nat36

Thanks girls, I kind of knew what the answers would be but I hate the thought of being incapacitated and not being able to do for myself. I guess I will book the plane flight.

Just wanting to know how long until you can drive after surgery? Dont know if I should fly or drive to Perth from Geraldton which is about 4 hours away

I have a question??? how long before you can drive? I live about 5 hours from Perth so am trying to decide how I will make the journey to and from.

I called Doc Watson in mid January and was given the initial consult on Feb 19. About a week after I called I sent him an email to find out how long it would take for a surgery date and he offered to book right away. Because my partner is getting banded with me we couldn't get the both of us in together until March 19. Very exciting! Were private patients and its costing us $1950 each in gap.

See you on the 19th Emma I am also being banded by Watson then. Have a consultation with him next Tuesday the 4th.

Im banded on the 19th March and due to start opti on the 5th. One thing Im really worried about is the fact that I am not really a sweet tooth so the thought of drinking only sweet stuff makes me gag thinking about it. I know Im going to struggle.

I never stop thinking about what might be and the clothes I might wear, but i only think might at this stage because like the rest of you Im still worried that for some insane reason it wont happen and I will be destined to a life of fat forever.

Insurance in Australia seems way easier than America, you join a company of your choice and after a year you go ahead and get the surgery no questions asked. It does cost to have high enough coverage to be fully covered.

I am due to be banded on the 19th March and I am counting the hours already. I am so glad I have this forum or I would drive everybody nuts talking about it all the time

I have had a contraceptive implant for about 7 years and as far as I can tell had had PCOS for about the same time, a coincidence?? My Dr says there is no connection but Im not convinced. I have not had a period since i had the implant and wonder if this may be part of the reason. Within a year of the implant I went from 80kg to 130kg.

I am also on metformin and Im wondering if anyone experiences low sugar, if I have a salad at work for lunch I get seriously woozy by afternoon. I am worried about the Optifast phase preband. Any suggestions would be great.

Was wondering if anyone has PCOS and been put on metformin to try and help? I am taking 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I find when I eat the usual rubbish, white bread for lunch etc... Im fine but if I have salad my sugar drops and by afternoon I am shovelling milo into my mouth to try and stabilise it. Im a bit worried about the Optifast thats coming next month I dont want to have low sugar as well as the other stuff that goes with fasting. I will check this out with my Dr but thought someone might have already had the same experience

Head hunger is doing my f.....g head in today. I am FULL but still trolling the cupboards for something else. This is my first week back at school and my husband has gone back to the mines. Not even harsh self talk can pull me out of this one. Help!!!!!

Im from Geraldton WA about 400km from Perth on the coast. Lovely spot if you love the beach and fit into a bikini aaaaaaaaargh!!

Hi Ky

Congratulations you have taken the first step. I am still waiting for the surgery (19th March). I am also from Australia.

I dont get it doesnt EVERYBODY even those of us not struggling with weight want the best angle?. How many times have I seen on TV the stars walking the red carpet and as soon as they see a camera immediately turn to their good side or whatever. Nobody wants to look bad.

I think 20kg is a realistic achievable goal, well thats what I am hoping for also, anything more will be a huge bonus. Sometime I forget what I have become until I am walking down town and suddenly see this huge woman stalking me, then I remember oh its me.

Thats good, hopefully that will satisfy my need to chew.

Mrs M - looks like you and I have very similar goals. My op is scheduled for 18 March. My biggest fear is 'what if it doesn't work' too. I'm paying out of my Super and THIS IS GOING TO WORK!.

Laying in bed I visualise my new body, and I've even put on the back of my bedroom door an outfit I WILL fit into by the end of the year. I can look at it and visualise myself in it for New Years.

I'm going to start my Optislim phase next week so I get 4 weeks of it to really kick start me along. I have PCOS so I'm fully expecting that I may be slower losing so I want to get a head start.

I look forward to following your progress. As I said we've got very similiar goals so we'll be able to help each other keep our eyes on the prize.

You can put me in that group of similar thinking people. I have a dress in the cupboard, its pretty old and I may not wear it out but I am hanging on to the hope that I will put it back on by the end of the year. I constantly imagine how I might look but am terrified that I will fail. I also have PCOS so that scares me because last year I went to curves religiously and lost a grand total of 4kg.

I am booked for surgery on the 19 March and I cant wait. I dont go anywhere because I am constantly thinking I am the fattest person in the room and I feel so ashamed. My husband is hot and I hate meeting his friends, if we run into them in the street I usually keep walking or hide in the aisle. I cant wait to feel good about myself again.

Can you eat the Optifast bars pr-op?

I'm new... I've actually been on the site a lot lately, but wasn't sure when my surgery date was so I didn't want to post yet. Didn't want to jinx anything. My surgery date is February 20th. I was so excited on January 1st when I got approved from my insurance, but now I am just nervous as all get out after getting my surgery date. It doesn't seem like it is really gonna happen. Did anyone else feel like this? Anyways, I'm glad to be here and to have found a community of people who will understand what I am about to go through!!!

Yes I feel just the same. I have waited over 18 months since first deciding to get to her (my date is march 19). I still think I will feel like it wont happen until I am back in the ward and its all over. Goodluck with your journey.

Holy crap how have you not decked her by now???? I know you should be the bigger person and all that but how dare someone make so many assumptions. That is just straight out insensitive rude and ignorant. Dont let it go she needs to learn that its not acceptable at all. We all have our own stories we are not just a bunch of food loving cows. What an idiot.

Well disappointing news - emailed Doc Watson to confirm the feb 27 date was for both me and my partner but he said he couldn't fit both of us in till Mar 19th - even separately. So a bit longer of a wait now. We're bitterly disappointed but know our time will come.

Emma I am supposedly booked in for the 19th March with Dr Watson. He gave me that date via email so now I am worried and going to check on Monday I couldnt handle waiting any longer.

Hi Eveeryone Tomarrow Is The Big Day For Me I"m Scared To Death And Very Excited All In One

GOODLUCK!!:rolleyes2:

Good luck Mrs M but Im sure you wont need it. I have a few fears about surgery but its more like "oh my god what if they have to lift me while Im out and Im too heavy" sounds so stupid when I write it but its the kind of thing that goes thru my brain every day, Im constantly thinking will this shine the light on my weight? I cant wait to get this fat suit off once and for all and just do things without thinking about it.

Hi I have been banded for over 3.5 months now and am very aware of what you are and what you will be going through, if I could give you a couple of pieces of advice it would be to take it one day at a time, forgive yourself if you do slip up and make sure that everyone that you socialize with is aware of what you are going to be doing - cause believe it or not if you have other people asking you about your progress etc you will not even want the fatty foods! the other thing that I would tell you / beg you to do if you think that you are going to go through withdrawals when you start the pre-op diet talk to your dietitian about natural pain killers!! I was in extreme pain - with headaches because I was a sugar junkie and within an hour of taking the natural tonic my dietitian made up for me I was human again!

I wish all of you good luck with your journeys!

Thanks Nat

I will look into these natural pain killers. This is my big fear because I work with children with special needs I dont want to be feeling crappy at work.

I have fallen off the wagon a couple of times but I figure once I am banded the real work starts so as long as I start again the next day Im not being too hard on myself yet. I have found it easy to drink lots of Water and less sugary stuff and I have found some new healthy recipes that my family have actually started requesting for dinner (cant be a bad thing if they benefit too)

I would also like to add my wishes for Jen. Keep us posted how she is.

Hi Caterpillar

The vanilla sucks - but I doctored it with frozen berries and some Spenda. (I was allowed as Doc said "do your best". I also loved the strawberry Optishakes. And Capuccino are okay.

And hey, I LOVE brussels sprouts!!! :tongue:

Good luck with your surgery :eek:

What is spenda?

Maybe you should write in to this magazine and explain the real story and the challenges faced by these so called "cheaters"