sewenup1

Hey Sades, Are you living my life?? :omg: I'm also from Sydney and due to see my surgeon on 10/10/07 - hopefully for an op date. Which surgeon are you seeing? What hospital? Tell me, tell me!!:eek:

This is a tool and yes there are times you might gain weight (if you eat the wrong foods) but as all the diet gurus say, pick yourself up and start again. The great thing about the band is that no matter what you eat, you won't be able to eat as much as before you were banded. With things like sugar cravings, I have been told that sometimes foods that you loved prior to banding no longer hold the same temptation after banding - you just loose the taste for it. I hope that is true:D Good luck for your banding this month and keep in touch.

Welcome sunee2day2 (love that name) Welcome to the start of a journey that will change your life, and your sister's closet by the sounds of things I am just begining my journey, but fortunately, here in Australia we don't have the insurance problems that our friends in Canada and the USA do. You will find a heap of information here about lap banding and plenty of people who are willing to listen and help when needed. Keep up that positive attitude and one day soon you won't be raiding your sisters closet she will be trying to raid yours.

:welcomeB:, You will find a lot of us in similar circumstances here. I am hoping to get a date for the op soon. My advice to you is to read all the information you can get and if there are any seminars going in your area, you should go to them. If there is more than one centre doing the op in your area check them all out. Make a list of pros and cons, but most of all, make sure that the decision you make is right for you - you are the one having the op - do not let yourself be pressured into anything you are not comfortable with. Good luck on your journey, do keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

No problem

Hi all, I have posted this link on a couple of threads, and appologise if it is already posted somewhere else here. I found it very inspiring when I first started researching Lap Banding, and thought that as there are so many new people here that I would just give it it's own thread - hope that is ok with everyone. Medical Weightloss - world leader in gastric banding lapband surgery - Surgeon George Fielding talks about obesity surgery - NYU Medical Center, New York

Hi Goldie1109, I asked the nurse at my surgeon's office about slips - she says they happen but not very often. Most of the bands now have the inflation go all the way around. :ranger:

futuremoments, I'm not banded yet but I can assure you that what you are feeling is normal. I hang around this list a bit and I can tell you that most of the bandits on here have felt the same way you do right now. If you weren't scared there would be something wrong. Just think though, in a few days you will be starting on one of the most exciting journeys of your life. A healthier and perhaps happier you. I won't say a new and improved you because you don't need to be new or improved - bandits just need to be a little less than they were :rose: wheresmyknight, What a terrific loss!!!!:clap2: You must have had a very good recovery to be back at work in a week. Here in Australia they recommend 2 weeks off work - some go back earlier some don't. It probably seems like you are eating a lot because of your time on liquids and because you are getting full faster. 4 pounds in one week is really good - would you have lost that much on a diet if you hadn't been banded? Well as you can see I get a bit long winded. lol Good luck in your journeys and keep in touch.

Congratulations Shawnee, Hope to hear how you are progressing - keep in touch won't you. :bandit

Kara, Congratulations on your weight loss!!!

Hi, You can get your ticker at TickerFactory.com, the glitzy name at GlitterMaker.com then all you need to do is go to UserCP at the top of this screen and edit your signature. Paste your links into the signature and voila. :biggrin1:

Hi Kaylene, I think that unless your doctor or dietian has told you to take a mv that you won't need to as long as you are eating everything your supose to. What date is your surgery?

This is a link to a Australian Lap band group but they have plenty of ideas for the pre-op stage and there is also a receipe thread for post surgery. Optifast Stage - Lap Band Surgery - Australian Health Message Boards

For something different from the Optiyuck, try a clear broth with your vegetables added to give some body - chicken broth with some chinese style vegetables makes a nice change. You can also have stir fried veges - just remember not to use oil when stir frying. Diet Jello is also a nice filler if you want something sweet.

Congratulations Anexa on your loss so far, and good luck for your surgery dates to fluffyinks and barkeep. I am still waiting for a date for my surgery so I am really envious of you both. Please keep us informed of how you go and let us know how you are after the surgery. Anexa keep us up to date with how you are going after your first fill. Exciting times ahead for all!!! :whoo:

:welcome: ivyrose325, Congratulations on your weight loss so far. Don't try to lose the weight too fast - it is tough to take it slow but always best for your body. Keep in touch and good luck with the rest of your journey.

Hi Kellim and:welcomeB: You probably have read a few horror stories, but I am sure most people will tell you that there are more good times than bad. People will post questions here about PBing etc because they know that others have been there and can offer advise. The nurse where I will have my banding done (hopefully soon) has been banded and she says she only PB'd once. I think you did the right thing not having the bypass. If you were not sure or felt uncomfortable about it then you did the right thing not going ahead. The surgery you have has to be the right one for you. Many people have had the bypass and for them it was the right choice. Personally I would prefer the band as it gives me more control (and I am a control freak which is why I hate being obese). Good luck with your journey and keep in touch :cheer2:

Congratulations Indigogirl, 35lbs in 2 months is a terrific weight loss. You must be so pleased! Keep up the good work. :clap2::whoo:

Hi Longhorn, Sometimes if you have comorbidities, sleep apnoea, joint pain, diabetes etc they will accept you for surgery even with a lower BMI because it often helps relieve the problems. The seminars are usually really helpful and don't hesitate to ask questions while you are there. Good luck

Hi ccollins511, I'm from Australia, but like you I am just begining my journey. The process of getting insurance coverage is different here, but we still all suffer the same fears and excitement. If you're like me you are feeling both at the moment. Exciting because at last there is a light at the end of the weight loss tunnel and when I get to the other end there will be a thinner and healthier version of me. :biggrin1: Scared because surgery is a big BIG step to take and because I worry that I will not be a success - after all, the other attempts failed. :cry But then I shake myself :angry and just remember that there are probably thousands of others out there who have gone through this before me and I know that I will succeed - maybe not as fast as some BUT I WILL GET THERE! :whoo:

Hi Goldie, I have told my supervisor and manager the truth, they both know how hard I have been trying to lose weight and are both very supportive. They are almost as excited as I was when I got my first appointment. I'm due to see the dietician on Friday and then the surgeon the following Wednesday and will hopefully have a date soon. When I spoke to the practice nurse at the surgery (she is also lapbanded) and told her of the things I had read on some of the threads and other bulletin boards, she reminded me that this is sometimes the only outlet people have because they haven't told people or have any personal support and so they seek help here. But I also know that there are more people out there that are glad they had the surgery than those who aren't. Maybe we'll all be banded around the same time and can exchange stories etc.

Congratulations Lucylu and Wendy, I'm hoping to be banded soon so will be interested to hear of your progress. From what I understand the gas can cause pain and generally the port site has the most pain - probably because it has been attached to muscle. I read on another thread here that someone gained 7lbs while in the hospital so you are not alone. But remember you have had major surgery and your body is recovering. In a few days you will probably start to lose all that weight and more - and then you will be on the downward slide to a healthy weight.

Cassi, You only tell those people you want to tell. If someone comments on how much weight you have lost, all you have to say is Thanks. If they ask how, tell them through hard work and will power. If someone suggests you are cheating, ask them if using an alarm clock to wake you in the morning is cheating because that is all the band is - an alarm clock to tell you it's time to stop eating. Congratulations on your decision. I'm not banded yet but I am hoping to be soon. I am from Australia and it never ceases to amaze me how much trouble Americans and Canadians have in getting approval for their surgery. Here, if we have private insurance and the surgeon says we need the surgery our insurance pays - no debates, no questions asked. As long as you have been a member for 12 months and you have sufficient coverage the decision is not theirs to make.

Hi Coo, I have also made the decision to have the surgery and now just have to see the surgeon and hopefully get a date. My husband is the only family member that knows but I have told my boss at work as I knew I would need time off before and after the op. They are so supportive and positive about it and every time I have an appointment about it they want to know what happened etc. If you have doubters perhaps you can print the following article out and get them to read it. I found it explained my situation and was truly motivational as well. Medical Weightloss - world leader in gastric banding lapband surgery - Surgeon George Fielding talks about obesity surgery - NYU Medical Center, New York This doctor has had the surgery himself and talks of his attempts at weight loss. I think that you only tell the people you feel confident in telling. You can always tell your boss it's an op for something women don' really want to talk about (well that's not a lie - most women don't want to talk about their weight) and if you boss is male he probably won't want to know any more!! :confused: Anyway, in my opinion I think you have made the right choice and if you are sure this is what you want then don't let anyone else's attitude stop you.

Hi jjsmiles, Love Canada and really liked Calgary when we were there. Congratulations on starting your banding journey, I hope to have a surgery date soon. Like you, I think I expect too much of myself at times and I know I can't be perfect but I too am worried about making that life change. I know that I can and will do it but over the last 47 years food has become almost an obsession. I mean birthdays are celebrated by eating out, Christmas is celebrated with a day full of eating. It seems all successes are celebrated with food, so now I need to find something to replace it with - it is scary. I'm glad your surgery has gone well, please keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing as I find it motivating to hear others stories. :whoo: