Brydie

Thank You Joann, that is a good tip, unfortunately I love cooking fiddly sweet things and love giving them as gifts, which is the old me. As I grow more into my band life I may get the energy to sew or crochet things instead, we'll see. Thanks again and have a happy Christmas and try to stay warm. Brydie

Hi Katy You are so good putting in the lbs for our American friends, I now have a calculator at the laptop so I can convert all the numbers. We went from Kiama NSW to Ballarat Victoria and lots of stops on the way during early December and I put on 1 kilo but took it off within 3 days of being home again. Eating out is a problem that I am yet to conquer. (Banded 27/10/08) Those Maccas seared chicken mini wraps are good and just fill the spot and only $1.95 my husband doesn't mind the reduction in my meal prices. I haven't lost any weight (stuck on 93.5) for 3 weeks but would like to lose a bit more before Christmas but have been making short bread stars to go into a prison and have another 40 to make for our kids' Christmas service. I wish I had a surgical mask for when I am baking. Apart from our usual aqua there is no time for exercise at the moment, maybe when the hoards arrive we will do more walking. Have a happy warm Christmas as we hope to. Regards Brydie

Rob, I wouldn't jump too far ahead of yourself. Slow and steady wins the race and you don't want to do any damage to your new baby stomach. I had fun with the mushies with such meals as blended tuna curry YUMM. I even took some of it to a pub and just ate it with a spoon after my husband had got his pub burger. It only has to fill you up and keep the hunger away and give you some healing protein. So I'd strongly advise against toast. But the exercise sounds good, isn't the new energy and lightness amazing? Banded in Sydney 27/10/08 and lost 10 1/2 kg so far. Regards Brydie

Hi Patsy, You will soon be proud to be 61 because you will be slim, trim and terrific. I am 64 and was banded on 27 Oct in Sydney and I am feeling terrific and already receiving lots of comments about the change in my looks. I lost 5 kg on Opti etc and was banded at 99kg. Since then I have lost 1 kg every week and I'm cruising. I had my first fill on Monday and am managing well. It basically is a steep learning curve but such a fascinating one, you just have to play by the surgeons rules. So all the best, I'll be thinking of you. Sprinkle some diet jelly crystals on you drink for Christmas and enjoy. Regards Brydie

Hi Jsdwellsinme, Welcome to the land of lapbanders. You have made the right decision and you will receive a better body, more energy and a great state of mind from your weight loss. In brief we can be better disciples for the Lord in healthier bodies. I think that we will be more acceptable to others even though they may seem nice now, some people can't help their attitude to large people. More energy means more doors will be opened and more ministries be shown to you, so you will need that extra energy but isn't that exciting. I also like the idea of the band over other surgery because it does not take all choice away from us but requires effort from us too. We have to make it work for us and the Kingdom. So all the best and God's Blessing on your wonderful step. Brydie from Down Under

Hi Joann, Soo and Others, I am sorry if I offended anybody but I was just trying to reassure Soo that most people do not have a lot of problems and by following the doctors instructions and staying in touch with them then the progress is usually smooth. At the weekend I was at my daughters college graduation and fell into my old eating habits when afternoon tea was set before me. I ate a small muffin very quickly and was starting on a Portugese tart when I did experience chest pain. What to do? didn't know where the bathroom was and too many people to make a dash for it, so I picked up an empty disposable cup and made my way slowly outside, had some sips of water and soon the problem was gone. This was a near thing and a STEEP LEARNING CURVE for me. I must in future be extra vigilant when out and food is everwhere so that I do not wolf food down like I used to. Soo was concerned that some people had said they PB everything they eat but these other episodes are to be learned about and are controllable in most cases. I still maintain that this journey is a great opportunity to be healthy and to be an active participant in that good health. I am sure Soo will do well and am sure that attitude has a big part in it. I have now lost 22 lb (10 kilos) which is nearly %10 of my original weight. It makes you feel so gooood and I was nearly jumping out of my costume at aquarobics this morning. Why did I tolerate that old body for so long? Best wishes to everyone, especially Soo. Brydie :biggrin:

Hi Soo, Glad I could help. You will be fine, just take it one day at a time. It really is a relearning process but the benefits are wild!!! I've just converted the metric for you. I started the shakes at 229 lbs BMI 42, was banded at 218 and now 5 weeks later am 208lbs and now not morbidly obese ya!!! It is a fascinating journey that is all absorbing but great. Just wait until people start to notice and not just your looks but the spring in your step. I had both knees replaced 3 1/2 years ago and they are loving the lighter me and my new energy levels. I'll be praying for you tomorrow if that is allright. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your new life. Regards Brydie

Hi Twirl, Don't believe everything you read here. Most people do not feel hungry and I haven't in the 7 weeks that I have been on this journey. I had 2 weeks on VLCD (very low calorie drinks or shakes), it is more boring than hunger making. Since I have had the band I can honestly say that I have not felt hungry either - over full yes, and narrowly avoiding returning my food that I gulped down as I have been used to. The new little stomach that you receive does need to be 'run in' and learned to live with but then most people get on well and love the new body and energy that comes with weight loss to say nothing of the improved health and longer life expectancy. So get good advice and come join our happy band of "mature aged bandits" that may be an Australian term. All the best. Brydie :thumbup:

Hi All, I'm a 64 year old grandmother from down under and was just trying to find the Aussie site and found you. I have had my band for nearly 5 weeks and we are getting on fine. I have not had a PB and I get my first fill in 2 days. I lost 5 kilo on shakes and 1 each week since but I do think it is slowing down. But I do not get hungry so here it is 11.35 am and I haven't had brekkie yet. It will suit me to have just 2 meals today which is OK by my surgeon. I am so pleased to be out of the morbidly obese band now, it it such a terrible term. I have found that spending time posting on threads at the computer is a great therapy too. We have some good Aussie ones and next month I will actually meet a group of girls who live within an hour of here, will be interesting because I find that I have a slim, young image of them in my head. Thanks for the more mature thread. Regards Brydie

Hi Rob, Welcome to the land of mature aged Aussie Bandits. I am 64 and have had my band for 4 weeks and 1 day. We are getting on fine. I have my first fill next Monday. You will soon be noticing that you have more energy and your joints etc will be thanking you. The discomfort of the op will decrease every day and then you can get down to gentle exercise and living the life you were meant to live. There is an Aussie site on Yahoo that has a lot of local stuff on it and recipes etc for mushies etc. I have so far found this journey exciting and just can't imagine myself down to the 60 kg mark so will just take it easy. Hope your journey is smooth as blended baked beans and gravy Ha Ha. Keep up the good work. Regards Brydie:wink2:

Hi Sunwyse, I have just found this chat site. I was banded 2 days before you, just 4 weeks today. Fortunately I have not PBed yet though I thought I was coming close after I ate a muffin with hommas too fast today, it hurt for a bit but didn't appear. When do you get your first fill, I get mine next Monday, I don't know whether I should look forward to it or not. I was banded in Sydney but will see the dr in Wollongong from here on. Regards Brydie