Surely not just me? :biggrin2: I didn't know until about two weeks ago that I can actually be banded here in NI. I knew all along I'd have to pay and was making a consultation with Dr Shaw Somers in Chichester. After a few calls by my Dad he discovered there's a Dr Andrew Kennedy who consults at the Ulster Independent Clinic and does the op in the Royal Victoria. My first thought was 'how come I didn't know about this?' lol.

I have a consultation tomorrow evening with Dr Kennedy and I'll be bringing the list of questions to ask him from this site. I then a couple days after got appt with Dr Somers but I cancelled it today. It's too much hassle to have to travel back and forth to Chichester.

I am excited that things are becoming more of a reality now.:scared2:

Hi angie324 im from dundalk so just across the border i looked at every option in ireland i was willing to pay €11,500 for surgery in the beacon in dublin but after chatting to alot of people and doing my research im being banded on the 5th of september in belgium by dr chris de bruyne everyone speaks so highly of him his cost is €4000 thats for 3night stay in hotel well 2for u as nite of surgery ur in hospital but 3nites if u have someone with u taxi trips from/to airport/hospital and the surgery he really comes highly recommended u have to pay for ur own flights. im going over the 4th surgery the5th and home the 7th i never thought id go foreign for surgery but i am happy with my choice he comes to dublin every month for fills these cost €120 hope this is of some help to you

Hi Angie

Glad to be of help. You must get initial surgery done in Leeds (obviously) and then you get your first fill in Leeds. This is because it must be done under X-Ray so they can monitor the liquid you drink going down and how fast or slow it goes. After that its all done in Hollywood. We flew with Flybe (i think) and the flights were something like £50 each return - so not too bad at all. My husband came with me and stayed in a Travel Lodge near the Hosp (about £78 for 2 nights) (about 10 mins walking distance) but taxi was only £4! He spent most of his time with me at Hosp cos its a private room and they dont mind that. You must fly over the day before to have your pre-assess done. We flew over on Wed morning early and home Fri afternoon. We had thought about staying an extra night, but the flight was at 7am Sat morning so it would have been pointless.

Was most surprised and sorry to hear about your breast cancer and blood pressure. Would you believe I'm in the same boat!! Was diagnosed Nov 06 and had double mastectomy in the City Hosp in Sept 07! Waiting on reconstruction now. So I have had the band done for the exact same reasons as you!! You are extremely young to have this - I was 49!

Another bit of useful info about Prof McMahon is that he was a cancer specialist before doing this!! :frown: Thats another reason why I went to him and he said he had a good look inside during surgery at my liver and everything was fine. I thought he might not carry out the op because of the cancer but it was never a problem at all. :biggrin2:

I know I made the right decision about the band and I cant wait till I loose the weight and buy normal clothes! Another thing I should mention is if your BMI is under 50 the op costs £7450 - I had to pay the extra because mine was just over. You can check out what yours is on The Hospital Group website - its works it out for you.

Dont be afraid to ask me anything else you want to know - I'm happy to help. Good luck for the future!!

Wriggle :wink2:

Hi Flirty!!

Thanks so much for your advice!! i saw that doctors name pop up a few times on this site! don't mean to interegate! but were you able to have your consultation here or did you have to fly to belgium first and then again for operation? also did you mean that the price included hotel stay and airport transfers for 2 people? and finally !!__lol! how long did you have to wait between consultation and operation date?

If you have a website or contact numbers i would be very appreciative!

good luck with you operation! you must be so excited about starting your new life!

anigexx

Hi angie yes that price icludes everything its a standard package for 2people or u can pay for op and find ur own accom i just went with it for handiness i had a consultation in dublin on the 7th of august usually there is a month of a waiting list for surgery but some people dont have consultation till nite before surgery in belgium ur bloods and ecg are done the morn of surgery he is ment to be a top surgeon money wasnt a issue for me just he seemed the best for me his website is www.obesity-assist.com if u want to book a consultation in dublin i know he is here the 4th the day before my surgery it costs €120 and can be booked through his secretary julie tosh 00447872963503 you can also email his manager frederik at frederik.serneels@ecfs.be and ask him for further info hope this is of help to u il be off line as i have to go to town but il be back on in a hour or so if u need anything else i was in ur situation a few weeks ago always good to have someone toask

Hi Wriggle!

gosh you too!!!! hope you are doing well and glad to see you are planning for your new future! i had double mastectomy too. I was 27 when i was diagnosed with three young children!! the youngest was only 12 months!!

