Gastric Banding anyone? Mod Note: No Clinic Names

shellita · 13-04-2011 1:30pm

Question :
I am coming to the 1 year mark in June which is the end of my after care.
My band is at 7.025 ml.
My portion sizes are at that of a small child. Side plate will fill me for a few hours. Is this sufficient for a few months more?
Also how much are fills?

Just me talking now

I do still vomit if I make the mistake of not chewing well enough or taking a drink which is very hard not to do!! I NEVER EVER eat until I get sick. I always stop when I feel full. I had my first experience the other day of taking a tablet which I did not break in half, not nice.
Also I find that pain you get in your chest when something is stuck or full feeling is different for everyone. Have spoken to 2 women with the band, one can not eat chicken I find it very easy. The other cannot eat bread, I am the same. A wrap, toast, pannini anything but just bread. Bread makes me feel like I am having a heart attack so I avoid it at all costs.

I still am losing very slowly but I realise everyone is different and I have not put on weight once since getting the band. Even if I take a few weeks brake from the gym, have chocolate or out drinking at weekends. Before I would always steadily increase my weight.

I have about 7 stone to lose to be an ideal weight.
I'm 5'7 and a half which is why I'm only a size 18-20.
Not feeling bad about the slowness as I am happy and always losing.

LegacyUser · 13-04-2011 3:05pm

Hi to all,

I would just like to share with you all my experience of band surgery. The best money I ever spent the results are fantastic. I had it done by a very well known surgeon in a hospital in Brugge. It was a three day trip, first day surgery second day back to hotel and I was fit enough to walk around to do some sight seeing. The procedure I had does not require the fills that most other posters need. It was a keyhole procedure so not that uncomfortable after surgery. It cost me in the region of €7,500 that covered everything( 2yrs ago), I'm now a very happy & healthy 10st 5lbs and wear size 12 clothing........

So good luck to all ye guys my best wishes to ye all.

LegacyUser · 15-05-2011 5:19pm

th

cufroige wrote: »

Hello,
I'm looking for people to chat about either having had Gastric Band fitted or are considering having it done?
I am currently booked for consultation & if approved will be "done" mid April.
history of yoyo dieting, depression & low self esteem since communion age. Have sucessfully dieted numerous times but struggled always to maintain loss...biggest & most recent loss being 7 stone
(sensibly, I might add...through hard work,diet, personal training & excercise)

Weight now back on AGAIN & am devastated. have considered having band before but never thought I actually would.
I finally admit I feel powerless against this never ending battle.
My husband, sister & best friend know about this & are with me 100%, but
I have not discussed this with other friends as I am not confident I would get support (small town) there is a stigma that it is the easy way out.
I have lost over 20 stone in my lifetime, that is not easy, either is living with yourself having reached a position of personal empowerment of achieving massive weight loss only to end up with it all back on.

Gastric banding is not a magic wand that makes you skinny...It supports you while learning to change your behaviour & helps enforce LONG TERM lifestyle change.
I believe this is a major key factor for yoyo dieters as we generally can't go very long without having a bad day/binge, thus breaking the cycle of "good behaviour"
My health is affected.. I wanted to start a family this year, this is now on hold.
My life is being wasted, my weight & subsequent damage to my self esteem has ruined & robbed me of a lot of life experiences. I pick myself up off the ground again & again only to end up crumpled back there over & over.
I cannot go through another weight loss only to gain again...it would kill me emotionally.
I am having this surgery if I am approved to face this problem once more & this time to use the band as my support & ally.
I have been board messaging with a lot of people who had this done, but all from the US & UK.
I'd love to hear personal experience from an Irish point of view

Anyone have anything to share on the subject?

thinking of getting it done have put on 5stone want to kno th pro,s and cons. would love to hear from people who have had it done, whats the op like pain and healing time

Midlands2011 · 13-06-2011 12:17pm

Hi All,

I'm just wondering if someone can point me to the Belgium Surgeon that does be in Dublin

I have spoken to an Irish clinic and its approx 12k for the op and 3yrs aftercare.

If you can private mail me please

Thanks

fraggle rocker · 14-06-2011 8:42am

Hi

I have watched this thread with much interest and have decided to look into getting it done`. I would appreciate if someone could pm me the belguim consultants contact details. I tried googling him many places he works with but cant get a direct contact.

Well done to everyone who have had great losses.

fraggle rocker · 14-06-2011 11:01pm

Can someone please pm me details. I contacted a belguim number but the person who answered was english and told me to send a bank draft for half the money and gave me a date for 6th July. She was a bit weird when I tried to ask her some questions. She also said she would send me paperwork straight away by email but nothing yet.

shellita · 15-06-2011 3:05pm

fraggle rocker wrote: »

told me to send a bank draft for half the money and gave me a date for 6th July. She was a bit weird when I tried to ask her some questions. She also said she would send me paperwork straight away by email but nothing yet.

