Goannabanda

138 kg - early 2006 maximum weight 134 kg - 1st surgeon visit, 28 July 2006 132 kg - physician visit, 8 August 2006

Cool! I must admit, I didn't calculate the conversion - just guessed it! Unfortunately, it doesn't change the BMI number downwards.... ...that's still 51.5...

My surgeon is Mr Chris Hensman, at EndoSurgery Victoria - at The Valley Private in Mulgrave, and also at Knox Private. My GP (who shall be nameless), is elsewhere... ...I decided today to find a new GP who is more band-friendly and more supportive.

Hi all, I'm fairly new around LBT - currently in "auditioning for the band" (i.e. pre-op tests). My starting BMI is 51.5, which is super obese according to my surgeon's scale (SEE BELOW). I weigh 134 kilos - which is about 315 pounds. I have a whole LARGE person to lose (70kg, or approx 160 lbs). My surgeon's BMI obesity scale (without the lower ranges...): 30-40 - obese 40-50 - morbidly obese 50-60 - super obese 60+ - super super obese I am really excited about being banded, although nervous as to the changes it will bring to my lifestyle. I don't know how I am going to deal with weight loss either - as I've never enjoyed much success losing weight before, nor have had any time in my adult life where I have not been obese / morbidly obese / super obese. Looking forward to catching up with all that's in this thread, and to being part of this big (important) group! I hope that I can help lift each of us up with my support, as no doubt I will enjoy from you!

WOW! WOW! WOW! Robyn, you are amazing - and after having had such a bumpy ride this past year. Happy bandiversary!

A big hug to you from Down Under - well done!

I've just found this thread - praise God as he walks with us! I lift each of us, and those of our loved ones for whom we care, in prayer, and will continue to remember the LBT family to the Lord each time I pray. Lord of compassion, your hand is always stretched out in blessing and healing of the sick and needy, we pray for those of whom we have named before you, and for all who have held themselves out to you, that they may be set free from the troubles and sicknesses that afflict them and be healed by your power, for the honour and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thank you for your gifts of healing and forgiveness: for the grace to love and care for each other, for your hidden blessings, and for all you have still in store for us; for everything, whether joy or sorrow, whereby you are drawing us to yourself through Jesus Crist our Lord. Amen.

Chloe, Thanks for opening this thread - you are not alone - I share your thoughts around the drive to self-sabbotage.:angry I feel that this is definitely worse when I'm not "on top of my game" in other areas of my life - family, work, chores, monthly hormones (that's the chocolate cravings:phanvan ) etc!!! Don't be too hard on yourself - the beauty of the band is that you can't fall completely off the wagon - just slip over the side a little - pretty soon you'll be able to climb right back up into the driver's seat, and you'll be on your way again. Your in great company around here too....:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Gee, I didn't think my list would be this long - but I guess that's what you get after 18 years of dieting... Anti-Candida Diet - kinda like Atkins - I can feel the heart attack comming on!!! Atkins:mad: Apple Diet - I invented this - only apples except for dinner time... Bannana Diet - at $14 per kilo, not a cheap option in Australia right now... Cabbage Soup Diet:rolleyes CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet - a reasonable diet, if you lower the Protein slightly.:cry Grapefruit Diet:sick Israeli Army Diet - is that another grapefruit one???:cry Jenny Craig - twice - Australia's version of diet doggie food:mad: Lean Cuisine - every day for dinner:phanvan Limits - Jachut, I liked the lemon cream ones best:rolleyes Lite'n'Easy - home delivery meals, either diet or non-diet - healthy, balanced and yummy - still may be a convenience option post-band:nervous Liver Cleansing Diet:tired Liver Detox & Diet - foul herbal powders:p Low GI Diet:cry My own sensible eating efforts...:huytsao Positrim - Amway's Meal Replacement drinks and bars:rolleyes Raw food Diet SlimFast - shakes & bars - yuck! Weight Watchers - at least 6 times, I only lost weight the first time. Too many carbs in it for me I think.:cry What to Eat When You're Expecting - not as a weight loss diet, but in an effort to stave off gest diabetes - now I hate wheatgerm!!! You Are What You Eat Diet (Dr Gillian McKeith from the TV show):speechles Xenical / Orlistat - the orange horror!!! Had to buy new underwear after that one. :scared: Tried it when just it was just new. My Doc now says it's a waste of time.:angry ...trading war stories & battle scars makes for a fun thread!:biggrin1:

Try Big City Chic, they have formal dresses and accessories, as well as fashion, work, casual etc. However - their styles might be a bit 'young' for mother of the bride. Their website (www.bigcitychic.com.au ) says there's a store at Whitfords, WA.

Way to go Rosecheers and xx lil xx!! I'm finding it hard to believe the stories about how rapidly hunger changes after the band - and hard to believe that it will work for me. Your eraly positive experience and success are very encouraging. TazGirl - hope your next date sticks. I'm hoping for a date late Aug / early Sep. Keep up the good work everyone!

Since I found this forum, I can't seem to get any laundry washed - let alone fold the sheets. lol!:biggrin1: :laugh :ranger: ...so far tonight, one of our cats has slept on two of the three piles of fresh, unfolded laundry that are occupying the family room furniture... ...the other cat has retreated to leave fluff all over the couch... ...hairballs (eeewww!!!) are always deposited on the CARPET, and NEVER on the hard floors... ...what is it with cats???... ...as if there wasn't enough laundry & chores to do already!!!

I couldn't betray my DH's trust or risk hurting him or my family. Even if I did it, and wasn't found out, I'd end up telling him out of guilt and remorse, which would, of course, hurt him.

Pisces here - and it soooooo fits!

I started out here as "minifyeme" - because I had a dog called Mini, and I really want to be shrunk - i.e. "minified". However, I've had the nickname Goanna forever - because my first name is Anna, and I'm an Aussie. I'm in an amateur band (play flute & sing), and with LapBanding, decided that "Goannabanda" describes me better. If anyone wants to use "minifyeme" - go for your life! My stripper name would be Tricksey Justin :heh: :biggrin1: :faint:

Way to go jacilyn, and good luck KMO & BigGirlPantiez!! jacilyn, is this your first baby?? do you know if boy or girl?? dish the details to us (please!) - babies are the greatest!!! good luck over your last few weeks pregnant, and for delivery. let us know how you go. My surgeon said the band won't slip in labour, as it's stiched onto your stomach. He says the biggest concern is vomiting - which I did daily for the whole 9 months with my son... ...I also had v.bad heartburn - maybe both of hese were caused by being so big before getting pregnant (I was 118kg at conception, 126kg at delivery, 115kg walked out of hosp...). I already have that tummy flap thing happening - At least with weight loss, I won't get any more strechies on my body next time! ha ha ha. Looking forward to seeing all of us in baby-land soon!

It's beautiful, and will be an investment you'll cherish forever, way longer after you forget how much you spent, or how hard it was to fit into your house. I know from direct experience - the gorgeous oak bedhead we bought when first married didn't fit into the bedroom of our house - we couldn't open the bedroom door properly for 4 years, before we had enough cash to get a folding bedroom door fitted for the next 4 years spent in that house. We were devastated on the day the furniture came home, but quickly got over it. Now we wouldn't change it for the world. It's the only decent furniture we've bought in our married life! Everything else was inherited, hand-me down, flat packed or bought "just to get through the having small kids years". PS We've moved house and now our bedhead it fits perfectly into the new master bedroom. PSS Our old bedroom door made a great computer desk - we added legs and a computer hutch purchased from Ikea - the door handle hole was great for the wires to drop through... ...we used it like this for another 6 years, until recently :-)

There are terrific new tampoines available here in Australia now - they're about 10ft to 15ft round shape, and come with safety pads, safety nets and a ladder. Some even have a weather cover too. We are in the process of buying a tramp, for Santa to deliver on Dec 25 (lol!), here's what we found out that you should look for: a good quality mat (lasts longer - the best are American made), as many springs as possible (better bounce), largest mat as possible (safer, better bounce), safety nets fitted via a sleeve (not tied on - easily broken), safety net poles that extend all the way to the ground (for rigidity), highest weight rating possible (some ar up to 400kg) as many support legs as possible.

Update: I met with my surgeon yesterday - he said the following things: That you had to wait THREE months post-op before getting pregnant, to allow your body time enough time to ensure it's healed from the surgery. After that, the longer you could wait, the better. Regardless of how post-op you are when falling pregnant, you need to get UNFILLED right away, and aggressively manage any vomiting / morning sickness. HOWEVER, apart from a BMI of 51 (!), I HAVE NO OTHER DISEASE OR COMPLICATING FACTORS. I imagine that the advice would be very different if you were MO AND suffering heart problems, diabetes, poor circulation etc etc etc. Obviously, you should check with your own doctor / surgeon for case-specific advice. My hubby and I are very encouraged about this advice :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: , and have decided that I should go ahead and get banded. I've started on the pre-op testing and preparation - and getting excitied about our new life!!! Good luck to all of us who want to have little Bandlets!!! Would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation to me!

***OMG!*** :roll: :roll: :roll: ***rolls on floor clutching sides*** :pound: :pound: :pound: ***can't stop laughing*** Test 9 - I fail that one every time!

Trizzy, I join the chorus of hugs to help you feel better. Most of the rides are probably made in countires where the larger body sizes are average to western lands... Keep your eyes on the prize, and look forward to riding without humiliation in future! I hate flying at this size - it's really humiliating to have to ask those toothpick-thin flight attendants for a seat belt extension... ...as nice as they are about it, they'd never know how BAD it feels to have to ask... ...and the arm rests of seats jabbing into your thighs... OMG... ...and the radio / seat recline buttons getting buggered up everytime you wiggle in your seat... ...not that movement with size 26 hips jammed into an airline seat is a possibility in itself:cry ... ...pain, pain, pain all the way from Point A to X, Y and Z! QUESTION: :help: I was wondering if riding roller coasters and other gravity-defying / high speed spinning & twisiting rides can make the band slip? From the replies to this thread, I guess not. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know. I hope not, cause my brother in law and me are going to go to MovieWorld when I'm skinny and ride EVERYTHING!!!! :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: Hubby & sister-in-law are too chicken - they can babysit the kids hahahahaha!:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

Notebook magazine here in Australia published an article in this months edition about Anissy Levy, an aussie who got LapBanded. she and the LapBand were well represented and very inspiring. She sounds like an intelligent lady - and the article in no way made little of obese people's problems. Check it out online: http://www.notebookmagazine.com/you/article/417/Stopping-the-weight-gain

Hi all, I am new around here - nervously hoping to be banded soon.:nervous I am meeting with a doctor later in the week (Mr Chris Hensman at ESV, Mulgrave). I posted a rambling intro to the Introduction section of the LapBandTalk site, so you can read up a bit more about me there if you like. I am really nervous - so many questions and issues running around in my head - but the more I read and learn (thanks everyone!), the more certain I am becomming that a band is the right tool for me. I'm looking forward to travelling along with the "Band". I'd love to hear from anyone - especially if you have experience with ESV / Knox / Dandy Valley and their repective support groups, or if you have become pregnant after the band. For now it's in God's hands... Anna.

Ariel & KMO, Thanks for your info :tea: - hubby & I have talked it over some more, we'd be prepared to wait 6 months and then try for a second baby - it probably would take us 3 to 6 months trying to fall anyway, which would give us 9 to 12 months post-op. I'm not wanting to try and lose weight while pregnant or anything (I'd get unfilled ASAP, and actively manage pregnancy with medical advice etc), but I would like to shift some of my weight before I do get pregnant. I already look 8mths pregnant, and that's a look I haven't been able to change for the 5yrs since my beautiful son was born... ...I'm not looking forward to carrying both my "fat baby" and a real baby around in there! Being big and pregnant - apart from the physical discomforts and risks - you feel so stupid, and as if people are looking at you thinking "I can't believe she's having a baby - at her size!", or as if they're scared you're gonna die right in front of them. I just want to change some of that for the better. Depending on what the doc says when I see him on Friday, I'll go ahead and get banded now. I'd be prepared to postopone a baby for just a few months longer if need be, but am equally prepared to postpone the band until after the next baby if that really is best. (Then just the third baby can be a band-baby!). KMO - good luck with the band and the third baby :heh: - it would be nice to keep up and see how we both go. I'd also like to hear more from other "wanna be" or "has been" :bowl: pregnant bandits...

Just wanted to bump this thread... ...I'd like to hear more from members regarding bands and pregnancy. How long did you wait? Did your band slip? Any other band related complications? I'm worried that the band would slip during labour and delivery (remember how hard I had to push to get my son out... ...just about popped by brain open! lol!!!) My boy is 5, hubby & I both want another baby, in fact were "working on it" until I had a weight-related melt down and freaked at the thought of being pregnant at this weight. GP docotor thinks I'd be okay. ObGyn said losing some weight would be better (duh!), but it just won't budge. I put on 15kg (abt 35 lb) and 5 years of age since my first pregnancy, and am not feeling as young or fit as I used to... ...on the other hand, if I go ahead with banding now, I don't want to wait 18 months!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please share your thoughts!!!