tolmc

Hi Wheeler, It was great to get together, thanks for getting the ball rolling. Hope your op goes well - Good luck, let us know when you are back on your feet. take care Lisa

Hi Ollies Mum, Sorry to hear you are having problems. Who were you banded by? When were you banded? Perhaps there is someone else with the same surgeon or perhaps if you have no success you might find another one. It's no secret I have had a hard time with my band. I have lost NO weight, and I am started to eat poor foods as I cant keep the good stuff down often. I am sick of doing all this work and not seeing any weight come off. I accept this is a life changing decision and I have another appointment with my surgeon tomorrow (thurs). I truely understand it's hard. Have you managed to lose any weight? It must be harder without anyone to talk to as you dont know what is normal and what isnt. There are people on this site with far more experience than I, but I really understand your frustration. Perhaps sharing more of your story might help us to understand what is happens and make suggestions. If you've decided to have the band out, thats your choice and I am not trying to change that. But if you are looking for help and answers or suggestions perhaps there are people here who can help. Personally, when I cant keep things down my surgeon takes some of the fill out. Perhaps you are too tight. How many mls do you have in? What size is your band? Hope you find what you are looking for Regards Lisa

Hi Everyone, Thanks to all those who came. I thought the the numbers were just right. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves. I did!

Evening Anna, Yeap, I am the same EVERYWHERE. (To my initials "TO LMC") Regards Lisa

Hi Anna, No problems. I booked a few extra seats so we dont need to change anything Jess+ comes. If Andy and the team comes either let me know or call and change the booking. I am going to post on the Support site too so we might get a few more from there. See you saturday...choking on your steak...:speechles (who said that...jk) Lisa

Hi, I've booked for 10 under Lisa at 12:45 this Saturday. If anyone else wants to attach then please call and change the booking. (details in prev post). If only a few ppl go, we'll cope with that - no drama. Regards, Lisa

lol, I saw my typo as I posted and thought that will be interesting. Gosh I am good. I am not a drinker - maybe my it was wishful thinking. Metformin was the key to falling pregnant for me. I have friends who had a terrible time with it but its been really good for me in the past as long as I took it at the right time. I recently tried Xenical is see if I was eating things without realising it, well I didnt have the side effects that come with that. I think taking it was a waste of time but at least I tried and checked up on myself. I will check out your links - thankyou

I have a few thoughts when he said that. The previous appointment we had a yelling match as he wanted me to listen to what he was saying yet he wouldnt listen to me so I refused to listen until he did. It got to the stage when the nurse had to leave the room. He told me I was still eating too much for my size. I explained (When he listened) that I have a bowl of Special K for breakfast, salada's (dry crackers) for lunch and a small bowl of something for tea. He said it was too much so I put it to him where I had to cut something out. He got to the stage where he told me I had to skip meals. Well I did that for 2 days and then stopped thinking it was damn stupid My dietitician agreed. Now I am hungry than I feel I have ever been, restriction is still there but my brain is soooo hungry. It's nice to have your body fighting with iteself. I also tried to get metformin from the surgeon but he said he couldnt give it to me. I have an appointment with my GP to get a referral to go somewhere else. As I want answers. I also have an appt with the surgeon next week. Thanks for the information, I will be on my quest next week. In the meantime I think comfort food is calling. (Ohh, Mum had a brain tumor so I will be looking into lushings, to be honest I didnt know of it.) Regards, Lisa

Sorry to hear you arent well and have had a rough trott Wheeler. It's horrible when too many things happen at once. Look after yourself. I am happy to arrange. When:16th September (this weekend people) Time: 12.30-1 pm At: Costello's Berwick Springs Hotel Cnr Greaves & Clyde Rds Berwick 3806 9702 6223. Those going are: Tarajane x 2 Goannabanda x 3? Jenny Me, just havent worked out if with kids/hubby or girlfriend. Anyone else? I will make the booking tomorrow (thurs) with a best guess on numbers if I havent heard. Booking will be under "Lisa".

Hi Tootarts, No probs on the questions, thanks for showing an interest. I have the 11ml band. I have had 5 fills and have about 5.5 in. I say about as the surgeon wasnt sure if 2mls went in or not so he added another 2mls. I may have 7.5mls. He was going to check it at a later appointment. I feel hungry but I do have some restriction, normally the standand foods like bread, rice. etc. I have a lot more trouble with good foods. I have some taken out during the 5 adjustments as well. I am due for a fill next week, should be interesting. As far as not wanting food until the next meal, ha. On the positive I have lost cms, which is great as I feel like I need proof I am not cheating this. The surgeon isnt concerned that I havent lost weight, he has had some patients who have taken a year to lose weight. That doesnt help. He just puts his hand on my shoulder and say 'at least you arent gaining' I have pcos & it has to be interfering somehow. In fact, I have remained the same weight for 15yrs, except during pg's. So the not gaining comment wasnt too helpful either. When I started this journey I really thought I would be lighter by now. Disheartening. So did I qualify for a slow losers - lol Regards Lisa

I have PCOS, I was diag with it at 16 (although had no idea what it meant then). I am now 37, ok 38 in 2 weeks, and I have 2 beautiful kids. It took 12 yrs to have them. I fell preg at 8yrs ttc only to lose that bub. The conceive my 2nd child everything that worked for my 1st child failed, I turned to chinese medicines and conceived in 2 mths. I was also taking Clomid and Met at the same time. Both Dr's knew about each other. My PCOS is pretty bad, I had 35 large cycst on one ov and the other side they couldnt see at all. I am overweight, hormal hair, etc. I realise this thread is now old, but hope this helps someone. Regards,

Hi, I'm in Australia so I am not sure you want me in. I was banded in April and have lost NO WEIGHT so I think I qualify. I didnt lose weight on the optifast stage. Very frustrated. Oh well, tipping this will past.

Hi Rania, You poor thing. I can totally understand you feeling that you are doom. I am sure its a normal fear that many of us have with set backs. Good thing is, its a fixable problem. Hopefully it will all get sorted out quickly and your journey will begin. take care

Hi Sarah, I was banded in April, had have 5 adjustments and still feel the way you do now. I spoke to my surgeon about it and he said we have to wait 4wks inbetween each fill. Due to the way I was feeling he was inserting larger than normal amounts, but I found I had too much in my band too quickly, starting coughing at night,couldnt eat veggies, reflux, etc and had to have some out. I am almost up to that amount in my band again (.25mls away) and still feel very hungry and I am starting to make poor choices through frustration as I've not lost any weight yet. Just bare in mind if you jump too quickly you might have to have some out, so slowly does it. Sorry it is an art to get the right amount. At least for most people only take a few fills. take care Regards Lisa

Hi Mark, Depends on your work. Everyone is different. If you are sitting around normally you could go back in the 1st week. You will probably be a bit tender. Driving isnt too bad, although I left it a week. You just need to listen to your body. If you have a manual job you really should give yourself a few weeks. (But rem everyone is different). I have a new born and I was bending to litting him, but I opened up my main wound within a few days. My shoulder pain didnt start to a week post op. Hope that helps, Regards Lisa

Congrats Sharyn, It must feel amazing - well done!! Lisa

Hi Cowgirl74, I have about 80kgs to loss if I am being honest. My BMI is over 50. I figured I couldnt lose weight by myself, I have always been obese and I needed to do something or I will get those weight related illness or worse die an early death. Even though I havent had a great start I dont regret doing this. I am trying to do something to improve my quality of life. I went with the band as its reversable and safer than other options. (Helping the chicken option of choosing the wrong thing) You need to do whats best for you. It's a big step, but staying over weight in my eyes was an even bigger step to take. Each to their own - I am not on a soap box. I under why ppl do this and I under why someone wouldnt. One thing though, you have to be doing it for you. Good luck with your decision. Regards Lisa

HI Anna, Clothes are fitting differently and I am getting into clothes that I couldnt fit into before. (Most still with tags on - lol) One thing I have noticed this week Fluid in my lower legs are like the pg fluid. I can cross my angles and have massive dints in my legs. Ohhhh, I got 5hrs sleep last night - woohoo, even went shopping etc today. AMAZING what sleep does. Hi Jo, Hadnt thought about seeing my gyno, how can he help? I spoke to my surgeon during our heated appt and said I wanted to try metformin, he said he couldnt give it to me & to go to my GP. GPs say that arent the surgeon so they cant. Catch 22. I was trying to be good and get a script but with all this mucking around I gave up and started taking it a few weeks ago. (Still had some from ttc, and its not like I havent been on it before for non diabetic reasons) No changes. (except hormonal hairs came back). Surgeon doesnt really say much. I am so glad I lost cms, I feel like its proof that I am doing the right thing when scales dont support it. Have you found the met helped? I thought if it hadnt helped by now it probably wont. (Mmm whats wrong with this picture..daddy zzzzing on the floor, my 2yro telling me shhhh daddy sleeping anytime I speak with her...trying to get out of going to bed..) Thanks

Hi Sam/Anna, The 1st questions - yeah I have discussed this with my surgeon, and had a small :angry ‘heated’ chat with him too. In short I was told to start skipping meals which I am not going to do. (He was in a mood that day). At the last appt he was trying to find positives and said ‘well its great you haven’t put on any weight’. I just thought “yeah great – I could do that pre-band”. He said he has some women it has taken over a year to loss weight and just hang in there. I have an 11mls band. I have either 5.75mls or 7.75mls in. Surgeon wasn’t sure if 2mls went in so he had another go, it will be checked at a later appt. I started to exercise after the band doing 10kms a day. Went away a few weeks ago, was walking 15000 steps per day and swimming for 1-2hrs (I like to swim) No weight loss then either. Just over a week ago I stopped exercise due to baby and toddler sleep issues and I am sooo tired with 1-2hrs sleep tops per night. (Mmmm 12:30am and I am writing here…sad puppy). Food, most days are Special K breaky, salada for lunch, cereal bowl size of something for tea or lean q. I love water, only drink water, but since being banded I find that when I want to drink is meal time, then I forget. I am definitely not drinking as much water now. Before anyone ask, no I don't have coffee/tea either. Anna I replaced my scales – lol, it wasn’t that. DAMN. I’ve had the same ones for 15+yrs or so, thought it was time. The new ones are more accurate and seem to match the Dr office – the old ones were consistent but about -6kgs out. I don't know if the cms are dropping, I leave that to the nurse to measure to ensure it’s the same. My next appt is the end of Sept. I think its before the next support group. The insulin resistance was a real killer in trying to conceive, taking 12yrs to have both kids. My diabetic level is normally 4.1, its checked all the time due to my weight and varies ops this year. Even so, it was a diabetic drug that helped me to conceive where fertility drugs failed. Amazing what some research can do. I saw a dietician for over a year, and she gave up. In 12mths the weight didn't move 1kg. She was amazed. Had to keep a food journal which I was honest with, if I ate a donut I told her, no sense in cheating it. Didn't matter if I was good or bad it stayed the same. After 12mths she said for whatever reason some ppl with pcos have a saturation point and once they reach it they just cant move from it. She said we could keep trying but she wouldn’t recommend it. For 15yrs I have remained exactly the same weight except for pg. You’ll probably want to hit me but having kids was great for my weight. I lost 20kgs with each, the only time I have lost weight in 15yrs. After my 1st I put the weight back on to my saturation point within 6mths. It was weird, once I reach that weight not changing my diet I stopped putting on weight. After my 2nd I haven’t regain the weight – woohoo. I am lighter than when I got married 13yrs ago. So, if I am stuck I might just have to have another bub. Oddly enough my hormones are great when pg. (I am so opposite the norm). Carpal Tunnel disappeared with pg too. Lol. Blood pressure is normal but it drops for pg 2. See – I am weird. :omg: As far as history goes, I haven’t really done the roller coaster diet thing. In the 80s lost a few stone with herbal life and modifast (now Optifast). In the early 90’s I managed to lose 60kgs only to have it come back quickly when I stopped. I think from there I learned to stop that roller coaster and just maintained which worked. It’s hard not to be discouraged but this isn’t a quick fix, it will take time. I figure I have to beautiful kids when I was told I wouldn’t have any so this is just something else I will have to conquer. I’ll just have my pitfalls along the way. I acknowledge I am still very new at this. Looking forward to seeing a 5kg drop one day. I am thinking about doing lite’n’easy or something like that to ensure I am eating the right food groups once I go back to work from mat leave. Also, I am going to ask for an x-ray to check the band is ok just to be sure. Despite the weight [and a bad trot since having the bub this year], all other tests have come back very normal. (that’s why the dr’s wouldn’t approve that other medicare form) I just need to kick myself in the butt a bit, get back to exercise and sleep!!!! Oh sleep, how I miss that. Tipping enough dribble from me and off to bed whilst its quiet. Havent decided if I am coming on the 16th. With the lack of sleep thing the house is getting a little testy. Not sure going out on the weekend atm is a great move. I’ll see how we go. Thanks for the thoughts & supportive comments. Like everything ‘this too will pass’ Night all Sleep well lol

Hi, I am Lisa in Berwick. Banded in April this year. No weight loss thus far. Did the 2wks optifast prior to op, no weight loss then either. One week prior to optifast had to fast for another operation, no weight loss there either. Sounds like a pattern. I want to see the kgs drop. I am dishearten and started to eat poor food in the last 1-2wks. (Plus eating crap is easier) I dont regret doing this, I no I am still on my L-plates but maintaining my weight previously wasnt my problem - I want to see weight drop. I expected on fasting/optifast to see weight drop. I speak to other bansters and no until the last week or 2 I have been pretty good. Oh well, guessing it will happen one day, just dont really understand why it hasnt yet. I've had 5 adjustments. I also have PCOS. Regards, Lisa

Hi Phili, I was banded in April and still havent lost anything. I am watching what I am eating, etc and exercising but no weight loss. Very frastrasting. But on the positive, I have lost cms and I am pleased with that as I feel I need some proof to what is happening. I didnt even any weight on the two weeks optifast. The week prior to starting optifast I was in hospital on nil by mouth and didnt loss weight then either. I managed to not put on weight for 12yrs, I can do this without the band, now I just want to see some come off. Dont worry if you are at a stand still, it will happen. Hopefully it will kick in soon for both of us Regards Lisa

My doctor refused to do the EPCP referral as well. I am in Berwick. I went in to talk to him about it a few times. I was annoyed at first as my BMI was/is over 50 as well. During the process the lapband team told me the rules had changed and the GP could simply use obesity for the reason. I went back to my GP and told him, he said to leave it with him. He contacted the governing body, cant remember who that is now, and obtained all the criteria. (which he printed a copy for me) Obesity was still not a value reason, I needed diabetes, etc. I had had some knee problems but there wasnt enough details in my history so no go for me and I gave up. (Plus given the $4k out of pocket, this didnt amount to much) After speaking with the GP 3 times and seeing the forms, etc. I do think he was trying to help. He certainly wasted a lot of time chasing people. As he explained, as obesitywas not in the list he & I would be reviewed by the board if he submitted the papers with that alone. So, knowing what I know now, if you were going to do this with a new GP, you would have to mention those knee/back/joint problems and have it on file before the EPCP referral came up. Hope this helps. Lisa