Gastric Banding anyone? Mod Note: No Clinic Names

shellita

I don't regret getting the band, I am not putting on weight but I am also not losing. It is up to me not the band to lose weight, yes I eat less but I am not exercising and with a 45 hour week in work and studying it kills me to do anything.

The 1 year after care is fine but the 180 euro per fill I can't afford. I have not had a fill since Sept. Also even though the HG were great when I had my after care the minute it finished and I had some pains they didn't want to know or talk to me.

I wish I had got it on the HSE instead of private as now Im stuck with not being able to afford to get it checked out.

I am waiting to see a specialist in Jamses Hospital. a Dr. Reynolds.
So I will ask for the barium swallow to see whats going on. I think the trainee nurse punctured my line between my port and my band. Also the specialist supervising the nurse, only told me when I rang to say it felt different (not like my other fills, no restriction, nothing) she said they had not found the 7ml I should have in there.

Some days I get sick for no reason, can eat a dry bread cracker and feel the iron fist, no matter how slow I eat or how much I chew. Other days can eat a whole side plate of food (toast, bread, chicken, anything) and feel nothing

honeydrophoney

tbh wrote: »

Honeydrop:

There's a stickied thread called "POSTING SURVEYS> PLEASE READ"

and it says:





that's also in the charter, at the top, in red. We have very valid reasons for insisting on this, and you should have sent one of us a PM to make sure it was cool.

However.

I was a student once, and I know what it's like to be behind so I'll let it slide this one time. Post the link to your survey tho, we don't like when people ask for PMs.

Hi,

Oh sorry I didn't know. The thing is this is not an online survey so I cant get a link. It is a hardback one where I need to physically meet the people or send it to them via post. Thats why I was asking for the PM. Sorry if I caused any problems. Do I still have to send you a copy of it via email to go ahead with posting it on the survey section?

Thanks

tbh

honeydrophoney wrote: »

tbh wrote: »

Honeydrop:

There's a stickied thread called "POSTING SURVEYS> PLEASE READ"

and it says:






that's also in the charter, at the top, in red. We have very valid reasons for insisting on this, and you should have sent one of us a PM to make sure it was cool.

However.

I was a student once, and I know what it's like to be behind so I'll let it slide this one time. Post the link to your survey tho, we don't like when people ask for PMs.

Hi,

Oh sorry I didn't know. The thing is this is not an online survey so I cant get a link. It is a hardback one where I need to physically meet the people or send it to them via post. Thats why I was asking for the PM. Sorry if I caused any problems. Do I still have to send you a copy of it via email to go ahead with posting it on the survey section?

Thanks

No its cool, you're here a while we can assume you're not a serial killer

lil_mo

Hi Everyone!

Finally got my date for the band op at the end of the month!

VHI are paying 50% and Ive to pay the remaining €6000.

Ive only lost just over a stone but my weight is so yo-yo anyways I can loose half a stone in a week and put it back on with one meal!

On day 3 of my liquid diet - its actually fine - Im not hungry at all, constantly thinking about "food" but its actually the flavours of food and the chewing I want not the actual feed!

Was craving spicey last night so I had 2 teaspoons of Franks hot sauce to kick the craving! its 0calories and liquid!

Hope eveyones well - talk to you after the op!

x

Doogieboogie

Hi all,

thought I'd post a wee update on my progress. I was banded last April in Dublin. I had a start weight of 20st 10lbs, I was 18st on op day from following a strict pre-op diet. I've had three band fills, and one small defill as I became very tight over christmas and couldn't eat. I'm booked in for another small fill in March, and I hope this will be the magic one!

I have lost to date, almost eight stones. I now weigh 12st 8lbs. I would like to lose another 1 and a half/2 stones, but every pound is hard fought these days!! I have started to exercise, and am now running 3/4 times a week, about 4k, as well as going to the gym. I love being able to run, a year ago a 4k walk would have killed me!

Having the band has most definitely been the best thing I have ever done for myself. A year ago, I was 20stone, unfit, miserable, I had aching knees and hips, I had sleep apnoea and wheezing when I so much as strolled for five minutes. I had difficulty putting on socks, climbing stairs, and getting through a day's work was becoming more and more difficult (I work in a hospital and I'm on my feet all day) I wore size 24 clothes; I lived in stretchy leggings and long, shapeless tunic tops. I dreaded events, and I never went out, as I just felt like the fat frump in the corner. Now, I wear size 12-14 clothes, I wear fitted clothes, skinny jeans and high, high heels! And I am constantly out, I'm the first on the dancefloor! Men have been paying me LOTS of attention (it turns out I'm actually not a bad looking girl ) and I have energy to burn.

