Parvathi

After school holidays would be perfect for me as well. Gosh I'll be glad when they go back lol. Jenny, of course, anyone is welcome! We'd love to meet you :eek:

Mandy, I've been very slack on keeping up with the boards lately and have only just seen this post. I'm so sorry that you and your family are having to go through this. Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry to hear about this, New. I can definitely see how it would be discouraging. Perhaps its something he'll be willing to revisit later - or even get a second opinion? Just out of curiosity, what size band do you have? I have the 4cm band and my current fill level is 3.3cc, I believe (though I may be + or - 0.1cc)...

Just got back from a dr appointment, after having been on holidays. Was shocked to see that even after a largish unfill before going overseas and eating throughout the holidays, I managed to lose 2kgs. Okay, so I know its not much lol, but its better than gaining, which is what I generally do during the holidays. My doctor pulled up my lil graph and showed me that I've now lost 75% of my excess body fat, in less than a year. He was very happy with that, as am I. He said that while my bmi is 27, I'm pretty much within the "healthy" range. I'm a bit vain though LOL and want to keep going til I'm about midway into the healthy range *shrugs*. This band has been one of my best decisions ever. I've got more energy now that I ever remember having and my self confidence just keeps getting better and better! Okay, so enough about me lol... thanks for reading :eek:

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, so I asked my doctor if they ran any support groups, or if he knew of any. He said that he doesn't know of any in the area, but its something Professor O'Brien has thought about quite a bit. I guess he just hasn't decided yet. I can imagine it'd be quite the event to have to organize .. but here's hoping sometime soon one will be put together. Jacqui, yep I'm back .. and soooooooo glad to be in my own bed again LOL. Holidays are exhausting! Especially when they revolve around visiting family. I'd love to catch up for a coffee with any of you - anyone go to Chapel St much?

Everyone is looking fantastic these days!! Kel - OMG your new pictures blew me away!! We're gonna be meeting up for that celebration sooner than we thought hehehe :eek: Well done!

Hi Susannah - Welcome to LBT :eek: I was banded at The Avenue, by one of Prof's colleague's, Mr Gary Crosthwaite. I've looked for support groups in the Melbourne area but haven't had any luck finding one as of yet, so if you do hear of one, please let us know. I live in Williamstown, but work in Prahran, so I'm usually over on your side of town. If you have any questions, feel free to yell out. Oh .. and if any Melbourne based people want to catch up sometime for coffee or whatever, I'd be happy to jump in!

I still enjoy drinking. I'm not a big drinker, but maybe a few times a month we'll go out for drinks. I have noticed it takes alot less to get me buzzing lol, but that's probably because I'm drinking on a much emptier stomach. I generally have to choose between food or drink when we go out, as I don't have room for both. I do generally stick to non carbonated alcoholic beverages though, as the bubbles fill me up faster. My drink of choice was previously vodka, lime cordial and soda Water. So now I just have vodka, fresh lime juice (no sugar heh) and still water.... and for some reason, this helps keep a hangover away too :eek:

I've had a few mornings of lows and one episode of fainting, but its all been my slackness (ie, not eating in the morning then rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off). Definitely speak with both your GP and your surgeon regarding any concerns you may have, but from my experience(s), its very managable.

Thanks for sharing your story, Aussiegirl!! You've done so well Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Same surgeon, same payment

I can't believe I've just spent an hour of my life reading this thread lol -such is life. I was lucky enough to be banded in Australia (I'll say again, I love my doctor!!!). Had I been in the states though, low on cash and at the end of my rope, I can definitely see myself traveling to Mexico (or anywhere else that would have done it within my price range) for the surgery. I don't think anyone walks into surgery without putting some thought into it, but at the end of the day, we do what we have to do to get by. Sometimes it works out good, sometimes not so good.

$0.00 Countless amounts of fills, unfills, doctor visits, etc...

Just got home from our trip around the states .. exhausted LOL!! No worries, Nana. You just take care of you and finish it up whenever you feel up to it. Its summer here in Australia lol, so it'll get more use in a couple of months anyway

Hey ladies, I'm very very sorry that I missed the lunch on Dec 17th. We left Australia on Dec 13th. Spent one day in Tokyo, then were meant to spend two in LA. Due to the ice storm down here in South Carolina, we didn't get in til the morning of the 17th. Arrived to no power and no Water (we have well water at my mom's) - after traveling all that way all we needed was a shower lol and couldn't have one! Our power didn't come back on until Dec 20th .. dsl connection just started working again today. I really hate that I missed it. Was really looking forward to meeting you all Hope your Christmas' were good though!

We eat out quite a bit. I've had one bad experience early on, when I tried to eat Pasta (couldn't chew it up enough and then it expanded), but other than that, I've gotten along pretty well. One thing I do to help give me more time, is order my food to come out when my husband's entree (appetizer) comes out. That way I can get a good head start on him. I also usually just order an entree sized portion, as I know that'll be all I can eat.

We all have that worry when we start looking into this surgery. For me, I had tried so many times, only to fail. I didn't want to fail again .. not for me, not for my family ... I just wanted something to work. I thought about all the money I'd sunk into other "programs". After a few weeks or months I had always given up. What would make this any different? Well, this time it is different. I don't know why, but I'm 9 months post op and I haven't given up on my band. It hasn't given up on me. I've had my ups and downs and plateaus and I'm sure I'll have more. Its not the easy way out - I've had to work for this! But the band is a tool that makes it possible. It can work, if you work with it. Btw, I was a banana bread addict lol - making 2 loaves a week and the hubby and I would eat those in one sitting, with a tub of margarine sitting between us. I haven't touched it since the surgery. Good luck in your decision.

Hey BigEthel (really gotta change that name soon ) heh, It could be that because you're still on soft foods, this is why you feel you're able to eat more? Solids - Proteins - those are what make us feel fuller. See how you go after you make that transition and if you're still not having much restriction, it may just be time for another fill. That's a big band and its only about half way full *nods*... Hope you feel better soon.

I use a mix of lavendar and rose hip oils, rubbed on my scars once a day. It hasn't made them disappear, but they definitely look better than they did. Could all be in my mind though lol. If girls could walk around with their shirts off, I'd probably be more worried about it *g*

I'd be glad to give ya some of my hips lol. They've barely budged since being banded :/ Used to have a good ole ghetto booty, but now its flat as, with massive hips. It'll all sort itself out in the end though Cissy. Don't give up yet

I've had that happen before and then two or so weeks later it hit .. then I was overfilled lol. The band is fickle...

This happened to me when I was overfilled, time before last. I had horrible night reflux and would wake up choking, gasping for air. A small unfill fixed me right up, along with a prescription for reflux, which I now take daily. Haven't had it happen since. Definitely go talk to your doctor though. Hope you feel heaps better soon

Glad to hear everything's going so well, Jacqui! All that walking will definitely help with the gas pains you should start feeling soon. Just make sure to get some rest in as well and take care of yourself

That's very sweet, Crystal My hubby has toyed with the idea of getting the band. He probably wouldn't qualify though - at 6'0" and 260lbs, his bmi is 35. He's healthy as a horse and has no co-morbidities. His doctor is amazed at how healthy he is lol. He's also a bread addict, with fresh baked bread bringing him much joy, so he'd be miserable with the band. I think its very cool though, that some couples get to go through this all together. If for no other reason than because they have someone they love that understands what they're going through.

Sometimes you can avoid this by slowing down even more when eating. It also depends on what foods you're having.... The band is fickle. You'll get the hang of it and you'll learn when to stop, but its hit and miss until that happens. Good luck.