EnglishRose

Hi Freckles Thanks very much. Its been hard adjusting to a band that works again though. I went for another fill about 6 weeks after the leak was repaired and had to have an Emergency defill 2 days later because I couldnt even swallow my own saliva. I drank 3 cups of water at the clinic and a coffee on the way home and everything was okay but the next day I couldnt keep anything down. The lady who did the defill had problems finding the port hole as she thought my port was twisted although Frederik found it first attempt. I was worried in case I would have another leak because of the amount of times she tried to get the needle in but Ive had fantastic restriction so everthing must be okay. Im happy with my weight and the way I look now. If I lose any more it will be a bonus but If I can maintain my weight now I will be happy with that too. I am 4 pounds away from being a NORMAL weight. OMG I never thought I would say that again. EnglishRose

Hi Slinky I lost 5 stone during the first 8 months of being banded and another 2 stone since the leak was repaired in May 2010. Just to put peoples minds at rest, the leak wasn't caused by Dr Chris or his team, I went to my local private hospital. I had a leak for about a year and was chuffed I didnt gain any weight, probably because my local gym was becoming a second home. EnglishRose x

Hi Sussie If you still dont have good restriction and you are worried I would go back and see Dr Chris or Frederik and ask them to take ALL the fluid out and check how much is in there, that way you will know for definate whether you have a leak or not. When I had a leak the fluid was pushing back when they did the fill so that doesnt always mean that everything is okay. The fluid was also clear (its normally a different colour when there is a leak). I guess everyone is different. Try not to get too disheartened you have still done well losing 2.5 stone. You may be one of the unlucky ones who needs a few fills before they get good restriction. The reason I would suggest getting the band checked now is because I paid for 9 fills before having my band checked for a leak and its cost me a bloody fortune in fills that were going in one end and coming out the other. Let us know how you get on. EnglishRose

God I love this band again. I have brilliant restriction with 5ml (in a 10ml band). For dinner last night I had 1 sausage, 4 chips and 2 table spoons of baked beans and it took me nearly an hour to eat because it kept getting stuck. Trouble is by the time id finished the food is cold. Ive lost nearly a stone in 2 weeks since the revision surgery and bought my first pair of size 14 trousers. Sussie you are doing really well, scrambled egg soon, yum!

Hi Sussie The pink sterile solutions is to clean your wounds when you change your dressing and Karob is right your stitches are supposed to dissolve anyway and whats left of them can be taken out after 10 days. EnglishRose x

Your welcome Susse, pleased to help :-) x

Hi All Well I am back from Belgium, feeling a bit sore. My leak was in the tubing 1cm away from the port. Dr Chris said it was caused by having a fill. I wasnt able to take the damaged tubing home with me but he has given me a report which I can take to the BUPA hospital although I dont hold much hope of getting any money back from them. Dr Chris gave also gave me a fill of 5ml and Im feeling a bit of restriction so hopefully my weight will start to come down again, fingers crossed! EnglishRose

nice looking thought lol

Pre-op diet, mmmmmm does that mean I shouldnt have drank 2 bottles of wine tonight, naughy me lol

I totally agree with Freckles, you havent been scammed. Frederik is a NIGHTMARE for replying to E-mails and he had me pulling my hair out for answers this week. His phone number is 00 32 472 01 90 91. I had to phone him/e-mail him several times for answers this week before I got him to reply.

Hi Julie I did phone the Bupa hospital and spoke to one of the surgeons and he said I wouldnt be able to make a claim if the port was damaged because there is more than one way to get a leak, not just by having a fill. mmmmm PASS THE BUCK TIME!!! If the leak is caused by a needle I will ask Dr Chris to give me the port so I can take it further with the Bupa hospital but to be honest I havent a hope in hell because I cant afford a solicitor, (I wonder if I could get legal aid, or a no win no fee). I just want to point out to anyone thinking of having a band fitted, I still think its the best decision I ever made and dont regret having a band fitted or going with Dr Chris and his team as I think they are brilliant.

Sorry to hear you cant get any compensation back. No trauma involved???? what planet are they on. Having to pay another £4000 is enough trauma itself, let alone having to have another op. Totally agree, Pratts!!!!

I didnt use Dr Chris or Frederik for my fills, I went to a private BUPA hospital near to where I live.

Hi Julie My band was was fitted on 13th August 2008. I think Ive had a leak for about a year really as I havent lost any weight for about a year but the good thing is I havent put any weight on either so the band has taught me something. Ive lost just over 5 stone but most of that weight was lost within the first year of having the band. Im having the repair done on the 4th May. I wont know until the day of surgery whether the leak is in the port or the band. To be honest I would rather just have a complete new band but Dr Chris wont replace the whole band unless its absolutely necessary. Im worried that if he finds a leak in the port, doesnt look any further then when I get home find there is something wrong with the band too. For a few months now Ive been having this really loud noise in my stomach, (and I mean really loud), its just under my left breast. If I press I can feel something going on inside me. Its really hard to explain but in can be really embarassing when your out because people can hear it. I suppose its like a rumbling tummy but a 1000 times louder. Has anyone else had anything like this????