Read all about Maria's gastric band in Belgium.

March 28

I am more depressed about my weight than I can remember.  There seems no deliverance from a life of yo-yo dieting and uncontrollable eating patterns. I have thought about weight loss surgery several times, but it’s so expensive and not available to me in Ireland. While browsing on the internet I have found the WLS Group and the possibility of having surgery in Belgium at half the UK price!  Maybe I should make a call?

April 10

I can’t believe it!  Here I am traveling to Dublin for a consultation with Wendy, the bariatric nurse with the WLS Group. It’s only been 2 weeks since I made that life changing telephone call.  I’m extremely nervous yet excited at the same time. At 51 years old, could I have finally found the solution to 25 years of battling obesity? 

I have chosen to have a gastric band fitted and Wendy was amazing, she made me feel at ease right away as she explained in great detail just what Gastric Banding could offer me and what I could expect if I went ahead with the surgery. She told me all about Dr Dillemans, the Surgeon in Belgium who is one of the top Weight Loss Surgeons in Europe. I left the consultation knowing the Gastric Band was my only hope to achieve a healthy, slim body.  I begin my slimfast, high protein diet in preparation for surgery at the beginning of May. Wendy had explained to me that it’s really important to eat a high protein, low fat diet to help shrink the liver which makes fitting the band easier for the surgeon.

May 5

My husband and I arrive in Bruges and check into our hotel.  It’s beautiful and the staff are extremely friendly.  I’ve already lost some weight, thanks to slimfast soups and drinks, however I know I’d never have stuck with such a diet if it weren’t for the fact that I’m having surgery. Already my mindset toward food has changed!

May 6

I have my consultation with Dr Dillemans and I’m greeted by Michelle Bowater the MD of the WLS Group. Both she and Dr Dillemans are such charismatic and likeable characters that I feel totally at ease. Michelle is a fantastic ambassador for weight loss surgery having shed almost 15 stone herself. Over the next few days she proves to be such an encourager and supporter. Dr Dillemans leaves no stone unturned in explaining everything I need to know about my surgery and answers every question I have.  I’m also confident about the hospital which is a large modern building. 

May 7

The rubber finally hits the road and after being admitted to my hospital room I’m now feeling extremely anxious.  I realize that following surgery my life will never be the same again.  Do I really want to take the step that will mean giving up huge plates of food, stacked so high they could feed an army?  Do I really want to give up giant chunks of cake  – family size packets of crisps – fish ‘n’ chips – huge steaks – boxes of chocolates blah blah blah. I find my mind is consumed with thoughts of food, the first I’ve experienced such a mental attack since my weight loss surgery journey began.  However, I hold tight and soon I’m being wheeled down to theatre and a NEW LIFE!

May 8

I can’t begin to describe how sore I feel.  I have acute heartburn that takes my breath away and I’m wondering if I’ve made the right decision.  The anesthetic is also taking quite a while to leave my system and I have terrible pains in my shoulder due to trapped gas. It’s only been 24 hours since my surgery but I’m being discharged from hospital to recuperate in my hotel room which is the normal procedure. My hospital care has been second to none but I’m feeling absolutely wretched and my husband is really concerned about me.

May 9

Michelle is concerned about my heartburn and has Dr Dilleman ring me at the hotel.  He assures me this is quite normal and suggest I take some indigestion medication such as Gavescon. Thankfully my husband never travels without gavescon tablets and in a short space of time the pain is relieved and I can’t believe how good I begin to feel. Just 48hrs after surgery a private nurse comes to my room to change my dressings and then I’m up and about site-seeing in Bruges. I cannot believe the difference 24hrs make.  I can only eat fluids for 3 weeks, but to be honest I don’t really feel like eating anything at the moment.  I’m quite happy to drink lots of water and the occasional slimfast drink. 

May 28

I’ve survived three weeks of soup and slimfast and today’s the big day when I can have something soft to eat. YEAH! Pasta never tasted so good lol!!

June 4

Exactly 4 weeks since surgery my doctor looks at me walking into his surgery and says he can hardly recognize me! He is delighted with how tiny my scars are and in his words says ‘it’s a very neat job’!  I’m feeling absolutely fantastic and can really feel my weight loss. The doctor asks me to get on his scales and announces that I’ve lost 10 kilos since my surgery day!  That over 1½ stone in four weeks. Unbelievable! Add to that the pounds I dropped before surgery, I reckon I’ve lost around 30lbs in total in 2 months. I surprise myself every day with how focused I am and how much my mindset has changed. My initial weight loss is incredible given that I haven’t had my band adjusted yet.  What will my weight loss be like when I have greater restriction in what I can eat?

