susannah

Hi Sazza! I think you have done well so far in terms of your weight loss. From what I understand with the band it is a slow and steady proposition, the gentle way. I think that is much healthier. Be kind to yourself. Susannah

Hi Tara and Jachut, Mr Crosthwaite's fee is $ 3,500 now. As I have MS I have had to have much more testing and consultations with my neurologist also. So if I ad up all my costs, it will be approx $ 4,500 Aud for me. It would be cheaper for others who don't have an additional medical condition etc. Susannah

Hello. I have private health insurance, and I have had to wait for twelve months before being able to have the surgery. I will also have to pay about $4,500 AUD which covers the surgeon's fee, tests, fills etc etc. No more to pay. I think it is a good investment in your health. Come back to Australia, it's the best country on earth!:girl_hug: Susannah

Hi everybody. Did anybody happen to catch the story on Today Tonight on Wed Nov 22nd on the gastric balloon? I thought it looked interesting, but I would be worried about putting all the weight back on after it was removed. Patients can only have the balloon for a six month period. I understand the thinking behind it is that one needs to modify their eating behaviour post removal permanently, but face it some of us are addicts when it comes to eating, and I doubt this procedure would work long term. Having said that I wish all those having this procedure well. To update you all on my progress, I am still having several different tests pre banding. My situation is more complicated than most due to my neurological condition. I am hoping to set a date when I go back to see my surgeon in December. Susannah:)

I love Shazza! I reckon she is a top chick, and so funny. I reckon if she wants to remove it she should. I wish her well in her efforts to get her mind to a place where she can fight this battle. Good on ya Shazza! We love you and Ozzy in Australia. Susannah

Hi, why do people feel the need to attack Star Jones? Come on ,she has suffered a long struggle with her weight like we all have, and as such I think we should show a little compassion to her. Should we become the same as some thin people who pay out on the overweight? I would imagine that it is hard enough being of African American descent in America where the predominant vision of beauty and perfection is portrayed as thin and of caucasion background. I think she is a beautiful and terrific person. Susannah

Hi everyone. I guess you could say that I am feeling very low at the moment. I just feel so isolated due to my weight. It seems like people absolutely hate you if you have a weight problem, and they just want you to disappear. It is like I hve committed the worst possible sin. It doesn't matter that I am a good, kindhearted person who does a lot to help others, I should be hated because of my weight. I feel this more acutely being a female. That is like a double sin. I feel very discrimated against by some of my co-workers who I have heard making comments about my weight when they thought I wasn't there. I don't feel like leaving my home and it is causing me a lot of mental anguish. I guess if I lose the weight with the banding I will be a worthwhile person to society. Sorry to put a downer on things. Just going through a low ebb at the moment. Susannah:confused:

Hi Mark, hope you are not feeling too poorly for too long. I will be having my op in January during my down time from work. Good on you for taking this step. I wish you lots of success. Susannah

Hi, this is just awful! What a stress for you. If they have to replace it surely you won't have to pay extra?!. Sorry to hear this. I believe you are in Australia actually though, and not the US. The doc's name sounds familiar. Susannah

Hi Sherilynn. I find that very mean spirited on behalf of your neurologist. I have Multiple Sclerosis, and my neuro has supported me all the way with written documentation and even a phone follow up. Obesity is of major concern for those of us with neurological conditions, and if your current neuro wont support you get another one. All the best with it. Susannah

Hi Anna, i can feel how positive you sound just by reading your words. Yay:) You have made a good decision to take out the loan for your health's sake. I think you are right too when you say that the whole family can benefit. I forgot to factor in the other small expenses in the total out of pocket costs. With a few consultations with the surgeon etc the cost will probably nudge 4k. Best money that I will spend I think! Good on you. Susannah

Hi All, just wondering if you found the out of pocket cost of having the procedure done hard to cover. I have saved the $3500.00 that I need to pay, but it took me a while. I didn't want to whack it on to my plastic fantastic. I also didn't want to have to pay back a loan etc. My friends have been asking me where I am going on holidays over the Christmas break and I have told them to hospital! That is where my money is going.LOL! Nice holiday. But i believe it is an investment in my health so that I can enjoy future holidays more. Cheers. Susannah

Hi Anna. Thanks for all the tips. Good luck for the surgery. Would love to meet you all if you ever have a meeting closer to the city. My surgeon is Mr Gary Crosthwaite, who is excellant. Susannah

Hi All, I had my first consultation with the surgeon today. It went well. I thought he was very caring and throrough. Testing happens from now. My case is a little bit more complicated than most as I have disease in my nervous system and I have to get an additional assessment and clearance from my neurologist. I am feeling good about it all though. No date is set yet, but as I never rush things I imagine approx early February 2007. Its all gravy baby!:grouphug: How did you all cope with the optifast and liquid stages without going batty? Any advice? This board is a great resource and it is good to know that others have walked this path before me and can give advice. Yay! Susannah:) :biggrin1:

Good luck Anna.:car: I wish you all the best. I am having my first consultation with the surgeon this Wednesday. I am very nervous. Susannah

Hi Terri. My name is Susannah, and i live in Australia. I had my gall bladder out in 1985 long before laproscopic surgery. Man I did it tough, having open surgery and being only 15 years old!:omg: Pain. I was a month getting over it.:omg: . Glad you didn't suffer that. Susannah

I hope you all had a wonderful time. I live in Caulfield, and my car died last year so it would have been hard for me to get to Berwick. A city meet up would be good though.:puke: Susannah

Thanks for your replies all.:biggrin1: I have been offline, as I have been having probs with my computer. The day is drawing closer until I see the surgeon, and I have been reading all the negative stuff re the band on the main board and feeling stressed. This will never really be over for for those of us cursed with this affliction. I was really upset yesterday as I was walking down the street and two guys called out from a car '' You f***ing fat s**t''. Do I deserve this? Susannah

Hi Selina:biggrin1: I am from Melbourne. I have been to North America twice but never to Queensland! Will get there one day.Susannah

Hi Patti. My disease activity ie lesions are mostly on my spinal cord which have made walking hard when I have had acute relapses. I also have some areas of demyelination in the brain. I had an attack in Feb, but have gone into remission now, which is ace!:biggrin1: Am feeling well at the moment. I will definately be getting the band, but will know more next month re when etc. Susannah

I have private health insurance so I will pay 3-4 k in addition to the cost of my health premium. Susannah

Hi and thanks Sam. This whole thing is so scary and confronting but it must be done for the sake of my health. What kind of pre operative tests did you guys all go through? Thanks for listening. Susannah:)

Hi Everybody, my name is Susannah and I am 36 years old. I live in Melbourne. I am due to have my first consultation next month with Mr Crosthwaite. I find specialists pretty scary at the best of times, so I am hoping he will not be too intimidating. I have been considering having lap band surgery since 2003, when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which is a nervous system disease. It has taken me this long to bite the bulllet and do it. I would like to meet others who have had the procedure, or who are going to have it for a bit of moral support, laughs etc. Not sure if those waiting to be be banded can come along to the get togethers. I think you are all wonderful and brave. Susannah:)

Martin Luther king was an amazing man, a real Mensh. Rosa Parkes was also an incredible lady who sat down so that others could stand up and be heard. Susannah

I am Susannah. I haven't been banded yet, but probably will. Am I allowed to actually post if I haven't had the op yet? Good work with all your progress towards your goals. Susannah