Sunwyse

I self diagnosed my Seasonal Affective Disorder when I was 18 then had 2 doctors confirm the diagnosis (which is required in Australia). I started out on Lovan when I was about 20,21 just taking it in winter when the worst of the depression hits. Since then its been increasing and now I'm on them all the time. This is the first year I've had to take them in January (mid summer here). I've also found my moods to be swinging at other times, not just with seasonal changes, so I'm waiting to get an appointment with a psyche to see if I'm actually bipolar. I think I might be. In this time I've managed my own meds, increased a dose or decreased as I've seen fit. I have a very close relationship with my body and know the signs of mood changes. The doctor trusts my decisions on this matter. I'm interested to see how having the lapband will affect my medication level, I know I'm going to have to 'play' with the amount again, but its not going to stop me having the band.

10 litres! Crikey, I'm hard pressed to drink 2. How on earth does anyone get down 10 litres in a day???

Hello m2o, congrats on bubby and welcome to the forum. As for getting a refill, good on you I say. I think having a band without a fill when you need one is like having an exercise bike you use to drape clothes over. For some reason nobody quite knows, the whole diet/exercise thingy on its own just doesn't work for some of us. Well done on making the decision to go back and get it done again. Hoping to see a big drop off soon. Michelle

Congrats on getting the date lellow. Great stuff. I'm glad it can all be done to fit in with uni as well. Here's sending you lots of get well quick vibes so you can at least me in the mood to sit and listen for your training course.

next time why not simply offer to go halves with one of your friends? A lot of people I know won't eat an entire meal on their own so sharing a meal can be an option. You won't even be eating half anyway, so they won't starve and you can always order an extra side portion to bulk it out a bit. Just about every restaurant I know will make changes to one of their meals. You can have something left out, something added or change the portion size completely. Why not simply find something you like and ask them to do it in an entree size next time?

Hi Jan, welcome to the forum. You'll find everyone here pretty friendly and supportive! I have my first appointment on the 24th and will be arranging my surgery for late October. Its been an interesting and long year for me. Welcome aboard!! Michelle

Well I contated his office and it will cost me $5,000 out of pocket after health insurance so I think that wouldn't really matter which one I go to. I'm calling tomorrow to make my appointment for September. I figure making the first appointment for one month before I can have it done is the minimum amount of time I will need. And doing it now means I also get in the door. Or maybe I should make it for this July so I can get a surgery date as soon as possible? Its all so exciting, but so confusing! lol :thumbs_up:

Well, I was thinking Greenslopes. I've heard they are excellent, but if Ipswich is cheaper, I might go there.

There are quite a few and you will be pretty much the same out of pocket no matter who you go with. I'm looking at going with Dr John Copp who performs surgery in Greenslopes and Ipswich. His website is Lap Band Surgeon in Australia, Dr. John A Copp - Obesity Surgery for Effective Weight Loss, Queensland Australia

Hi Ozscot, I've decided to go with Dr John Copp. I'll be getting the opp in October, the earliest I can because I have to wait out my 12 month waiting period for health insurance. It's taken ages, but it's also gone by so quickly!

Hi everyone, been a long time since I've been here. I took off for a while cause the wait til I can have the op was so long. I still have 3.5 months to go, but it seems like its just around the corner now, instead of waaaaaay into the distance. I'm planning on taking 2 weeks off work cause I work in child care and its not exactly 'light' work - all the bending and lifting children, etc. I might talk to the doc and see if he recommends longer. So, I'm still around.

Gee, when I read the heading, I thought you meant you died on the table!! Sorry, can't help.

I agree, there isn't much you can do. No vitamin or trace element etc, is going to speed up the rate your skin shrinks back. It just takes time. It can take up to 2 years. If you're older, you can try skin care with collagen or retinol A which are supposed to help with elasticity, but really only a minute amount.

Dawn, I take it you are in Arizona? Is this the American tax system you are talking about? In Australia you can't claim the whole amount. Well, you can but you won't get the whole amount back.

We have something similar here. Limits biscuits. The idea is you replace 2 meals a day with between 2-4 biscuits (cookies). If you get the chocolate ones, then its 2,if you get the savory, then its 3 or 4. I just think that so isn't enough to fill my tummy!

I did NutriSystem years ago, lasted about 5 weeks because the amount of food allowed just didn't fill me. They actually went bankrupt in Australia and closed down about 10 years ago.

The $4,500 for Dr Bowden is out of pocket AFTER insurance is taken into account. In fact, most of those prices you quoted are. That's why I've decided not to go with Dr Bowden, he's a great doc, but I just can't afford the $10,500 after insurance and medicare.

It doesn't sound corny at all! I can understand exactly where you are coming from.

The band isn't inflated. There is no air in there so you can't deflate it, it gets filled with liquid. As for not wanting to rush to the doctor, that's what they are there for.

If any doctor (or anyone else for that matter) tells you of a surgical procedure that is 100% complication free - run away from them very fast!! Honestly, we are talking about the human body here. All manner of things can happen. No surgeon in their right mind is going to say a procedure will be complication free - not at least until after its happened. As for a few check ups then once a year, I don't know where you got your information from. It is an individual process of fill and un-fill until the right amount is found for you. Then you have to go back every 6 months as the biggest gap FOR THE LIFE OF THE BAND INSIDE YOU. That is, as long as the band is inside you, you have to go back every 6 months. The reason for this is that a teensy, tiny amount of the Fluid can leak out of the band and you will lose a tiny amount of restriction. We are talking something like 0.3 ml here! But it needs to be topped up to ensure you stay at your happy spot. I think far too many people are seeing this as a quick fix, easy option. Its not. It involves a life time commitment to healthy eating and healthy living. The band does nothing at all on its own. It simply enables you to be able to keep to a diet, but you have to do the work. As I like to say, the band won't take your body out for a walk each night while you sleep. Before you decide ya or nay for you, speak to your doctor, go an info session and get some factual information. Once informed, then decide if this is something you want to do.

I think most of us had a dream or secret desire we wanted to do, but didn't because of our weight - either because physically we couldn't or emotionally we felt we couldn't. For me it was acting. I desperately wanted to be an actor but always felt my weight was an issue. I'd been told I had serious talent but I never pursued it. The other dream was working in hospitality. I've decided this one I can make come true after the op. I will be taking up an apprenticeship as a chef 6 months after my op. So, what about you? What was the dream? What was the thing you couldn't do then but will now?

Apparently, I'm Starr Dream-Thong. hm, in Australia a thong is a shoe! rofl

This is excellent news! Well done & WOO HOOOOO!

I'm very surprised your surgeon hasn't explained all this to you by now. It differs slightly with each surgeon, but the usual is 2 weeks of clear liquids only, followed by 2 weeks of mushy food - baby food consistency. Clear liquids can be clear fruit juices, water, etc. Some people also use milk based drinks or yoghurt toward the end of the 2 week period before going onto mush.

Danna, I work with children as well, so I know what you're going through. I'm a cook now, but when I did Optifast a few years ago I was an assistant in a kindy room. After 5 weeks I ended up getting seriously ill because my system was so depleted.