TC27

Hi Gillian - too right:thumbup: I'm sure Fox will be fine. I'm also looking forward to hearing all about it. I am getting mega nervous now too, but excited at the same time. I had a tooth out yesterday and have only been having liquids so had a small taste of things to come - we can do it, no problem:lol: Teresa x

Hi Fox - how are you doing? - hope it went well. We are all thinking about you. Take care and let us know how you are when you feel up to it. (by the way, like Gillan I don't find capital letters hard to read and you can scream your head off if it makes you feel better!!) Txx

Hello and welcome!! It will be great for you and Gillian to have each other through the whole process, especally as you are having it done at the same time. I am having my band fitted on 27th January, just after you both, so I will be looking forward to reading your progress reports before I have my op. My husband was dead set against it when I first mentioned it too, but I wore him down eventually and when he realised how much it meant to me he changed his opinion and is now very supportive. I have had mostly negative responses from the few friends and family I have told, but I know it's just because they care. In the end it's my life and my body and therefore my choice. I haven't been to my GP yet (not as brave as Gillian) and have decided to tell my Mam after I have had it done as she went crazy when I mentioned it. I'm sure your partner will come round when he realises how much you want this (good luck!) T x

WELL DONE!! - that is an excellent weight loss. I would be over the moon with half that amount in 8 days. Keep up the good work. T x

Hi Gillian - how's your Christmas blow out going? - Mine is going way too well, I'm sure I'm getting bigger by the day!! I keep thinking about all the food and drink I love and wont be able to eat after being banded and can't stop eating and drinking everything in sight :-( Only 55 days to go and 41 days of binging (is it only 44 days for you and your sister?) - I will have to try very hard on my pre-op diet as my liver must be huge and I don't want the risk of them not going ahead with my band. Must go the vodka bottle is calling me. T x

Thanks for that - I feel much better about the flight home etc now. T x

Hi Fox - After reading further reports from alfie858 and bytheseaside, it seems the pain hopefully wont be too bad. I know there will be pain after the op but I was just a little concerned about flying so soon after. I will have my husband with me (being banded on 27th January), so I wont have any bags to carry etc. Like you I feel I have a million questons about the whole procedure, but I have found most of the answers on this forum. Not long to go for you now. We will be thinking of you - don't forget to let us know how you get on. T x:smile2:

Well done you!! I think all of us that are about to be banded find great relief when we hear of success stories like yours - keep up the good work.!!

No wonder you had such bad pain if you couldn't have any pain relief! - you poor thing. I'm pleased you are on the mend now though and we are all looking forward to your updates on how things progress. Good luck and thank you for letting us know about the passport thing - this is the first I have heard about that one! T x

Hi, I'm pleased you are feeling better now, but I must say I feel quite concerned about the amount of pain you suffered. Is this normal? I am only staying for one night in the hotel after the night in the hospital and as my flights are booked it's too late to change it. I know they say no pain, no gain! Take care and let us know how you go. T x

Hi Gillian. It will be lovely for you to have your sister on the journey with you and going through the whole process at the same time - Hello Gail!! There does seem to be quite a few of us about to be banded shortly, which is nice as we can support each other along the way, through good and bad. I have started my Christmas blow out early, and I've gained half a stone since having everything confirmed with Frederik - why do I do it:cursing:!!. The pre-op diet is going to be soooo hard, but worthwhile. TTYL Teresa x

Thank you for sharing your story, you are an inspiration! I hope you get your fill sorted soon and reach your 'sweet spot' at the same time. T x

Best of luck for Friday - I will be thinking about you. I am having my band fitted on 27th January and I am dreading the pre-op diet. I will probably gain another few pounds over the Christmas period first:cursing:. Don't forget to let us know how you get on:thumbup:. T x

Hi Tammy, The pay is the only thing that is good about him working away, but he has been doing it for a very long time now so we are used to it! We don't arrive until 22.45 on Sunday, so you will probably be tucked up in bed by the time we get to the hotel, but hopefully we can say a quick hello before you leave on the Monday. Not long to go now, but still plenty of time for a big blow out at Christmas :-) Teresa x

Hi Lewisabbeyalyssa (hope I got that right!!) - I have heard of Tullia Law and Dr Chris' assistant Frederik did tell me she was a provider for them. The lovely Tuilla rang me quite a few times when I contacted her for info. I did tell her in the end I was thinking about having the op in January (to try and put her off as she was very persistant), however I have now booked direct with Frederik after reading the posts on this site (she will be disappointed when she contacts me again!) I did find her to be abrupt and she was also quite economic with the truth about the whole procedure, but after finding this forum, I now feel very well informed about the whole thing. Hope this helps - good luck. T x

Hi Tamisu, Welcome to the forum!! I have found the people on here to be truely lovely and very supportive and I'm over the moon to have found the site. I was originally in two minds about the whole thing but now I'm really focused and cant wait to have the op. I am having the band fitted on 27th January - only a few days after you! I did have the choice of the 23rd or 27th, however my husband couldn't make the 23rd as he works away (off shore for 2 weeks at a time) and I decided on 27th. We will be arriving at the hotel late on 25th, so not sure if you will still be there or not. It would be nice to meet up if you are still there and are up to it. Tx

Hi Gillian - I am really please that your GP was supportive about you having a band fitted and offered you aftercare on the NHS:smile2:. You must have felt on a high when you came out of the surgery. I think the letter she gave you was excellent and I think my husband and family would feel less worried if I could show them something like that too. I think I will print a copy of yours and Chrissy's posts if you dont mind and will show them to my GP, to enlighten her about the positive attitude of other doctors. I am really over the moon for you and thank you for letting me know about your experience. :thumbup:When I build up the courage and get some spare time to go and see my GP I will let you know how I get on. T x

Hi Chrissy, I'm pleased it went well with your GP. I think I am going to wait until I get back too. My emotions on this are all over the place and I think she will try and talk me out of it and say I'm not ready, but I have thought about nothing else for years. Although I have my doubts (which surely means I'm not taking it lightly) I know there is no other way I can lose the weight. I have already gained 7 pounds after deciding to go ahead with the band . I have been eating and drinking for England. Well done on your weight loss, you are doing really great.:tongue: T x

Hi Gillian, hope it went well with your doctor today and that she is willing to give the support you deserve. I don't know if you feel like me but although I am determined to have the band fitted and will do it regardless, I just would like approval from people, including my Mam and my GP. I think like Chrissy I will wait until I come back before I tell them and will hope for the best!! My husand asked if I was excited about everything being sorted now (op and flights booked etc)and although I didn't want to sound negative (especially as he is being so supportive now) I said I wasn't sure. I seem to change my mind every 10 minutes and although I am definately going through with it I though I would be more excited, instead I seem to be looking on the black side and I am worried it wont work for me (I know I should get a grip) I have been reading the book you mentioned and it has helped a bit. Don't forget to let me know how you got on with the doc. T x

Hi Gillian, just noticed you have changed your date and moved it back a week. I will be less than 2 weeks behind you now. I have paid the deposit and booked the flights, so no turning back now. The book I ordered only arrived today, so I haven't had chance to have a read yet. 71 days to go - I'm getting more nervous by the minute, but excited too! Good luck to you too Miss Flump and Tropical Lagoon, you are very brave to have the op on 23rd December - I will be thinking of you both x

