Booklean

Hello Michelle, I understand how you feel! and I wish I was at your stage! Good Luck to you in your waiting period, and of course with long term success. I am a little behind you, but hoping to have it done too. I am just starting the pre-op consultations, met with the nutritionist this morning and will soon need to meet up with psychologist. I need their approval/ recommendation before I can go ahead. Hoping that this is a good lifestyle choice, and that there will be no regrets. Are you feeling confident that you have made the right choice for you? Do you actually know anyone else who has had it done? What date are you having your surgery? Bookleen

Hello kbl, Thanks for your lovely long and interesting post. I can see that this is a very exciting time for you. I hope all your arrangements go according to plan. It's also great news about your mother and her success. I laughted when I heard she was wearing clothes that she hasn't been able to wear for 3 years. I also have tons and tons of clothes that I don't fit into, some still have the labels on them! I really look forward to fitting into them even if they are no longer in fashion! Bye for now, Bookleen

Hi Jane, How long did you stay over in the Czeck republic? and was there any aftercare available for you in the UK? I see alot of ads for S.O.S.(on this webpage) and they do the surgery in Belgium but provide a service before and after in different locations in U.K. and Ireland. Does anyone know anything about them? Regards, Bookleen

Hello UK Sleevers! I am you neighbour from Dublin. I just want to introduce myself as I am researching the prospect of getting VSG. I am at a very early stage in the game yet. I have a BMI of 35 with some co-morbidities (problems with joints) and a bad family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke although I have not developed these problems myself yet. I live in Dublin and will probably be travelling over to England or perhaps Wales for the surgery. I am also hearing very good reports about Belgium and it is also much cheaper there. I will be attending my initial screening with a dietician and psychologist next week and may be rejected as I am just about borderline! I posted a message on the Ireland site but had no replies from any Irish yet. This VSG is so new here, most seem to be going for gastric banding. Would love to keep in touch with you here, Bookleen

Hello Jane, It's me again. I see you went to the Czech Republic for your surgery. I put a post in a different section of this board asking where did other Europeans go for their VSG's but never got any replies. I put the question in the section where people were looking for surgeons and hospitals. I was wondering as to whether there is another website for Europeans? Perhaps if I look at the UK section of this forum I may learn something. Can anyone direct me on where I should look please. Bookleen

Hi Kelly, Have you any further developments on your progress? I have booked my appointments with the dietician/nutritionist and the psychologist/psyco analyist next week. Apparently their reports will be taken into account by the surgeon in deciding whether or not I am eligible. This is a wait and see game! Bookleen

Hello Lan2k, I feel the same as you about having the lapband permanently implanted. I would be really thrilled to lose 70 lbs! How do you treat yourself now? I use food as my treat...I will need a new substitute. Bookleen

Hello Mini Me, You must be 8 weeks out now? How are you getting on? How much have you lost? Would love to hear your progress. Bookleen

Hello Everyone, I understand that most of you live in the U.S. or Canada and had or plan to have your surgery there or travel South to Mexico. However, I live in Ireland and would like to link up with anyone who had or plan to have their sleeve this side of the Atlantic. I am particularily interested in hearing experiences with the different places, and any recommendations you may have. I am not covered by insurance, so I will be funding this myself. Nevertheless, I do not intend to put the cost as the top priority, although I probably will take it into consideration to some extent! Is anyone aware of any "Centres of Excellence" over here? I have heard of some places that have an exceedingly high reputation for gastric banding, but would that necessarily mean that they would be good at VSG's too? I also consider India and Jerusalem too far away, although I see plenty of references to them. All comments welcome, Regards, Bookleen :confused1:

Hello Jane, Good to hear from you. I see we are neighbours. I was thinking of having mine done in Wales. Nothing definate yet. Congrats on your weight loss. Has this been a difficult mision? Regards, Bookleen

Hello Susan, Mini-Me, Tiffykins, Lan2k, and kbl, Thank you all for your warm welcome. Just for the record "Failte" means welcome, and "Slainte" means good health to you all.:thumbup: Mini-Me .....i see you had a BMI of 33 when you started, I was wondering how much you have lost already? tiffykins....This is the best thing you ever did for yourself!..that is truly inspirational. Yes, come over here to Ireland and have a holiday of a lifetime. I hope to be slim then so I will be happy to meet up with you and have the energy to show you around. Lan2k... 70 lbs in 6 months!...just exactly what I dream of, Well Done! kbl..At a BMI of 31.8 ...I am interested in your journey too. I really enjoy reading everyone's posts and look forward to keeping in touch, even if I can't manage to log on very often. Good Wishes to all, Bookleen

Hello Everyone, Greetings to all from Ireland. I just couldn't resist being the first poster from Ireland! I am currently researching weight loss surgery and came across this webpage. I was initially attracted to gastric banding but from reading this and other forums I am now much more interested in getting sleeved. I am at a very early stage of this journey and may not go down this path at all. I am a 55 years old female with approx 75 lbs to lose, I have a BMI of 35 and some problems with osteoarthritis and a fairly bad family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and stroke. To date I don't have any of these problems apart from high cholesterol. I think I am just borderline eligible under the strict international guidelines and best practice recommendations. I am in the process of arranging my multidisciplinary assessment and will keep you all informed of my progress with them. Looking forward to hearing from anyone else who can relate to my predicament and particular circumstances. I am open to all comments- not just the ones I want to hear! Now is the time for me to discern what is best for me. Regards, Bookleen

Hi Geri11, I find your post really interesting as I am also considering going to The haven to have the band done in Budapest. I have been trying to research this for the past month and have already had a consultation with them. I have just joined this forum today and this is my very first post! I hope I will be able to post this and find my way back to this thread! I would love to keep in touch. Bookleen