Mandi

Thanks Kim. Good luck with your counselling and other appointments before banding. I'll have a look at messenger soon (am at work now - so can't do it now)

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I am from Australia and wanted to introduce myself as someone who is seriously considering banding, but has not yet decided:decision:. This message is a bit long, so thank you to those that take the time to read it. I have a lot of questions, some of which I will ask via this forum and others I will ask of doctors etc. So, I want to thank you all in advance for your support. And from what I’ve read so far, you all seem to be a very supportive bunch of people. :clap2: Ok, a bit about me. I’m 29 years old, live in the Brisbane area in Queensland, Australia, I currently weigh about 100kg (or 220 pounds) – at my heaviest I was 122kg (269 pounds), I’m 165cm tall (or 5’5"), my BMI is 37, I’m engaged (no kids – but hope to one day). I’m considering lapbanding to help me to lose weight (same as everyone else) – I am already seeing a dietician to make sure I am eating healthy and I am exercising (walking every day plus doing other exercise like group training, bellydancing & have just started pilates)……… yet, I am still struggling to shift the weight that has plagued me for years. Like everyone else here, I’ve tried at least one diet/pill/shake/eating plan from each of the different "dieting" theories and yet I’m still ‘obese’ (according to all those lovely descriptions out there regarding BMI). Don’t get me wrong, I have had success in the past (and failure), but it’s all been short term and I still get stuck. As I said, at my heaviest I weighed 122kg (269 pounds) with a BMI of 45. So I have lost weight and have maintained MOST of what I lost, but every day is a constant struggle just to stay at my current weight, and not go back to where I came from and possibly more! I’ve only been a "normal" weight once in my life (briefly) and not counting childhood. This was around the age of 18 to 19 years old – but even then I didn’t realise I was "normal" and thought I was overweight (if only I knew then, what I knew now). I was ‘larger’ than the other girls in high school – not huge – but I was overweight. After high school I lost weight to get down to a healthy 57-60kg average weight (about 130 pounds). Then from 19 years old onwards, I just started piling on the weight until I reached 122 kg (269 pounds) – and I’ve been struggling to shift it ever since. I’m tired of my weight being a constant factor in every part of my life – I don’t want my size to rule my life any more – that’s why I’m here to learn from all of you and to look further into the option of lapbanding. Thank you for reading. :Banane35:

Hi Melissa, Welcome to LBT. I'm new here too. I can so understand a lot of what you're feeling. I am turning 30 in march 2008, I am engaged to be married and I too want to lose a significant amount of my weight before we get married (don't want to be a fat bride and don't want to enter yet another phase of my life still struggling to lose weight). I also had good success with weight watchers, then put some of it back on (same as I have with every other diet program) - I am still struggling to lose weight. Once again, welcome & stick around!

Hoping, I feel you pain. I have a very loving and supporting fiance, but even he does not understand. He's seen the multiple & sustained efforts I've put into losing weight only to see me still stuck and miserable. He doesn't want me to have surgery and does not see my weight as an issue, but it is to me and he does want me to be happy. He (like me) wants me to be happy and for my weight to stop being a big factor in my life and our relationship. I love him so much, but yes it does hurt that he doesn't understand. As much as I'd love him to understand how I feel both emotionally and physically, I know he never will (as he's never had a weight problem in his life and pretty much eats what he wants). something that the surgeon at the seminar said still keeps ringing in my ears........ "this is something you have to go alone" - not that you don't need support from family and friends, but ultimately, you are doing this for yourself so you can finally be happy, you are the only one who can decide what's best for you. After all the happier you are within yourself, the more love you can actually give to the important people in your life (remind your BF of that). I wish you all the very best. Let us know how you're going.

welcome chasity. I'm new here too and like you am still considering getting banded. it's good to see others researching first too :-)

Hi Ginaki, thanks for writing and congrats on making the big decision. I wish you all the best with your impending surgery and banding. will look forward to hearing more about how you go.

Hi Danna, thanks for your advice. To be honest I have wondered if some of my problem is hormonal or something else. I've had tests for PCOS and at various times have had my thyroid levels tested in a blood test, but nothing has shown up. Are there other hormones levels etc that should be tested? (that you know of)? It is difficult to try to find an answer especially when the general assumption is that if you're fat, then you simply eat too much (and do too little). I also think genetics plays a part. Plus I know my mum has hormone imbalances - but she is post-menopausal - so I guess that's normal. I do know that I often get severe (what I call "chemical") headaches in the week before my period - I can feel that these headaches are different to a normal headache and often no amount of painkillers will help them. I have often wondered if these were hormone based (due to timing and lack of relief from painkillers). so thank you again, I will keep investigating my options. Good luck with your sugery - would love to hear how you go.

Thanks ellemay. I am looking at going to Dr Bowden in Brisbane. I will have to ask him which band and/or port they use. On to solids so fast - that's great!

Welcome Leeanne, I'm new too. I don't have a lapband yet - I'm still researching and am so glad to have found this site!

Hi ellemay, Great to hear from you and welcome to you too!! How exciting for you being banded - early days. are you still on liquid? Can I ask who your doctor was? I've only just heard that there are different size ports - and the port potentially being noticeable after weightloss has been one of my concerns. I hope it all continues to go well for you - look forward to hearing more of your story too.

Thanks Chickie. Will be good to chat to some locals / Aussie's as well as everyone else.