrinking... this is to make the operation as easy as possible for both you and the surgeons. The smaller the liver, the easier it is to move around so that they can do their work. That means just about everyone goes on a special diet for a while (mine was two weeks). It's in your interests to follow this diet closely. Some doctors may call off the operation if the diet isn't followed. Questions to ask - how long a stay in hospital, what about any co-morbidities (sleep apnoea, diabetic conditions), the fill situation (especially if you're going private), aftercare arrangements, support groups... there are potentially so many questions that you could ask. Make a list of them before you go and go through them with your doctor. Thank you for your kind words -I didn't know that I had fans!! My success is due to planning, good food decisions, exercise and wonderful support from my family, friends and medical staff. I may have been the one carrying the weight, but it's been a real team effort to lose it. My life has changed radically for the better, as I'm sure yours will too. You can do this, remain positive and look forward to the exciting weight loss journey you are about to embark on. Please let us know how you get on on Saturday - I'm sure we'll all be thinking of you. Take care and be happy,

I may not seem the most appropruate person to help you - male, different continent - but I do relate to your post. I'm 51, had the band for about 14 months now and am in the maintenance phase. The person I was is a memory and I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with renewed vigour, health and optimism. Check out my web, blog and images (addresses in my signature) to get an idea of who I am. If you think that I can help you, I'd be pleased to. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! Let's get that straight right now. You just need support, time and guidance. You'll find that a plenty in these forums. Take care, and get in touch if you would like me to mentor you.

Hi Dan, I went on a liquid diet straight after the operation and it last for four weeks. I got to like Soup a lot! I went on a liver size reduction diet for two weeks before the operation. Your hospital will give you details of that. As for the first week after surgery, just rest. Your body has had a shock and needs time to recover. You may feel tired quickly. I was sore for several days after the operation. Take short walks around the garden and house. Don't just sit in the chair. I couldn't have done anything differently to that, but some walking is important. They will get you walking asap in the hospital. Take care.

Hi, I made rules when I was learning to eat again. One of them was never to go back for seconds. That was what got me in to trouble in the first place. I suggest that you don't go back for seconds - ever. Are you eating slowly? Thoroughly chew your food and take your time. As for craving the bad stuff - well in my case that was never done. I just made the decision not to eat certain foods - bread, chocolate etc. If you must eat, eat fruit - I eat apples and bananas. They are much healthier. Take fruit to work with you. Also, get rid of the bad foods from the house - stick them in the bin. I eat the same food as everyone else here, no special diets or calorie counting. I just use portion control. The most important message is that you are not a failure! It's common to have setbacks, the trick is how you overcome them. See your weight loss in perspective to the rest of your life. It's important that you try to enjoy your weight loss. Have you had any NSVs? I had two operations because the tube between port and band became detached. My second operation resited the port and replaced the tube.

Hi, OK, I'm a man. I was born that way. But I still think I may be able to help you in some way.:thumbup: Check out my website/blog/images in my signature and if you feel I can be of use to you then email me. For a start, I don't buy diet foods or special diets. I just eat less than I used to. A lot less. Call it portion control. I needed to lose a lot of weight to regain my identity, confidence and self worth. I was in a dreadful state. Now, after the band and work from me, I'm fine, a different person and I know you can be too. So, I'm here if you want to talk. Go on, write the email.

Hi there, You sound like you need some help. Perhaps I can provide some of it? Check me out by visiting my blog/images etc in my signature and if you think I could be of use then let me know. Your post talks about your weight loss so far - perhaps you could give more details. For example, do you exercise regularly, what is your fill situation etc. Take care and get in touch by email if you want to.

Did you prepare well enough for your band? Sorry to be hard, but you need to take responsibility for your actions at the time you do them. You made a choice to eat the chocolate. You ate it because you wanted to at that moment in time. One square of chocolate is one thing, but binging?? If it wasn't in the house you wouldn't eat it. Get rid of it. I wouldn't at this stage get too deeply into the whys and wherefores of it. Just stop making bad decisions. Give the band a chance to work with you.

Hi there, I'm 51, an ex music teacher and have lost 149 pounds since November 2007. I also have had depression. Guess we share a lot in common. I'd be glad to be a buddy, even though we are on a different continent to eachother. That's the beauty of the internet! Find out a little about me at my blog - address in my signature and if you think I can be of use, let me know.

Hi, If you visit my blog (address in my signature), you can download my Excel spreadsheet with my weight loss data. It covers about a year of data. Hope you find it helpful. If you have trouble downloading it, let me know and I'll email it to you.