libertysuzanne

It's not suprising that the lighterlife diet doesn't work. It's like being on the pre op diet for 100 days, that is a horrible thing to do and to lose weight so dramatically! No wonder it's not widely known, the doctors would have a field day tearing it to shreds! I did have a look at their website, they didn't mention how much it would cost. I hate it when sites are like that, I prefer it when they are open and honest. The way they do it is get you to phone a 'counseller' who will give you the hard sell and take advantage of what they know is your weakness. Looking at the diet, as much as they would show on the site, it is basically slimfast for every meal? Would I be wrong in assuming this? I must admit I am dreading the pre-op diet, Dr Mignon wanted me to have only natural yoghurt for a week before surgery, as I can't stand yoghurt he agreed I could have slimfast instead! That is much more easier to deal with, as I already have a slimfast for Breakfast shouldn't be too much of a transition. At least I only have to cook for my son then. I suppose the positive of going on the lighterlife diet jsut before your surgery guarnatees you will be doing the pre op diet without even trying! Let me know how you are doing. Kind regards Sx

HI, I thought this site might be useful for us folks who are travelling inot another EU country for our band fitting. The E111 is no longer available or valid and you have to apply for European Health Insurance Card the link is as follows https://www.ehic.org.uk/InternetPROD/home.do It is a quick and simple process to apply, costs nothing and you should recieve it in 7 days. Hope this info helps Suzanne

Hi all, Just wondering if there is any one who lives in the Shropshire/West mids area who is going to have or had a lapband fitted? Looking forward to hearing from you Kind regards Suzannex

Big hugs for you! I know how you feel about the clothes! I have some stunning clothes that I bought only recently that just won't fit. I still can't believe I am a size 20/22! I keep saying it is the clothes, that they are very badly cut and ungenerous in their sizing. Sometimes that is the case but most of the time it is just me with the wrong mentality. I feel a horrible sense of shame when I have to buy clothes that have a label of 20 attached. Which is silly, considering my best friend is a size 24, but she looks so beautiful. I don't know how she does it, maybe she has had time to adjust where as mine hasn't been a slow expanding of a waistline, it's been as quick as a waterfall, after the dam wall has been removed. I so envy Tish. Mind you, I do also have a little gripe about her as well, she supports me in her own way I know that but I am forever reassuring her that she looks fantastic, that her husband loves her etc etc. She never does the same for me, she is always ready with a negative comment and I try to hide the fact that it hurts but it certainly hasn't helped me deal with the weight issue. I'm probably being childish and blowing it all out of proportion but is it wrong of me to expect to at least find a positive to cheer me up with? As for your OH tell him what you have just told me, he will have seen your determination with the lighter diet and how it has creeped back on and I suspect he will probably also be noticing a kind of sadness, which he probably doesn't understand and won't ask you about it, just in case it is something he doesn't want to hear. That is just a supposition don't quote me on that one:kiss . I'd never heard of the lighter diet till I came on this site, I'm not suprised you gained the weight back though! Losing that amount so quickly tends to have a high rate of failure. The concept sounds good though, I think you would have to stay on it forever to maintain that weight loss. WHich probably wouldn;t be very healthy! At least with the lapband eventually you will be able to eat 'virtually' normally just in majorly smaller protions! And if it creeps back on again you just have to fill that band :girl_hug: It is great having you to talk to! Kind regards Sx

