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Grace - What a fantastic achievement. It must feel great, Congratulations and all the best. Amy.

Feebs - You look stunning! I'm curious as to whether you have any problems with loose skin after such a big loss? Congratulations. Amy

I have a question that has been bugging me for a while. It sounds so pathetic that I'm too embarressed to ask my doctor. If anyone can shed some light on this one it would be much appreciated. Q. When you lose weight, where does the fat go? Gross I know - but I'm sure I don't poo 1 - 2kg (2.2/4.4lbs) a week.

Isn't that the most pathetic thing you've ever heard? :rolleyes I've never known Santa say "he he he" or "hey hey hey" (that reminds me of Fat Albert). Political correctness is getting way out of hand IMO.

Hi Twilight. If that were my sister, I'd be printing off all the information I'd accured on lap-banding, and handing it to her in a file, as well as some printouts on sabotage! Even gift wrap it in some cute paper... lol - but that's just me - Aren't I nasty! Here's to a great christmas and I hope it goes okay with your sister.

I just read what I've written - and it looks bad...:embarassed: Sorry, it in no way was a reference to anyone here.

LOL. Or, how about Dumb Ho.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I joined this messageboard and saw people referring to others a DH - where I come from it means Dick Head, lol. I'm glad I stumbled across the post that explains all these abbreviations, here's the link for it. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/abbreviations-what-they-mean-7959/ Amy

Sorry - couldn't get that to work. Here they are - but just 1 week pre op, and current pic. Amy

Hi to everyone. You are all looking fantastic :clap2:. There is such inspiration here. I am just doing some face shots for the time being, I'm not seeing a remarkable change in my body yet, but when I do, I'll post them. At the moment I'm 5 weeks post op. If my photo's work here they'll be of 1 week pre band - 1 week post band and a current pic. Here goes.....

I was weighed at my surgeons today. It's five weeks since surgery and I have lost 12kg/26lb. I had my first fill today, just in time for Christmas! Well done to you all, and good luck at your next weigh in. Amy

Holy Crap Secretstolen! There's nothing as sweet as the taste of revenge. Hope things look better for you soon. Amy

Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone - I am no longer 'in the dark' on this one. Jack - I particulary like your saying 'But with our new life we can banish it!!!' (fat). Thanks again Amy

Hi Cherry Welcome. My name is Amy, and I'm also from Perth.

:welcome2:Tracey - I'm also from Perth. My friends mother was banded by Dr Couch about 3 weeks ago, and is very happy with him. I was banded by Dr Kierath in November. Good luck with your journey, I'm looking forward to hearing about it. I'm also on messenger amy.cleverly@hotmail.com Hope to chat with you soon. Amy

Good luck for your surgeries this month Meg, Brandie and Chris. I hope everything goes well for you all. All the best - Amy

TommyO - I loved your post, it was fu**ing fantastic. I have to agree, I don't like all the bulls**t either - say it like it is - or tough titties (don't say it at all).... Oh yeah... Merry Fu**ing Christmas to you all too and may you all have a Happy New Fu**ing Year!

My eye opening experience/turning point was when I sat on a plastic outdoor chair - and the bugger broke, I was extremely embaressed - but maybe I'll be able to look back 12 months down the track and laugh about it.

Lizzie All I wanted to say is Hang In There! There is a great support network here for you.:hug: Amy

Welcome Josh I'm Amy, and I'm from Perth. I am also a newbie around here. If your looking for support I'm sure you'll find plenty here, I have learnt a lot from the message boards since joining here in November. To me it doesn't come across as whinging (where you have stated some of the reasons for wanting this op), I myself, and probably many of us here made the choice to get the band for the same reasons (and for a longer, healthier life). Congratulations on your Quest for a better life. I look forward to hearing about your progress. If you need some support feel free to pm me. Good luck. Amy

I was totally open with my two, girl 12 and boy 9. I explained everything to them, what the band is for, how it works, showed them the diagrams and told them the reasons why I was having it done... and also the bumps I may experience along the way, but most of all the positive changes for all of us as a family. They have been 100% supportive and are proud that I'm now losing weight. This is just the experience I've had with my children.. by no means am I saying all kids will take it the same way mine did, especially being that I didn't have to travel far from home to have it done. All the best with whatever you decide and good luck.

Sorry - I meant MrsJiggles, must have Christmas on the brain... (MrsJingles, what was I thinking).

Hi Connie - I gained 1kg/2.2lbs on the scales last week, but some how I'm fitting into some clothes that I couldn't before that. I'm wondering if it is muscle gain, as I have been walking and doing weights. Could this be your weight gain? I also find I put on about 2kgs or 4.4lbs of Fluid a few days before I'm due for my period, then it's gone the next week. Like MrsJingles said - Hang in there.. Amy

Hello to you all My name is Amy. I grew up, and still live in Perth, Western Australia. I was banded on the 13th November '07. My husbands name is John, we have been married for 8 years, and together for 15 years. We have 2 children, Madi who is 12, and Aiden who is 9. Both Madi and Aiden are sports mad, they both play Tee Ball at State level (we just had a big carnival today), Madi will probably go on to Baseball next year. I have been overweight since being pregnant with Madi, put on 25kg with her, and then more and more after that - since then it's just been the whole lose it gain it + gain more (as I'm sure you all know). I really love walking, I find that's my zone out time, where I really don't think about anything at all. We have a dog called Sandy - she's a beautiful Mastiff... but is a lazy walker lol.. John is a Welder/Boilermaker and I am not currently working, but will be returning to work in the new year. I work in Aged Care, my last position was Nightshift Co-Ordinater. I love and respect most elderly people, I think there is a lot we can learn from them, and try instill these beliefs in my children. I am a bit of a bookworm and like to read a range of different types of books. I am also finding myself visiting this message board more frequently than I really should, lol, but I think that's because I'm hungry for information, even though I considered myself well informed before I got my band (researched for about a year before I took the jump). Anyway - enough of my blah blah.. It's nice to have read about you all... thanks for sharing your stories. Amy

<p><p>I also have gall bladder problems - a 2cm stone.</p> <p>I have only been banded for just under 4 weeks, and have only lost 11kg, but no attacks since being banded (yet).</p> <p>When my gall bladder did play up, I was getting intense pain on my right side - but also referred pain under my ribs on the left. I think it might be a good idea to get yourself checked.</p></p>