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Hi Sharona Thanks for replying. I have never asked how much I have in my band but I will ask when I see him on tues. I have the small inamed 10 ml band. I agree that I feel as though I am still able to eat too much at a meal however I also like the fact that I can pretty much eat everything (as in still eat bread and meat) but I will discuss all of this and my concerns about possibly getting over-filled with my doc.

Hi Queen of Hearts. Thanks so much for your reply. I just went through all of my papers, I have a 10 ml inamed band. I will talk some more to my doc on tuesday. My weight loss is excruciatingly slow at the moment so I am leaning towards getting another fill. many thanks

wow who knew R&R was so exciting? why wasn't I told? I was reading some posts on here last night and I confess to feeling exasperated when someone posts that they have had an issue with their band and the most common bit of advice they get is to go to a lawyer. Sometimes I think - be pleased that they found the complication, they are fixing it and you are not dead. But that is me being insensitive I think.

wow Fanny your weight loss is so fantastic! You must be so proud of yourself.

all the best for your surgery on tuesday Debi. there are quite a few of us perthies around so feel free to ask any questions you hae. As for the music I listen to when I am exercising, I actually choose all of my favourite songs because as soon as I hear them I start smiling and feel as if I put more energy into my exercise. I have some really daggy songs on my MP3 including the soundtrack to Priscilla on it (how can you stay still when listening to Abba and the village people??)

Have you tried hydrotherapy or walking in a pool. I see a lot of people with back injuries doing this at the gym I go to. They get their exercise programs set up and monitored by a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist.

Hi Jude and Rastis...yep another october 07 bandster here who has lost about 15 (sometimes 16 on a good day) kg's. The best part for me is that even though my loss is so slow at least the scale does keep moving down - when it moves at all. I am getting so close to 79.something on the scales I can almost taste it haha. That will be a huge celebration for me as it is years since I was in the 70's.

Hey that is fantstic. Congratulations on doing so well and welcome to banded life.

Hi Mandy, before giving me a fill my doctor always asks me how long between meals I go for without that starving feeling. If it is only a couple of hours than you may need a fill. It also sounds like exercise may be what is needed to kick-start your weight loss once more. I am down about 15 kg's...well I think it is a teeny bit more but will wait until my next doctors appointment next week before making it official! haha. The scale now sometimes actually shows me as just under 80kg's!!!!! I am one of the slow losers but am almost at the half-way mark so I am definitely not complaining. Even during the times when I am not losing weight my body seems to be tightening up and my clothes fit better. I have had three fills so far and have not found any foods I can't eat and haven't had a PB yet (touch wood). I am loving my band.

I am pleased that you came here and shared your story with us Mummabear. The first step in making a change is acknowledging that something isn't working. Some questions to ask yourself.... am I willing to experience some short term discomfort if it means I live my life in a way that is meaningful to me....eg. you mention your children, think about a value related to parenting that is something important to you ...being a loving mum, being there for my children etc. What does being a loving mum mean to you? When you are taking that bite of a high calorie food is that helping you to live your life as a role model for your kids? When you are beating yourself up about the see sawing you have done over the past few months....is that helping you to teach your children how to become healthy and resilient young people? It is wonderful that you have a supportive family and friends. Make use of them, let them know that your plans for the week include making healthier food choices etc and give them permission to gently remind you when they see you making choices which could be improved. I feel as though I am a slow loser when compared with some of the people on here - big lesson - comparisons are not always helpful. :hurray: Whenever I feel as though my eating needs a tweak I start writing down everything I eat...yep, including the bits of chocolate I sneaked when no one else was looking! Don't use this as a tool to beat yourself up, instead use this as a tool to help you figure out what could be improved. Food diaries can be very helpful and are also a great reality check. Acknowledge that you have thoughts and emotions that are not always helpful for you, eg the defiant child feelings....you know what...you can have those thoughts and emotions and STILL make healthier choices. For example, I can have the thought/belief that only eating some chocolate will satisfy me while I am chewing a cracker biscuit. It is possible to have thoughts but to not necessarily have to make them true. Thoughs in themselves are merely words grouped together...it is us that makes them reality. When you say you are 'like a defiant child' that doesn't mean it has to be true, you are having the thought that you are like a defiant child...it is very different to being one. Whenever you notice yourself beating yourself up with your thoughts eg. I am pathetic, I will never succeed, I am useless ...put the words "I am having the thought" in front of those thoughts to remind you that you are not your thoughts. A book that is fantastic for anyone who is experiencing depression, anger, anxiety, eating issues etc etc etc is The Happiness Trap by an Aussie Dr Russ Harris The Happiness Trap | Stop Struggling Start Living by Dr Russ Harris . I am pretty sure he said recently that this book is available at Dymocks in Australia now. It is using a psychological cognitive behavioural technique called ACT (acceptance and committment therapy) - I use this with my clients quite a lot (I am a psychologist) but more importantly, I have been using ACT in my own life for a number of years. And by the way, I don't know Russ or stand to gain anything from promoting his book...I simply find it a great starting point for people to use on their own or together with a therapist. His website also has some tips for people who are working through the book on their own. Also, if you do continue struggling with a low mood I would suggest you have a chat to your doctor as there are a number of low cost counselling agencies and also with the new-ish medicare scheme you can get referred for up to 6 sessions of counselling with a psychologist and get a rebate so often the out of pocket difference is less than $30/session. It can be useful to call around as fees vary from clinic to clinic. There are also other counselling agencies that offer a sliding scale of fees (sorry I only know the ones in WA or I would provide the links). Wow, I have written a lot here!!!! I have bolded a few of the key points I was hoping to make. If you have any other questions please feel free to send me a message. Today is a new day for you. I wish you all the best. :cry_smile: edited to add: and by the way what a fantastic start you have made to have lost at the very minimum 10 kg's. Recognise the things you HAVE achieved so far as well.

Hi Special K...a lot of doctors don't do fills routinely under fluoro. I know my surgeon doesn't. Paula I am so pleased that your doctor was so understanding and that you had a fill.

When is your next appointemnt with your doctor? Definitely go back and ask why they feel you need this and how they realised you needed it. Ask lots of questions. I wish you all the best. Let us know how it all goes.

Hi Perth-ites. Hope you are all managing to stay warm.

Welcome to the forums hairband and congratulations on your weightloss so far and also for stopping smoking 2 years ago. Once banded for many of us we focus so much on seeing the numbers on the scale go down and counting our calories/kilojoules and measuring how much we exercise and we forget that our brain and our heart and our emotions also need to be given some help to adjust to this new person we are becoming. It must be frustrating to have people treat you differently (often better) when you are still the same person you always were, only lighter. Counselling can help you to get to know this new body that you have and to hopefully understand some of the confusion you are feeling. I am sending warm thoughts and support your way. :thumbdown:

You can also mix some of the protein shakes with water instead of milk. :thumbdown:

Hi Redrum Just wondering how you went at the doctors? Have a great time with your parents when they are here. :biggrin:

I am so pleased that you are feeling some restriction now. :thumbup: It sounds like the stress free job is what you need right now and when you feel ready to search for and get a new job I bet your current employer will be kicking themselves at their losing you. Enjoy your honeymoon.

Just wondering how you are going now?

Pretty sure we have the same doctor Fanny so I guess my answer wont be a surprise. Eat smaller portions, focus on healthier foods and eat when hungry rather than at set times a day.

at the bottom left of your post you will see three symbols...the one in the middle next to the red triangle is the one that people can click on and increase your rep power if they thought your post was....um .... good or something.

Do you have a pre-existing history or medical condition which makes you prone to clots? I was on the injections for two weeks after my lap band because I have had a clot previously. The needles are tiny and once you get over the initial ick factor it is fine. The nurses should show you how to inject yourself and also watch you do it at least once before you go home. All the best

Hi Sallieanne I have had a previous pulmonary embolism so before the surgery I had to see the haematologist and he gave advice on the pre and post op requirements and my surgoen followed these. I was on injections for a few weeks after surgery. All the best.

I had to stop taking the pill two years ago after getting a benign tumour on my liver which happens in a teeny minority of people who use the pill for many years. My periods were awful after this and the gynaecologist had mentioned a hysterectomy to me as a possibilty but she knew I was having a lapband and suggested waiting and seeing if the weight loss made a difference. Bleeding wise I have noticed a big improvement in the last two months or so which is fantastic. Hope this helps.

Have you had any change in your eating habits recently? If not maybe you have some sort of viral infection.

There is no one right way with the band and many doctors give differing advice and guidelines. You have already lost 2 kg's - well done. Get information from reading the forums but more importantly, make an appointment to see your doctor and go back with a list of questions. some doctors assume that the patient has all of the information they need if they don't ask any questions. All the best.