I know exactly how you are feeling! It was so hard wiating for the initial consultation and then knowing that there was going to be another 3 week wait before I got the Op done. I was so impatient and yet now I'm like 'Yeah all is well and I shall be having it done sooner rather than later!' I knwo that it can be hard to make a decision, this has been silently lurking in the back of my head virtually since the birht of my son, well a few months after, when my stomach did not miraculously disappear after giving birth! I can't tell you how disappointing that was! Especially when there was a woman in the smoking room, there to support her friend and she had had only triplets 2 month before and she was stick thin. It hought it was going to be a walk in a park. Hence the yo yo dieting, the constant struggle to behave and do all the right things. for little or no reward! Anyway I digress :eek: . Lets get back to the present. I am fortunate that I have no one to answer to except my son and I am the boss there (although he did make me falter just a little). What you need to do is list down the reasons why you want to go for the lap band, over load him with all the information you have, explain how it makes you feel being the size you are now. Try to listen to their point of view and you never know they may be really happy to support you, at least I hope they will! There is an interesting dynamic change in my best friends relationship with her hubby. He used to be 'cuddly' as she would describe it but due to his work and depression he has lost a shed load of weight lucky SOB! I wish I knew how he managed it all he seems to eat is junk!! Anyway my friend now is feeling a wee bit threatened at this change in him, doesn't help she is also 7 months pregnant. Yet, I know for a fact no matter how much weight he may lose or how good he may look (hhmmm) he will never cheat on her, I think he would rather be run over by a train than do anything to hurt her. But, it may be wise to say to partner that you won't change. Actually it was quite funny best friends daughter asked 'will I change when I've lost all the weight?' I had to reassure her that I would still be the same person just slimmer and happier! As for timing, it is a rather awkward time of year to be going for the band, but me being Miss impetous and wanting to 'do it like yesterday.' has decided that dealing wiht xmas shouldn;t be to tough and then at least I know it is done and dusted, no more waiting. You may be right in waiting, as you do have a holiday and then xmas as well. There is no reall rush the surgery will still be there, be it this year or next year. Do it when you feel right that is all I can say. Sorry if I have gone on but hope it makes sense in some shape or form :girl_hug: Chat later sx Off to bed now, eyes drooping...........:faint:

I think I am having the smaller one, I am just on the BMI of 40. Although he may have just been using the small one as an example, it certainly looked like the inamed on the website. Nothing wrong with being an anorak, you help the slightly ditzy, impulsive ones keep their feet firmly on the ground! I appreciate that :girl_hug:

He did say but I can;t for the life of me remember what it was called. It was white light and kind of pretty in a bizarre way! Perhaps associating it with that wonderful goal of 'weight loss' Inramed I think he called it. He showed me how it worked by placing it on my thumb and filling it with saline, he really was very thorough. Having just read Anne's story I know that I can be very confident in his hands. He infact probably over compensated with information which is better than what Anne recieved. Also he assured me that they would try and have another english speaking person in the hospital room with me - they put you in a double room not a private so you dont feel so alone either. He admitted some of the nurses do find it difficult speaking in English, but they do try. It will be intersting to see how you feel after speaking to him.

I know exactly what tyou mean H and really you hear enough horror stories from surgery here, so it makes no real difference where as long as it is done in a safe way. As you say, knowing they take an x-ray afterwards is reassuring. I often wonder what are the extra overheads in the UK that pushes the price so far up!!?? I had a final big meal with my friends and dad tonight, feel completely stuffed! It was a nice thing to do as CM, my son was feeling rather dejected about the concept of me having surgery, he's 9 bless him, so this was a treat for him as well. He wanted to make a big thing of my making a change for the better, once he had come to terms with it himself. He really is a bright cookie, wish I could take him with me but there would be no one to look after him while I was staying at the hospital, c'est la vie!

I'm glad I have helped. I wish I had had forewarning of what to expect as well lol. It was a journey into the unknown, with a worry that I would have to beg for the surgery! As was, I must admit I felt a little insensed when he said I was suitable! Go figure lol. I figure part of me was hoping that he was going to say 'pish posh you look beautiful as you are!' He he the stuff dreams are made of I shall have to have a look at Anne Diamonds website, haven't seen that yet! Sx

