Thinking about surgery

[Happe]

Ive been investigating a clinic in Belgium that offers Gastric banding for 1/2 of what id pay here. the website has a forum which ive been reading and im not particulary impressed with the losses, much bigger losses on cd and even slimming world. Have any of you had a band? would you have had it done with the knowledge you have now? Does the weight stay off? would you recommend it?

Surgery is a scary thought but im beginning to feel my only option. I need serious help and dont know in whatother direction to turn, cant carry on with big dramatic losses and gains every other week. its too disheartening.

 

[Russiandoll]

I know what you mean about feeling desperate Happe ... I was pricing up gastric banding in belgium just before I started CD but I'm glad I didn't go down that road.

I'm a member of another forum where a lot of people have had WLS (I'm sure Mini won't mind me mentioning the website ... It's Ann Diamond's forum, Fat Happens) and from what I've read, gastric banding is by no means 'the magic bullet' many people hope for.

You have to get the 'fill' just right so you hit what's known as the 'sweet spot' - where you can still eat SOMETHING but are restricted enough to lose weight: it can take quite a long time and several fills to get the balance just right.

Some people have done really well with it: others have been very disappointed with just a couple of stones lost in six months or more. You could try checking out the website and see what people have to say but my best advice would be research, research and then research some more because it's a drastic and pricey route to take.

Good luck!

 

[DQ]

Hey honey - I know how down you must be feeling to consider such action. I really wish I had the answers for you - just know I'm here whatever you decide {{{HUGZ}}}

 

[Happe]

Just had a big deep and meaningful with hubby which as usual turned into a row about having a gastric band,he of course is against it, but cant offer any support for any other method. he has watched me struggle for 19years, wont diet or exercise with me even though he could do with dropping a few stone himself. Doesnt lke me doing CD either reckons its not fair on them if i wont go out to eat, ive explained that once ive cheated i cant seem to stop so while he may think that one meal wont hurt it bloody well does hurt me. I dont know what the answer is, i read all yur posts on here and on other forums and marvel at how much determination some of you have and hate myself all the more for not being able to do it too.

 

[Russiandoll]

Awwww Happe PLEASE don't hate yourself!! That road leads nowhere good.

Is it any wonder you struggle trying to lose weight with such a lack of support at home? Having positive, supportive people around you is VITAL when you are on ANY weight loss plan so I'm not surprised to hear you're having trouble sticking with anything.

I don't know quite what to say or suggest re your husband's apparent disregard for your feelings: maybe he likes the status quo and doesn't actually WANT things to change - I don't know. But please believe that with the proper support, you could move mountains: without it, it's a constant uphill struggle. (even the messiah himself needed disciples!!)

I admire you because despite all the obstacles placed in your way, you're still here: you haven't thrown in the towel and if you haven't given up - then you haven't failed. So please dont hate yourself: you have no reason to.

Sending big hugs and tons of positive vibes your way.

Someone holding you back?
The best form of revenge is to succeed. ​

 

[Mini]

Just had a big deep and meaningful with hubby which as usual turned into a row about having a gastric band,he of course is against it, but cant offer any support for any other method. he has watched me struggle for 19years, wont diet or exercise with me even though he could do with dropping a few stone himself. Doesnt lke me doing CD either reckons its not fair on them if i wont go out to eat, ive explained that once ive cheated i cant seem to stop so while he may think that one meal wont hurt it bloody well does hurt me. I dont know what the answer is, i read all yur posts on here and on other forums and marvel at how much determination some of you have and hate myself all the more for not being able to do it too.

Hi Happe,

One thing for sure is that the first thing that is really different for me this time is that I have taken responsibility for my weight loss journey and it is not about anyone else but me.

This is about what I want and no one else.

If I want to go for a walk or exercise I don't wait for permission or look for company, I just go and do it.

...as I overheard one woman explaining to another who stopped her in the shop to complement her on her weight loss she inquired was she still doing WW with her two friends and she said no...because she found out it works better if she does not have the added pressure of taking others routines and schedules into her own life and now she suits herself and for the first time she felt as if she was getting somewhere.

Also I think that if the whole family adopts a healthier life style it does help as this is what we have done and we are all feeling the benefit of it. Both my son and my husband have got in shape and are now very aware about their diet.

Support makes this journey less lonely and more manageable.

I guess one of the reasons so many diets have failed before is that I was looking for the quick fix and now I know it does not work like that...it is a process and finding out why perhaps we have ended up in this position and looking at it from different angles and seeing what we can do to change things for if we keep doing what we have always done we keep getting the same results.

Whatever you decide make sure it is what you want.