My tastes in food have changed dramatically as well. I always loved mediterranean-style food, but now I practically live on chicken, fish, salad, feta cheese, roasted veg... all healthy, nutritious and tasty. I actually gag at the smell of McDonalds these days - I can't really tolerate chips, and to me they just taste like drinking the oil out of a dirty chip pan!:eek: I no longer really eat bread, pasta or rice, and I don't really miss it. I eat couscous, wraps occasionally or things like oat crackers, with hoummous or homemade guacamole. I really, really dislike greasy, unhealthy food - I don't know when the flip happened in my head, but I'm glad of it.

Finally, food doesn't control me. I eat to fuel my body, and that's it. I no longer sit around all day shovelling crap into me just because it's there. I understand food, nutrition and I enjoy feeling in control and feeling fit and healthy. I dislike feeling bloated full of carbs and sluggish.

I never, ever thought I'd get here - thank you, band. I owe you a big one.

shellita

Congrats DoogieBoogie you're doing great

Afraid I am still having problems since the large fill in Sept.
(I reduced from 7ml-6ml for a holiday then went to 7.5ml)
No restriction still
Got very bad pains over Xmas and went to hospital.

Im convinced the trainee nurse punctured the tube between the port & the band. Im getting a barium swallow and a endoscopy done in Jamses hospital in the next few weeks. So if they find nothing wrong they will refer me to Beaumont as they do the band there.

I don't regret the band but I just wish I was losing weight, I am up to my eyes in work and stressed to the max. Have not been eating a lot but makes no difference. I would love to do Lipotrim again as its the only way I ever lost weight but as i have done it twice I can't again

I am still not back in the gym just don't have the money and im doing an evening class for work 3 days a week. Just feel like i have no time and no matter what I eat I don't lose weight. Always tired. Will let you know what the hospital find !

shellita

Just home from Jamses hospital where Dr.R is giving me a barium swallow and endoscopy.

Well I told you I knew something was up.
Had my barium swallow and the doctor said it looks like the band has moved up as its just on my esophagus :eek:
I still have to see the specialist Dr.R for confirmation but I knew from Sept it was different.

Im so upset, don't have the money for more surgery and don't know what to do. Guess its just going to have to stay like that.
As long as the pain doesn't get any worse I'll be ok.

helob

have an apt Dr.O' Boyle with the 28 of April for assessment , has anyone been there , how long were you waiting for the surgery

shellita

shellita wrote: »

Just home from Jamses hospital where Dr.R is giving me a barium swallow and endoscopy.
Had my barium swallow and the doctor said it looks like the band has moved up as its just on my esophagus

Didn't hear back from anyone
and feeling quite scared now.
Getting my endoscopy in a week and I'm really nervous.

I found this study http://all-about-lapband.com/problems/failure.html
and very sad to see so many people have complications.
When I got my band it was all "only 1% chance of problems"

Not sure whats going to happen, I can't afford to pay for removal if it is moved or eroded I also don't want to be without it.
Very upset

wanabeslim

Hi everyone, I have been looking up wls for some time now and am thinking about the gastric band although now have started thinking the bypass would be a better option for myself. I was just wondering if there was anyone that could pm me some information on where to get procedure done. I have looked up a few places but haven't made a consultation yet. Guess I want to have all the facts first. Also worried about the cost but this is my last resort. I have tried everything you name it. My health is at serious risk now. I have read this thread from start to finish and well done to everyone on your journeys.

shellita

shellita wrote: »

Getting my endoscopy in a week and I'm really nervous.
Not sure whats going to happen, I can't afford to pay for removal if it is moved or eroded I also don't want to be without it.
Very upset

OK so Endoscopy over Thank God, looks like the band has not perforated my stomach. They still think it may have moved though waiting to see the specialist in a month.

If anyone wants to throw a prayer my way I'd appreciate it thank you xxx

slim4life

wanabeslim, the gastric band is a far better option. It is less invasive, totally reverable, allot safer and in studies the results have shown to be the same as the bypass at 36 months post op.

Prettyfireworks

helob wrote: »

have an apt Dr.O' Boyle with the 28 of April for assessment , has anyone been there , how long were you waiting for the surgery

I had a gastric bypass with Dr. O Boyle back in 2010. Went for first consultation 23rd June, day of hospital tests on July 20th and had my surgery on August 20th of the same year. Very fast process, I dont regret having the surgery as I have gone from 23 1/2 stone to 14 1/2 stone but I do not think pre care provided was not sufficient. I feel lost now as to what to do, I am not losing weight anymore. I am not gaining either but I feel as if I am back to square one in terms of not being educated about healthy eating and general wellbeing for weightloss. Good luck with your journey.

shellita

Prettyfireworks wrote: »

I do not think pre care provided was not sufficient.

Hi PrettyFireWorks,
I found the after care was definitely NOT sufficient.
I would rather have paid the 10k usual price for 2 years after care then the 7k special I got with only 1 year aftercare.

I only started getting problems 13 months after I got the band.
Lost 3 stone put back on about 1 stone now.

Had a barium swallow over a month ago and camera down 2 weeks ago (endoscopy). I see the specialist in 3 weeks. They think my band may have moved. As the hospital I went to was in Birmingham I am doing this in St.Jamses hospital Dublin.

I feel like no one can talk to me about this as no one is having problems, on boards.ie anyway. Would love to hear if other people had anything similar. I wish to God I had been able to get this looked at by my after care when it started in September.

I am sure they ruptured the port line to the band at my last fill, felt completely different immediately and they didn't care.

My family ask me to get it out but they don't understand the security it gives me to know I can't eat loads. I stop when I feel full, where as before I would not have.

slim4life

Shellita,

Trust me, you are not alone! Looking at your story you say you went to Birmingham for your surgery, so I'm guessing you went through The Hospital Group? I looked at that option when I had mine done, however, I heard similar stories to your own so chose to stay closer to home with Auralia Clinic in Parkwest. My main issue was similar to yours, I wanted to be educated in the nutritional aspects of loosing weight rather than just having the band done, eating less, loosing some weight and then plateauing at a certain weight. I cannot complain one bit about my aftercare, I had regular meetings not just with a nurse but with a bariatric nutritional and exercise consultant. Even outside of my scheduled meetings I was encouraged to make an appointment (free of charge) if I was having any issues. I have since recommended Auralia Clinic to a friend who has also had it done there 6 months ago. So far, her story appears to be the same as mine with the aftercare being great. We were both given a huge amount of support and we got allot of information on the nutritional aspects of loosing weight, in a language I understood!

I really do feel for you because i feel without the high level of aftercare I got (at the same price as you paid) I would not have lost anywhere close to the amount of weight I have done (5st, 8lb in 1 year).

I am not sure if Auralia do this, but maybe it is worth a try to call them and check if you could jump on board their after-care program? You never know until you ask!

If you want any advice in the mean time I am more than happy to give you advice on what I have done. Good luck with your weight loss x

shellita

Thank you Slim4Life, I will look them up. Yes I did go with the Hospital Group.

They were brilliant and I had some problems early on which they were very fast and helpful with. Had to get extra fluid (blood pooling, taken out)
I got a whole year of aftercare with dieticians, fills, a barium swallow check and talked to the nurses in the hospital a few times.

However I never got information packs about what it would feel like, iron fist, getting sick, random pains, and after fills.
I was over-restricted once couldn't keep water down, so they reduced it.
I had my biggest fill ever in Sept went from 6. to 7.25ml (im still at this) and I felt NOTHING.

I told them it felt different, it was a trainee nurse took her 6 goes to get into the port. They told me to wait a few days, I did and nothing changed.
But as I was just finished my aftercare they didn't want to know.

I do have restriction but it fluctuates each day. I may be able to eat an apple one day and not another. I was getting sick every day for about 2 months there, now its kind of stopped. Got chest pains at Xmas and loads of tests showed my heart, blood pressure, bloods are all fine. I get random pains in my stomach. But I am seeing a specialist in St.Jamses hospital and waiting for the results.

I wish they had more facilities here for it and we could get help.
I want to lose weight for life and the band is only 40% so I still need help with the other 60%.

I hear about women liquidizing Mars bars and i think thats sick, I do eat chocolate, not every day but I can Eat a bar, I don't liquidize anything.

slim4life

Shellita,

A trainee nurse doing your fills? Thats absolutely crazy they could damage the tubing so easily. 6 attempts is a step below butchering. At this stage you really shouldn't be getting pains if you are sticking to your diet and keeping quantities low etc. I have heard these stories of liquidized bars too but I'm not sure how many actually do it, I havn't spoke to anybody that does anyway. I no of 1 or 2 that eat ice cream knowing they can "beat the band"!