Anyhow, i thankfully am 10 years down the road now and apart from a couple of hick ups, one being a hysterectomy! and ongoing lymphodema, high blood pressure and osteopirosis lurking in my future (i know it prob spelt wrong lol!!) i am doing fine!. ha ha!! but this operation could solve so many of these problems in just a couple of years!

I'm not as brave as you, couldn't bring myself to have the reconstructive surgery. It might be more of an option for me if i can get the band put in. would feel more confident going under the knife again if i was carrying less weight and had better blood pressure!

Thanks so much Wriggle and yes, i would love to stay in touch! i think i need to go back and speak to my doctor now and most importantly to my husband! lol!

take care and god bless!

hi wriggle,

sorry to bother you again, but do you have the name of the place in Liverpool that charges £5000? would just like to check it out! thanks so much for your time and advice!

angie xx

Hi Angie

I dont have any details of it, but as far as I know it is still under The Hospital Group. When I went for my initial consultation to Belfast, I met two young girls there who had went to Liverpool or Birmingham (cant just remember which) and had it done, so they were in to have their check up and they were telling me about their banding. I didnt even realise you could have got it done for £5000. One of them even said she done her own fills!! Dont think I could have done that! So if you ring that number I gave you they should be able to tell you all the details of it. Ask for Judy she's very helpful.

Good luck.

Wriggle

Hi angie hope that info was ok for ya good luck in ur journey and with all ur effort of getting info im sure u'l make the right choice for you as everyone has different preferences

hi Flirty!

your information is very appreciated! i will weigh up the pros and cons of each and speak to my doctor to see what she thinks.

Thanks so much for your help and support and i'll be thinking about you on the 5th!! please keep us posted as to your progress! and enjoy your new life!

angiexx

Hi Flirtylass

Just wanted to wish you all the best for your op on 5 September. I have heard the care is very good there and it certainly is a saving on the cost as well.

Do you have a pre-op diet to go on first? I found it tough but it was worth it.

Please let us know how all goes.

All the very best.

Wriggle

Hi wriggle

Yeah have to do a 2wk low fat diet so starting on thurs eating like a wee pig at the min haha afraid il miss something when banded but the thing il miss the most is diet pepsi... But yeah i think iv made the right choice in dr chris i havnt heard a bad word about him i cant wait to get it done but since i booked flights on thurs it feels real for the first time im full of fear an mixed emotions which i didnt think i would have but thanks for ur good luck wishes

Hi Flirtylass

You'll be fine. It was a bit scarry when the realisation of it dawned that I was actually getting it done at last - but you'll be in good hands as I believe this Dr has done loads of these ops successfully.

I had bit of a feast as well before my pre-op diet and boy did I enjoy it! All I was allowed for 10 days before op was milk/yogurt. This was to shrink the liver and I was starving!!! In fact I miscounted and was on it 11 days instead of 10 (could of had anothers days grazing!) I must say I dont feel any different at the moment - I could still eat the same amounts as before op, but I suppose until the first fill its maybe normal. I am avoiding rubbish though.

Again, I wish you all the best it 'll be over before you know it and you can start your new 'journey' - new life. I'll be thinking of you. My only regret is that I didnt do it 20 years ago - but dont think it was available then!

Warmest Wishes

Wriggle

Ah thanks wriggle yeah im 24 as far as im concerned i have to do it now when im young i cant wait anymore it ruinin my life just gets me down i cant wait to get all the fashion but thanks for ur kind words but i shall pig out for the next few days and thats it over an good luck to it food has done me no favours at all but keep up ur good work an i shall keep u posted x

hI WRIGGLE!!

Just wondering how you are getting on? All going well i hope?

Well i have finally done it!!!! i decided to go with Dr Chris De Bruyne in Brussels. i will see him in Dublin on the 4th September and surgery is scheduled for the 23rd Sept!!!!

Can't believe i have actually done it! and that things have happened so fast!! I need to start a low fat pre-op diet but don't have a clue what to eat or drink? did you have to do similar?

angiexx