Kelliebelly

Here are a few some friends took, hopefully the professional ones turn out better. I am the one in the wedding dress haha

Hey Babs, I was wondering how the unfill went. Good to hear you dont need surgery again. Sorry to hear about the uncertainties with the other stuff, hopefully it will sort itself out.

My gas pains lasted about 3 weeks and I didnt realise gas could cause so much pain. I am a bit late posting on this so hopefully its all gone by now.

or something. We could meet somewhere like Sydney or if there is somewhere more central for everyone we could do that too. Now that the wedding is over I have more time on my hands. Anyone interested?

Hey guys, I am back from the honeymoon, Paul ended up taking me to Tasmania so my new swimmys didnt come out of the suitcase. We had a really good time and stayed at a few different places. My fave was Hobart right in the middle of the city and the most awesome markets I have ever been too. We stayed at Diamond Beach and Port Arthur too. I am very impressed DH planned all that on his lonesome without help from me and now I know he can do it I have let him know I will be expecting more haha. Good to see you again Colleen, everytime I see your pics I do a backflip, you are like half the person I met last year. Thanks everyone for the well wishes and I will post pics as soon as I get some back.

I cant believe I am married, it still hasnt sunk in yet. The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a great time, I ended up slightly tiddly and singing towards the endof the night, I am sure it was pleasant as I cant sing for s**t. Put on a couple on the honeymoon, I was eating for about 10 I reckon, nice restaurants everynight and room service at the drop of a hat. Our wedding was meant to be outside the function centre in the gardens but of course it poured like it does when I organise anything so they did the boardroom up really nicely for us. I cant change the weather but if I could it would have been the only thing I would have changed about the day. Pics to come as soon as I get them back.

I probably wont tell you anything that wasnt in other threads but can really only say I can sympathise. I have th VG band also and I have had about 10 fills to get to the spot I am at now. Before reaching 7.5 mls on my 7th fill I had no restriction either and was gaining weight. The lucky thing for me was my DR told me I coul come in each fortnight to get a fill until I reached a good spot. I just want to re iterate that until 7.5mls I had no restriction so dont feel down it will happen. There has been alot of talk over here amongst Drs about the VG and the long time it is taking to reach restriction with it. My Dr put 2.5mls in my band at the time of surgery to help that, but once my swelling went down I had no restriction. I would explain to your Dr that you would like to reach a point where you are not puttingon weight but losing it since this was weight loss surgery. You also have to consider the fact that with a larger fill 2mls or so that could easily put you too tight and you will experience the not being able to swallow your own saliva experience. I havent had that happen yet though. Another idea is to have him fill your band and you drink water and he removes it slowly until the water goes down fine. Really just sit down and tell him basically what you posted in this post. Taking months and months to reach a spot where you are loing and not gaining really isnt acceptable in my opinion, but thats just me. Good Luck and I really feel your frustration being someone who took 10.1ccs in the 10cc band to have good restriction. Hugs

Hahaha Mandy, I get ya :eek:

Its Wednesday morning here and I have an appointment to get my nails and a pedicure done along with my legs waxed ewww. The rehearsal is tommorow and Friday I am staying at the venue where we are getting married with the bridesmaids. My family are starting to arrive today from all over the place so this may be the last tine I get on before I am married. Thanks for all the well wishes, ideas suggestions and support. I will be back after my honeymoon with lot of pics. Thanks again and hugs

Hi I am Kel and from Newcastle. I was banded 17 mths ago and have lost 80 lbs. I had a TT/breast lift in March this year. I too check out LBT most days, usually at night when the kids have gone to bed. I am getting married this weekend and have been flat out organising everything. Jess - I am so glad to see you, I was really worried, I have emailed and smsed you a few times to see if you were ok. So sorry to hear about your slip and I hope an unfill will be the solution. Hows your results from the TT was it everything you expected? The swelling has and still is a big shitter for me.

