tamisu

I hope gillian, bigsister, and wishfull behave themselves enough that we aren't banned from the hospital! Just kidding, hope they have a good time together. I also hope they post before I leave for Brussels, I'm dying to know how it went for them.

TC27, I'm leaving for Brussels Tuesday morning, surgery is Friday. My return flight leaves early Monday morning, but I hope you and I can meet Sunday night, I'll try to be in the lobby when you check into the hotel. You said your flight arrives at 10 or 11pm? Hopefully, I'll feel great and that will be encouraging to you. I'm really looking forward to meeting you.-Tammy

I'm January 23rd also. In Brussels.

Hi Allison, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I just got back from a brilliant week in Iceland! All I was told about diet was low-fat for the 2 weeks before surgery. I wrote yesterday to send them my flight info, try to get a schedule of what and when, and also to make sure they received my deposit. Haven't gotten a reply, yet. I'm getting so excited, our turn will be here soon.-T

Hi Allison, I'm also scheduled for the 23rd. I booked with Frederik so I'm paying in Euros 4070, I haven't heard anything about a price change. I hope all works out for you, I am really looking forward to meeting you on the 22nd! Keep us up to date with this issue.-T

Hi TL, Please send me your chapter and verse. My op (the 23rd) is coming up soon. Thanks for posting your experiences and keep 'em coming. tamisu1@yahoo.com

Hi wishfull. I'm glad your reduction went so smoothly. My tummy tuck...the doc tightened my muscles, so every sneeze, cough and laugh brought the pillow in tight to my abs and tears to my eyes. Of course my kids were at their funniest then. I could only get out of bed by rolling over onto my stomach and scooting so my feet were hanging off the bed and onto the floor and standing up that way. I guess it only lasted about a week, but what a week. I didn't have enough excess skin to need a new belly button, so he just pulled the skin down and sewed me up. My belly button is a little lower than normal, but doesn't bother me, it's not like I wear a bikini or anything. My scar is hip to hip, but down low flat and faded. About 11 months later I had lipo and that was probably more painful because it covered a larger area. Don't get me wrong, I would do it again, but hope it won't be needed.-T

Hi Wishfull! I'm booked for 23rd January. You had a breast reduction already? I had a tummy tuck about 6 years ago. Don't you hate the thought of going through breast surgery again? I know I'm sure hoping that I won't need another tuck!:tongue2:-Tammy

Gillian, Yes, I've been there. I know of 3 other ladies booked for the same day as me!! Thanks!-Tammy

Gillian, If they do institute a ban, I'm gonna hunt you down and...no, just kidding. Laugh as much as possible. My surgery is 23rd January.-Tammy

Hi Gillian, LOL!! You two are just too funny!! And I mean like "making milk come out of my nose" funny!! I remember someone wrote a while ago that they were having fun in their room and a nurse entered and told them to quiet down...Do I see a similar story coming up from you and wishfull? You guys are going to do fine. Tammy

From my letter from Frederik: 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 will 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 dates and addresses for fill and unfills in your home country. Payment: 470 euro in advance on ECFS-account for Brussels International (Zaventem) or Eurostar. + 3600 euro cash, on the first visit of your personal ECFS-coach. The amount must be on our account at least 2 weeks before the operation date, otherwise it is impossible to arrange everything. --------------------------------------------------- I hope this helps you. T

January 23rd.

OMG, that is funny! Looks like you guys will have a good time together!!

Hi TC27, Thanks for the Welcome. I agree, the people on this site are lovely. Must be a drag, your husband working 2 week shifts away, hopefully he gets paid handsomely for it. We will be checking out of the hotel Monday (26th), so I'll still be there when you arrive. I'd love to meet up with you! About what time Sunday are you arriving? -Tammy

Holy Cow, Allison! That was a speedy reply. My weight problem started with the birth of my last child. I refused to buy many clothes because I kept saying, "I'm not gonna be this big for long". Well, that darling child is now 22 years old and I have only gotten bigger. I have only told my husband. It's nice to know there will be a little group of us together.

everhopeful, Thanks for the encouragement and the honesty. Always nice to hear. That is amazing progress you have made, just short of 5 stone in 2-3 months! I am happy for you. I hope your removal is soon, just liquids this late in can't be any fun. Good luck and keep us posted.

