Th?r?se

Can I have an update please? I have now lost 156lb

Hi ladies I am not in Brisbane but I live out near Toowoomba. I attend the Bandsters lunches in Brisbane (saw you there Fleur) I was banded by George Hopkins at the Holy Spirit at Chermside in January 05. You are so close to your goal Sammee, I am so pleased for you, well done!

Montana Glitter Thong!

I have been banded for 16 month and fortunately I haven't had any hair loss at all.

Hmmm thats a bit difficult if he isn't going to support the idea but I think as another poster said he is giving you an out and also he is scared for you. We have to remember that although we HAVE the band our partners LIVE with the band and so they need to be up to speed on all the info that we have. It can be daunting for them. I was lucky, my husband supported me the entire way and is thrilled that now he knows he will have me around longer!!!! BUT if you feel that you want to try "one last diet" or if you have issues about surgery or foreign devices etc YOU have to work this out BEFORE you have it done. There is absolutely no point in putting yourself through this if you have too many concerns because you will end up sabotaging yourself and cheating your band (yes you can cheat, you just have to not want to) I could try to convince you by saying I eat out all the time and have no problems with it, or by saying it was the best thing I ever did for myself, but that isn't what it's about. Its about you (and I mean that collectively as I believe his support is very important) KNOWING that this is what you want to do at this stage! It might well be the very best thing that I did for me, but we are all different and you have to know it it what you want for you. Good luck with it and I wish you every success in whatever decision you make.

I am not quite sure how you can get real food down but not liquid but I would definitely suggest an small unfill. You must keep your fluids up! Good luck Thérèse

Hi Kacey. I am Thérèse, I live in Queensland, Australia. I am also 44 and also married with no kids (5 cute doggies and 2 sweet little pussycats) I was banded in January 2005. I was 396 when I started this journey, and I am now 251 and I am feeling as if life has really started! I am glad that you are doing so well in your journey and I hope you have many happy healthy years to enjoy your new life!

I also have PCOS and have gone for long "periods of time" without periods! Then at other times I have had break through bleeding everyday for 10 months! Two years ago I bled continuously for 4 months and finally had to have hormone treatments and surgery to help stop it. Now after weightloss my periods are spot on, I know within a day or two of when they will start, they are always for the same amount of time and for the first time in my life at the age of 44 I am what I would consider "regular"! If you are bleeding for that length of time I would suggest you see your doctor and speaking from experience don't let it go on too long!

Hi I haven't been around for a while. But was happy to see this thread. When I was banded in January 05 I had a BMI of 60. I am 5'8 tall (large frame) and weighed 180kg which is 396lb. I am now a BMI of 38 and weigh 114.7kg which is 252lb. I know my goal weight (another 16kg/35lb) will be larger than some people's start, but too bad, its a victory for me, AND my band! Thérèse In Australia

You can add me too. 138lb down. Thérèse

Happy Birthday Kellie, may the coming year let you lose everything you want to lose and gain all you deserve!!!!!

In the beginning I thought "hell no" but now things are not only sagging but I notice the slapping of excess skin already. When I get to goal I think I might have to have some work done for comfort more than for looks. I live in a very hot climate and I am thinking the excess skin folds might be nasty to live with. And if I do go in...I will DEFINATELY have my boobs lifted...my nipples won't know what hit them if they no longer have to look at the floor!!!!!

I used to order food for myself at a take away place and then do the "hmmm I wonder what he wants" bit. That way they wouldn't think it was all for me...whereas we KNOW the truth. Also, and I am not sure I should admit this....one time, after an embarrasing situation on a plane...when the hostess called out to her colleague at the front of the FULL plane "We need a belt extension down here!", I pinched one, and took it with me everytime I went on a plane so as not to have to ask for one! LOL Although this makes me sound bad, as recompense I left it on the last plane I went on as I don't need it anymore!!! Also the sneaking leftovers when no one is looking...so is it any wonder I got to be the size I was. sigh Thérèse

