bobobaldy

Hello everyone,

Check out my ticker, 7, yes 7 stone gone Yahoooooooooooo!!! Thats like a whole person, gone!

I cannot tell you how absolutely delighted I am, and the absolute bestest feeling I have had in a long time was slipping into a stunning Karen Millen dress on Saturday that I am wearing to a Wedding this weekend. I cried in the fitting room, and the look on hubbies face when I stepped out in it was amazing!

I proudly walked around clutching that bag with pride and beaming from ear to ear all day, and finally for the first time in 16 years felt like a normal person able to go into so many shops and buy anything I wanted knowing it was gonna fit.

I had a right old spend up with my first bumper pay packet since getting my promotion, and got 14's & 16's rather than the 24's I was in this time last year.

Also my friend had her band fitted today, not by Dr Chris but in a hospital here after being inspired by my progress, and I cannot wait to see the difference this is going to make to her life as well.

Lots of people back on the boards, good to see how everyone is doing, and welcome newbies.

Claire, your progress photos are fab, well done you! I might get brave and post some soon, if I can figure out how!

Slinx, hello, I am confused as when I get updates for this thread on my phone your pic is a dark haired lady? Is that you? and freckles has a different pic too?

Take care all xxx

Well done you have done great with the weight loss.Seven stone is amazing.If you feel confident enough you should post your pictures as im sure your weight loss and your pictures will give others the insperation to do what you have done.I know it did with me .I subscribed to the before and after pictures on this site and that gave me the motivation to go for it.xx

Evening all

Enjoying a lovely glass of Frascati.

Had a lovely day with the children.

My oldest took a really lovely spontaneous photo of me and I thought I would post the link as I don't have any photos on here. Please don't be shocked by the first ones as they were pre-op (night before) and then at intermittent periods during the last 36 weeks.

http://www.mummiesbi...tlossphotos.htm

Update:

Week 36

Well 20lbs to go. I have lost 81 pounds and 67 inches. Wow wow wow! I can't believe I am so near my target.

I started thinking if I was going to be happy at this target as I have been working towards this for the last 36 weeks! What if I don't stop losing after I have got to it, is that wrong? Is it what my body needs? I am also wondering if I will get less restriction etc. I know that I may have to go for a bit of maintenance in terms of fills but will my body know when it needs to stop losing weight?

I'm already shocked at what I see in the mirror. I can't quite get over the change from July 2010 until the beginning of January and until now. It's amazing. I am so not used to seeing myself like this and sort of miss a stage of my life when I felt I was ok. I suppose that would be the day I got married. Anyway I am going to have to get used to it as it is a part of me and I'm not going back to the 18 stone + me.

So how did I do this week. Lost 3.5 lbs and 1 inch so BMI is now 28.7 getting nearer to 25 to be referred for boobs!

Well going to close, have a super weekend. Take care

Claire x

Well done claire you have done great on your weight loss .It wont be long untill you get to your goal.Its good to see before and after pictures i think it gives people starting there journey the boost to go for it i know it did for me.By the way your looking great.

I was banded in 2009 in July I initially lost 3 1/2 stone but i fell by the wayside...... i havent had an infill as i was topped up too tightly in March 2010 due being unable to eat anything but mush through a jaw problem. But ive put on 6lbs and cant stop this addiction to chocolate. When i was unable to eat i could manage the choc and the biscuits and have become overtime, lazy in what i eat. If I try to eat properly I get "stuckages". But i need to get back on the wagon that ive fell off......... please gimme some guidance.... anyone?! Help!!!!

Hi lisch when you say you eat properly and you get stuck thats the band telling you you have to stop eating .It might be after a few mouthfulls or half a plate .Once you know what the feeling is when you are going to get the sliming and the blockage this is when you need to stop eating.Thats the way the band works.Eating chocolate and biscuits will just slide through the band so you should be trying to eat normal food as then you will have to stop as you will get blockages if that makes sense.

I tried the 5 day pouch test to get me started once i fell off the wagon.If you google it it will tell you all you need to know.

For the best part of my journey i have stuck to eating loads of protien like doing a Atkins style diet not strick but as much as i could and thats how i lost most of the weight.

When you eat high a high protien diet you dont feel as hungry and i didnt eat as much either.Now i switch between atkins and weight watchers and by doing this it mantains my weight.Hope this help any if you need any more info just ask.

Hi bobo

congrats on your weight loss.Did i read that you got your fills by the wls group i got my band in feb and cant make the glasgow clinic this month and i was considering using wls i also heard they do fills every 2 weeks if needed is that true and do you know when thay will be back in glasgow (im from ayr).

Hi sara thanks.Yes i got my first fill done with dr chris then went to wls for my fills as it worked out alot cheaper for the six months package that they do.Wls do there fills every two weeks in london but for the rest of the country it is once per month,Wendy who does the fills is really nice and very good at her job.I dont know when they are back in glasgow as i have not been for a fill for all most a year as i am happy where i am at the moment but if you click the link it should tell you a bit more about them.Or if you need any more info just ask.Bobo www.wlsgroup.co.uk/aftercare

Thanks very much scooby doo thats nice .You have done very well yourself and congrat on your bandversity.Im sure you will get the next 3,5st off no probs keep up the good work.

Hi Freckles, thought s as today was my band anniversary I better show up and say hi to everyone. I can't believe it's a year ago today I had my band fitted by Dr Chris. I am so pleased I had it done even moreso of late since my last fill in Nov to get over the prolonged plateau I was on. I went to try a new shirt today and instead of being an 18" or 19" collar I fitted into an 16.5", what a shock but such a nice one. I bought a new overcoat the other week in "L" rather than XXL.

I would like to say good luck to anyone about to start their journey and suggest that they go for it. Hope you are doing ok too.

Well done on your weight loss puddlejumper the time is not long in flying in is it.Its a great feeling trying on clothes and them fitting you no problems.I can remember i was 4xl now im in large.I still see myself going into a clothes shop and going straight to the back of the rail looking for the bigest size lol

Like puddlej said to the ones starting the journey go for it you wont regret it.For me it was the best money i have ever spent it was not easy but well worth it.

Hi echarlenex the slimming stuff that comes back up is when you have not chewed your food up or eaten to quick.When your band gets full up or blocked your body tries to break up the blockage by producing extra saliva and because it cant get past the food the only way is up.If i can give you one tip is as soon as you feel the feeling of the slime coming back up dont eat or drink anything untill the feeling passes.I have got to learn how the band works for me and once you master that it gets alot easier.I still bring back up food now and again especially when im in restaraunts as i feel rushed but you will get used to the feeling and know when to stop.Hope this helps.

that's good to hear hun,you dont look like you were ever big lucky you i hope im the same,i too dont like exercise im lazy but the only thing ive started to do is walk the dog for 30 min a day lol,hope my weight loss speeds up lol,i feel like 28lb isnt a lot in 5 month to lose but suppose im only on 2nd fill so maybe the third will start to move me lol

Dont worry slinky it will come off eventully.You will find when you get more restriction and your portion sizes go down your weight will shift.Two stone is better off than on your going in the right direction.For the lucky ones the weight will fly off but for the vast majority its a slow proccess.

hi bobo did you do any exercise with your band or not and did you have any saggy skin soz just want to know lol

Hi slinky no i never really done any exercises.I done some swimming and rode a bike at the start but that stopped after a while.I also done some exercise on the wii but again i stopped that a while ago.I know people say you need to exercises but I'm proof that you can loose it without doing any.I have a bit of loose skin at my belly but thats about it and even that its not enough for me to bother getting anything done with it.

forgot to say bobo,do you know the waqy we arn't suppose to do sit ups do you think yoga would be ok,dont want to do any damage lol,i drank a fair bit of whisky and coke over the holiday lol do ya think my band will bo ok he he

I think yoga would be be fine no problems.I have never stopped drinking since i got my band and have had no problems i drink cider and whisky not in the same glass right enough.lol Im not in to sweets and crisps to much so my alcohol is my treat.

Its just learning when you have had too much to eat im stil pb or being sick if i eat to much its just learning when to stop.