Hi Gillian - Edinburgh is lovely. I have been quite a few times now and there is lots to see and do - you will have to go some time, but definately not diving (at any time of the year!) - the caribbean is the place to go, especially when you have your new super slim body :-) I am always sweating cobs these days - I blame hot flushes but it is probably just lugging my fat body about. I really don't want to spend too much on clothes this Christmas as I want to keep my money for the non 'fat lasses' shops next year (LOL). Evans' loss will be the charity shop's gain in 2009! You will be able to jump up and down on those little school chairs next year (if the fancy takes you of course) My daughter is a primary school teacher and said they are stronger than you think! Your boys sound so sweet bless them, both them and your hubby sound like they are going to gain lots from the new slim you :thumbdown: My book has been despatched so hopefully it will arrive tomorrow and I can have some interesting reading for the weekend - I like reading true life stories. Yes we will get there and you are most certainly not boring me - like you I cant get enough info and cant stop researching the whole process. Tx

Hi Greek Lady I think the people on this forum are great. They are so helpful and understanding. It's just nice to talk to people who know exactly how you feel about the whole process. I am still nervous but I'm also finally starting to feel excited that for once I might eventually be the slim person I long to be. It's not long for you now - you will have to keep us all informed of your progress and just think by this time next year we will all be able to wear that little black dress at the Christmas parties and not the nicest looking tent from Evans (hurray!!!) x

Hi Vanessa Thank you very much for that info. I got an email today from Frederik with the extra details my bank asked for, so when I go back to the bank I will ask if I can pay by worldpay. I will let you know how I get on, although Frederik did also say if there was still a problem with the bank I could pay the full amount when I get there. I would rather pay the deposit at least though and then it seems more real. I'm unsure whether to go to my GP before or after my op -if I wait until after at least she wont be able to try and talk me out of it I agree the x-ray the day after the op is a good idea and well worth the extra charge (not looking forward to the laxative drink mentioned by joyoyoung though!) Good luck with your fill - let us know how you get on x

Hi Gillian. That's no problem - the arrangements you have already made seem fine and not much more than I will be paying. You do seem very organised, I'm impressed. I ordered the book you mentioned yesterday, so I might have it by tomorrow or Friday (looking forward to a good read) Vanessa has kindly answered my questions too, so fingers crossed for her tomorrow. I live in Sunderland, so I think the Edinburgh option would be the best for me, but Manchester is not that much further and either would be good to include a shopping trip/weekend away! x

Hi Gillian, Good luck with your GP (and me too when I build up the courage to go!), but in the end it is our decision and not something we have taken lightly. The email address Frederik repled to is 'frederik.serneels@ecfs.be'. He informed me the cost in 2009 is 4070 euros for a standard package as they are now including an xray the day after the operation to make sure everything is fine before you leave Belgium. His email advised the following:- Standard Package: 4070 euro includes: - GASTRICBAND - 6 taxi trips between airport, hotel, consultation and hospital. - 3 nights in the hotel (***) near the hospital for 2 people. This means that you stay 1 night before and 1 night after the operation in the hotel. - Your companion can stay 3 nights in the hotel (because most people bring someone with them). - Your personal coach visit you the first evening in the hotel to explain the schedule, answer your questions and you receive his personal visitcard in order to reach him if you have problems or questions. - Consultation at Dr. De Bruyne’s home office the evening before OR Your personal coach accompanying you to the OR and assisting Dr. De Bruyne during the operation. 1 night in hospital after the operation + X- RAY day after operation. Visit from your personal coach to give advice and diets to make a successful story and to give date’s and addresses for fill and unfill’s in your home country. I was originally going to go through an agency but found the direct contact details from this forum and you save about £200 which is the agent's fee I think. However I tried to get the 400 euros deposit transferred today and I need more info from Frederik before it can be done (not the easiest process in the world), so if anyone has any tips on transferring the deposit I would be grateful. I am going to order a copy of the book you mentioned as it sounds very good ( one can never be over informed!) I also hope someone else from the UK is having the op the same time as me (or at least someone who speaks English!) I am travelling with my husband, but it would be nice to meet someone at the hospital/hotel who is having the op at the same time, although I'm sure we will be fine with the support from this forum. OMG only 58 days to go for you, that means only about 76 for me!! - I hadn't worked it out as my stomach does a flip every time I think about it . Take care and let me know how you get on with your GP and Frederik. x