tamisu

Hi Freckles, Yeah! I'm working on the fluids, but it ain't easy!-T

As far as I know he uses the standard larger one when placing the band. I mean we must have quite a bit of extra fat there or we wouldn't be getting the band. The larger port is surely easier to find under the extra flab. If after losing weight, you want the smaller port you have to pay for it. He told me nobody has to have the smaller port, but some people want it. I figured since I was going under the knife anyway, it was the perfect time to get it done and I'm very happy I did.-T Why can't I change my profile to show I'm female??

Hi everyone! It's been almost 5 months since I've been to the forum. Sure has been a lot of activity on the board. Welcome to the newcomers and I'm excited for those just about to start their journey. Congrats! I had my gallbladder removed by Dr. Chris early March. He also put in the smaller port. What a relief it is to not constantly feel that thing, the port that is. I hardly ever felt my gallbladder. Anyway, he took some fluid out of my band for surgery, but before the two weeks was up and he would replace it, I moved. So I had the fluid repalced in June, but haven't lost a pound since. thankfully haven't gained either. I was told that the band should be tighter once I got to Qatar because of swelling from the heat (it is 45C right now). However I haven't noticed a thing. Perhaps I'm not drinking enough and am a little dehydrated...-T

Hi mmm! Thanks for askin'! I've known for a year that I have 2 gallstones (1.5 and 1.7 cm). At my annual exam w/ Dr. Chris, I mentioned it to him. He told me my gallbladder must come out because if it becomes infected, my band could become infected and then I would have to have my band out. Well, I can't have that!! The thing is, it hardly ever bothered me, (I mean like once or twice a year, but now it is hurting pretty regularly for the past couple days, but not too badly). Hope I make it to surgery date. -T

Anyone booked for surgery on 9 March? I already have a band, but Dr. Chris is taking my gallbladder out that day. Hope there will be someone from this thread in hospital with me. -T

mmm thanks for the speedy reply. Yes, you're right, what you paid is just a little more than what transportation alone is to Brussels. I haven't seen anybody outside of ECFS since surgery. There is not any alternative here in Norwich (at least none that I can find). So, I've been going to London, which turns out to be much fun every time, like I said, I've only had 3 fills. Anyway, I'll see how this check up goes. Looks like we are moving to the Middle East soon and I know Dr. Chris has monthly surgery in Dubai. I'm glad to hear all was (is) well with you and your band.-T

mmm, have you scheduled for your annual exam with Dr. Chris? I'm hoping he can fit me in next week. I see you've recently had an x-ray. Was that for the annual thing or something else? I only have 6ml in my band (3 fills with Frederik). I was so tight after the last one that when it finally loosened up I swore I wouldn't have another, but now I'm not so sure. What has happened to Gillian and her gang? I haven't been on the forum in months, but I never was on often. I am amazed at how much the forum has slowed down without them. Glad to see flirty is still doing well. Gary as well. -T

gillian, bigsister, and wishful Happy One year anniversary!! How are you guys doing? Still happy with your bands? Where did you go for your annual x-rays? My one year was yesterday, Ive got 16 pounds left to lose. It is slow going, but going. TC 27 are you still out there? If so, hope you are doing well! -T

Welcome newcomers and hello to you oldtimers. Glad to see everyone is doing well. I haven't been on in a while. I just got back from 2 weeks in the states seeing my first grandchild (born 15 April)! His name is Sam and he is so handsome. Anyway, I was scheduled for a fill before I left, but cancelled. I've only had 2 fills, total of 5 (cc, cl, ml, whatever it is they use to measure). While on vacation I ate whatever I wanted and when I got home Friday I was so scared to step on the scales, but turns out I lost 5.6 pounds while I was gone. How exciting is that? Anyway, I had so much fun trying on old clothes yesterday and putting them in the charity pile, I can't stop smiling. My daughter put her feet on my lap yesterday and made a remark about my lap being "boney"! I love it. This is all so exciting and happening much faster than I could have dreamed. Those of you trying to decide whether you should get a band, for me it is the best thing I have done in a long long time. By the way, TC27, where are you and how are you doing?? -Tammy

