Splatt

Hi all, didn't end up going to Vegas last week but ended up in sunny Devon, 3lbs on due to clotted cream scones, oh and some drink. I usually end up half stone on after a hols so 3lbs isn't too bad. Kerry - I was gutted you couldn't have your first fill, I am back to how I felt, hungry and can't wait for another fill. The sooner we get to that so called "sweet spot" the better. My next fill is 13th May, the months are flying by. Susan

Hi all, well last few days my eating has been good, unfortunately, went for my first fill today in Manchester. Hi everyone, especially Paul, who was there also. Fill was OK, I don't like needs but it wasn't bad at all, booked for another fill in 4 weeks so can't be that bad. My weight has stalled at a loss of 10lbs so hoping it will be enough to give me another push to lose a little more. My diet is restricted because of the food I can eat, but why can chocolate be tolerated, which it wouldn't. Anyway hope all of you are well, Susan

Morning all, nearly 2 wks banded and I am feeling very tired this week. Fell asleep everynight and never heard the Emmerdale theme tune, go to sleep for about 1.5 hours but when I wake up ready to go to bed. Anyone had the same and what can I eat to give me some energy? Kerry - how is the feeling in your throat now, I get a bit of what you have when I am eating, tried scrambled egg this morning, could only eat half as my throat had that feeling in it too. Good luck to all getting banded this week, it will be a distant memory very soon, Susan

Hi Paul, I am in Manchester also on 8th at 1pm so may see you there. I am doing well with my eating, unfortunately, but not being silly just trying to county calories as well.

Hi JoJo Thanks for replying, booked in for 1pm, and you? Just wondered what the office is called, I know it is the Regus business Centre but what is the business I ask for? As my swelling has been going down I have found eating isn't a problem, virtually eat anything as long as it is chewed well, I haven't tried spicy food though, didn't want to push it. I have read all the advice and following it, now being careful at how many calories I am eating. I know I have to work with this band. Wish they would put a little more in the first fill to get you to your sweet spot, have a feeling mine will be way down the line. Kerry - glad to see you have done so well on the weight loss - keep going.

Hi sussie, you have done the right thing. Like Scooby and others we are now a week out and feeling good. Feeling very good today, swelling is now going down on my port still a little tender but nothing major. I agree with Scooby you can do the injections yourself, the needle is very fine, or get someone else to do it. I have booked my first fill, 8th April, 4 weeks out of op, a little early but they said it would be OK. Is or has anyone been to Manchester for their fill, was it easy to find? Looking forward to mushy's... Paul what are you planning on having? Have a good weekend all.... Susan

Paul - You are suffering, I don't have much bruising, only where the vampire had been. Bit worried I can have a full tin of soup though, do feel full afterwards. I have a 4 course dinner coming up on Friday, hopefully one of those courses is soup, may try and mush some of the food or give it over to my better half. Talking about better halves - Kerry, poor Ray couldn't fit into his best trousers or a shirt we bought him so it just goes to show what a weekend of food and drink does for you. I don't think he has ever had to diet in his life - he does now! Feeling good and walking OK, thank goodness Friday is nearly here.

Hi Everyone, 6 days out now, went back to work on Tuesday, felt very tired yesterday but much better now. I don't have a problem with fluids and can have soup really easily, may be my band isn't too tight now. Also able to have 3 Dutch Crispbake with soft cheese. Kerry, yes I feel heavy too but do you think that is your new stomach just feeling full. The only swollen bit is the area around my port, which again is to be expected. I have just looked at a fill date but seems I can only have 8th April - which is only 4 weeks after op or 13th May which is 9 wks.

Apologies, just read my comments back and the bad spelling - still on drugs me thinks!

Hi Scooby, I also feel liquid going down, not too worried though at least it is going down. I had a very bad headache last night and broke Anadin extra in half, took 2 of them no problem. Paul - Yeah I think men do feel pain more than women, although I am tender in my port area and feel like I have had a cesarean the way I try and get up from a seated position. It was great meeting Kerry and Sue, it felt so much better having people who you could talk to there and share how you felt. Plus Brian and Ray did eat and drinkt their way through Vilvoorde. Did anyone send the alarms off at the airport, I did, the woman was just about to frisk me and I was so scared of being touch near my scar are that I had to say I had had an operation. She said OK and then proceeded with the machine that she scans you down with, sure enought the buzzers went off - didn't ask anything further of me and said OK. They must be use to us bandsters. I second everything Kerry has said about her experience too. Not a walk in the park and you do go thru a whole lot of emotions but it is a big thing you are doing and quite rightly you need to go through those emotions too. One thing that has happened to me in the past and has again now, the plaster they put over the wounds irritates my skin, you can see it happen if it goes red round the edges, I left these on till I came home and have now took them off. I have one blister from this, don't leave them on too long, if you do you will end up pulling the skin on top of the blister off. This is no problem but it does hurt and not worth it. I have lost 5lbs already, delighted, and long may it continue. I know this will slow down, but I am able to have soup and a couple of dutch crispbake with soft cheese on. I am back to work tomorrow, I have a sit down job so that is do-able. I don't think I could of done this if I had a standing job or more physical type of work. To anyone thinking of this don't worry, excellent service and care - more than you will get in this country. So off on our journey now, good to hear how everyone else is doing and thanks to you all who keep this thread going. Susan

