Nell

I am in top cover NIB and they paid the hospital for me. I paid the surgeon $3000 and the anaesthetist $500 and NIB covered the rest of their fees. I paid the dietician, then got a rebate (about 1/3 of the charge) from NIB. My doctor is highly recommended locally (Central Coast).

I've only had problems with breakfast since I reached restriction. Before that I could eat a horse! (almost literally!) So maybe it is a restriction factor?? Oatmeal is definitely the easiest breakfast to eat. I love weet bix and oatrmeal so I'm lucky. But weet bix is not so good now.

I'm with Sunnywyse. Just do exactly as she says re: getting time off from work. You'll probably only need about 3-4 days at most - so it shouldn't be a big deal for your new job. As for telling people, I have only told my husband and sisters. I wasn't all that big but after a lifetime of weightloss efforts (have lost up to 40kg by myself, then put 25 kg back on) I felt I needed it. I also had medical reasons to have it. But I knew a lot of people would be very judgemental about me doing it so I've kept it to myself. It really is a very personal decision. It is great if you are comfortable to talk about it - but if you aren't, you can keep it to yourself. Your call!!! :biggrin2:

It took 3 fills for me and my doc. took 6 months to do 3 fills! I was getting desperate because I was still so HUNGRY! But I'm now feeling restriction at last. (At 5ml. in an 8ml. band) Be patient - but maybe not as patient as me! If I had my time over, I'd be more assertive with my doc. and ask for a fill once a month instead of once every 2 months - which is his standard. I feel my weight losss journey hasd been slowed down because of this. Hopefully NOW I'll really start to see the benefit of the band!

I wanted to let you know that I too have FINALLY achieved restriction - six months after my band was fitted. My doc. is very conservative and has only done three fills for me - one every 2 months. At 4ml. in an 8mm band I was still feeling hungry and was just about ready to give it up. This week he added another ml. Even now that the swelling feeling which I get immediately after a fill (and usually works for me for about 24 - 36 hours) is over, I still or should I say, I FINALLY have restriction! :biggrin2: This is such a relief for me and I just wanted to reassure others that you WILL get there. Now I'm wishing I'd been a bit more assertive with my doc. and insisted on monthly visits. But you do what the doc. tells you when you don't know any better! Best of luck to all of you and I hope my weight loss picks up speed now! I've been VERY slow the last 2 months!

I am completely off my reflux meds. and am currently cutting back on my irritable bowel syndrome meds. So far so good! I've also stopped my HRT - on Dr's advice - but this is not band related. If all goes well with IBS meds., I'm going to (slowly) try giving up the propranalol I take as a migraine preventative. Will try this out very carefully as I DREAD those migraines! Will not be able to give up my arthritis meds. but hope (eventually) to cut back on my anti-depressant medication. In addition, I take multi-Vitamins for over fifties, omega-3 tablets and glucosamine with chondroiton for my joints and arthritis. Will keep these up - at least until the current controversy over glucosamine is resolved one way or the other. If it doesn't help, it also doesn't hurt, so I'll wait for conclusive evidence before giving it up. Congratulations to everyone whose band and weight loss is helping them get off their medications. Well done!!

Thanks Lori! I'm not yet at this point and have been wondering if it will ever happen! I'm glad to know it really does -so thanks for your post! Very encouraging.

Do others find that chicken is a real culprit for PBs? I find that chicken, in most forms, is a real problem. Also red meat - such as slice of roast meat, chop, etc. Generally I find I'm better with foods that are well mixed with vegetables (e.g. stir fry) or with gravy (e.g. casserole). Surprisingly, the only bread that gives me trouble is a dinner roll. I have LOTS of PBs - not sure exactly why as I try to eat slowly and chew well. Does anyone have advice on what to do (or NOT to do!) to avoid PBs??? Thanks!

I'm so pleased to have found this thread! I am in the same predicament and have been wondering very much about how others cope. SO good to read honest and sensible stories like these - you have helped me more than you know. This is my first ever post on this forum - so you can see how important this topic is to me. My story: Starting weight: 218 lbs Current weight: 191 lbs Loss: 27 lbs Banding date: Jan. 08, 2008 Fills: One - 2mls. Problems: lots of problems with eating meat. Lots of PB (what does that stand for, by the way??) and slime. Have had a very slow last 4 weeks (only lost 1 pound) but have been eating very poorly and not exercising. Amounts are significantly reduced but quality of food is often not the best (fat, sugar, etc.) The reason? extremely busy month at work with lots of travel and staying in hotels, etc. Too much temptation! Too much stress! etc. All the excuses under the sun! After reading this forum topic, I am much less depressed and much more motivated to "get back on track". So, thank you all!