Comments on: Alison Hammond: Gastric Band Scandal

By: fiona walker

fiona walker — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:36:18 +0000

No judging anyone; just to add to the words of caution about bands for those who have them… they are not 100% safe, no surgery is. And they’re not a magic cure. You can ‘cheat’ them. It all depends on what goes on in your head.
One of the alternatives would be to read Shirrans’ Solution – The Gastric mind Band which teaches YOU how to build your own healthier new relationship with food. I’m biased BUT I’ve lost about 8lb in 3 weeks, my daughter about 9.5 – not too fast, not too slow. Among other things, only eating when hungry, drinking more water and pausing before making any rash food choices. The rest’s in the book!
It works!

By: carrie fleming

carrie fleming — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:58:01 +0000

I think there is some confusion in the replies I have read regarding Alison. Nobody is slamming her for having a lapband, in fact all power to her – but why lie and take credit for some thing you clearly could not do your self – hence the lapband. I am having a lapband so i am on her side but i would never say i done it all by myself with just willpower – how sad she feels she cant be honest!

By: Gastric Band

Gastric Band — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:53:26 +0000

I’ve never had any issues with the band being tight at different parts of the day. In fact, its much looser than I expected. I have restriction, but I’ve never thrown up or anything like that. I should probably get it filled tighter. I’m very rarely hungry.

By: lizijay

lizijay — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:39:39 +0000

So what if she had a gastric band?! Its not an overnight solution and she will still have to work damn hard with the band so it is no easy option. And so what if she didnt want to tell the world? its her business and nothing to do with anyone else. just because she is in the public eye doesnt mean we have a right to know what she does or doesnt do. why cant people just let people be and if anything, congratulate her on taking action?

By: titania

titania — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:14:52 +0000

to hannah
best thing to do is just start, easier said than done. have always been a big girl i got to 33 stone. to be honest change took a lot of thought but i began i’ve lost 10 stone in 16 months, have a pill called reductil, it helps me but can affect blood pressure. started by walking 10 mins everynight and no crisps, sweets, take aways and seriously lowered alcohol in take!!
Wondering though if anyone knows of a website that tells you how to deal with large weight loses and control the triggers like anxiety that made you eat in the first place. please help!!

By: Clare Billington

Clare Billington — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:06:17 +0000

Good on Fern and Alison I wish I could afford the lap band.I lost 10 stone in 5 months on the Liter Lite Programme but put it all back on and more I have also lost my job for being overweight ( even though I am healthy).So I wish them all the best for the future.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:45:53 +0000

Why are so many people worried, or for that matter interested, in what some C-list celebs have had done? With regards to the issue of whether a lap band is the right choice…I feel that I am in a good place to comment. I lost 6 stone and 10 pounds over 7 years ago and have not gained any back. My wife has just had the lap band surgery after struggling with diets for years. So, I feel I am qualified to speak on the subject. Do I think it is right? I don’t think it is a question of whether it is right or wrong. Rather, it is a question of what’s best for the person. If the person has struggled for years with no success then perhaps it is the only way forward…as to whether a person should be happy the way they are, I don’t think anyone has the right to make such a comment.

One final word…just watched Alison on a daily cooking show. It certainly doesn’t seem as if she has embraced the healthy eating lifestyle band or no band. Perhaps she isn’t the best role model for weight loss…

By: Hannah Patterson

Hannah Patterson — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:09:25 +0000

I’m a 56 year old married woman, 5.10inch tall and weigh 20 stone. I used to be just over 10 stone in weight (in my twenties) and I’m so unhappy. My husband tells me he loves me – and I believe him – but following many personal problems, miscarriages, death of father,business bankcruptcy, mother with alzheimers and others, I turned to food for comfort. It’s not so much what I ate – but How much I ate and when. I now am a walking time bomb as far as blood pressure is concerned. My doctor (a new one) has actually expressed surprise that I’m still alive!! I’m also a very proud (and would you believe vain) person and don’t feel that I could ‘join in’ with others. Funnily enough Fern Brittons experience led me to believe that I would have acted no differently to her. I would have been in a form of denial, but I would also consider it was no-ones business but mine if I cheated to lose my weight. I know its wrong. I’ve read up about gastric banding and bypasses but my husband has a total fear of operations because he lost his own father shortly after one. I know I dare not even suggest it without lots of argument and worry to him. so I have decided to try and follow the rout of the nutrition and dietry requirements for persons who have had the gastric band fitted. I know it will be extremely hard and sheer aggression and willpower will be the only thing that takes me through. Does anyone know how I can gain this knowledge? I would be so grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

By: jane perkins

jane perkins — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:09:17 +0000

I am about to embark on the journey of a gastric band. I have decided to go to Brussels where the surgery is only £4000.I have my first appointment with the consultant on friday 27 june. I have mixed emotions with my decision, i am morbidly obese and have been for all of my adult life, i am approaching 45.Of course i can lose weight natuarally, with great difficulty i may add however my problem is keeping it off.I did the lighter life replacement meal diet an dlost 8 stone in 6 months but since put it back on and more.I can agree with the statement that I will still be a over eater mentally but with the gastric band in place i am hoping that i will be able to overcome that problem with the band in place.
I would love to write a blog or something on my journey from start to finish so that i could help other wishing to go down the surgery path.

By: titania

titania — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:17:37 +0000

I think the decision to have a gastric band is a desperate one. Anyone with a weight issue considers it but it is a serious mental and physical undertaking. Before I would have considered it cheating but no longer. As a seriously and i mean seriously over weight person I made my decision to lose weight semi naturally I guess as have support from doctor but i carefully considered all my options after a tonne of research. I wanted to learn to eat normally I dont think a band could teach me that and have heard cases where it takes the brain a long time to catch up with the body.
I could not face the thought of still being an over eater mentally. I could not face the thought of a life threatening surgery. These brave women made their decision too. To undergo an operation to help put right something they needed help to change. We should not be penalising them for their choices that is done enough by society already.
Having changed my mind as to whether or not this is cheating my only criticism is. Be honest girls but on reflection damned if you do or don’t. Society be it the big girl one or the not so nice one will still judge. So lets give them our support because its a decision I couldn’t make. Could you?