Hi wishfull, thanks for the reply. I have 5 (ml, cc, whatever). My third fill isn't until April 30th, but if this doesn't get better, I'm not gonna have anymore put in. You've also been getting your fills from Frederik, right? -T

Hi Everyone! I just had my second fill 3 days ago. I can feel everything going down, even water, and it doesn't feel too nice. Has anyone else had this happen? Please tell me it will loosen up some. Also, anybody else having these strange noises coming out of their throats after they eat or drink? :thumbup: Thanks-T

I was the only person (of the 7 who were done on my surgery day) who had booked through ecfs and I was the LAST op done. I was told that it went by weight (something about adjusting the surgery table) and since I weighed less than the others, it makes sense. They line you up just inside the surgical theatre like an assembly line. When the person to the right of you goes in to their op room the nurse slides you on over to the right. The people surrounding you in line can be awaiting different procedures, not just lapbands. For me it really didn't matter what time I had my op, I just take a good book to read while I was waiting in my room, then if you are nervous it is something to help take your mind off it and helps the time go by. Try not to worry about the op, he's done over 4000 procedures. Very experienced. Just relax and enjoy your low-fat diet and before you know it, you'll be one of us!! -T

Welcome back freckles, glad all went well. -T

Hi Guys and Dolls, Welcome to the newcomers! I haven't posted much because I figured out that if I don't spend all my time here on the forum, it's much easier to fit exercise into the day (DUH!) and I definately need to get my metabolism going. Flirtylass, pole dancing sounds like an absolute blast! Let us know how it goes. I had my first fill yesterday, in London. Frederik was great and asked questions and asked if I had any questions. He seemed truly surprised and pleased that I had lost just under 2 stone in 5 weeks. Especially since I felt no restriction. He put in 3ml or whatever measurement they use. It was really fun to meet some of the other patients there, some have had their bands for years and some just a few months. It was so nice to see people who had lost 6 or more stone and talk with them about the changes. The best part was that I wouldn't have guessed that they had had a weight problem, they looked so good. Sammy, I think it was you mentioned fills in London? There are 2 days a month (Thursdays), 2 weeks apart. Dr. Chris does one and Frederik does the other. It costs 80 pounds. I forgot to mention some things about my stay in the hospital for surgery. First, when I was checking into the hospital, they put the wrong wrist ID strap thingy on me. The lady realized the error before I got on the elevator, so be sure to check that your name is on the wristband. My surname is also a mans first name. Even though my first name is Tammy, they thought I was a man so they reserved a bed for me in a room of men. That was easily straightened out. Also, I guess I never told Dr. Chris that I'm American, so coming from the UK he thought I was English. Anyway he told me after the surgery that had he known, he would have given me an FDA approved band, but as it is I have a Heliogast. We haven't lived in the US for almost 20 years, so I don't know if there will be a problem with fills when/if I move back there. Sammy, I went early to Brussels and did a lot of Art Nouveau sightseeing. Haven't made it to Bruges yet. It is supposed to be a beautiful city. I also stayed an extra day after surgery, there is a park with pond close to the hotel that you can walk around. The train station is right next to the hotel if you feel like going into Brussels on Sunday as everything in Vilvoorde is closed. It cost less than 10 euros for both of us round trip. You can get off at any of the 3 stations in the city and can get on at any of the 3 stations to go back. I have an ultrasound scheduled for March 4th to check for gallstones, but I haven't had anymore pain, so I doubt they will find anything. Hope everyone continues to do well and those being banded today will return with good news. -T

Thanks Gillian, and yes you can buy motilium from the pharmacy. They are tablets (tiny) not melts like Dr. Chris gave us. Thank you to bigsister and wishfull too. Hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day!-T