Sunwyse

The only thing I'm going to say on this issue is: I'm not forcing you to have an abortion, don't force me to keep a child I might not want.

I also wax my arms when I can be bothered. Yep I have PCOS too. I used to have almost a small beard at once stage, but after 4 years of electrolysis - at 1 hour a week for about 6 months to start with! Its finally barely noticeable, but I still pluck out a few each day. The arms are nowhere near as hairy as they used to be, but still hairy than a lot of guys. I just can't be buggered to get them waxed all the time. I do like the look after they've been done though. I've had a couple of brazillians. I'm still a big girl, I don't care what others think, if I want it done I'll get it done, no matter what size I am. Anyway, its like waxing anything else, the more you do it the more desensitised you become to the pain. I do think the worst bit is the hair in the crack of your behind though. That's a sensitive area!

Hi Bronnie, you need to do a couple of things. First you need to have the photos already online somewhere. Photobucket and flickr are the most popular for hosting. Once the photo is hosted elsewhere, you have to get the url of the photo. eg. http://www. thehosting website .com/your account name/name of pic .jpg. Just highlight the url and then copy it. When you go to post a reply here, you will see a little yellow picture at the top of the reply box, that sort of looks like a square letter. If you go to the very bottom of this page where the quick reply is, you'll see them. You have an A, B, I, U etc. 2nd from the right is the picture symbol I'm talking about. Click on that then paste the url in the box that appears. And that's pretty much all there is to it :scared2: Michelle

I've been allergic to oranges all my life. Strange cause I can eat any other citrus, just not oranges. I've heard they are supposed to be an issue, but aren't necessarily for everyone. Just depends on what works for you after I spose.

The best advice I can give you is to do your research. There are pros and cons for each. At the end of the day, lap band is reversible and doesn't cause permanent change to your body if it is removed. That's why I'm going with it. But you need to research which is best for you. Do you know any surgeons in your area who do both? They might be a bit more unbiased about what is best in your individual case, than a surgeon who just does one or the other.

Biggestloser2be, I think your spot was when you had that .5 out. Being able to eat almost anything after having chewed the life out of it, is what everyone should be aiming for. Having restriction to the point where you can hardly eat is just as dangerous and damaging as the way we ate before, in my opinion. It should be about losing weight sensibly and re-learning what is a healthy amount to eat. Not about who can eat the least!

Astrid, can I ask what level of hospital + extras cover you have? I'm thinking about insurance shopping to prevent myself having to pay a large sum at the end. Michelle

Kylie, you will get out of those habits, but it won't happen straight away. Even 3,4 years gown the track, you are going to be out shopping and catch yourself in the plus size clothes section before you realise. Its just human nature. But just as buying larger clothes and thinking of yourself as the fat one are habits, so will be the thin one and buying smaller clothes become habits, they may just take longer to get used to Michelle

Hi Chickie, I have joined the group, I just thought there might be some people here who aren't there From what I can find out, it sure has gone up!

If you are posting this question here, then you don't have confidence in her enough to go again. Confidence in the surgeon's ability is paramount to a successful recovery I believe. If you have doubts going into it, anything could happen. Definitely write this one off and request another surgeon or go and find another surgeon.

You don't need it for the op but you do for your own health

Can we hear a 'me too'? I first heard about the band from a friend on another forum, she had it Feb last year. It took me til October last year to decide I was going to do this. Then in December I read 'The Secret' and decided I could do this myself, I didn't need surgery. Well, um no. I can't. So the operation is back on and I've started making steps toward it. Currently I'm on a Meal Replacement diet, but only because I need to lose 4 or 5 kilos (8-10 pounds) to stop the back ache I feel a lot. Then I just need to monitor my weight until October this year when I can finally have the operation. Michelle

Your body needs X amount of calories to be able to heat itself. It sounds like you aren't eating enough. And losing that much weight is far too much too quickly. It sets you up for all sorts of complications. Go and see your doctor ASAP and ask to have the fill adjusted. You need to be eating more!

I'm looking at getting my band done by Dr Bowen through the Wesley and I just wondered if anyone else here did and how much were the out of pocket expenses? Also, if you have health insurance, how much did they cover? I know some cover more than others. I'm with HBA and they only cover upto 50% of the doctor's bill. Michelle

Kylie, that's excellent news. woo hoo baby!! Just an aside, my sister and her partner live in Greensborough. We go to Melbourne roughly once a year to visit my family. I kinda grew up all over the northern side :thumbup: Michelle

Bronnie, that's excellent news! Congrats. It also gives me hope that I can get down to a size 12 at least (hoping for a size 10). Michelle

I read on another website that just as you start to feel better from the surgery, you hit a wall. Exactly what all of you are describing. The explanation was it takes about 2 weeks for your body to figure out how to convert the fat for its caloric needs, so it sounds like you are all on track, just doesn't feel like it. Congrats on the success of the ops.

I read about a friend's story on another forum I was on at the time. At first I was against this idea for me. 8 months later I changed my mind. I tried a couple of diets in that time and basically ended up bigger than I started. I'm 40, 4'11 or 5' (depending when I measure) and I don't know my weight in pounds, but my BMI is 45 so you can tell I'm not a small girl by any means, just a short one. I immediately took out health insurance and have to wait 12 months before they will pay for the op. That was October. In that time I've changed my mind, come back to banding then questioned if I should have some other surgery. I'm well known in my family for having a fluxuating mind! I am going ahead with the band. Surgery doesn't bother me. I've had my gall bladder out about 7 years ago and it was done through the same procedure as this one, so I know I'll be fine with that. What does concern me is the permanent change other methods make. At least with the band if something goes wrong it can be taken out and I'm basically back where I started. I don't for one minute consider myself not 'normal'. With obesity on the rise and more than 50% of people in my country being at least overweight, hey, I'm the normal one! I'm in the majority. Its just that the entertainment industry shoves skinny people down our through that we feel like lepers. I'm going ahead with the operation. I need the assistance of a little plastic band to help me to know when to stop eating. Fine. Some people need body parts to help them live a normal life. I need this instead. No big deal. If my eating habits have to change, then good, they aren't doing me a world of good now! As for complications, one of the biggest factors for a successful outcome is your state of mind when you go in. Being positive won't stop a complication if its going to happen, but it doesn't cause them either. I plan on being extremely positive about the whole process. Michelle

Hi Ky, welcome to the forum and congrats on the surgery. I have to wait til October, but that's ok, it means I have plenty of time to research things and mentally prepare for what will happen. I'm in Brissy myself. Michelle

Nope, you're right, no insurance company will pay for cosmetic surgery (which is what this is classed as). They will pay for plastic surgery, which is re-constructive, say after an accident, getting a hair-lip removed, things like that.

That's great news about the date :tongue2: I've been told I might have to expect upto $10,000 out of pocket expenses. But I'm hoping that person didn't have health insurance. Does anybody know the best health insurance company to go with, to get the most cover?

I'm saddened by all the stories and posts I read about the difficulty you all have. In Australia its so much easier. All insurance companies cover the surgery, you just need to make sure the level you are paying for includes it. We also have medicare, which is a part government payment. To get the part government payment all you need is for your GP to write a referral letter to the surgeon of your choice. To get the insurance payment you simply need to wait their waiting period - 12 months. And that's it. As long as your GP says you need it and the surgeon agrees, you can go ahead. After 12 months paying health insurance, I am looking at paying between $2,000-$4,000 for the operation. Michelle

According to my screen you posted this one day and deleted it the next, or maybe where you are you posted it early morning and deleted it same night? You have to give people a chance to see what you post. There are lots of people on here all the time I'm sure, but maybe the people with the answers weren't on yet. Don't be in such a hurry.

You know its possible that both sides are telling the truth. Maybe it was all faxed to the wrong number to begin with?

You can also cut long, thin strips of cabbage and steam it until cooked then put pasta sauce on it. It doesn't taste like spaghetti, but gives you the sensation of eating it.