Maincat

I had two operations because the tube between the port and the band became detached. The second operation resited the port to my right side and fitted a new tube.

Hi, I don't know if there are social stigma issues with the band. If other people have an issue with me having a band, well that's their problem, it's not going to be mine. I was in a cycle shop on Saturday getting my bike repaired after years of inactivity. When my wife announced that I was having it fixed because 'he's lost 8 stones (112 pounds)', I lifted my shirt up and said 'and here are the scars'. The women in the shop all applauded and said well done! You will have a new life with the band and your weight loss. That's the vital thing to remember. Look forward to that.

Latest before and after images - 112 pounds between them.

Hi, I remember that stage. Soup. More soup. I had a wide variety of soups, some home made. I loved the lentil soup - still do. When you do try solids, remember to chew, chew and chew again. All this will pay off in the end.

I'd love to offer support. Ask anything you like. You can find out about me by viewing my website http://www.milward.org.uk, or visit my blog (address in the signature below), or view some images at www.flickr.com/photos/milward I'm married to the wonderful Denise, have a daughter Jennifer and 9 cats (utter madness). Hope to hear from you soon.

I'm really pleased all went well for you. You now have such a lot to look forward to. The team there are planning to expand their services to include gastic bypass as well as band. I would encourage you to go to one of their support meetings if you can. Very friendly and informative. Good luck to you.

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?

I agree. The band is a tool, not the answer in itself. My routine is: Breakfast - never miss it, usually oats with milk. lunch - usually Soup. Evening meal - what the rest of the family has, but I'm very aware of portion control. I eat slowly, chew everything. I never go back for seconds. drinks - tea/coffee/water as required. I drink extra amounts of Water. I eat bananas (max 2 a day) and apples after meals. I don't feel hungry on that and my body has got used to the smaller amounts of food. My family are also very supportive - they never say things like 'is that all you're having?' I'm certainly not saying that you should follow my routine, just that it works for me. I don't graze and I'm never hungry. I have recently gone to 5cc in a 10cc band. I exercise 6 days a week for about 45 minutes a day. I still think you ought to see a dietician. Where abouts are you in England?

Hi, A few questions for you: Have you seen your dietician? What is your daily meal structure like? 3 meals a day,etc? Do you have Breakfast? Do you have supper? What are the foods that you nibble? What is your current BMI? This forum is full of people who want to help and give advice. Try and stay positive.

The postcode lottery is a disgrace, and I speak as one who has benefitted from it. 2 1/2 stones weightloss in a year really is trying! I don't live in Derby, but they banded me, as my Trust was willing to pay for the surgery. This isn't a NATIONAL Health Service, it's a regional one. I'm really sorry that you have had to go private, with the costs that involves. Are the government really serious about an obesity strategy or not? I really hope that all turns out well for you with your operation. You will have the last laugh.

Vixen, I've just got this from a website Obesity Surgery in Scotland 'Patients from within the Glasgow area must be referred by their GP to the Glasgow Weight Management Service and from this programme a limited number of patients (currently 30 / year) will be referred to NHS surgeons for consideration for surgery. If you are from outside Glasgow then weight loss surgery on the NHS is not available to you in Glasgow at the moment. Please consult your GP for advice about access to NHS services in your area.' What are the chances of having NHS surgery in England?

I thought that the NHS would offer an operation with a BMI over 40 (morbidly obese) and over 35 with co-morbidities. I had my operation with a BMI of 41. I would go to a different GP/Hospital to see what they said. Sounds to me like you are a victim of the Post Code Lottery.

I'm sorry to hear of your experiences. You don't say what your BMI is, but if it is low(ish) then they will look for 'co-mobidities'. If you didn't have any (that counted, eg blood pressure issues), then they would not authorise the surgery. Are you clear what aftercare your private operation contains..fills, contact etc? I hope all goes well for you.

Glad to help Natalie. My weight loss is something I'm proud of and I'm sure that yours will be too. Don't forget that the band is just a tool, not the answer in itself. I've made good changes to my life style which have really helped. Hope all goes well for you.

Hello Natalie, I have been banded at Derby. I went for an assessment in March 2007, which was a talk with the nursing staff about what I had done before to lose weight, what my diet was and what it would become post op, reasons for wanting to lose weight and then a phone consultation with the surgeon to discuss the procedure. I was accepted for surgery and then went on the waiting list, which was six months. I then had a pre-op assessment two weeks before the operation, which was blood tests, ecg etc. I went on the pre-op diet they gave me and then I had the surgery in November 2007. Hope that helps. PM me if you want any more details.

I have had a more complex than usual fill history. I had my port replaced in May 2008 and was given a 4.5cc fill during the operation. I've had a further 0.5 fill making 5cc in total in a 10cc band. I can have fills on demand, although I feel pretty good about the band at the moment. I was advised that they don't normally go above 7cc in my band. I would phone up Lisa Rickers at Derby and discuss your fills with her. She is very friendly and helpful.

My wife, daughter and in-laws know how much I weigh. They all congratulate me when a milestone has been reached and I find that to be a really positive experience. An example, just come back from visiting my in-laws - told them about reaching Onederland and they were really pleased and interested.

Three rules I have (well they work for me): Always eat Breakfast Never go back for seconds Don't drink with your meal I eat what the rest of the family eats, including rice, Pasta, cheese etc. I just don't have large portions like I used to have. I have about half a plate and I'm full. As for medications, I just take my doctor's advice. Never been told to lay off aspirin.

After being on a plateau for a while, I've now reached Onederland:thumbup:. I don't mean to spoil that, but it does seem like an anti-climax to get there as I've been looking forward to it so much. Still, my wife is still in bed and I haven't told her yet! To everyone else close to Onederland - keep going, it will come. I'm walking on sunshine, whoo oo and don't it feel GOOD!

This is what a 100 pound weight loss looks like on me. Start in November 2007, latest in June 2008.

What is it with this friends number? So I have no friends - is that supposed to make me feel better, more inspired to lose weight, more wanting to come visit this site? Whose idea was that then? Loads of people who visit this site seem to have no friends. :confused2: Don't you think that people with friends already know it? This is a silly no-use addition to the site and should be got rid of. I'm going to get flamed for this post, but since I have no friends I don't care.:smile:

I've now lost 100 pounds (45.6 kgs), exactly 7 months after the first operation. I can't believe it!! I want to record my huge thanks to those who have supported me, especially my wife Denise and daughter Jennifer. Next stop Onederland:thumbup:

Hi and thanks for that. The second operation went well, with the tube and port being replaced. The port was also resited, now on my right side just below my ribcage. I also had a fill of 3cc during the operation. I go for a second fill in two weeks. I used to teach at Hartland School in Worksop - happy days.

If you get fed up with your warm weather, please send it to the UK (Nottinghamshire) - we could do with it! Having said that, it's lovely today - that's our summer!:tongue2: I (in a previous thin life) lost a lot of weight after running, which came back straight away. Good while it lasted. That's when I was on 6000 calories a day and couldn't put a pound on, because of my running. I'm getting into the American way of measuring weight just by pounds. Back then, I was 143 pounds, and would go down to 137. I've still got some of my old running gear - God forbid I try it on.

I'm delighted. One less killer on the road.