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Thanks Sade, How are you going - onto mushies yet? Danna:hungry:

Well now on day 10 of Optiyuck and only 19 sleeps to go. Whoever invented Optisludge should be made to live on it:thumbs_down: Oh well, it will be worth it at the end. Danna

Hi Kim, I'm also from NSW. I'm fue for banding on 3/12 and think this is the best decision I have ever made. Doesn't mean I'm not scared - I am - terrified, but it's this or die young. What surgeon are you seeing? Danna

The crying and emotions are all due to the anaesthetic - apparently very common. Just take it easy, relax and drink those fluids. Danna (starting Optifast in about 8 hours)

Oh well, only 1 month to go so on Monday I start Optifast (so looking forward to this stage - NOT) :speechles Have a few ideas to make it more enjoyable and have bought lots of veges for Soups etc to get me through the month.:hungry: Tomorrow I am going to pre-cook some meals for DH so that I don't have to face it every night - he can heat them in the microwave (he finally knows how to use this). Still really nervous about the op itself but also excited and looking forward to December. Danna:D

I bought the vanilla, but I also bought some of the flavour sachets that Kickstart use (similar product to Opti +TF). Also thought would make up some diet jelly and then add that to the shake with a bit less Water, and will make some iceblock with diet cordial and try those as well. Danna:hungry:

Pepermint tea is also said to help

Hi Fee, If you go to this link Lap Band Surgery - Health Message Boards you will find a thread called support groups. There are quite a few. There are also a lot of Melbournians on the yahoo group as well. Danna

Dawna, I'm being banded by Dr Liebman at North Shore Pvt in Sydney. Where are you looking at being banded? Danna

Hi, I'm sure that once everything settles down you will be fine. I'm due to be banded on 3/12/07, so I'm haveing similar thoughts myself. Everyone I have had contact with has said that they would not be without their band - good and bad - they would do it again. Remember you should be taking it easy right now. You have just had major surgery and you need to recover. Give it time and try to relax for the moment. Where were you banded? (seems to be the one question we always ask:D) Danna

Hi Deb, I was a bit like that -couldn't wait for a date and now that I have one I am scared ****less. The time will pass really quickly as you prepare for June. Well Opti day is getting closer and I can use TF shakes that I already have, but tomorrow is binge day - going out for dinner for the last time before Opti starts. :hungry: I might even start it a bit earlier. It will all be worth it in the end but I just wish it was over NOW. Danna :omg::omg::omg:(seems this one is the OMG smilie):faint:

Hi Lauren, I'm not banded yet but from evreything I have read and been told this is quite normal. Some people get restriction on their first fill, some need more. It is also common to have restriction for the first week and then for it to ease. Your weight loss should begin again once you get a decent restriction, and though you are eating very little now, it is still probably more calories than when you were on fluids. Hope this helps. Danna:)

Sades you are so lucky!!!!:bounce: I've still got six weeks to go, although you will be on liquids while I'm on the Optiyuck - not a lot of difference - though your's might taste better. I am really pleased for you and look forward to hearing from you after the surgery. Danna:)

Hi Mandi, What is your GP like -are they someone you feel comfortable talking to? If so, why not tell them your concerns and ask what tests can be done. Most are either blood or urine tests so they aren't invasive - that was the reason I suggested you check this out first. You should also discuss the WLS with your GP, you will need their referral to the specialist anyway. Whatever you end up doing I hope it proves successful for you. I know that if I had been able to have WLS at your age I would have been first on the list - but back then it was a lot more radical type of surgery and quite often had very nasty side effects. I'm sure to keep everyone posted on how I go cause I know I will have heaps of questions to ask the people here. Danna:hungry:

Thanks Leeanne, Won't be too far behind you. Danna

Sade, I know - I was all excited when I rang Anna and got the date and then I went to the computer to tell everyone and just sat there for about 5 minutes going Oh my god, oh my god. It is so real now - before it was something that would happen in the future but now it's here. I think I would rather be in your shoes - you've got less time to be nervous - it will be all over and you will be on the other side I will still be here going Oh my god!! Lucky you, keep in touch and let me know how you're going up to the op date and when you feel up to it after the op, let us know how you are. Danna:help::help::help: (couldn't find one that said Oh my god!)

Hey M, How did your information night go? Still want to be banded? Danna

Hi Leeanne, I'm another Sydneysider. I'm not banded yet -Bday is 03/12/07 so not too long to go. Where were you banded? 4 weeks on liquids, my doctor only said 2 and then mushies. Hope to hear from you. Danna

Mandi, Welcome!!. I'm from Sydney and am being banded on 3 December. I think it's great that you are looking into this properly before making any decision. You may already have investigated this aspect, but have you been seen by an endocrinologist yet. Sometimes weight gain as a teenager is due to hormones. I am 47 and no one ever bothered to consider this until recently and it's been discovered that a lot of my problems are hormonal. This isn't a cure at my age so I'm still going ahead with the banding. I'm not trying to put you off banding - I think that whoever invented this surgery should be immortalised!! But please make sure that you have checked all possibilities for the cause of your weight issues first. Good luck with whatever you decide and let us know what you decide. Danna

Hi Donna, Probably only a day or two after you. Where are you being banded? Danna

Welcome to the board, lots of Aussies here. I am being banded on 3 December - so look forward to hearing how you go. Danna:D

Coo, Because I have such a high BMI he wants me to do Opti for 4 weeks - so only 2 weeks and 3 days before Opti-day. Danna

Sades, Give Anna a call and she'll give you a date, that's what I did. she is also trying to get some times at the Sands ? at Wahroonga so that she can fit everyone in before Christmas. Danna

Hi All, Well I got my banding date today - B-Day is 3 December - now I am starting to get nervous. Danna:faint:

Hi Julie-Ann, I'm also waiting on by banding date. I wouldn't worry too much about the post-op liquid diet, from what I understand you don't really feel like eating anything solid for a while anyway. But once you get past the clear Fluid stage the rest isn't too bad - just blend what you want to eat add some Water or milk so that it is liquid enough and drink it down. Good luck with your journey. Danna