Australian Bandsters Chat Thread

[Sades 4]

Hi Lindy, where in Australia are you from? The first step is to go to an info session on the lapband. After that you consult with the surgeon. The surgeon will tell you if you need to do a pre-op diet to shrink the liver. From there they give you a surgery date. You get very little back from medicare for the surgeon, anesthesist & the x-ray. If you do it after your private fund kicks in then they pay your hospital fees and some of the surgeon's fees as well. I am with MBF and I still ended up paying around $6,000 out of my own pocket. Also, you will need a referral from your GP for the surgeon.

[lindymissy 0]

hi there thanks for the reply didnt think i was going to get one lol well im in the illawarra nsw now and will be here for another 5 months while hubby is in training with the army , then it will be either brisbane or darwin , so medicre wouldnt cough up if i was to pay up front the whole lot and not worry about mbf , just not sure which way to go yet thanks so much for the reply though

[Sades 4]

Unfortunately not. If you are only in Sydney for 5 months, I would make sure I had the name of a dr to go to when you move for follow up sessions and fills. It's a hard decision to make. My brother is in the same boat as you and his dr said since his health is pretty good, he's better off to wait. In the meantime he is exercising and trying to cut down... will help him when it's time for the op. Good luck with your decision.

[sewenup1 0]

hi there thanks for the reply didnt think i was going to get one lol well im in the illawarra nsw now and will be here for another 5 months while hubby is in training with the army , then it will be either brisbane or darwin , so medicre wouldnt cough up if i was to pay up front the whole lot and not worry about mbf , just not sure which way to go yet thanks so much for the reply though

Lindy,

If you or your husband have Superannuation you may be able to get the money through them. If this is something you want to look at, let me know and I can tell you how to go about it as I am getting the money to cover the o/standing surgeon fees that way.

Danna

[JoMc 0]

HI

I hope you don't mind but I spoke to my mum who also has MS about your exhaustion, she suggested that you should go see your specilist or GP if you find it goes on for longer than 3 weeks. She said that she gets times when she is more tired than usual but it usually passes in a week or so. She told me that if your tired that by all means rest up as you need to listen to what your bodies telling you.Mum now makes sure she has a afternoon rest everyday and she feels much better after. If you have just started any meds (mums on rebiff) it could be something to do with that.

As for the banding side of things, I got banded in april this year and am starting to feel a little tired myself but I think I've just been putting too many hours in getting cashed up for chrissy. I went for another fill last friday and am having a little trouble eating food. I've tried to slow down and chew properly but it feels like it just doesn't go down right.... if that makes sense?? There are times when for around a few days I feel very drained but then I just change my diet for the better.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for your health in the new year. My mum has had MS for 26yrs and she still gets around well!!!!

Jodie )

[tarajane 0]

Hi all, I havent been around for a few months as been o/s. having the time of my life on individual travel, coach tour and cruise. the good news is that i have put on only 2kg since having some fill out in August in preparation for my travels. The FANTASTIC news is that I had my passport photo queried 3 times, in Macau, Tokyo and again here in Sydney when i returned. I just love those countries where the staff had trouble recognising me from my weight loss. i cant go back to August to catch up on your postings, but i hope everyone is going well and have a happy Christmas.

[susannah 2]

Hi all, I havent been around for a few months as been o/s. having the time of my life on individual travel, coach tour and cruise. the good news is that i have put on only 2kg since having some fill out in August in preparation for my travels. The FANTASTIC news is that I had my passport photo queried 3 times, in Macau, Tokyo and again here in Sydney when i returned. I just love those countries where the staff had trouble recognising me from my weight loss. i cant go back to August to catch up on your postings, but i hope everyone is going well and have a happy Christmas.

Hi J,

I got your email. Thank you so much for that. I have been sick with the MS and have started a new job, so I have had a lot on my plate. I would love to catch up again soon in the future. You will not recognize me.

Susannah

[susannah 2]

HI

I hope you don't mind but I spoke to my mum who also has MS about your exhaustion, she suggested that you should go see your specilist or GP if you find it goes on for longer than 3 weeks. She said that she gets times when she is more tired than usual but it usually passes in a week or so. She told me that if your tired that by all means rest up as you need to listen to what your bodies telling you.Mum now makes sure she has a afternoon rest everyday and she feels much better after. If you have just started any meds (mums on rebiff) it could be something to do with that.

As for the banding side of things, I got banded in april this year and am starting to feel a little tired myself but I think I've just been putting too many hours in getting cashed up for chrissy. I went for another fill last friday and am having a little trouble eating food. I've tried to slow down and chew properly but it feels like it just doesn't go down right.... if that makes sense?? There are times when for around a few days I feel very drained but then I just change my diet for the better.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for your health in the new year. My mum has had MS for 26yrs and she still gets around well!!!!

Jodie )

Thanks Jodie. I am going to have some blood tests done also as my Doctor thinks I may be low in Iron.< /p>

All the best to you and your mum.

Shosh

[bronnie70 0]

Hi Everyone...

sorry to hear your having problems with the MS Susannah.

I havernt been on this site for ages as i too started a new job and havernt had time to pick my nose!!!

anyway all is good for me. Currently sitting on 64.5kg (3.5kg under goal) and loving every minute of it.

Take care

[Chickie 15]

Congratulations Bronnie!

[susannah 2]

Hi Everyone...

sorry to hear your having problems with the MS Susannah.

I havernt been on this site for ages as i too started a new job and havernt had time to pick my nose!!!

anyway all is good for me. Currently sitting on 64.5kg (3.5kg under goal) and loving every minute of it.

Take care

Bronnie you star!!! I am so happy for you. That is fantastic news. Life must be wonderful for you now. Good on Ya!

Susannah

[susannah 2]

Hey Girls,

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I do not Celebrate Christmas as I am a Jew! Lol.

My nephew Marcus was born two weeks ago today. I have posted a pic of him on my My Space page in the pics section under " My Photos".

MySpace.com - Susannah - 37 - Female - Melbourne, AU - www.myspace.com/shoshieboo

I would love to add any of you guys as a friend if you also have a My Space page.

Hugs

Susannah

[JUDE 0]

Hi to all of you Aussie bandsters,

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that by next Christmas I'll be able to post some good before and after pictures so that's something to aim for.

Have a safe and happy holiday time.

Best wishes, Jude

[tarajane 0]

wow Susannah, I just looked at your site and you are dead right I wouldnt recognise you in a pink fit!!! congratulations you have done so well in such a short time too. We really have to catch up, I am off work until 31 dec, just the way the roster is so email me if you are free sometime.

[susannah 2]

Today was the first anniversary of my being banded. I have lost 40 kgs and have gained my health back. I am happy that I was banded, and would never ever want to go back to being obese.

I will need to have a consultation for a Tummy Tuck etc, but not as yet, as I have no money for the procedure. I am still feeling pretty gutted about all of that, but I will try to live with it.

I wish that they had told me before I was banded about the intense emotional trauma you can feel down the track. I have had to learn that for myself.

All in all though I am happy I had the procedure done.

Hugs

Susannah