I just said I had to go into hospital for day surgery. For those who pushed I went with the "women's surgery" also. I was on Optifast prior to surgery so just said the liquid stage was an extention of that as I was sick of optifast! My hubby, parents and best friend were the only ones who knew the truth. I kept it that way for a fair while and then told a few other people but not many. Now when people ask me how I am managing to lose weight I say "Basically by eating less and exercising more". That is the truth, I just leave out the part about the tool I have to help me do that. I have found that as time goes on I feel more comfortable telling other people and eventually I am sure it will be common knowledge...but not yet. ALTHOUGH, one result of people NOT knowing is that the local gossips have me with some form of Cancer! Well they can whistle Dixie from their bottoms before I tell them what I did! Thérèse

I am part of the 100+ group. I think its a good idea because even though the entire group has so much to offer its nice to be able to talk to others who have more to work on! I am starting to struggle with plateaus so it would be nice to have others to talk to. I still have 60lb to lose until goal, so its going to be a struggle now. I would like to have lost 60-65kg (132 - 143lb) by my bandiversary in January, but I think that might be asking to much of myself. Thérèse

Way to Go Kellie! I am so proud of you. Keep up the good work! Hugs Thérèse

VITAMINS! You get yourself onto a good daily one like Centrum or something. I used to get colds as they went past, which normally turned into chest infections etc but since being banded and on a regular daily Vitamin, I have had one cold this year back in June. Have you had your Iron levels tested? I turned out to be anaemic after 7 months banded, so now I take a daily supplement and feel great. Thérèse

It's a diet pepsi but with a different sweetener used than Diet Pepsi. It's "maximum" Pepsi flavour, whatever that actually means! Thérèse

Oh no I wasn't offended. I didn't think you meant that you didn't believe I had been told....I just mean't I KNOW I was told....LOL It seems to be a surgeon by surgeon kind of thing. According to some on Ozband they were told NONE in the first 6 weeks, then others were told only infrequently and others again told none ever. Anyway..its been interesting to hear how different people get told different things! I used to be a 2ltr a day girl too...Pepsi Max was my soft drink of choice. I don't miss it anymore but did in the first few weeks. I also have started to drink much more wine than before, as my bourbon and coke or vodka and lemon are now not so easy to get down. I still manage the odd ruski but find them too sweet now. Its amazing isn't it how our tastes change. Take care Thérèse

Well maybe it's just a Queensland thing. On Ozband I have posed the question and it appears other Queenslanders have also been told that. And I KNOW I was! Perhaps it was only meant for the recovery period, who knows. I haven't had any since January and guess I won't go back to it now, I am over my addiction. Thérèse

Sex is GREAT with the band....My hubby says its the best aphrodisiac because I FEEL so much BETTER about myself. And I have a whole lot more energy....enough said..lol But I will say that now I have lost a bit of weight I DO sometimes feel if he is against my port so just get him to move over a fraction and he takes his weight off it. So no complaints about sex and the band from me...or HIM! Thérèse

"In Australia we dont have the 'no carbonation' rule." Umm Yes we do. Perhaps not in WA but I was certainly told by my surgeon in Qld that carbonated drinks was a no no. I do know others on the East coast that have been told that for sure. It's not to prevent slippages but to prevent stretching the pouch. I haven't had a carbonated drink since January and no longer miss it. Slight bubbles as in champagne I will make an exception for though..LOL Thérèse

I am sure Star Jones has a band. I watched the show the other day and there was food segment about Peanut Butter recipes. Each time they tried something she would avoid EXACTLY the dishes I would avoid but tried the ones I would try. (LOL, Is that scientific enough evidence? LMAO) Also how much has she lost in what time frame? She has lost alot I know, but so have I. Each person is different and we react differently and we do different exercise etc. I have lost 119lb in under nine months and have heard on the grape vine of my small country town that I have everything from gastric bypass to cancer! I read that she isn't going to discuss how she has lost the weight, and I don't blame her...I wouldn't tell everyman and his dog either. Thérèse

Well I was very lucky. I saw my surgeon on January 6th and was operated on January 19th. I am in Australia so the Insurance thing is different...but I also got funding from my Superannuation account which came through in 10 days ..so that was FAST. I sort of think it must have been meant to be as it all fell into place so easily. Thérèse

The best way I can describe Pbing is simply as a regurgitation. I don't burp before hand...its just like there is something there that just has to go and simply what you have just put down will come back exactly as it went down. No gastric juices but just as it was..only for me, normally with lots of saliva. Thérèse