She Smiles

Hi Mark, I asked him and he said that he didn't know why it happens exactly (great answer!). He said that sometimes the Dr can miss the port - this might have been the case, because I've had 6 fills now - and after the 4th one of them which was supposed to be 1ml (and possibly the 3rd which was supposed to be 1.5mls), I felt NO change at all. Or he said that the liquid can evaporate, or settle in the band and tubing. But I don't see how it could evaporate that quickly. So who knows!?! I might ask my band Surgeon next time I see him, I'm not sure when that will be though - my fill Dr is a GP who locums for my band Dr every second Wednesday to look after the fills for his patients - so the band Dr's not really an expert. Or maybe one of you guys can ask your actual surgeon when you see them next - they're the guys in the know! I'd be interested in hearing the theory behind it.

So I went to see my fill Dr today. He pulled out all that was in my band and there was 7mls. There was "supposed" to be 8.5 (thats how much he had put in over the months). No wonder i haven't lost a thing for 2 months. So he put the 7 back in with another 0.5 and said to come back in a month if I'm still not losing. So we'll see.

Hmm I think my biggest NSV lately has been that I can walk into a lot the trendier shops and buy a 14 or 16 (even a 12 once!) and they fit, properly. That feels great - to be able to dress like a 28 year old and not a 50 year old (did anyone else find that - that they don't make fashionable clothes for bigger gals?). I think another one was when I went for my last wedding dress fitting and they had to take it in 4 1/2 inches. I bought it in January and it was too small then, so that felt great!

Heres the link to the ATO website and the calculator you use to figure out your rebate from medical expenses. 20% is what you can get back - which isn't much, but its better than nothing!! Tax Tools

So onto other things, how are you feeling tonight Bronnie? Is your pain still there? Are you going to call your Doc tomorrow?

Hmmm me too. Knowing people like that, they will re-register with a new name and try it again - we should be on the look out, methinks!

Better the money in our pocket than the tax mans I say!

If you spend more than $1500 in a tax year out of pocket for health related things (apparently even over the counter medications from the chemist - I've kept every receipt!) you can claim it back on your tax. My Dad did it last year with his because thats when he got his band. I have to ask him how to go about it, but he did get a percentage back, I am sure of that! I've always done my own tax, but I'm thinking I might go see a professional this year to make the most of this.

Oh gosh, it is tax time isn't it! I haven't received my group certificate yet - guess thats what you get working for the government lol. Hope I get some money back this year because of the out of pocket expenses I paid my band surgeon (my insurance only covered my hospital expenses). Fingers crossed! Enjoy your walk Susannah, I'm still crook with the flu, so I'm just rugged up at home trying to get well again!

Hey Mark, good idea! How is everything going with you??

Geez, let it go! Holy crap. I'm going over to the new thread Mark has started. Please don't bring this crap over there if you chose to join us. Your holier than thou attitude is NOT welcome on the Aussie threads Blah Blah. Lecturing everyone at every turn is not support.

Awww you sure know how to make a girl feel good Hugs to you Susie - you're not too bad yourself you know!! :eyebrows: You're hardly an old bag!!

Nah not kidding at all Jacqui - you guys rock and always have been and remain my inspiration!!!

Oh I miss that feeling Susannah. Hoping my fill next Wednesday fixes that. I've been so hungry lately.....

I agree with Susannah. *Most* of us come here for support and a giggle every now and then, not to read rants and raves. There is a specific section for that on this board, you will find plenty to add to there if you have a look and thats what you are after. I for one value the advice and experience imparted from the more experienced Australian bandsters like Chickie and Jacqui. I'd hate to think they might think "screw it" about posting here because of crap like this. Lets just get back to what this thread was started for, please?

Actually Blah Blah if she choses to ignore you, it means that she can't see your posts at all, its like you don't even exist on this site to her.

Thanks Chickie. It was the most perfect day. I keep looking at the photos and reliving the day over!

