kyla68

How strange ! I've just got back from 5 weeks in the UK and also felt that I could eat more there. I thought it was just my imagination, but maybe not !

I'm covered by Medibank Private and ended up paying around $2000 out of pocket. I think I've probably saved that in my yearly food bill !!!! And also, when I start you add up all the money I spent in the last 20 years on various diets and gym memberships, it would be about 3 times that amount. When I have an adjustment, Medicare pays all but $19 of the bill too, so all in all, I think it's a pretty good investment. Good Luck with whatever you decide x

As long as you have some proof that you joined in September ( a letter, a membership card?) then I'm sure they will just take the back dated payments and you won't have to wait longer than you have too. Good luck x

Hi I was banded in August 09 and have lost 18kgs so far ( another 16kgs to go!). I think if your really serious about losing the weight for good, then go for the band. Look at the statistics for various diets and you'll see that the chances of you losing more than 10% of your body weight is minimal and the chances of you keeping that weight off in the long term is also very low. I'm sure you've been on many diets before and if they had worked......well, you wouldn't be looking on a lap band forum would you? I have absolutley no regrets about the banding and I'm just starting to really appreciate how much better I feel. I have more energy and I'm much much more positive about everything in my life. Go for it !!!!

Hi Everyone I will be banded in 2 days and I'm SO excited at the moment. I was told to go on Optifast for a week pre-op, but decided to do 3 weeks instead to give myself a head start. I've lost 5 kilos pre-op and have another 40 or so to go (hopefully over the next year). I can't believe this is finally happening and can't wait to start this amazing journey. I know the next couple of weeks will be tough, but It will all be worth it I'm sure. Best of luck to anyone else who's having their op in August Kyla x:thumbup:

Well, it's now 12 days after surgery and I'm feeling really good now! I must admit the first week was awful, I was trying to stay positive, but in the back of my mind I was wondering if I'd made a huge mistake. I did sneeze a few days ago which left me with quite a bit of soreness at the port site (take my advice and try not to sneeze!), but all the other pain has gone. It's weird not being hungry. Most days I'm eating half a yoghurt at about lunchtime, then some soup at dinnertime, which all amounts to about 400 calories a day. I should be ravenous, but I'm not ! And the great news is that I've lost 7 kgs so far (3 weeks optifast and 2 weeks post op) I can feel the difference already and I'm wearing clothes that I haven't been able to fit into for years (good job I kept them, eh?) I'm going into the mushie stage from wednesday, which is great because I'm getting a bit tired of yoghurt and soup. Oh, another strange thing that's probably worth a comment. The liquid diet has given me breath that could be used as a chemical weapon ! I hope that stops as soon as I start to eat normally as my husband won't come near me at the moment!!!! Fingers Crossed Kyla x

Hi I'm back ! It's been three days since my banding and I have to admit I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I first day after the op I lay in bed wondering what I'd done to myself ! Even sipping water hurts because you can feel it getting 'stuck' between your ribs. But things seem to get better each day and I'm hoping that I'll start to feel normal again when the swelling goes down. My Dr was very pleased with how the op went and he's confident that I'll get a great result. The last time I saw him in hospital he said ' give it a year and you won't recognise yourself' I hope he's right !!! I'll write again when I've got more positives to tell everyone Best Wishes Kyla x

Hi Jen It's good to hear the op went well ! I'm SO excited about mine I really can't wait - bring it on! I'm even looking forward to the optifast! It's sounds like you are similar to me weight-wise. I need to lose about 35-40 kgs and although I know that's probably not a huge amount to some people, but my weight has crept up and up over the years and I know that if I don't tackle this issue now it will only get worse. Why wait until I have more and more weight related problems? Also, is it selfish to want a better quality of life for myself? I'm 40 now, so hopefully I'll be able to enjoy my new slimmer figure for many years to come. I look forward to seeing your ticker tick it's way down to nothing, and I wish you huge successes in the future. Best Wishes Kyla x

Hi Jen You say you've overheard people being judgemental about others who have been banded. I just wondered if you could elaborate a bit? What do people say, and is the general opinion that it's a 'lazy' way to lose weight? Not that any gossip will put my off ( I'm being banded on the 5th August and it can't come quick enough!), but I AM interested to know what other ( presumably slim) people have to say. I thought at first that I'd tell anyone what I was having done, be out and proud ! But, I subsequently decided to keep it within my close family. I'm pretty sure that some friends will become suspicious as I've been fat for 20 years and never managed to lose more than 10kgs on the hundreds of diets I've tried. I'm sure some of them will be pushing me to found out 'how' I did it. I'm aiming to weigh 65kgs and look bloody gorgeous, and maybe, when I get there, I'll not care what anyone thinks anymore? Anyhow, the best of luck for you OP, I hope it goes without a hitch for you. Kyla x

Hi WOW ! I'm booked in for my banding on the same day- August 5th ! My doctor did a pre-op gastroscopy on Tuesday and discovered that I have a hernia, which he will repair during my banding, so It's given me the ideal excuse. I'll just tell people that I'm going in to have a hernia repair ( which of course is true!) I've thought a lot about telling people, and I've decided not to tell anyone but my close family. Once I've lost all the weight I may change my mind, but during the weight loss phase I don't think you need the extra pressure of it being everyone's business! Lots of luck with the op. I hope it's a huge success for both of us. Best Wishes Kyla x

Thanks SO much Jane I've sent you my address and I'm grateful for any 'leftovers' of optifast ! I'm happy to pay postage Thanks again for your kind offer Kyla x

Hi I'm about to start the pre op diet in a couple of weeks and would love to take the shakes/desserts! I'm in Coffs harbour and would be happy to pay for postage. Can you let me know how we could organise it? Thanks Kyla