Hi from Australia

[FalloutGirl 0]

Hi, came across this site through doing some research on Lap Band sugery etc, and thought it might be one of the better places to get info.

I've not booked in to get it done, I'm just looking into it at the moment, I'm really unsure what to do. All I know is that I need to loose the weight.

So I know this is dominately an American site, but I figured you wouldn't mind me joining :crying:

So hi!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Hi and welcome! I can give you some statistics pertinent to Australia! My surgeon, during the seminar, told us this: Most gastric by pass patients, at 3 years out, have lost 80% of their excess weight. Most AUSTRALIAN lap band patients, at 3 years out, have lost 80% of THEIR excess weight. Most AMERICAN lap band patients, at 3 years out, only lose 55% of their excess weight. I told him

I'm going to be an Aussie for lap band purposes! :crying:

So already the odds are in your favor!

[FalloutGirl 0]

Did your doctor say why this is? Seems very odd but hey, who am I to argue if it's better for us over here lol

[RestlessMonkey 7]

No he didn't offer up any reasons. I have my own opinions though. I think it's maybe that we are more indulgent. I do know America, not Australia, but you guys, while wildly independent and fun, seem to be a little more grounded or matter of fact? I think too many Americans get the band hoping it will be a quick fix and do the work for them.

Most who are unhappy with the band are people who don't really work with it. So that's my guess anyway...

I don't know the average age, average excess weight, etc of either group so I may just be generalizing. But bottom line for me was if you guys can do it, I can do it too. I just have to work at it, which I'd known anyway! I can lose weight fine but struggled keeping it off. Now I have hope and can "stick to the plan" enthusiastically because I know the band will help rein me in when I need it. (when I get bored eating fish and green Beans, for example) LOL

[FalloutGirl 0]

Yeah, I guess we're a little more "keen" here, but when I read other forums here in Australia, it seems a lot of ppl just expect it to work and not have to put in any effort. I think also we don't have half as much junk food as you guys do. But trust me, we have enough.

I'm not 100% sure this is the way to go, hence why I'm looking into it and trying to read as much as I can. I guess I'm more worried about the "pain" side of it, cause some ppl really go on and on about it, so I wonder if it's so bad... guess that is up to each person and how they deal with things I guess. I'm more of a "get on with it" type of person so I might be ok.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Honestly I had a head cold that I got 9/16 and lasted 3 freaking weeks that bothered me more than the surgery. Pain was nothing. Your matter of fact attitude will see you through! I did get hungry almost immediately post op (many dont, lucky dogs LOL) but I had to stay on liquids 2 weeks. It wasn't FUN but I did it. I can do anything for 2 weeks, you know? It is worth it, to me. I have never had a minute's doubt or regret. I did wonder very quickly preop (took me about 5 seconds) if I should get bypass but realized no way. This will work for me; I know myself, why i eat, and when. I can control it with the band. Good luck to you and please, if I can help you in any way, email, PM or post, ok? If you decide to get this surgery I am sure you will be super successful!

[FalloutGirl 0]

Thanks heaps for your support, I see you only got the operation very recently? And you've lost 40 pounds which is about 20kgs (we're KG's not Pounds here in Australia). I've got probably 50kgs, which would be around 100 pounds to hit my goal weight, so I really think it should be something I look into.

I'm planning to have a consultation with a surgeon here in Australia to see exactly what it's all about and go from there. I have no idea how much it's gonna cost, so that might be something else that might have to make me wait depending.

I was gonna PM you, but I don't know how lol

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I'm a nursing student so I know all about KG :crying: We have to convert from pounds to kilos to calculate our medication doses. :eek:

Yes I started at 184.1 kg and have lost 18.8 so far. Many people just need to loose 100 pounds or less...often at my weight they opt for bypass but I didn't want my innards rerouted! THis will work for me too as long as I realize it is going to take me a while, and I'm good with that!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

To send a PM, go to the left of your screen and select messages or edit profile

then on the right is your "control panel" If you scroll down you'll see an area called "private messages"...and an option will be "send a message" that should get you going! :crying:

Good luck, ok, and keep in touch. If you get the band I'm sure you'll be successful and an inspiration!

[FalloutGirl 0]

Ahhh good, it's so hard for me to convert to pounds, I know it's roughly double to KG's :crying:

Well you've given me hope, it's nice to hear positive ppl talk about it, I've read too much negative stuff... it's such a big decision. Were you're friends and family supportive etc?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Yes everyone has been wonderful. My DH was a little reticent at first. He's an RN and has seen many horror stories post bypass (he worked in a GI lab for years) but he trusts me and went with me to the seminar my surgeon holds. Once we went through that and the surgeon answered his extra questions, he was sold too. Because of his career and experience, I wanted him with me on it. Bless him he's even eaten my preop and post op diet along with me. Gotta love a man like that! :crying: My friends and the rest of my family know how head strong and capable I am and how far down all this weight has dragged me, so they are all behind me.

And I wanted to point out that lots of happy successful banders are out living their lives. These boards usually attract the unfortunates who have problems. Statistically band failure, slippage, etc is very low.

[cuddles_01au 0]

Hello

you will be fine if you choose to be banded

i admit i felt like i had been run over by a bus for a few days but

it soon passes and no it isnt a magic quick fix....it takes lots of hard work and will power but the end results are worth every bit of the work

many of us are not educated enough in this and often think ohhh i have a band now and this will be easy.....hehehehe.....well not so but it sure does help

good luck

Leeanne

[FalloutGirl 0]

Hi Leeanne, thanks for that, I'm getting an appointment in the next couple of weeks to talk about it all and see if it's right for me.

[anniedub 0]

Hey FallOutGirl,

Good luck with your decision! Where in Aus are you?

There is a small but dedicated community of Aussies on here -- i think the section is called "Local Lap-band support groups" and there's one for Aus.

Annie.

[FalloutGirl 0]

Hi Annie,

I actually live a few hours out of Melb, but definitely we go and join the Australian Support Group here.

I think this is going to be a decision I will say yes too, I've got a consult on the 7th of November, I'm nervous but I think I just need to talk to the doctor and that will help me make my decision

Cheers

Kel