MummiesBB

Hi Chris That's absolutely fabulous news! Well done!! I bet you are really chuffed!! I hit the two stone mark today so really pleased. Take it easy and look after yourself.

Yes I did and the charge was £24.00 for the full amount they were very thorough and wanted to know who, what, why, where. I didn't enlighten them what it was for just said medical. HTH I used the bank as I felt it was a little more secure. Don't know anything about Western Union. What do they charge for this service?

How are you managing to eat this? I tried some sausage the other evening, chewed like crazy and paid for it losing my boots completely! Wasn't pleasant. Had to wait an hour or so and then had a yoghurt to help calm my insides. Doesn't the above stuff get stuck?

Depends on who you are booked with. With Dr Chris everything is in so just need any money for bits on the way there and way back. My husband came with me so we had some Euros so that he could get food etc. As everything is included in the price except Breakfast at the hotel then we didn't really need anything extra. I didn't take the surgery money with me I did a bank transfer via my branch and knew that it was all paid for in advance. I didn't want the added risk of carrying so much! It's natural to feel nervous but it is the best decision you can make. I have had my band for 8 weeks and so pleased as I have lost 27 pounds so nearly 2 stone and 25.5 inches. So really pleased with this. There are lots of posts on here about what to take. e.g. Baggy trousers with expandable waist, cuppa Soups, a mug to make it up in and painrelief that can be dissolved or liquid as the pain relief the hospital give you are effervescent and took ages to get down. I also took my partner as I knew I would need to have support getting home. So glad I didn't go on my own it would have killed me! Probably plenty more things but I am sure others will add to this. Good luck and enjoy.

Booked in for 11 o'clock as I have to be back in Northampton to teach a Parentcraft class and then two yoga classes. So quick whizz in and whizz out. Hopefully the same in November. Very impressed with the set up and couldn't quite believe how many people they see in the time they are there. So if there are 6 people an hour and appointments from 11 - 4 thats a lot of people in 5 hours (give or take a break for lunch)!

Hello All I had my 1st fill today in London at Upper Wimpole Street. I went early and then had a little treat doing some retail therapy (only bought 3 gingerbread men in John Lewis for the children and Mark) and had lunch there as well. That was lovely I had tomato and basil soup and then walked out onto Cavendish Square and up Harley Street and then cut across onto Wimpole Street and then Upper Wimpole. Very easy and quick, although the rain was dreadful! Very professional service at the Vein Clinic. It was lovely to meet other band clients and share. I had my fill done by Chris Dupres - very pleasant and exceptionally professional. Fill didn't hurt just took a while to get in. But fine. I could feel the fluid going in (bit odd) but all ok. He was impressed with how much I had lost in terms of weight and inches. So I had fill today and am booked again for the 28th October and then I will go again on the 25th November and then wait until January as we are away. Will post tomorrow as it's weigh day. Not holding my breath as I have had an awful week and felt really poorly with this horrible virus! Don't think I will have lost anything at all. Anyway take care.

Book direct cut out the middle man and get a fully inclusive package that you know you have apid for upfront. Best thing about the band - you lose weight! So pleased I went over at the end of July and had it done. Also really glad I had my husband with me! Good luck and see if Frederik can take the booking for the same date and cancel with the other company. HTH

I went in to have a chat with ours as he had referred me to the NHS and they had refused due to not having any additional illnesses e.g. diabetes, heart problems etc. He said to let him know how it all went and was very interested. I did have an appointment after I had the surgery and he was very interested and obviously checked me over and wanted to know about Belgium etc plus what I had lost up to that point (i had just lost my first stone!) so he was really pleased for me and very positive. Hope all goes well Take care

The Campanile in Vilvoorde. If you book direct with Frederik then the hotels and taxis are included in the package. Less hassle and easy of you are flying or taking the train to Belgium. HTH

Morning all What a beautiful day... Washings out, children in school, all organised for my lovely day I am going to spend with babies doing massage and it's weigh day. I am so chuffed I have again lost 4.5 lbs and 3.75 inches - this is just brilliant. A total loss of 25.5 pounds and 21 inches in 7 weeks! I am going for the fill next Thursday so hoping that this will continue the loss. I can't believe I am just flabbergasted that I am still losing. It's great and yes I know I could have a reality check and big bump to earth and suddenly stop losing but that's fine we'll work with it. Anyway, have to dash as lots to do, life just got a little manic. Hope everyone is ok and good luck to those about to change their lives forever.

Dr Chris charges £80 at the London clinic and £90 outside of London. HTH

Hello Hope all goes well next week, you are in good hands and they will look after you. Probably easier to take some cuppa Soups with you and a mug although the hotel leant me a dish to make some up in and I hardly ate any of it. The next morning I had a yoghurt as I needed something and a cup of green tea. If you haven't heard from Europesurgery then give them a call as you don't want to get there and find out you aren't on the list. Not sure if this is the same company that others have mentioned on this thread and the problems they have had?????? As I said you are in good hands and will be well looked after. Take care and be reassured by those of usthat have been in the last few months and post on here. Take care

So many questions ... here goes Yes it was painful and I had difficulty straigtening up and jumping out of bed - I think that's why a lot of us say we were glad to have our partners with us! I know I certainly was. Level of care in Belgium was brilliant, can't comment about UK for gastric band surgery but my experience of Belgium was superb. Thank goodness you had support. After all it may be keyhole but it is still surgery and thay are cutting through muscles. I have a T12 missing in my spine so where most people had the trapped air in their shoulder mine was further down and yes it was crucifying at times. Again thank goodness I had my husband with me and he was the one to always wind the children when they were babies and he was very good at it! I would imagine that if you live in a small village then nothing is secret and even when you do want it to be kept quiet it will get out. It's none of their business how much it cost or seeing your stitches etc. To those that want to scoff at you about you should eat less well I wouldn't warrant them with a response just ignore them and one day they may regret what they say to you when the boot is on the other foot. It comes to most at some point in their lives. Remember who you did the surgery for - YOU and to have a better life to enjoy your babies and family, not the strangers. They will soon ohh and ahh over how much you lose. We make a lifestyle choice and it's one that a lot of people have admired in my case as I took control - not of overeating as that was never the issue but of ensuring that I don't end up a diabetic with heart problems and not enjoying life. Have a super day and take no notice of the numpties!:thumbup: Everyday you will feel much better and soon be bouncing!

Weigh in day today! I have noticed that I have been feeling really tired but I have put this down to my long days at the moment with being back at school. Thankfully today is Friday and I have a clear day and no school. Work starts again in a few weeks with a baby massage class so should be a very relaxed day. I digress I had a feeling weight loss may have slowed and caught sight of myself last night in a mirror and was appalled at how I looked there are certainly some clothes that I need to avoid wearing as I looked absolutely dreadful. I'll do some 6 week post-op photos to see if I can see any difference. Anyway down to business I have lost 1.5 lbs and 1.25 inches so a loss but significantly different to previous weeks. Total loss is 21 lbs and 17.25 inches all over. I have a fill in a couple of weeks and this may help although I have been told the magic number is 3! I think I will be able to manage 2 before we are away as I don't want to waste a fill if I then have to have it taken out to fly. So plan to have September and then October fill and then wait till January. So plan of action I am going to start off doing 15 minutes on the crosstrainer at home and gradually build it up and see if this will help to maintain the weight & inch loss a bit more. Off to the GP this morning to have my bloods for my thyroid checked (which was flagged up when I was in Belgium being banded) as I am due my annual check and see if we can't get the meds reduced. Have a lovely day and hope everyone s feeling well and dandy.

That's absolutely brilliant - well done! Definately agree about the exercise. I walk loads now I am back at school. Plans to get on the cross trainer as soon as poss. Superb results, keep it going.

Well back into the swing of everyday life and (sorry for the foodie ref) Thank Crunchie it's Friday! It's weigh in day today and I have my monthly so wasn't really hopeful but ...... (drum roll, party!) :wub::thumbup: I have lost 1.5lbs and 2.5 inches So total loss is 16 inches and 19.5 lbs Really pleased. I have also had a few solid meals aswell which I have chewed and chewed and they have gone down. We are so sociable at dinner that we chat about our days etc and this is really hard as you so need to concentrate so I find that dinner takes a little longer that's fine except that it is cold when I am near the end. So I have an assessment today and yesterday I purchased a beautiful new top which is just gorgeous and makes me look slimmer! So wearing it to make me feel very positive! At yoga last night one of my clients said "Have you lost weight?" so I was really pleased as I didn't think anyone would notice. I know that I have and my clothes are very baggy (and are starting to look silly) I am hoping to drop down to a smaller size in the rearranged wardrobe so another few weeks and hopefully I will be there. I am amazed that I am still losing as there are other on this thread who have had wonderful loss for the first few weeks and then come to a standstill. The only thing I can put my loss down to is that I am really strict about how much I eat and what I eat. Plus I also have a herbalife shake most days to ensure I get the protein, vitamins & minerals. We'll see what the loss is like next week. Anyway have a lovely weekend and I'll pop in again soon.

Yes appointment at 13:20 was earlier but when I tried to book train it went a bit pear shaped. So into London early and then out on a train at 3ish so that I can get back to teach in the evening. Does anybody now which other date the fill is in October I know they are planning to do the 28th but just wondered if there was an earlier one? Have a good day.

Hi Mandy I think it's good to be realistic. Hope the fill goes ok I am going on the 23rd. Yes I am a teacher started back today and the children I teach are back on Monday properly. My own start back tomorrow - poor things. We didn't go away in a motorhome we went away camping in a tent - great when the weather is good but not so great when you have to pack a wet tent away. Anyway trying to stay focused, hope you are having a good week. Take care

Hello When are you going for your fill? Food has been a bit of an issue however just over the last few days I have managed to eat some chicken and that seems to go down okay. I'm having one shake at the moment and either for breakfast or lunch and then porridge as I don't seem to go to the toilet very much (?? - hoping this is normal). I crush the vitamins and add them to the shake and also make it calorie rich by adding a yoghurt to it with a small amount of apple juice and some wheatgerm. Have 3 - 4 meals depending on what time I am up. Back to school day after tomorrow so shall be on 4 as I find I need a snack usually some crackerbreads and philli cheese or houmous. Pleased with what I have lost but I have a huge target to lose so I am going to chunk it up and every time I reach a mini goal do something special. My first target is two stone so I am hoping when I go for my first fill (end of September) that I have achieved it. If not then when I do I will have a treat not sure yet what though. How about you? Have you set yourself mini targets? How's your niece doing? Is she due to go over soon? I'd imagine she is very excited and so she should be. I didn't feel nervous at all about having it done just hoped that it worked and so far I know that it has. I actually look forward to getting on the scales and measuring. The best test will be when I go back to school and see if anyone notices. Anyway must go to bed. Hopefully re-log in tomorrow as I keep being logged out which is very frustrating. Take care

Hello - it has been very quiet hasn't it, perhaps there are lots of people away for the bank holiday weekend or just caught up with family. Hope weight loss going well? How are you coping with solid food? Have a lovely evening

In your ticker factory settings there is something called the bbCode if you copy this and then paste it into your signature section of the user CP. HTH Preview it to make sure it is working. Shout if you need any help. Take care and hope all goes well in Belgium. It's a very positve experience.

Hello all I haven't posted for a few days as we are away camping in Cornwall with the children. Well if you need a challenge in the first month of being banded i would suggest going camping! It's amazing just what you can't have on a restaurant menu! Did try a small part of a scone for a cream tea and ended up giving 3/4 of it to my oldest (and that was only one half of it) just couldn't manage it at all! The best bit is that my husband still forgets that I have the band, everyone wanted a pasty and I said to him that if it's steak I will not be able to have it. So he buys 2x large & 2x small ...... Yes you guessed it steak and veg. He looked very sorry as I said I can't eat steak. Anyway, removed the pastry and binned it and the tentatively chewed like crazy through the veg. Hoping that it would go down ok. Seemed ok but then just got stuck and I had to go and get rid (TMI) just to say it wasn't pleasant. We visited the Eden project yesterday and finally I found some lovely soup and for dinner today a lovely restaurant in St Agnes had pea and mint soup - it was delicious! Looking forward to going home so that i can weigh and measure and see what is going on. Food has been challenging this week so relied on yoghurt, weetabix, and cracker breads and phili cheese. Have a good week everyone and will post again when home & done weigh in on Friday.

I thought I would do a pre-check weigh in as I have my GP appointment this afternoon and also we are going on hols tomorrow for a week so will miss my weigh in on Friday! I can't believe that since the 30th July - 17 August (18 days) I have lost 14.5 lbs (1 stone and 1/2 a lb). I know not a lot compared to some on here but I feel so chuffed that it's coming off! So please don't lose heart if you aren't losing or are thinking about having a band --- it really does work. I have looked very closely at my food intake as well - keeping a food diary and I manage 4 distinct eating periods. Just about getting in 700 calories but the Herbalife shake twice a day is helping to boost that to nearly 1000 cals a day. Thank goodness at least I know I am getting all my Vitamins, minerals and Protein in it. Thanks for reading and pleased to see others starting their weight loss journey. So sorry to here lailla about your traumatic experience, do hope it has settled down and you are feeling much better. Take care

It's horrible isn't it. I had an episode last week where I just wasn't concentrating and trying to get things done with my littlest chattering onto me and ate my yoghurt too fast and exactly the same as you have described happened. It took a little while but came back eventually all white & fluffly - I know TMI! Still on mushy but I tried cottage pie a few nights ago and didn't get very far. I think it's the potato that is just too much so I am going to try again in a few days. I just don't like the sensaton of not being able to breath and being in pain! Chew, chew, chew x 30 and then we might be able to eat chicken. Take it easy and lets be kind to ourselves.

Don't worry about others this is about you. Your mum will see how beneficial it is when you have had it done and she sees a slimmer, happier, more content you! As for others knowing well it's up to you whether you tell them. I for one have only told very close friends and my mum, dad, husband & children know but my parents-in-law don't. They don't need to know either until it's necessary. As I would have all the questions of why have you wasted your money, why couldn't you do this by going to the gym or following a diet etc. You all know the things people say. You will be absolutely fine and I haven't regretted being banded on the 30th July. Ranks as one of the best days in my life! Be positive and believe in you - the band does work!