She Smiles

I haven't been able to access LBT for the last 24 hours or so....I felt like I'd lost a limb! Was it just me?? (Actually I know from Chickie's blog she couldn't get on either). What happened??? Techies can you ease my concerns?? And now its VERY quiet around here.....hmmmm :car:

Well I posted this thread and it booted me out, and then I came back and here it was, so I'd go back and check Nina, maybe your post is still there!

Chickie, you know that I admire you and your efforts but let me say this once again - if I end up up looking as healthy and happy as you in my own skin, I'll be be a very very happy woman. You are an attractive, kind, honest and intelligent woman and we are lucky to have you here as an inspiration on this forum. As for my goal, its 100% of my excess weight lost as set by my surgeon. Its a few kilos below the top of the healthy range for my height. For me, its the highest weight that I will be happy weighing as a result of my banding journey. If I get down 5 or 10 kilos more, which is still within the healthy weight range, then thats just icing on the cake (not literally of course haha I'd never get there then!). I won't be getting to the surgeon set goal and just trying to maintain. But I guess for me, its the weight that I can go back to my surgeon and say that my band has been a total success.

I got my wedding ring resized about a month ago, its got channel set diamonds in it and would shift around too much on my finger and never be front and centre. Its coming on Summer here, so I am going to wait to get my engagement ring done til after I see if my fingers still swell with the heat, then I'll get it done too if I need it, I predict I will.

As of tonight, I've lost a total of 40 kilos :clap2: I'm so proud of my efforts in getting here exactly 11 months since my surgery. I have another 10 kilos/22lbs to goal, which will probably take me the whole next year, because this last 5 kilos has been hard work and I've been working on it since around May! I've gone from an Aussie size 22/24 to a 12/14. And I'm putting away my pennies to hopefully get a TT or BL around this time next year, my body is a bit of a train wreck right now :cry I love to think my tummy might look like the Ghost's or Julie's or Chickie's one day!!

Thanks for the congrats guys!

As I said to you today Susie I think we are in a similar place with the blody stuff right now. I hope we can both get to the other side of this and have our weight loss be a wholely positive thing in our lives. We will get there, its jsut going to take some work (damnit MORE work to do! *sigh*) And I spoke to hubby this afternoon and a trip down your way looks like it might well be on the radar in the next quarter or so, I'll let you know when we firm up the details. I'm looking forward to seeing you again already! xox

Absolutely with out a doubt not. I look at your pics/stats and they are my motivation to keep my butt moving. I admire your efforts and dedication and appreciate the advice and support you have given me through out my banding journey. Don't give them the satisfaction they are looking for. You should be proud of what you have achieved, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You rock!

I'm glad you're feeling better Bronnie. My symptoms passed too!! Onwards we go!!

Bronnie I had the same kind of day today. I had my last fill on Wednesday after an partial unfill a month ago because of a similar episode. I've just had liquids for the rest of the day (I found tea and a hot choccie worked, as well as going the water route). I'm a bit sore, I don't know if thats from the vomiting or if its possibly something more permanent (hope not!). But I planned on doing exactly what Chickie suggested - wait it out until around lunch time tomorrow and if I still have the same results when trying to eat, I'm off for an unfill. I've had my band almost a year now and I find that stress, heat (like drastic changes in weather - I was down the coast today it was HOT) my period, and the time of day I wake up all affect my band tightness. I have also definitely experienced delayed fill effectiveness as my band has been filled more.

I eat like Jacqui, which is how we are advised to here in Australia. I eat good healthy foods (which includes rice and Pasta - I can't eat bread) in smaller portions. I also don't count calories/protein. I eat Snacks like almonds, yougurt or fruit cups if I need to, which might be every other day. And I still eat chocolate whenever I feel like it. I've exercised 3-5 times (like a gym session of treadmill, bike and eliptical, a spin class, or a 5km run around my the block near my house and I am also currently doing a boot camp session twice a week) a week for 30-60 minutes since about 2 months after my surgery. I'm now running 5-10km fun runs when they are organised in my city and am fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my life. I've lost about 85lbs in just over 10 months and have about another 20 to go to my dream weight. But I've already exceeded my Surgeon's goal weight. That said, I had a partial unfill a couple of months ago due to a bad stomach bug where I couldn't keep a thing down, and I have yet to get back to my sweet spot. I'm going for a fill tomorrow and I will be back to my pre-bug fill level, so hopefully that will move my loss along a little.

Frogs. I have no idea where this fear came from, but I'd rather poke my eyes out with a pencil than hold a frog. Ugh, even the thought of it makes me feel physically ill.

I just commented on the other thread - but I will here too - you're looking great Jacqui. I'm a long way from looking that good in a swimsuit of any kind! The smile on your face says it all - strut it and be proud, you've worked so hard for it!

Holy smokes Jacqui you're looking wonderful! Way to go, your summer beach body is ready to go!

