Chickie

Life is life, and it has a tendency to march on without us if we don't keep up. Over Christmas/ New Year there was a lot happening, and I haven't had as much time for LBT and even my own Mummy Board (Coffee Talk Ladies) as I would have liked. There are reasons behind the AV and pics coming down, but I think due to demand I might have to replace them. Thanks for your kind words Foofy. Thanks AussieChik (Love your username by the way... My first username here was Aussie Chick!)

Awesome job Josh!!

People do treat me differently. I think it could be because I treat them differently. I am self confident, happy and outgoing now. I am a lot nicer to be around than when I was 3 or 4 years ago. My relationship with my DH hasn't really changed. We always had a good thing going, and me losing weight hasn't changed it really. My husband was behind me 110%, so I think that has helped. At work I am the same as I ever was. Bossy, mean and foul mouthed (I am a photographer, LMAO) With family things are just the same, I am just smaller than the lot of them. Friends. That is a different story. I found out who my real friends are. Some fell by the wayside when the old green eyed monster came out, and others were behind me and were my biggest cheerleaders. It's not a bad thing. I am happier with my circle of friends now. Eh. My life is to busy, full and happy to be angry at people who hurt me a lifetime ago. It's not worth holding onto. I hope that helped. H&H, Sam.

I brought sale items where I could, and sold anything that was too big on eBay as I went.

I am not going to panic till I get something in writing from my health fund. I know we will be slugged with a premium increase, so we will likely get notification of policy changes at the same time. It's just a matter of reading every single word.

At the Wesley in QLD. PM me if you want my Dr's name and number. I think I can forgive you this once ((hugs)) Thanks babe! Thanks Jack, Sades, DonHoll, Coo, Lattedah, & Angie4b1g!

I wonder how this would affect existing bands... As in if we were to need a replacement or repair. Interesting.

At two weeks post op, I started walking about 3 miles a day again. So maybe just some walking? It really depends on what you feel up to doing.

I waited till I was well within a normal BMI before I thought about and had my tummy tuck.

Why would being thin = not getting in enough calories? Unless one is starving one's self to be thin, this wouldn't be the case.

I swear! The second I turn my back you all run off for PS!! Congrats!! When is the big day?

A low profile port, and a different position might fix the problem. Quite a few people have had this issue crop up (although I am not one of them my port doesn't show at all. Apparently this is due to where my surgeon placed my port, and the fact that I had a low profile all along)

I celebrated my 3rd Bandaversary on the 22nd of February this year. I woke up, smiled, quietly congratulated myself, and went about my day knowing that I am healthier, fitter, and happier than I was 3 years ago. DH took me out to dinner that night, but it was actually more a belated Valentines Day dinner.

I have 0cc in a 9.75cm 4cc band. I lost my weight in 17 months, I chose to be unfilled because I was still losing. I was unfilled December 2006 (15 months ago) It hasn't been hard at all for me to maintain without a fill, but my surgeon tells me I am the first he has seen or heard of who has maintained without any fill. Most people NEED their fill to maintain the weight loss.

Chickie doesn't post her pics any more because she caught waaayyy too much crap for "Making people feel less than successful" And it was pointed out a long time ago, by Alex, and others, that it would actually be unfair to single out one person in particular to pose, as we have quite a few ladies and gents who would be perfect! And I tend to agree. While I don't like boob grabber, she (or another stock photo) is a good alternative.

My 2 cents, for what they are worth - "People" will tell you you look too skinny, simply because they just are not used to seeing you thinner. Not that you really are skinny. It's just that when they look at you, they still see the shadow of the person you used to be. If YOU feel you need to lose another 20lbs, go for it. You are the only person in this whole world who has to live in, and be comfortable in your body.

Ok. I will confess, straight up, that I haven't read the whole thread, nor did I thoroughly read the novel sized posts. I just skimmed. But the above JUMPED out at me. Do you want someone to talk you into keeping the band? And, bandsters who are happy with their bands often check out these types of threads to see if there is any insight they might be able to offer. Or even just be there to read/reply to people who are having a hard time of it. To offer some encouragement. I don't think anyone here would go out of their way to make anyone else unhappy. I hope you find peace.

I was on me for 4 years prior to being banded. I went off my Met about 6 months after I had my op. I think it was far more effective as I lost weight.

I hope it all works out well for you. If you are looking at the op that soon, I would go to the seminar, and soak up as much info as you humanly can between now and then. Because even if you read everything, and listen to every story you can, it still wont be enough. There are always surprises, but you want to minimize them, if you get my meaning? The more you can find out before, the less you will have to learn later. Don't be afraid to ask 'dumb" questions (there are no dumb questions, by the way, we all have to learn) and just absorb everything you can. Good luck.

Awesome. Have they given you any idea on the timeframe? I understand that the waiting list can be anywhere up to 5 years long (maybe longer). Although there was one lady on Ozband (I think) who only had to wait two years. So maybe you will get lucky.

You look fantastic for three days out C. Freaking amazing! :drool:

She looks unhappy to me. Maybe it's because she is having to hold that boob up? Her bra strap broke or something?

Me? Dr C. at the Wesley.

Did I diet to get to goal? Nope. I changed my lifestyle. Turned it into something I could live with for the rest of my life. I learned to love good, healthy food, and I found an exercise I adore. Can you "diet" with a band? I don't see why not, but to me "going on a diet" implies that at some point you will go off it, and what usually happens when we go off diets?

I didn't see the ad, but if you are interested in finding out more, go along. It's not going to hurt, and I presume it's free, so it's not like it's going to cost anything. As for being "one of the lucky ones" and not having an out of pocket, I wouldn't be too sure about that. Unless you are being banded as a public patient, there is likely to be a rather large ($2,000+) out of pocket expense. Most health funds cover a fair chunk of banding, but they don't cover the whole lot. Best of luck to you.