Maincat

OK. If people want to PM me (already happened) about their general computer technical issues, not LBT related, then they can do so and I'll see if I can help them.

OK, no problem to me. Just thought I'd offer.

OK - just done that. Thanks for the advice.

Do people take rest days from exercising without feeling guilty? When I was a runner 25 years ago, I took a day off per week. Now I do about 25 minutes exercise a day and had only two days off in 2008 so far, both for other events. It may seem a bit silly, but I don't feel I deserve a day off because I'm not exercising enough. So, what's your exercise plan? Does it include regular planned days off?

I've lost nearly 70 pounds so far since November 2007. By any measure, that's a success. But I feel down and low about my weight loss. I can't explain it. I exercise, do all the 'right things' but I can't get excited about the weight loss. Is this something others have experienced? Any helpful suggestions welcome.

I do suffer from depression - had it for the last 15 years or so. But my depression doesn't mean I can't enjoy some things, and my weight loss has been one of my biggest achievements in recent years. I have had several NSVs - including today, putting a medium size T shirt on. My family are very supportive and are so pleased and proud of me. I just don't seem able to join them. A friend said to me the other day that he was jealous of me for my weight loss. That had the effect of me questioning whether or not my weight loss was a good thing. Part of me says 'OF COURSE!', but I'm not confident about that all of the time. When I was in my 20s I was a runner and 147 pounds. I loved myself at that weight, but my depression put paid to that. I know I'll never return to that person, but I wish I could enjoy the fact I'm succeeding.

I just tell them to bugger off. I feel better for it.

I've lost an elephant's penis (that's a relief!) and an average newborn. Getting strange looks now.

Hi, Yes I will have to have surgery to fix the tube, but at no cost since I had my band done on the NHS (here in the UK). I really don't know what/who caused the fault - perhaps it was just 'one of those things'.

Had my band on 14th November 2007. First fill failed because the tube between the port and band is faulty and needs replacing. I've lost 60 pounds, BMI down from 41.2 to 33. Happy with that.

Hello, Just been for my first fill. They kept pumping in the saline, then put contrast in and saw the xrays. Contrast spilling into my chest cavity through a hole in the tube between the port and band. Now more surgery is needed to replace the tube. Anyone ever heard of this before? Steve

Hello Fiona, I was banded on the NHS at Derby in November 2007. Mr Leeder at Derby and his team are excellent. I had an appointment at Derby in March 2007. At that meeting, I saw the Lead Nurse and Dietician who went through the banding operation with me. I was to see the Surgeon, but he was unavailable at that time and he phoned me up later for a long chat about the op. Following this, I was put on the waiting list (about 6 months). I had a pre-op assessment two weeks before the operation, at which I was put on a special pre-op diet in readiness for the op. I stayed in hospital for two nights, due to my using a CPAP machine. To date, it's been three months since my pre-op assessment (11 weeks since the op) and I've lost just over four stones. I have my first fill next week. All in all, having the band is great! Hope that helps, Regards, Steve

Hi all, Over the last two days I've met people who haven't seen me for about three months. In that time I've lost about 25 Kilos. They were both amazed at the difference. It's great to get that support from people outside the family. When you see someone everyday that's one thing and perhaps the differences in appearance aren't that great to them on a daily basis, but to be congratulated by friends who I rarely meet is great. The biggest compliment is that I look years younger!

I weigh myself twice a week - Saturday and Wednesday, first thing in the morning. I then enter the details in to an Excel spreadsheet (how sad is that?). I measure Stones, Pounds, Kilos lost and how many % I am to target. I also measure BMI. I even have hyperlinks in Excel to images of me at certain weights. It's quite interesting to see the data over the months.

Verona sounds great. Italy is a wonderful country. I was banded on the 14th November 2007 - nine weeks today. I had a two week pre-op diet. I've lost 24.5 kilos so far which I'm delighted about. So far so good. Regards, Steve

I'm so sorry to hear this. To be honest I'm a bit surprised as well. I have email addresses and telephone numbers for the Lead Nurse and Dietician at Derby and the last time I saw them I was told that I could contact them at any time. I'm sure that if you contacted the team at Derby they would help you. I don't know where you live, but I'm happy to be a support as much as I can be. I know that it's a cliche, but really you are not alone. Kind regards, Steve

I don't mean to be rude but there's someone really called Johnny Fairplay? Did Bush make him up? Reminds me of one of those army action toy dolls. Is he a secret agent? Completely unknown in the UK. Perhaps that's our loss. What's his real name? What is he famous for?

From an older bandit, good luck for the 16th. Where abouts in Italy are you going to? Steve

Yes I went with the NHS. I had my lap band fitted in November 2007 in Derby. As another poster said above, best visit the UK forum for more information. I'll see you there. Regards, Steve

I'm confused. I always thought that muscle is heavier than fat. If that's true, then more muscle=more weight. Is that correct?

You really are mature aren't you? Instead of publicising your low mental age, why not be constructive? But you can't do that can you. It's too much effort. GTH.

I'm done here.

Isn't that their own private business? Why do we need to know? Are we so obsessed with celebrity that we have to know their medical details?

I share your frustration as I'm on a plateau at the moment. But it will end. So I'm told. By everybody. :bored

Happy Christmas and a very healthy and safe New Year.