striver

congrats I will be there soon. hope u have a speedy recover and im sure u will be looking trim taut and terrific very soon regards

10 weeks on wow hard to imagine - im sure the time will fly im banded 27th feb 2008 and cant wait.. :smile: i just hate the anisthetic cant stand being out and then waking up in agony.. this too will pass regards M

i am wondering if u could just Atkins pre op?? regards M

woohoo 2 more sleeps i will be banded feb 27th........i cant imagine only having 2 days to go...wow Just trust in yourself and your doctor and go for it all the best regards M:smile::smile::smile:

Hi All I'm in Sydney... was wondering if there are any support networks here in Sydney at all for those having or have got de lap band????? Would also love to here from those in Sydney who have had great doctors do the band etc? regards, M:)

Yep, can totally relate to what your saying my friend and i looked at each other after the lap band info night and I said so what we gonna do??? Diet for the next 11 months or go out and feast? I am still confused about which road we will go down - i would say we will not be satisfied with feasting for the entire 11 months - we spoke today on the phone have made the decision at least to start exercising. I mean logically anything we do prior to banding is going to help the goal - so really to feast like people destined to die is only prolonging our long term weight goal ----- as u said just head games.... I think it is a process after the decision ... u know a developmental kinda step....I am sure we will not be happy stuffing our faces for long. You however dont have too long to wait best of luck - hope all goes well kind regards M:whoo:

Dear Danna, I was convinced b4 but after the info night my friend and i are ready to sign on the dotted line - 11 months to go and counting downnnnn We were very pleased with the info night and for us the team sensation really worked for us. I want to feel when i get my lapband I have entire team behind me..... how are u doing? kind regards M:whoo:

dear fanny here are the details of costs with health insurance: I am with medibank private: WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER SURGEON’S FEE $3,975.00 (ITEM NO. 30511) ANAESTHETIC FEE $1,200.00 (ITEM NOS.17610, 20791, 25000 + TIME) ASSISTANCE FEE $ 745.00 (ITEM NO. 51303) CONSUMABLES/DIETITIAN FEE (8 VISITS INCLUDED) $ 580.00 SUB TOTAL $6,500.00* LESS MEDICARE REBATE (APPROX) $1179.00 SUB TOTAL $5321.00 LESS PRIVATE HEALTH FUND REBATE (APPROX) $300.00** TOTAL (APPROX OUT OF POCKET COSTS) $5021.00 (Please note: fees charged are subject to change). *This amount applies to patients with private hospital cover in a health fund. A Medicare and Private Health Fund rebate are applicable. **You will need to check with your health fund regarding your entitlements for your particular cover. This amount also includes all follow-up consultations including adjustments.

dear all, Hope this helps this is what I received from the SIOS centre here in Ashfield re expenses for Lap Band Surgery without insurance: SURGICAL AND HOSPITAL COSTS FOR LAP-BAND PROCEDURE AS AT MAY 2007 WITHOUT PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER If you are not with a private health fund, the following expenses apply. SURGEON’S FEE $3,975.00 (ITEM NO. 30511) ANAESTHETIC FEE $1,200.00 (ITEM NOS.17610, 20791, 25000 + TIME) ASSISTANCE FEE $ 745.00 (ITEM NO. 51303) CONSUMABLES/DIETITIAN FEE* (8 VISITS INCLUDED) $ 580.00 HOSPITAL EXPENSES $8,822.00 (ACCOMMODATION CHARGES, THEATRE FEES, PROSTHESIS) SUB TOTAL $15,322.00** LESS MEDICARE REBATE (APPROX) $1179.00 TOTAL (APPROX OUT OF POCKET COSTS) $14143.00 (Please note: fees charged are subject to change). This amount also includes all follow-up consultations including adjustments. ** This amount applies to patients without private health cover. A Medicare rebate is applicable for the surgical fee, surgical assistant fee & anaesthetic fee only. then there is this: Medical Expenses Rebate The medical expenses tax offset may be available if you have out of pocket medical expenses over a specified limit in an income year. The tax offset is 20% - 20 cents in the dollar - of your net medical expenses over the $1,500 threshold amount after deducting reimbursements, which have been paid or are payable by Medicare or a health fund. Medical Expense Claims A rebate can be claimed if the expenses are incurred for: ·The taxpayer him/herself ·The wife or husband or de facto spouse ·Any child of the taxpayer under 21 regardless of separate net income -Any other person for whom even $1 of a notional rebate has been a dependant can be claimed, including: -parents, parents –in-law -child, housekeeper, and -invalid relatives. Claimable medical expenses - Operations Expenses relating to your operation paid to any of the following will qualify for the medical expenses tax offset: ·Legally qualified medical practitioners, nurses, chemists or a public or private hospital. How to calculate your claim Complete the following steps to calculate your claim: 1.Add up your allowable medical expenses for the year. 2.Subtract the amount you received back (or are entitled to receive back) from Medicare, your private health insurance fund or other entity/individual from your gross medical expenses. This is your net medical expenses amount. If this amount is less than or equal to $1,500, you cannot claim a tax offset for your net medical expenses. If it is more than $1,500, then continue: 3.Subtract $1,500 from your net medical expenses. 4.Multiply the remaining net medical expenses by 20 per cent For further information contact your accountant or Australian Taxation Office Homepage

