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Hi again all. I have a surgery date of 7 April (which is my dad's birthday - the first one since he passed away last year - ironic in ways!) which is a month before I expected but still a little later than I wanted (hahaha). I am on the waiting list just in case of a cancellation, but the only date that it could occur is 25 Feb, in which case I would need to know before 15 Feb to do the 10 days Optifast diet. So I will know for sure in about 2 weeks time! (He only operates every second monday and the two monday's in March are both public holidays for Labour day and Easter Monday!). Anyway, I am excited and nervous which is normal. I spoke with both the surgeon and the dietician today and I now know all I need to up to 6 weeks after the surgery when I go back to see the dietician! I hope to lose 30kg and get down to 70kg but my surgeon suspects I will probably feel sick at that weight. He sees me losing at least 20kg, but he did say that he can see me doing better than that. He couldn't tell me why but he suspects because I play sport and excercise that I will do pretty well. I am pumped. I just can't wait.

Hi again all. I have a surgery date of 7 April (which is my dad's birthday - the first one since he passed away last year - ironic in ways!) which is a month before I expected but still a little later than I wanted (hahaha). I am on the waiting list just in case of a cancellation, but the only date that it could occur is 25 Feb, in which case I would need to know before 15 Feb to do the 10 days Optifast diet. So I will know for sure in about 2 weeks time! Anyway, I am excited and nervous which is normal. I spoke with both the surgeon and the dietician today and I now know all I need to up to 6 weeks after the surgery when I go back to see the dietician! I hope to lose 30kg and get down to 70kg but my surgeon suspects I will probably feel sick at this weight. He sees me losing at least 20kg, but he did say that he can see me doing better than that. He couldn't tell me why but he suspects because I play sport and excercise that I will do pretty well. I am pumped. I just can't wait.

Hi all I have been waiting over a month to get to my appointments and am only half way there! I saw the pysician on the team on Tuesday and was filled with much joy! Due to my good health etc. I will be cleared for surgery if the surgeon agrees! I am to see the surgeon and dietician tomorrow and I hope to convince the surgeon to give me a date then and there. The nurse told me on Tuesday that the earliest appointment at this stage for the surgery is early May :smile: :cool: :eek:! I nearly flipped out! May, I can't wait that long. :tongue: I asked about cancellations and if the date could be brought forward, so they will keep that in mind. I don't hold out any hope for an earlier date though. Regardless, it will be my 40th birthday present to myself. :wink2: The joy was also that the cost of everything (surgery, fills, subsequent appointments etc) was $3500 upfront.:tt1: This was good news as I was expecting much more. The other info I got was: - 10 day strict Optifast diet before surgery - 28 days mushie stage after surgery - the surgeon puts 3 stitches in a flap of stomach near the band which will keep the band in place to alleviate any slippage (is this normal anyone?) - Before surgery they will put my legs in pressure bandages to reduce the incidence of DVT (again is this normal anyone?) - Hospital stay one night with the day after surgery having a swallow test and xray to see if the band has been positioned correctly and that there's no leakages and there's no restriction - The surgeon does three surgeries every Monday fortnight (darn it!) Then there's Easter and Labour day inbetween so an earlier appointment is looking grim! That's all I can remember from the first of my three visits. This week is odd as I had my two girls return to school yesterday, then my son starting prep today, with my appointments either side of those days. This week has been one roller coaster of emotions and I will be happy to see the end of it! Hugs to you all Kylie Melb

Congrats to both of you. I did a similar thing on 4 Jan. I have given up the diet pepsi. I used to drink a couple of glasses each day. I haven't touched a fizzy drink since then. I am also filling up on Water. I can't get enough of it now. I monitor my intake and have a huge glass full before lunch at work, then hope it will tide off those hunger pains at 3pm! I know my skin is better for the water, but I just feel bloated all the time! I am also chewing more. I have found that tedious, but have found that I have awful back teeth which need filling and it's hard! I do chew chewing gum every day but I never swallow. I would try to wean myself off that, but I just can't yet. I haven't decreased what I eat yet, but will soon. I am still eating what I normally would since it's pretty much good stuff anyway, but will need to get my mindset around making the portions smaller. For interest, we share a chicken between 2 adults and three kids and generally there is enough left over for my husbands luch...and he eats enough for two sometimes. I wish you both the best.

Good luck to all of you. My tummy is fluttering with excitement for you guys.:wink: I can't wait for my first consult on 29 Jan....only 15 days away....CMON already! :welldoneclap:

Dana, don't get me wrong. I don't feel that guilty. It's almost a feeling like, now I have made the decision, I can now just sit back and not have to battle to lose kilos. It's almost like a 'weight' (sorry for the pun) has been lifted. I can't wait for my first appointment! I am really excited by the prospect, that the intensity and the fight will come back once I am banded. I am inspired by all here believe me. Thanks

Thanks all. Interesting views. The more I read on this board, the more I want it more. I am trying not to get too excited as my surgeon might have other opinions! I intend on telling my closest friend only and that's it. Of course my husband and kids will know but I don't want to be judged either. I do feel ashamed that I need this surgery too, but others don't need to know my dirty laundry. I am a very honest person, and I know people who see me will ask what I have done to lose all the weight. I am going to have to stand strong with my answer and tell them a little white lie. :eek: It takes strength and determination, and a sense (for me anyway) of feeling like I have lost the fight to be thin and healthier. I have had enough of being big, and like most of you I have done many weight loss programs with some success, but I am back to more than when I started. It feels good to be able to talk about something that will ultimately be successful for me, but it will take hard work and a lot of support. I know I can do it. Hugs to everyone

Hi all I am Kylie a 39yo from Melbourne. This is my first post here because I am pre-band with my first consult on 1 Feb. I have been researching this topic for some weeks after my GP suggested Lap Band Surgery the second time! Should have listened the first time. I am nearer to 100kg than I would like. Earlier in the year I was 90kg but my dad got very sick in Feb and I eventually lost him to prostate cancer and my brother-in-law to a heart attack both in September. I play netball three nights per week, have three young kids and am sick of being big. My size is not in my tummy area but my thighs and my massive bottom!:biggrin1: I describe myself as a Serena Williams without the boobs! I will do this with trepidation as I guess we all have been through the flutters thinking about this life changing event. But I am interested in the emotional side of things like: What will it be like to walk into a shop and buy anything fashionable off the racks? What will it be like to walk past 'My Size' without walking in to buy something? How did it feel during the journey to your goal? What was it like to make the changes in your lives? Was it a constant battle? I am 'vomitphobic':) so is it likely I will vomit! I have read most of the aussie thread and I just love the pictures. I would love to add mine, when the time is right though. I would love to be an inspiration to others just like you have been for me. I look forward to learning and sharing from and with the list here more. I am tempted to start the Optifast now, but that might sabotage my first appointment, but I am sick of being this size..... Hugs Kylie