Muzzer

I'm going in for my first band adjustment on December 29th. I've got a large sized band. I can eat virtually everything in terms of both types of food and quantity. What suggestion should I make for how much saline to put in? I'm thinking I should do half a fill. Does that make sense? Any advise you can give me please?

Hi Bridetobe, I had the fill and it was 3mls that the doctor decided to put in. I reckon that was a bit conservative and I would have liked to have had more but that was her choice. I've been on liquids only all day and I feel fine. Puree tomorrow. I wonder if anybody gets it right on the first fill? I'm told the average is 4 to 5 fills. It was pretty expensive for todays 10 minute session $120 Hope the others aren't that cost. I hope you're next fill improves things for you.

Yes, I bought my Sons a Wii Fit yesterday and can confirm that the maximum weight is 150kgs. We used it and the main Wii system last night for hours. Played tennis, bowling etc. Fabulous fun.

Hi Folks, here's my maiden post! After much research and paining over the decision, I finally took the plunge and had my operation last Wednesday at Knox Private. Like most of you, I was just in overnight. So obviously I've just started on this long journey. At the moment I'm pretty sore but I should be right to go back to work on Monday. I was a BMI of 40 when I went to see the Lapband folks initially. In total I could loose about 40kgs. Not sure whether I'll go down to 70kgs cos I might look too weedy but I'll give it a go. I've struggled with my weight for maybe 25 years and have lost heaps, a bunch of times, then gradually put it all back on again. I lost about 8kgs on the Optifast stage of the process so I'm now down to a BMI of a bit over 35. Gees, am I glad to be off Optifast for all meals! Now of course I'm on the two weeks of nothing but liquid bit. Looking forward to puree stage. So, wise folks who are before me in this journey, what, in your opinion, is the most challenging stage of ladbanding? Is it when you get your band adjusted for the first time? In one way my timing sucks with Christmas coming up and in another way it's ideal. If you have 5 minutes free, please write back and let me know what I've got to be prepared for, other than a whole lot more vim and vigour and being less tired? Thanks, Rob (Muzzer)

I've lost 12 kgs so far and I'm really starting to feel it. It's a great feeling isn't it when your clothes are looser. I went for a 20 minute walk yesterday up a hill near work that used to puff me out and it was no problem. Could have walked and chatted to a friend, which I certainly couldn't have done a few weeks ago. One question. Has anybody on the puree stage tried toast? If so, was it ok? Just thinking of different meals to try.

Hi Ladies, Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going well. I had the staples out yesterday and I was told that I'm fine to move to the puree stage. Not really loosing any extra weight yet but I've reduced 10 kgs since I started on Optifast pre surgery. I'm glad to be off that. I'm booked in for my first band adjustment on December 29th which is a few days prior to heading down to the beach for a holiday. I'm really looking forward to going to the beach in 12 months time and feeling ok about being in bathers. Not trying to look like a male model, just don't want to cause whales to want to beach themselves! I was told by my GP that lapband surgery is an easier path for blokes than it is for females, so full credit to you guys. I probably shouldn't say this but all of my male friends wouldn't want to go out with some incredibly skinny lady. One said recently that he was scared that if he cuddled a lady like that she might break in half! I reckon the pressure on women re body image is way out of control. It's more about feeling good about yourself than anything else. Gees, I'm sounding like a philosopher, can't have that. Hey Jackie, thanks for the info re the hardest stage for you. I can only imaging that, but what I can say is you've obviously done brilliantly from the look of your photo and you'll just have to console yourself in all the nice complements about what you look like now, as distinct from what you've done to achieve it. You've done brilliantly. Keep up the good work Moreen. We're very close to the same stage of this process and I admire what you're doing. Ok, off to work with day one of pureed food. I'm looking the food variety now. Cheers, Rob

Gees Moreen, you and I have a lot in common. I started at the same weight as you, have lost the same amount and we're the same age. Other than that, you're about a week in front of me on the eating/drinking stage. Keep going and let's swap notes. What weight are you aiming for? I've been told by Doctors for years that I should be about 70kgs. Maybe that's a bit optimistic as I reckon I'd have to run around in the shower to get wet at that weight?

One lesson I've just learned is not to go back to work too early after the operation. I had the op last Wednesday and thought I'd be right to go back on Monday. Lasted half a day and I realised that the pain and swelling was there in abundance so I went back to nurse at the lapband centre who was wonderful. She convinced me to take the rest of the week off until I get the staples taken out. She arranged for me to get back on the pain killers which I was trying to come off early. I'm really starting to pick up now and a few more days of recovering should make a big difference. It's probably a good thing that I've missed out on my work Christmas party tonight. By the way, the nurse also suggested I try Movicol for my constipation problem and it seems to be working a treat, so to speak.

Thanks Cuddles. Gees, you've done brilliantly. Look at that weight loss and lowered BMI you've had! Probably the biggest problem I have now is constipation. It's conic. I've bought and tried 4 separate lots of stuff from the Chemist and none of them has done the deed! Of course, one of them was prune juice. People used to say "I'm full of it" and now I believe them. Might have to take this to the next level as it's been 4 or 5 days now. Delightful topic. Hope no one is having dinner. What worked for you guys?