getonsamsom

Hi Rowena I asked this question before I was banded as I tend to drink wine on a regular basis. Now I am 5 weeks banded and speaking from my own point of view, I can still drink wine & champagne, but probably not as much as I used to, and I also dont feel like it as much (depending on the day:) ) Everyone will tell you that to achieve maximum weight loss you should not drink alcohol as they are empty calories - I agree as this is probably the single biggest contributor to my weight gain. But the reality is that most bandits who drank alcohol before banding still drink afterwards. Chin chin :bandit

Nope - but I had a bmi of 39-40, so it wasnt necessary. I have heard of other Mr Nottle patients that have had to do the Optifast thing. The previous surgeon I was with wanted you to lose 10kg, regardless of your starting weight, before your surgery. I must say this threw me into a flap!

I didnt see Mr Nottles dietician, I believe they are in the same rooms in Willy (so if you could see them on the same day it will save you a trip:) ) I originally was going through another surgeon, and I had to see a physiotherapist as well, dont think Mr Nottle asks for this, but the physician is the one with the biggest wait.

I reckon they would give you the details, (not the blood test - you can get that anywhere & he has to order it). But I wouldn't make an appointment for before your appointment with Mr Nottle, I would try & make them either for the same day or in the next few days after it, because if there is a 6 week wait to get into the physician, you could save yourself a month by booking in now, oh and you would need the referral from Mr Nottle. And if for some reason if there is a problem with Mr Nottle, you can always change it and be no worse off. Like I said, I actually had my surgery 11 days after my first appointment with him, and saved myself 2 1/2 months! Rapt as a dunny roll!

Bronnie, you could try ringing the surgery and finding out who you have to make appointments with & book them now. I found I had to wait over 4 weeks for my initial appointment, then another six weeks after that to see the physician, if I had made the physician appointment at the same time it would have saved me six weeks. Of course you can always cancel the physician & dietitian if you decide not to go ahead.. I was really fortunate that when I made my first appointment with Mr Nottle, they also scheduled my surgery date at the same time as I had already been to a physician & dietitian. You shouldn't of course rush into it, but imo you also dont need months to wait either.

I was done at 8pm and was discharged at 10am the following day, so if I was done first thing in the morning, I could have left that night. And to be quite honest, I much preferred being at home than being in the hospital bed!

Does he just do them there in the Surgery (I went to Williamstown)?

Fee I just noticed you were banded on 15th Nov & had your 1st fill on 2nd Dec, barely two weeks later. Did you ask for this, or did Mr Nottle just do it. I am back on 18th Jan for my 1st visit (5 weeks after surgery) and would like to get a fill but the receptionist at his surgery thought it was unlikely. Seeming he is so hard to get into and so busy, I dont want to wait another month or so. What is the deal with these fills, are they self monitored? Do you say when you want one?

Hi Bronnie - I was banded by Mr Nottle on 12th Dec. More than happy with him, he is very efficient. I originally was seeing another surgeon, but couldnt get a surgery date, it took ages to get my first appt, then 7 weeks to go back, then it was going to be nearly 3 months for surgery. I was self funded and didnt want to have to wait. So I rang Mr Nottles rooms and they fit me in for the initial appt with him and pencilled me in for surgery at the same time 2 weeks after that. This of course was depending on everything being okay! You normally have to see a physician & dietitian after seeing him, but as I had already done that I got through a bit quicker. I asked him about the procedures, about the failures, and why. he was great, and said in my case I can expect great results.

I was banded in Melbourne on 12th December so am 2 days ahead, how did you go with Christmas day and no solids! I have not really told my family, so spent the day being inconspicuous (I got away with it, but everyone said how fabulous I looked, I have lost about 5-6 kg)

And these forums are great, because you realise you are not alone (although issues/problems do seem to widely vary :eek: )

I was banded last week - I wasnt really worried about the risks of surgery, but driving to the hospital I told my husband "oh, just in case I don't make it, can you......." I think he was more worried about the op than me! I got the information leaflet on the band I have got, but I am not sure exactly what type it is