susannah

Hi, In America and Australia the portion sizes are ridiculous. In France and many other countries they eat much smaller portions as a rule. Don't the French love to rub it in the French women don't get fat, and laugh at us! Meanwhile they have a much higher rate of people who smoke. I believe it is our responsibility about how much we eat though. We can't blame the restaurants. We put the food in our mouths. Boycott em, if they will not allow you to select smaller portions! Susannah

Hey M, I was comparing the price of rentals nationwide. The ACT is so bloody expensive for real estate rentals! Is that because of a lack of housing that they hyper inflate the prices? I was shocked quite frankly. Susannah

Hey Dionne, I reckon you should go to Perth. It is absolutely booming there economy wise, and there may be bettter facilities and services there to assist your son Brayden. The population there is growing rapidly, and along with that you get infrastructure and prosperity growth. Your hub can make really good bucks there. But hey don't let me persuade you. It is normal to feel shizenhausen (Cleaned that one up ey?:biggrin1: ) for the first month after banding re energy levels. Mine have started to pick up now. If only exercise was lifting your leg up and down in a nice bubble bath while sipping champagne!:biggrin1: Susannah

Renebean, Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't realise that was the case. Did they tell you that before you were banded? Susannah

Hi Julie, I wonder why that could be the case? They are two separate parts of the anatomy. Anybody know why this could be the case? Susannah

Hi, After I got my first fill I only have a half cup. Before I sometimes had one cup. The first fill shouldn't make you that restricted though. Does anybody believe that the band can be tighter when you have your period? Have heard that, but I can't work out how they are related to be honest. Susannah

Hi Julie, Thanks. I have been only eating a half cup of food, and eating slowly but I still often get a tummy ache. Can't figure out why. I am not overeating. It is a mystery.Susannah

Angel, Have re read your previous post, now I get it.Susannah

Hi Angel, My brain isn't working tonight. When will you deliver your baby? Will the op be soon after that? Susannah

Hi All, Angel I so feel for you. I would be scared also if I was pregnant and having to have the band removed. They will monitor you even more carefully given that you are pregnant, during the op. Sending you and your little one my best wishes, and positive healing vibes. Karen, you poor girl! Was sorry to hear about your hospital ordeal. I think you have given us all something to think about re not getting aggressive fills. I plan on getting mine slowly but surely. Hope you are feeling better now. Dionne, How are you? How are your little nippers going?:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi All, Thanks for the replies. What I mean is my abdomen, my gut area below. I don't mean in my chest. Susannah

Hi, Just need some feedback. A couple of times a week I eat a small amount, and I don't feel full, yet immediately afterwards my stomach aches for up to an hour later. Does this happen to other people? I don't feel I have overeaten, having had half to one cup of food. But I get a huge stomach ache afterwards. What Can I do yo avoid this? Is this stretching my upper stomach? Will this split my band sutures? Worried. Susannah

Gday Gals and Mark( I know your lurkin!:biggrin1: ), Does anybody know what the sutures holding the band in place are made of? Are they made of material that is of a high strength? Industrial type strength? Light strength? They wouldn't be easy to split would they? My haven't so don't worry, I am just curious is all.Susannah

Hi Bronster, I had soluable panadeine rapid 4-6 hourly. I endorse what Meredith said re the Nurofen. My surgeon said no Advil/Nurofen etc etc. Susannah

Hi All, Way to go Meredith!:clap2: Love the dress. I wouldn't be brave enough to wear a strapless dress, what with my turkey arms.:biggrin1: Dionne thanks for the instructions re the ticker. Probably still won't be able to do it coz I am hopeless with all that stuff. How are you going? Hi Loretta, it is nice to hear from you. Susannah

Hi Again, Has anybody thought about doing a blog about their Lapband journey? What about a handwritten journal? I was thinking at the very least I should keep an exercise journal so I know what I have done, and when. Do you think this is a good idea? Does anybody know of any good free sites? What about the journal facility on this site? Is it good? Yay, it is a public holiday in Victoria tomorrow! You bloody ripper!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Dionne, Another trick is to drink a glass of water before you eat, and that makes you feel fuller sooner. We can't drink with meals of course. Susannah

Hi All, Dionne I ate my first solids today! I was allowed to before as I have the newer band, but I was too scared to. I had some chicken, cut up and chewed until kingdom come!:biggrin1: I had some salad, hummous and tomato chilli dip. I was at my Israeli friends house and they eat pretty good food. I didn't feel full after I ate, but I stopped eating, estimating that I had eaten a cup of food, and that the upper part of the stomach can only hold that capacity after the band had been tightened. I only allow myself a cup of food maximum at each meal in line with the bands capacity, even if I am still hungry. That way I know I am not overdoing it. Other days as Meredith said I may be only able to eat half a cup. The band is a fickle master! You think you have it worked out, and then it up and changes on you. Bronnie, hope you are feeling better soon, I really do. Susannah

Hi Bronnie, For the shoulder tip pain just walk, walk, and walk around to dispel it. It will stay for a few days. As for the stockings the hospital told me I had to wear them for two weeks, but four days in they were cutting into my legs, leaving a huge welt and hurting me. I rang the Bariatric centre's nurse and she told me if they were cutting in to me that was defeating the purpose of them, and to take them off. I had no history of DVT, so It was fine to stop wearing them. Check with your surgeon's office. For pain relief I had soluable panadeine rapid. The first few days are painful and it gets better from there. As for a fill, they don't ususally do one before 5-6 weeks, as they wait for post op swelling etc to go down, and they have to examine/assess you first. Glad your banded! Susannah

Hey Meredith, Great news that Medicare could cover some part of the procedure for you. I thought that given it was plastic surgery you may have to cover it yourself. Cool! I am not sure how I would feel about getting it done, given the fact that I am a big wuss. :biggrin1: Susannah

Hi, Actually Australia and Europe have been banding patients since the early 90's. I am not sure about Mexico. The head of my clinical surgical practice performed his first surgery in Australia in 1994, and helped to design one of the first bands in 1991. Susannah

Hi, You both look absolutely terrific. Well done. You are setting a wonderful example to your kids that good health is important. Susannah

Hi Angel, Good luck with your appointment with your new band doc. So you are only 26 weeks along? Try to keep that little one in there for as long as you can. I am not an expert of course, they will most certainly advise you on the best course of action. Sending good vibes your way. I love babies, I don't have any yet, but I work in child care. Susannah

Hi meredith, I obviously have not had any kind of plastic surgery done, but I am all for it, if it will give you confidence and boost your self esteem. I think Jess on this site (Parvathi) has had some surgery done. She would be able to give you some answers if you pm her. From what I have heard, this kind of surgery could set you back in the ball park of about 8 to 10k. It could be less, not sure exactly. It is definately worth it. I don't mean to ask a personal kind of a question, but are you planning a pregnancy any time soon? It may be relevant in terms of holding off until afterwards. Pregnancy can really stretch your skin also. I saw my sisters tummy and she had lots! Anyway whatever you decide I wish you lots of luck with it of course. Susannah

Hey Bronnie, You are brave! There was no way I felt up to posting one day after I was banded! Susannah