I’m feeling quite the crusader for weight loss surgery and if it was acceptable behaviour I would grab hold of every obese person I see and urge them to have surgery!   Irrespective of the difference in cost, I would encourage patients to have their surgery in Belgium because Dr Dillemans is just amazing and the hospital care second to none.

June 7

My appetite is growing and I’m really keen to have my first adjustment which is scheduled for June 17th.  I know I have to be very careful over the next 10 days because as I feel hungrier I’m tempted to push the boundaries with my portion sizes. Thank God for a great husband who’s supporting me all the way and keeping a close eye on me.  He’s really thrilled with my weight loss and has lost over a stone himself as a result of eating smaller portions as well.

June 17

I am so nervous and excited at the same time as I wait outside Wendy’s surgery for my first adjustment.  I haven’t lost any more weight since the beginning of this month – but happily haven’t gained either.  I’m really expecting a big change in my portion sizes after today and hopefully lose some more weight before my July holiday to Turkey.

June 18

My adjustment was quite painful, which surprised me, but Wendy assured me it would be easier next time.  Mmmmmmmmmmm, don’t really feel much different.
I absolutely love my slice of toast and cup of tea in the morning and I’ve been preparing for the time when I possibly can’t have this…..but not yet! It went down way too easy – as did my lunch and dinner!

June 25th

I’m having a NEGATIVE day (oh dear). I haven’t dropped a single pound all month and I’m finding there’s absolutely NOTHING I can’t eat!!  Everything slips down nicely and, yes my portion sizes are smaller, but still not small enough to shift the pounds. Feeling really FAT!

June 29th

I’ve shaken off a few BLACK days and I’m feeling positive again. Instead of focusing on the weight I haven’t lost, I’m focusing on the weight I haven’t GAINED!  Have just made a delicious pot of butternut squash soup and looking forward to my holidays in a couple of weeks.

July 5th

Was a guest at a friend’s wedding today.  It was lovely to dress up and feel so much better than a few months ago. People commented on how well I looked, I’ve still only told a few close friends about my surgery as I just don’t want to be under everyone’s microscope at the moment!  Still haven’t dropped any more pounds, which I expected to do after my first adjustment, so I obviously need another one a.s.a.p. I need to learn how to cook less food. After years of making mountains of food it’s a challenge to put LESS potatoes in a pot, LESS mince in the Bolognese, weigh out LESS pasta etc. It’s all part of the weight loss surgery adventure though. I’m still weighing in at the same weight as this time last month but I’m not discouraged. There has been NO WEIGHT GAIN and that is miraculous.

July 28th

Just back after 2 glorious weeks in TURKEY and, guess what, I only gained TWO POUNDS!!!  This is absolutely unheard off in my world. I always return from a holiday carrying excess baggage, on my body as well as in my case.  I have an adjustment booked for August and I’m really excited. I’m expecting this to really make a difference and the pounds to begin to shift again.

August 14th

I’ve had my second adjustment and will hopefully begin to feel the restriction.  However, BAD foods such as cookies, desserts, ice-cream etc. are way too easy to eat and I am going to have to discipline myself to avoid these. 

August 30th

I’m really surprised at how large a portion of food I can still have.  I have not lost any weight since my second adjustment and I know it has to be down to my portions still being too large.  I think I need to have another adjustment sooner rather than later.

September 27th

Well, well, well!  I had my 3rd adjustment 2 weeks ago and this is really it.  I will not have another adjustment because I truly feel the restriction. My portion size is now limited to what I can hold in my hand.  I have lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks and feel fantastic.  However……it has not been without it’s difficulties. I have suffered a lot of sickness due to not chewing enough.  It takes me around ½ hr to have my dinner because it’s chew, chew, chew, chew. 

I could cheat and have pasta or noodles or mashed potatoes but I’m training myself to eat fish, chicken and vegetables.  I feel incredibly confident that I am now well on the road to success.  I do not regret for one minute having the surgery. 

I started 2008 weighing 1lb below 20 stone. I lost around ½ stone before I had my surgery and I’m presently sitting at exactly 17 stone.  Almost 3 stone in 6 months is pretty amazing.  I can’t wait to see what I will have lost by Christmas. Happy Days!