That sounds very strange indeed. Can I ask why Belgium?
I won't mention who mine was with but I get my check ups and fills in Dublin, had surgery in the UK. I had lots of problems in the beginning so God forbid but if you needed to see a specialist what then?

I would def. not send money to this woman anyway.
Try to find someone who has had it done there and get the contact details.

wish you all the best

fraggle rocker · 15-06-2011 5:22pm

Thanks for coming back to me, the only reason I was considering belguim is that in Ireland I was quoted €10,000 to €12,000 and VHI are unsure as to whether they will approve it. The same surgeon who was doing the operation here also does it in belguim but for €4100.

shellita · 15-06-2011 6:31pm

well if you know its the same surgeon thats good and thats a great price. I paid 7,000 no VHI though

mac34 · 15-06-2011 8:13pm

Hi there I'm also interested in gastric band/bypass need to do some more research to see which I want/need. Spoke to Quinn and they said maybe covered depending on what the consultant puts on the form to argue my case. So I suppose my next step is to go to GP for a referral to consultant? Can anyone recommend one or a hospital? I'd appreciate any pm's with info as I understand you cannot Post on the thread. thanks so much

Doogieboogie · 16-06-2011 2:53pm

fraggle rocker wrote: »

Can someone please pm me details. I contacted a belguim number but the person who answered was english and told me to send a bank draft for half the money and gave me a date for 6th July. She was a bit weird when I tried to ask her some questions. She also said she would send me paperwork straight away by email but nothing yet.

I've read about this woman on another forum, and apparently the Belgian Surgeon no longer has anything to do with her (she used to book surgeries for him/his clinic) due to issues like this - avoid avoid avoid. Do not send her any money. Contact the surgeon directly, you'll get his details through google.

aquarius girl · 01-07-2011 12:31am

Hi. Just curious did no health insurance cover any of the cost?

shellita · 01-07-2011 1:06am

aquarius girl wrote: »

Hi. Just curious did no health insurance cover any of the cost?

I wasn't under any health insurance and 1 year aftercare is provided.
I have some now but it takes 5 years to get it covered if you get it after you join.

edenbridge146 · 01-07-2011 6:35am

Hi there

I had the gastric band in August 2010 in Belgium. It was much cheaper there than any of the Dublin or UK hospitals that I had checked. Approx €4k

Best decision ever and have lost 6 stone. Even went back to University and can honestly say I have found 'me' again. My sister had it done in April and already has lost 2 and a half stone.

Anyhow, I have details of the surgeon I used in Belgium if anyone wants to PM me. He visits Dublin the first Thurs of every month and he's next appointment is July 7th.
I'll happily PM the details if anyone is interested.

I'm not selling for this surgeon, i'm just a happy patient who can recommend.
He was recommended to me through a friend of my mum who also had it done 5 years ago

lil_mo · 07-07-2011 1:33pm

Hi all... been ages since Ive been on for an update..

Right

Good news is VHI have approved me for the costs of my band!! YAY

Bad news is theres a shortfall of €5000 - it only works out as the surgeons fee and the follow ups for 2 years so ill be able to claim some of it back anyways! but it has to be paid upfront....

Anyone wana loan me €5k?!?

Few more hoops to jump through - the VHI want me to have some sleep studies done 1st and Ive to loose min a stone before they will give me a date...

BUT its looking like I will have my op before December!

Hope everyones well - talk to yas soon!

x

robgti · 09-07-2011 12:30am

edenbridge146 wrote: »

Hi there

I had the gastric band in August 2010 in Belgium. It was much cheaper there than any of the Dublin or UK hospitals that I had checked. Approx €4k

Best decision ever and have lost 6 stone. Even went back to University and can honestly say I have found 'me' again. My sister had it done in April and already has lost 2 and a half stone.

Anyhow, I have details of the surgeon I used in Belgium if anyone wants to PM me. He visits Dublin the first Thurs of every month and he's next appointment is July 7th.
I'll happily PM the details if anyone is interested.

I'm not selling for this surgeon, i'm just a happy patient who can recommend.
He was recommended to me through a friend of my mum who also had it done 5 years ago

could you pm me the number and all the details

thank you in advance

robgti · 10-07-2011 9:15pm

can anyone recommend a place to get this, i need emails, numbers, prices ect any info would be greatly appreciated and as the rules apply naming and shaming please pm me those details

thank you

Elliemam · 11-07-2011 4:58pm

Same as Robgti, I would appreciate if anyone could share this information (by pm) too, thanks.

robgti · 11-07-2011 11:35pm

Elliemam wrote: »

Same as Robgti, I would appreciate if anyone could share this information (by pm) too, thanks.

