Sunwyse

They don't say eat WHAT you want. They say eat ALL you want. Of course, in the ad, they don't tell you that's all of the 3 items on the list!

Diabetics shouldn't have insulin, its interfering with what's 'natural'. Heart patients shouldn't have pacemakers/bipass surgery, it interferes with what's 'natural'. People shouldn't get glasses or hearing aids - they aint natural. Break a leg - don't use a crutch. Its not natural to have a 3rd wooden leg! Don't get your teeth bleached - that colour isn't natural. Don't dye your hair - its not natural. Don't wear clothes made from nylon - its not natural. And the list could go on. You know what? Its just another way of someone trying to control other people's lives. People are so fed up these days and feel so out of control in their own lives, they feel they need a way to make everyone else inferior to them. If you need surgery then 'picking on you' about it makes them feel superior. Anytime someone tries to tell you 'why can't you do it the natural way' come right back with 'why can't you be intelligent'!

If one of them had diabetes and needed insulin to help maintain health, would they not take it because you felt more comfortable with them being sicker than you? of course not! Ask any of them to not do something they want to do because you feel uncomfortable about it (could be taking a trip they've planned or going to work one morning), see if they stop doing it just because you've said it makes them uncomfortable. I bet they don't. In the end, its your life, your health, your weight. Only you can decide and only you have the right to make that decision. If you feel their behaviour is going to affect you negatively, then just don't tell them you're having it done. Once its all over and one, then you can tell your family (if you live with any of them, they will know it during the weeks after). Apart from that, its no-ones business unless you choose to make it so.

Nope. No seminar. I just did a lot of research and found out all the information for myself. I think the seminars are basically to reach out to people who have no clue what's involved and might be curious, but if you're already part of a forum or online group, chances are your questions have been answered anyway.

Jachut, congrats on the new job.

That was the gap payment. When I visited the office last month, I was given a paper that said my total out of pocket after insurance would be $10,500

You can also just let it sit til it goes flat.

You don't have to diet at all. The whole point of the band is to shrink the amount you can eat, by creating that smaller pouch at the top of the stomach. You just need to be sensible. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and have the (very) occasional treat and the weight will come off. If you add exercise into the mix it will ensure you keep muscle, so all weight loss if fat only and keep your skin toned.

New chat forum need support,chat. You know, when I read this title, I thought you were posting about finding or starting a new forum and was looking for members to support it. lol

There is a Brisbane bander's yahoo group who have organised a lunch for tomorrow. Basically, its a chance for people to meet up, have lunch and talk. I was going, but woke up with a sore throat this morning and not feeling well, so I've pulled out.

Great idea! I'd love to help, but I don't get done til October.

I suffer from a mental illness called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Its a reconised mood disorder. Affecting a lot of people, mostly from the cooler climates. Its rarer in Australia as most of this country is warmish enough, but I happen to be one of the few who have been blessed/cursed to have it. For those who don't know what it is perhaps you are more familiar with bipolar (old name manic depression). SAD is considered a younger sister to bipolar, in that there are two marked mood changes, but with SAD they are dependent upon the weather. For the majority of people with SAD, you are happy go lucky, with energy to burn in summer and completely devoid of emotion, energy or anything else in winter, but for some its the reverse and summer is the killer. And for a small majority, it can be very serious indeed. Again I'm one of those. SAD also gets worse as you age. Without medication, in winter I get serious social phobia, paranoid tendencies and at its worst, suicidal. Luckily, I can take medication and the only side affects are erratic sleep patterns and prolonged insomnia. So, why have I brought this up? Well I've had this condition for nearly 30 years, so I'm used to it and manage it very well. But what is little mentioned is mental illness at all, in any kind of weight loss discussion. I figure I'm not the only one out there who needs to have surgery to help me lose weight and also have a mental illness. I just don't think mental illness should be taboo anymore and I wanted to raise the topic for discussion.

lmao - I like this.

Short answer. no.

Very interesting. They forgot to add Men in Black at number 4.

I'm allergic to bananas, so thats out :thumbup: Have bought a light box, just waiting for the people to deliver it. Supposed to be another 2 weeks I think. I used to live in Melbourne, which has a much colder winter temperature. I now live in Brisbane which is sub tropical. You'd think that would help, but no. It hits me just as hard here. Only problem is, no-one here knows anything about it. When I had my first visit with the wls surgeon's nurse, she asked me if it was a genuine illness. I had to explain I had been assessed by a Brisbane psychiatrist. I think she still didn't believe me. Gawd I love this. In summer I think people don't like me cause I'm fat. In winter I think they don't like me cause I'm depressed - can you ever win??

Get yourself some chocolate essence, strawberry essence, pineapple essence or coffee essence and add a few drops to change the flavour. You can also get rum essence, which is imitation rum flavour. Try adding it to the chocolate for a different taste.

Oh Peek, I only just saw your post. Its probably all done by now, so hope all went well and you don't have too much pain. Looking forward to your updates. :tt2: Michelle

I'm in Brissy, Jindalee. I'm getting banded October this year.

Chickie, that is awesome. I'm aiming for 50 kilos myself, but was told I probably wouldn't get there. To see you've done it means it can be possible. Thank you. Michelle

Yeah, they gave me a piece of paper with costs on it and it comes to $10,500 after health insurance and medicare. There's no way I can save that kind of money by October. I would have to look at taking out a part loan, which is not necessarily a no-no. I'm going to look around at other doctors in the time being and see if I can get it cheaper else where. I do believe in paying for quality, but I don't believe on selling my soul for it.

I'm quite excited. I got my referral today from the GP and I've booked in to see Dr Bowden (Brisbane) on 13 Feb. Well, his nurse actually, but its a start and I'm on my way. Just have to wait til October for the waiting period for health insurance to be up.

Congrats on the surgery and it all going so well. Maybe the tummy upset is from having so much water? Hope its all better soon.

I very much believe in therapy. But therapy can be talking with a good friend who will just listen, over a coffee. One thing my sister did was bash her pillow or sit down with a screw driver and old pot and just hack at it for ages. It helped to get rid of the energy behind the anger.

I had my gallbladder out 8 years ago. I can still remember the pain, mine didn't come and go mine came and didn't go again until I had it out, about 3 weeks later. The classic symptoms are the 4Fs, female, fair, fat, forty. And you are much more likely to get it if you've had a history of dieting and binging a bit.