ShineNSta

Good luck kicking the habit Maria - imagine if you could quit smoking forever AND lose the weight how great you would look and feel!

heya - I'm pre-op so I will have to get back to you on this one... I think the first thing I notice though from looknig at the before and after pics of those 'in progress' is people's arms! Fat people (including myslef) can't put their arms by their sides properly..they kind of stick out to the sides! But once the weight starts to come off the first thing I notice is their arms become straighter

Yeah my cat's never really be interested in cat toys either..but then, she has the dog to wrestle with :-) She loves savoury biscuits & doritos and will sit for hours trying to steal them off me! (probably a good thing)

aww your Bengal is gorgeous Angela!

Hi lapbandade - how did your surgery with Dr Anderson go? I have an appointment with him next Monday. Did you get the Inamed lap band or the new AP (bubble) band? Also, how much did it end up costing? A friend of mine had hers done a couple of years ago and said the cost was about $2000 out of pocket (she had private health insurance as I do).

So glad someone put up this thread! I love any excuse to show people pics of my pets! heheh I have a 3 year old tortoiseshell cat named Chanel and a 3 1/2 year old Chinese Crested named Calvin..they love each other, and I love them (those little sods are everything to me).

omg tina you're hilarious...loved your comment - so funny! all the best with your reconstructive surgery..I hope you're very happy with your new perky C's!

Hi Denise..whenever I take pictures I am always consciuos that my face will look thinner if I tilt my head slightly and stick my chin out (so my chin fat doesn't show!) I also am aware not to smile TOO wide cos it makes my half-shut! :-) That works pretty well for me ! In terms of making your body look a little more flattering try taking the picture from above pointing down on yourself as this will disguise your heaviness.. Alternatively place the camera on a chest or table and bend forward towards the camera

One comment I received a while ago that was made with the best intentions by a Chinese (family friend) was 'Hello Jessica..you're looking very prosperous!!' (meaning eating well....!). Not a big deal in hind sight but I took it pretty badly at the time! I've also had two different people ask me 'when I was due'!!

Umm...silly question... but who here has gotten pregnant with the band, and what have you had to do? Does being pregnant necessitate removal of the band..or ? I'm not pregnant, but am interested to know what happens a few years down the track!

Hi Hilary - great to see another Adelaidian on the forum! I'm getting banded next month hopefully (surgery still to be scheduled) at Ashford.. all the best with your new band! :clap2:

Hi Chris..I'm not single or banded as yet but my opinion is that telling people about my banding is on a 'need-to-know' basis. If you are comfortable with telling people about your band and feel it would make a good conversation piece..by all means do so. However, if you're concerned about timing or the reaction you would get I think you should wait until you are in a secure relationship with someone. I don't think it is something that should affect your relationship with someone (unless they were shallow, in which case good riddance!), however I would suggest you be tactful in how you bring it up..

I had a first consult about 2 years ago when I first looked into lap banding (at the time I choose not to continue because my family convinced me to give dieting one last try).. The doctor weighed me..asked me if I had any questions about the surgery..then gave me some pamphlets to read about what to expect with the process and told me to go away..read them, fill in a checklist about my lifestyle and then make another appointment if I was ready to go ahead with the surgery.

Hi Linda..I feel that way sometimes when I go out on a Saturday night - I have friends who get hit on all the time and I sometimes feel out of place thinking that people don't look at me because of my weight (I have a boyfriend..but its nice to feel like people notice you across a room). My biggest claim to shame is that I've not once, but TWICE, been asked 'when my baby is due'!!! :omg: :Banane10:

Hi Denise..papaya tablets eh? Do they curb your hunger? I've never heard of them!

Hi Bobbi, I believe nausea patches/bracelets are standard after the surgery. I have heard that they sometimes use a nausea patch placed behind the ear as an alternative to the bracelet.

Hi Amy thanks so mcuh for your post - great to know that the pain 24 hours after surgery is minimal as I am still trying to figure out how any days I want off work when the time comes! Take care!

Hi jpalaia..I've read a couple of other people's posts where they have explained that shoulder pain is caused by over eating or getting things stuck in the lap band. Someone on this site said its because there are nerve endings in the oesophagus leading up to the shoulder... if this is the case then it probably will settle once you get settled with your new eating habits?

I agree with Mandi78.. I'm sure statistics are better nowadays with improvement of the band. Not only that but there is more information and advice for living with the band so people know what they can and cannot eat, as well as how to tell if they are at the right fill or not.. I would still rather have the surgery at risk of failure..than KNOWING that I'm doomed to be fat the rest of my life if I stay as I am.

I don't think you owe anyone an explanation. If people ask why you're not eating just say you're not that hungry (well..thats not exactly a lie is it eh?). People can know that you're trying to lose weight but don't feel obliged to tell them about the band. Personally I've found a lot of people don't understand the band. People I've told have criticised me for choosing surgery because they don't understand that I have no self control, they just think I'm lazy. Even my own family has expressed their disapproval which is disappointing and sadenning to me because I would love their support. The only people that know about me getting the lap band are my partner and a couple of friends who I am really close to and trust.

Whatever you do, don't gain 20lbs! According to the docs in Australia yes, you have to be over 40BMI to automatically qualify for the surgery. HOWEVER, they do perform the surgery on people who have a BMI of 35+. If you have any medical conditions as a result of your weight (e.g. sleep apnoa, depression, pain etc) , talk to your doctor about them, because those conditions can make a difference in your eligibility for the surgery. If he/she still refuses to recommend you for it then see another doctor because I guarantee there are doctors out there who will perform the surgery on you.

I'm quite disgusted with my eating behaviour at the moment! Since deciding to get the band I've gone on a junk food eating rampage..mainly KFC!! I feel terrible about it but at the same time I keep justifying it by thinking this is the last time I'll get to eat it! My body's reacting badly to it though so I'm going to try to stick to home-cooked meals if I can..

Hi hungryforchange ... here are a few of the things that I am looking forward to doing once I lose my weight! 1. going swimming with my friends 2. shopping in regular stores and having the confidance wearing low-cut or strapless outfits and feeling sexy in a dress! 3. being comfortable having my partner see my naked 4. going out and exercising with my partner (he's VERY active and it kills me that I can't go out and exercise with him because I just can't keep up...and am embarassed for others to see how unfit I am)

<p>Hi Banded4Life...don't be scared..of all the surgical options you could have this is the least risky. Yes, it doesn't work for everyone and people on this site have had lap bands removed but the way I see it is ..it is not a lot of money considering the potential for improving your life, and it is easily taken out if you decide it isn't working for you...so it is a shot worth taking! If you have any reservations, talk them through your surgeon...the decision is different for everyone.</p>. You will find the majority of people do have success with it.

Hi Fanny..cost will vary depending on what surgeon and anasthesiologist you use but as I understand it the surgeries in Australia cost between $2000-3000 if you have basic private health cover. I have my appointment on the 22nd so as soon as I know I'll post it on here!