justwaitin2b

note to Janet - you WILL do great!!! p.s. I was gunna say, I can't beleive he had the gall to say that - and then I realised - he has your gall!!!!!!! RAOTFLMAO................. K

Hi Janet - You can do it babe!! I beleive in you!! and the fact the surgeon opened his negative can of worms - should be more inpiration for you, prove he is wrong!!!! Come on, i'll loan you a pair of my "big girl panties" and you can go kick his self righteous arse all the way back to lapland..........now that makes you feel better doesn't it!! As soon as you are feeling better, hop back on the pre-op diet and go show him what you can do............. anyway, I have to start my 4 weeks of pre-op on the 29th September.........we can be twins!!! hugs Karen

Hi D,Lew..... I have not been banded yet - 6 weeks to go, I am nervous and excited - they are completely normal emotions. I have researched lapband for 12 months - and what I can tell you is that banding is the most flexible, safest, adjustable and permanent weight loss method ever - however it is still just a tool, you will need to follow guidelines... I have pasted a really good link here: Lapband Lifestyle - We are here to help you in your changing life! I have found the more I read and learn, the more confident I feel - good luck on your decision, and feel free to chat anytime..... hugs Karen

Okay obviously there is a big fluctuation in the information people are getting. Prof.Paul O'Brien is an expert in the field, and has written many articles, and books. He spends alot of his time in the US, teaching about the band also (he's from Oz too) He says that on average bandsters loose two thirds of the excess weight, but there is no limit to the loss, if you want to keep focused and work in partnership with your surgeon, you will reach "goal" weight. In Australia most of the people getting banded at the moment need to lose approx 100lbs (45kgs) that is the point! It is the most adjustable, flexible, safest weight loss surgery available in the modern world. By-pass or sleeve technology is dated, and some surgeons feel more comfortable with it, because they are more practiced at doing it - but it is heaps more dangerous to your health and body. A band does not change any of your internal organs, it is completly reversible - a by-pass is drastic surgery, and is only used as a second choice in case of complications. Please research these operations seriously before you commit, I have spent the last 12 months researching, and I can tell you the band is well and truly in front on all issues. Good luck, what ever you decide - be happy & healthy - cheers Karen

hey Ginaki, I am in Bundaberg,Queensland. Visited Melbourne last Xmas - must admit, you guys have weird traffic rules! I am only a smidge taller than you, and a kilo heavier, so I'd say we are nearly twins!!! I would love to chat sometime, but I need to take my middle princess back up to bed now, she has been lying on the floor in my office while I mucked around on the puta.............. catch up soon, Karen

Hi Lizziee, welcome, I am scheduled for 29th October in Queensland, Australia........... I love this board, it is motivating, inspiring and fun!! Good luck with everything....cheers Karen

Fawksy - It doesn't really matter if you find the willpower to lose 100lbs again - statistics say that you will probably put that much on again, and some.............but with a band, life is different! unless you are going to puree KFC, soak white bread in cream until soggy, melt chocolate etc to fit through the band then you have a safety net - yes, it is still a tool, but it is a physical reminder that is there permanently - not just when you feel motivated, it will be there when you feel crappy too! If you try to eat for emotions, stress, any of those nasty things that makes us binge, the band will be there for you............. and in 90% of cases, when you lose the weight, and keep the band - the weight will be gone forever!!! Having second doubts and fears are completely normal emotions, but accept them as part of the journey - don't give in to them, and sacrifice your life to doubt! hugs Karen

so Ginaki - you are choosing to pay full price, rather than wait the 12 months waiting period for new hospital cover? I only had extra's cover, and upgraded to Medibank private hospital cover in October last year, that's why I needed to wait the 12 month period before weight loss surgery would be covered. Maccy has been on hospital cover health insurance for 10 years, that's why she does not have to wait the 12 months, it is already covered by the last 10 years. gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.....was getting confused, so went over the posts - correct me if I'm wrong...... cheers Karen

lucky duck - I have 4 weeks of optifast (or other which doesn't make me hurl)............... sure happy to exchange email addresses, not sure how to do it privately though....will try. I am actually in Bundaberg - are you Northside or Southside girl?

Brispenny, Oct 9th will come around fast luvie, when do you start pre-op diet? have you read the books I have recommended? there are also some great articles on the web by George Fielding (surgeon who is banded) and Robin McCoy. I would love to keep in touch...........hugs Karen

Good morning Striver - what an honest entry - nice to meet you too! The difference with having the band - will be that you won't regain the weight you lose - anyone can do the liquid diet thing, or personal trainer thing - but as soon as you stop, back comes the weight plus some!! The band is designed to be a change for life, it is flexible and adjustable - but will always be there to help, where will the personal trainer be in 7 years time??? You sound ready - let me know what you think of the book........... hugs Karen

Thanxs to everyone who has read my thread and replied - you are all not only helping me, but lots of others reading these posts as well.........give yourselves a big hug from me!! I would love to keep chatting with everyone............so tell me a bit more about yourself, where you live, are you banded, family, work, pets, shoe size........lol!!! hugs Karen

thanx Jane - I can't beleive you actually have deer and groundhogs in your back yard - I thought that only happened to Chevy Chase!! lol... I do have a treadmill and a bike - both are great for folding laundry and collecting dust - I will try harder soon, I promise!! I understand why you have no passion for exercise after work, I have 3 muchkins of my own, my hubby works away, and I am a daycare Mum for 4 other ones, while mine are at school..............after work, I could care less..... talk soon, karen

hey Brispenny, I love chit-chat!! It has helped me wait the 101/2 months so far - I am getting it done locally in Bundaberg............ Dr.DeLacy is very good, he's been doing them here for about 2 years, with great results!!......

I know - it seems like they are vampires....lol!! when are you getting an ultrasound done? where are you? whats you stats..................we can be bandit buddies if you want....... a week difference is nothing!! cheers Karen

Hi Maccy - if you have had full hospital cover for 10years - you will be fine - the band & hospital are 100% covered, you just pay the surgeon fee, and any excess on the hospital stay. Good for you!!! My date is October 29th...............in Queensland. I have waited the 12 month period, and now have only 6 weeks until I am banded, I could not afford to pay the full $12500. In a way it was good, because I have spent that time researching and reading all about the proceedure and after...... keep in touch, Karen

Cooooeeeee, Janet are you there?? How did your Gall Bladder op go? haven't heard from you in a few days now.....are you safe and well?? Cheers Karen

Hi striver - I will recommend you read a book by Prof.P.O'Brien called "The Lap Band Solution".......... very good, $24.95 from Dymocks.... I only have 6 weeks and 3 sleeps to go until I am banded, like you I waited the 12 months........almost there now - woo-hoo!!! cheers Karen

hi striver, have you been banded yet? what state are you in? nice to meet cha............. Karen

thanks for sharing and caring Jane - are you doing much exercise during your day now? xxKaren

sure do, possum! a few of us are getting together on Sunday for coffee, 2 of the ladies have lost 37kgs each (81.4 lbs) and one has just started she has lost over 20lbs, another is scheduled for Sept 24, and of course me booked for Oct 29........... I have read the book by Prof. P.O'Brien the big wig lapbandy doctor.........it's good! have you guys got books and stuff to refer to??? xxKaren

I don't think so...........but I think it's a groovy idea!! will see if I can find anything similar............... have a great day - K

what is crystal light? is it a softdrink, a jelly crystal??? no idea - i haven't heard of it in Australia - but we may have something similar.................... xxK

you didn't just eat eggs, pickles, and asparagus did you????? omg don't think i could do that................... xxKaren

Hi aussie - I am in queensland, and the surgeon's assistant told me that most of the things that show up in the blood tests, or ultrasounds are just more reasons for the banding to go ahead.....like you, I was scared that they would change their minds...and say no!! but in most cases that's not what happens - it just helps with the research of obesity, and banding, and helps the surgeon prepare for any differences in your internal organs................ if you are quite big, you may find that your ultrasound will show a fatty liver - which if you google it, sounds near fatal - but is actually quite common, and one of the first things to correct itself when you lose the weight. there is an informative lapband message board on yahoo, health, lapband - and you may get more local feedback there - this lapband talk site is great for motivation and inspiration!! good luck - Karen