glenda6

I had my surgery nearly 4 years ago. Until September 2005 I had lost 83lb with 20 still remaining, but had a personal tragedy, which forced me to take antidpressants - which were necessary at the time, but put 50+ pounds back on me in a little over a year. I am now medication free and decided that the only way to cope with my weight was HEALTH HEALTH AND HEALTH - so I joined the gym 7 weeks ago (doing 10 or more hours a week) and yesterday got all the Fluid out of my band, so I could eat salad and really healthy without vomiting. The specialist felt my decision was an excellent one - I feel better already! What was right for me - isn't for everyone, but in the long run we all want to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Glenda

Thankyou so much it is nice when someone reads a post just right. Good Luck to you also. Glenda

I had my band in Australia, but live in Canada and found a Dr who unfilled me yesterday, he charges $125 for either filling or unfilling and I will try to claim that on private insurance also. He didn't use a fluro - just poked around and got it first time - I was impressed - I'm gonna send him some wine (know he likes red), probably can afford his own - but it ain't everyday you find someone that doesn't hurt and has a sense of humour.

Banded: 29 July 2003 Country: Sydney Australia Surgeon: Dr Ritchie Erosion: No So far I am down exactly 80lbs, not all from the band - in the past 1.5 months I have also become an exercise addict - which took off another 16 out of the total. I take a mild antidepressant that has taken my head space into the best place for taking care of myself. At last I matter to me - after all of my 45 years - no surgery, pills, exercise or dieting can do that individually - we have to do it and listen to our souls and find what is right for us. Good luck to you all Glenda

Hello Calgary folk I have found out Dr Mitchell's phone number - that's it so far. I am on Topamax for migranes and it seems that it has tightened my band (only joking it has slowed my appetite) so for now i don't need the fill i thought i did. Maybe we should get together all us Calgary bandsters - done or not? Any suggestions? Just for the record I have lost 62lb in 2.5 years with the band - it saved my life. Glenda

I was banded in July 2004 and have lost 62lb since, i still have about 40 to go and have struggled with my weight. I did not need another fill, but figured out how to trick the band. In September 2005 my daughter (22) took her life. It made me face lots of personal issues and past issues. I had to go for treatment and as a result of this we discovered that since I was 4 I have been depressed (I am 45) and have a severe binge eating disorder, which I kinda knew but in my family - hey - we are fat and happy (NOT):xena_banana: Eight weeks ago I started taking a low dose of antidepressants and sure enough i have made the best choices and have had the most control over my eating ever. I have already lost 16lb and feel fantastic and motivated to exercise and live my life for a change. My point is - you can fix your body - but your mind might sometimes need help. If anyone would like to chat to me about this my email is glenda6@hotmail.com. I am also happy that I had the band - it saved my life. Glenda

Thanks for your words. Nothing is perfect for everyone - but after years of trying to figure out my problem with food - it now seems so simple - that is what has amazed me. You hear many bad stories about antidepressants and I worked in the medical field for 8 years but would never take anything - i hated the thought of being another statistic with medication. Let me say that how I feel "normal" and in control for the first time ever I would take bucket loads if i had to. Glenda

oh thankyou thankyou Bjuba for that information. I am Australian and have been in Canada for 2 years without another fill - and i need one - desperately and was going to have to fly to Vancouver - I live in Fort MacLeod. Again Thankyou so much! :kiss2:

Megan - you are totally not alone. Most of us share you concerns. I had my band on 29 July and have lost 32lbs already - I am actually already 1/3 of my way to goal. In saying that my emotions and food requirements have changed radically since having the surgery. I am a very emotional and sensitive person - I mourned the loss of food and the comfort it gave me for the first 4 weeks after surgery - BUT - once I realised that is why I felt like I did - I have not looked back. I gave up blaming everyone and everything - because I knew I was loosing weight that I would never regain - so I was able to let go of all the past "issues" (trust me I had tonnes). As far as the "naked guy" thing - this is my 2nd marriage and I have had too many men to brag about - beauty comes in all shapes and sizes - if a man loves you - he does love you regardless of your outta appearance - if that all he cares about - give him the flick! I have not eaten one of my passion foods since being banded - I was a pizza girl and could chug down a large quickly - I would no more want pizza now than fly to the moon. I also loved cakes - couldn't care less about cakes or pastries - they just don't appeal to me anymore. The bottom line is - I wanted to live longer - I wanted to be happy and enjoy life - I finally am - and it gets better ever day - even not being so paranoid about people looking at me anymore makes me more confident. You will be fine - deal with it one day at a time - live you life! Glenda

Over here (Australia) the doc numbs it first and then it is like a pressure sensation - and that's about it. Glenda

That is such a lot of money, I don't know how they can justify it really - specially when it takes 3 minutes or less. My doctor here in Australia only ends up costing $55 - which is like $34US per fill - that is no comfort to you I know. I would put something in writing to whoever is in charge of the nurse and perhaps that may help. Glenda

Hi Sharon I'm Australian as well - from Sydney. I had my surgery on 29 July and have lost 12kg so far - I love it. My email is glenda6@hotmail.com if you ever want to chat or need support. We are moving to Canada on 10 October (long story) but would always been happy to chat. Glenda

Lori With my 1st fill I was pb'ing for nearly a week and then it stopped - so there must be some settling period - I guess just wait and see what happens over the next couple of week. Glenda PS I sent you a pm on here.

My husband is from Canada and we are thinking about moving there in a few months. I need to find a dr to do fills etc in Southern Alberta - we will be living in Lethbridge or Calgary - does anyone have any information? Even Montana would be OK because we would not be too far from the US border. I appreciate any help. Thanks Glenda

Bobby, I had to laugh at your post - do you think 34 is old? In that case I shouldn't have bothered to have the surgery - they should have retired me! I am 42 and had another baby last year at 41 and feel as young as I did when I was 20. I had my surgery on 29 July and have lost 23lbs already and now I feel 19 and a half. I hope you feel younger soon - it is so important! Glenda

Victoria, there is probably nothing that anyone can really say that would make a difference. I know from experience that wiaitng is the hardest - I was postponed for 2 weeks because there was no hospital beds. I think the fact that they found something wrong now at least should prevent complications after your surgery - I guess that is the main consolation. Good luck and try not to sit around watching the time go by. Glenda

I am glad to hear your fill went well. I have my 1st on Thursday this week. My surgeon does it 4 weeks post - regardless. I am already down 22lb in 4 weeks. Hope mine goes so smoothly. Glenda

Congrats on it all going well. I was like you - I decided to not take too much paid med - I was scared on getting up and down that I could do some damage if it couldn't feel anything, but regardless I didn't think it hurt too badly (not compared to having another baby - which I did 15 months ago). Within a week or two you will feel fantastic - and the walk walk walk advice is never truer. Glenda Banded 29 July Dr Ritchie - Sydney Aus

Hi Dana I am from Sydney and was banded on 29 July, it is nice to see other Aussies here. I have lost 10kg already (tonnes of that was Fluid - I have never lost so much fluid in such a quick time). I will have my first fill next Thursday. If you ever want to talk my email is glenda6@hotmail.com. If you are in Sydney we could catch up. Congrats on your weight loss. Glenda

Thanks for posting that - it was what I was about to post. I am also 10 days out and wanted to know about Aqua - which I love! Looks like that is where I will be next week. I am also starting Yoga on Wednesday night - there is only 3 in the class so far because it is new and I figured it might be a good time to start when the instructor has more time. Glenda

Roxanne, it takes a few days to get back to feeling normal. I was banded 10 days ago and with each day you just feel better and better. Also, you can take in more Fluid each day too - like the other replies it is usually swelling that stops you getting in too much for the first few days. Good Luck Glenda Banded 29 July Dr James Ritchie - Sydney Australia

Alexis - must be a popular birthday - it is my 20 year olds, my mothers and my youngest neice (all 3 very similar personalities) - over the years I have met about 6 others with that date. Happy Birthday for then! Glenda

Leo, most of us are never good enough in our mothers eyes, so don't feel alone there, I could bore you to death with mother stories - but who cares anyhow??? I think if people jump on the boat it is a great compliment that they want to be like you (that is how I justify - I don't like the jealous emotion - it wastes energy). You can have a nice laugh to yourself about your sisters and family bla bla but take satisfaction that you can be sooooooooooo influential. Glenda:D

Nicky, I am in Sydney and have found Target brand to be really good quality and fashionable (even though I am 42 - I still like to be dressed well), but lucky for us we won't have to give a SH*T shortly about plus size clothes anyhow. Glenda

I only had my surgery 1 week ago, so the feelings that you are having are still very fresh with me. I have a 14 month old and this surgery was firstly for my health so I would live long enough to see her grow up (she is my last when I was 41). I was a waiting list for nearly 10 months and was postponed once (for 14 days) so I hated the waiting but it gave me time to get my head around the whole issue and why I was going to do it. I had to go to the hospital which is 1 1/2 hours away from where I live, my husband had to look after the baby, and my grown up children had to work - but in some ways being alone was better because I met tonnes of people on my way and it made the time go quick - sometimes support people make you more nervous! It was all a spin - until they got me on that table to the needles - which I hate - I was surrounded by 7 men (various dr's and nurses - would have been interesting in another situation perhaps and they all held my hands and rubbed my head while they did their work with the needles etc, ................. next I woke up and I was so happy that finally I could live a more "normal" life, and was on my feet within a couple of hours because I was so determined that I wanted this - I was so excited I was busting out of myself! You will be fine - you will survive and it will make you stronger! Like others have said compared with having a baby it is fairly simple - but hard to compare at the same time - different ends really! Good Luck Glenda xx