Friday, how exciting!! I wish you best of luck and a speedy recovery. Do let us know how your experience was and how you are doing.

Hi Allison! Wow, that makes 4 of us (at least) for the 23rd! We can b*tch and moan together. Just kidding, hopefully we'll all sail through surgery and recovery. Is someone coming with you? Are you going home on Sunday? I'm staying till Monday. It is natural to be nervous. I've had a few surgeries, 2 in Brussels, (though not with Dr. Chris) and they took very good care of me. They have high medical standards in Belgium. I'm near Norwich, you? Looking forward to meeting you! Tammy

Hi Laura, I took the 4070 Euro package. You? Tell your Mom "Hi!". I am 51 as well. I'd like for my Mom to able to get a band, but she is 71. I haven't told her that I'm getting one. My Husband was glad to hear that I'd found (I guess you found me) someone that will be there at the same time. I didn't learn about the band until recently. I was at the hospital moaning about being fat and a nurse told me about it, she'd had it done 2 years ago and said it was the best thing she'd ever done for her health. How much are you hoping to lose? Your Mom? I'd love to lose 80 pounds. Looking forward to meeting you both. Tammy

Hi Lewis, I am so happy to know that someone else will be there that day! I don't know which hotel yet, probably the Campanile. I did the package thing through Frederick and it seems that most people are booked there. Which hotel are you staying in? My husband and I are arriving on Tuesday so we can enjoy Brussels before surgery. We are flying back to England on Monday. I'm really excited!!

Hi Allison! Sorry, I can't answer any of your questions. What day in January are you having surgery? Mine is the 23rd.

Thanks for the welcome, Gillian! I see my GP on Tuesday. I have around 80 pounds (not quite 6 stones) to lose. I'm booked for surgery January 23rd. Have you had a consultation with Dr. Chris? I'm hoping I can do it in Brussels a day or two before surgery. My husband and I love Brussels, so we're going a few days early. Good luck, I am looking forward to hearing how the surgery goes for you. Seems like some people were in more pain than others, but nobody wishes they hadn't done it after the pain goes away.

Hi Fox, Thanks for the reply. Wow, your op date is coming up soon. I hope all goes well and you have a pain free recovery. I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday. I'm more nervous about that than I am the surgery. I have around 80 pounds to lose. I've had hypertension for at least 10 years. I also have a GINORMOUS waist measurement.

First I was active duty Army (WAC) stationed at: ('76) Ft. McClellan, Alabama ('76) Ft. Bragg, North Carolina ('76) Redstone Arsenal, Alabama ('76-'79) Wildflecken, Germany (now closed) ('79-'80) Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California (now closed, I believe) ('80) Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado (now closed) ('81) West Berlin, Germany (now closed) Met my husband there and both my kids were born there. This was my favorite place!! As a family member: ('81-'86) West Berlin, Germany (as I said, my favorite and closed) ('86-'88) Ft. Gordon, Georgia (I'm a Southern California native, but this place was just too darn hot and sticky) ('88-'89) Husband in Korea, unaccompanied. Kids and I went back to L.A. ('89-'91) Ft. Ritchie, Maryland (now closed, but I liked it there.) ('91-'04) Heidelberg, Germany That was lovely. My husband retired while we were there. ('04-present) RAF Mildenhall, England I really like it here, but I must admit I miss Heidelberg... a lot! We only knew each other for 2 months before we got married and it's been a very happy 27 years so far. Sorry, I just had to put that in. Anyway, I'm probably not much help as so many of my past posts have closed. I think you can enjoy just about anywhere if you get out there and see what's around!