kookaburra

Hi Sarah, thankyou so much for that info:smile: It's good to hear all the different experiences in Brisbane. I'm not sure what an intermediate procedure is so I'll have to check it out. Hope you get a fill again soon, that would be very frustrating I'd imagine! Again thankyou! Best wishes,

Thanks Nene, I really appreciate your reply - thankyou:smile: Dr Bowden sounds awesome and actually a few people on here have commented as to how good he is. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with DR Copp because I've heard equally positive things about him and he's a little cheaper at $17,500 plus I can have all my appointments in Ipswich which is closer for me. It's all very exciting, I'm just concerned now about getting it approved by APRA and also my doctor agreeing that it's a life-threatening condition. I haven't weighed myself for probably over a year but I know I'm more than 110kgs - still my old doctor wouldn't write the letter so it's made me a little worried. I can't wait for everything to stop aching and to be able to move around like I am my real age again instead of 70 (I"m not even halfway to 70 yet but feel like it most days LOL). I'm sure you can relate to some of these from the past and I really appreciate your reply. Hope all is going beautifully for you. Kind regards,

Hi everyone, Just wondering if people who've drawn from their superannuation to pay for any or all of their lapbanding costs have been taxed on the super that they got released early. If you have been taxed where you able to draw out more to cover the cost of the tax or did you just have to come up with the money to cover the tax at income tax time? Would appreciate any information as APRA (the Superannuation Authority) are closed until 4th of January and I want to know now of course!! Thankyou in advance for any info,

Congratulations Fluer! You look amazing. I agree you look so much younger, maybe it's the happiness coming through! I was looking at my bottom of the tummy 'flap' (I have another word for it but it's a bit rude) last night and I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing how much their tummy tucks costs? Might start saving early. Leesa

Insubordination, thanks for the tax tips! Hadn't thought about any of those things so will adjust my childcare benefit and tax so I don't slugged with a bill at the end of the financial year. It is great to hear that other people have decided to spend the extra without waiting th 12 months. You are all right about the doctor thing - my doctor is lovely, she just seems like the sort of person who hasn't experienced any adversity in life so probably doesn't really understand how it feels to be at the end of your tether. I'm going to insist on a referral and if she won't give it to me, I'll go somewhere else. Loving the little community that you've all built up here - it's great! Take care everyone! Leesa

Thanks everyone for sharing your positive experiences! It is great to hear about how life changing the bands have been for you all. I think as women sometimes it is hard to do things just for yourself (like spending all that super) but I'm gonna do it anyway. I've been wanting to change my life for a long time and I feel that my weight is a big part of my depression. Hearing from all of you just reminds me that I'm worth it too. Thanks!!!!!!!! Leesa

Hi everyone, congratulations on all of your successes, very inspirational I must say! I am seriously considering lap banding, will have to pay for it out of super coz I don't want to wait another 10 months before I can start getting my life back. Is it really as horrible as some of the other posts say - vomiting constantly, reflux ect. I live in Queensland. Have any of you had experiences with any Queensland surgeons. I have a BMI of 37 but because of the anti depressants I take (which make me hungry all the time) I have little hope of losing the weight on my own. I am really hoping that my doctor will give me a referral as in the past she has said no because I don't have a bmi of 40. I would really appreciate any tips, ideas ect. Thanks.