lingling

Weight loss will help I am sure. Fat cells store oestrogen hormone, so if you have a lot of fat, you have a lot of oestogen putting your whole system out of whack. The other goal is making yourself less insulin resistant. eat like a diabetic, exercise your butt off, take metformin if you want and it helps, but all it did for me was give me periods and a lot more acne. The risk of not having a period at all is endometrial cancer - so you have to have one one way or another - Oral Contraceptive is the easiest but not recommended when overweight. Metformin was the other option for me but didn't like the side effects. I stopped Metformin, took Spironalactone for my acne (thank goodness) and had a Mirena IUD put in situ to make sure my endometrial lining was so low that I was not an endometiral cancer risk. And, failing my own efforts at weightloss and making me less insulin resistant, I am getting the band, hopefully it will fix the PCOS, if not, I'll stick with my mirena IUD until I want to have a baby then Clomiphene like you wouldn't believe and IVF if that fails. I have a great endocrinologist who taught me all of the above. Suggest you go in well armed with many questions! Good luck - and you will get there I am sure!

I believe that men looking at naked women is normal behaviour, same as watching porn - that's how their brains and hormones work. However I also believe it can be hurtful and devaluing to their partners. My way of looking at it is that the act of sex can be an arousing thing to watch, however objectifying actual individual women and just looking at their "beauty" is hurtful to me as I feel like he could just look at me as I am a woman! The act is something different. I do also agree with Renob, private time is private time - so long as he's still putting out and treating you like a lady - he's just silly enough to get caught!! They say it is defined as an "addiction" when it's impacting on your life and you cannot or do not change the behaviour. In this case it's more complex, it is impacting on your life not his, as it is hurting you and making you insecure. What you have to work out for you is does it hurt you enough to ask him to stop it, and if he cannot, then THAT is when it is a problem, the downloading in itself is not a problem per se.

Okay I am freaking out, with anxiety and excitement. My surgery is 2nd April at 9.15am. New Zealand is the first country to see the sun, so I will actually be having my op sometime during the day on the 1st of April for you guys in America!! Hence why I am freaking out a bit!! Have half packed my bag, have talked to as many people as possible about anesthetic, have made lists, changed my bedsheets, tidied up, stocked up the fridge with liquids. :biggrin: Weigh in tomorrow - am 7kg down as at today's weigh in 130.4 but let's see what the scales say with the doc!!! :thumbup:

Oh my god, so funny! Gaspains was me saying gas pains but with sloppy typing. (meaning the pains in the shoulder from blowing up your tummy) Wheatbags are fabric bag things full of wheat and you heat them up in the microwave (hope its called that in America!) and they are nice and warm. Like a natural heat pad Heated wheat bags by Lavender Lane NZ and singlets are eerr.. tank tops? ha ha, its Australian I just found out on Wikipedia!!! Guess we've been learning from our Auzzie neighbours!! Sleeveless shirt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Man, we get NOTHING like that over here!!

OOh good work on the ear plugs!! I have been packing my bag. I have got Singlet, PJ pants, underwear, mushy sox, sweatshirt, medication. Need to pack Ipod, earplugs, toothbrush/facewash/facecloth etc, and maybe a wheatbag for the gaspains. What is this GAS X????

I am not a scrapbooker - but I have started a scrapbook of this journey, I figure it will be theraputic! Any tips?

Hey Spirnat, welcome! Congrats, not long now! I am getting banded 2nd April, cannot wait. Very nervous about anesthetic though - but SOOOO cannot wait to be healthy!! :thumbup:

YEEEEAAAAHAHHHHH!!! Not long now! Welcome everyone. Thanks for the shout out Smilan! Yay for the 2nd of April!! Starting to get freaking excited about this!! Hoping it will quash the nerves of the surgery! My neighbour just said to me a good way to think about it is that I might be nervous but imagine if someone told me now that I couldn't have it, I'd be angry! - So i have to keep thinking of that!:thumbup:

Don't sweat it Sissy, I bet you that your body is going "WHOA, HANG ON A MINUTE! WHERE HAS MY food SUPPLY GONE!!! I'M NOT GIVING UP ANY OF MY STORAGE!!" Give it time and the body has no choice! And drink lots of Water - flushes out all the lard! ha ha. Keep it up!! This WILL happen!

Day 11 today for me too, thank goodness, although I must say it has not been that bad. Mostly I would love a wine (or three) but generally not that hungry at all. Getting pretty FREAKING EXCITED about getting skinny!!!!!:tongue_smilie:

Ha ha, I actually said "SHUT UP!!" outloud when I saw how amazing you look now! Unreal, a total success story. You look stunning!!!

(stole this from March bandsters group!!) There are so many different opinions about what to eat and not to eat post op, I thought it would be helpful to post the LAPBAND SYSTEM guidelines. Hope it's helpful. Recovery Here are some key points for your recovery in the first few days and weeks. First Days You can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside (Please call your surgeon if the pain persists after a few days). To prevent infection, your surgeon may tell you not to shower for a day or so after surgery. Try to walk as much as you can comfortably, so that you'll regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly. [*]First Week(s) During the first week after surgery, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it's not physically demanding. For more physically active jobs, allow yourself two to three weeks to recover. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activity and start a new exercise program. Note: Before engaging in any physical activity or exercise program, first consult your surgeon. Click here to learn more about Exercise Guidelines Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month after surgery, so you will be sure your recovery is going well, and have any questions answered. Dietary Guidelines After surgery, you'll need a new nutrition plan. You'll learn about the positive changes you can and need to make in your diet and lifestyle from your surgeon and/or dietitian. It's very important to follow your new eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the surgery. In the first few weeks after your LAP-BAND® System surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, after about six weeks, you will be able to eat solid foods. The First Few Days Post-Surgery It's extremely important to follow the eating and drinking instructions immediately after the surgery. This allows your new stomach pouch to heal completely and the LAP-BAND® System to stay in the right position. In the early weeks, it's crucial not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND® System. Vomiting will do this, while also increasing the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through the band. Right after the surgery, you can take an occasional sip of Water or suck on an ice cube. Don't take any more liquid than this, though. The day after the operation, you can take a little more Fluid but only a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose Clear Liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much. [*]liquid diet (1-2 weeks post-surgery) Your goal during the first few weeks is to protect the small stomach pouch so that you can heal properly. It can only tolerate thin liquids at this time. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water (small amounts at a time). Other liquids recommended during this phase include: clear broth or Soup (with no vegetables or meat, and not creamy) skim milk fruit juice no-sugar-added popsicles [*]Pureed Foods (3-4 weeks post-surgery) Now, you can start adding slightly textured foods. Think of the consistency of baby foods. This stage will help you transition to more solid foods later. Protein is very important for maintaining muscle while you lose weight. So, you should eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include: pureed skinless chicken or fish mashed potatoes peas low-fat yogurt or pudding [*]Please note: In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later, because they may contain too many calories. [*]Remember, it's more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your personal timing and progression into each dietary phase depends on your progress. In general, when it comes to your nutrition, you should follow the advice of your surgeon and/or dietitian. [*]Soft Foods (5 weeks post-surgery) Your meals can now include tender, cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew your food thoroughly. By not chewing properly, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction (obstruction of the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System). Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may still cause you problems, so it is better to eat softer foods that are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white meat (chicken or pork) and fish. If solid foods cause any nausea and vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask your doctor or dietitian for advice that is specific to you. Again, remember that vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND®.

Welcome guys!! good luck on your journeys, Great to have you as part of the group!

Great idea!! I dont know what I weigh as I have scales. As of 10 days ago I was 137.4kg on surgeons scales. I am day 10 of pre-op diet, and I bought some electronic scales today and I am 5.8kg down 131.6kg!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!!!

Bella the scarring is pretty minimal - better to have three scars than a big gut!!!

Oohh gooooo on... did you see how obscene mine are!!

Hey Superchilli! I am on day 10 tomorrow! Not long now!!!

Eeek, okay, having a freak out moment here. I am so very very scared of dying on the table. Need to be rational, but guys, what are the odds of me not pulling through this?

CONGRATS!! Will be up to your surgeon when you go back to work - mine said up to two weeks. He said first week walking to the letterbox will be exhausting and you will need a nap after lunch. I hope to be up and about second week doing stuff I need to get done - taking advantage of the time off! ha ha. But don't forget its a huge psychological thing to get around - more time off the better!

Yeah, I took mine a few days before I started Pre-op diet. Took some in different outfits and in underwear too - but I wont be posting them on here!! haha.

Hi Tracey Good on you for taking a positive step and joining up to find out more. I too was apprehensive about the journey - and I started investigating it more than two years ago - but decided I was too scared and I was being lazy and should give it 'one last go' on my own. Needless to say, I am back here again, scheduled for surgery on the 2nd of April. The cost of the surgery will vary, as will the overnight stay or not, depending on where you have it. Same as any insurance issues - you will have to research that with the doc you choose, however these things will not; the band is a tool to help you lose weight. It is ideal for people who eat big portions but not ideal for emotional eaters I have read as if food is your only solace you will find a way to eat "around" the band (eg with foods that slide through and you can keep eating and eating - mcdonalds sundaes etc! (yum!). It is restrictive and you will go from eating an entree, main and dessert to eating an entree. Some doctors say that you cannot drink when you are eating - mine says that you can - but you will defeat the purpose of the band for that meal - eg it will go through quickly - like a mcdonald's sundae. The idea of the band is two fold, one it restricts the amount you eat, and two, it resets the pathways between your tummy and your brain that are constantly screaming IM HUNGRY!!!!!! (the latter is apparently not a widely subscribed to theory in America according to my doc but I am not sure). You will have to chew 20 times on every mouthful and it must be small. All of this freaked me out - which is why I decided it wasn't for me 2yrs ago, however now, being fat, single and probably dead in the next 20 years freaks me out a lot more, as I know that I cannot do this without the help of the band. Start with the FAQ section on this forum, read the before/after posts with pictures and get inspriation, read the threads about people who didn't have success with the band too, and weight up your odds. Like the band, we are only here as a tool (an information one!) to help you to decide what is best for you. If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask us. Best of luck. Linglingxx

Sherri, good on you for making this huge positive step in your life! The diabetes and hypertension will be a thing of the past before you know it and you will be feeling amazing. This is the biggest and best gift you could give your loved ones and you - good on you and good luck! xx:smile:

Hi everyone Thought it would be a good (but scary) thing for all of us to do - post our before pictures! Here are mine!

I think your Dad is scared because he doesn't understand it - but the way to articulate that is to read up on it, not criticize it because they are scared (or JEALOUS!) I love this bill of rights - the red ones are particularly appropriate for your dad!! Personal Bill of Rights 1. I have the right to ask for what I want 2. I have the right to. say no to requests or demands I can't meet. 3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative. 4. I have the right to change my mind. 5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect. 6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards. 7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe or it violates my values. 8. I have the right to determine my own priorities. 9. I have the right not to be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings or problems 10. I have the right to expect honesty from others. 11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love. 12. I have the right to be uniquely myself. 13. I have the right to feel scared and say 'I'm afraid." 14. I have the right to say 'I don't know. 15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behavior. 16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings. 17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time. 18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous. 19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me. 20. I have the right to be in a nonabusive environment. 21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people. 22. I have the right to change and grow. 23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others 24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect 25. I have the right to be happy.