Chickie

I had my op. I knew it was going to change my body, and as a result, my life, but I could have never imagined just how good it is to be "normal" I got to goal in June 2006, had a TT in August that same year, and I have never looked back. These last 3 years have just flown by. I will have DH or DS take photos of me later on today.

You might have to avoid sugar if you had an RNY or a DS, but I am unaware of sugar issues with the band.

"R&T" is Rail & Transport health fund. We have been very, very happy with them for the 5 or 6 (I think) years we have been with them.

If I demanded anything from my surgeon, I would be shown the door rather quickly. Yes, I know my body... But I also know that I have to listen to my doctor.

My best advice is to try everything. At least a few times. It took me a good six months to find what worked for me.

Yeah. No it's not. You will be able to eat real food again once your pre op and post op phase is over. And it the scheme of things, it is a very short time to go without steak. And there is a damm good reason for the pre op diet. It's not to starve, torture or deprive you. Its to shrink your liver so when the surgeon gets in there to place your band it is an easier surgery on the both of you.

And I have to add to that, that any and all policy changes MUST be sent out in writing before they take effect. You will get plenty of notice if it were to happen.

I got my rate rise letter today from R&T (as expected) and it lists all excluded medical and surgical treatments. Nothing is excluded apart from "cosmetic surgery that is not assigned an item number" So R&T is still covering the band.

Don't feel bad... You lasted longer than I did. I lasted 4 days :huh2:

I think if I had a choice between "ugly" or "unhealthy" or even "dead" I am going to pick "ugly" every time. But to answer the question, no I didn't worry about being unattractive after losing weight. But as it turns out the confidence that my new health has inspired has made me far more beautiful than I have ever been.

Boo *IS* hot. :cool2: Only my stalkers have "seen" me. :huh2:

I snorted when I read that! :huh2:

I will move the thread to a forum that is open to the public :wink: And here is my personal web page (it hasn't been updated in quite a while) I actually got to goal (60kg / 132lbs) in June of 2006 (I was banded in Feb of 2005 - 16 months to get to goal). By September 2006 I was down to 51kg / 112lbs, and after several small unfills I was still losing. By Christmas we just took the whole lot out to stop me from losing more weight. I have stabilized at 49kg / 107lbs. No, I am not tall at all, so the almost 300lbs I was carting around was killing me, and I knew that if I didn't work the band, and change my lifestyle I was going to drown in fat. So I started running, became vegetarian, and started living life to it's fullest. There really isn't that much to tell to be honest. My story isn't exciting or sexy... I just worked my ass off. And it paid off. :smile: Thanks!!

Life is life, and it has a tendency to march on without us if we don't keep up. Over Christmas/ New Year there was a lot happening, and I haven't had as much time for LBT and even my own Mummy Board (Coffee Talk Ladies) as I would have liked. There are reasons behind the AV and pics coming down, but I think due to demand I might have to replace them. Thanks for your kind words Foofy. Thanks AussieChik (Love your username by the way... My first username here was Aussie Chick!)

Awesome job Josh!!

People do treat me differently. I think it could be because I treat them differently. I am self confident, happy and outgoing now. I am a lot nicer to be around than when I was 3 or 4 years ago. My relationship with my DH hasn't really changed. We always had a good thing going, and me losing weight hasn't changed it really. My husband was behind me 110%, so I think that has helped. At work I am the same as I ever was. Bossy, mean and foul mouthed (I am a photographer, LMAO) With family things are just the same, I am just smaller than the lot of them. Friends. That is a different story. I found out who my real friends are. Some fell by the wayside when the old green eyed monster came out, and others were behind me and were my biggest cheerleaders. It's not a bad thing. I am happier with my circle of friends now. Eh. My life is to busy, full and happy to be angry at people who hurt me a lifetime ago. It's not worth holding onto. I hope that helped. H&H, Sam.

I have been banded just over 3 years now, been at goal since June 2006, am happy and complication free.

I brought sale items where I could, and sold anything that was too big on eBay as I went.

I am not going to panic till I get something in writing from my health fund. I know we will be slugged with a premium increase, so we will likely get notification of policy changes at the same time. It's just a matter of reading every single word.

At the Wesley in QLD. PM me if you want my Dr's name and number. I think I can forgive you this once ((hugs)) Thanks babe! Thanks Jack, Sades, DonHoll, Coo, Lattedah, & Angie4b1g!

I wonder how this would affect existing bands... As in if we were to need a replacement or repair. Interesting.

At two weeks post op, I started walking about 3 miles a day again. So maybe just some walking? It really depends on what you feel up to doing.

I waited till I was well within a normal BMI before I thought about and had my tummy tuck.

Why would being thin = not getting in enough calories? Unless one is starving one's self to be thin, this wouldn't be the case.

I swear! The second I turn my back you all run off for PS!! Congrats!! When is the big day?