Maincat

Hi there, Thanks for the information. If you are getting banded soon then you must be excited, perhaps nervous, but looking forward to the changes you are about to make. You will have to follow a pre-op diet to reduce the size of the liver. This makes the surgery so much easier and therefore safer. That will be a liquid diet. I remember having Soup, and more soup. Don't cheat this. How much do you know about the surgery itself?

Then the 50+ rule/guidance is a disgrace. I was 41.2 and got banded without any problem whatsoever. I'm sick to death of this lottery - and I've benefited from it - it's supposed to be a National Health Service, not a regional one. At BMI 50, you are 20 points into obese, your life must be hell. Don't they see that? If I'm being really basic, think how much the hospitals could make from doing the lapband operation and charging other PCTs, as mine was funded. How much they would save in terms of diabetic, heart and other problems. It really gets me steamed up! Letter to the MP (for all the good that would do).

Hello Keri, Welcome to the forum. Can you please give more details about yourself? Where are you from, at what stage in the lapband process are you? What 's your weight loss background? Any specific issues that are bothering you? There are lots of people here who I'm sure can help you and give you advice.

Hello Honey76, First of all, well done for getting your band. You have started a really exciting weight loss journey that is going to improve your life in so many ways. You are still in the very early stages and should be on a liquid diet. This is to help your body recover from the operation. I had soup of different kinds at this stage. It's not the most exciting diet, but it worked for me. Be patient and the time will come for you to move back onto solid foods. The band will not be tightened at this stage and it will only be at the fill stage that you may start to feel more restriction. Before that happens, you will need self control. Drink lots of Water, sugar free squash etc. Remember why you had the operation - to lose weight. As so many people say, the band is just a tool. It really comes down to how you use it. Try not to eat/drink the wrong foods. That defeats the object. Try to stay positive and look forward to all the benefits the band can bring. I'm sure you'll be fine and in no time be really making great progress.

Can you prove that? Have you done a survey of the PCTs that offer lapband surgery and you can back that up with hard facts, or is it just your opinion?

Why aren't you on medication for high blood pressure? Next move = wait for phone call from the dietician. May happen tomorrow. As for chances of getting the operation on the NHS, I'd say they were good if your GP can show that you have made the efforts to lose the weight. Get your GP to consider writing to Derby PCT and see what they say. What you don't do is give up. Stay positive, even during difficult times.

Good idea. Yesterday I had: Breakfast: Porridge and a cup of tea Lunch: Tin of chicken Soup Dinner: Small amount of stir fry - tiny (really tiny) amount of oil, loads of vegetables. During the day: 2 cups of coffee, 2 bananas, 2 apples, glasses of Water, sugar free squash. That is a pretty typical day. Always the same Breakfast, variety of Soups for lunch and whatever the family is having for dinner, just a small amount. For me the thing to remember is Portion Control.

Yes that does sound strange. It should be with the bariatric team. Perhaps that surgeon also does bariatric work. Have you had a look at the hospital's website to see if there is a bariatric team? When you go to your appointment tomorrow, the surgeon will already have been appraised of your situation by your GP. In that case, he/she will try to judge whether the surgery will benefit you or not. He will possibly look for your commitment to losing weight, your support network at home and your expectations of the operation. He will go through the procedure with you, and you may meet other people in the bariatric team, such as a dietician. He ought to be able to tell you whether or not he recommends the operation for you at your meeting tomorrow. Go into the meeting in a positive frame of mind. They want to help you and are on your side. Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.

You qualify for a lapband on the NHS with a BMI of over 40, or a BMI over 35 with co-morbities. You should talk to your GP and get him/her to refer you. You should also have shown that you have tried to lose the weight by other means - diets, slimming pills etc. Your GP writes to the hospital confirming this. I had my operation on the NHS - who were wonderful - and I had to show that I satisfied the criteria above. I had a six month waiting list, which is now down to three months. Hope that helps.

WOWOX7, That's great - you look so much better. Congratulations on your weight loss.

Max, To have a plateau is perfectly natural. We all get them. It's nothing to worry about in the longer term view, which is what you should try to focus on. I've had several plateaus and they have all gone after a time. You've got to try to stay positive and give yourself a reasonable timescale to lose the weight. I gave myself a year, which has gone really quickly. You've done really well so far to lose the 50 pounds - the plateau will go - honest.

Chrissy4, That's the postcode lottery for you. Our PCT has taken obesity seriously whilst others don't. It's a decision for them to make whether or not to fund obesity surgery. I find it difficult that the NHS in London, a world city, can't find the will to fund this highly preventitive and cost effective surgery. If Derby has the money to do it, so does London.

I'm sorry to hear that it's two years. For me it was six months, and now the waiting list is three months.

Thank you for your kind words. I had it done on the NHS with a six month waiting list. That waiting list is now three months. I wouldn't have considered having it done anywhere else, mainly because I didn't have to. If circumstances were different and I went private, then I would have stayed in the UK. I do speak French and German, so going to Europe wouldn't have been a problem, just don't see the need for it.

Check this thread out. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f85/want-go-abroad-band-check-out-78092/

BBC News item BBC NEWS | Health | Gastric band patients 'at risk' Comments?

Hi there, Well done on getting your band - on my birthday too - and I hope it all goes well for you. You are starting out on a really exciting journey which can transform your life. Stay positve and go for it!

It is totally normal to be nervous and nothing to be ashamed about. You are going into the unknown and that's not nice. But, let me try to reassure you, everything will be fine and you won't even remember the surgery in the future. You will experience discomfort and pain. That said, it doesn't last long and is easily managed. Everyone's experience is different. For myself, I had discomfort for a few days. No wind/gas problems. You are about to start a wonderful journey, full of excitement and achievements. Try to stay positive and focussed on the future life you are giving yourself. Keep a diary/photos/spreadsheet of your weightloss. Give yourself the time to lose the weight. I gave myself a year. Most of all, enjoy it!

Hi, Well I was out on my bike the other day and had to stop at some traffic lights. Two lads coming the other way shouted 'You can do it Granddad!'. I replied that I was trying, really trying. Then I thought, they see me as as Granddad, and yet my weight loss means I look years younger (according to my DW). I'm not ready to be a Granddad at 51. I only feel 23!! Holy smoke, how old must I have looked when I carried 303 pounds?? Could it have been my grey hair?

Well done and I hope all goes well for you in your weight loss journey. You really can look forward now as you say.

Hello Ally, Glad to hear your operation went well. Yes, Prof. Larvin is a great man. Now you can look forward to your weight loss journey really beginning. I felt sore for a few days after my operation, but it soon goes. Just try to be patient. You may find that you lose quite a bit of weight quickly, but that slows down. Did you meet the wonderful Kay Cresswell and Lisa Rickers during your stay? They have been so much help to me during my weight loss.

Lost 131 pounds, 43% bodyweight, BMI 23.3.

I'm up to a newborn giraffe. The giraffe has better knees than me too.

I was banded 14 November 2007. I have had one fill and am at 5.5ml in a 10ml band. I reached target in September. I've set myself another loose target of 161 pounds.

You all are about to start the weight loss journey that will transform your lives. Of course you're nervous and excited - that's natural. The future holds so much change for you, not only in terms of the physical weight loss, but also in a general sense of greater well being. Always stay positive, even when it would be easier to get down. You will have ups and downs, times when you question your decision to have the band, and times of great excitement when you realise the changes that are happening. Enjoy the ride, stay disciplined and focussed and be patient. Give a reasonable time scale to lose the weight. Best of luck with your operations and weight loss.