I'll join this thread! I totally feel the hot one day, not the next thing. I often see photos of myself lately and can't beleive its me though. I'm actually a pretty girl like everyone told me I was when I was at my biggest. I guess my biggest issue at the moment is what my goal is going to be. I've already beaten the goal set for my by my Dr. I think I would like to lose another 25lbs or so. But I wonder what kind of train wreck my tummy is going to look like if I do. Its just awful now and while I am not opposed to PS (and would happily have a TT because I am not planning on having children), I simply can't afford it. I'd do it tomorrow if someone offered to pay for it for me. It bothers me that I have done all this work and look pretty ok with clothes on now, but that when I am naked I just look awful. I don't think I would even wear a swimsuit because of my stomach overhang and skin texture and my boobs that sag like an 80 year olds. I have constant rashes under my boobs because of the moisture that collects there when I exercise (I've spoken to my Dr about it and apart from surgery, theres nothing to be done other than try to releive it with cream/ointment). I curse myself often for letting myself get to the point that I did that my skin was so streched and marked that it won't snap back. Hmmm I think my post got a little off topic...

Like the others have said it depends on your attitude to your band. Some people just sit back and let the band do what it can - they are typically your 50% losers. Others (like the guys above and myself) have gotten in there and used the band as a tool, and exercised and eaten well *most* of the time (chocolate and I are still friends!). I've done the sums and I've lost about 72% of my excess weight in 7 and a bit months, and I am no where near done. I've got at least another 25ish lbs to go. That said, 50% of your excess weight gone is better than none. And its better than putting more on, which is where I was headed.

At the moment I'm doing 2 X spin classes a week and 2 x gym sessions of running about 3kms (20 minutes) and biking 20 minutes and rowing 5 minutes. I also play a game of soccer most weeks (when its not raining which it is doing a lot of at the moment). In a couple of weeks I'll be trading my spin classes for 12 weeks of boot camp army-type session twice a week, THAT I am pumped about - I've been promised to see GOOD results. Bring it on!

I couldn't agree more with the others. I tried to drive to my local shops (about a 10 minute drive) 6 days out from surgery and it really knocked me about. I made my DH drive home cos it just wasn't safe for me to be driving. The thing is, we can all tell you our experiences, but you just don't know how YOU are going to feel after your surgery. Some people feel right as rain the day after, and others like me, are still struggling close to 2 weeks out - I felt like a train wreck for weeks. I just don't think its worth getting "stuck" in San Diego cos you feel poorly or can't physically drive, and then you'll have to pay out more money for a hotel room until you are well enough.

I agree with the others. There is no way I would have lost 80+lbs in 7 months if I wasn't exercising 4-5 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour (thats just cardio). I also do weights about 2 times a week as well. Start now, you won't regret it.

Sounds glorious! I'm about to start a "bootcamp" through my gym in 2 weeks time and I think it will be a fair bit more hard core than that!!!

I found it good to have the optifast bars at work for lunch for a change - my Dr was ok with having them instead. They are actually quite tasty. I was also allowed to eat a cup of non starchy (so generally anything green) veggies a day. Not sure if you're allowed to do that but I stirfried mine with garlic and soy sauce (i'd have onion, bockchoy, brocolli, zuchini, snow peas). You can also get vanilla shakes, and I know that some of the other Aussie's put flavouring in them to make them a bit tastier. I really didn't mind the shakes all that much either (after about day 3 when my body had adjusted to not consuming enough to feed a small country in one sitting). I found it really hard to not cheat in my 2 weeks on optifast. And I admit that about 2 or 3 days before surgery, I did cheat and ate some of my DH's pasta. But because I hadn't been consuming much, I didn't really have much of a physical appetite for it once it was in my mouth and tummy, it was all in my head. Stay strong, trust me its not worth beating yourself up over it because of one silly food indiscretion if you slip up. You'll feel better being able to say that you could stick it out! Good luck!!

I'm glad I don't look like a slacker for well, being a slacker! haha Luckily I have a gym membership and its right near my work so I go straight from work at 4 and am at home cooking dinner by 6. Its a pretty great arrangement. Last monday I decided to go for a walk outside instead and I actually HAD to run to stay warm, its bloody freezing here in Canberra at this time of year!! The bootcamp I'm going to be doing is going to be outside from July to September, so I'll have to see how that goes!! You're going SO well with your loss Susannah - I agree if it ain't broke!!!