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to. Aalthough I agree with gr8 that dehydration might be a problem. Perhaps ask your banding Dr, I know mine would not advocate 16 hours with out water, and it might be a problem because some (not all) people can't just drink large amounts of water in short periods after being banded. Perhaps you could have a trial sometime before ramadan arrives to see how your body reacts for a few days or a week. If it doesn't feel "right" you could just go back to normal then.

I met my husband online too. We both had blogspot blogs and he stumbled across mine one day just clicking through the "next blog" button. He kept coming back to read for a few months (apparently my life was interesting!) and eventually started leaving comments, so I then had access to his and started to read it also. After a while the comments became emails, which became MSN chat every spare moment we could make the time differences work and then he came here to Australia from the States to visit for 3 months. We were engaged before he left to go home. Shortly after his return he was granted a visa to come here (which was a few wees before my LB surgery) so we could be married and we have been married now for 3 months. While the move was hard for him, and he still gets very home sick, we knew that a love like ours is something worth making compromises for. I love the internet for introducing me to a wonderful man I would have never otherwise met half a world away!

Yes, I started at a 42DD and am now a 36-38 (small)D depending on the bra. They are quite saggy though, so I don't see the cup size going down much more.

I had basic health insurance which covered the hopsital side of things and I had to pay the surgeon $5000 for his fee and the anethesiologist about $500 I think. I've changed my insurance now to high level hospital with NIB which does cover banding, for if I ever need a revision at all, but that will take 12 months to kick in. I'm with Kellie, I'd go for it now - when I get fills its all covered in that $5000 I paid (through medicare I guess?). So other than any consult/dietitican/psychologists fees that your surgeon requires pre op, the fee quoted should be it (ask about the anethesiologist though). I've been banded 10 months now, my Dad has been banded almost 2 years and my mum has been banded 5 months. We all wish we had of done it sooner and think its worth every cent of the $15,000+ total we have spent cos we've lost almost 100 kilos between the 3 of us. If you have questions about the specific ongoing costs your surgeon really is the best person to ask, but I haven't heard of any other aussies being sprung with hidden costs down the track. Oh and if you spend more than $1500 out of pocket on medical expenses in a year, you can claim it back on your tax (you get 20% back). I'm getting $1200 back this year.

I had to rush to see my fill Dr today to get some (2mls) of fill taken out of my band. I was vomiting for 3 hours and couldn't even keep water down and I had the most painful abdominal pain ever. I think it might have been a bug, but the only way I was going to stay hydrated and eat something was to get some fill taken out. I feel MUCH better now, thankfully. I have to see how I go and maybe get some put back in about a fortnight. This is the first time in my 10 months banded that I have ever felt like that, I hope I never do again!!!!

Thanks Susie! GOOD LUCK Dazey! Welcome to the rest of your life

Thank you so much for your honest and frank response Diane.

I guess part of my guilt is that my hubby would be a good candidate for PS himself. He lost over 50 kilos a few years ago and has that tell tale spare tyre of skin and "man boobs". It bothers him, but not to the point of ever seriously considering surgery. So I feel bad that I do think about surgically "fixing" mine. I love him just the way he is and I know he thinks I've never looked hotter, but still I'd like to look better - I KNOW it would help my self esteem, and well I don't see that as a bad thing. I'm really only thinking about a TT, and maybe a breast lift, maybe. The rest, I can live with. And Susannah, the man that ends up with your partnership and love is a very lucky one indeed, you're a wonderful, generous and beautiful soul xox

Hi Diane, thanks for sharing the start of your journey with us. Do you mind me asking what was your pre band weight/how much have you lost in total?

I have to say I look at my body now after a loss of 38 kilos and wonder what its going look like when I get to goal in another 12 kilos. Its going to be horrid. And I can't afford PS with out BIG sacrifice. I would feel guilty spending more money on "fixing" my body because of obesity. I curse myself often for letting myself get to the point I did with my weight. I wish there was hope, but I just don't think there is, PS is the only option to look partially normal, and even then theres the explaining the massive scars. People tell me nearly every day how great I look, how skinny my legs look in my gym tights etc etc, but they don't have to look in the mirror and see the real train wreck that my body is underneath my clothes. Susannah, you are not alone in this. I think we are all asking the same questions. I am so afraid of PS. I have a very low pain threshold and I know it would take a massive toll on me physically. Is that worth it? Is it worth the risks? Will it really make me feel better about myself or will I be repulsed more by the evidence of the surgery? I don't know. But then on the other hand, I am SO incredibly jealous of people like you Chickie who have gone through with it because you look so amazing. I know I have A LOT of head work to do if I ever start thinking seriously about going ahead with PS.:cry

Hi all, just wanted to share the NSV I had today - I bought 3 new tops today two size 12's and a medium! I didn't expect any of them to fit, and almost fell over in the change rooms when I put them on and they did - they were from Valley Girl, Supre and the "teenage" section in Target! Woo!! The last time I wore a size 12 was when I was about 12!