Parvathi

I'm pretty sure I too, will always suffer from body image issues. I am seeing a psychologist (only just started) regarding this, anxiety issues and self esteem crap. My hubby hears it all the time too and reckons that weightloss is my newest obsession. I've just finished a book on tape, called, When food is Love that was quite good. Its about compulsive eating/dieting. The author was an abused child, which I thankfully, can't relate to .. but alot of it really hit home. Good luck with it all ...

Ask you doctor if there's a liquid option available, or another alternative. If not, ask him if you can grind it up and perhaps put it in a spoonful of applesauce or something? Not the best taste in the world, but its what we always did at the nursing home and they survived through it lol. Good luck!

Not silly at all! I've done the same thing I needed to lose at least 110lbs/50kgs - I've set my mini goals for 5kgs. Its definitely made it feel more achievable! You've done sooooooooo well in such a short time, Carrie - congratulations

Welcome to LBT, 3loves and congratulations on your decision to be banded. Its hard to admit sometimes that you need help of this nature. This site has been so beneficial to me during my journey and I'm sure you'll find the same. Look forward to getting to know you.

Francesca, while I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, know that I am thinking of you. You have every right to be pissed off. I can't imagine what I'd do if I lost my band .. but I know the scale would start moving up.

Doesn't hurt for me at all .. and I've never had a numbing agent. The first time is a bit uncomfortable, because you generally have yourself worked up lol. After that its a piece of cake, imho.

*nods* Rotunda is great, as is Sirens on the deck, for the views They do a nice salad or anykind of seafood there too. The current forecast for Wednesday is 28 (nice!!), rain in the afternoon .. but that shouldn't effect us. Jacqui, are you familiar with Williamstown at all? Rotunda and Siren's are both right beside the Willie public beach. My mobile number is 0407 043 863, incase anyone gets lost or can't make it or whatever. I'll be outside near Sirens at say, 12ish? And if ya'll know anyone from other message boards that want to join us, the more the merrier

That's fantastic! For me, I always gave up on diet and exercise too. Just couldn't stick with it. Exercise made me hurt .. diet, well, I just didn't have the willpower. The band has enabled me to make better choices and to be fuller. I don't use food as a crutch anymore. As the weight has come off, I've started enjoying exercise. It feels great. Nykee .. you'll get there. I promise. Just give yourself time

YaYYY ... congratulations!! Its a great feeling, aye Word to the wise though, buy cheap clothes when you go shopping lol, cause you'll go through them fast! I've spent more on replacement clothes in the past 10 months than I did on the surgery itself. My doctor finds it hilarious .. my hubby, not so much lol.

Happy Birthday, Rene!! Hope you have a brilliant day. I know this year's gonna be great for you, as you join the banded

Gosh a year flies, doesn't it?!? lol Happy bandiversary, Jessie Thanks for always being there, for all of us! and .. happy belated birthday lol, cause I reckon I missed it :/ Those are excellent NSVs .. especially that first one *g*

Melbourne's lurvely .. you should pay us a visit sometime

Wednesday sounds great If Prahran or South Yarra is closer for you ladies, that's fine with me? I'm easy lol...

MMM .. hommus!! I was introduced to it when I moved here. It looked nasty lol, but I finally caved and tried some. I don't have it on pita bread, but on crackers/biscuits instead. Once a week, usually on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, my family has what we call a "picky night". I go to the market and get gourmet crackers, dips (generally hommus, tzatziki, olive), cheeses, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh veggies and a few different types of deli meats. We just sit around watching movies and munching. That's our splurge for unhealthy food generally, as I'm not too keen on pizza anymore or fish n chips... When I say splurge though, I "may" get 4 crackers in lol. Big fan of the lamb roast as well, but I tend to like the fatty bits best so don't cook them often lol.

So I went to see Dr Nutcase (the psychologist) yesterday for the first time. We went over past experiences, childhood, past relationships, etc. We talked about my anxiety and self esteem issues, as well as weight loss and lack of coping mechanism. She gave me a book on tape about this, called When food is Love. I started listening to it this morning on the way into the office. The author was an abused child and thankfully, I can't identify with this, but as for the food issues and dependency on people in my life/attention seeking, I can definitley relate. We talked about my insecurities regarding my relationship and my jealousy. I explained that I don't want to be a jealous person and that my husband has never given me any reason to not trust him .. quite the opposite. She said sometimes, jealousy stems from intuition. That caught me off guard a bit. I was expecting her to dismiss my fears - instead, she wanted me to investigate them. After thinking about it throughout the afternoon yesterday, I now think I understand what she meant. I need to explore the reason behind my feelings - whether it be reality, past experiences (ex husband cheated on me, dad cheated on mom, etc), self esteem issues, being alone (that's when I usually have these feelings), etc. I have homework this week, in the form of writing a 6 page autobiography about emotional pressure points throughout my life. She said to sit down with some wine and just let it flow. LOL .. when I drink wine, tears tend to flow, so this should be interesting. She's encouraged me to get back to meditation - something I've enjoyed in the past, that helps me identify negative or "tearing" thoughts for what they are. I picked up my old Happy For No Good Reason (excellent book if you'd like to learn to meditate) book last night and started reading it again to refresh myself with how to meditate lol. She's also encouraged me to get out and make friends. Easier said than done however, as I tend to get nauseous in those social situations. We'll work on that though. Anyway, just thought I'd let you guys know how it went. I go back next week. I've just gotten to the office, from the gym (yayy me), so I best get to work now lol.

I only just saw this. Crystal, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this! Hopefully you do find comfort in the fact that you'll atleast be getting answers soon. Then they'll have you fixed up as good as new :cake: Sending lots good thoughts and hugs your way. You're in my thoughts...

I made my Mom go to the Information Evening with me. I knew she had her doubts, as did my husband. She's a nurse and he trusts her decision. So after the information evening and hearing all the stats, she was all for it. Then he was all for it lol. True, she has told everyone that will listen about the surgery, but only because she's proud of me. Heck, I tell everyone that will listen! lol. Good luck with your decision :cake:

Welcome to LBT, Trish :cake: Sorry, I'm from Melb and have no clue where Bathurst Orange is LOL. Congrats on your weightloss so far!

Awwwwwwwww he's adorable!! I love when dogs snore lol .. it just makes me laugh, for hours. Dunno why *shrugs* He could sleep in my bed anytime he wants lol...

That's so exciting, Kel!!! I still haven't booked mine, as the surgeon I saw will only do it in two parts (tt and reduction seperately) and I can't decide what I want done first. Like you, I've had the sagging tummy thing since I was a teenager. I have a scar across my pubic line from a kidney surgery when I was younger .. the fat has always hung over that, much like a man's tummy. Seriously, if you need anyone to hold your hand during it, let me know. I'm up in Sydney alot these days and I'm more than happy to come up for it. I've gotta put the smokes down too, before mine :/

Two nights, first night in icu as the anesthetic made my breathing funky...

LOL .. I play the computer, both for work and for fun, so I feel your pain. Atleast your instrument makes beautiful music - mine gives me a "chatter's arse" hehe.

Happy Birthday to my favorite token lesbian Hope you get all that you wish for .. and then some!! Signed, The Fence Sitter *g*

Happy Birthday Kimber Hope you have an absolutely brilliant day and an even better year ahead...

Each surgeon is different with regards to their requirements. My doctor insisted I do an Optifast (diet drink) diet for two weeks before surgery. He said it was to ensure my liver wasn't too fatty. Perhaps it would put your mind at ease to just ask your doctor why he doesn't require it? Or watch what you eat til surgery? Or ... thank the heavens you don't have to lol