susannah

Hi All,

I have not posted here in forever. I was banded in February 2007.

I have made the decision to have my Lap Band removed. I cannot handle it anymore.

I am tired of the horrific side effects of vomitting and pain. I think I have vomitted everyday for the last three years.

I am tired of the fill and unfill game.

I also have progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and I have been struggling with the disease.

I have recently been hospitalized for it.

I cannot fight a battle on two fronts. The side effects of the band, and the progression of my MS, and the battle that is MS.

The Lap Band.

I looked gaunt and awful when I had lost 50 kilos. My hair fell out, I looked like a deflated balloon. I hated how my body looked.

I have gained the weight back, and it has all filled out again, and I feel happy with how it looks. I feel very beautiful and feminine.

I think the medical profession glosses over the psychological effects all the changes the Lap Band can have on your life.

Disclaimer this is my experience of life with the band. I am speaking only for myself, and giving my own opinions.

There is no easy answer. I now personally do not believe the Lap Band is the answer either.

I also believe it to be possibly dangerous in the long term.

My Aunt had hers removed in emergency surgery a month ago.

I also think the band works well in the short term, say the first two years, but it becomes less effective after that.

I have decided to love myself as I am, be healthy in the body that I have, and to live my life for now, and not for the magical day that I look a certain way that society perceives that I must as a woman.

I am a beautiful woman, right now and as I am.

I am not buying the propeganda anymore.

With that said I do wish everybody else well who has the band, or is to be banded.

I am seeing my surgeon this Thursday, and I will ask him to take it out.

My body, my choice.

I am at peace with myself and who I am.

Best Wishes

Susannah

Hello Everyone.

I have been lurking for sometime now, but seeing I have a date for surgery I would say Hi .

I saw dr Copp 19th Sept,and my surgery date is the 13th Oct so I am wraped with that. I only have 19days to go and I have to see the dietitian and the psyc on the 30 Sept. So all I do now is wait.

Suzanna

Hi Suzanna, I am Susannah! Lol! Nice to meet you.:biggrin:

Good luck with being banded. I was banded in Feb 07.

Susannah

Hi Susannah,

why not save your favourite sub groups to bookmarks/favourites, then you won't need to trawl for them.

I agree about life being in the way at times. I'm in the process of finding a new job and I've just developed plantar fasciitis, which is basically heel spurs without the spur. GREAT!!!! Can't do the exercise now for anything. Oh well *sigh* guess I'll just have to drag out the old stationery bike!!

Can't wait for that op.

That is a good idea Sunwyse. I should bookmark the Australian forum.

Good luck in your search for a new job, and I hope the post op recovery will not be too painful for you.

Best wishes to you.

Shoshie

There was a Melbourne one for a while, but people from other states ended up on there too (like me haha) because there weren't enough people to keep it really active. It was really great for a while - I met some one I now consider a good friend in real life on that thread.

To be honest, things went a bit sour a while back and there were a few trolls/horrible people who left a bad taste in some of the older Aussie bandsters mouths - we tried to start the Australian bandsters thread to combat that, but it only made things worse. Hence why some of the regular posters from early in those 2 threads are no longer around, they didn't want to stick around for the bulls**t.

Word.

That is exactly right. Too stressful.

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to drop by and say hi. I don't come here often, because the other aspects of my life have taken over, namely the progression of my disability with my Multiple Sclerosis, and life in general.

I continue to do well having been banded, and while I have not lost any weight recently, my weight is pretty stable.

I am not able to exercise at the moment, and am walking with a cane.

There are lots of new people here that I do not know, but I want to wish you all well, as well as the old timers here.

I find this forum kind of confusing and like sensory overload now. There are so many sub forums that your head spins.

Anyway.

The best of health to you all.

Susannah

Hi Everybody,

I am so sorry that I have been AWOL. I have been very sick in the last month. I have Multiple Sclerosis and my legs, feet, and bottom have been numb for more than a month. I was in hospital last week for three days with the drip in my arm with the drug that tries to halt the attack of the disease.

My neurologist has now told me that I will need to commence injecting myself with interferon injections three times a week.I have previously tried to avoid this.

I have been exhausted and scared.

I am glad that I had my band inserted now though, as I would have struggled even more had I been still obese.