The countdown is on, it is now 5 days till I will be married. WOW, 17 months I have been organising and planning and the day is almost here. I have been having nightmares for the last 2 weeks of things that can go wrong, people leaving, things forgotton and make up artist - photographer etc not turning up. I am sure they are all sick of me ringing confirming daily that they will still be there haha. My partner planned our honeymoon and hasnt told a soul about it, including me. All I know is I have to pack for summer and winter lol. My partner Paul asked me to marry him 7 yrs ago and I accepted. Anytime he talked about setting a date I would put him off with things like "Wait till I lose weight". The day after I got my lap band we set the date. Now 17 mths later, I am not at goal but I am comfortable and not ashamed to walk down the isle. I was worried about so many things like finding a dress that fit or would look good. I had no problems finding a dress and I kinda feel half normal now at this weight. The band was the best thing I ever done for myself.

The thing with Steve was what you seen is what you got. The man you seen on TV is how he was in "real life". There was never an act or show, it was the real him. How can we ever replace him, there will never be another Steve. All day and still now at midnight there is a constant flow of people arriving at the front of his zoo paying their respects and leaving flowers and messages. I still cant believe it. RIP Steve.

I am so upset right now, I think he was a great Australian icon and a great guy. So laid back and a true Aussie. His poor kids.

Totally of the subject I posted...Sammee, the weight in just dropping. You are going to be underweight shortly!! In all seriousness you are a model bandster and pretty much one of the most successful I know. You are an inspiration and yes I am extremely jealous of you :) Hugs

Everytime I click on the link above for all the different sections of the forum it takes me to a site called crazy soldiers???? Is this happening to anyone else or do I have a virus or something?

I was a big time sneak eater too. Trips to fast food drive thrus, ordering extra drinks to make it look like it wasnt all for me. Waiting till the family went to bed and having a binge session. I was so out of control I honestly cant believe it when I look back now. I never hid wrappers etc because the car is always kind of a pig sty with the kids so it just blended in. In public I made out I didnt eat much I was too guilty/ashamed/embaressed to. At all you can eats I would send the kids up to get mine. I am so happy to find out that I am not the only one who was like this because at the time I remember thinking I was crazy and what sane person would do this? Hugs All

Alexandra...the difference is amazing and totally mind blowing. You have done a phenomenal job. WTG and congrats.

Sammee I didnt see this post until now but I didnt need undies for 6 weeks with the garment. Are you wearing a garment???

Samee, I am so glad to see you back and well. The TT pain really is not what I expected either, I coped without pain pumps and such. The change is amazing, your tummy is so flat. The swell hell will bug you for up to a yr, I am 5 mths and going through another swell hell episode. As for weight loss I was heavier up to about 1 week post op then I lost 5 kgs in the next week and have lost a couple of more since. There is no way you will come out the same weight you will lose some, just have to wait for the dreaded swell hell to go down a bit. I hang out at a couple of TT forums which are great, let me know if you want the names...really helpful especially in early recovery. Anyways the worst is over and you look damnnnn gorgeous...Congrats and talk soon.

Hi Guys I posted the other day about my chocolate addiction, It has been roughly 2 weeks since I have had chocolate. It hasnt been hard at all since I started the chromium as suggested by my pharmacist. Now the whole point to my post is I have discovered something else with this supplement. I have no appetite. I havent lost weight in a long time and I know alot of it has to do with my very bad eating plans, but I have that under control now. I cleaned the house out and replaced all my junk with fruit and healthy snacks. I have never had the "oh its 3 pm and I have forgotton to eat" type feeling that some people have with the band...I can eat 1 - 2 cups full of food with a snack in between 3 times a day. About day 3 of starting the chromium I was literally forgetting to eat, which I know in itself is bad but I was thinking post op for people who dont have good restriction maybe this would be beneficial until they do?? I am taking it because it takes away sugar cravings which it has but with the added bonus of helping me stick to smaller amounts of food it seems really good. I just thought I would share, maybe someone else out there is struggling too and this may be of some help. Hugs 21 days till my wedding wooohooo :clap2:

