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Hi Sharyn, You look great and should be really proud of your result. Check out on line through the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons who is registered in your area or where you would like to go. I have not had any surgey yet but investigated alot before I decided on getting banded. My only advise don't restrict yourself to a particular state, find a surgeon you are happy with, it may cost a little more but results will be worth it in the end, this will be with you forever and you want to feel as good on the outside as you do on the inside!!! Kepp us updated and Good Luck!!!

Hi Sharyn, Good on you , you look great. What a great thread this is very inspiring.

Hi All, 3 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!, I went shopping today a got all my Velish soups, extra protein shakes, I got the already pureed fruit by Goulburn Valley and figured I could just add extra water, saves the mess, I also bought some weight watchers ice-cream and custard pots as a just in case. My son dosen't think its fair that I get to eat them and he dosen't ( we don't usually have ice-cream etc in the house). I was told about taking Berocca etc, what sort of Multi Vitamins are you guys taking??? Is there a one size fits all ??

Hi cam , thanks for telling your story, you certainly have become educated during your process, its good to hear your story as I like you think I will cope better being able to make smart food choices like Meridith said without being a food control freak. I don't want my whole life to be a diet a want I want my whole life to be about healthy eating in any situation. Can't wait to see your new pic and everyone elses, I am getting my B4 shot done over the next couple of days and will attempt to put it on.

Hi Sussanah, Thanks for all that info, a few ideas there that I didn't think of. Did u still do the optifast at all after as they have asked me to bring it into the hospital with me. How are you feeling? Back to work soon aren't you?? When does your photo go on? I am going to get my pic taken over the w/end. Hi Bronnie, Good on you, I won't even go into my pre-op diet suffice to say I really struggled, I admire all of you that stuck to your guns. Meridith - when did you have your firts fill and with the subsequent fills did you decide or did your doc???

Hi All, Off to the shops tomorrow for post op diet food, I know we discussed something about this way back when, but can someone advise on things I will need to get i.e custard?? yogurt?? etc you get my drift I haven't spoken to a dietician yet and I am a bit lost on the whole thing. Alos did you all continue your optifast after the op and do clear fluids mean say french onion soup?? I know these may sound dumb but I thinl all my brain cells have gone on a holiday!!! Sussanah, how are you going?? Bronnie - not long now Lorettea when are you getting done again??

Cam, OMG!!!! You have done so well, you are my height and I am just dumbstruck at your acheivements. What do you weigh now and how much did you lose if you don't ,mind me asking your success is phenomenal.

Hi All, Happy Valentines Day to you all, My hubbie works away but amazingly I got a phone call from him this morning to say Happy Val Day. Couldn't believe it so Iasked him who reminded him and he said no-one, I pushed a bit further and he said he saw it on the news!!! At least he called. Susannah - Feeling pretty good alot of anticipation almost like you are waiting to open a big surprise. Still can't beleive its only 5 (yes count them) 5 days away!!! Loretta - Thanks for the mention, I fully intend to make the most of it, I just need to get over the guilt !!!! Take Care

Hi Guys, Thanks for all that info, I am going shopping tomorrow to get the things I need as I live approx 20mins away from a shop. Mum got here ok and the kids are over the moon, might even get a sleep in (wishful thinking). I can't believe its nearly time, feels like a lifetime of waiting has come to an end, for the first time in my life I feel positive about my final results!!! will hop on again soon all take care.

Thanks Bronnie, they said best to wear for a couple of days at home too! Lucky I have mum coming up.

Hi All, Meridith, you look great. You go girl!!!! Can someone tell me how to attatch to a pic to a post.

Hi Bronnie, I was told the reason for liver ultrasound was to check how fatty liver may be, for gall stones (dont know why no history) and also the position of everything before surgery, I also had some blood tests, not sure what they were for I guess to get my blood type and to make sure nothing else going on . That was it really, I was told the sleep study will be required if you have sleep apnea (not sure of spelling on that one) or a history os sleep disorder. Also will depend on weight and BMI and your doc of course mine didn't require it. Also I've gone back through site for Merediths food ideas can't find (probably not looking hard enough), if & when you find can you let me know what page. To All, I spoke to hospital today as they were getting final details from me and they mentioned the stockings for DVT, anyone shed light on this I wasn't told about the stockings.

Hi Sarsy, Welcome and good luck on your journey, wher are you getting done? How are you finding the optifast??

Hi All, I have checked my ideal weight/BMI and they say b/w 55-72kg as I am 170cm. I am currently 115KG and 39.8 BMI I'm aiming for 70kg but 65kg would be AMAZING I am just going see how I feel in my own skin the number on the scales is more a symbolic thing really. I spoke to the hospital today and can you believe they have not received my liver ultrasound from 3WKS ago!!!!! I have been on the phone all day, they sent it to the wrong place thankfully my surgeon will see it on Friday I hope there are no issues B4 monday. Feeling a cross between nervous and excited now, picking up mum tom (hope all that goes well).

Hi Sussanah, OMG!!! Stop being so down on yourself, how can someone so beautiful on the inside be ugly on the outside??? We all hate photos of ourselves when we feel out first but please don't do yourself the injustice of hating yourself so much. You and your advice have got me through a few bad times over the last few weeks.. Be kinder to yurself and you'll start feeling the love from all around!!!

Hi Bron, Congrats on your date you must be over the moon. Good on you, it was all that positive thinking.!!!!

Hi Sussanah, Thanks... You have made me smile for the first time today!!! Really appreciate the support, I would love them to invent a time machine so we could all go back find that moment that our addictions started and and give ourselves a good hard slap.. For me it was so many things that I know about but I am sure there was one signature moment in time that set the ball rolling. At least I'm on the right road now like my surgeon says getting banded takes that crutch away and you are left having to deal with the issues that would normally make you reach for food. I have to say that I am looking forward to that challenge I think it will be the biggest of my life LOL to you 2....

Hi Sussanah, Glad to hear your feeling better, I'm right there with you on the stretch marks I had them B4 I had kids. Weather up here is great as usual, though this time of year can be pretty humid and thats not great when you are overweight as you can imagine. Not feeling so flash today very tired and almost depressed, I guess cheating on my diet hasn't helped and I feel this overwhelming need to eat all the food I know is bad for me because I know I'm geeting done in week. It's this whole weird relationship with food that was the catalyst for me getting done, I hope I don't do to much damage to the insides!!

Hi All, Wow you guys have been busy over the last few days. Bronnie - Iremebr that wait for the appointment its almost anti-climactic, when I finally walked into my Doc office I was so proud that I'd taken the 1st step but it seemed so surreal as it had taken me so long, then I had to wait to wait for my health insurance to kick in but only a week away now. Good Luck on Wed I'm sure he'll see how well informed and prepared you are and get you in asap. Positive thinking just like Sussanah said. Susannah - How are you feeling today??

Hi All, Wow!! I can't be;eive I found so many kindrid spirits over the net. Who would ever have thought that the thing that made us all so miserable has made us so many new good friends.

Hi All, Glad to see that you are doing better Sussanah, I am glad you are all being so honest as I know I will be rehasshing all your words when I go in. I did Tuckshop today for mmy sons school and they have a very good healthy eating policy but as per anywhere there is still junk available and it scares me to look at some of these young kids and realise that if they don't look at making some healthy choices they will be facing the struggles we all did. This was a big reason I decided to go ahead with the band apart from from all the tried and failed diet attempts - I didn't want my kids thinking it was ok and normal to be so overweight and unhealthy. Is anyone interested in sharing their reasons behind choosing banding? Anna Nicole - Tragic . wether you loved her or hated her you have to admire the love for her children and the fact that no matter how many times she was down she re-invented herself and came back bigger & better. I just hope the saga with daughter gets cleared up and she gets some resemblance of a normal life!!! Take Care

Hi Sussanah, Are you still with your sister??

Hi All, Meredith - Thanks for the explanation something not to look forward to I suppose!!! Good on you for signing up for the run, one of my goals is to to do the Sydney fun run wether it be walk or run I would just like to acheive it. Bronnie - Good on you for sticking with it how did the Chocolate go, a friend of mine was banded 3yrs ago and she said she used to add some diet jelly crystals to the mix she really like rasberry/chocolate optifast really cold though and vanilla optifast with strawberry.!!! Sounds good in theory. Sussanah - How are you doing??

Hi Bronnie, Good luck, you'll do fine just keep the end goal in sight!!!

I may sound really dumb but what is PB?????