blytheswideshut

Good luck Christie! :wave:

Thanks for that Susannah - I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm pretty sure there are a variety of bands in use...from what the Aussie bandsters seem to say...different makes, sizes and volumes - which is why it's nice to ask your surgeon which one he might use or after surgery you can find out which one s/he did use. I think it's useful also to ask or be aware of as many questions as possible - even if you've read an answer on the boards. Some things may vary from surgeon to surgeon - I know that some surgeons here have different after surgery requirements...but most of these things will be discussed at one of your pre-surgery appointments. Especially costs - most surgeons seem to provide a costs sheet, and their office staff should be very helpful about answering questions. Christie let us know how you went!

I have already seen my surgeon for an initial consultation, but hadn't read these boards and didn't have any questions prepared for him, the following is a list of some of the questions I'll be asking when I go back to see him, and some are questions that other people seem to be asking. (questions are in no particular order) * Does the band itself have a warranty/guarantee? * What is the expected life span of the band/port/tubes? * What type of band is used, how much fill does it hold, why does the surgeon choose to use this brand of band? * What happens if something goes wrong - leaks, slipping, port movement/flipping etc. Who pays? If the band is faulty (and from what I've been reading occasionally there are leaks, ports that don't work properly etc) who is responsible for that? (this relates to my question about whether or not the band has a warranty/guarantee) * Costs - surgery, pre-op visits (dietitian, psychologist, tests, physio etc), post-op visits (fills, dietitian, psychologist). * What happens if the surgery doesn't go through in the first instance - ie: you're on the operating table and they discover "fatty liver" or something else. * If "key hole" surgery isn't an option for whatever reason, what other alternatives are there? * Post operative support. Most surgeons are very helpful and extremely open and welcome your questions, having a list is a great idea. Good luck, let us all know how everything goes for you. I'm sure there are heaps more questions you should ask - hopefully you'll get a few more responses!

You are looking fantastic! Such an inspiration.

Hey Susannah, I'm not banded yet - I think my ticker says I've got about 2 months to go... I'm starting to get excited.

Hey Susannah, can you eat matzoh at Passover? Do you think you would be ok with that? OMG, If I still lived in Melbourne I don't think I'd be able to go through with being banded. I lived two streets away from Carlisle St, Balaclava and absolutely lived for Thursday nights when I could go down to Glicks or one of the other bakeries at about 11pm and get some hot hot fresh out of the oven raisin challah. I can't start thinking about "Jewish" food...I swear not a day goes past when I don't think about soup nuts and Yummi's trout mousse. No wonder I need the band!

I got whacked with the "Big Bones" stick big time. My Mum is 5'3" and weighs about 55kg she's 60 this year, she's all petite and tiny - she never knew what to make of me and my "big bones". My dad is 6'1" and about 80kg - but even at 60 he's quite muscled and fit. However, I'm not alone! My brother is BIG too, he's 6'5" but I swear he probably weighs about 180-200kg. My mother has never been able to deal with us being big kids. But that's a whole OTHER thread!

The worst thing is in a restaurant: "And a diet coke for madame?" or if I say "I'll have a coke, thanks." and the waiter/ess repeats immediately: "Diet." Rude.

I am speechless about your pics. Truly in awe of your achievement and change! My body type is similar in shape and distribution to yours...so your pics are very inspirational for me. Thanks for posting them! :clap2:

Hey Fee... well, you know, it's QLD after all - so per usual it's hot! Yesterday was 36C...but today was much cooler (29 or 30c I think) and a little overcast...even if it rains it will still be hot! Today it's been looking like it's going to rain, but nothing yet. Good luck for the weekend.

Hey Tarajane I'm glad you got a ticker for yourself, they are so cute... Yay for swimming - despite it being wonderful exercise for everyone of any size/shape/age/fitness level - we tend to keep away from it when we're big... it's great to hear that you feel ready to learn to swim - you go girl!

I think they forget that they're in a service industry - and we are paying (and oh! are we paying!) for the service. Really, as consumers medical patients get a pretty rough time. It's a personal bug-bear of mine, I have to say!

Hi everyone I've been lurking around for a week or so, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself. I live in Brisbane, I'm 34 and I have my surgery booked for May with Dr Blair Bowden. I've been thinking about being banded on and off for about 5 years, but I never seemed to be in the "right place" emotionally, financially or physically. In the past year or so everything has slowly fallen into place and I'm ready. Even in the short time I've been reading here - I've learnt so much and feel so much stronger and more prepared for what lies before me. Thank you all! It's good to be here.

Broadbeach is basically at Surfers Paradise, and they are both about 15-20min from the theme parks. Not far at all. Most of the big hotels, apartments etc are at Broadbeach. Hope you have a great trip!