hmm, now let me think it would be about 4 years ago. My hubby is Turkish and knows all the kebab shop owners there. There is quite a large Turkish community there I was surprised. I am sure it has boomed - it was a lovely place - very clean - but so isolated in comparison to Sydney - I have turned into a big city gal. I am from New Zealand originally so population of NZ is practically same as Sydney. I would love to come up again - long way from here though... take care. kind regards M:)

hi Karen, I have been to Bunderberg on 3 occasions - it is a really pretty small place with nice kebab shops - there used to be 2 - if i recall ???? its about 5 min to everywhere lol regards M:)

hi all, this week has been so busy. I am really excited - next Tuesday night I go to an info meeting at the centre in ashfield in Sydney - and so starts my lapband journey WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO :whoo: My friend and I are both going to have lapband together and then support each other - we are so excited our hubbies are excited tooo,.. I missed you all this week - i also spilled diet coke on my laptop and some of the letters are sticking making it hard to type..heck I will let you all know hoe the info night goes. Hope you are all well regards M:car:

Hey, I heading to 50 in 2 years and i also am seeing so many 45+ getting banded - woohoo a new lease of life is coming Bring it ON!!!!!!:whoo:

Hi Sades, I can relate to what your saying I am waiting for 11 months for private insurance here in oz to kick in - a very close friend and i will be getting the band together which does make it easier. I went through the same thoughts as you - what should I eat until surgery. I like food but it is not my friend for me exercise or lack of it has been my biggest problem. How I conquered the feelings of doubt is to read all the wonderful stories of women who have had surgery and have gained control back of their lives. Check out the before and after photos thread it is amazing to see the smiles on the womens faces - and the blokes - after having surgery and then becoming the woman are they really on the inside. I am really positive about this choice and I say - Bring it On !!! I have been a FAT WOMAN for more than 20 years and well - she just ain't me - so I am giving her the BOOT or the band I don't expect to wake up after surgery and it to be easy but lapband surgery is the tool that i want to conquer the fat. I'm almost 48 so I am no spring chicken - I know my quality of life is non existent at the moment and that is what I'm after! My suggestion to you is read more and check out the before and after photos and keep comming back to this wonderful forum for support - we are here for you! kind regards M:whoo:

I am so excited for you please let us know how u are going - that is awesome I have 11 months to wait and counting down thats for sure. kind regards M:whoo:

woohoo good on u the start of many pounds to hike off - keep up the good work.. regards M

Every time I read a post on here from someone who has been banded I want it NOW - How am I going to wait for 11 months :think:rolleyes :help: I am just going to keep reading your posts and watching with enthusiasm. kind regards M

Hi CCollins - read read and read and the only stupid question is the one you didnt ask. kind regards M:)

Hi there Goldie, Im 48 this November and feel my life is just beginning. I have been investigating LP surgery for a few months now and I am convinced u are never to old to reclaim your life back. I am so positive about it all now....... am going for intro seminar on 9 October and am very excited..... For me its not about getting into a bikini its about quality of life int he future I'm not ready to get into my coffin just yet!!!! DEAR DANNA - did u get my reply email?? I sent it a while ago kind regards M

Hi again - its me with the interesting questions! My friend who is also considering surgery has Hypo- Thyroidism - does anyone know if she is a candidate for surgery or not? kind regards M:)

hi there is a recipe section here that may help. Optifast is what they usually use or a Meal Replacement type drink or Soup. Best of luck Im sure u will do great. regards M

good to see ua re doing well - what shake did u have other than bloody Optifast???? you sound like u are doing so well.

that is wonderful - just think of how u are going to be in the future - you are going to get your body back - this band is the tool to be the best u can be - You Go Girl!!!!!!!

Congrats, thinking of u - i have 11 months to go - hope all goes well. regards M

Dear All, I have a question that I'm sure has NEVER been asked on the forum before? I am a Muslim by belief and practice and it is a requirement that I fast for 1 month each year called Ramadan.(29 to 30 days) The sick and insane are exempt form the fast. This means that I eat and drink in the morning before sunrise and then don't eat or drink anything until sunset - after which I can eat and drink whatever I like. (this can mean up to 16 hours without food or drink) I am wondering if after surgery I will be able to fast int his way. My surgery is planned for after the fasting month next year so I will be banded 1 year before the fasting time comes around again. I love Ramadan this month for me is so spiritually, mentally and physically invigorating and I would like to continue doing it - if I can. I would appreciate an answer on this as I am sure it is a question in the minds of any Muslim considering surgery. kind regards M:)