I'm still waiting for some kind info on this, tought I would of herring from a member by now, please anybody with all your great results please share the info trou pms im organising a loan as I'm typing this and want it done ASAP

Share the love...........

edenbridge146 · 13-07-2011 1:28am

Hi robgti,

Just pm'd the details to you.

raz86 · 19-07-2011 1:30am

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into bariatric surgery, my choice i think would be gastric banding, but maybe i might have to go for something else.

I'm 24, 5'6'', 21st and size 24 in pants ans tops. I've been overweight about 6 years. I have a thyroid problem as well as PCOS. I find it so hard to loose weight and surgery really is my last hope.

I used to weigh 12st and i'm wondering is it possible to go from 21 to 12 stone? I have been loads of reading but a lot of people seem to lose 6 or 7 stone but i need more than that.

I would consider the gastric sleeve too maybe but i'm kinda nervous and unsure of gastric bypass. it's very effective but the surgery seems pretty major.

Can anyone advise me about the choice ye made?

What are the scars like afterwards? Did anyone of you have surgery for excess skin?

aquarius girl · 19-07-2011 10:01am

Hi raz86

I'm in the same place as you. Only I have been overweight all my life. You may not have a problem with excess skin if you have been keeping a good moisturising regime. Start now if you have not. I too am looking into the various options.

Good Luck.

aquarius girl · 19-07-2011 10:11am

dumpling wrote: »

well, things changed for me quite abit. I went in for surgery on the 20th may and, just as iIwas going down, my surgeon came to me and said that he want's me to have the Gastric bypass:eek:

I thought no! i have spent two years researching the band. He also mentioned that the band can slip, your body may not take to it and so on. So, he convinced me to have the bypass. The first two weeks were hell. no pain, just feeling so, down and weak. By the time the third week came round i felt alot better. Today and this week, great!

In addition, i have lost 10 kilos 22lbs I can't believe it!

If you want to make life long changes i would say go for it. really, there was no pain, it was all emotional.

inaddition, you can't eat the same way, there isn't the room!

Hi. I'm considering bypass. Can you tell me how are you now? Do you have any side effects? Would you recommend the bypass?

aquarius girl · 19-07-2011 10:02pm

Hi There,

Congratulations on your weightloss. I'm considering the bypass also. Do you mind me asking a few questions?
Where did you get yours done?
How much did it cost?
How long were you off work?
How many stone have you lost so far?
And most importantly how restrictive is your diet now? Is there a lot of food you can't eat?
Did you have any side effects eg lacking vitamins or minerals?

Thanks. Your comments would be appreciated.

raz86 · 21-07-2011 2:07pm

today i was referred to the bons by my gp. i will get a letter soon for an appointment for a consultation.

also, rang vhi. bariatric surgery is apparently covered by all plans as long as the patient fulfills the criteria set by the consultant.

Doogieboogie · 27-07-2011 5:18pm

Just wanted to post a quick update.

I had my surgery (band) at the beginning of April. I had lost 2 and a half stone on a pre-op diet, and since then I've lost another 2 and a half stone. I had a couple of issues - namely, my port flipped and I had to have another surgery to fix it. It's fine now, but it means that I have been unable to have a band fill. I have one booked for this weekend, I'm looking forward to it - I've started to feel hungry between meals again, although I'm definitely eating far less than I used to - a slice of toast & peanut butter for breakfast, a wrap with salad/chicken for lunch and a small portion of something like stirfry for dinner. I'm watching my calorie intake as well, I'm using an iphone app to track what I eat - I generally eat between 1200-1400 cals a day, a little more if I exercise.

For those considering a band, it's important to know that the weight will not just magically fall off after surgery - you still have to work at it, very hard. The band helps by restricting the volume of food, but you've got to choose the right stuff - anything soft will ''slide'' straight through the band, and you won't get that feeling of fullness. High calorie rubbish is generally the easiest sort of thing to eat! If however, you work with the band, and watch your food intake, it'll help enormously.

aquarius girl · 27-07-2011 5:24pm

Congratulations and keep up the good work.

May I ask how long from your first consultant visit to your surgery?

Doogieboogie · 27-07-2011 5:29pm

It was very quick - first consult was in February, I was told to have surgery in Dublin I had to lose 10lbs (hence the pre-op diet - the clinic put you on a week-long preparatory diet of milk and yogurt, but that's to shrink the liver to make surgery safer) I did slimfast as I had to lose the weight quickly; I was offered a surgery date at the beginning of April. So about seven weeks from consult to op.

jjcahill78 · 03-08-2011 11:00am

Hi there, I have been reading this thread for a while. Im considering having surgery for a while. Im 33 and have a bmi of 54, I need to get my life back. Can someone please forward me some specific info on where to get bypass done in Ireland and how much it would cost. I have an appointment in Dublin tomorrow with a Belgian company to discuss options.

raz86 · 03-08-2011 11:19am

Mod edit: Please do not link to clinics or make suggestions on thread - this can be done via the PM system - thanks!

Gastric Banding anyone? Mod Note: No Clinic Names

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