Thanks everyone, I will give all of the suggestions a try. I know I am naughty...but I really want myself out of this rut. I had this idea in my head that because I was losing weight I was healthier, but how healthy can I be eating chocolate as my meals. I went shopping and stocked up on healthy food and am going back to basics, like in the beginning. Heather - Of course I will post pics, I am so excited, yet so nervous... Hugs

Over the last couple of months I have gradually got myself in a really bad rut. I have been eating chocolate and alot of the times substituting my meals with it. I have my wedding in 25 days and have lost total control of myself. I have put on a couple of kgs and feel terrible. 5 days ago I went and had a chat with my pharmacist about it and he gave me some chromium piccinate to help me through....welll for the first time in as long as I can remember I have gone 4 full days without chocolate. Is anyone else game to admit how much chocolate they eat? Also, can anyone give me some substitues for chocolate...I am trying really hard and I will do this....or should I just not substitute it for anything and go cold turkey on all the crap?? I cant believe I would ever get to the stage that giving up chocolate would be as hard as giving up smoking...sigh.

I am on a similiar one and I had the decreased appetite but it only lasted 3 to 4 weeks then I would have to say the complete opposite happened. I was ravenous.

I have been thinking of you and I know it is a few days away I just wanted to wish you luck. I wasnt sure whether I would be on again before to let you know. Concentrate on 4 weeks time from now because boy oh boy its going to be awesome. Youre going to look greattttttt!!! Big hugs and luck Edited to say you already look great...youre going to look better

