melaniematters

It's one year since I was banded. I've lost 54lb (25kg) I have about 20 lb to go. I'm happier and healthier than I've been in years. Love my band - it's not easy but a hell of a lot easier than doing it on my own. I would like to have lost in faster and to have lost 70lb in the first year but hey, this is so much better than where I was a year ago.

This is sad - my fills are included in my banding price and I've only had fills, no unfills. I'm so happy with my band. Surely you need to see a specialist and get it sorted so you can reap benefits of the investment in your self? Mel

It's been a long long time (Jan) since I checked in and it's great o see your progress. Some people are stalling and certainly for us all it appears the weight loss is slowing, especially for those of us on the final 20-30lb. I've been keeping my blog updated all year but overall things have been terrific. It's only 7 weeks until the bandiversary but I see this journey as starting on the day I started Optiyuk 17th July 2008. I've lost 53lb since then (24kg) and feel like a new woman. Funniest thing is the smaller I become the more visible to the world I am! Take care, all. Melanie:thumbup:

Quote: Originally Posted by Mommy 13 Hi Ladies, just wanted to check in and tell all to have a great holiday. Went to the doc. today and he would not give me a fill due to a 15 pound lose in the last month. I know I should be happy about the lost, but I tried telling him that the lose is due to my hard work, working out seven day a week and not because I have restriction. I am so starving at night and find it harder and harder to resist snacking. Now I don't go back until after Christmas and I am nervous about all the food during the holidays. Anyone got a game plan for food at family gathering? I'd go back to the doctor and demand a fill - take a diary of what your eating and how much exercise you're doing. show him/her you can eat more than a cup of food.

You look great - I've put my progress pics on my blog pages. Feel free to visit to take a look. I feel great.

Hi there, I've just found this thread - I've been banded 4 months and all is going great. My doctor said mushies after 5 days - all docs are different. I can't see any harm in having a few teaspoons of something really mushie - just so it won't go up a straw. I started mushies with soft buttery scrambled egg, mashed potato and gravy and a salmon patty. Hope that helps. You could always phone the surgery on Monday to check but after 12 days I think you'd be fine as long as you keep it to 1/4 cup max at first. Still, I'm not a medico so I'd hate for something to go wrong after this advice...

Ok, I'm more than curious. Where do I find info on the 5 day Pouch Test? I must admit that up until my last fill (I have 8.25 ml in an 11 ml band) I thought the problem might have been a stretched pouch. Since the last fill, I think it was just a matter of not having enough fill. As of this week I've hit "One-deland" - it's a fantastic feeling. But maybe I was lucky in that I only needed 34lb lost to get there! Still it's been nearly 15 years since I've been here and I feel I can achieve my goal.

Hi, I went to Dr Michael Crawford in Sydney and had the operation at Mater Hospital Crows Nest. It cost about $15000 of which my top cover health insurance covered $11000 - therefore $4000 out of pocket. My doctor bulk bills for fills and has unlimited no extra cost for follow ups. It's worth every cent. melanie:thumbup:

Hi everyone, just thought I'd drop in and see how the fellow butterflies are going and you're all doing great it seems - not always with problems but hey we're getting there. I've lost about 30 lb (14 kg) since mid July and feel so much better. I have 8.25mls in my 11ml band. I've had several fills 4ml - then 6 mls - then 7.5 ml and then 8.25 ml. It's a 400 km (250 mile) return drive per fill but I want to get to that sweet spot. have been having the heartburn since the last fill - hopefully it will settle soon. Melanie

My surgeon says that fills under a flouroscopy are a rort unless there is a specific problem. My fills are included in the surgery price but I'm bulkbilled by (Australian) medicare at each visit. Mel

Hi there All has gone well so far if a bit more slowly than I hoped. I'm keeping a pretty detailed journal on www.melaniematters.blogspot.com if you're interested. I now have 7.5ml in the band and think that's almost enough. Cheers Melanie

Hey congratulations. My first weight loss goal of 10 kg (22lb - we're metric down under!) was reached today. I was banded opn July 31 and I agree best thing I've done. Keep up the great work. It is work but lap banding is a great tool to make that work easier. Mel:thumbup: