She Smiles

One person has a band because they saw my success, another is currently in the initial approval stages. I haven't told many people at all about my band. These two people who I know struggle(d) with their weight asked me what my secret was, so I swore them to secrecy and told them. They both followed up with my surgeon to make appointments within days.

I hear you on the tummy Laurend. Darned thing is stopping me getting in the equivalent of a US size 6. A BIG BIG congrats on fitting in the 12! Maybe next time you go back for more you'll be in a 10!

I've set a range for my goal which puts me between 23 and 25 BMI. I'll see how I go when I get there (which shouldn't be long, fingers crossed). I'm of the same opinion that I didn't get WLS to just be not fat. I want to lose all of my excess weight, be healthy and happy with my weight. I don't understand how if some one has reached their goal by changing their eating habits and what they eat as a lifestyle change, why there has to be a rebound stage? I plan on continuing to eat and exercise the way I do now once I reach goal in order to maintain - thats just part of the deal as far as I'm concerned. Can you explain the rebound theory to me? I have honestly never heard it mentioned before, is there research that proves this?

If it were me Tami, I'd go with option a). While it will mean 2 recovery periods, a big rearrangement of plans and a longer wait for the PS, you are getting the plastic surgeon you wanted (not some second choice who just happens to work at the right place) and a professional bariatric surgeon to sort out your port. While its possible that the replacement of your current port during plastic surgery might work and end up perfect - it also might not. How will you feel after the swelling goes down to realise that the ports still highly visible and you need the lower profile after all....? (just playing devils advocate here!). Its a sucky situation to be in, and I'm so sorry that you are here! But I think you need to assess it in what is going to be best for YOU as a patient with those people as your surgeons. Good luck with your decision!

Oh Julie you must be SO excited about getting out for a run again! I'm so glad those pesky seromas are clearing up!

Losing you're doing great, working out at that rate you'll drop that 10 pounds in no time!

Julie, you're in my thoughts *hugs* Hope you're feeling better soon.

I'm looking into plastic surgery to be able to avoid it altogether!! I'm over having to hide it under flowing looser tops and high waisted pants. If it weren't for my tummy, i'd be in a US size 6, maybe a 4 at a squeeze in some stores. THATS frustrating.

I think you'll find that your nutritionist will tell you that you can eat everything in healthy moderation. Our Australian band Dr's don't actively encourage the low carb high protien diet - well, none have that I have heard of on this site here and on a couple of other forums. Its more about learning to eat a good diet and handle our food in a "normal" manner. Low carb works really well for some, and not for others. Just follow what your nutrionist advises and you'll be a successful banster in no time. Good luck!

I just wanted to post and say how much of an inspiration and motivation all of you guys have been for me. I have my first consult for plastics on Feb 18 and am nervous and excited. However, I can't even imagine how I will feel when I have an actual date to count down to like you all. You are all going to look absolutely amazing, can't wait to see the after pics (please post as many as you feel ok with after surgery, I know I for one will really appreciate it - I'm trying to prepare dh for the aftermath right after surgery of a TT :eek: and its such a motivation for me). Good luck and all the best for the next step in your journeys! I'll be thinking of each of you as your date arrives.

You can SO do this, we're here to cheer you on!! And hey, the next month is going to FLY past and then you'll have your new tummy *is very jealous*

I just got an extra 0.25 put in last week to take me to 7.75. This is a perfect fill level for me, the past few days I've hardly been thinking about food (hurray!).! I've had to keep going back in to get 0.5, 0.3 or 0.2 put in each time I lose a few pounds because my band loosens up again. But I think this level will be good for a little while

I would love to know if there are any funds that cover it, I'd swap to them immediately!! I'm with nib and have top hospital cover and they make it clear that its not covered. I think if its deemed to be reconstructive, medicare will cover a portion because it is classified differently, but if its plastic or cosmetic, then I think we're on our own to pay. I can report back after the 18th Feb, I have my first plastics consult that day.

I'm with Jacqui. Running is my passion. I do try to go to the gym a couple of times a week to do a bit of cross training, but I running is what I love. I think along with convienience, passion and enjoying what you do makes it easy. I hate swimming, I could never do it as a form of exercise, but some people love it, I'm not too fussed on classes other than RPM either. You might have to try a few things before you find something you love. Does some one you know have a bike you can borrow? Can you buy a couple of cheap exercise DVD's from Target or Kmart (or ebay)? Can you set up your own mini circuit at home you can do while watching TV? I attribute more than half of my weight loss to my exercise, because I haven't really "dieted" for most of my lapband journey. Sure I eat less, but I haven't missed out on all my favourite foods.

