animatedfluff

omg Klassy - it's like you read my mind! I still think of myself as fat. I go to the shops and pick up the biggest size on the rack only to have to remind myself to swap that for the second smallest size! crazy, but one day we'll realise how we really look, it just takes time. So long as your doctor isn't telling you that you look sick, I'm sure the problem is with them, not you Thinknbig!

Hi - have replied to your pros/cons post as well but just realised you are in the Eastern Suburbs as am I.... There is a forum on at the Beau Monde in Doncaster East this Wednesday night if you are interested in attending another to help set your mind at ease and allow you to ask further questions. I am not connected to any of the bariatric surgeons there, I had my surgery done by a seperate surgeon. Just thought it might give you a chance to ease your mind a little more!

Hi Finally Happy! If you haven't made it to a seminar yet, please do go to one.... I didn't think it would help me at all, but found speaking to people who have actually lived with the band, face-to-face, is soooo much help - so much so that I am actually going to be one of those speaking at a seminar this week! EEEK! Anyway - onto your question 3 pros - there are so many more than 3, but if I think honestly about my top 3 they would be health (on joints, heart, lungs and more!), ease of dressing (sounds so simple but honestly, some days I get dressed and leave the house without even looking in the mirror to see how many rolls can be seen or what bits are sticking out that I want to hide!) and a sense of confidence (never in a million years would I have thought I would be willing to stand up in front of a group of strangers and say, yes, I used to weight over 150kgs and look at me now).... 3 cons - again, there are honestly more than 3, but they are mostly little things that I can live with.... the 3 I struggle with most are the odd day here and there where you are tighter than the day before - it can be frustrating because something you found easy to eat one day mysteriously can't be tolerated the next. The second one for me is that I have not told everyone in my life that I had the surgery, at the time I made the decision to have the surgery I was highly embarrassed that I had to resort to surgery in order to gain control of my life, however now I realise that it isn't anyone elses business except mine, the "con" being that if I go out for dinner (say a work dinner) then I have to be extremely careful what I order so that it isn't obvious to everyone that I have been hiding this big secret for many (4) years. This one may be of no problem to you depending on your decision in telling people. Thirdly, and this is one, sometimes you just get frustrated at the level of thought that has to go into each and every meal for the rest of your life. Some people will say that it shouldn't be that way, but for me, it is. It is the decision to eat healthy, the decision to sometimes attempt something that wasn't edible the day/week before, sometimes it's the (wrong) decision to just try something even though you are sure it's not going to work. And sometimes you will make the wrong decision, but we are human and we make mistakes. It would be nice to occassionally be able to flick a switch and turn the band off but in all honesty, I love it waaaaay more than I loved being fat. I don't like that word, but it's the truth. Anyway, sorry for the long post - I hope in some way it has helped. If you are in Melbourne and would like to chat at all, PM me! Good luck with your decision!

Breakfast - Skim mocha Lunch - Sustagen Snack - lamb, feta, sundried tomato, spinach parcel Dinner - chicken, leek & potato protein soup snack - 2 popsicles drinks - water very tight fill - only 1 week out - am still being very careful with solids in the morning as am extremely tight. only 12kg until healthy weight range!!! YIPPEE!!!

not necessarily so - I had mine 5 years and it closed within an hour! everyone is different - if you are worried more about your health, take it out.... as you said, you can always have it re-done!

be aware that tongue piercings can close up really quickly - I don't know about the tube down the throat part of it but I was told I had to take mine out years ago for a gastroscopy (about an hour op) and mine was completely closed!

congrats! I completely get where you are coming from! I started at an Aussie size 26 and just ordered my new work pants in an Aussie size 8!!! I think that's about a US size 4.... very happy!

You guys in he US are soooo lucky! I'm in Australia and we have no where near as many high protein supplemented options! I wish some of these places shipped to Australia! I just paid $50 postage to try some of the Click Protein Coffees!

