PDG777

I decided not to take capsules.. so am on berocca disolvable multivitamins and chewable multivitamins. I did need antibiotics at one stage and tried the liquid ones but got thrush in the mouth.. went back to tablets and crushed them.. but now liquid and chewables the way for me..

I had clear fluids for 2 days, chicken and beef natural stock, then normal fluids (actually used the Optifast as I felt it had all the nutrients needed) did not drink anything high calory or high carbohydrate... after a week on that, went onto mushies.. soft scrambled eggs / baby food.. and then went on 'softer solids' if you like for about a week and then into normal food, but ensuring it was never dry, always moist.. and still do that now. I have not eaten bread since before the operation, nor pasta, and had a tablespoon of rice the other day with curry.. all OK... But it sort of follows your doctors advice.. Cheers and Good Luck

I am taking disolvable multivitamins (Berocca) in one of my bottles of water each day... plus a kids chewable multivitamin as it has some iron in it.. plenty of protein within the allowable limit....

I must agree with last post... I was banded in august 2008, I have followed the rules, even doing the optifast diet for 6 weeks not just 4 weeks, to ensure my liver was as 'fat less' as possible. I have worked with the rules, take a dissolvable mulvitamin each day, drink plenty of water in between.. 1 bottle of water with the multivitamin included, I have not had any problems at all... no food stuck, no pbing. Certainly had wind discomfort at the beginning, and port pain.. but that was caused simply because of the rolls of fat round my midriff pulling a bit on the operation site.. I would not hand mine back.. there was no way that any diet I went on could help - and I did stick to them! A few people I told before the op were wary and a couple just said it was too radical.. but talk to those people now.. when they see the difference in me and how happy I am with the weight loss so far (still a way to go) . and never to come back... Wow! It was exciting and yes, a bit frightening at the time, but I would not change it for the world. I am on a plateau at the moment, but my body shape is changing (for the better) I really believe if you follow the rules, and follow what a lot of bandsters have found out on this site... you have all the help at hand and can't really go wrong.. ... I wish you luck and hope you can work things out... as someone on this site said... when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired - well you just go for it. I have been healthier and better in myself to such a degree that it is hard to explain.... Good Luck..

Thanks everyone... it seems it is just one of those things that your system has to work through... though this plateau is nearly 2 months now... hoping this last fill will take more of an effect.... Cheers and Thanks...

Hi... I was banded in Mid August 2008. Have lost approx 21 Kgs since then.. but for the last 6 weeks have stopped and 'hovered' between 82.5 (181.5 lbs)and 81 Kgs (178.2 lbs). Got to 81 and thought great.. but back up to 82.5 and 82 - continually hovering. I am doing Curves for exercise, have had my 4th fill. The Dr said I was now up to 6mls and he did not want to push it and cause problems.. but I do not have an overly 'full; feeling after eating. My shape is definitely changing for the better.. I do not eat bread/pasta/rice or cakes and pastries.. mainly protein and veggies - I am really happy that I have lost what I have, but would like to see it break this awful plateau that I seem to be sitting on. Anyone with any ideas .. I handle eating OK during the day, but am inclined to eat a bit more of an evening.. but never enough that I actually have problems..I have never had food stick or had real band pain... so your thoughts would be much appreciated. Cheers for Now, Pat

Fantastic... thank you so much for writing in.. great post! and mega congratulations on attaining your Triathlon!

Thanks everyone for answering my question... I too have been having a monthly every two weeks, with breakthrough bleeding as well... a lot of tummy period pain all the time... I did not know estrogen was stored in the fat, so you have confirmed what I thought might be happening... thanks to you all. My weight has been stalled last few weeks, but since second fill is on the way again... so I expect I will have a lot of this going on for a while... it's great to understand what is causing it. Trish

Hi, I am from Central Coast as well... Umina - banded by Dr Caska at Woy Woy Private Mid August. Going great guns so far... had a bit of a plateau last 3 weeks, but going in for my second fill tomorrow. I have to say I have not had any cravings, had no problems in any way whatsoever - apart from the usual post-operation things, but really happy with the surgery, and looking forward to continuing steady weight loss... My surgery out of pocket expenses were just under the $4,000 (including 2 visits to the dietician) about half of the anaesthetist fee was refunded, and you can put the gap fee of 3,000 against your tax next year - refund of 20% of anything over 1500.00. Good luck with your op and weight loss.

I had the operation at the end of a bout of flu.. and for three weeks after the operation I coughed severely - not from the lap band but specifically from the flu, I was extremely worried and placed pillows against my tummy when coughing.. it was that severe... however, I was assured the stitches would not move and it seems that is correct... I have had no issues with bping or vomiting, but on the coughing front, I was amazed everything just held together.. so yes.. they must put those stitches in amazingly well. Cheers and good Luck.

I choose foods with as low carbs as possible.. my blood test results show that I am carbohydrate & glucose intolerant, and insulin resistant - prior to banding, While I hope all those are now correcting, I prefer to go low carb as I feel a lot better, fitter and happier. Eating items with more carbs does not get rid of the hunger. I am hoping that when I get to my goal weight that I can introduce a few more carbs as there are many foods I really enjoy but they are high carb... so later on just to introduce them slowly would be great.. but for the moment the least carbs the better as I have heard the first six months after banding are vitally important for initial weight loss... Cheers, Trish

I went on Optifast for six weeks prior to surgery - four weeks at doctors request.. but I don't mind Optifast... I lost 11Kgs before surgery and surgeon was very pleased as the preparation had been so good. On some weekends I had 1 evening meal of lean meat and salad - no carbohydrates. Hope that helps.

Very roughly speaking 1 Kg = 2.2 lbs so 20 Kgs would be about 44 lbs..

Yes... everyone I know has said how much happier I seem, and that I seem to project positive energy... I certainly feel so much happier and contented - empowered is the word... because you are finally in control... I have noticed that I communicate so much better with strangers as well..and they seem more responsive to me... it is amazing how it changes your outlook....Cheers, Trish

Hi... it's me again... the Aussie tax situation is that once you have paid out $1500.00 in medical/dental/optometrist etc you are able to claim back 20% of anything over the $1500.00. So save all medical receipts of costs that were not covered by medicare and/or your health fund..and you should be able to claim 20% back of that total. So it is a help.. if the gap fee is 3000.00, then you can claim 20% of the remaining 1500.00 which would be about $300.00. so it is important to include the gap for your anaesthetist and anything else you pay out for medical in the meantime. Again.. hope that helps..