Hi slinky yes its definitely not as user friendly as it used to be.I have probably put the same amount on as yourself over Xmas but before i would normally be a stone but I'm not to worried.Thats me started today to get back to normal eating plan again.What restriction have you got just now? <BR>No i have not had any fills since april and i dont think i will get any more fills in the near future as i still can eat alot but not enough for my weight to go up dramaticlly.It does get easier once you have reached your goal.

Hi girls not been on here for ages.This sites changed so much its hard trying find your way back on to the forum.lol

Hope yous are all doing well.

can anyone tell me how soon after the operation it's OK to drive? I've been grounded for a week, feel fine and am desperate to get out again - going stir crazy!

Hi shaz you should be fine to drive now.I drove the same day i flew back after the op.You may feel a little tugging when you turn round to check you blind spots but apart from that you should be ok.

Hi well done on the weight loss hh. yes this will be reflux i got the same thing happening to me when i was a little overfilled.It only happened when i eat late at night and it woke me up with me having acid/sick in the back of my throught.I think a few others have went to the docters and have been prescribed omeprozel tablets that helps keep the acid in your stomach down.

But i would think the best idea would be to get a tiny amount taken out if it was not happening before you got the fill.Thats what i did and i have never had it since.To me it was horrible as i was chocking in my sleep.< /p>

Hi geri it probebly is a overfill. even if you dont get much food down you really need to get fluids down as you will dehydrate and that can be very bad for you.Try taking slow sips off iced Water all day .The iced water takes the swelling down a bit letting things pass through a little.

As a few people will tell you that the fill does wear off slightly after a few weeks and your able to tolarate more and more food.But if it stays the same and you cant take fluids in you will need to get a defill.

Haha yes freckles it is weird.Chicken goes down fine with me but chips are really bad for me a i can only eat a few before i get stuck which isnt a bad thing i suppose.

Cheers Bobo

Does that mean I am now at the famous "sweet spot"?? I am booked to go back at end of August for another fill, should I cancel that?

Gonna try some milk shakes today to see if they will go down, my own GP advised me last week to try and eat high Protein foods whenever I eat - he suggested Peanut Butter, nuts/seeds, chicken, fish

Its so weird how one day you can eat nothing at all without being sick but next day could eat loads - aarrgghh

Kerry xx

I would say your pretty much at it .You need to say to yourself is it going to be worth getting more of a fill and to be eating less than you are now.But only you will know if you need a tiny amount put in.

I would defenetly try the chicken ,fish nuts/seeds as thats how i lost most of my weight .I eat chicken nearly every day and that seems to fill me up quicker and i eat less.

Its very weird how the band works its just trying to find what foods go down better than others and to take your time and take smaller bites which i dont always do an thats how i get a sticker.lol

Bobo can I pick you brains

Now had 3 fills and at 6.75 ml in 7 ml band, some days can eat other days nothing will go down

Get a weird gurgling sound when I eat or drink anything, also not lost any weight at all in last 2 weeks - what on earth is going on??

Considering going on slim fast as really tired cos not getting any nutrition

HELP!?!?!?

Hi scooby the gurguling is defo restriction as thats what i get when i drink.The band really is a weird thing that changes from day to day for me.Sunday i eat a two course meal no probs as i was going for a fill tue so thought i would treat myself before the fill.Monday i had two mouthfulls out a weight watchers meal and that was me stuck and had to leave the meal.Really its trying to get a happy medium of were you can eat and were you get good restriction.

Somtimes its good to change your diet round a bit so i would say give it a try.Sometimes i will go on the Atkins style diet to get my weight moving again other times i would go on the liquid style diet for a few days just to get things moving.

And also just stick in there the weight will eventully go even when you are not loosing weight you may be loosing inches so dont worry.

Honestly shaz you wont regret getting it done.It was the best thing i ever spent my money on.

Hi

I notice that most people talk about drinking Water the day after the op. Can we have tea/coffee?

I have my nieces wedding 2 weeks after my op so I hope my stomach is not too swollen. Does Frederik normally answer emails quickly? I emailed him on Friday and still haven't heard back. Are you better to phone. exactly 1 month till my op - can't wait!

Hi pinkshaz yes its fine to drink tea and coffee after the op.And frederik is very slow to answer emails but he will eventully answer them .But for your peace of mind i would phone him.

