noela31

Hi Just wondering where you stand now.... Icancelled my own surgery twice before I felt my head was anywhere near in the right place to be banded. Always new i could screw it up if I wasn't commited. About 16 years ago before I fell pregnant with my last child I lost about 50kg workinh the OA programme. I stopped when I fell pregnant thinking the weightloss had made me 'normal'.. putting back on those 50kg and another 20 on top over 16 yrs had me at my pre-op weight!! Went to my first OA meeting about 2wks ago - none in my home town 1.5 hr travel to the closest - though I have always played aroung the edges of a 12 step programme. I still find it hard but go back to OA if you have doubts - if it's a good non-judgemental group. The band is only a tool and 'let go and let God (or your HP)' is the only way to get throughthe 'impossible' times. I had great fears of failing but I am lighter than I was 16 years ago!!!! You CAN do it. All the best

Thanks - can't imagine myself at that weight or size - I to was a size 26....+ at times. To have kept that weight off for that long - hard to believe -I know that will be me next year but still hard to get my head around it. Good luck with everything

AND - a waist line smaller than my boobs - feet (yes I know I always had them but just couln't see them -shoulders - they have ends know as opposed to flowing onto my arms!! - a smile, never new how much time I spent not doing that (and I always thought I was such a happy person)

Ditto to what 'lellow' posted. I too could lose weight but I always put it back on and added a few more kgs in case the returned ones were lonely. I often also unknowingly 'lied' to myself about how much I was eating - I now know the amount of food I was putting on my plate was huge. I was the person who would make a sandwich to eat while making a sandwich to eat - just in case I starved before I got to eat the sandwich I was making!!!! Portion control has been a big part of the band for me. I don't know if I ever really felt hungry pre-banded, but I think the band has reduced the food 'cravings'. It has been a learning curve because I now have to deal with life minus comfort eating - and believe me at over 350lbs I did a lot of comfort eating. More energy and less kgs has made exercise and being more active much less challenging - the exercise is great but for me has been sporadic as I sustained a workplace injury that has made consistant exercise difficult. Also for me here in Australia I go back to the same Dr for fills and check in once a month whether I need to or not. It keeps me focused and accountable. Good luck and keep asking questions - being in the right head space pre banding is the way to go.

Wow!!! Congratulations. It really is the most amazing feeling to suceed at weight loss for a change. So pleased for you

Been a while - thought I'd update - survived xmas and the mucous without an unfill. Am very pleased to post my weightloss as of last Thursday is just over 40 kg - I am very proud to say my weight now starts with a 1 and a 2... this is the weight I was 16 years age when I fell pregnant with my last child......awesome!!!!! Got 0.5 ml added - going back on Thursday to get some removed - pretty rough week - have barely eaten but am keeping fluids down. This has lead to another 3 kg disappearing - it's strange but I'm not happy about that it's not good weight loss. So to everyone out there - keep it up its been a lifesaver for me. Only interesting thing is now I have to deal with all the sh%t in my life without going to the fridge. Somedays its very hard - but worth the effort!!

Hi all I'm 45 and live in Qld Aust and was banded on the 2nd April - the 151 says it all. I'm looking at it as a journey and so far all has been so good - surgery and the first four days have been great. Looking for any tips though - it's just the start of the journey and it will be a long one, so any stories and suggestions would be wonderful. Noela

Been slack but thought I'd post an update - am pretty proud of myself these days. All up now I have lost 31 kgs, thats 68 lbs. Our margarine comes in 500gm tubs - thats 60 tubs of marg, if you put them in a bag and asked me to carry them up the stairs, you'd be told pretty quick what you could do with your marg, but everyday I was carrying that round. OMG!!! Since last posting have had 2 x 0.5ml fills - got the last one because I want good restriction over Xmas - may have to get 0.25 taken out, as the whole mucous thing is happening. Anyone got opinions on this - it's happening quite a bit. Exercise is still not really happening - should get a clearance from the Dr this week and will hopefully be back on track - plan is Water aerobics, swimming and some gym. I'm happy with the weightloss - except I'm going to end up with a serious case of 'tuckshop lady arms' - you know, that lose flabby look!!:laugh: Anyway would love some advice on the slime thing. And to everyone out there - keep posting -it is such a great place to visit!!