Morning All, nice to hear from everyone, off soon for my flight and meet with Scoobydoo also. Feeling like I am in a dream at the mo, will feel better once I get to the hotel and meet a few people. Nice to hear your OK Paul, I was thinking about you. Look forward to that Mule then! Thank you for your support on this forum and will let you know how I have gone on. Susan

Lucky you Kerry being off today, I am in work and my stomach won't stop churning. Will meet you in the hotel tomorrow night, before you know it this will be a distant memory too. I wonder how Paul is as well, hopefully we will hear from him soon. Thanks to everyone for their support on this journey and I hope our experiences will help everyone else in this. Susan:smile:

Hi Paul, you will have left by now but good luck, hope this finds you safe and well for when you get back. You will be back as I am going, I can't wait now, just want to get it over and done with and come out safe and sound at the other end. Even had a dream about the hospital last night, starting to feel a little stressed. Tell us about your experience and how it feels for you when you get back, regards

Hi and welcome, lots of helpful information on this board and very nice people, I am being banded next week and can't wait. You did very well sticking to the Cambridge, it is such a hard diet so the band should be a lot easier in helping you get to where you want to be. Good luck Susan

Quick question, my partner would like to hire a car on our trip to Belgium. Just had a look at cost and it comes to £80. Can anyone advise how much they roughly think the taxis will cost. Taking into account 2 journeys to and from airport to Vilvoorde, then from hotel to hospital, back and forth for partner and then me. I know it is a rough cost so appreciate anyone's view on this. Thanks for posting everyone it is important to those of us who haven't been banded yet and beginning our journey, Susan

Hi Paul, I am getting excited too, want it to be now so I can get on with things, how is the pre op diet going. I have to confess had a few false starts but as today is 1st March seems an ideal time to start - for real. Susan

Hi Scooby, thanks for that, just printed the info off. Pre-op diet, not yet, will start again 1st March - Monday.

Just a quick question for the more experienced bandsters. I am now thinking about just after the band has been fitted what were you drinking for food? Also I read a lot of the protein drinks, mostly from American bandsters, where would I get this in England and at what stage should I be introducing them. Getting excited and gearing up to my challenge. Thanks for any replies, Susan

Hi Sussie, welcome, this is a very informative forum and everyone is very nice. I haven't had my surgery yet, due 12th March however I am having surgery on the Friday and flying back Sunday. I am staying at the Camponile in Vilvoorde, everyone seems to do this and your consultation the night before is held here. I don't plan on doing any sight seeing, don't think I will be put to it at all, but I am sure someone more knowledgable than me will reply. Good Luck.

Hi Scooby, know what you mean about withdrawals, when you can't have something you want it. My partner Ray is coming with me too, we are hiring a car so don't worry about Brian. If you want we can meet up in the evening, will be nice to have someone there too, also for the men in our life. I have all the feelings your going thru also, want to start my new life. I have done well in losing weight but need that extra push now.

Hi Scooby have you booked your flight yet, we are stay at Campanile in Vilvoorde, and as you know I am having mine done on 12th. I will be taking my partner, are you going with anyone. It will be nice to meet up with someone. Can't wait now, wishing my time away and realising life will change a little, a little scary but also exciting, hope you are OK. Is there anyone else out there going at the same time?

It can't go quick enough for me, I am looking forward to summer, hope this works, I have the fears creeping in that everyone does about failure, I have to stay positive and will do once I am there and everything is done and dusted.

Good to hear about your experience, did anyone see the Daily Mail today, go online, it it about a lady who has lost weight with a gastric band, she has taken pictures every month and you can really see the difference. Don't think I can be that brave, wish I could as you can see how much your body changes.

Not so lonely, Iam another 12th March lady and we will be very keen to hear your experience and how you are doing. Wish I was earlier, Susan

Good luck those getting banded this week too. I can't wait, let me know how your experience was, those of us waiting in the wings love to know, Susan