Love Mini xxx

 

[Libbie]

Hi Happe
As others have said please do not hate yourself,you have no need to do that.
We have all tried and failed.but one thing is for sure we all need support,and I have found that hubbie has helped to give me resons to fail more then once,I would be doing so well then its let have a take away,go out for a meal,go next door for a meal I could go on we to have had heated about it and also the Not another diet thing,but this time I did it for me said no and did it must admitt went to much his way on holiday.
But enough of me back to you,I can understand how desperate you must be feeling to even think of having a band
Wish I know the answer for you babe,all I can say is in the end only you can decide what to do.
You have had some realy great replys.Made me think to read them what would I do? but could not find the answer sorry.
I know this reply is a bit crap but I hope just knowing we are here and ready to listen helps.
I also send yopu lots of hugs and positive vibes.
Keep posting.it helps to talk.
Lot of hugs
love libbie x

 

[Happe]

Thanks everyone for yor replies and advice. A few things struck home really, especially about taking responsibility for my own life and losses. It has been very easy to make excuses not to exercise or eat the right food, getting out of the house was a problem because of childcare, hbby spends most of his evenings in the pub and wherever i go the kids would have to come but they are older now and i suppose that would no longer be such a big problem, indeed my daughter wants to come exercise too. Im not going to give up on this ive been trying to fight the fat for 30 years, its winning at the moment but i will not let it beat me ever.
Sorry will return to this but the bell has just gone and im on duty so have to shoot.

 

[DQ]

Glad to hear you sounding more upbeat honey - hang on in there, ok? xx

 

[Karen1972]

Happe, how much do you want to lose? Your ticker says just 32lbs, is that right?

 

[boofaloo]

I dont know whether this helps but i know 2 people at church who've had gastric banding and gastric bypass operations.

The one who had a banding lost about a stone and a half and is now doing slimming world to lose the rest.
The one who had a gastric bypass lost all her weight and is now an official diet bore!! She has a lot of health problems since having the surgery - i dont know whether thats just her or due to the surgery!!

You sound a lot more positive already - keep reading this site and you'll soon be losing weight.

 

[Happe]

Right im back, god its hot!!
I believe my hubby does like the "status quo" although he doesnt like the fat, he likes me to feel bad about myself. he'd never admit or agree with this but i know from his actions that its true. I rarely socialise anymore, fed up not ahving anythng to wear, fed up being the biggest in the pub, fed up talking to his mates who i dont even like and fed up with trying to make friends with their women only to find that they betray my confidence at the drop of a hat. Perry likes me not going out, it means he can act like a bloke and not have to play mr happy family man, me being like this gives him freedom. Its all to do with control, he keeps or should i say tries to keep me feeling bad about myself, it must make him feel superior in someway but i know what hes up to and while i keep quiet and put up with stuff i shouldnt,i know in my own mind that im a better person that him. Ill have my day, he knows ive changed towards him and he knows im not happy, think he's too pig headed to know why but he'll find out when IM ready
Im sure all this would be so much easier if i had at least some support at home but it isnt forthcoming and im going to have to deal that if i ever am to lose my blubber. Maybe its time for me to be the selfish one.

 

[Happe]

Happe, how much do you want to lose? Your ticker says just 32lbs, is that right?

Oh no, if only that was just to get to my 1st target. ive around 11stone to lose, so im in it for the long haul. Thats whats so daunting.

 

[Snail]

In the Transform brochure they offer a gastric balloon, this is an alternative to the lap band or bypass.

 

[Roch]

In the Transform brochure they offer a gastric balloon, this is an alternative to the lap band or bypass.

Hi how u doing,justt wanted to say that i had the gastric balloon fitted 7 yrs ago and i regret ever wasting thr 5 grand on it,the side effects after having the balloon were terribel vomited even on water for the first 2 weeks,then it gave me horrible gas as it was like any food i ate just sat on the balloon and rotted,not sure if it passed through me but never had it taken out.
Am going for a scan in october and find out if it still in my belly.

 

[DQ]

Hi how u doing,justt wanted to say that i had the gastric balloon fitted 7 yrs ago and i regret ever wasting thr 5 grand on it,the side effects after having the balloon were terribel vomited even on water for the first 2 weeks,then it gave me horrible gas as it was like any food i ate just sat on the balloon and rotted,not sure if it passed through me but never had it taken out.
Am going for a scan in october and find out if it still in my belly.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Happe]

Sounds very pleasant Roch I did toy with the balloon idea years ago, glad i never went through with it.
Ive calmed down on the idea of surgery for now, i never realised the results were so disappointing( prob not the right word, but i know what i mean). Ill stick to sw and see how i go.

 

[Roch]

Dq oh my god s is the word,it was seriously unpleasant and to make it even worse they take it out from your backside,could not imagine having my big backside spread out on an operating table LOL WELL DONE ON DAY 19 SLINKS !!!

Happe stick with sw you could lose the weight easily by christmas so many people do very well with sw or ww.

 

[kandy]

I saw in the daily mirror today they have given a 14 year old girl who weighs 12 stone and is a size 16 a gastric balloon i am shocked what is that teaching her about looking after herself !!!!!?????!!!???

The article also says that they are hoping this will be a commonplace procedure for obese teens, WTF !!!!!

Disgusted !

 

[westhills]

Happe - I've lost 10 stone in just over 8 months on Lighter Life and Cambridge. See the WeMitt threads.
I'm nothing special - it IS possible.
Ann