BigPaul always makes me feel really good about myself. He's funny and silly but really smart right when you need him to be. DeLarla TellyMelly keeps me motivated on days I think I want to slack and theres always a smile on my face when I'm talking to her, she just keeps me laughing. She brightens my day! Cutiern reminds me of my daughter. I love how she is young, independent, and willing to make financial sacrifices to change her life. Dawg is a great husband. Selfless and supportive. He lives a banded lifestyle, without the band, so that he may succeed along side his wife. Pennie always seems so level-headed and diplomatic. I really admire that. Jack cracks me up with the use of his warped sense of humour in the manner in which he offers practical advice. Humour and practicalilty...great match and I always appreciate his input. (I also like his avatar!!) The best me (Kathy) has one of the most loving and tender hearts I've ever seen. She is always caring and giving to others even when she's needing support for herself. Her love of God and her desire to be a better servant shows in every post. Paula is my sweet Band-daughter and I'm so proud of how genuinely sweet she is and how her caring heart and love of God shows by her actions towards all others Iluvharleys has a good heart and is always so thoughtful, kind and caring always thinking of others in their time of need. NJChick (Eileen) Cracks me up!!!! She brings a smile to my face no matter what the topic. Bandland would be a boring place without her : - ) VinesQueen reminds me never to give up no matter how bad things seem at the time and encourages me that I should dance my heart out no matter whos watching~and I wish she would hurry up and get back on LBT!!! Michelle, without a doubt the most inspirational person to me. Even while having her own family problems, she finds time to come here and offer her help. She's a great person! Susan (PhotoNut) is one of the most supportive and knowledgeable people I've ever known. EmileeKaye is the sweetest, most genuinely nice and wholehearted bandster and online personality I have ever met.. and I have met quite a few. The sun shines on her goodness and it feels really nice to surround myself with people like this. K@t has been my friend and support since the moment I joined this group. She listens and gives without asking in return and makes me feel anything is possible. DeLarla is my vision of independence, strength, wisdom and trust and has always been a person that speaks her mind and has gained a tremendous amount of respect from me as an intelligent and witty person. StrawartS is smart and funny, and she has the strong personality I admire, yet she's kind. Plus, her screen name is a Palindrome. It's spelled the same backward and forward. Very Cool. Kathy (best me) Jenna (princess n thep) is always honest and straight foward. And she is a great booty dancer. Kathy was kind and gentle with me when I was cursing over my first PB. I was shocked by her generous spirit at first, but now I see that that's how she treats everyone. And her baby is pretty cute. And I don't even like babies. The NJ Board: I can't chose just one person because so many have come to my rescue. They give their heart and soul and they do it with compasion and love. *Cheers NJ Board, I Love You ALL* Since I have known Mychevygirl (DeAnn), she has shown incredible inner strength, focus and determination in the midst of extremely trying times. She has kept a positive, happy attitude in spite of the stresses she has endured, and she has a smile that shines through her words because it comes from her heart. FunnyDuddies is a beautiful, intelligent, loving woman who's quit witt and sense of humor is a blessing to those around her. She makes me smile, and I feel so bless to call her my sis. She has also earned my respect and admiration for showing a deep inner strength during times of adversity. MoOrless is another one of my personal inspirers. She has lost weight all on her own. Reading her posts have been a great eye opener, showing me that weight loss is nothing more than willpower and self-control, which she displays very well. She cheers me on as I do my wild goose chases with myself and she keeps me motivated, letting me know daily that every goal I set for myself, no matter how outlandish it may seem, is very possible and attainable. I thank her for believing in me, (a complete stranger). Alex is the best thing ever...he has given us this board as a place to learn, laugh, commiserate, cry,...pretty much whatever we are in need of!! And...he just keeps making it better!!! Thanks, Alex!!!!!!! I have to have a second go at this! MoOrless keeps me going in ways I never thought I'd need. She is working and trying so hard to lose the weight on her own as well as coping with health problems. She finds positive ways around her setbacks that put me to shame and motivate me all at the same time. Kind words and thoughts for others come easily to her and she makes me smile. Alexandra seems to always be there when a thread gets hairy. She has the ability to listen with an open mind and heart, to sympathize and give a reality check in just a few short lines. I have noticed that she remains detached, but flexible. Harleynana (Pat) is one of the smartest, kindest people I have ever met. She talks like a sweet southern belle, but she's also a tough cookie who is generous and supportive without fail. And to all the NJ Chat gals who welcomed me into their midst even though I live in Michigan - your support and friendship has meant the world to me. I love this board. It makes me laugh. It makes me think. It makes me mad. It inspires me. It give me good ideas. It gives me advice. Most of all, it makes me feel I am not alone in this struggle, that I am part of a community with one goal... to reclaim our health and our lives... to live better, and be better. We may not always see eye to eye, but we are all better for knowing each other. mini_me is in my book! Nana~ (aka "plunderbunny") inspires me with her carefree attitude. Because of her, I wore my Pirate gear when we went to see the new Pirates movie. Your style and panache inspire me to be me. (Vinesqueen) Vinesqueen is an absolute treasure. She has the most amazing ability to be enviably strong yet human, in the face of outstanding challenges. She always takes time to remind that's it's health first, and that our health supercedes everything, including our weight. Plus her journal really rocks. She's a jewel! There's a lot of people on here that have inspired me and some of them have already been mentioned so I think I would pick JMO and KMO, they have both been very inspiring to me along with everyone else. These 2 rock. oooh i always read post by jack and wheetin they always have so much helpful info!!! La Madam always encourages me through her strength of will and personality. I have never for a moment doubted that she will be able to maintain even if she is "flying solo." There are people who claim to be straight talkers, and then there is the real deal, La Madam aka Michelle (Vinesqueen) Kabeerah has always impressed me with her quiet strength. She has gone against the prevailing customs of her culture in getting the Band. She’s been an amazing resource for the women in her country, translating information. (Vinesqueen New Sho whether she knows it or not has been an inspiration to me. She always posts informative well written posts and isnt afraid to say what she thinks. I admire her "online" personality.