Hi,

I have been reading through all the pages for over a week now and have just plucked up th courage to post.

I am booked with Dr Chris for the 4th August, so just over a week to go now.

All the information on here has been really helpful, like what to take, what to eat before and the fact that nearly everyone thinks that they will be the only one it won't work for lol.

So I just wanted to really say a big thatnks to everyone who has taken the time to post advice.

Just one question really, I am going to Belgium on my own, as other half can't get the time off work, I have a pretty high pain threashold and am planning to drive to airport and leave the car there to drive back home after, does anyone think this will be a problem?

Natalie x

Hi natalie there should be no problems driving home after you arrive back i did so with no real pain.A little tugging when turning round to check your blind spot apart from that it was fine.

Theirs no need to worry slinky you will be fine you are in great hands with Dr Chris,I think everyone has the same nerves before the op so your no different there.

You just have to think positive it will be worth getting the needles done if you loose the weight.In a year to come when you have lost all the weight you will think what was i worrying about.

So think positive and you will be fine.Good luck for the op on Tue and to the others that have theirs coming up soon.

thanks , thats great , one last pizza hut then !!!!!!! did you follow any diet after liqd stage ? how many fills did you need after op before you got restriction ?

Hi i stuck to a high protien type diet like the Atkins once i came off the liquids and mushes which worked for me.I ate chicken with everthing and it helped me loose the weight quicker.As for the fills i was one of the unlucky ones who needed loads of fills i think it was 8 fills to get to decent restriction. Everyone is diffrent but most get restriction after about 3 fills.

any one got any tips on what have to eat after op, a few people have recommend those shakes , any one else recommend anything , ( im a bit limited i only like strawberry ,,,, ha ha

Ps my wife wants to go for a meal night before op , did any one else have a last treat the night before ???

Hi pearce i just tried to vary the Soups i had plus i has ready made protien drinks which were also good.Thier is not alot more you can have when your on the liquid stage.

As for the night before there should be no problem having somthing to eat i had a two course plus a few beers .

Hi there. I hope you had a nice holiday! Don't beat yourself up about the weight gain, as you said it would've been far more without the band!! At least when you have another fill it will get you back on the straight and narrow. Ur weight loss so far is great! I think we were banded about the same time.

Thanks sammy i had a great hol. ye we are about 5 months of a diffrence.Your right it would be more so i will just have to accept it and get back on track but i think i will start on mon after this chinese and the few cans.lol

Hi all not been on for a while as i have been on hol to Florida so just back this morning just catching up on all the post pheww lots of pages and newbies.Thanks slinky for the comments by the way.

Well thought i would post my weight results as i have done for a while now.

Well i have put on a STONE.I got a defill in April for a holiday to Spain and i never got it refilled as i knew i was going to Orlando in July .So i weighed my self this morning when i got in and i was pretty surprised 15st 9lb.I was probably sitting about the 15st mark before i went so relay only half a stone for a 14 day holiday where before it would of been a stone in two weeks.

So its back for a top up for me i think.I was back to eating three courses in restaurants again which i couldn't do before i went.

I have also been off work for 4 weeks after an operation which has not helped as i have been sitting about the house doing nothing.So back to work next week so hopefully that will get me back on track and in to a routine .

So its a lesson learned for me and others that the band is just a tool and if you take away the tool the job is alot harder to do.

Superb result Gary in loosing 9.5 stone thats great m8.And good luck to all the newbies going out for your ops .

hi all i havent posted much just a couple of times just thought i would let everyone know how im getting on i was banded on the 26 march 2010 and today im officaly 6 stone lighter i never in my wildest dreams thought i could lose so much in such a short space of time the last time i posted i was 3 stone lighter without exercise now i have added exercise it going faster than ever so anyone thinking of getting a band and having secon thoughts i say if its right for you go for it its the best thing i have ever done:thumbup:

regards garry

Well done gaz that is absolutely amazing you must be over the moon .For me it was hearing story's like yours that gave me the inspiration to go for the band .I know for most people the weight wont shift as fast as yours but it gives people the encouragement that it can be done so a big well done m8.How much more do you need to loose to get to your target weight?:thumbup: