shmack

Hello :thumbup:

I'm in Perth and was banded 10 months ago. I have lost 39kg so far. I went through Circle of Care in Subiaco for my surgery and post op appointments; and I am going to WW for support and loving my journey.

Had a few complications at the start, but after everything settled down things started going well for me.

Best of luck.

wow! did medicare cover it because you had your baby? or another reason? would be lovely if medicare would cover mine too lol

Hi All,

I have started up a clothes swap blog for people who have had or will be having WLS of any type. I have a personal blog and after this subject coming up on several occassions, I decided to start it up and give it a whirl.

You are all invited to pop over and have a look. Very early stages at the moment as I have literally just created it, but if you have something you would like to give away, feel free to send through the details for it to be posted :smile:

Clothes Swap

This is only for Aussies for Aussies :drool:

Hope you are all having much success, much like myself

So sorry to hear about the pain you were in.. must have been very traumatic.

I had the same thing when I got filled a few weeks ago, ended up getting something stuck, and that in turn stopped everything from going down so I was sliming and bringing it back up all night (i waited stupidly a good 6 hours before going to my doc after hours (about 10pm, bless her, to get .5ml out) the pain was unbearable...

I'm trying to develop a liking for V-8 juice, so I can get in a little extra veggie credit without worry. I was never a Tomato juice fan, so I'm having to doctor the stuff up with lemon juice and hot sauce to make it work...and I'm thinking of adding it to my cooking as well.

Christine

Christine, I hate all V8 juice except tropical flavour.. got a small tetra box to try it.. and its (surprisingly) very delicious!

I struggled with all liquids, and although it was a risk, if I felt like I was going to crumble, I chose something from this list. It is off a weight loss surgery website - what they give their patients pre op.

Pre-op liver reduction plan

Just because you are awaiting a surgical treatment for your morbid obesity, this is not an excuse to sit back and gorge out on as much food as you can! Any weight you can lose through dieting before your surgery is an advantage - it will make the surgery easier and will reduce the risks associated with it.

Some surgeons mandate a very restricted diet - one that is low in fat, sugar and carbohydrates - for one week prior to surgery and even if your surgeon doesn't ask you to follow this diet, doing so will increase your chances of your operation being completed laparoscopically because it will shrink your liver down in size. By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3–4 ounces of Water, so when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some Water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water in it. This diet is only recommended for one week before surgery and is not to be followed post–operatively. It is quite possible you lose a lot of weight that week, but it will be mainly be water loss. Please ensure you continue to drink throughout the day.

Here are some menu suggestions:

Breakfast Small bowl of Cereal, or

1 slice of toast with a scraping of low fat spread lunch 1 slice bread or 2 crispbreads

Small portion lean meat or fish, or

Small portion cheese, or 2 eggs (not fried)

Green salad (no dressing) or tomatoes dinner Small portion lean meat or fish, or

Small portion low fat cheese, or 2 eggs, or

Tofu or Quorn based dish

1 small potato or 2 tablespoonfuls Pasta or rice

Vegetables (as many as you like except for root vegetables) Daily 1/3 pint milk for use in drinks and on Cereal

2 portions of fruit (e.g. apple, orange, banana, pear)

Free water, tea, coffee, low calorie squash or fizzy drinks

1 low fat, low sugar yogurt or fromage frais

Most days I did a shake for breakfast and lunch, and dinner I had a piece of fish or a different lean meat.

Have you been on anti-biotics at all?

When you say the pain is on the left... are you actually talking about the area under your rib cage? Or to the left of your belly button??? You mentioned pain goes to your abdomen so thats why i'm asking.

Also, does the pain happen regularly after you eat?

how did you know your band slipped? did you feel a lot of pain? Or did you just lose restriction and went for a check up????

I had really really bad reflux and acid before my band... have had it for years... from the minute I got my band, I've never had acid again.....

If the band is too tight acid can come back up, but usually the band stops it altogether.

I am scheduled for an unfill Wednesday afternoon. It won't come to soon. I tried to eat a SF pudding a little while ago. No go. My chest is tight and I am gurgling like crazy. My husband says it sounds like I am having a conversation with a whale. Nice Huh!

Oh dear... I just got my first fill today and I've been gurgling at work.... figured no one else could hear it, it's more an inside sound if that makes sense... how embarassing.... both times it was with the same guy:bored:

Everyone is definitely different. Even without a fill I was getting some restriction on certain foods. I had my first fill this morning with 7ml (cc's) in my band and I think I already have my sweet spot... struggling a bit already with my lunch... might even need to get a bit taken out of it doesn't improve in the next day or two :biggrin:

Hi all...

Have a question... bit concerned...maybe over reacting...

I was in hospital for 4 days, stuck on a liquid diet that was supposed to be post op (surgery #2) but I didn't need to be on because I didn't end up having the surgery. Basically the nurses kept forgetting to ask the doctor if it's ok to chart that I was on solids, so the meal people couldn't do anything about it... and the nurses couldn't get in touch with the doctor because he was off work.

I got home the other night and was STARVVVVVVVVVVVING. So ate a bit too much. Definitely had some discomfort... but I'm certain it was not in the pouch, because 1. I'm not restricted yet 2. I could feel every bite slipping through and 3. I was naughty and drank Water while eating thus food leaving the pouch (my biggest habit is drinking with a meal, slowly tackling that)...

Anyway.

I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was getting constipated... I had the pain associated with that in the (I think) right places.. not near the stomach.. over a bit to the right and down a bit. Not as low down as TTOM pain though...

Woke up and drank some metamucil.. in the morning I had no loo troubles... but the shooting pain I felt when bending forward was quite horrible...

After an hour or so it went away. Haven't had that shooting pain again either....

Since then... about half an hour after I eat every single time (and I have been fierce about eating small amounts after the other night...) I get pain in that area (the constipation-ish area) ....Just wondering if anyone has had this and if it's gone away... or if I should be worried at all?? Could me eating too much have done something in that area??

I'm just really confused because I don't believe it's actually associated with the band... but then again I'm not sure :w00t:

Well things are getting back on track, had a fill on the 3/1nd have watched very very carefully what i am eating and excercising again as much as I can,now have lost 4 kilos in just 11 days,unbelievable,and I am drinking more Water again, so yes I feel better and have started a fresh.:wink2:

Fantastic, well done!

Curious as to whether anyone else saw the program "Sunday" on Channel 7 tonight, and the story they did which they titled "Fat Chance"?

If you didn't, you can view it on their website:

Sunday Night Channel 7 Official Site - Yahoo!7 TV

I had several people text or call me shortly after the program was aired, saying "Oh my goodness, did you see that? how scary!" .... of course, I didn't see it, so I logged onto their website and watched.

I have to say I am very disappointed that Channel 7 would deliver such a one-sided report on lap banding designed to do little more than scare us away... and why? because people are pushing to have the surgery made free through the government health care system.

Of course, the show featured a lovely girl who was about to undergo her surgery and then it featured a gentleman whose bowel had been 'knicked' during surgery and he went through an awful time because of that --- we ALL know/knew there were risks involved with the surgery, just as there are with ANY surgery, and it's unfortunate that he went through what he did --- but what I'd like to say is that Mike announced currently 15,000 people undergo lap banding every year in Australia, so why was it that Channel 7 were unable to find one of the 14,999 other people who have had the surgery to share with us some success stories? simple, they're trying to scare you!

I also just loved Mike's ignorant closing statement, where he says that the foods lap-band® patients mostly struggle with are fruits and vegetables. Come on Mike, do your research and present some facts, we mostly struggle with white breads, white rices, overcooked meats and the CRAP we shouldn't eat anyway like burgers and pizzas... I don't know about anyone else, but I haven't choked on a fruit or vegetable yet.

I had my surgery less than 3 months ago, I started out sitting just under 110kg and I am now just a couple of kilo's off being in the 80's - I can't remember the last time my weight began with an 8 !!!

If Channel 7 had of presented a story that showed BOTH the good and the bad, I'd give them some credit, but one-sided reporting is little more than reporting FAIL.

Get it together, Channel 7!

You should write in and tell them just that..... if only it was 60mins with their feedback section... and that old funny dude that takes the piss :wink2:

:wink2: Hi Bandits!

My name is Lou and I was banded on September 24 by Dr Senerath Werapitiya in Bunbury.

I am very happy to have my band but I am in need of support and advice. I had my first fill of 5ml a week and a half ago and I am not really feeling any more restriction than before. I am feeling frustrated! I have lost 10 kilos so far.

Lou x

LouLou... most people don't feel a better level of restriction until they have had a couple of fills... you may just be in that group! :tongue2: Book another appointment and see how you go. After a week if you feel the same, book again and once again,see how you go... You will get there... Just keep positive

Hummingbird... I think you're right :thumbup: I'll have to remember that one... so many people out there like that x

Gosh Shmack, I sure it heals quickly for you and isn't too serious.

Feel better,

Donna

Thanks Donna... I hope so too.

So as you're taking that medication you might want to forgo any fast-twitch exercises such as basketball, tennis, etc. until the medicine leaves your system. Good luck!

Crap!!! Will take note... Don't play much sport these days... used to be a big BBall and Netball fan, but have had several knee dislocations in the past so yeah... not for me until I get some weight off... OWWWWWIEE!!!

What antibiotic did they give you??

They gave me Augmentin Duo Forte while the swab is away for testing...

Supposed to go back in on Monday for a checkup...

I think I'm having some side effects from the antibiotics as well... having quite watery bowel movements and that seems to be in the 'mid range side effects' on the brochure in the box.. .I also have a constant headache since I started the tablets..

The stuff oozing out doesnt smell bad, but it ranges from yellow pussy liquid to a clear pinkish liquid to bloody liquid... full of surprises...

I've read some pretty horrible stuff has happened to people that have gotten infections.. So I'm really concerned now :biggrin:

So yeah... I *KNEW* from the get go that something wasn't quite right with one of my incisions... After the first day or so I noticed a big lump under it... both my surgeon and a different doctor said its normal, especially on that one as that's the biggest hole in the muscle as the band goes through there....

But still.... it feels like the size of a golf ball... and you're telling me that's normal?

Woke up yesty morning.. it's red as and weeping hardcore... I think I used about 20 tissues... It was only weeping in one little section, little little... but it was just constant... it's not really pus either, it's more a yellowy coloured clear kind of discharge... (isn't discharge just the worst word in the dictionary? Sounds so rank... discharge lol)

I booked an appointment with a doctor for the afternoon at my local to get some antibiotics... but a few hours later the incision opened up about half a centimetre. and there was (is) a big hole... I can see the whole 'incision line' because it's yellow, so I'm guessing the skin is VERY thin and its infected and yukky in there ...sososo gross.

I called my surgeons rooms and they gave me the surgeons mobile number because she wasn't in and she said to go straight there and get the surgeon thats on duty to take a look.

"It's serious".

When a doctor says it's serious, then it's pretty serious... right? :

"We want to try and avoid the infection either moving to the band or to the port".

Right... :tongue_smilie:

"I'll take a swap and send it away for testing so we can find out what kind of bug got in there"

To which he pushed the swab thing in so far it hurt like a b***h. At the same time he opened the hole more so it could drain better.

Drain better it did.

By the time I got home from the hospital (20min), I had to change it.

By the time I left for work this morning I had used 5 dressings and had to go buy another 6 from the chemist (at $14.95 for a 5 pack WHAT?) to get me through the day.

I also got "the strongest prescription antibiotics" they had until they can figure out what exactly it is causing the infection.

The tablets are like fricken horse pills... but they are going down, so that's ok.

I'm in a hell of a lot more pain today... pressure pain mostly... I can feel the lump has gone upwards though, about half way to the port, so I hope that's not the actual infection moving up.. :smile:

If I start running a fever or get really bad pain or start bleeding, I need to call them straight away.

Wicked... and the bad luck continues... *roll eyes*

No wonder it's been sore for weeks and still can't bend over without it hurting or sleep on my side without it hurting... I just KNEW it.

Oh dang! old post.. I was gonna say... dude... change places if it's going to take that long... wow... crazy that you had to wait that long!

Thats crap!!!!

Go to Circle of Care in Subiaco with your referal. I am self pay without private health insurance and I got my surgery in 2 months.

Echuca is nice. I will be camping there with some friends over new years. I'm originally from Wangaratta... Not too far away! Nice progress! Wondering how my first post op appointment will go. 2nd Nov so next week!

Get off your high horse Headhunter. I didn't even bother reading your whole post because the first line was enough for me to realise you don't care about anybody's opinion but your own.

As I clearly said, each to their own.

If you really believe that "over-absorption" is the reason for some peoples obesity then you have issues. The poster above me said it better than I could have.

I don't think she meant that in a bad way mate... I am against the other surgeries because I don't want my body 'modified'. Things cut out and changed etc. Anyone else, good luck to them and it's their choice so I hope it works for them. If that is her personal opinion for her own body, then she can voice her thoughts on it :cursing:

I've only had mine a week. I am still on the post op liquids phase... can't wait until I can re-introduce real foods again :cursing:

I'm in Ballajura... about 15 min from you :wink2: