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Fingers crossed that you lose a little more than 7lbs and have a fantastic honeymoon. Are you going somewhere nice? All the best Clairex

Hello all I know I haven't been on for a little while, been caught up with extra days in school, yoga classes and half term. Congrats to everyone who has been for their surgery, hope you are recovering and TAKING it easy!!! I've caught up with the thread. So sorry Freckles to hear the sad news about your daughter and her partner do hope they have been put in contact with the right organisations that will support them through their loss. If not then PM me and I will send you an email with the links for them. Well weight wise I seemed to have slowed a little which in some ways is good as it has been a bit of a downhill rollercoaster for 28 weeks. I am 1/2 a pound off of 70 pounds loss which I am really pleased about. I have managed a few solids along the way but still mainly protein rich soup, some yoghurt, aptimals (oops I think I have spent a few too many days around my baby groups) should be actimels! herbalife shakes when I can get it down, and a little bit of cheese (only now and then as it is a little tricky at times) IYKWIM So have a fill booked for the 10th March and looking forward to that. Feel great otherwise and full of beans! Wil endeavour to come back as soon as possible when pace of life slows a little and gives me a chance. Take care and look after yourselves. Claire x

That's brilliant news, how much have you lost so far? Good that you don't feel hungry. New clothes - excellent enjoy I have this plan aswell when I nearer to my target weight. I would love the type of summer dresses I buy my daughter as they are very pretty. I was tempted last year but didn't think I would be able to get into something like that ever. But I have treated myself to a few beautiful monsoon dresses for our holiday when we were away at Christmas and they were just a tad too big. Nice feeling. Enjoy and would love to know how much you have lost ...

Hello It's the Campanilein Vilvoorde included in the prices quoted by Frederik HTH Good luck Claire

Definately the best but also because of how he sites the band and that there is a reduced risk of slippage and erosion. He's the best and other forums I post on have said the same as well. Good luck hope you get a date soon and start to transform your life. Take care Claire

Well week 27 and I can't quite believe the week I have had. Started off Sunday evening with littlest throwing up and deciding I would stay home with him on Monday. Felt ghastly during the day and then started to throw up aswell so not great. I wasn't able to keep water down or any other liquids or food so feeling very sorry for myself and starting to get dehydrated, not good. Managed a few sips on the Monday night and went to bed feeling exhausted. Tuesday no better really but managed small sips in day but kept being sick when I tried to eat. Eventually in the evening I gave up. Wednesday seemed to be better until I bent over ohh dear did I feel dizzy and light headed so took it really easy. Managed some soup at lunchtime and didn't lose it so thought we're on the mend. Again for dinner I managed a cuppa soup but felt exhausted. So it's Friday and I feel better (still not 100%) but have to be better as have to go to work. Weighed and wohoo I have lost 3 lbs and 2.75 inches not surprised really because of the sickness but another 3.5 pounds and I have lost 70 pounds (5 stone) that's incredible and not to forget the inch loss aswell which is 56.75. Just amazing! Anyway, see how we go this week and see if I can start to eat a little more I seemto have a break through on the solids front a few weeks ago and then nothing so will have another go this week coming. Have a good weekend and enjoy.

Thanks Odd I posted aswell must have got lost when they possibly did a restore back to a certain point when site went offline. Good that it's back now though. Glad they sorted your blood pressure and on meds. Just think as you start to lose weight with the band then hopefully these meds will be stopped. Fingers crossed thsat you are ok for your band op. Take care Claire

I only have Herbalife when I really have the need for some energy and have managed with yoghurt, fruit puree, porridge up until the 2nd fill (then couldn't get it to go down) and soup. Just not able to physically eat anything really creamy or thick as it seems to sit there and then just want to come back. Even had difficulty with water a few days ago just think it's the bug I have had from little one. But seems that something made it react so either the stress of life or the bug or a combination. I am sure that it will pass. I don't really feel hungry so take it that this is a good sign. Hope you are ok Slinky how's the weight now you have had your third fill? Hope it is moving for you. Take care Claire

Morning all Have been watching the thread but just felt too poorly to post. My littlest was sick on Sunday eveing and off school on Monday and whatever he had I then got! No I know they don't do refunds on them (the children that is) ony joking!! Anyway, well done to those that have recently been banded, you won't regret it. I weighed on Frday and was pleasantly surprised as I wasn't expecting to continue to lose but lose I did and am now 35 pounds from my target of 101 pounds loss so really pleased. Taking it easy as with being sick due to the bug I have found it difficult to keep anything down at one point last night I felt so dehydrated and just needed to do little sips and then managed some custard (ready made) and later in the evening a chicken cuppa soup. This I managed to keep down. It hasn't been fun. I do think the restriction hasn't helped either. Do you think it's normal to have had restriction from the 2nd fill for this length of time? Last fill was end of October 2010 and still not really managing solids. It's very erratic nothing until about 2 weeks ago when I managed some small pieces of pork and a few vegetables and nothing since. I'm full very quickly. I'm not moaning as I am happy with my loss and at this rate I will have lost what I wanted by my year anniversary, so definately not moaning but curious whether others have experienced this? Anyway, stay focused, eat healthily and enjoy - we get one run at this lfe so we might as well make the most of it. Have a fun day Claire

Blood pressure changes throughout the day, my pregnant mums find this all the time when they go to the midwife especially if they suffer with white coat syndrome i.e. hate anything medical. It's best to see the GP and touch base with Frederick and see what he has to say about everything. I am sure with some rest and relaxation and a bit of TLC you will be ok but it's better to be safe. Do hope that all will be ok and you get to the bottom of it. Take care Claire

Hello all Have been doing a little bit of research on the yearly xray and have found the following: http://www.xrayxpress.co.uk/ Telephone number: 0207 2246493 They are happy to support Dr Chris' WLS clients and there are a few clients who have used this company and were happy with them. They offer an express service. Charge is £95 and they give you a printout to take to your Consultation. The lady was very helpful. They are based on 121 Harley Street about 5 mins from the London Vein Clinic on Upper Wimpole Street HTH

Had to share this as it was truly scrumptious and I added shredded chicken (as the others had roast chicken) http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5898/speedy-sweet-potato-soup-with-coconut Enjoy. Claire

It turns out that they haven't stopped mums having two birth partners so glad I telephoned the Labour Ward. It seems that they are fine about two birth partners, but they have cancelled hospital tours and only partners are allowed on the Postnatal wards. If you know anyone who is pregnant and due soon then it would be good for them to check their local maternity units to see what they are advising as they are all different and it 's linked to a "potential" flu epidemic. Have fun

Morning all Hope everyone is well and looking after themselves. Have moved my fill appointment to the end of February as restriction is definately there and it would just silly to go and spend £80 and have a 0.5ml when I know it will just close it up further. Still only really managing lumpy soup but a couple of nights ago I did manage a small piece of pork chop with 2 pieces of broccoli and 2 chantennay carrots. Took me a while to chew my way through but I did it. But then the next night absolute hell and felt dreadful. The band is so variable! Anyway weight loss wise I have now lost a total of 63 pounds and 52 inches so very pleased. Lots of people are asking me - have you lost weight? One of my colleagues came running up to me at the end of the school day and said "How have you lost all your weight? Have you cheated?" I wanted to know what she meant by cheated and her reference was to certain shelf bought shakes. So I explained that I was using a nutritional supplement and had had a gastric band! She's doing WW and is happy with her loss etc and was open and honest and said she likes her food too much. It did make me smile. Anyway, off to teach baby massage and then dentists appointments for the children and I - should be fun! Ohh and to raise a concern that my local hospital has restricted birthing mums to one birth partner only! Letter being processed as I write. So hopefully we will get the result we want that you can't restrict womens rights and their choices. Anyway just stepping off soap box Take care. Claire Have a good day and take care of yourselves.

I travelled to the States at Christmas and the advice I received from Dr Chris etc was to not have a fill 2weeks before I was due to fly. I travelled with 5 mls in my band. My last fill was late October and I travelled in December. I didn't have to have it emptied. If you are flying and making a special meal request on the airline make sure you have it confirmed as I travelled on both flights and there was no special request for me. Luckily I had cuppa soup with me (so glad I decided to shove some in the rucksack!) otherwise it would have been awful. I found the flight caused some restriction but after a few days I was able to eat a little more. HTH Claire

Definately not nil by mouth, I would eat as much as you can because you may not be able to after the fill and drink plenty of water before as well. They give you an advice card for how many days on liquids (3 I think) and then mushies for about the same. Do a search on this threadand we will have posted what it is. I had a fill in late October and have only just started to eat very small amounts (and I mean a maximum of two bites) of chicken cut up into 2 x 2cm cubes. The restriction I had from that fill was unbelievable and I felt quite unwell with it. But then we are all different and I have lost 27.5 pounds since then nearly 2 stone (gosh that's a shocker). HTH Claire

Hello Well done on cutting the wine down that's a really good start. You'll find once you have had the procedure that portion size will decrease aswell. I am due for a fill at the end of January so waiting till next Friday to see if I lose anymore as I have been able to eat very small pieces of chicken and somesmall bite bits. So will see and then make a decision next Friday. So far lost 60.5 pounds so pleased. Hope you pre-op diet starts off well, I know most find it difficult to stick to. I also took milkthistle to help reduce the size of the liver. Have fun and enjoy. Claire

I do hope you are able to conceive naturally and well done on a superb weight loss. I have read aswell that many couples fall pregnant when one othem loses a significant amount of weight. Fingers crossed that all goes well whether it be the natural or the IVF route and that you have a beautiful baby in your arms to cherish and love. Take care and look after yourself.

Completely agree with not doing any heavy work - try to rest. It wasn't my port side that hurt it was the right hand side where they had cut through the muscle due to how dense it was (from years of doing Gymnastics, so my GP said). As for dressings I changed mine every 3 days and wrapped in clingfilm to have a shower (I know desperate!) Book an appointment with your surgery and they will arrange for the stitches to be removed at 10 days. Hope you are feeling better and now have no regrets. Believe me when I say that the procedure is so worth it. Having lost 60+ pounds and 50+ inches in 23 weeks I certainly don't have any regrets and the response from friends and family has been incredible and very supportive. All they keep saying is how fantastic I look and I must be near my target. But when I say I have another 40 pounds to go they are like where from. I definately know where from! Anyway have a restful weekend all. Claire

Hello You can find the packages here: http://www.belgiumsurgeryservices.com/esthetic_offers.php HTH Packages are inclusive from what Frederik has emailled to me. I am probably going to have my fill in two weeks as it feels like the restriction is easing. I am able to eat a little more but Friday will tell me when I weigh. Back soon with news of x-ray etc.

I'll find out and post on here asap. HTH Good to see some more people coming back onto the forum. When do you go for your next fill? I'm not sure what to do as I have one booked for the end of January in London. But may cancel depends on how much I lose this week. Not sure if a small fill is going to help me though as I have good restriction and stil only managing liquids with some occassional solids and I mean occassional! Anyway will post back when I have some info. Take care Clare

i think you should just go and see fredrick or chris, they are the people who fit the band and they have loads of experince. when i talked to europe surgery they said that the band last about 15 years but there is no guantee because they are new bands and no one knows they may even last for life. so i am thinking that even if it only last 15 years thats long enough to get yourself thinner and learn not to eat too much (not the case from this end just a complete lack of inactivity due to a knee injury) I don't think I would need 15 years not based on how everything has gone so far in 23 weeks, I have been very lucky to have lost so much weight and inches. But I know that things can change and I am not about to count my chickens. I bought a couple of pairs of size 16 trousers for work today so can officially recycle my 18's. I would always refer to Dr Chris or Frederik as they were the ones who did the procedure. I was posting for those that may not have started thinking about this and perhaps wanted the information I had been given by Frederik or to know of alternatives. I for one would rather not have to travel back to Belgium just yet and would like to know my options. Dr Chris did say during the meeting the evening before that he was happy to have a copy of the film and use this. So I am sure that he would be happy to accept a CD of the film. Anyway, just a heads up for anyone starting to think about their annual check up. Have fun and enjoy.

Hello all We have a local fill centre here in Northampton with Northampton Radiology email: lagb@northamptonradiology.co.uk They quoted me £150.00 for a fill (supposed to be a one off) and they fill it using ultrasound to see that they have the right amount of restriction. I am not considering going to them for my fills as I do not want to affect the warranty on my band. But I find it interesting that they do just one fill and then that's supposed to be it as we all know that restriction can just suddenly ease up. I have enquired if they can do the annual x-ray aswell? They have quoted me £76.00 and will burn this to a CD for Dr Chris to have a look at. Frederik has recently quoted me Euros 500 for a package for the check in Brussels including hotel, x-ray, appointment with Dr Chris. So I shall gather some more information and add to this post to let you know if there are other types of x-ray available. Or if anyone has had one done and can advise what I should be asking for. Ohh another quickies aswell while I am here, can we keep the band for life or just for the 15 years? I am hearing lots of different tails and would like to know. Thanks Claire

Congratulations on your new arrival, hope you are enoying your babymoon. I am sure that it won't take long for you to lose the weight and you have had a lot of experience with your band. Was your band completely emptied when you were pregnant? How much have you had put back in? Sorry loads of questions which I know the answers will be very relevant as I am sure that sometime soon I am going to meet a future client (I am a Doula) who will have a band and I will want to be as fully informed as possible. Take care and look after yourselves.