Chickie

Really? I can't say that this has been true at all for me. And I have been banded over 2 and a half years now. Perhaps you are just having a slightly rough time adjusting to banded life, and thus your perception of the band is a wee bit skewed?

Congratulations on your loss Green! The band isn't exactly free here either. If an Aussie doesn't have a fantastic private health fund (which can cost up to 5k a year alone, and you need to be in for 12 to 18 months before you can have elective surgery) they pay anywhere up to 20k for a band, or they can wait 5 to 10 years on a public waiting list for a band, which is free, but chances are you will be in such poor health by then they will refuse to band you. I had fab private cover, and one of the cheaper surgeons and it still cost me more than I cared to part with at the time. Cost Vs result is another debate entirely, really. But cost does not always reflect the result of the patient. But I am sorry if people are scared off by my result. I have debated with myself about posting here (or anywhere) because of that, and with the healthy amount of PM's I get accusing me of photo shopping my pictures, or flat out lying I do tend to keep my posts to a minimum. Thank you for your honest answer. Who are we supposed to show as the "before and afters"? People who have lost 50 or 60% of their excess? Would you think I would be unsuitable to be shown as a before and after for the band because I lost all my weight in about 18 months??

Hi ladies! I just skimmed the new posts.... I have to say, while I know Spanx are far from sexy, the name sounds as kinky as you can get! I am alive and well (haven't faded into nothing - yet) I have just been really, really busy, and I will catch up with everyone real soon.

Hi Carmel! Congrats on the 10kg so far!! :clap2:

Congratulations!! Rest, relax, and when you are up and about, enjoy your new bod!!

Honestly. And no snark intended. What would the reaction be if you (general you) saw my photos, and weight loss stats in a print or tv ad with "results not typical" under it. Would my weight loss be dismissed just because I lost more than what is considered typical? Would eyes be rolled and "yeah, whatever!" be muttered?

Ok. I had a huge reply all neatly typed out, and it's gone! That will teach me to be long winded! I have honestly never really paid too much attention to any weight loss adverts (the type you see on the shopping channel). Even at my highest weight I thought they were crap. I guess, if the band had been on that channel, and presented in the same way as the other "Get Skinny Quick" programs, I may have dismissed it as the same old BS, and never researched the band? I don't know. We don't actually have a whole lot of advertising for the band here in Oz (in Brisbane anyway) And it was almost 18 or so months after I was banded that I saw the first ad for the band. My reaction to a dramatic banding success story? Well. I could actually be considered that dramatic banding success story. I know that my doctor (when he without names and with permission form me) uses me as an example, he has to say that my results are not typical. But they are possible. And the usual reaction I get is disbelief. No one believes that I was ever obese. Let alone super morbidly obese. Those that know me are thrilled for me. They know how hard I have worked to get where I am, and how hard I continue to work to stay at the level of fitness I have attained. But *my* reaction to people who have lost dramatic amounts of weight in a healthy way is positive. Anything people can do to improve their health and well being is a positive thing.

I wasn't totally unfilled either. Can't say it affected me in any negative way.

Many thanks Alexandra!

You know what's funny? I feel like such an a-hole when I say "fattie" now. I get so worried about offending anyone who is overweight. I feel like I have lost the "right" to use the word fat.

PCOS is Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As soon as it warms up a little, I am heading to the pool at least 3 or 4 days a week to start training for a tri. I have yet to buy a bike, but I am on the look out for a fairly priced one. Like Jacqui, I would love to run a marathon, or a half, but I don't think that my knees could take that much running. I honestly don't think you are wasting your time. Even if you for some reason don't get to the event in December... You will have increased your fitness in an unreal way. And there are usually quite a few events all at once (there are like 6 or 7 run in the next 4 weeks here in Brisbane, and around the time of the tri that I am interested in, there are 4 or 5 within a month) So if you miss one, there is always another.

I know!! I cried for days. I still not quite over it. Perhaps some retail therapy would do the trick?

Sorry, I was referring to the excess hair. I never really had a problem with the hair on my head falling out. I always had a very thick head of curls. I still do. The hair that grew where it wasn't supposed to (arms, chin, ect) has stopped growing.

I am finding is easier. I have trouble running when it's 40 degrees (plus sometimes). I tolerate the cold better than the heat as a rule anyway, so that may be part of it. But I find that if I go for a run early in the morning, I am warmer through the day. I love shopping now! The only trouble is, the size 8's in the usual department stores ( Kmart, Target, Big W) are cut so frikken big! They hang off me. I have had to shop pretty much exclusively in Myers, David Jones & Colorado. They carry a size 6 that actually fits me! It's such a shame!! (inset evil laugh here)

I went from a size 8.5 to a 6.

I don't know that I have actually been to a tailor to have any alterations done. Usually, I go to the local dry cleaner. Or my MIL.

If I was a wicked, wicked woman, I would say "post them".

Although I do wonder why Blah is deleting all her posts? That is slightly odd.

I went to H&R Block the year I was banded. I ended up getting a fair chunk back (I kept all of my pharmacy receipts too, plus the one from my banding) I can't remember how much I got back, but I remember it was more than I expected. I guess I should dig up the receipt from my tummy tuck. I should get something back on that too.

I always find it amusing when people who don't agree with me feel the need to throw in that they are studying this, or have three masters degree's or whatever. Like they can intimidate me with their superior intelligence. I do not worship at the alter of academic studies. I am hardly impressed. It's what you do after you leave Uni that counts. Some of the biggest wankers I know were in Uni the longest. And funny. They are all on the dole now.

You are a fruitcake. Seriously. I don't need YOU to apologise for me. I have actually been PM'ing back and forth with most of the Aussies, so I know where they stand on the matter. I will take care of my own business thank you. I don't have any emotional problems, but thanks for your concern. I don't actually post anything about my life, or family on the boards, so again, you are just making stuff up to "win". You on the other hand have shown me again, and again that you are a very angry person, who does have problems within her life. And I think you mean lose, not loss. And, really there is no reply to things that nut's like yourself make up. None at all, because you are just going over the same thing over, and over, and over. And it's not something I said in the first place. I was debating nothing with you. You were pulling shit out of your ass and saying that is what I meant, or said. I do have to ask, where is this coming from all the time; Who pressured you to do anything? Really? If you are that nutty that you think I, or anyone here pressured you into banding, I hope for your sake that your pre op evaluation picks up on it. Given the viciousness you went after me with, I won't say I am sorry to see you go. Have a nice life Shazza.

You are a very angry person, aren't you?

I am amazed at you. I really am Shazza. Honestly, I have no idea how you get around with that gigantic chip on your shoulder. Seriously. I was never "upset". I referred only to Bronnies post re co-workers who made negative comments. Before you lost it, I had no idea that you were such an ass, and you were one of the co workers. I never got "on your case" about banding. I have no idea what your banding status is. Nor do I care at this point Shazza. And I never put your sources down. I think you need a chill pill, or at the very least some time away from the computer. I never said anything like the things you are making out. You are reading far, far too much into things. And "blogs" and "posts" are two different thing. Blogs are online journals. Posts are messages, within a thread on a message board. I can take it just fine by the way... Just ask my hubby! :eyebrows:

Guys, I am sorry. I think we have a troll on our hands, and I fed her /him / it for the best part of the afternoon.