I have booked my first PS consult for the 18th Feb (and am waiting for another one to contact me to book a consult with him too). I'm about 10-20ish pounds from goal now and have a BMI of 26. I waited this long because I wanted to see how my body would look closer to goal, and I need to wait until August at the earliest for the surgery anyway to have the time off work and find the $ to fund it too. I'll be looking at a tummy tuck first and then might get a breast lift in a couple of years. I can live with the sagging boobs for a while, but the jelly belly just depresses me.

I have to say from the pics, Dr Reaths work looks fantastic. I think going for 3 consults is a smart idea though, just to be sure that the service and support you're going to get for your money is top quality too. A website might not reflect exactly what the whole process will end up like. As a friend said to me when I said the PS site that I was looking at today looked like they really CARE (I was in that happy/blind to reality phase myself) - aren't they all supposed to look all that way? I think the only way to REALLY decide is by going and asking the dozens of questions we have. When are you thinking of going for the consults? Its kind of exciting isn't it??

I was off for 2 whole weeks. I could have gone back on day 11 or 12 if I had to, but I was glad to have the 2 weeks. I work a desk job, if I'd had a more strenuous job, I might have taken longer. I was on liquids for 2 weeks though, so I didn't have much energy because of that.

I'm hovering around 155 now and have set my goal at 143, but I think once I get there, I might shift it down again (to about 130). I set it at 143 when I started out 14 months and almost 100 pounds ago aiming for that because it was just under the healthy BMI for my height (5 foot 3). I am in an Australian size 12-14 (US 8-10) now, I'd like to be a small 10 (US 6).

I'm with Steph, at no point on my surgery day was my weight mentioned until I was with my surgeon in the OR and he asked me how much I had lost in my pre op diet, 5 seconds later I was out for the count. I think it was just his way of distracting me from the fact that the anethesiologist was doing his thing on the other side of the operating table lol. My dh has come along with me to fill appointments, but has always waited in the waiting room. You could keep your "number" to yourself pretty easily if your partner isn't going to be there in the dr's office with you for your fill appointments along the way. It can be done if you are wanting it to be that way. That said, my dh knows how much I weighed at my highest and has known along the way. I told him yesterday that I was staring down the barrel of 100 pounds lost. Its never been something that I kept from him or my family and closest friends. Yes, I was ashamed of being that big, but I was more proud of my loss. Maybe you will feel the same post surgery too.

Hi Lauren, it sounds like you have a similar body shape to mine and after almost 100 pounds gone, my stomach is STILL there. Well its more like a spare tyre now, that hangs a bit. Attractive visuals right? I think its a sensible thing to go into lapband surgery thinking we might need plastics to fix us up, and if we are one of the lucky one who doesn't need it, then good for us.

A big big congrats! I'm aiming for my first half in March if my schedule can fit around it, otherwise I'll have to wait until May. What kind of training did you do in the lead up to it? Any hints or tips to make it a more comfortable run?

Yep, after almost 100 pounds gone, I'm hanging all over. Its not bad enough anywhere other than my tummy to consider surgery though, its just not taught like some of my non-previously-obese 29 year old counterparts is, I imagine. I'm going to ask my surgeon for a referral to a PS when I see him later this month to find out how much a tummy tuck will cost.

It was probably somewhere between about 220 and 200 pounds that I felt like I'd found my groove with exercise and started to enjoy it cos.....it got easier. Even now the more I lose, the easier it gets. Funny that. Can't wait til I'm at goal, I'll be nearly flying haha. Just do what you can, and build on that time, your weight loss and your increased fitness will get you the rest of the way. Good luck!

I have to recommend Asic too. I've had 3 pairs of kayano's now and swear by them. They also do a gel walking shoe similar to the kayano. You can get specialty walking and running socks from sports and running stores. I've found the fit dri nike running socks to be fantastic. They are thin but keep your feet cool and dry.

I exercise anywhere from 3 to 7 days a week depending on my schedule and commitments, and have done since about 6 weeks after I was banded. I attribute a lot of my success to having gotten up off my butt to exercise because I don't count calories or restrict carbs, or "diet" in any sense of the word. You can click on the link in my signature below to see the type of exercise I do, I've started it to keep track of and be accountable for my fitness and exercise.