Chickie

A low profile port, and a different position might fix the problem. Quite a few people have had this issue crop up (although I am not one of them my port doesn't show at all. Apparently this is due to where my surgeon placed my port, and the fact that I had a low profile all along)

I celebrated my 3rd Bandaversary on the 22nd of February this year. I woke up, smiled, quietly congratulated myself, and went about my day knowing that I am healthier, fitter, and happier than I was 3 years ago. DH took me out to dinner that night, but it was actually more a belated Valentines Day dinner.

I have 0cc in a 9.75cm 4cc band. I lost my weight in 17 months, I chose to be unfilled because I was still losing. I was unfilled December 2006 (15 months ago) It hasn't been hard at all for me to maintain without a fill, but my surgeon tells me I am the first he has seen or heard of who has maintained without any fill. Most people NEED their fill to maintain the weight loss.

Chickie doesn't post her pics any more because she caught waaayyy too much crap for "Making people feel less than successful" And it was pointed out a long time ago, by Alex, and others, that it would actually be unfair to single out one person in particular to pose, as we have quite a few ladies and gents who would be perfect! And I tend to agree. While I don't like boob grabber, she (or another stock photo) is a good alternative.

My 2 cents, for what they are worth - "People" will tell you you look too skinny, simply because they just are not used to seeing you thinner. Not that you really are skinny. It's just that when they look at you, they still see the shadow of the person you used to be. If YOU feel you need to lose another 20lbs, go for it. You are the only person in this whole world who has to live in, and be comfortable in your body.

Ok. I will confess, straight up, that I haven't read the whole thread, nor did I thoroughly read the novel sized posts. I just skimmed. But the above JUMPED out at me. Do you want someone to talk you into keeping the band? And, bandsters who are happy with their bands often check out these types of threads to see if there is any insight they might be able to offer. Or even just be there to read/reply to people who are having a hard time of it. To offer some encouragement. I don't think anyone here would go out of their way to make anyone else unhappy. I hope you find peace.

I was on me for 4 years prior to being banded. I went off my Met about 6 months after I had my op. I think it was far more effective as I lost weight.

I hope it all works out well for you. If you are looking at the op that soon, I would go to the seminar, and soak up as much info as you humanly can between now and then. Because even if you read everything, and listen to every story you can, it still wont be enough. There are always surprises, but you want to minimize them, if you get my meaning? The more you can find out before, the less you will have to learn later. Don't be afraid to ask 'dumb" questions (there are no dumb questions, by the way, we all have to learn) and just absorb everything you can. Good luck.

Awesome. Have they given you any idea on the timeframe? I understand that the waiting list can be anywhere up to 5 years long (maybe longer). Although there was one lady on Ozband (I think) who only had to wait two years. So maybe you will get lucky.

You look fantastic for three days out C. Freaking amazing! :drool:

She looks unhappy to me. Maybe it's because she is having to hold that boob up? Her bra strap broke or something?

Me? Dr C. at the Wesley.

Did I diet to get to goal? Nope. I changed my lifestyle. Turned it into something I could live with for the rest of my life. I learned to love good, healthy food, and I found an exercise I adore. Can you "diet" with a band? I don't see why not, but to me "going on a diet" implies that at some point you will go off it, and what usually happens when we go off diets?

I didn't see the ad, but if you are interested in finding out more, go along. It's not going to hurt, and I presume it's free, so it's not like it's going to cost anything. As for being "one of the lucky ones" and not having an out of pocket, I wouldn't be too sure about that. Unless you are being banded as a public patient, there is likely to be a rather large ($2,000+) out of pocket expense. Most health funds cover a fair chunk of banding, but they don't cover the whole lot. Best of luck to you.

Thank you! Striver - Thank you for your kind words. Congrats on making the decision to be banded! April 8th is just around the corner!! Thanks Faith! Thank you! It's an Alannah Hill. I wub that outfit to bits. Thank you very much. It is a great comfort to me that some good came out of me doing that interview.

No, but I did (and still do) eat organic, whole foods where possible. And I became Vegetarian at about 6 months post op. I don't recall the exact number, but my highest fill was abut 3.5cc in a 4 cc band. That didn't last too long though. I didn't like that much restriction. I like to be able to eat real food. I ended up having a total unfill to stop me from losing weight. I have maintained without any fill for over a year now. Thanks Peabody, Sunwyse, Sue and She Smiles! As promised before and after; (The after is after DH and I got home from dinner tonight)

Thanks Aussiechik & Striver.

I couldn't agree more. Dr Copp is awesome

Unfiilling to find the perfect restriction to maintain is JUST like filling to find the perfect restriction to lose. Not everyone is going to lose or maintain at the same level of restriction. It took a total unfill for me to stop losing. And even then if I am not very, very careful, I will lose a couple of pounds. No .2cc unfill to stop me losing I am afraid.

Thanks. I do have excess skin. Not a whole lot of it, but I do have some. I did have a tummy tuck in August of 2006. My stomach was my problem area (its where I carried most of my weight, there and my ass) To be truthful, all I do is run, sit ups, push ups, chin ups and planks. And a bit of yoga. Nothing special, I just do it daily. I think that is the key.

Why would I miss eating? I mean, if I ate nothing but diet food, and Protein shakes, maybe I would... But, these days I eat far better quality food, and just slightly less of it. In fact, when I was out to dinner with my SIL, who is on a diet, I actually ate more than her. SHE missed eating! :thumbdown: So, no. I don't miss eating. And I don't miss eating junk food either. Real food is far more satisfying than junk ever was.

Ok. You are going to get a pretty one eyed opinion from most people on a banding board about banding, and the same can be said for an RNY board. People have a tendency to think that their surgery is "the surgery" and will spout myth and BS to win you over. Facts are, no surgery is going to do all the work for you. If you are going to have excess skin, you are going to have it no matter what weight loss method you use. The rate you lose at has nothing to do with it (I lost 190 in 17 month, and only my stomach needed work) Only age, genetics, duration of obesity and distribution of the fat will determine if you will have loose skin or not. You can lose as fast with a band as you can with RNY, a sleeve or DS. It is up to you to do the work to get there though. And there are potential issues with banding. The threat of erosion, slips and sometimes the band just isn't a good fit with some people's lifestyles. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I don;t believe in putting down one thing to make another look better, if you know what I mean. You will have to work no matter what surgery you chose, and there are possible complications with any surgery.

I love my treadmill, because I love to run. And when it is late at night, or wet, or too hot, I can still run without leaving my home.

I wanted to be an Aussie size 12 (a US 8-10) and about 60- 65kg (132lbs- 142lbs) I ended up an Aussie 6 (like a 2 or a 4 in the US) and 49-50kg (107 ish lbs) At 164cm, my current weight is well within the "normal & healthy" range.

The question is what are we seasoned with :thumbdown: A big "Hello and Congrats" from Brisbane!