I really think the facilities here aren't the issue, I think it comes down to the clinic that it is done in. I done so much research before i had mine done ( more than 6 months of asking questions and looking up forums almost every day). I even spoke to surgeons in hospitals and my overall advise from people that had the band done and from surgeons was to stay away from any clinic that were offering to perform the surgery within a different country. By the time flights etc. were paid for it was pretty much the same cost as Auralia Clinic. It was within 20 minutes of my home and they seemed to offer me allot more advice and aftercare than others.

I really hope you get where you want to be eventually.

x

tbh

folks, I'm trying really hard to turn a blind eye, but please note: we do Not allow people to mention clinics by name - please don't refer to specific clinics any more.

slim4life

oops sorry TBH

tbh

slim4life wrote: »

oops sorry TBH

don't worry about it - I know it's not easy

borntolose

Hey,
I have been reading through this forum for a while now since I have been contemplating having a gastric band. I went for a consultation with <snip>last week and I am 90% sure I am going to have it done...although I am a little younger than most people opting for the gastric band (im 28) I simply cannot see another way for me to lose this weight. I currently have a bmi of 41 according to <snip>and I was told I am at risk of developing diabetes and heart problems. Heart conditions run in my family and I have seen what it can do to people. The idea of this frightens the s*** out of me!
When I told my family my dad was quite supportive but my mother wasn't as enthusiastic about the hole thing. I have tried loads of diets and even paid to have a dietitian make up a personal diet for me, all with no success. My main problem is that I eat big portions (I used to brag about my capabilities of doing a steak challenge of eating 68oz of steak in 45 minutes)..I could easily sit down late at night and finish 2 large Dominoes pizzas without even blinking an eye at it, then go to bed right after! I obviously know this is not healthy whatsoever and the next day I give out to myself and feel annoyed that I did it, but at the time the feeling of want and hunger just take over and I dont even consider not doing it. I have rarely spoke to other over weight people about why they are over weight and I'm not sure if other people are also like this or whether their weak point is sweets but I would be very interested to see if anybody else was like this before they got their band placed.... My thinking behind having the gastric band is that I wont be able to eat these big portions after I have it in..I need something like this to restrict my portion sizes. I am lucky enough to be still very mobile for my size and I actually enjoy doing exercise but when I am eating up to 6000 calories in 2 large pizzas (this figure is correct I checked) there is no way my exercise is going to make me lose weight.
I feel like quite a fool reading over this as it is 100% clear where my problem lies and in theory it seems simple, just stop eating the crap and stop eating large portions but it almost seems impossible. I can go maybe a week without a single take away and then I will have them for 3 nights in a row (its a bad sign when the delivery guys know you by name!) This isnt easy for me telling other people how I live because honestly I feel like a bit of a slob when I think about it, even though I work full time and do exercise when I can but I hope that there might be others out there in a similar position as me. If anybody has any words of wisdom I would greatly appreciate it.

I will keep you all posted on what my decision is.

slim4life

borntolose,

I think its quite brave to share your experience here. You clearly know where your faults are regarding your weight. Whatever your decision is I wish you all the luck in the world.

sam34

borntolose, as is mentioned in the thread title, please don't mention clinics or doctors names. I've edited them out of your post.

borntolose

sam34 wrote: »

borntolose, as is mentioned in the thread title, please don't mention clinics or doctors names. I've edited them out of your post.

Hi, Sorry I thought it just said clinic names wont happen again.

borntolose

Just a quick update guys, I have taken the plunge and I shall soon be a fellow gastric bandee :-)...ok so that does sound a little bit korny but Im actually looking forward to it so much now, not so much the surgery, just getting out on the other side of it and knowing Theres a restriction there to stop me eating big amounts of food. I cant wait until I can go shopping for clothes that actually look good and dont just hang off me. I got a call back from a place which I thought was in Ireland but is actually in Belgium! Wasnt really for me I would rather stay at home so having it done in Dublin next month...not particularly looking forward to the liquid diet after the surgery (for some reason I keep thinking if its not food and I cant chew it then I will still be hunger) but the doctor has said this wont be the case so I guess I just have to trust him and hope he is right...not sure if im just in "olympics" mode but really looking forward to getting out and exercising too, even went for a walk yesterday evening with the dog! Well, to be honest he more so took me for the walk but still felt good. Heres to a new me! :-)

shellita

To borntolose wish you all the best.

You won't feel hungry on the liquid diet afterwards, your sore and 1/2 can of soup is plenty.

shellita

Im 2 years and 2 months with the band now.

Not losing weight its my fault, same as usual life takes over, too busy in work, too tired, not exercising and eating pretty much anything albeit small portions. Haven't been cooking a lot lately either so anything fast.

Made a stir fry yesterday and had a portion the size of my hand got sick after about 3 mouthfuls. I ate slow & chewed. Some things like carrots I just can't eat.

Other than that feeling more hungry lately. Really need to start exercising again. The hospital have said I have some redness in my esophagus from the vomiting but band is in position, no tearing or perforation of the stomach. Had a camera down & barium swallow too.

I am in no way blaming the band I know its me. Just seems no matter what I can't find the push/determination/will power to do something about my weight.

borntolose

shellita wrote: »

To borntolose wish you all the best.

You won't feel hungry on the liquid diet afterwards, your sore and 1/2 can of soup is plenty.

Hi Shellita, thank you for the positive feedback, makes me feel more comfortable hearing it from somebody who has had it done!

I was given a list of foods I should avoid because I wont be able to digest them ,carrots was actually one of them. My thinking behind this is that if i can lose a couple of stone in the first few months that will give me the determination to keep going! I want to go out and be confident and not feel awkward around my skinny..ish friends when girls are around us! I suppose in a way I am quite lucky that I dont have family etc tying me down right now so I have the freedom to exercise and sort out my meals each day, I just have to actually do it! I have to go back to the clinic every month for meetings with the weight loss team to check up how im doing so I hope these will give me the motivation to keep losing weight as well, wouldnt like the idea of having to turn up and say I didnt lose anything last month!

shellita

borntolose wrote: »

wouldnt like the idea of having to turn up and say I didnt lose anything last month!

I lost 3 stone in my 1st year the help & support from my clinic was great!
then my aftercare ended and it was like, we can't help you. EDIT : Without lots of money.
Barium swallow is 170, a fill or de-fill is 180 each time, dietician is 100.
Im at 7.025ml so my 10ml band is pretty full. They usually don't go past 7ml.

I only started having problems with pains & not losing weight after the 1 year. Then I started putting on weight, vomiting. Please don't get me wrong I wouldn't change it as I love the comfort that I can't eat loads. I do still eat the wrong foods like chips, but I can only have a handful thank God or I wouldn't fit out the door.

My boyfriend is very supportive and he wants us to exercise & diet together so just waiting to move in with him. I was studying this year while working 45 hour weeks so found it very hard for anything else.
I had a personal trainer last year which was helping so put the time in and do it. I just have to get back there mentally

borntolose

shellita wrote: »

I lost 3 stone in my 1st year the help & support from my clinic was great!
then my aftercare ended and it was like, we can't help you. EDIT : Without lots of money.
Barium swallow is 170, a fill or de-fill is 180 each time, dietician is 100.
Im at 7.025ml so my 10ml band is pretty full. They usually don't go past 7ml.

I only started having problems with pains & not losing weight after the 1 year. Then I started putting on weight, vomiting. Please don't get me wrong I wouldn't change it as I love the comfort that I can't eat loads. I do still eat the wrong foods like chips, but I can only have a handful thank God or I wouldn't fit out the door.

My boyfriend is very supportive and he wants us to exercise & diet together so just waiting to move in with him. I was studying this year while working 45 hour weeks so found it very hard for anything else.
I had a personal trainer last year which was helping so put the time in and do it. I just have to get back there mentally

I did ask about what happens if I have a problem after I finish up with them, they said if I need the odd fill this isnt a problem but if they were a regular occurence then I would need to pay for them. Also told me if there is any complications long term to do with it that they cover the cost of anything that needs to be done, this settled my nerves a little bit as I was afraid I could get charged an arm and a leg later!

I asked about the size of the band but he told me this depends on stomach size because they use 2 different size bands and they wont know what one to use until they see the stomach, so not sure of the size just yet.

I hope you get back onto your program with your boyfriend, nothing like a bit of loving support! I suppose if both of you are in it together it should make it easier when one of you has a bad day the other can keep them on the straight and narrow!