Sorry everybody I have been slack here.

To answer the question re sliming. Sliming is when you have food get stuck and your body reacts by spitting up lots of thick gooey saliva. I had it happen after eating sushi once. It was horrible.

Tarajana I think you have my old email that I never check, because I checked it today and you had kindly left me info re the meetup.

Thank you so much. You are an angel. Please forgive me.

I am moving to live in Castlemaine Victoria this Saturday, which is about 90 mins north of Melbourne. My health has been bad as I have had two attacks of this illness in five months. I need to be near family now. My sister lives in Castlemaine with her twin 10 year old sons. I have rented a place nearby.

Can I wish everybody here lots of success with their banding journies. You are all wonderful and brave people.

Big hug to all.

Susannah

Wow Bel you look great! Good job all as well.

Susannah

Hi Australian Bandies,

I hope you are all doing well. I have lost a tonne of weight since I had my band inserted.

Here I am with my beautiful nephew Marcus. He was born last December. He is my heart.

Lots of love

Susannah

Does the skin bounce back at all? I did not think that it did ever. Has anybody heard anything about this?

I will have to have a Tummy Tuck etc.

Thanks

Susannah

Hi Nava,

Shalom! Am Yisrael Chai!!!

I am Susannah ( Shosh) and I live in Melbourne, Australia. Nice to see other Yidden here.

Good luck with it mate! They believe that the new bands slip less.

I have lost over 50 kgs.

Shoshana

Hi there!

My name is Susannah ( Shoshana) and I am Jewish although I cannot speak Hebrew. Typical diaspora Jew!:wub:

Chag Purim Sameach.

I was banded in February 2007 and have now lost over 50 kgs.

I live in Australia.

Shosh

Hi,

I am 13 months out from being banded. After the three month mark a lot of my hair also fell out in clumps for a couple of months.I was really worried.

It will be ok. Do not worry, it does eventually stop. My hair is back to normal now and growing back thicker than ever.

It will pass.

Susannah

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

Hey Mez,

I shall read your blog. Good on ya for being accountable. As always we shall be kind to each other here, because we are all about supporting and encouraging one another.

You are doing good kid.

Susannah

ok then make sure you keep sunday jan 13th free for another one at cranbourne. olivia is organising this one, hope you will get there. let me know if you need a lift to/from the stations.

Will be there. Thanks. Email me the details.

Susannah

Oh don't get my wrong, my pride in my loss is only my own, there are only a few people in my life that know that I did this with the help of my band. I wanted to avoid the judgement and the questions about :how much I had lost now?". AND the big one, like you, I was incredibly ashamed that I had to resort to a surgical option to acheive and maitain a healthy weight. I could just never have the f**k you attitude. Unfortunately, I still still haven't gotten to the point of not caring what other people think....

Meanwhile you are the bravest and most dedicated person. Others have their own personal demons to deal with. They can kiss my arse if they look down their nose at me for having the band. We are the brave ones. We have faced our demons and continue to move forward having made incredible change in our lives. Some never make that shift.

Hugs to you M.

Hey Susannah - do you think you can make it on Tuesday night? I would be happy to meet you somewhere on the train line and take you home if transport is a problem for you. you have my email address email me if you like to arrange something. sounds like you are doing wonderfully.

I so want to come. Boo Hoo. I have to work in the city until 6.30 pm, and a week night is hard for me due to work etc. Weekends are good. I promise I will be at the next weekend event anywhere in Melb.

Hugs to you all.

Susannah

Hi Jude,

I am Susannah. I live in Caulfield. I was banded at The Avenue hospital last February. I would love to come to a meet up. I have met Tara Jane already.

PM me for my email addy.

Shosh

Hi,

Nobody is here to pay anybody out cookie. We are here to support each other. I think you are very brave to post as you have, and for being banded. I want to wish you lots of good wishes. The band will change your life.

Susannah

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

Hi,

I hope it all went smoothly. I am sure it did under Mr Crosthwaite's expert and caring hands.

Hugs

Susannah

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

Hi Meg,

I was banded by Mr Crosthwaite last February. He is so wonderful. I have to say that I did not cheat once on the pre op diet, but it is very hard, so don't be too hard on yourself about it.

I wish you well.

Shoshie

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

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