Newbie had first Consultation

Hello all
I have been lurking for a while. I've been through Tier 3, and had my first Consultation with Mr Byrne at Southampton Spire (Im NHS funded) and Im taking part in the By band research project, and have got a band. Just waiting for my pre-op appointment to come through, meet the anaesthetist, dietician, research nurse and the Consultant. I have asked for my surgery to be in October as thats when its quiet at work. So fingers crossed I will get my date at the pre-op appointment as well as my liver shrinking diet sheet. Im very nervous about it all, but very excited.

Does anyone have any tips of things that I can do to prepare myself in the meantime?

I will carry on looking through the boards, having a wander through peoples diaries, and probably asking loads of questions!

xx

Hi Wilsnip,

Welcome to the forum.

You'll find loads of information and people happy to help here.

Good luck!

Sam

just popped up to say hello
good luck in all you wish for

Thank you all, still looking around x

Update - just got my letter for my pre-op assessment. Its on the 4th September. arrgghhh nervous now. After all the waiting and jumping through the hoops its all becoming very real.

As Im taking part in a research project called by-band, I have had my choice of band or bypass taken away from me and all my info entered into a computer this is so its randomized and the computer spat my surgery out as being a band. I was a bit nervous about having a band as I work in the NHS and know a bit about bariatric surgery, but my Consultant put my fears to rest.

So next step get through the assessment, and then surgery towards the end of October. This is the best time for me as it fits in nicely with work, I can take a couple of weeks off and recouperate without any hassel.

Ive decided that I need to do some proper research now to get me ready for it. Im tracking my food on my fitness pal, and am looking around here to give me more tips in readyness.

Good luck with your band hun! Never heard of the research project, what does that invlove?

As someone who has had a band for 7 years and only just starting to get into it properly now I am under the nhs I would suggest really following the yellow green and red zone rules to work out tightness. I spent years tight and not losing and my provider said I was fine. It is a very individual journey and only you will know how you feel and what portions are right for you. The only other thing I wished I had had before my band was some experience of what was really involved eating wise, as just giving me a guide was not helpful. I would have loved to attend a support group or something like that.

Even though I have not been successful yet with my band...I am on my way now though ..... I'm glad i have not had anything more drastic. The reality is with all the surgeries you have to do the work and make good choices so I would rather have something reversible and put the work in than permanent with potential deficiencies and do just as much work. There may be more too it obviously i don't know what it's like with a sleeve etc but I'm much happier with this choice.

Good luck!

Hi Sparklyjade, thanks for the reply. The research project is being carried out by Bristol University and Southampton University Hospitals, its research into the band and bypass and it will be looking at which works best, how did people manage, complications etc. Its a three year one so at the beginning you have to answer all sorts of questions, they film your surgery and then you have to be followed up 6 months after with more questions and then each year until the study is up. Apparantly there isnt that much research into which works best for people and why, hence the study.

Can you tell me the green/red zone thingy, havent heard about that.

Good luck with your journey it sounds like you are on the right track now.
x

Hiya. If you go to you tune and type in lap band rules Dr o brien there should be videos. He is pretty much the top guy in the field I believe, the aussies know their lap band! The videos are split into 3 parts. I think they may be called the golden rules or something like that. My new nurse advised I watch them and they are brilliant at telling you how the band works.

When I had my surgery they didn't know this stuff, it was all about restriction and tightness and the belief that the upper pouch held food for ages and that kept you satisfied. But actually it goes through quite fast and is more about the pulses on the nerve telling you your satisfied faster. It means you are looking for a whole different sensation. Never look for 'restriction' as in can't eat much. You are too tight! Think am I satisfied and you will get it. Best thing I have learned and I've had the thing years! X

Oooh thanks will have a look at that, just had a peek at your diary, good luck with your fill x

Well its my pre-op appointment tomorrow, im well nervous but know this my final hurdle and I will get my date! Oh and my liver shrinking diet sheet

good luck! hope all goes well for you! xxx

So my appointment went well, three hours, lots of blood taken, mrsa swabs taken, liver shrinking diet sheet for two weeks before the op and an advice sheet for after, and a chat with the anaesthetist ( who was very yummy!) just need to wait for my date now, but im going to cut down portion sizes and put my small plate and cutlery in place from Monday so I can get used to smaller portions.

I have got one alcohol fueled party mid September and then off the alcohol, not that I drink that much anyway.

All becoming very real now and a bit arrrgh!!

sparklyjayde said:

Hiya. If you go to you tune and type in lap band rules Dr o brien there should be videos. He is pretty much the top guy in the field I believe, the aussies know their lap band! The videos are split into 3 parts. I think they may be called the golden rules or something like that. My new nurse advised I watch them and they are brilliant at telling you how the band works.

When I had my surgery they didn't know this stuff, it was all about restriction and tightness and the belief that the upper pouch held food for ages and that kept you satisfied. But actually it goes through quite fast and is more about the pulses on the nerve telling you your satisfied faster. It means you are looking for a whole different sensation. Never look for 'restriction' as in can't eat much. You are too tight! Think am I satisfied and you will get it. Best thing I have learned and I've had the thing years! X

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Great tip - I'll be having a look at that too - I want to know as much as I can before I have anything done so I'm as prepared as I can possibly be.

I'm still at the very beginning of it all and I have a lot to learn yet - this forum is great

Oh and by the way - what is tier 3?

Oh and of course - good for you wilsnip that things are moving forward best of luck to you xx

Good luck wilsnip

Sparklyjade I hope everything gets moving along for you, your posts are really informative, thanks x

Stinie said:

Great tip - I'll be having a look at that too - I want to know as much as I can before I have anything done so I'm as prepared as I can possibly be. I'm still at the very beginning of it all and I have a lot to learn yet - this forum is great Oh and by the way - what is tier 3?

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Hi Stinie
Tier 3 is a weight management course commissioned by your local authority or CCG, not all areas have this but it is the criteria that NHS England stipulate as a pre curser for bariatric surgery x

Thanks wilsnip.

There are so many things involved in all of this its hard to keep track of it all lol

Hi Wilsnip - I'm new here too and am also having my surgery at Spire Southampton in Oct with Mr Van den Bossche ! Going for the bypass. do you have your op date?

pitskie said:

Hi Wilsnip - I'm new here too and am also having my surgery at Spire Southampton in Oct with Mr Van den Bossche ! Going for the bypass. do you have your op date?

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Hi pitskie, nope not got my date yet, I asked for the end of October as it would fit in with my work. Had my pre-op assessment, and got my liver shrinking diet sheet (I'm going to go with the milk one) just waiting to hear back with the date. I'm with Mr Byrne and having a band. Have you got a date yet?

We'll I got my date today 30th October eek, just need to get my letter from the Spire confirming it them it's liver reducing diet two weeks before. It's becoming more and more real mind you I will wait till I'm actually getting ready for theatre as I know things can change nearer the time. Did some prep yesterday made two types of soup and froze them in 200ml quantities, might do some smaller portions of main meals that I can blitz when I'm at the purée stage.