susannah

Hi All, I am up early because my sister is putting on a birthday party for the twins today, and I want to be up and out of the house before the million kiddies start descending on the house!:biggrin1: I work with children, but this is too much for me at the moment. I am going to go and see a movie at the old movie house here. I am going back to my litle flat in Melbourne today. I am sad to be leaving in a way. It has been wonderful recovering from the surgery up in the peaceful backdrop of the country. Hope you are all well and happy. Susannah

Hi Beth, I am glad you are doing better now. My father used to sing ''Oh Susannah'' to me when I was a little girl, so it brings back warm memories. Hopefully now your weight should start dropping. A reward for everything you had to go through.:biggrin1: I am also a Feb bandster, so we are made of pretty strong stuff! Susannah

Hey Wheetsin, I personally detest car bumper stickers myself. As for the whole ''No fat chicks" thing, I have personally been abused by some males twice my size. It seems it is ok for a male to be obese, but if a women is obese they have committed a crime against society. Susannah

Gday, And congrats to Kelsy and Tina and all our newest bandsters. February bandsters rule!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Lizrbit, My heart really ached for you when I read this thread. I even spoke with my sister about it. I was so lucky because my sister was with me from the moment I went to hospital. She did everything from helping me have my first post op shower to wiping my brow when I was in pain. She has cared for me in her home for the last two weeks. All the while she is a single mother now and she is raising her nine year old twins alone after divorcing. I don't know you, but I felt really upset hearing you had nobody to help you. You sound like you are getting better now, and I hope you are very successful in your banding journey. Bless you. Susannah

Hey Angel, Spooky, I did exactly that with my vanilla shake! :biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Angel, It seems so unfair that others have a smooth ride with the band, and you have to struggle. You must be so concerned about your situation especially given that you are pregnant(Congrats by the way). If you feel that you need to seek a second opinion from another surgeon, you are well within your rights to do so. I think that your current surgeon may want to wait before any further intervention for the sake of the baby. Having said that you cannot continue to be vomitting in your condition. What does your Obstetrician say? I am not a doctor so I am not sure of exactly how to advise you in this regard Angel, except to say get that second opinion. I am not sure of any band surgeons in Sydney as I previously said. You could ask your GP for an alternative referral. Menwhile why don't you join us over on the Melbourne chat thread. We are a happy and friendly bunch, and you don't have to be from melbourne to join in. We have bandsters and pre bandsters from all over. Susannah

Hi Angel, Yes I was banded two weeks ago, so I am a newborn so to speak! Where do you live? Feel free to share your story. Everyone is very friendly here. Susannah

Hey D, I wanted to post this thread today as I might be too busy tomorrow. I just want to wish you all the best for Monday. You are doing something very important for your health and happiness. I wish you all the best as you start your weight loss journey with the band. Go get em girl! We will be thinking of you, and post and let us know how you are when you are feeling up to it. Susannah

Hey Meredith, Where do I sign up to be a lazy public servant?!!!!!!:biggrin1: I wonder how much expense and time, a career change would entail? Is it too late for me to start over doing something else? Susannah

Hi Bronnie, I lost 6 kilos on Optifast. It may have been more because I think my scales at home are cactus. I have lost 3 kilos in the two weeks post op. I am going back to work on monday. I will just pace myself, and not do any heavy lifting. I wanted to ask you about nursing. Is it a good career? What are its high and low points? Would you recommend it as a career? I am thinking of a career change. I am not sure if I could physically cope with nursing though given my health. My mother has been a nurse for 40 years. What other career could I do? Susannah

Hi, Just wondering what diets we have all done in the past? We all know that diets don't work, but I have done Atkins, Weight Watchers, Pritikin, Gloria Marshall, Herbalife, etc etc. Cam what kind of mints can you suck to avoid bad breath? The thought of having someone smell bad breath from me is horrifying to me. I am scared I would swallow a mint whole and it would get stuck once you have been filled. Is there a natural remedy for this? Loretta your time will come, and we will all be cheering you on! Susannah

Hey Karen, You are exactly right. Well done with the weight loss by the way. What's your secret? Any tips? Susannah

Bronnie, To get the concession you ask for a form to be sent to you from your electricity provider. You then get your gp to fill it out and sign it to the effect that you have MS. It is called the summer MS concession. Not sure if every provider has it. Karen, There is somebody for everyone out there. A relationship is about love and companionship also, not just sex. Susannah

Gday Angel, I really don't know of any Sydney docs to be honest because I am in Melbourne. Just wanted to welcome you here to our little group. Good on ya. Susannah

Karen, I have also heard about the bath test of days gone by. I have had 2 evoked potentials tests. Love those checker board patterns! :biggrin1: Do you think MS decreases your libido? I am sure it is effecting mine, my sex drive should be greater for someone my age. Not that I have had the opportunity or inclination for a while!:biggrin1: I don't want to talk to my male neuro about this, because I would feel embarrassed to be honest. Susannah

Hey, Forgot to say that I can't have a hot bath anymore. It has to be warm only. I find summer hard, but you can get a concession on your electricity bill in summer if you have ms. Susannah

Hey Girls, I have permanent numbness in my left hand now. Lucky I am right handed. I went through a stage where I was falling over a lot. I have mornings where my legs are so spastic that they don't want to cooperate. Then the next day I can be fine. One of the oddities of this illness. I have never had Optic Neuritis, but I have had the bladder and bowel issues, which is quite mortifying let me tell you. I am very stable at the moment. My muscles twitch all day long though. Do you guys get this? I can se the muscles jumping up through the skin. I am so used to it now that I hardly notice it. Long may my remission last! Susannah

Hi Girls, I am so excited for you both. Monday is the day for Dionnem! Bronnie well done. You will get so much personal satisfaction knowing that you can acheive power over your mind with the Optifast. I just went on a big walk with my sister and her kids. I am wrecked now.:girl_hug: As for the multivitamin I am not sure. I am seeing the dietician next Wednesday, and I am sure she will tell me which one to take. Her name is Nicole Bando!:biggrin1: No kidding.:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Sharyn, I have no experience of plastic surgery so I can't speak to that, but I think you look wonderful, you should be very proud of all your efforts. I would like to have a breast reduction down the track. I have big breasts and they are heavy and cumbersome. I would like to have some laser work done on my face and some work done on my teeth. I just need to go on that show Extreme Makeover really!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi M, Ditto what you said. There is no easy way of losing weight. We will have to be accountable to the band and ourselves for the rest of our lives. It is a huge comittment and undertaking to make. It is not to be entered into lightly. Susannah

Hi, sharyn you look terrific!:biggrin1: Well done. Susannah

Hi All, I started the mushies phase today. I had one weet bix with lots of physical low fat milk. Another milestone. I am on mushies for the next two weeks. You might see me in the baby food aisle at the supermarket. One thing I hate about telling people about the banding is when they say,"Oh that's the easy way to lose weight":rolleyes: Oh right, getting cut open and going through all the pain is really easy. Not!!!!! Susannah

Hey Bron, That is terrific!:mad: You can do this. I did 3 weeks of it without cheating a single time. I wanted to be able to show that I could stick to something for once in my life. Susannah

Dionne, Forgot to say that you are not allowed to have custard, fruit juices, and icecream anymore once the liquid stage is finished. The liquids that you have after that have to be zero calorie. So enjoy em while you can!:mad: I only have one little weight watchers icecream tub a day. Susannah