Goannabanda

My husband was scared - we both still are. My dad reacted in a similar negative way. What really helped my hubby was giving him the opportunity to meet with the surgeon, go to an information session, read LBT, get educated about what the mechanics of banding involve etc. Not rushing the process has helped too. Now he has the education about banding so that he understands why I need this lapband, and has had time to process the implications for himself and family, and realise that apart it's not going to really affect him at all (apart from not being able to keep up with me in the romance dept.... hehehe!) Dad too, has come around now he's had a chance to find out more about banding and had some time to think things through. Try not to get angry with him - most men react badly to change in their lives. That is simply part of their pre-historic programming, and can't be changed. Time, education and space to think and talk things over together will help. It may take a while. Be patient and gentle. Be faithful to your marriage - resist chucking in the towel on your marriage just yet - you married him for important reasons, let those reasons now be your strength to hold onto. I understand how this is a difficult time, because all you need is for him to be understanding and support you, and not for it to be about him, but once you work through this test of your marriage with him, your long-term rewards will far outweigh what is most likely a short-term lack of understanding. It may be worth talking the issues over with a counsellor or religious minister (if you are religious), to help you each find the other's perspective. I wish you good luck in your journey.

Hi tarajane, As far as I know, we are still on. I've emailed Wheeler to check if a booking is made. Stay tuned. See you on Saturday.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, yummy! root vegetables are soooo good! Hope that these ideas help. ROAST VEGGIES: Cut carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, pumpkin into rougly 1 inch cubes / lengths. Put into a baking pan lined with non-stick paper. Spray with cooking oil. Stir to turn over, and spray again. (Alternatively, toss in a bag or bowl with a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil). Dress with dried herbs (we use Master Foods Tuscan Seasoning, which has salt, rosemary, parsely, garlic etc all mixed in) OR sprinkle with a little grated nutmeg (great on sweet potatoes and pumpkin). Bake in a moderate oven until tender. Stir a couple of times so that all sides get browned. Enjoy on its own, or with roast meat, peas and gravy. ROOT VEGGIE MASH: Steam or boil any combination of root veggies until tender. Add a little milk (to adjust mash texture) and a dob of butter (optional, about 1 tablespoon). Mash together and enjoy as is, or with a meal. Add ONE of the following: grated nutmeg, chopped parsley, black pepper, minced garlic or whatever you like for extra flavour. Our favourtie combinations are: potato and pumpkin; potato and sweet potato; carrot, parsnip and potato. BUBBLE AND SQUEAK Add an egg and some grated cheese to leftover mashed veggies (mash the roast ones for a REALLY yummy version). Add any other leftover veggies you have on hand, and some tinned salmon and parsley if you like. Form into patties, and dry fry in a non-stick pan. Soups These veggies make wonderful soups, either individually, in combination, or with other things like meat, other veggies etc. Add some Pasta, dried barley, peas and/or Beans to make a really chunky soup-stew. Add extra liquid and mash / blend for days when you need liquids / mushies (eg. post-fill). Get creative with the herbs, soups cubes / stocks and see what you come up with. Enjoy!

