katieo

Well after giving birth to two babies I've gotta say,so many doctors have seen my 'flower' surely a couple more won't harm!

I'm a grazer and I know people who graze and it works for them by keeping energy levels up but this is only the case if you are grazing on healthy foods and eat very lightly.........which is the thing I struggle with!

Hi everyone I haven't had a band fitted yet,saving hard and will have enough by the summer. I have been a member of this site for almost a year, reading the success stories, the horror stories and admiring the before and after pic and of course the scar pics(NOT!!!!!!) it took me a long time to make the decision but I have finally made it. I have told only a couple of close family members and of course my hubby and I don't intend on telling many more. A 'friend' of mine told me about her friends sisters having a band put in last summer and as I don't personally know anyone who has had it done I was keen to know how she was getting on. My 'friend' was extremely negative about the whole thing in the first place but now she appeared to be even more against the idea, saying that she was still eating the same foods and just as much and as far as she knew she had not lost any weight. She then went on to say how dangerous it was and that her friends sister had had a blood clot! I decided to tell her I was considering it myself and she looked at me like I was stupid! and then she blubbered on about excess skin. She really annoyed me!! So I replied "This is not a decision I have taken lightly and I am well aware that it is not an easy option and that if I work against the band I won't lose a thing. And the excess skin? well i would have that if I lost all of my weight no matter how I go about it!" Fair enough, everyone is entitled to an opinion but she doesn't have a clue about the lapband and how it works. I won't be talking to her about my plans anymore! Sorry to moan everyone X katie

I am no expert but it sounds like you need another fill. Your weight loss so far is fab so you must be doing something right! X Katie

Hi there! I haven't had the band yet, but saving hard!! I just wanted to comment on the obsessive weighing, I feel that weighing too much is a bad idea although i can imagine how tempting it is. The thing is we begin to judge ourselves by the number on the scales and give ourselves a hard time if we haven't lost anything. The way I look at it is, you've got a powerful weight loss tool inside of you and if you work with it you WILL undoubtedly lose weight so just try and go with the flow, have fun and take extra good care of yourself. GOOD LUCK!!! X Katie

You are both doing soooooo well!!! Thanks for your messages! I have decided to try through the NHSbut I am saving for an op in belgium just incase. It will take me a while to raise the funds but I will get there! X Katie

Yvonne Thanks for the info it gives me a better idea of the situation with the NHS. I have tried all weight loss methods including pills from my GP and my GP has already mentioned the op so i am pretty sure she will refer me. I'm gonna go for it!!!!

Laura Wow thats cheap I wouldnt mind paying that at all, will go back and have a look.

NHS stands for National Health Service which is free for all and is paid for by our taxes. Some people have been able to have their operations done by the NHS free of charge but it would seem you have to have a strong case and the waiting lists are usually long. I am trying to find out some more info and will post anything I find. X Katie

Hi helen I have been asking the same questions as you!! You might have some luck if you post on the other boards as I don't think this is the busiest. I will let you know if I manage to get anyinfo GOOD LUCK!!! X Katie

thanks laura, I am having problems getting onto the forums, itkeeps telling me to up grade but I don't really want to pay out when I can come to this fantastic site for free!

Hi Everyone I am still considering wether I feel the band would work for me.:scared: The problem is I have a habit of working against things that are good for me, particularily with weight loss. It seems as though it is my way of rebelling against a world that has shunned me for being over weight but unfortunately it's only myself I am hurting in the process. I am concerned that I will find ways of cheating the band but at the same time I am wondering if this will give me the kick up the backside I need. Hmmmmmmm Did anyone else feel this way before having the band? X Katie

Hi Everyone I am seriously considering havinga lapband put in but I have a few issues to sort out, the first being the financial side of things. I have always assumed that it would be difficult to get this op done on the NHS as I have read a couple of stories in the local newspaper about people bigger than me being turned down. Just recently a friend of mine told me about her friends sister being banded on the NHS and I am wondering now if it's worth a shot as I cannot really afford to pay for it myself. Could someone could give me an idea of the process I would have to go through here in the UK and how long it would all take? I really, really want this done this year and if it comes to it would be prepared to take out a loan rather than wait on a two year waiting list. Would really appreciate any advice anyone has for me.:help: Huge Thanks Katie

I have been thinking about having surgery in Belgium by Dr.Mignon, and would be so thankful to hear from some of his patients. X Katie

Hi Everyone First of all I would like to say what a god send finding this site has been to me. I have been a member for a while just reading and finding out as much as I can. I want to do something about my weight problem but like many others on this forum, it simply is not just about weight and food. I'm a compulsive eater who has calmed down alot over the last few months. I am starting to try and LIVE, to not put my life on hold until I am slim and i have come quite far with it but I am struggling with my body image and becoming at peace with it. After not daring to look in a full length mirror for years, during the summer months of last year I tried soooooo hard to get used to my body and just appreciate it for what it is but it is so incredibaly difficult when you are so large. So I was thinking this operation might help. I know very well that this IS NOT the easy way out out but I feel that it will help me control what and how much I put in my mouth. I am not worried about losing my favourite foods but what I am concerned about is losing my hair. I would rather be fat with hair than slim and bold!!!!! There are obviously health concerns attached to my decision but at the moment I can't think past the possible hair loss. It scares the hell out of me! Can anyone reassure me? X Katie

Hi All I have alway wanted to go horse riding but wouldn't dream of trying it at my present weight, I might get arrested for animal cruelty!!!!! In my last job one of my work friends was a keen rider and organised a trip for our team to have a lesson, no one could understand why I wouldn't go, surely it was obvious! I was gutted to miss out.:cry

Hi everyone I'm in the UK too and seriously thinking about having this done but at the moment my finances are not looking too good and i am trying to figure out ways of raising the funds. I was very pleased to have found Elyzea as they seem to be offering a fanastic deal. Has anyone had anyluck getting an op done on the NHS? X Katie

Hi everyone I'm new here and thinking of going for the lapband op but there is one thing worrying me. I have been seeing my gp a lot lately about my depression and i have a feeling that i may be suffering from binge-eating disorder, i have been referred to an eating disorder specialist and awaiting assessment. I know that i have a lot of emotional and self-esteem issues to work on but i am finding it extremely difficult to be at peace with myself when i am so uncomfortably over weight(need to lose 140lbs) I checked out a clinic in Belgium yesterday and they say on their website that they will not perform the op on someone with psychiatric problems but the thing is a lot of my problems are down to my weight. I am really worried that they will turn me down and I wil struggle with this for the rest of my life, any advice anyone?????:help: x Katie

thanks sallyjo!:biggrin1: i know i am definately in the right place!

I am in the UK and have had problems with my weight all of my life, I've had enough of faddy diets and was thinking of having a lapband op done so I hope you don't mind me having a look round here. x Katie