You may have a wee bit of a problem with the Monday slot. I think they only operate on a Tuesday. THe itinerary goes like this. LapBand Surgery in Belgium 4 day Program: Monday: Arrive before 1pm at belgium Midi station, meeting deidre outside Smas Cafe. Arrival at clinic you will have some pre-op tests nad meet the Anaesthist. Leave clinic approx 6pm and go to hotel. Tuesday: Shuttle will take you to clinic for 6.45am 7am Admission and settling down in room between 8.30am and 4pm: lap band surgery carried out. Night spent at the clinic. Wednesday: Between 9am and 12pm an x-ray is carried out first liquid meal at the clinic after x-ray between 10am and 3pm visit of surgeon prior to discharge. shuttle to hotel night spent at hotel Thursday: Check out of hotel shuttle to take you back to brussels. I know I wasn't aware of it being a whole 4 days but after some consideration I thought it was still worth it. I had assumed it was a case of in and out, my fault but they don't make it clear on the website admittedly. Also, it could be that they do do other days, I just happened to arrive on a day the op was to be done on a tuesday. I hope this helps you. After my appointment when i spoke to arrange the surgery it was late october beginning of November and apparently they have been extremely popular. So it is probalby going to be Nov for you, at least i will be able to tell you what it is like before you go! Sx

Maths was never my best subject, so yep it is 19 days to go, wouldn't it be funny if you could get the op same day as me Well if it is anything like laughing gas I'd be a hoot I guess you're going to Manchester to see Dr Mignon? My advice to you is not to walk (which I did) from piccadilly station! Certainly a loooooong walk, mind you the taxi ride was pretty expensive I think there is a bus the 147 which will take you to manchester hospital and then you continue upwards to Anson Rd.

It's quite funny my appointment with Dr Mignon landed on an odd day, my mums birthday. She passed away last year and I thought 'well if this isn't a sign that I am doing the right thing, then nothing is lol. By the way my surgery is on the 26th...have I put it in worng...probably one of my blonde moments!

I am sure it will all work out fine, just the pre surgery jitters. The only time I have had to deal with a general was when my son had to go in for an op. He woke up as he fell asleep extremely grouchy, it took him ages to come out of it! Is anyone having trouble with a page coming up with 'being hacked by psh?' nothing in the actual page? Sx

H! That's great! Glad you found that out, I shall have to look into it, we have a nuffield in Shrewsbury which is only 20 mins away. Heading to find the site now I'm not the most of patient of people it was hard waiting for the first consultation! Although I have a strange sense of calm as if I know I am doing the right thing. Weird I know an oxymoron of emotions lol Sx

Hi ya Denise! How did you get your tickers to work? I must be doing something wrong! Help. I only have 19 more days to go till surgery as well. I have decided to buy an MP3 player in a bid to ease my jitters. Shopping is such a fun distraction!

Well if you want to keep in touch, I'm more than happy to help give you some support, we can bolster each other up when the going gets tough! I'm glad you have heard from a few people who have had surgery with Dr Mignon, puts my mind at rest, I was astarting to build up some dreadful scenarios!

Thank you Snowhard, I really needed to read your post. You are right the affects of weight are far worse than the surgery. Mind you for me I think I am more scared of the anastethic(sp?). I have never had a general so it is really a case of the unknown for me, not my favourite place to be. My sister pointed out that it is the case of not being in complete controil, which does make sense, never saw myself as a control freak though, but it certainly hit home when she said it lol. Thank you again Suzannex

For me i t has to be getting into a monsoon dress I bought two years ago and never had an opportunity to wear and by the time I had a reason for it, it was to late it didn't fit anymore, but it is there waiting for me. It's like giving myself a promise to feel beautiful again!

Hi Anon, I have just seen Dr Mignon, be prepared for slightly broken english and very straight forward talking. He certainly made me feel confident in making my decision in going to Belgium. I shall be having the op 24th October! Still have to book my hotel! One thing you should know and it isn't made clear on the website is that the aftercare is an extra cost, estimated about £300 for 3 fills, which is the estimated fills that may be required. Don;t ask Dr Mignon as he does not deal with the financial side. But in the long run it does still work out cheaper than having it done in the UK and they do give us a list of suitable radiologist to see. If you do decide to have it done please feel free to keep in touch, I have a feeling going to need a good support circle at the beginning. Love to hear how you go Kind regards Suzanne

I am going for my surgery on the 24th October, pertrified and excited all at once. The surgeon told me I would have to eat plain yoghurt for 7 days before the op! I told him I couldn't stand yoghurt so he allowed me to have slimfast instead. The reason for the diet is was that the left lobe of the liver tends to be enlarged in obese patients and the diet makes sure the liver is not blocking access to the stomach. I can;t say I am looking forward to those seven days at all. But, needs must if I finally want to crack the weight problem!

Or as Eddie Izzard would say ' Two countries divided by a common.....Ocean!' I love going over to the states, in fact I thikn my english does become that little bit plummier (is that even a word?). Mind you I think they also just appreciate the please and thank you. It does shock me the normal manners of a yank is so different! Lets hope I'm not opening up a whole new can of worms!

Oh dear it seems like i am rather late in my post. But it does show how captivating language can be! TOM you seem to take the whole language thing terribly seriously! Can you not laugh at some of the stories that have come from the improper use of grammar? I guess poor comedians would have their work cut out with you, as their skill is playing with words.

Just a quick note about 'I'm loving it'. It all has to do with the attractive rhythm. It is something that easily sinks into a persons brain. Da da de dah is I'm lov-ing - it. Where as 'I-am-loving-it' does not flow as easily. If you listen to some of the make up adverts that have a jingle, it is always a simple memorable rhythm. It is a kind of poetry. As for the 'Ebonics' Dreadful yes, but understandable. When you look at Microsoft Word you have a choice of 'American English' or 'English'. So there is already a difference but the USA is a continent with a myriad of languages being used. Ebonics is a kind of combination of languages and therefore distinct as a 'US language' in it's own right. I must admit I did have a laugh when I was in McDonalds in Shrewsbury(UK), a woman hustled herself up to the front of the queue waving a wrapped burger in her hand and declaring. 'I is wanting a chesse burger'. We do have a comedian who plays that kind of character but I was shocked and amused to realise that people do actually speak like that. As a soon to be speech and drama teacher (well in two years given good luck and management!) I do find speech fascinating but 'speech and 'grammar' are two completely different things. Not everyone in the UK speaks what is known as received pronunciation or the Queen's English - which in fact is grammatically in correct in itself! The beauty of speech is it's diversity. Whether you mix up verbs and adjectives it really doesn't matter when spoken (OK in a lot of ways it does, people presume a lot when they hear you speak mostly down to snobbery) aslong as what you are trying to say is understood then where is the harm? You are allowed to be yourself and if that is with Ebonics or Cockney then so be it. As you can see Ebonics is actually nothing new. The UK has a vast variety of dialects which all come under the cover of 'English'. Infact some of the colloquisms are being found in the New Oxford Dictionary! Langauge is forever evolving! Hope I haven't bored you, got quite carried away there! I guess the teaching is finally sinking in and becoming as much a part of me as my bad grammar lol! Be well Suzannex:kiss2:

Thanks Guys! That made things a lot clearer. I hope it doesn't taste to bad! I have a horrible habit of vomitting if I can't stand the taste or smell of something. Thankfully that doesn't happen very often. I have images of walking around glowing he he Still got to get the hotel sorted DOH!:grouphug:

Hello All, I have been given the day for my surgery with Dr Mignon in Chimay Belgium/france. Which reminds me I have to prganise hotel! DOH! Anyway I digress my question is this...what is fluroscopie, the Dr did mention it, at that time I had slightly tuned out as I had already done all the research into lap banding and he was going over it again. So by the time I realised that I had no idea of what fluroscopie is, I was out of the door and looking for a taxi!. :faint: I know it has something to do with the fill but what exactly???.