Sunwyse

I can't get my op til October but I've started to remove coke from my diet. Well actually it started with coffee, then the coke zero went cause it has caffeine in it. Now I drink caffeine free, sugar free coke and very soon that will go as well and be replaced by cordial.

Young babies aren't spitting it out, they simply haven't learnt to control their tongues yet. The action of sucking is completely different to swallowing, especially for bottle-fed babies. They have to learn to put there tongue in a completely different place and make a different action with it. Not easy while trying to eat at the same time. Actually, the baby food in Australia is quite tasty, but then I've never been a big salt fan. You need to remember baby food is made for babies. You have adult palates. They haven't had a chance to develop their tastes yet. And since baby food is made for their tastes and not adults, its not surprising you find it bland. Add a bit of spice like suggested and go for it. Otherwise, add a small amount of Protein powder to the fruits and custards and go with that instead.

food divides into 3 categories and 3 only. Protien, Fat, Carbs. If it aint a fat or a carb its Protein. Doesn't matter what source it comes from, soy, animal or other plant. All protein is protein. There was a lot of confusion for vegetarians a few years back with people being advised to combine Proteins. Basically, theres about 14 animo acids we can't make ourselves so we have to get them from food. One of the easiest ways is from another animal, as all the ones we need are there. But you don't have to have animal flesh in order to be getting everything you need. And you don't have to combine plant-based proteins in order to get them all either. The body is an amazing thing. It will work with what you give it and then when you eat something else it will take what it needs from that. As long as you eat a variety of foods, you will get what you need. With regard to doomsaying. Simply ask yourself one question, what does this person get out of saying that? There are numerous warnings about soy, but who are making these warnings? I've only heard anti-soy comments from pro-meat advocates. Asian cultures, especially Japan and China, have lived on soy for centuries. I do not think they have a substantially higher rate of Alzheimers.

What about a liquid breakfast? In Australia we have a product called "up and go" which is essentially a bowl of Cereal and milk in a milk drink form. You could look at having a Meal Replacement shake for breakfast and maybe a piece of fruit? Just til you get into the habit of eating at that time then you could look at other options. Michelle

Congrats on getting the date, Kylie. Look on the bright side, at least you will be able to enjoy easter! lol I know it seems a fair way away, but its already Feb. The time will just fly! Michelle

She stands in front of you and makes those comments point blank? She's not naive. She knows exactly what she's doing. She is nasty, end of story. You can take one of Mrs. M's excellent suggestions (I especially like #2) or the next time she does this, simply look her squarely in the eyes and in a voice loud enough for everyone else to hear, tell her you pity her. That you pity anyone who is so shallow they can't accept people for who they are. I'd also tell her I'm so sorry she grew up in a home where she felt she had to be skinny to be accepted. Might not be true, but I'd wager it is. Don't just let it slide. You don't have to take this and you shouldn't.

Thank you everyone for the support :tt1: I know the year is gonna fly, its just when I look at those before & after pix, I wanna have it now :confused:( Soriminah, good luck with the appointment (or did you have it already?). Hope all goes well. Who knows, we may even cross paths when getting a fill one day.

If you are hiding food and find yourself making excuses to eat (like "I worked off the previous") then its not the food. You are filling some other need, usually emotional. Address the emotional needs.

The idea of goal setting is to see success regularly. By setting smaller goals more often you are much more likely to keep going. Nothing like setting a goal of say 5 kilo (10 pound) and achieving it. Gives you incentive to reach the next goal.

Cheza, ring the surgery and ask the receptionist if you are required to stay in Perth for a length of time. The doctor may want to see you a week after the op or a few days or maybe not until the month is up. Explain you are trying to make accommodation plans and they will be more than willing to help.

This is good news. Here I was thinking I had to do optifast for 6 weeks before the surgery and wondering how on earth I was going to last that long! If its only 2 weeks I'll be able to manage. *phew*

That's great news Mrs M. Congratulations on all going so well.

I had my gall bladder out 7 years ago through the same procedure. I still have scars. They'll never go, so I'm expecting pretty much the same thing this time, but I don't care. 5 small scars on my tum is worth the hassle of the op I think.

I've only had one problem with a surgeon. I had to have my gall bladder out and just after the op, I came out of sleep to see 2 men standing over me, the surgeon and his assistant. The surgeon told me they had done key hole surgery but almost had to cut me open because I was too fat, I should lose weight. Great thing to tell someone who's still half asleep!

Turler, just a thought. Do you think that maybe the way you assume everyone will react is just your imagination? It is quite possible that they will be supportive and maybe the whole issue of them watching everything you eat is really just your own issue? If you do do fantastically well, then you can always come clean about what the operation was really about. I think you might be making more stress for yourself than you need to on this.

