This is my story
My name is Gina and l'm 49 years old. I have been married for 31 years, have 3 children and 2 gorgeous grandsons. Up until the age of 17 l was always a very slim size 10. When l was 17 l went on the contraceptive pill, where I put about 2 stone on in during the first year. I then went on to have 3 children within 4 years, not managing to lose the excess weight gain between pregnancies, and by the age of 22 the yo yo dieting had began.
Over the years l have been on every diet going and taken all kinds of pills and potions. Each time l would mange to lose some weight but it always piled back on once the diet came to an end.
In 1995 when l was 39 l lost about 4 stone with Slimming World. This l managed to keep off for about 4 years but then, in 1999 my sister, who was aged 44, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I spent the next 3 months either at work, at home looking after her 2 young children or at the hospital. My diet went out the window and l was eating anywhere and anything l could grab while on the move, and when l came home from the hosptital about 10 o'clock at night, 9 times out of 10 l would eat something quick, usually a takeaway as the inclination to cook wasn't there.
As you can imagine, once my sister passed away, lrealised that the weight had crept back on, and with the excess weight, the level of activity l was able to do slowed down until eventually by 2003 l was severely overweight (20 stone).
Around this time my friend told me about a gastric band operation that she was going to have, and l have to say l was very, very skeptical about it and unfortunately, l didn't give her the support l now know she needed at that time. (she has now lost about 6 stone) and for that l am extremely sorry.
I eventually went to my GP and spoke to her about the gastric band and was lucky to get her support. She wrote a letter referring me to the consultant at the same London hospital that my friend went to.
When l spoke to the consultant he suggested a gastric balloon, which my husband preferred me to have as he didn't want me to have a general anasthetic and the complication it may cause, being so much overweight. This is where a balloon is inserted into the stomach via the mouth under light sedation, and because it is inside the stomach taking up room, you are fuller quicker, therefore eating smaller amounts of food. The balloon is inside the stomach for 6 months, then it is removed using the same method. I agreed to this procedure as the consultant said it was safer than having a general anesthetic.
The balloon was inserted in April of 2004 and to begin with l could only eat very small portions of food, and for the first month was sick nearly everyday after eating. I managed to lose about a stone, and when the six months was up they replaced the balloon with another one. This procedure was repeated again 6 months later. Unfortunately l never managed to lose anymore weight with the second and third balloons and when the third one was removed in December 2005, l did not have anymore fitted as the consultant then decided a gastric band procedure would be better.
When I finally went in to have my band fitted it was in May this year, l thought finally l would be able to lose this excess weight. I now weighed 20 stone 10 lb.
When l came round from the operation l felt fine and was able to go home the next day. I was told to go on a liquid diet for 2 weeks, then a diet of baby food consistency for 2 weeks, then l was able to start eating 'normal' healthy food.
After the first 6 weeks l managed to get down to 18 stone 13 lb and was over the moon at my weight loss and then l went for my first 'fill'. At first everything was fine but 4 days after my 'fill' l had severe pain at the port site and my consultant sent me for an Ultra sound, this came back clear and eventually the pain subsided and went away.
During the next weeks, l felt the band was not restricting the food intake as much as before and l found it difficult to lose weight, and only managed to 'maintain' so l asked for it to be 'filled' again.
In September l went for my second fill and after lying on the bed under the Xray machine for 45 minute l was told my band wasn't working and they were unable to fill it as it was leaking and therefore the fluid that was in it had come out.
I have since seen my consultant who has said the gastric band needs to be removed and replaced with a new one.
When l go to see him again on November 13th he is going to give me a date for the replacement, hopefully before Christmas.
I am upset that my band has not worked and hope l will be able to see some good results with my new band as l am soon to be 50 and want to be able to take my grandchildren swimming and be able to pursue the activities l was able to participate in before becoming so overweight.
I will keep you updated with my progress and hope to speak to others who have a gastric band to give and receive support, as l sometimes feel l am alone.with no one to talk to about my problems with my band. My friend who has had the band doesn't understand as she never had any problems with hers. |
Has been a Buddy since:
04-11-2006 12:25 pm
Total forum posts: 6
Ideal weight:
125.99 lbs (57.15 kg)
Current weight:
153.97 lbs (69.84 kg)
Starting weight:
295.02 lbs (133.82 kg)
I spend my free time:
Walking / Meandering
Sports / Gym
Health / Wellbeing
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