Hi - I have only had a TT which was partially covered by Medicare. My hospital stay was covered by my health insurance (NIB) - I only had to pay my excess. My surgeon allowed me to advise what I could afford to pay for my operation and we came to an agreed amount. My total out of pocket expenses were about $7k. I am very happy with my results and will be going back hopefully later this year to have my upper arms done and a breast lift too! Good luck!

done! good luck

I love love love the fact that most of us are simply shooting for a healthy BMI - not unrealistic at all & completely achievable! I have frank discussions about my goals with my fill Dr each and every time I see him and he is more than happy to discuss each and every query I have. I have gone from a 52 BMI to a 29, with only a few more points to go. It is achievable - don't listen to your hubby - take it as a challenge & prove him wrong!!!!

;)there are absolutely success stories out there - people just come here more often when they need advice rather than "rubbing" their success in other people's faces (if you get what I mean!) personally, I am only 12 kilo (which I think is around 25 pounds) from being normal weight range - I started with a BMI of 52!!! keep reading - you'll find inspiration!

It's only been 3 monhs since your surgery Winjammer! 3 fills is a lot to have in that time, however you are probably not feeling full restriction yet. Don't be dissappointed in the band - remember it is a tool and you have to get the tool working right in order for it to assist you in losing your excess weight. It took me 5 fills to start getting restriction! Chin up & keep up with the exercise!

Hi - I didn't get any info here however I got a great recommendation from my fill Dr and ended up going with her for my TT... I am very happy with the result and as such will be using her for a future surgery (hopefully this year or next).... if you are thinking about going with her, I highly recommend it!

Hi - I have been referred to Dr Munteanu in Melbourne however have been advised she used to practice overseas - I am wondering if anyone here has had surgery done by her? Thanking you all in advance!

Geez Formerly Fluffy, way to put someone down. How about offering advice rather than just being nasty? It takes some people longer than others to find their sweet spot or whatever you want to call it, as well as learning what their body needs - no one needs a downer like you!

Hey Bunny7 - don't lose heart - I've taken a lot longer than most on here to lose my weight - I started with a BMI of 52 and am now down to 29.... 65kgs lost, but it has taken me 3 & a half years - what most would have probably done in 2, however I am still proud of each and every one of those kilos being gone. Just remember that each kilo is a step in the right direction and no journey is always straight - one step forward, two steps back, then you'll take 10 forward and only 2 back - in the long run, you WILL get there!

Absolutely come back here and even just read to gain more information & motivation... I tend to come back every few months when I need reminding about this journey we are all on and also to find any information I have simply forgotten. We are all here for you!

Def Def Def ask for smaller fills! I have never had to go right back to the beginning - I've had a fill of .5ml then an unfil of 1mL but that's as far back as I had to go.... I'm a rarity though, I have 9.2mL in a 10mL band... My doc said he's never had anyone else have so much fill and still be able to eat! I am stubborn though and do like a lot of restriction as I still struggle with emotional eating even after seeing a psychologist for over 2 years.... Good luck with your journey but don't ever be afraid to ask for a smaller fill!

wow - funny how the band effects us all differently. I'm one of those people who can eat bread, but have never really liked it that much. Roasted chicken is one I miss - I can have it sometimes, others not so well! A good steak with garlic butter.... mmm the thought is good, but it is a def no go with my band!

well, in relation to the sparkling beverages, that's dependant upon your surgeon. My surgeon here in Australia suggests we try to give up soda but is only completely against it if you are drinking it in ridiculously large amounts. I drink a 600mL bottle prob 3-4 days a week which is about 2-3 glasses and have no problems, only 15kg from goal weight which is a mere 71kgs (I think that's about 30pounds to go and goal weight around 140pounds)

Hi - I don't know how much help this will be but I am in Australia and we use mL measurements - I'm not sure how this relates to cc measurements but I have a 10mL band and I have 9.2mL in it at the moment. I have had my band for 3.5 years and have plateaued at 95kg (which I think is around the 180 pound mark)... I had my fill this morning which took me up from 8.7mL and at 8.7mL I had absolutely no restriction whatsoever. I hope you talk to your doctor and ask them to slowly build your fills up and give the band a go because it can work. Good luck!

Hi - I have been referred to Dr Munteanu in Melbourne however have been advised she used to practice overseas - I am wondering if anyone here has had surgery done by her? Thanking you all in advance!

I too have a very hard to access port - my doctor has me do a sort of half sit up - it brings the port higher up to make access easier - works every time for me!

Don't forget either that sometimes hot liquids go down easier than cold ones! :thumbup: