Sunwyse

Made my appointments today for the psyche and dietitian! Psyche is on 15 August - can't wait, it's one step closer.

The best advice I can give you is, you've made the decision to go ahead so concentrate on a positive outcome. Things can happen down the track, but they can also not happen. Don't stress over what may never be, take things as they come. Good luck.

Hi Danni, welcome to the forum, we're a pretty friendly bunch here really.

I've been told not to expect any miracles. PCOS means you lose weight slowly, the band is no different. Frustrating I know and as my op is in October, I'm still hopeful that my story will be different. Have you taken measurements? Sometimes we lose the weight at the same rate all over, so it can look like our biggest parts aren't losing any, but if you take a measurement you might be pleasantly surprised.

How's your friend going?

Stress would have added to the problem I think. I wonder though, if the reason it happens is our system is used to a certain mix of hormones and when that mix starts to change because of weightloss, our body sort of goes into shock and the hair growth stops? As soon as it recovers it gets back to something resembling normal. Just a thought...

And there are always going to be dinosaurs...er, I mean men, who just don't get it.

Australia has a pretty good medical system. Sure we have long waiting lists in the public hospitals, but hey, at least we can get FREE medical treatments here, even lap bands have been given to some in the public health system (costing them $0). We may bag our health system at times, but I have to say there is NOWHERE else in the world I would want to go than AussieLand.(with the possible exception of New Zealand).

Hope all has gone well lellow. See you back here soon :wink2:

You look awesome Danni!! And I aint just saying that cause I know you've had the surgery. It can be plainly seen by anyone. As for compliments, take them all as given. One thing I've learned about people, they don't like to give out compliments that much, so any given is a pretty big thing. Besides, you'll know if they are being insincere, its just a feeling. Way to go, girl!

I've heard a couple of people mention the hair loss, so I'm wondering if it isn't hormones trying to get back into balance? As for the run, I took a quick look at the link and it sounds like it was designed for people who might have been a bit overweight but more unfit than anything. Maybe for someone who has had excessive weight for a long time (ooh pick me!) it might be too much too soon. Slow it down a little and let your body guide you to what it feels ready to do when. Good luck with it all.

Chickie, I answered why not in my post above yours. Because a wax does NOT last 3 weeks for someone with PCOS. It lasts barely a week and is pretty much a waste of time and money. The only real solution is to either have laser, take pills to stop hair growth or hopefully, have hormones go back into balance after getting down to normal weight. A wax is a great suggestion for someone who doesn't have that much of a hair growth problem and if you can get it to last for 3 weeks, thats excellent. Most women with PCOS however, are not so lucky - and the Original Post was about women with PCOS.

PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Waxing is a good idea, but I have PCOS and a wax barely lasts the week. In fact by the seventh day I need to shave as I have long stubble (just not long enough to have it waxed again). As for shaving, if I'm going out and I shave in the morning, I have 6 O'clock shadow (worse than a 5 O'clock one!) by the time I need to get ready to go, so I if an event is coming up, I actually wait a few days so the hairs are long enough to do a decent job! I haven't shaved in ages. It is winter here (Australia) but even if it was summer, I still wouldn't be shaving. I can't reach the back at all and doing my lower legs is murder. After surgery, I'll be waiting till Xmas I think. (surgery is 22 Oct.)

Hi Jaclyn, its perfectly normal that you will be going through all this, your body has been through a major trauma. It doesn't matter that we willing have surgery, to our body its still a trauma. Its going to need a little time to settle down, I know its hard but just be a little more patient with it. As for your family, can you go for a walk or read a book in another room while they have dinner? You can let them know you want to have togetherness time with them still, but after they've finished their dinner would be best. As for seeing food, well that's quite normal too. Are you seeing these foods as things you are being deprived of now? If so, can you turn it into a positive by choosing to say these are things you choose not to have right now? It may help lessen the need for them. The hunger will be with you still for a bit, til you start getting the restriction. I've read that for some people this can be a big let down time, but please stick with it. Take it one day at a time. We are here for you. Another thing to consider, did you use food as a way to shove emotions down? When we get to a point where we can't do that anymore then all that anger and sadness we've been trying to bury under food suddenly comes up. Try keeping a journal and writing it all down. Let yourself cry if you need to, or take it out on your pillow. Allow yourself to experience whatever it is you are feeling. You are perfectly entitled to have your feelings. Michelle

Thanks Marie, I replied, but I wasn't as tactful as you

I am a woman who was diagnosed with PCOS at 22. I am now 41, so I've had it a few years and I know a fair bit about it. I know for instance that the jury is still out on whether fat causes PCOS or PCOS causes fat, but they never the less, go hand in hand. I know water retention has NOTHING to do with PCOS and is simply part of the weight. I know after trying just about every dammed diet in the world that my only solution is weight loss surgery. Now. I don't preach on what I don't know. Please Brian, tell me with what great experience you've had with PCOS that you are speaking about? You can have an opinion, that is one thing, but when you start spouting out medical opinion/advice on something you know NOTHING about, you are crossing a line and being dangerous. Oh yes one more thing. Not sure how old you are, but women no longer need men to tell them what they should and shouldn't do. Get a clue.

Not that I know of bindi, but you could just start one. Also, there are various yahoo groups. I'm in one for Australia but also Brisbane. I know there's a Sydney group you could look at joining.

I imagine they will essentially be the same, but if you do want to go to a few, why not ring various hospitals that offer the surgery and ask if they do seminars?

Hey Tess, I'm going with Dr Copp at Greenslopes 22 Oct. Isn't he great?

lol this is great news! I so can't wait to be there myself. The bras don't sound like too good a thing, but you could get yourself some size 16 for the mean time, til you reach goal. Congrats on the great job done!

Hi gladididit, welcome! There seems to be a high % of couples splitting up after a lap band. Its not about the partner, its about the person who has the surgery (in this case your ex). There are a lot of emotional reasons behind putting on weight, some of which we have no idea about until the weight starts to go, then we can't hide them or pretend anymore. Whatever her issue was, she is now in a place where she has to deal with it. Unfortunately, she's decided that isn't with you. Never mind, it just means someone else is out there waiting for you, when you are ready. Take your time and do the healing you need. We are all here for you. Michelle

Good luck Tess, I hope everything goes well for you. When you feel up to it, come back and let us know.

Please post the link, I'd like to reply *evil grin*

Hey Fanny, I'm with you! lol I tell people way too much at times. I have a saying - if you want to keep a secret and never be blackmailed, either tell no-one or tell everyone - I can't possibly tell no-one, so I'm left with telling everyone.

Jewels, this is great news. I've had to wait a year because in Australia, when you take out health insurance, you have to wait 12 months before you can claim for a "pre-existing condition", so I know how hard it is to have to wait that long. My waiting is up 22 October, I set my date on Thursday. I know it seems like forever, but the time is going to pass before you know it. All the best on the last remaining months.