Aussie Roll Call

[Nic2Boys 0]

Sorry to hear the band is not working for you how you'd like. I have heard of some people having it removed (probably only about 2 people) & people who have had their fills removed or band removed (due to other problems) mostly regain the weight they have lost.

Remember why you got the band.

Have you lost weight from it? Are you willing to put that weight back on when its removed?

Honestly some days I hate my band & I've only lost 20kgs (which doesnt seem like much compared to some people) but i'm still glad I have it cause I was getting fatter by the year.

Yes I have the same problems as you, I sometimes think the band is "surgically induced bulimia", yes i feel self conscious when people 'watch' me eat (even if they think they are doing it discretely) & my family drive me nuts with the whole 'you wouldnt be eating that' but all in all I'd do it again.

Hope all goes well. Come talk to us.

Nic

[jenny 1]

hi nic well you are doing better than me i also have been banded 15 months and lost only 11 kilos but i don't really mind i would never have lost it, i think going through menopause has made it a bit slower,i'm in aspendale garden's and was banded by chris hensman at mulgrave.

ollie's mum has your doctor got a support group within his clinic mine has a very good one have you tried some of the other lapband site's to see if anyone has gone through what you have don't feel alone we all experience different reactions to our band but we are here for each other

[Goannabanda 0]

Hi everyone!

I started the Optifast diet today for the next two weeks until band day.:hungry: I had a few trials before of the chocolate and vanilla shakes. Today I had vanilla shake blended with a couple of strawberries, also the chicken Soup and chocolate mousse. The choc bars are okay, but the rest all tastes the same! :hititbanana: Tomorrow I'll try the berry crunch bars. Yep - I got the lot - I never do anything by halves!!! LOL!!!

Great to hear from you here as well Kelli - still waiting for the pics!!:xena_banana:

tolmc - hope your surgeon visit is a more productive for you than the last one!!! :bananajump: Let us know how you get on.

Nice to meet Nic2Boys - I am in Aspendale, not far from jenny. Maybe we should have a get together for the bayside bandits? I am surpirsed at how many of us there are around the place.:clap2:

ollies mum :purplebananna:- so sorry to hear you are struggling with your band. Sounds like you need some face to face support around you. I hope that you can find a support group near to you - where do you live? I go to the same group as jenny, tolmc and tarajane (and others from LBT too) at Mulgrave. I have found that the online support is great too, so hang out here with us at LBT and we'll help you wherever we can.

Maybe there are a few simple things you could change in your daily life that would help - maybe not placing yourself under pressure to keep it a secret, get your fill adjusted (sounds like you are too tight), review how and what you are eating, talk to your surgeon about getting linked up with a good weight loss cousellor and support group.:bananapartyhat:

If your surgeon is no help, come back and ask us here - the Melb bandster crew have a great network of experience and support - and no doubt we can help you find the medical and face to face support you need.

Hang in there. We'll cheer you on:cheer2:, whatever you decide to do. We are here.

See you later for now everybody - I'll be at Bandworks on Tuesday night for those of you who go there - I'll be the one eying off the cheese and diet cokes!!! :hungry: LOL!!! So much for chowing down on ginormous steaks! Those days are OVER!!! LOL!!! Chat then!

[cammy 0]

Ollie i would get a referal to another lap band surgeon (that has a proper support base and full medical staff associated) before having it out to see if they can help you. Your problem sounds very common and I think a visit with a dietician and a lap band psychologist would help you since your doc doesn't seem to have explained how it works properly.... very irresponsible of him. At the first dietician appointment post banding they go through this exact thing with us. I'm sorry your going through this, hopefully you can get help first to see if you can get it working correctly before going through the seriousness of another surgery.

If you have it out have you thought about your options? Converting to a bypass etc? That is a common conversion for people who the band doesn't seem to work for.

Good Luck! Cam

[tolmc 0]

Hi Cam,

I had an appt with Ray last week. I too am still hungry all the time fight with myself not to go looking for food. I said to Ray its like my brain and my tummy are fighting and my head just doesnt accept that I am full and not hungry even when I should be. He wouldnt listen to that and said he wasnt willing to accept that its a mental issue, he said too many dr's do that and he just isnt willing to go down that path yet. Let's face it, I am only 6mths down the track but I would have excepted that a normal person should have lost weight by now. I wasnt down at the appt but he still tried to offer me comfort and I am now seeing him weekly.

He has never yelled at not lossing weight, unlike some of the other surgeons. I was horrified to hear some ppl get yelled at. I heard last week that someone was told not to come back for an appt if they put on weight again. I would not recommend going to Richard, I have spoken to too many ppl who have been upset by him.

I am not sure if this is useful, but I thought hearing of some other experiences might be helpful. Oh, I also went to my GP who is supportive. I am now going for a full blood works with some specialist in Nov to ensure everything is in balance. I now if they arent it will effect weight lost. Actually, you are/were pcos too, are you sure you are not insulin rest? I have just restarted metformin again and over the last week I am feeling less hungry. I am still wanting food, just not as badly as before - just a thought.

take care

[cammy 0]

Lisa I finally plucked up the courage to take Ray up on his offer and sent him my details. It's good to hear that he's never yelled at you or anything - so many people talk about being yelled and it's really not right. I hope he can help me, ill let you know how I go & hopefully i'll make it there on Tuesday night.

[tolmc 0]

Hi Cam,

We have had one yelling match some time back, I wanted answers and he was stressed. He told me to skip meals by the end of it, which I ignored. Other than that bad appointment he has been supportive, but I am a bit over that. Since then, he has been supportive to the point of strange - I'll explain in person.

Just checking, but two of your message read like bandworks is next tues. Its the week after, you probably no, but just incase. It';s Halloween and there is a walk at 6:30pm for those who can make it and want to go. Imagine the people's faces seeing us walking about for Halloween!! PMSL. They'll hide the candy.< /p>

Take care

[tolmc 0]

Cam,

I think taking Ray up on the offer was wise. The $1000K+ to go elsewhere is just too rich not to give Ray a go. He really isnt into yelling for weight gain and I am still shock to hear other Dr's do this. (But I know thats true). He also isnt into blaming everything on the mind until he is sure everything with the band is right. I have tried to explain hunger but until he is happy with the fills he said he wont go down that path> He believes thats too much of an easy out for him and he wont accept that yet.

Last appointment I explained that my body is in conflict with itself. The bottam half is full and the top half wants flavour and food - a weird feeling when you know you are stuffed. He again said, until my adjustments are right he wont go there. Which is fair. I'd be suprised if he plays the blame game. Anywho, its worth a chat and from the board he knows you've had issues. He really does seem to take his role very seriously and is very open. All my appointments of late are in his lunch hour.

Good luck

[tolmc 0]

Hi Cam,

If it helps, perhaps he is a little off when he is challenged or you demand answers. He is probably more helpful if you play the 'dumb' role. (I am sure you have struck this in business). Any agression might not be a good idea, it may have been me but perhaps he is just defensive. I might be totally wrong here, but I am wondering if this is the issue (might explain your email reply comment). Thinking of the board, his replies are always defensive. Dont get me wrong, I know he is passionate about his job and I am 100% sure his heart is really into helping over weight people. Just feel him out and have your plan ready to switch the way you are speaking/approaching him if things dont seem to be going right.

I still think its a great idea to swap Drs. Has to be worth a go. Certainly from ppl's comments, he is the best of the 3 for what you are experiencing. FTR - you arent the only who thought the meeting was next week. I am about to go and double check my letter but I am sure its the 31st. The walking is only starting this meeting so you havent missed anything. The last 2 meeting were really just chats. Although there is a lot of new bandsters.

When's your appointment?

[banster boy 0]

IM HAVING MINE PUT IN ON WEDNESDAY AND I AM NEW TO THIS TYPE OF WEB CHAT BUT ITS THE ONLY PLACE I CAN GET SOME INFO FROM OTHER BANSTERS.MAYBE ON THURSDAY I WILL BE A BIT MORE RELEIVED WHO KNOWS.:phanvan

[oldspark 0]

Well ,lm already an ozzie so, now im banded.

Wednesday in the morning at Knox i was banded.

there was a little extra bleeding ang my blood pressure was very low.

But not low enough for a transfusion thank god ( or somebody ).

Because of this i stayed an extra day and im glad i did , i was very weak and still groggy.

I came home yesterday and i have just veged on the couch and went to bed about 10ish with a sleeping tablet.And slept like a baby.

My stomich now pokes out like a 10 month pregnant woman and it is also offset to my left.

Quite ugly.

I feel so shit, yes slight pain but just down , like if you have a virus ??

I always new that this would be the worst part.:tsk:

[extremelyhappy 0]

Hi all

I am only new as i have said in another post. I am glad I ahve found the aussie site so i can keep up to date with everyone sucsesses.

All i can say is that I will keep looking for answers to questions I may have trouble asking others.

The few posts I have read are fantastic.

Hope to hear from someone.

Cheers

Eddie

[tarajane 0]

Welcome Eddie, just ask away, someone here is sure to have experienced what you are concerned about. Nothing is better than talking to someone who has been thru the same experience. What part of good old Aussie are you from?

[TaNgLe 0]

Hi guys

I'm loretta from Hoppers Crossing and am New to this forum .After putting it off for over 12 months i finally booked in and saw Dr Nottle (who i hear is one of the best) last Monday so am now on the waiting list. Yay! :peep: . Its great to read all your posts and well done to all of you who are going so well post op. Hope to keep up with all your posts while i am waiting for the months to roll on.

catch you soon

Loretta

[Fleur 0]

Hi Aussie girls,

I am one of the slack ones who hasn't posted anything lately. I was banded on the 30th March 2006 at 107kg. I have had a few false starts but I am well on my way now with 12 kg lost. I was banded by Dr Blair Bowden in Brisbane and had a great experience with him. If any Brisbane girls could suggest a Tummy Tuck doctor I would be grateful. TT is my next project..

Cheers,

Fleur