Hi from Ireland!

Hi all. I would be up for a meet on the 29th too. Really need some support. I feel as though ive never had the band its that bad at the mo. EAting like it was going out of fashion!!!!!

Hi Alesha sorry to hear the fill isn't doing the job for you - did they say you had to wait a certain amount of time before organising another one?

Hi Alesha , i had my band done 28th june in dublin .I had my first fill middle of aug , i felt no restriction after it . Ive just had my second fill onlast week.it feels so different this time, i can realy feel it. Ring the clinic for an apointment and make sure when you are in there you tell them that you dont feel any restriction ..... that if you are down weight its because you are restricting yourself.......... Good luck

could anybody tell me how i get my tracker to show on this page. i made one but cant figure out how to do it

:help:Hi all i'm new to the forum. I had a consultation with ACS in Belfast today and am a bit gutted by the outcome. I had orginally went to see about the gastric balloon procedure last month only to be told they did not do this procedure, I was told all about the band and went home and discussed it with my family and did some more research on it. When I went back today I was ready to agree to getting the band but was told by the surgeon ( different from my first visit, first one was with Dr Jerome) that they would like me to get the balloon procedure first as my BMI was very high at 62 ( im about 5'5 and 380lbs )and they did not want to operate until my BMI was lower. They then told me that they still not offer this procedure but were looking at taking on a Dr who would perform this procedure for them in the future. I am dissapointed that I was brought there in the first place for the first visit when they knew it was the balloon I had wanted, they then talk me round to the Lap Band and when I go back the second time am told that they will not do this and prefer me to get the balloon but they cant do it. I know that my safety must come first and am glad they will not just operate at any cost but am so dissapointed that I cannot get help for my problem. It would be laughable if it was not so serious that im even 2 fat for weight loss surgery. I'm just wondering what sort of BMI's other people had before surgery with ACS group and has people heard of other people being turned down because of their weight. I do believe that things happen for a reason and this just must not be the right thing for me to do at the minute but i'm at the end of my tether now and just dont know which way to turn. Any advice or help would be most appreciated.

Hi Paula,
So sorry your consultation didn't go as planned. Don't give up yet, there are other options, you just need to do a bit more research. Check out Dr Shaw Somers web site. He's the doctor thats always on tv doing weight loss surgery in England, his services are available on the NHS as well as privately. He does several types of WLS, his web site is shawsomers.com Good luck with the research and let us know how you get on.:)

ah thats a shame, but happy birthday to your son!!!

we'll have to arrange another one soon after so. hope your well beautiful! x

great lookin forward to seeing all the new girls!!
you look stunning in the new pics you've put up on your bebo.

thats what the group is for supporting one another. everyone that go's is great. about you eating so much i really think you need to just call them and say you need another fill. i've 5mm in my band and i've heard a lot of people saying they can feel it at 5mm now i know everyone is different but maybe you just need that extra little bit.
Paula i'm so sorry about the outcome. my fingers are crossed for you that you mind something to help you with your weight loss.
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Bewely's Hotel Sandyford 29th Sept @ 11am

hope to see as meny people there as possible!!!

thats what the group is for supporting one another. everyone that go's is great. about you eating so much i really think you need to just call them and say you need another fill. i've 5mm in my band and i've heard a lot of people saying they can feel it at 5mm now i know everyone is different but maybe you just need that extra little bit.

Hi Dini,
I can't believe you have 5mls in already that was so quick, no wonder you've lost so much weight. Well done, I was with Tara last week and she was saying that due to infection risk that she does not like to go into the port more that once a month.

Its very difficult to lose weight without restriction and its very frustrating when we are not restricted but are being told to eat less. I don't understand why we can't be brought up to 5mls within a shorter time than is currently available. Maybe there is a medical reason??? But from what I hear girls are being banded and are waithing months on end for proper restriction which is what we paid for in the first place. If we could just use willpower we wouldn't need the op in the first place. I'm all for not being over restricted but from the feed back I get its the frustration of having to wait so long to get restriction and start to regularly lose weight thats anoying people.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great meeting and I look forward to the next one.

Hi TT,
There is a number in a box and you cut it and paste it at the bottom of your signature. Hope that helps.:):)

just popping in to say hi
im sorry paula about surgeons decision my mum just had consult in belfast too with yan (stand in for jerome)and he turned her down too and also suggested gastric balloon but she definately wasnt keen said it was her age /weight /medical history and didnt say she could get band eventually so she checking out england although i think only half heartedly as it just knocked her for six i dont even think she considered a nooo.
i have told acs im pregnant now and asked if i could get an unfill but not total unfill and then another one in a few months time as i wanted to keep in control of weight loss throughout my pregnancy but that was big fat noooooo as well so on the 1st of october i am to have total unfill,:faint:

i wouldnt put baby in harm and realised that i needed to eat more hence wanting unfill ,others have had unfills gradually and some even get unfilled until nausea passes then filled again its crazy that it depends on who is controlling treatment controls your decisions but im trying to stay positive and hope that ive learnt some self control ive been looking into having body lift done next xmas ,baby be 8 months and i should be at goal sister said she come stay with me until i recover shes a sweetheart so i still know im going to get there but slower .
i would love to come to meeting on saturday i will see if i can swing it but my boys all got footy on saturday and me and hubby generally are in two different places but you never know i might get there yet .

Hi Nikki,
Congratulations on your pregnancy, don't worry too much about your weight while your growing your baby, plenty of time after s/he is born. I agree that the difference with different providers varies so much but unfortunatly we don't have any choice if we want to be banded in Ireland.
My heart goes out to your Mum and Paula the other girl who posted her woes on here. Its very difficult when you take the decision to go down the surgery route only to be told that you can't be helped. Ask your Mum to chech out Shaw Somers he is a doctor in England who specialises in wls. He also does all types, RNY, Gastric Band, and Gastric Sleeve. His web site is well worth a look and there are links on there to a fab forum similar to this only UK based. It would be such a pity to give up trying for a healthy weight and body now having made the decision to get surgical help. Give your Mum my best wishes and let us know how she gets on.
PS: Shaw Somers does the surgery for NHS and Private patients.:)

hi Coco I read your comment about whoever controls the procedure controls your weight loss and I have to say THANKS! It is EXACTLY what I wanted to say but couldn't express it when talking with Tara last week. I got my first fill on Thursday (after two cancelled appointments when Dr. couldn't make it) and after an ear bashing I left the clinic feeling humiliated and crying my eyes out for the journey home. She made me feel like
I couldn't control myself - but isn't this why people get the band? I know it is supposed to be 80% band and 20% discipline but I felt as though there was no band at all. This week I can't feel much in the way of restriction and am hoping it will 'kick in' as I am hungry all the time but controlling my food and dieting like mad. I have to go back in 2 weeks as I still haven't spoken to the Dr. since my initial consultation with ACS . I had hoped that speaking with him would result in another fill but your post doesn't 'fill' me with confidence (geddit?).

hi Paulamurf and Nikki
I am so sorry to hear that Drs are procrastinating about WLS for higher BMI. I can only imagine that it is heart wrenching to be told no after building up the courage and making the drastic decision to take this route. I hope that Coco's link to the UK Weight loss specialist will help you, Paula, and your Mum, Nikki.
Congratulations, Nikki, on your good news! I can't wait for the day I can finally make a similar announcement! Bummer about the 'all or nothing' attitude to the unfill though. I imagine it is more about insurance than about your body though. The minute anyone hears 'pregnant' they immediately take the ultra conservative approach. Good luck and will send loads of best wishes your way.