We have a very busy lifestyle too. I never enjoyed making lunches, it was a real effort and a chore to do it until the last year or so. At first, I had to make myself do it, for so many reasons. Now I've got used to it, it's an adventure to see what I can dream up to take in my lunch bag. I find the trick is to plan ahead and to keep things on hand at home for grab and go lunch making and taking. I also keep a supply of basics at in the cupboard / fridge at work (canned food, butter, bread, Soup etc) for emergencies. My hubby is often on the road, so also has an old electric kettle and a small esky in his car as a dry food store - he keeps coffee, tea, UHT milk jiggers, cuppa Soups, fruit snack packs, museli bars etc in there also. For the taking: A supply of small containers (I like GladWare - they are reusable disposables, microwave & diswasher safe - you probably have an American alternative), snap lock bags, sandwich bags, and a good quality, large insulated lunch bag are basic essentials. You could have two bags - one for each meal / job you do throughout your day. I have an insulated lunch bag - a reasonably large one (2 litre / 1/2 gallon size) into which I pack a diet drink and two to four of the following: fresh fruit, fruit snack pack (in natural juice), yoghurt snack pack, museli bars or fruit & nut bars. I take extra so I can be picky later. The rest stays for the next day, or if I work late, for a later snack. The bag is big enough to fit enough for 2 meals if needed. For the making, I have an number of tricks: The main one - SHOP and COOK in bulk. If you can, plan ahead so you have a day or half a day free, and use it to get your meals ready for the busy work days. I usually only manage to cook once or twice a week (or less). If I can, I pland ahead to have a "chores day", or else, I'll grab an opportunity of a morning or evening before work to cook a meal or two. I always make extra to top up my supply of frozen leftovers (eg. casserole, curry, chunky soup (more like a stew), spaghetti etc). I cook from scratch mostly, with no oil. I very rarely use recepie mixes or sauce jars as these add far too much sugar, fat and salt. I never cook just a single quantity - if I'm going to cook, might as well make the most of it! The crock pot is a VERY good friend here - for "set and forget cooking", and you can really pack those babys full!! Add an extra half, double or whatever quantity it takes to fill you crock or pot to the top. I put mine on of a Saturday morning, do chores all day, and we eat out of it that night. The rest goes into the frozen stash. You will find after a month or so, you have quite an impressive "library" of ready made meals to choose in a hurry. Of a morning, I just throw a meal from the freezer, into the lunch bag, and away I go. In warmer weather, or when I want a change, I make up salads in individual bowls (just lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, capsicum and carrot, and store them in the fridge. I make up a week's worth (5 days) at a time on a Sunday night. I pack a small container of salad dressing, or add a dollop of mayo on the salad on the day I'm taking it. Sometimes I throw a bit of cubed tasty or fetta cheese, some olives, sundried tomatoes, pickles, cubes ham or strasburg meat, hardboiled egg or whatever to dress it up. An uncut meat & cheese sandwich, no butter (which I toast at work) is another favourite, sometimes along with a plain salad from the stash. If you have a jaffle snack maker at work, pack some bread and take some cheese and / or small cans of creamed corn, baked Beans, spaghetti, chilli or some frozen spag bolognese etc from your stash to make yummy jaffles at work. I hope that you find these ideas helpful, and inspiring. Enjoy the adventure!!!

Hi Susannah, If you can make it, we would love it if you could join us on Sept 16th for our lunch - see separate thread in Aussie section. Banded, non-banded, partners, friends, kids - whatever - the more the merrier. My hubby and 5yo are going to come along too - I think hubby wants to check out who I'm talking to on the web all night long! LOL! If you can't make it on the 16th ,but would like to get together sometime, send me a PM / email and we'll make a date. Which suburb are you in? I am going to be banded on 5th Oct by Mr Chris Hensman at The Valley Private, Mulgrave. Many people here at LBT have had Mr Crosthwaite - and I believe they think he's very good doctor. With all you have gone through with your MS - the lapbanding will be a doddle. hugs to you - and welcome to our band! Cheers, Anna.

Way to go Sharyn!!! Have fun shopping - but don't buy too much just yet!

Hey Lisa, Good to hear all is investigated - I wasn't sure from our brief chat the other day how far along the road you were. Maybe you've built up muscle from your exercise - you were really hitting it. I don't know what you looked like pre-band, but you look like a person who has lost weight. Are youre clothes fitting any differently? Hugs to you - we'll be you're cheer squad. Just keep up with all you're doing, and wait for your bod to get with the program. Hope to see you on the 16th, but see how you go. Bring the kids, I'm clucky, and would love to play with the little one - my 5yo will sort out the other two! LOL! Sleep tight (when the kid lets ya!)! Anna.

Hiya Cowgirl, I have to lose 75kg to 80kg - so I know how you feel. There are plenty of "big losers" on LBT - both people who have already lost their weight, and those who are working on it. Check out the BMI over 50 thread in the support section, and the before and after picture thread. I am not banded yet - scheduled for 5th October. It's a big decision - very confronting. I am taking this step so that I can get control of my health before I end up with obestiy related diseases / co-morbidities. What won me (and my family) over to lapbanding were the following: it has more favourable long term health outcomes (Vitamins, diet etc) compared to other weight loss surgeries it has a lower rate of complication compared to other weight loss surgeries it's reversable it's successful it's affordable - the band, fills & follow ups are all covered by Medicare & private health insurance, or fully covered if a public patient the government thinks it's a good idea - it was recently announced that they will increase funding for lapbanding, as for every $1 they spend on this procedure, they save $70 in diabetes treatments alone (not to mention savings on other obesity related diseases) the fantastic support and experience of those who have have gone before - hang out at places like this and you'll see what I mean. Most doctors / surgery centres have their own support groups as well. Mine group run at the hospital with the support of the psychologist, nurse and surgical staff. All the best - we're here to help. There are a few other Queenslanders around LBT. Good luck, Anna.

