Maincat

That very kind of you to say. Thank you very much. Take care and don't forget there's always support for you on these forums.

I'm very sorry to hear of your story, but frankly I'm not surprised by it. The only responsibility private health companies have is to their shareholders. Like any business. Contracts, legal opinions, really what place should they have in terms of a person's quality of life? £150 for a fill?? It took my nurse about 20 seconds to do mine. If I were you I'd go to the TV program Watchdog, on any BBC local radio station and tell your story. I bet you'd get your situation sorted out for free then. Sue them!

You don't have to go to the gym to exercise. I've done all my post op exercise at home with little equipment. Try some of the exercise videos - I use them for about 15 minutes a day. I also have an exercise bike and an outdoor bike for when the weather gets better. You can do this! I don't think that you're lazy, just not motivated as much as you'd like. Exercise gives you energy. Start off with a minute a day like I did. Before you know it, you're doing regular exercise in an enjoyable fun way.

That's really great Ann - well done and keep it up.

First of all, good luck with your operation. That represents the start of an exciting weight loss journey that will transform the quality of your life. It's natural to have doubts/reservations about WLS. Everyone asks questions before they decide to have the surgery. I certainly did. Then I realised that unless I had the surgery, my life was going downhill fast with no hope of happiness in sight. You are not alone in having these feeling prior to surgery. As for will power, you will need plenty of it after your operation. The band, by itself, will not lose the weight for you. It requires work and effort on your part to succeed. As it's so often said, the band is a tool. It still requires will power to make the necessary lifestyle changes that you will need to make in order to lose the weight. Portion control, exercise, not cheating... these are tests of your will power. If you believe that your weight loss is of such great focus in this part of your life, then you'll do it. Support is vital. Family, friends, this forum, there's always someone to support you. Give yourself a reasonable length of time to lose the weight. I gave myself a year. You will have ups and downs, but overall more victories than defeats. Make your weight loss journey something to Celebrate and be proud of and don't beat yourself up. So prepare yourself for the new you. Be confident in yourself to lose weight and enjoy the journey.

So sorry to hear that you've been unwell. I've got away with it until now and I hope my luck holds! You've got to eat. Soup sounds good to me in that you can manage it. Why not give Kay Cresswell at Derby a ring and ask her? I'll PM you with the number. Hope you feel a lot better soon.

You are certainly not alone. I too have the image of a fat person entrenched in my mind, even when I look in the mirror. I can't rationally explain it, as everything suggests I have lost the weight - 30" waist instead of 44", 147 pounds lost etc etc. I am though getting better at seeing the thin person, after constant reinforcement from my family. I'm not there yet, but it's coming. So you're not going bonkers! It may just take a little time and self belief.

NHS Direct give information about health issues as well as advice about illnesses. Try them. At least go to the website. You probably didn't get referred by your doctor as you didn't meet the criteria for NHS funding. Am I correct? If so, I doubt that you would get NHS funding for fills. At least that would be my guess. You won't know until you ask them. I had NHS funding as I met the criteria and was lucky in that my PCT supported me.

Ask the NHS on 0845 4647 NHS Direct at NHS Direct - We're Here Whenever You Need Health Advice & Information

I reached my goal weight back in September, but have continued to lose weight. I'm now in a maintenance phase, which has taken some getting used to. I'm loving the new found freedoms in my life and the ability to do what I want to without having to think negative thoughts about my body. The aim now is to stay fit and healthy - no more sleep apneoa, high blood pressure and general lack of motivation.

My advice is to go with the diet as supplied by Derby. I have a memory of going on a liquid diet, but perhaps I was wrong. I certainly went on a liquid diet after the operation.

I was sore for a few days after the operation. Getting out of bed was a chore, but then the soreness went and all was fine. Expect to feel a bit tired for a while. The aches and pains are soon forgotten. Prof Larvin is a great man. You're in good hands there.

It may be a new diet, but I wouldn't have thought so. If I were you I'd give them a ring or email on Monday to ask them. They are very friendly. Give Kay Cresswell a ring - she's the wonderful bariatric nurse. I'll PM her number to you.

Hi Debbie, I had my operation at Derby too. I followed the pre-op diet (mine was a liquid diet) for two weeks and everything was fine. You don't know if your liver has shrunk - just follow the diet that Derby has given you and all should be fine. There's a thread for people who have had their operations at Derby at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f85/who-banded-derby-city-hospital-69940/ You've made a great start with your weight loss and exercise - well done.

My second operation was to replace the tube between port and band and resite the port. The tube had become detached from the port. I didn't have a fill for about six months after my band was fitted, but you usually know in advance if you're going to get a fill. I didn't count calories at all, or carefully measure my portions. I just took about a third the amount I used to have and I eat very slowly. That's a good thing to do. Just take your time eating. The food tastes much better when you eat slowly.

I ate Soups for the four weeks. If you vary them, and make home made ones, they can be interesting even after four weeks. I didn't have jelly, but I guess you can have it. Before my fill I could eat alot if that was my choice, but it wasn't. You don't have to wait for the fill to get a grip on portion control. You will soon begin to feel the benefits of portion control. The fill itself didn't hurt me at all. It's just an injection into the port and if you have someone experienced and skillful doing it, it's a breeze.

I'm reading 'Russia Under The Old Regime' by Richard Pipes. I like to read political history.

Do you eat Breakfast? I have oats for breakfast - they are great as they release their energy slowly and see me right through to lunch without problem. I can also recommend bananas for that in-between meals snack.

That's great - well done on your weight loss so far. The soreness will soon go and then you have a great 2009 to look forward to. Take lots of pictures of your weight loss. If you're like me, you won't believe the changes your body and figure go through over time. Have a happy and healthy new year.

Hi all, I'm 147.6 pounds down since November 2007 and feeling great about it. Have a great Christmas!

From a mere male perspective... stuff 'em!! Do this for you - it's your life and you can do this. I've been very lucky in having fantastic support from family and friends, but honestly, I'd have still gone ahead if that support wasn't there. If I hadn't, my life would have been shortened by years, my quality of life would have diminished and there would be no joy. So just go for it!

Hi, Is your sleep apneoa being treated in any way? If not, you really need to talk to your GP and get a sleep study organised and possibly a CPAP machine given to you. I had OSA and the reduction in my weight got rid of it. I'm also a depressive, but I think it's fair to say that my condition has improved as my excess weight has gone. I used to have high blood pressure, on medication. I'm totally fine now. As for which surgery would be best for you, I really can't say. I've been told that the bypass gets rid of more weight more quickly than the band, but I don't have any personal knowledge of that. For me the band has been perfect, working alongside a change in lifestyle including healthy eating, regular exercise and great support. I also gave a reasonable time for the weight to go, in my case a year. Whatever you choose, good luck with your weight loss.

Hi all, Just to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful new year.

Well done -it's great that you are experiencing NSVs with your clothes - they are at least as important as the scales. You're right - you will have ups and downs, so stay focused on the longer term goals you have, be patient and stay motivated. Try to build in some exercise when you can, as that will not only help your weight loss but also your general fitness levels. BTW, isn't Edinburgh a beautiful city?