I have known about lap band surgery for many years but have always made the comment that it wasn't something I would attempt til y head was in the right place. I am a compulsive overeater and didn't get to my pre-op weight by eating salads and jogging 5k a day. The fisrst photo is on the morning of my surgery nad the 'current' one is from 11th June - about 8 weeks down the track - must get something more current as I have lost another 20lbs since then! This is the NEW me photo - the photos are great to keep your head in shape when you have those days where you beat yourself up!! I have battled my weight all my life - the first diet I remember was at 11. I have lost numerous pounds on numerous occasions but always managed to find them and a few of their mates to come along for the ride. At my pre-op weight it was starting to affect my lifestyle - at 330 I manage work and everything I had to do, at 370 I was in a bad way. My health was OK but sugar and cholesterol were getting to the high end of OK. Last year around October I made the decision to get a referral and see a specialist. Did all the pre op stuff - Xrays, scans, pschologist, sleep tests and dietician. When I went to my surgeon, I felt like the biggest failure - WHY COULDN"T I DO THIS RIGHT!!! - he was great - said this was the best decision I'd made. it was a tool and I still had to do the work. I cancelled surgery twice, as I still couldn't come to terms with it. Finally caved and asked my husband to take time off work and come with me while I had it done - I couldn't do it alone. So on 2nd April I had my lapband done and a gall bladder removed -all went incredibly well - no pain at all and without a doubt the best decision I have made in my life. I have had 4 fills - 3/1/1/0.5 and am now at a place where if I eat more than I should it doesn't stay put - only got the extra 0.5 last Thurs - it's now for real because if I eat to much/too quickly/too big a piece....well I won't describe the consequences!!! I am still morbidly obese but there are days I feel like a million dollars. I enjoy my husband's attention as my weight had gotten to the point were I repulsed myself - my caring, 'can eat anything' husband loved me no matter what - but it made little difference to me. There are other days I look in the mirror and see no progress. I still have to deal with my daily life without the aid of food - its a journey and some days a battle but I'm doing it. Believe me when I say the best thing I ever did!!!!!!!

Hey - you know it's a twofold process, you're at least aware that the head can still do you in. The lapband really has taken away my hunger and has made my mental state 'healthier', it probably has to do with it not seeming so pointless - the lbs are gone and in my mind never coming back, it's a different feeling - the food choices are still mine, small though they are. I am very aware that I can eat very little so it had want to be good for me!! I risk my health otherwise. Good luck on the 20th and keep reading this forum - it is such a positive and informative place to be!!

Yep - had a 0.5ml fill last Thursday - NOW I know what restriction REALLY is. WQho'd have thought such a little amount could make a hugr difference. I had just been playing up til now!!! How sore do your jaws get - 30 times I've been told to chew eauch mouthful (full - not likely) - my God its like a face workout!! Things that stayed down before are making there way to daylight after being eaten - UGGHHH I'm a quick learner though - hopefully real quick.

Wow !!! thanks but congratulations to you too. You must feel very proud of yourself. Funny how being obese but not morbidly obese is something to yell from the rooftops. Only people on the journey get it!! Keep up the great work - seeing other people doing this is and are further down the track is a great inspiration for all of us on the way there!!! Kind regards Noela

Wow - your an inspiration! Love reading others stories, makes me KNOW I am going to be there too!!!

Well - it's been a while - nice to get a reminder in my email that I should post. Life goes on here in Far Nth Qld - still recouperating from my fall - on light duties at work, which is a bit of a joke since they don't actually exist!!! So for the update - all done with food as the exercise is very restricted - and I'm severely pissed abou that but will need to deal with it and move on. Had another fill on the 31/07-08 as restriction got less as the day went on - could eat way too much by the end of the day so got another 1 ml - WOW!!! who would have thought what an itty bitty ml could do!! When I went back for this fill was down to 150.5 kg - I was soooo pleased with myself. Have bought myself a set of scales this week because - yes - my weight now starts with a 1 and a 4 - I am down to 149kg - who'd have thought you could brag about being that fat!!! I can - it is great. All the best to all the other bandsters - had forgotten how good it is to read about all your journeys. Till next time.

Well it's been a while since I posted. Lifes been great, lapband has truly been the best decision I've made in a long time. Think last time I posted I had been weighed and was down to 156kg and was just starting solid food. Went to Dr on 20 May for check up and first fill - was a bit dissappointed as I had gove up to 158.:tt2: Had to keep it all in perspective - back on solids, no fluid in band and no exercise as I had hurt myself at work but I felt good. Managed to do all this and get 3ml in my band. It's been tight in the morning but by the end of the day I can still eat too much. Yesterday went back and had some more fluid put in - another 1.5 mls. Boy has this done the trick - I real feel the difference and finally have the 'full', 'constricted feeling' I have seen mentioned on these forums. This is what I've been waiting for. The fill was 'fun' as my Dr has outsourced this to a Weight Management specialist he has taught and works with. She is still only learning and spent about 5 minutes trying to get the needle in the post - lucky fat has few nerve endings! Am also going to the gym 3 days a week - this will increase to 4 next week. 2 'pump' classes, an oldies aerobics (i'm the youngest one there!!!) and a fat burning class(lots of boxing). Can't have even imagined myself doing this 6 months ago. It's so weird it's not like I'm a size 14 now, but the change in my head knos no boundaries - for the first time after starting any weight loss 'programme' I can see an end - not just an ongoing battle. lapband journies are sure life-changing. My thoughts are with all on the journey or about to embark on it - IT ROCKS!!!!:wink2:

Let us know when it all happens - do you have guidelines for the length of time before approval. You'll be there before you know it and with your head in the right place. Getting my head around a 'for life' liestyle change was a big thing for me - even cancelled the surgery once in March. Was so frightened I wasn't going to be able to do it properly and still had lingering feelings that banding equal failure...my Dr had a good talk to me about that!!! So at 45, 5'11" and 372 and a compulsive overeater I made the smartest decision of my life. It's amazing how food is no longer the focus of my day... no constant battle over will I or won't I eat something...and I don't feel hungry and I feel sooo good. Hope for it to happen soon for you!!