Hi Mel, You'll do great over xmas - just keep in your mind how this will be THE LAST one of the years with fat pics. The liquids could be great too - apart from the bubbly - think of the festive smoothies and Soups you could make! You'll be too busy and excited to worry about not eating anyway! I'm sure you'd much rather have your op - even on xmas eve - rather than be able to eat all those festive feasts. Depending on how you think your family would take it, you could host an "alternative" style (i.e. liquid) feast this year and serve them all smoothies, Soup and runny custard for dessert. Just don't warn them in advance, or they might bail out on you! hehehehe I am evil....

Is it finally dead? It's been 12 hours without a new post! Somebody call Dr dawg in here to make the pronouncement! ...no, wait!!! ...shhhhhhh! ........I can hear it twitching! Somebody either get a crash cart ot revive it, or go get a hammer and put this thang outta it's misery!

Hey Lisa -great to hear from you. Sorry your scales haven't moved yet (maybe they're stuck! LOL!), but how are you going with the cm's?? Are they still dropping? Have you had another 'chat' with your surgeon yet about what's going on? I think you said you were going back to see him this week or next... Maybe your body's hormones are stil lin PCOS / diet / baby mode?? It can take an awfully long time for hormonal behaviours to change. PCOS / insulin resistance can make it very difficult for your body to give up weight. Maybe this is contributing - one of my girlfriends had it and battled for over a year to lose 10kgs just so they would let her start hormone therapy (prelim to IVF). They wouldn't let her go onto full IVF until she'd lost another 20kgs, which took equally as long again. However, the more you lose, the better PCOS / insulin resistance gets - so in theory, it should become easier to lose weight once you get started. You have a young baby / toddler, don't you? Maybe your body is still in baby hormone mode?? In my own case, having a baby mucked my hormones up for over 18 months after stopping feeding - making losing weight during that stage an impossibility. I was on WW for the last nine months of that time and lost no weight. My SIL (who has a baby 1 month older than mine) lost 18kgs+ in the same time. Same diet & exercise habits, but a different hormone behaviour is what we think happened to us. In regards to diets - if you have a life history of dieting (like most of us) your body may have learned really well to not lose weight - despite the best efforts I know you are making to ensure your diet is full enough not to send your body into starvation mode. Maybe it's just learned better than most to hang onto weight. Don't be discouraged. Have faith that your body WILL sort itself out eventually - it might take time though. There are many slow banded losers around, and with my history, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up as one too. Don't give up on your band, talk again with your surgeon, get your hormones, thyroid, liver function etc fully reviewed (again?), and lean on us for support while you wait for your body to catch up and get with the program too. Hugs to you.:welldoneclap:

Skitching cats, possums, birds etc Rolling in hodmandods (snails) and other unspeakably stinky stuff Licking sleeping on the food lady's feet Sniffing Chewing humungous bones Spraying Water all over the master after a bath or swim Marking all telephone poles and trees with family ownership Exercise reminders Constant best friends and companions

oooh, Dobeys - gotta love 'em, the big softies. My Dad jokes that they'll lick you to death! LOL! Good luck with your new best friend. We had a Jack Russell x Pomeranian. Best dog we ever had. She only made it to 13, which was a big shock, we thought she'd last forever. The vet was surprised too. Being a small dog, everyone thought she'd go to 18 or so. She had heart disease - an enlarged heart - probably from loving us too much, and trying too hard to keep up with us (well, that's what we reckon...)

Last time I flew I was a tight 26 - not pleasant, but I managed to sit at least. Forget about using the armrest radio when it's rammed into your leg! At a 20 - you'll be fine I would think. From memory (very distant) - the armrests didn't dig too bad, and no need for an extender then. BUT, that said, I'm with the gang - ask for an extender as soon as you encounter the first hostess at the plane. That way, not as many fellow passengers notice. It's far less mortifying than having to ask once seated. Then you'll have the bonus pleasure of handing it back once seated and you find you don't need it after all! Happy travels!

kimason - don't be so hard on yourself - you were only banded in August. You are still healing until your first fill, and maybe even for months beyond that. It may take many more fills after that to achieve good restriction. All you need to focus on for now is making sure your primary diet is providing you enough nutirents and calories to ensure you have great healing and wellbeing. Don't sweat too much about how much or how often you are eating at this stage, but do try and keep it within reason. Don't compare yourself or your progress with others - this is destructive when you feel like you're not moving along as fast as you'd like. From what I understand, having restriction in your band helps immensely to deal with many of the snack and head hunger issues. (I hope it does, because it's a worry point for me too). My wt loss counsellor suggested to me that I need to learn a whole new way of thinking about life and food - to lose the diet mentality. Maybe you could join me as I take some time out to relearn the things that provide a sense of wellbeing and inner peace. Take time to sit in the sun, read a book, get a massage, do you hair / nails etc - whatever makes you feel positive. Try and make it a habit. You'll soon find yourself seeing everything in a whole new, more mangeable way. It's a challenge, but an enjoyable one, and I find it's helping with the food thing! Big hugs to you!:welldoneclap: :biggrin1:

Hi Kellie! Welcome to LBT, and congratulations! Don't forget to check in at the Australian part of the forum. See you round.

Geez, I hope that I'm heading for an easier emotional ride soon - this is hard work! Anyway, I'm coping okay with everything, not overeating, but not particularly focussed on food right now either. I've basically chucked in the pre-pre-op diet plans, but I'm not having any "last meal syndrome" (or at least not yet... I suppose there's some advantages then... Anyway, Uncle B passed away last Tuesday night - we had his funeral in Sale on Friday. I made the Bible reading for them, as mum is still away. Sad day, espeically for my cousins. :cry M & C have to take the burden because L is so unwell and out of it. I am so proud of them.:clap2: They are so strong. As if their dad's death wasn't enough to have to deal with, than have to worry about her too. L will be getting a new treatment soon, so hope she pulls herself together - although after all this time, we all doubt it. Her poor kids, she's done nothing for them in their whole lives.:cool: We'll be heading back in a few weeks to spread his ashes. After B's funeral, I had luch with E&D & J&O - D says he'll get a band if mine works, so that's 2 or 3 people I'm a guinea pig for so far (2 girlfriends are also watching)! I said they could share my room in the hospital if they sign up now! LOL! :biggrin1: :clap2: So far haven't had much time for sitting in the sun! But I am working on it! Trying also to get our home gym room set up - but so far all I've done is think about it and look at the junk to be moved out of there... LOL! Still counting the days until surgery: 16 sleeps to start of pre-op diet:hungry: 30 sleeps until surgery:sick

Geez, I hope that I'm heading for an easier emotional ride soon - this is hard work! Anyway, I'm coping okay with everything, not overeating, but not particularly focussed on food right now either. I've basically chucked in the pre-pre-op diet plans, but I'm not having any "last meal syndrome" (or at least not yet... I suppose there's some advantages then... Anyway, Uncle B passed away last Tuesday night - we had his funeral in Sale on Friday. I made the Bible reading for them, as mum is still away. Sad day, espeically for my cousins. :cry M & C have to take the burden because L is so unwell and out of it. I am so proud of them.:clap2: They are so strong. As if their dad's death wasn't enough to have to deal with, than have to worry about her too. L will be getting a new treatment soon, so hope she pulls herself together - although after all this time, we all doubt it. Her poor kids, she's done nothing for them in their whole lives. We'll be heading back in a few weeks to spread his ashes. After B's funeral, I had luch with E&D & J&O - D says he'll get a band if mine works, so that's 2 or 3 people I'm a guinea pig for so far (2 girlfriends are also watching)! I said they could share my room in the hospital if they sign up now! LOL! :biggrin1: :clap2: So far haven't had much time for sitting in the sun! But I am working on it! Trying also to get our home gym room set up - but so far all I've done is think about it and look at the junk to be moved out of there... LOL! Still counting the days until surgery: 16 sleeps to start of pre-op diet:hungry: 30 sleeps until surgery:sick

Seems I killed the thread last time... Anyway, now things around LBT have calmed down, here's another suggestion. Can we clean up the before & after picture threads, running weight loss totals etc to reduce their size and return them to their original intent - eg. only before & after pics in the thread, as per the statement made at the start of at least one of these threads? If the thread starter has left / been banned - can we start fresh and transfer the pics / lists over to new threads? These threads are great inspiration, and most LBTers don't mind reading recent feedback and applause - the successful posters deserve their kudos, but it is so time consuming to sift through the old stuff when all you really need is a shot of inspiration. Loving the calmer LBT.com!

Congratulations Kellie - You are sure to have a wonderful day. I recommend waterproof mascara. I cried with joy all the way through our wedding ceremony. LOL!!! I remember our wedding day as a blur of laughter and love. Yours is sure to be filled with wonderful emotions and moments too. Can't wait to see the photos.

:bump2: :bump: :welcome: Any more to join the fun??? Wheeler - what will the booking name be?

KICK!!! (that's for myband, she requested it! LOL!) But seriously myband - just hang out with us, and we'll encourage you. Come to our meeting in Berwick on the 16th if you can - a face to face chat with us may give you a boost.:welldoneclap: Hi again tarajane! :biggrin1: Hope you are still progressing well with your healing stage. We'll order you soup & milkshakes on the 16th LOL! I'll not have started pre-op yet, so will be chowing down on my HUGE steak LOL!!!(no, seriously, I'll be felling self-concious / guilty about eating normally amongst bandsters I think.) and HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!! Yippee!!! A bandster wedding!!! CONGRATULATIONS KELLIEBELLIE!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hiya again SharynP, Well, we'll be your personal cheer squad - if you are ever in Melb, let us know and we'll catch up for a cuppa. I LOVE having coffee with people - I LOVe to drink it, and I LOVE to talk! LOL! I hope your doc is a better surgeon than a painter - LOL! I'm glad you like my name - I suprised myself when that one popped into my head! LOL! I started out as Minifyeme (I had a dog called Mini), but the name was a pain to type, so I changed it to something more familiar and better suited to me - it sounds more fun, and relates to my real life name & nicknames (Goanna or Spanna). Cheers, Anna.

Hi Mel, Welcome and congratulations on making your decision to get banded. For me, that's been the hardest part so far. Hope that you find a welcoming home here for support. I have. Everyone here has been terrific support to me - particularly the Aussie girls. We'll probably end up going through the process at around the same time, and yep - I am eagerly waiting for my new life a year or two down the track. I have almost finished my round of pre-op appointments - still have one more surgeon visit, a meeting with the pre-op nurse, and another support group meeting left - then I'm good to go on Oct 5th!!! I start the pre-op diet on the 21st Sep. Bring it on!!! Who is your surgeon, and where will you be banded? Fill us in on how you go after talking with surgeon. We all have different pre-op requirements, so we'll be interested to hear what you have to do. All the best, Anna.

LaMadam, I'm joining the chorus of applause for your terrific advice. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Very timely and well said. A great resource for new (and not so new) bandsters). Mods - please make this thread a sticky. My medical team (surgeon, nurse, dietician etc) all stress that the band is not a quick fix - it will take time to achieve any weight loss, and then once it begins, the WHOLE POINT is for it to be slow, gradual, so that it has the best possible chance of being a PERMANENT loss. The first 6 to 8 weeks post band are all about HEALING - I find it surprising and almost a little disturbing at how many bandsters haven't had this stressed to them. Any surgery puts enormous stress on our bodies, which takes time to recover from. The stresses are increased in LapBand surgery due to the restricted texture of the liquid / mushy post-operative diet. We are told that our ONLY goal during his time is to make sure we get enough volume and variety of liquids / mushies into ourselves so that we have enough calories and nutrients to ensure that we have the best possible post-operative healing and wellbeing. :hungry: Liquid or soluble multivitramins are encouraged during this time. Probiotics (drinking yoghurt / yoghurt / honey) are also great for general wellbeing also. Even if we put on weight during this time, we are told it's not really a big deal, as the band will take care of it once the restriction kicks in down the track. I rather like your advice that we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves - life with the band is a long term committment - and ANYONE ought to be applauded for making such a huge committment to improving their health, regardless of their rate of progress. I just hope that I can remember all these wise words in a few weeks when I am post-op and struggling! :help: I'll be back to this thread for a boost of inspiration and for a feel-good kick! Let's lighten up and enjoy the ride!!:heh: :biggrin1: :heh: :biggrin1: :heh: :biggrin1: