anniedub

Hi, Just thought I would add my $0.02. I was dating a guy a little while ago just before I hit my goal weight, and it never even came up. He saw me naked, was VERY close to my scars and my little "lump" but never seemed to notice - or was too polite to ask. I'm quite short, so I can just say "I'm little, so I don't need much food". I've never had anyone call me on it. So don't get worried and worked up about how you'll respond to questioning - remember, most men are not very observant!

Hi Shamrocks, A quick post to let you all know that I am thinking of everyone as we experience our 1 year bandiversaries. Some of us are where we wanted to be, some of us are still working towards it, but all of us are successful no matter what, because we are still going. We haven't thrown in the towel, or put it in the "too hard basket". And that in itself is what makes us successful. Love to all of you xoxoxox

As serious and sad as the situation is, I can't help but giggle when she is referred to as "Octo-pussy" :thumbup:

Hi Shamrocks, Just wanted to let you know that I'm still trucking! I had to move out into the country for work, I don't have the internet so I don't get to check anything at all very often! I miss hearing the stories, the triumphs, the tears and the challenges of our group. We are almost hitting our one year anniversary, mine is only 2 weeks away. I hope everyone is still on track and staying strong. Miss you all! Much love and best wishes, Annie xoxox

Oprah is so ignorant. She makes me LOL.

Hi there ladies, Something that has been bugging me for a while. When I was morbidly obese, I had shitty self esteem. I thought that I was absolutely worthless, no-one would ever love me, I looked fat and horrible and ugly. Everything that comes along with low self esteem. Anyway, I am almost at goal weight now -- so why don't I feel any better? I thought that losing weight would help me feel better about myself and how I looked, but I still feel exactly the same as I did when I was 60 lbs heavier. I don't know whether I've just had a shitty night and so I'm down in the dumps because of that, or what. I went out with some friends tonight, I was feeling like I looked good (for the first time in a long time), but then EVERY ONE of my girlfriends got hit on tonight except me. I was trying to flirt with this one guy (I'm not very good at flirting) and one of my girlfriends just comes in, bats her eyelids a little and he's making out with her in 30 seconds flat. So I come home and I just keep feeling like shit. It wasn't meant to happen this way! I was meant to lose weight and feel better about myself! What should I do?? Sorry, this has turned into a bit of a rant.

Hi everyone, I've been a lazy girl, not checking the boards! Too much going on I think. But I've missed you all with your sage advice! I've finally finished my postgrad, have my graduation ceremony in a couple of weeks and I'm now just waiting to hear about work for next year. The worst part about the education system is that they only have to give you 2 days notice to start work anywhere in the state -- so I could be given 2 days notice that I have to move 15 hours drive from here! Bah! Anyway, I'm impatient and frustrated with work etc. Otherwise, my weight loss has been going well, even though some of my food choices haven't been that great. Weird, huh? I guess that's the beauty of restriction -- even when I DO decide to eat something naughty, I sure can't eat much of it! Anyway, I've been pretty down for a while, but I'm hoping I'll come back up again soon. Glad to see that we're all surviving here. Much love to all, Annie.

Hi there all, I don't have any experience with Alli (or Xenical as it is called in Australia) -- but I would warrant that any medication which comes with a warning to carry a spare pair of underpants with you at all times is NOT a medication I would want to take! :tongue: But seriously, I hope your doctor gives you some good advice and you can work on getting the weight loss ball rolling again. Hee hee @ "thinking you'll just pass a little gas but suddenly....". It's called a "Shart". You think you're just going to fart, but there's actually a surprise in store...

Hey Ghostbuster, I know the feeling. In your first post, you could be talking about me. It's uncanny. But unfortunately I don't know the answers either. I'm just going to see how life plays out, I guess. I definitely agree with "you have to love yourself before anyone else can love you" thing, about self esteem and confidence. And I'm trying to work on mine. But i know so many people who have sh-tty self-esteem and are still in a wonderful relationship! Anyway, who knows. I hope that you posted in a moment of weakness and you're now feeling a little better. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in those feelings. Annie.

"Precious Blood" by Jonathan Hayes -- a brilliant author AND BANDSTER. He's a regular poster here, although he doesn't advertise his book on the site. For that reason, I'll keep his username to myself. Those of us who know him, love him. It's a brilliant crime thriller, in the vein of Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwall. Also, "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. A very thick book, but amazingly worth it. It is the autobiography of a man who escaped from prison in Australia, then went on the run, ended up in India living in the slums and became a psedo-"slum doctor". He ended up returning to serve out his sentence then setting up medical clinics and so on in the poorest parts of India. He is inspirational, and has an amazing way with words. And, of course, for those of us who are determined never to eat junk foods again, "Fast food Nation" by Eric Schlosser.

Agreed entirely. For me, restriction just feels like you're satisfied and full -- but a helluva lot quicker than ever before. This is why it's important to eat slowly, otherwise by the time your pouch is full, you will have already gulped down 4 or 5 more bites and there ain't nowhere to go but up again, baby!

Hi Ciljon, Any gap fee can be claimed on your tax (as it is an out of pocket medical expense of more than $1500). I gather than you can get up to around 50% back, if you're lucky! Depending on your other tax details, obviously. I'm just doing my tax at the moment, will let you know when I know more. Annie.

Mine's in the signature. I also really enjoy reading the WLS blogs of others, especially those who are further ahead in the process than me! (I'm 7 months post-op). I don't update very often at the moment though.....

This thread has turned rather argumentative, so I'm going to ignore most of what has been said and just respond to the original question. Unfortunately, I am Australian, and therefore I don't get to have a vote in the US presidential election. But it is widely covered in our media here, and so almost every Australian has an opinion, it seems. I think Barack Obama would be brilliant for the US if he is elected. I hope he will be, and i think the chances of that are growing every day - especially since McCain chose Palin for his running mate. However, I think that if Obama is elected president, he won't last his first term. A white supremacist or another type of radical will kill him. I think there will be more attempts on his life, even before the election is decided. I think some people in the US could not cope with a Black President, and would do anything within their power to stop it from coming to fruition. It would be a sad and sorry day for the world - another Martin Luther King. But, in my humble opinion, it is more likely than not. This is just my two cents. Feel free to disagree, but let's keep the discussion based on the facts, without personal attacks. They help no-one.

Hi there, I'm another "low BMI" bandster, starting off at 220 lbs, but still 85 lbs to lose. The lapband has helped me immensely -- I would never have been able to lose the weight and keep it off without the band - trust me, I've been trying for years. Your BMI technicsally qualifies you for the band, according to my surgeon's standards, but it depends on your insurance and surgeon. I understand that insurance can be a lot harder to negotiate in the States than it is here in Australia. If you think it will help you, and you're willing to change your lifestyle, and you find a doc who is willing to help you, then by all means do it! You won't regret it. Hope this helps, best of luck in your decision. Annie.

Hi FGS, So sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully with the removal of the band, life will go back to somewhat normal for you and your health problems will be resolved. Congratulations on your 17kg weight loss! Best wishes, Annie. :w00t:

No need to get so defensive, Cyndiloowho. Just an opinion.

Hi Wheetsin, Great poll! I think breastfeeding in public is perfectly fine. A draped shawl or cotton blanket for modesty is nice, otherwise it seems a bit showy -- "look at me! I'm breastfeeding! I dare you to challenge me about it!" Plus I wouldn't want my boob open for anyone to see! I don't think I would feel comfortable about showing myself without a blanket. Interesting to see what sort of results you'll get! Annie.

Which insurance company are you with, ciljon? Mine is MBF. Fills are only $10 each, the rest is covered by insurance. The cost of fills can be huge for some people, so make sure you check that out as well.

Hi there, I have private health insurance as well, but there was a gap payment of around $6 000. Insurance covered about $12 000. Good luck with your research! Annie.

Hi GregandDebra, Do you have private health insurance? If so, the costs usually go down to about 4000. Might be just as well to take out private health cover, wait the exclusion period (6-12 months) then try again. Otherwise, I can help with your other queries. The weight comes off at different rates, depending on how hard you work. It's not just an easy way out, you still need to actively change your diet and increase your exercise. Foods like ice cream, cakes and biscuits just slide right through the band so if you eat these all the time, you may not lose any weight. But if you work the band well, it works for you. I was banded in March and I've lost 27kgs since then, by eating well and exercising. That's almost a kilo per week. There are many others who have lost more than this -- the bigger you are to start with, (generally) the faster you will lose. It will slow down once you get closer to goal. Every day I am thankful that I had this surgery -- without it, I would be even heavier than when I started and even more miserable. It cost me 6000 (my surgeon is a little more expensive than most) but it's worth every cent to me. Any other questions, just let me know. Annie.

Hi everyone, I'm almost 7 months post-op. For the first 4.5 for 5 months, my exercise was great -- walking, cycling, swimming, weights, Wii Fit, the works. At least 5 days a week, for an hour each time. Brilliant, right? Anyway, I've had a very stressful couple of months (completing my post-graduate studies) and my exercise has virtually disappeared. I'm having a lot of trouble getting back into a routine - I'll walk for 2 days, then skip a day, then just fall right off the wagon. I'm trying to give myself "tough love" in my head, but even that's not working anymore. I don't know if tough love is the answer for me. Does anyone have a tried and tested way of getting back into routine? Like maybe putting a sticker on the calendar for every day you've exercised? Setting yourself a reward for every week that you've exercised at least 5 days? Anything like this that you would recommend? I'm still losing weight (but a lot more slowly) BUT I don't want to settle and be one of those people who is slim, but unfit! Thanks in advance, Annie.

Hey FallOutGirl, Good luck with your decision! Where in Aus are you? There is a small but dedicated community of Aussies on here -- i think the section is called "Local Lap-band support groups" and there's one for Aus. Annie.

Hey Sunwyse, I have my vegemite on dry crackers now, eg Salada. I can't eat bread anymore, it makes me PB, and I do miss vegemite on toast! Still. For 26kg lost in 7 months? I'm happy to just have my vegemite on Saladas. Are you banded yet? It seems like you've been on the boards here forever! Annie