Good luck - May will be here sooner than you know. So far for me (with all of 3 weeks of being banded) it is incredible, feel the best I've ever felt and my preoccupation with thinking about food has gone (hopefully this will continue) - this forum is wonderful to read and gain insight and inspiration from those who are so far along their lapband journey. All the best look forward to hearing how you go!!

Wow Rain you lk amazing - I know when your feeling down and disheartened it doesn't mean much when people say this but know truly you have accomplished soooo much!!! These feelings will pass. I have just started my journey and look forward to the day i can have a whinge about clothing sizes that start with a 1.... all mine start with a 2 and end in a 6/8. May you soon be complaining about size 14's. Good luck !!!!!

Hi I'm still on mushies - banded on 2nd April 2008 - weighed yesterday blown away with 13kg/28lb loss. I'm feeling great, actually feel happy, bit of a novelty for me. You are going so well, you must be really proud of yourself... I've been reading the recipes in the forum to get some ideas for when I start real food again, though i can see lots of salmon and veges happening!! All the best with your journey - look forward to reading more

Thanks Kathy, it really is a different system for you in America with the waiting for permission from your insurance company t see what happens with your surgery. Here if you have private health cover you ring them find out how much they will pay and off you go. Lapband surgery would be 15000$$ without private health plus 1000$$+ per night in hospital. I was still out of pocket about $3500, worth every cent. I hope you hear soon when you can have surgery - I'm so pleased and haven't looked back. Keep in touch.

Well, I've been bande for 22 days, lost 6 kg in the first week.... don't own a set of scales so haven't concentrated on the kgs, just getting the eating right...still on mushies for another week. Back at work where i am a coordinator of in a boys boarding school... last night we have a fire alarm go off..get all the boys out then I manage to trip over a mat and go hurtling out the door (not a pretty sight from any angle i assure you!!). So this am at the hospital - torn ankle ligaments left foot, right knee and sprained right wrist - what a disaster, in more pain than after surgery. Any way I thought now I can get weighed, so I asked the nurse if I could be weighed...she is seriously looking at me thinking why would this crazy arsed bitch want to know how much she weighs!!!!! Told her i had lapband surgery...she was more enthusiastic on hearing this. Guess how much....13kg all up - I was so blown away. To all those out there in lapband land I love reading all the different posts - its really positivd supportive. Cheers to us all!!:redface:

Well first post op visit on the 10th - woo hoo!!!!! 6kg (13lb) down -yeah Iknow its mainly fluid but it was nway cool. My significant other says it's noticeable and so do friends...it's nice to hear. Still want to focus on getting healthier and fitter, not the weight loss - it will come with the other 2. Better than the weight loss, i also had my gall bladder remover when I had thelapband surgery. My doctor sent it to pathology, was what they term a porcelain gall, which is a precorsor to cancer - my lapband may have saved my life in more ways than one asi had no symptons of gall problems.....one to keep an eye on folks. Can start 'baby food' next week. It's all good so far - a few twinges around theport site as the frip 2 my Dr is a 3 hr round drive...it's good to feel happy and positively focused for a change.... all the best to those in lapband land.:thumbup:

Yeah it looks long - am focusing on one day at a time. Tomorow I go for my first pre-op appointment - as much as I am trying hard to focus on the journey, being healthier and fitter I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about how much weight I've lost since banding. I'm not feeling hungry and strangely I am not even thinking about food or eating (God I hope that continues), am sticking to broths, 100% juices and good old H2O and am doing a little more exercise evey day. Thanks for your replies - it's good to know it is more than just a dream, because all out there are making it a reality!!

It's good to feel good!! Started exercising on the 5th, walked in the evening, added exercise bike the next day 5 min in the am then 10 the next morning and 5 that evening - gets a bit pushy on the port site so will have to raise the seat right up. Hope the cold gets better D - couldn't imagine having to sneeze and cough too much yet, let us know your first weigh in results Slim

Hi Just banded 2nd April.. going really well. Had 2 nights in hospital, standard for my Dr. I am amazed at how little pain I have had and at how well I feel. Gas and wind are the most uncomfortable. I have a long way to go - 69kg to lose - but this is the start of the rest of my life. Best wishes to all out there in lapband land. Noela:thumbup: