Kelliebelly

Thats great...couldnt have happened to a more deserving person.

I dont think that having weight loss surgery would affect the outcome as Penni lost her band...so she has no advantages over anyone else. Good Luck Penni!!

Nykee, I just seen your post after I posted. You didnt offend. I am sorry you arent in the position to do surgery. For a lot of years I wasnt either. I could never see the day I could have any of what I had done happen....But the day came. I bet you never expected to have the lapband and the money to pay for it...well it happened. I am sure one day will be your day!!! I was looking into extreme makeover...after you lose your weight give them a call, see if they could help you with the loose skin. Hugs

Thanks everyone...As for the weight loss ..nothing was said about me losing more weight. He said I had done extremely well with what I had lost. I am only 9kgs form my surgeons goal and once he takes the skin off and you wouldnt believe how much skin there is...plus lipos it a bit he said I will probably be nearly at my goal anyway. So anythiung I lose after that is a bonus. Although, as long as you dont intend losing more than about 20kgs or so after your tuck the results should be ok, anymore than that I would try and lose some first so the results arent compromised. As for what Kare said it is very true...I would swap my car, puter ...most things for this operation...only we can understand how difficult it is to live with the sagging skin...some are worse than others but I mean summers are the worst, I cant stand the rashes...so how much it costs entered my head...I mulled it around and called the bank

Thanks for your well wishes...I will definately share all my results, before and afters etc to you guys... Nykee...$25 000 is sooooo much money to me too, I shared the price because alot of people have been asking for prices recently for TTs. I will be borrowing most of it...I know it is alot of money to pay back but I have had a VERY saggy belly that hangs over the top of my thighs etc since the birth of my eldest when I was 16/17. Its really all I know, and to actually think that it wont be long till I dont have it is exciting but scarey as well...now that I know when it will be the thoughts of all the pain etc are kicking it. I just keep thinking of the results and hopefully that will get me through :cake: Thanks everyone Hugs

GOOD LUCK.... I would have chosen TBL too.

Ill be sending you some yummy vegemite from Australia when you hit goal :cake: mmmmm nice healthy yeast extract spread loaded with vitamin B...*barf*

I am so sorry you are going through this and even more so your little girl. Its sposed to be a time of happiness and innocence for her. I hope you find a cause so it can be fixed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs for your lil pumpkin

I agree, you have lost more than weight, you look younger and you now have a "sparkle" in your eyes. Well Done :cake:

Everything is crossed for you. Good Luck :cake:

Oh man, I wish my belly was that "ugly" :cake: You look awesome!!! The PS today was grabbing handfuls of loose skin from my tummy...I reckon if you wanted a TT you could get away with the mini TT, there is not very much skin to remove at all...its alot less painful, the cut is alot smaller and it is not as expensive. Recovery time a week or so vs 6 weeks. When I have my TT in March I will post before and afters, but right now I am way too embaressed to post it. Its hideous and belongs in a horror movie :cake:

I dont hate fat people, but I can relate to the posters that would compare themselves with other large people. I really could never see how big I was until I have lost some weight and look back at pics. I mean I knew I was big and I really didnt like myself at all...but I just didnt realise how big. Alot of my thoughts revolved around size to...for example Dh would say one of his workmates invited us over for a BBQ, I would be like is she fat? If the answer was yes I would go, if it was no...I wouldnt. I was in my comfort zone with bigger people. As for makeup...before losing any of this weight my clothes cupboard consisted of plenty of baggy pants and shirts all black...the slimming colour. I didnt dress up and I didnt wear make up, I didnt htink there was a point to it. So all in all I can understand what some people are saying...but I dont hate fat people ...I actually see myself in them and compare...

Ill say pretty much what everyone else has. We are here for you and I am happy they finally have an answer....even if it is only tentative for you. Hugs

So very true....I hadnt thought of it like that. Thank you :cake:

I arrived in the morning and was done early afternoon. I really am glad I stayed overnight, I needed the injections for pain through the night...by the next day after a shower etc I was feeling better and went home. I dont think I could have handled the drive in the car home the same day as the surgery.

BIG VG bander here too. My Dr uses the VG band only now too, says there is less complications with them. It took me a little longer to reach restriction too, but then some of my very lucky friends had restriction with one fill with the VG. It all depends on your insides I think. Good Luck with it and trust your DR. As for Dr Fielding I have heard alot about him since I started my lapband journey, he studied and worked here in Australia and to date he has performed over 2000 bandings. He underwent lap-band surgery himself in December 1999 so who better than him to understand and know what we are going through. I think you would be in the hands of ONE of the best banding Drs in the world....but thats just my opinion :cake:

Congrats!!! When I think I am losing slowly I think how much would have I put on by now without the band, it always makes me feel better. I think 53lbs is awesome!!! WTG!!

I have just got back from Sydney to see my plastic surgeon. His name is Dr Tavakoli...He has featued on shows like BodyWorks and magazines like Marie Clare. I have been researching for months and months, emailing and speaking with several different surgeons. He first sat me down and talked with me about alot of things including that he will not touch me if I dont give up smoking. A little to give up for what I want though. He took me into a room and I had to get naked and he checked everything out. He said he will be able to really work with my boobs and that I dont need implants but I am a grade 3 with my sagginess...ewwww. With my tummy tuck he is going to do an Extended Tummy tuck, one which is a little longer than the normal one so he can take the fat etc from the hips and lift the outside of my thighs a little. He said it will change my life and that when hes finished it will be flat and no saggy skin. He is going to lipo my flanks and back fat to countour my body nicely....oh I tell you I am in love. He is going to book me in for around end of March. I have to stay in hospital for 3 nights and in Sydney for another 4 nights incase anything goes wrong. The cost is huge ... it was nothing like I was expecting but I have no private health insurance so I am completely self pay. All up including hospital etc its going to be about $25 000...but what value can you put on how it will finally make me feel after having this tummy since I was 16 when I had my eldest, I really have known nothing other than a belly and boobs that sag badly. I am just so excited, I cant find the words. Anyway, as for tummy tucks please think about who you go to...everyone to their own, but if you have to pay a little extra so its done properly I would do that. Look around carefully, there are so many PS that you have a wide choice..... I have researched for so long and emailed countless surgeons...Some just want your money and dont care about the results...others are like artists, they look at our body and think how they can sculpt it into something better. This Dr has big plans and it really excited me hearing him talk about what he is going to do. I have another app in a month for a photo shoot as he put it lol...then its down to business. :cake:

I am a really happy bandster too!! I couldnt have lost this weight without my band, but I also think that the original post, whether implied or not may have been like a slap in the face to the bandsters/exbandsters that post here with troubles. A support board is for good and bad...it is never good all the time with anything. I waited a long time to post this, and hope I havent offended anyone, I just think the original posting could have been worded better so as not to make members with problems feel unwelcome or like we are sick of hearing about problems...because good or bad I know I am here for the long haul whether its good or bad.

I have found out that I have been accepted to Sydney University of Psychologists. I start my Bachelor in Associated Social Science on the 27th February. I cant believe it. I never would have attempted anything like this before let alone believe I would be accepted. It will be 4 yrs fulltime with 200hrs work placement. I am so very excited. I am also getting married in September so its a busy year...also have the 4 kids to look after as well I just wanted to share my good news. I love my band!!!

What an awesome accomplishment, a memory you and your girls will treasure forever. Its stories like this that really keep me going and motivate me. I am so happy for you

I reached my sweet spot after about 7 mths or so I think. I have had 9 fills and 9.6mls in a VG band. My band is fickle day to day, but most days I am eating smallish type meals and can eat most foods. I am on reflux meds so I really dont want to go any tighter so will try to work with what I have. I generally find that after a few months and some weight lost that I lose restriction also, but hasnt done it after this one ...touch wood

Jessssssssss, You rock!!!! You have done so well in such a short amount of time. I am so proud of you.

You are looking really good and there is a noticable difference. WTG!!

Hey Susannah, I am in NSW and a member of most of the Australian groups. There is a Yahoo group called Ozband and there is alot of ppl in there from Melbourne who are banded and through OBrian. Message me if you want the addy to the site and Ill let you know.