She Smiles

I eat like Jacqui, which is how we are advised to here in Australia. I eat good healthy foods (which includes rice and Pasta - I can't eat bread) in smaller portions. I also don't count calories/protein. I eat Snacks like almonds, yougurt or fruit cups if I need to, which might be every other day. And I still eat chocolate whenever I feel like it. I've exercised 3-5 times (like a gym session of treadmill, bike and eliptical, a spin class, or a 5km run around my the block near my house and I am also currently doing a boot camp session twice a week) a week for 30-60 minutes since about 2 months after my surgery. I'm now running 5-10km fun runs when they are organised in my city and am fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my life. I've lost about 85lbs in just over 10 months and have about another 20 to go to my dream weight. But I've already exceeded my Surgeon's goal weight. That said, I had a partial unfill a couple of months ago due to a bad stomach bug where I couldn't keep a thing down, and I have yet to get back to my sweet spot. I'm going for a fill tomorrow and I will be back to my pre-bug fill level, so hopefully that will move my loss along a little.

Frogs. I have no idea where this fear came from, but I'd rather poke my eyes out with a pencil than hold a frog. Ugh, even the thought of it makes me feel physically ill.

I just commented on the other thread - but I will here too - you're looking great Jacqui. I'm a long way from looking that good in a swimsuit of any kind! The smile on your face says it all - strut it and be proud, you've worked so hard for it!

Holy smokes Jacqui you're looking wonderful! Way to go, your summer beach body is ready to go!

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to. Aalthough I agree with gr8 that dehydration might be a problem. Perhaps ask your banding Dr, I know mine would not advocate 16 hours with out water, and it might be a problem because some (not all) people can't just drink large amounts of water in short periods after being banded. Perhaps you could have a trial sometime before ramadan arrives to see how your body reacts for a few days or a week. If it doesn't feel "right" you could just go back to normal then.

I met my husband online too. We both had blogspot blogs and he stumbled across mine one day just clicking through the "next blog" button. He kept coming back to read for a few months (apparently my life was interesting!) and eventually started leaving comments, so I then had access to his and started to read it also. After a while the comments became emails, which became MSN chat every spare moment we could make the time differences work and then he came here to Australia from the States to visit for 3 months. We were engaged before he left to go home. Shortly after his return he was granted a visa to come here (which was a few wees before my LB surgery) so we could be married and we have been married now for 3 months. While the move was hard for him, and he still gets very home sick, we knew that a love like ours is something worth making compromises for. I love the internet for introducing me to a wonderful man I would have never otherwise met half a world away!

Yes, I started at a 42DD and am now a 36-38 (small)D depending on the bra. They are quite saggy though, so I don't see the cup size going down much more.

I had basic health insurance which covered the hopsital side of things and I had to pay the surgeon $5000 for his fee and the anethesiologist about $500 I think. I've changed my insurance now to high level hospital with NIB which does cover banding, for if I ever need a revision at all, but that will take 12 months to kick in. I'm with Kellie, I'd go for it now - when I get fills its all covered in that $5000 I paid (through medicare I guess?). So other than any consult/dietitican/psychologists fees that your surgeon requires pre op, the fee quoted should be it (ask about the anethesiologist though). I've been banded 10 months now, my Dad has been banded almost 2 years and my mum has been banded 5 months. We all wish we had of done it sooner and think its worth every cent of the $15,000+ total we have spent cos we've lost almost 100 kilos between the 3 of us. If you have questions about the specific ongoing costs your surgeon really is the best person to ask, but I haven't heard of any other aussies being sprung with hidden costs down the track. Oh and if you spend more than $1500 out of pocket on medical expenses in a year, you can claim it back on your tax (you get 20% back). I'm getting $1200 back this year.

I had to rush to see my fill Dr today to get some (2mls) of fill taken out of my band. I was vomiting for 3 hours and couldn't even keep water down and I had the most painful abdominal pain ever. I think it might have been a bug, but the only way I was going to stay hydrated and eat something was to get some fill taken out. I feel MUCH better now, thankfully. I have to see how I go and maybe get some put back in about a fortnight. This is the first time in my 10 months banded that I have ever felt like that, I hope I never do again!!!!

Thanks Susie! GOOD LUCK Dazey! Welcome to the rest of your life

Thank you so much for your honest and frank response Diane.

I guess part of my guilt is that my hubby would be a good candidate for PS himself. He lost over 50 kilos a few years ago and has that tell tale spare tyre of skin and "man boobs". It bothers him, but not to the point of ever seriously considering surgery. So I feel bad that I do think about surgically "fixing" mine. I love him just the way he is and I know he thinks I've never looked hotter, but still I'd like to look better - I KNOW it would help my self esteem, and well I don't see that as a bad thing. I'm really only thinking about a TT, and maybe a breast lift, maybe. The rest, I can live with. And Susannah, the man that ends up with your partnership and love is a very lucky one indeed, you're a wonderful, generous and beautiful soul xox

Hi Diane, thanks for sharing the start of your journey with us. Do you mind me asking what was your pre band weight/how much have you lost in total?

I have to say I look at my body now after a loss of 38 kilos and wonder what its going look like when I get to goal in another 12 kilos. Its going to be horrid. And I can't afford PS with out BIG sacrifice. I would feel guilty spending more money on "fixing" my body because of obesity. I curse myself often for letting myself get to the point I did with my weight. I wish there was hope, but I just don't think there is, PS is the only option to look partially normal, and even then theres the explaining the massive scars. People tell me nearly every day how great I look, how skinny my legs look in my gym tights etc etc, but they don't have to look in the mirror and see the real train wreck that my body is underneath my clothes. Susannah, you are not alone in this. I think we are all asking the same questions. I am so afraid of PS. I have a very low pain threshold and I know it would take a massive toll on me physically. Is that worth it? Is it worth the risks? Will it really make me feel better about myself or will I be repulsed more by the evidence of the surgery? I don't know. But then on the other hand, I am SO incredibly jealous of people like you Chickie who have gone through with it because you look so amazing. I know I have A LOT of head work to do if I ever start thinking seriously about going ahead with PS.:cry

Hi all, just wanted to share the NSV I had today - I bought 3 new tops today two size 12's and a medium! I didn't expect any of them to fit, and almost fell over in the change rooms when I put them on and they did - they were from Valley Girl, Supre and the "teenage" section in Target! Woo!! The last time I wore a size 12 was when I was about 12!

Unfortunately I'm not in Melbourne so I can't meet up with you, but is it anything you'd be willing to discuss on this forum? There are some very experienced and generous Aussie bandsters on this site who I suspect might be able to give you some advice online.

Beena, thats exactly what I meant - they didn't research and speak with post op patients to provide the information that people go to the seminars to hear about. I know at my pre op seminar, they had the surgeon who told us about the medical side of things and then his consultant there, who is a bandster, who told us about her personal experience and the experience of several other patients. Both the good and the bad. It was a really comprehensive presentation and they sent us off with a pile of pamphlets and print outs too. This website, and specifically the Aussie people on this thread are a fantastic support and a wonderful bunch of people. No question is too silly - cos trust me we've all asked them at some time or another! Working towards it in 2008 is a great goal to have! I wish you the very best of luck!

Jacqui you look great!!!! I agree, you don't look 40 AT ALL!!!

Sounds like the seminar wasn't well researched! And good on you for realising that you aren't ready. I went to my GP the other day for a check up and was talking to him about my band (he's the one who gave me the referral and I had to convince him it was for me before he would do it). I told him that I would recommend banding to anyone who had researched it and as you said "done some soul searching" and was prepared for ALL the changes it would mean in their life. Its not a magic fix. Its a big, life long change. My Dad has a band and he said to me when I was doing my research "Remember this is a life long thing, you have to live with this every day for the rest of your life". I was 26 at that time. Just over a year later I had my band done. I don't know that I would have been ready to do this 3, 4 or 5 years ago, but I was ready mentally and emotionally when I did do it. You will know when and if its the right time for you too. I think its shows a lot of strength of character to not just rush into it. We're all here to talk to if you need to ask any questions.

I include two classes a week in my workout schedule and have done for a couple of months now. I love love love it. I've found my fitness has increased SO quickly and it has helped break my 3 month weight loss plateau. I highly recommend it to anyone - its a self regulated class, you can go as hard or as easy as you like. I always come out pouring with sweat!

You're on Jacqui! Although you're a good 6 inches taller than me so you are going to be teeny tiny at 70kgs!! Ideally I want to get down to 65 but I know thats going to get harder to lose weight as I get to the pointy end.

Hi all, just thought I'd check in Hope you're all doing well and feeling fantastic! Susannah you are looking fabulous, you look so confident and hot in those photos! You must be fighting the men off with a stick! Chickie, don't worry about the errors in the magazine - you did a good thing putting your success story out there, hopefully it inspires some people to follow your lead. You've done so well. As for me, I FINALLY broke my plateu of 80kgs and am now down to 77 - woo! I'm doing boot camp twice a week and RPM classes twice a week and running 5 kms on another day. I had to get my butt back into exercise gear to shift the weight again - but at last its going (slowly!)! I want to be down to 70 by Xmas....thats the plan!

I think they look GREAT arms down. Arms up, not so much, but really do you walk around naked with your arms in the air often? I would LOVE a pair that look like the second picture - don't mess with them, because other than the nipple being slightly off (which is a naturally occuring thing!) its really not worth it!! They're a keeper I say! Do you mind me asking what size they are now? Boy I wish mine looked like that.

Uggh! the edit on this forum needs fixing. Mark, I mean in my post above that my FILL surgeon is no expert. He's just a GP whos been brought on board, but by no means is an expert. My babd surgeon on the other hand IS - he is regularly at conferences and training courses internaliotnally to increase his knowledge and awarenes of the band procedures and advances. He's fantastic. But my fill Dr, not so great.....he's just going thru the motions.

Me too! Gosh they have no idea!