I've just had a gastric band fitted

[WikiSpeaksagain]

(Back after a break)

That's it really - had op on Friday. Home yesterday.

Still can't believe I've done it.

If anyone wants to know more then come and talk to me about it.

[Ettiketti]

I've just found this thread, well done smackapacca and everyone else on going thru with this and having great losses.eandz have you had any advice as to why you're not losing?

I had a bypass, personally, almost 15mths ago. It's totally changed my life and still every day I have people either stunned that I ever weighed 23stone, or gobsmacked at how slim I am now, depending on whether or not they knew me before surgery :o
smackapacca I'm so sorry for your loss, I hope your friends have lots of support.

[Allice]

Have just found this thread.

Just wanted to say hello, I too have a band, I've had it for almost 2 years and have lost 4 and a half stone, still need to loose another couple.
My losses have been quite slow, largely for the same reason as you, chocolate will always go through the band!

I don't regret my decision for 1 minute, was the best thing I ever did. Have gone from 18.7 stone (20 at heaviest) to 13st 11, I'm about 5ft6.

[smackapacca]

Hello again everyone.

I'm back here - ready to chat with any other bandsters (or people thinking about it/or just interested)

I had another fill today.

I just love feeling full despite not really eating.

[ASillyPhaseIAmGoingThrough]

Hi, this thread was linked elsewhere on mn. I am going to be banded next week.

How are you all getting on?

[Annabslim]

Hi I'm booked to have a gastric band on 06/08/13 .....does anyone have any advice or had it done recently and can chat to me about it .please !!!!!l

[Concentrateonthegood]

I had a gastric sleeve in may. Over three stone down. Just want to lose another couple and I think ill be done. Started my journey at over 17 stone although have been as high as almost 20, years ago. Best thing I've ever done. Wasn't much more cost than a band but more of a permanent solution although I believe the new stomach sleeve can also be stretched if you abuse the rules. What it's done for me is to reduce my dependence on medication, joint problems all cleared up and depression seems to have gone. Most people have said to me that I wasn't big enough for such a drastic operation but a lifelong problem for me and with the sleeve, i shouldn't need revision surgery as may be required with bands.

I too wish I could have lost the weight without resorting to the cost and risk of surgery but I had tried and failed for 25 years and was in a circle of self loathing, which made the depression worse, which made the comfort eating worse. My surgeon says this isn't simply an eat less, move more solution. It's complicated! I like myself a little more these days.....

[birchykel]

Wow well done. I would have it done if I could afford it. That's a lot of money. Do u mind me asking if u had to pay for it all at once? Guess u wld have to. Im also addicted to food but no one takes that seriously everyone laughs and says aren't we all. Drives me mad cos I actually am. I think about it all the time, and I plan for when hubby is going out so I can get my biscuits out or choc bar. Its not good. I can't exercise either as had major back surgery three months ago and now im worse than ever with eating crap!

Hope it works for u.x

[Poppeto111]

Hi I have been for a gastric. Band consultation today did it work for you? I'm 24 and 5ft7 20 stone on thyroxine but feel my only hope is surgery

[banded]

Hiya

I agree we can be addicted to food and you know what? It's just not fair.

I got a loan out. I've been overfilled and to a and e which was when I didn't really understand that I just needed to sick out the stuck food!!! It's scary but I wouldn't change it for the world.

A few points to touch on.
If your throwing up you are eating to much or too large a bite.
If you are not able to swallow water this is also because you have eaten a large amount and it has become a little stuck.
It is not nice having to bring up your 'mistake' mouthfuls but you DO have to bring it back up. I usually have to lean forward and put my fingers down throat. Not glamorous.

I have to say though these side effects are when people eat too much too quickly. It's our own fault.

You get used to the band and take it for granted then end up in agony because of doing the wrong thing.

May I add 1 in 50 people normally experience slippage which is bad and not what you want.

I have had mine for 11 months and have lost 6.5 stone. I am very happy and would rather not have waited for the nhs!

I would recommend the band but be warned you must must must follow the rules or you risk throwing up and eventually slippage (if your not lucky)

Yes occasionally you need to go toilet to get rid of the food that's stuck but if you follow the rules, don't talk while you eat and just spit out any mouthfuls that feel like they are going to be too much to swallow (sometime a small mouthful can create lots of saliva while chewing and all in all you shouldn't swallow a large mouthful of anything even liquid)

So lastly Don't use hospital group!!!! Rubbish aftercare couldn't believe how bad they were. Go with an obesity surgery specialist don't be taken by the cheaper option please listen you won't regret it.

P's a band will change your life whether you keep it secret or not just do it. You deserve happiness!!

[Alterego1965]

I'm the op. I was just browsing around... Sorry for not paying attention to the thread. It's on my watch list so I can answer any questions.

I'm now 3.5 years on. I weight 10.10. Size 12

I love it. No regrets.

Nobody except dh knows in rl. I paid for it myself. Best money I ever spent tbh.

I now run regularly so generally feel fitter and healthier than ever. I can't eat pasta, pizza or bread though.

To the pp who asked about paying for it. I put it on 0% credit card then just paid it off monthly.

Any questions I will try and answer

[calzone]

Amazing OP!! Great update.

What was your starting weight if you don't mind telling us.

[Alterego1965]

It was about 16st. I'm 5'8"

[BerylStreep]

What an interesting thread. Well done OP and others for taking the plunge and thanks so much for sharing. I have thought seriously about this over the years, but somehow the risks of surgery, slippage etc have always put me off.

[Alterego1965]

The worst bit was when I had it overfilled. I lied and said I was swallowing and keeping down food ok. 48 hours later I went back for a defill. So they took out some but not all of the fluid that keeps the restriction.

I'm not in touch with anyone else who had it done, and I don't knew anyone else who has had it done, so I have no one to compare to.

[BerylStreep]

Can I ask for those who had it done privately, where do you go for your after care / inflations / refills etc?

Do you pay privately for each follow up visit?

Also, what is the difference between a bypass, a sleeve, and a band?

[Alterego1965]

It was all done at the private hospital where the op was. I could choose which one. Follow up was included in the price for 2 years. Thereafter it's about £120 I've only needed a couple since my 2 years was up.

It's worth googling the different types. I won't do it justice!

[Alterego1965]

I've just had a pm but will answer the questions on thread:

It has impacted on me. I eat very differently. I eat small portions and I really cannot over eat. Ever. Tonight I' put 1/4 chicken breast, 2 sweet potato wedges and some courgette on my plate. I couldn't finish it. I'm full proper full. I'd be sick if I tried to finish it.

I won't ever have it removed. I had it defilled when I was pg and put on a stone. I had a mc so had it filled -( we won't have more children)

I was horrified at how easily I over eat. I was just ravenous all the time. When the band is adjusted correctly I don't snack/feel hungry. I'm full for longer.

I'm a funny one to eat out with. I just order a starter. I often doesn't finish what I'm served but I think people are used to it now. They just think I don't have much of an appetite.

Let me go back to the pm to see if I've missed anything.

[StarJumpAlertTakeCover]

Hi everyone. I've just had a gastric bypass; well four weeks ago.
I still have a shock just typing that!
Starting weight 17-7. BMI over 40.
Weight now 15-8.
Went privately, just the only way for me personally.
Happy to answer questions.

[SlowlyGoingINSAINIA]

Well done for taking that step! How are you finding it all?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

I'm seriously considering this now. I'm like the op in that I just like food, no traumas, nothing to 'cure'. Have any of you that went for it got any updates?

[StarJumpAlertTakeCover]

Hi
Yes I can update you.
I am now eighteen months on from my gastric bypass (GB).
Weight to start was 17-12. I was size 24 really. I am now 10-11 and size 12.
It's liberating. I am so much happier and feel so much better. I've done so many things I could never have done before..
I am physically limited in relation to the amount I can eat at one meal, but it is possible to graze, so I have to watch it. Some "slider " foods will always seem to go down, but to be honest in far far smaller quantities than I could eat before.
The biggest thing you have to watch I think is alcohol. I am far from having a problem with it, but I'm aware that I have the mindset where I could replace food with wine, IYSWIM, as there is definitely a link between overindulgence with food/ drink and obesity in my opinion. I really enjoy a glass of wine.
I'm trying to be absolutely honest.
But overall I am not free of my demons. But I acknowledge them and am aware. I'm only human after all!
Meanwhile my blood pressure is now normal as is my blood glucose, cholesterol and I no longer snore or have diarrhoea. I eat a healthy diet. I exercise much much more.
It's no magic bullet that's for sure. I try to see it as a tool and undoubtedly I'd never have got even this far without it.

[Shinyshoes2]

Wow ! Love reading all these comments .
I'm currently under a bariatric hospital in London for gastric bypass
I had my first app September 2015 and hopefully surgery is soon
Being done on NHS they've asked me to lose between 5-10% of my body weight to show commitment and ive done that
Done therapy , physio and now go another appt next week for suitability for surgery so hopefully not long now

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

Thanks starjump for updating. It's a very interesting read as you get a lot of negativity about them from people when it's mentioned. We sound quite similar when I read your posts. I feel like I just need it to help me not treat everyday like a treat day. And yoyo dieting is soul destroying.

[StarJumpAlertTakeCover]

Shiny good luck. It's worth it. I'm sure of that.
Natural blonde- I know what you mean.
We have had an exciting day today...some personal stuff....my DH and I opened a bottle of bubbly tonight and ordered a takeaway from local Indian restaurant.
BUT
We ordered one portion of curry and rice...I could only manange about an eighth of it, and one onion Bhakti, and about three bites of peshwari nan. I'm stuffed!
Thank god. I would have had a whole portion to myself before!