Hey Patchelton, I'll be 41 on 12 Feb! Great birthday, huh?

redrockgirl, you aren't ready to let go of those clothes, so don't. There is no rule anywhere that says you have to get rid of them. There are probably a lot of memories tied up with them. So keep them. Get yourself a nice outfit or two in a smaller size to have ready for when the weight starts to drop, but keep your clothes until you reach a time when you do feel you can let them go.

Hi Melanie, I was anti operations for years. I felt I should be able to do this on my own. I watched Biggest Loser and thought if they can do it, so can I. Well, I can't. Simple really. So now I've started the ball rolling on having the operation. I simply decided that its not about what I should or shouldn't be able to do, its about what I can do - and for whatever reason, I cannot lose weight and keep it off on my own. I haven't had anyone tell me I'm cheating or taking the easy way out, but then I haven't really talked to many people. Just tell them to walk a mile in your shoes (or body) before they pass judgment. Its nobody's business but your own and its your body to do with what you want. Good luck with your journey. Its your life, you do what's best for you and hang everyone else!

Hi Joan, I have my first appointment 13 Feb as well Don't kick yourself too much on not doing it last year. We each do it when we are ready to and not before. Best of luck on your appointment.

Christine, this is wonderful news! It's lousy timing, but at least you now have the opportunity to find a new doctor who will be supportive as you travel this new path. You've done all the hard part, you only need that letter. Great! Contact the surgeon, explain the situation and ask him/her to recommend a GP who has given consent in the past. Or just ask the receptionist for a GP other have come through. It should take a week at most to get through this hurdle then you're on your way. Best of luck

Beena, just remember, going to that appointment isn't agreeing to have the op. Going to the appointment is simply going to find out information. You can go to 100 appointments and never have the op. You can even be in the hospital about to go for the op and still back out! No-one is going to force you to do something you don't want to. At this stage you are simply gathering information. You may get there and find this procedure isn't right for you anyway, but you won't know until you get there. So what makes this work? Well I have yet to get it done, but from everything I've read, you simply can't eat the same way anymore. At least you can't eat as much. Going from being able to eat a burger, fries and icecream to being only able to eat 3 tablespoons of food is a huge difference. The band won't lose the weight for you. As I say, it won't take your body out to exercise while you sleep. It will support your own efforts and stop the sliding back down the slippery dip after you've lost a certain amount. You still have to put in the effort but that effort is now supported by the band. Will it work for you? Look at it this way. Your body is not unique. It works the same way every other human body works. As for storing fat, it works the same way everyone else's body with this problem works. You are not unique in this regard. The simple fact is, if you stick with the diet & exercise requirements you can't not lose weight. Simple. It is a big step to take and you are very brave for even considering it. Well done you! At the end of the day only you can say if this is right for you, but the first step in finding out is just going to that appointment. Remember if you go, you will walk in and maybe 1 hour later walk out again. You won't have the operation! You won't have any holes in you and you won't have any tags saying you've been to see a weightloss surgeon! No-one will know. If you are serious about doing this, then go to that appointment, then rethink the process.

Hi Terri, your story is the same as countless others, lost stacks of weight over a life time, then put it all back on plus some! Research is only just starting to understand why some people simply cannot keep the weight off. My personal brick wall is 7 kilo (14 pound). I lost that much then all hell seems to break loose. I just can't seem to lose under that. Of course, when I do lose it, I put more on. The fact you can lose weight is good. The lapband doesn't make you lose weight. It restricts your stomach so you naturally feel fuller sooner for longer, but that's all. There are ways to cheat it if you really want to. Instead, you have to still do the work. All the band does is support you in your efforts, so if you put in the hard work, the band stops you from putting it back on. Its meant to be seen as permanent but can be taken out for whatever reason and there's minimal damage to the body & none to the stomach at all. The fills are also adjustable, so if too much goes in, you aren't stuck with it permanently. Also, if you get pregnant or really sick, some can be taken out for that period of time. My family are ok with the idea, but my partner is against it. Doesn't matter. He will support me, but he's not the one that has to live in this body, with the symptoms I'm starting to have. Tell your parents you love them and know they love you, but its your body and your life. At the end of the day, only you can decide what is right for you. Best of luck in coming to that decision.

Hi Harley, my first step was getting the referral from my GP. Its a little different in Australia. I visit the surgeon's nurse on 13 Feb for the initial visit and then need to wait til October for my waiting period with health insurance to end. I can't wait, it is very exciting. I hope it all goes quickly and smoothly for you.

I have to agree, think very carefully. Getting surgery in Mexico is fine, but I'd keep that for things like cosmetic surgery or once off things. Lapbands require you to repeatedly go to the Dr for the fills and various check ups. Can you afford to be going to Mexico each month for years, possibly life, to have the check ups? When you weigh it all up, paying for it out of your own pocket in your own country, will cost you a lot less in the long run than going elsewhere.

Turler, don't they suggest at least a week off work after surgery? I hope you aren't trying to push yourself to be back before you need to be.