Good luck for your surgery, and the doors that it may open for you. In the short time I've been reading here I have gained tremendous insight and strength from reading how others have got through it. Initially I was a bit scared about the whole "your band is a tool, it's up to you to use it" business - It's really not an analogy that sits well with me. But after reading a lot here about that, I'm growing more comfortable with it. food is such a big part of life for us - it's more than eating too much isn't it? Giving it up, and approaching it with an "eat to live" not "live to eat" mindset is a little bit scary. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend. I just made up my mind (over the course of 5 years!) that I don't want friends like that anymore. take care.

Hi Susannah That really sux. There is nothing worse than being made to feel like you're a "dead beat" non-paying patient just because you're querying an account. When I was in another surgeon's office for an intital consultation, a patient of his that had been banded in March 06 came in the query an account he had received in Feb 07! The account was for $160, he wanted some info about the account - and the receptionist got really snarky and said it was for unpaid fees - and he keept asking her for what/when etc, and she basically couldn't tell him. Then he says to her that he claimed all the 05/06 medical bills on his tax, and because this account is only $160 he won't be able to claim this in this tax year (because it's got to be over $1500 to start claiming it). So - get this!!! she starts saying to him, well if you're going to claim it at 30c in the dollar off your tax, then it's really only $40 and she can't even understand why he's carrying on about $40. He was speechless. At this time I was called in to see the Dr and didn't get to find out what happened. The little scenario was part of the reason why I chose not to go with that surgeon!

Hey Fee Noosa's about three (more prehaps) hours north of the Gold Coast by car. You could go up and stay overnight perhaps? Brisbane is about an hour - hour 1/2 from the Gold Coast, and about 45min-1hr to the theme parks. (These are very approx times!) You can get heaps of good, cheap accomm on the gold coast - Wotif.com is a good start. Most of the newer stuff is pretty good - there's heaps of tourists on the Gold Coast so most of the accomm is pretty good - although not all of it is in Surfers (if you want to stay there). Most people tend to stay on the GC when they come up to go to the theme parks. I just looked on wotif - and there's one called Bel Air resort, it's in Surfers and reasonably cheap. I think it's cheap because it's quite a new apartment/resort. It looks very impressive from the road! Good luck! Have a great trip - this is a good time of the year to come up, because it's not too hot :clap2:

Blair Bowden is doing my surgery, and after a few hiccups with the other psychologist, I'm going to see Santo Russo. I spoke to him on the phone and he sounded lovely and he sent me out a huge packet of information and surveys/inventory/questionnaires for me to complete prior to my appointment. Has anyone seen Santo, and if so how did you find him? What is his manner like? Thanks! Karyn

Hi Dionne I saw your message - and went over to tickerfactory to check it out for myself...so now I'm the proud owner of a countdown ticker to my surgery date...lol. Once you've made your ticker: (i think the steps are:) 1. Choose the line design for your ticker 2. Chose the "slider" design 3. Put in the date, what you are "counting", and your time zone. If your ticker is correctly "made" it will display on the last page that you click to. To get the ticker onto your signature, you need to highlight and right-click "copy" on the information in the "bbCode" box (the top one), then come back over here, click "User CP" on the toolbar above, then click the link on the left hand side to "Edit signature". Paste (ctrl+V) the code you copied from tickerfactory into the top editing box, then click the "preview signature" button at the bottom of the page, and if it has worked, go back and save it! et voila - a ticker! ** Remember - keep the ticker page open while you do all this - if it doesn't work the first time, you may need to go back, cut'n'paste and try again. If you need anymore help, PM me.

Best of luck and good health for your surgery tomorrow Dionne. *Fee* What sort of accommodation are you looking for? The theme parks (Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet n Wild, White Water World etc) are a fair drive from the Gold Coast itself - will you have a car?

Good Luck Dionne. Take care of yourself, can't wait to hear how it all went. :clap2:

Hi everyone. I'm on the southside of Brisbane, and my banding surgery is scheduled for May with Blair Bowden. I am really interested in meeting those who have had or who are about to have banding surgery. *Sarsy23 -- Optifast can be tough going - but the first few days are the hardest, stick with it though... I have been on the Dr Mccleods VLCD previously, then my Dr switched to Optifast - and I found Optifast VILE to say the least. Dr Mccleods is a much creamier, smoother, tastier drink, but can be harder to get hold of. It has the same properties as Optifast. The sunnybank surgeons use Dr Mccleods. Perhaps you could speak to your surgeon/Dr about another VLCD if Optifast is tough going for you? *** Hope I haven't overstepped the line ***