G'day fellow Aussies!

Our section of LBT has been a little quiet lately - there seems to be a few regular Aussie LBT posters, but I am sure that there's many more of us lurking around...

...so, it's now time to show yourselves.

How about a quick post onto this thread to let us know who you are, where in Australia you're from, your progress so far etc.

You are welcome to include any questions / issues / information you have for discussion, or any support that you may be needing right now too - after all, we're all here to help each other!

Okay - I'll start:

I'm Anna from Aspendale. I hang out here at LBT most weeknights, and sometimes over the weekend too if I can get time. I particularly enjoy reading the Aussie posts on LBT - the Aussie perspectives are highly relatable, common sense, and refreshing to read. I'd like to see more Aussie involvement around LBT, and in our own little corner of the forum (one of the reasons why I started this thread).

I am counting the days until my pre-op fast begins (16) and operation (30). I'm currently enjoying the last days of not concentrating on chewing every bite, but also wanting the banding to begin! Worried / working on strategies to deal with head hunger issues post-banding - this is one of my biggest concerns right now.

Looking forward to hearing from all the other Aussies around LBT. So it's cheers from me, and good-onya mates!

WOW Colleen you look awesome!!! Keep up the good work.

You will be at your goal weight in no time.

hugs

mary

WOW Colleen you look awesome!!! Keep up the good work.

You will be at your goal weight in no time.

hugs

mary

Thank you so much, I put the photos there to show people but i didnt think it would be that big :heh: it is like BOOOOOOMB there I am! Oh well at least i can share before and well over half way I am now :puke: yipee!!! Thanks again for the complement, now when i show my before photos people are like "that is not you" Thank you, you have put me in a great mood now

i can't believe it's the same person you look really great, shame i didn't get to really talk to you with me getting lost and arriving late and you going soon after but karingal sounds like a great spot to catch up again

**waves to mary9, jojo41, simmah_oz and jane73** Hi there gang! Nice to meet you!

Hi aus_colleen,

It was nice to meet you on Saturday, and I'd love to meet up with you for a proper chat again before you go overseas. Your photos are amazing, but you look thinner in real life that the "after" shot. You must feel fantastic to have broken the 100kg barrier now.

Let us know when the Karingal gathering is on - it's not too far away from me. What is the banding convention? I had no idea this thing was so big it had it's own conferences...

Cheers!

Hey guys,

I am back from the honeymoon, Paul ended up taking me to Tasmania so my new swimmys didnt come out of the suitcase. We had a really good time and stayed at a few different places. My fave was Hobart right in the middle of the city and the most awesome markets I have ever been too. We stayed at Diamond Beach and Port Arthur too.

I am very impressed DH planned all that on his lonesome without help from me and now I know he can do it I have let him know I will be expecting more haha.

Good to see you again Colleen, everytime I see your pics I do a backflip, you are like half the person I met last year.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and I will post pics as soon as I get some back.

I've been a bit of a lurker, sorry! I live near Frankston so am near a few of you, I love meetups but was unable to make the one last weekend. Heard talk of a meet being done at The Hubb in Karingal, that would be great (hopefully a weekend I dont have kidlets, maybe 21st October??)

Nic

The next meet is at The Hub Karingal on Sunday the 22nd October at 1pm just reply here or email me australian_colleen@yahoo.com.au if you wanna come and it will be great to meet yas

Oh and kelly thanks for the complement, i would love to see your photos now.

OHhhh and yes the next banding convention is in Sep-October (their long weekend) next year 2007 so start saving and make sure you get a script for Maxalon he he he

I better get my fat ass to work. . see you all

No chance of teh 21st instead?? Have a 30th Celebration thing for my son's kinder on 22nd so no chance of me getting there & would like to since its nice & close.

hi kellie great to hear everything went so good can't wait to see pic's.

and hi to nic hopefully there will be a few meet up's now that we have actually got together. how long have you been banded? and who by?

Heya all

Im sorry but i wont be able to make this meet as im taking my children away for a few days at Phillip Island:).

Have a good one

Hopefully the next one i can DEF make it:)

Hi Jenny

I've been banded 15mths & lost about 20kgs, had to have 2 ports replaced though so been a bit slow process.

I was banded by Geoff Draper. I live near Frankston.

I've been flat out of late & find that the meetups nearer the city are just too hard for me to get to, I completely forgot about the one last weekend, Andy sms'd me late in arvo to ask if i I'd gone to it.

Nic

Hi, Just joined your group. I'm in desperation and have just asked for a referral from my doctor to have the Lband out. Sick of keeping it a secret, sick of the family watching my eating habits and worrying what is wrong, sick of putting my finger down my throat to relieve the blocked food, I guess sick of just not being normal. I have never had anyone to talk to, and just reading some of your chat there does not seem anyone out there has my issues. My surgeon was Paul Dumbrell Melb. Anyone else had him?

Sorry it has to be on the Sunday too many people have said they are coming to change it now sorry mate

Hi, Just joined your group. I'm in desperation and have just asked for a referral from my doctor to have the Lband out. Sick of keeping it a secret, sick of the family watching my eating habits and worrying what is wrong, sick of putting my finger down my throat to relieve the blocked food, I guess sick of just not being normal. I have never had anyone to talk to, and just reading some of your chat there does not seem anyone out there has my issues. My surgeon was Paul Dumbrell Melb. Anyone else had him?

Hi Ollies Mum,

Sorry to hear you are having problems. Who were you banded by? When were you banded? Perhaps there is someone else with the same surgeon or perhaps if you have no success you might find another one.

It's no secret I have had a hard time with my band. I have lost NO weight, and I am started to eat poor foods as I cant keep the good stuff down often. I am sick of doing all this work and not seeing any weight come off. I accept this is a life changing decision and I have another appointment with my surgeon tomorrow (thurs).

I truely understand it's hard. Have you managed to lose any weight? It must be harder without anyone to talk to as you dont know what is normal and what isnt. There are people on this site with far more experience than I, but I really understand your frustration. Perhaps sharing more of your story might help us to understand what is happens and make suggestions. If you've decided to have the band out, thats your choice and I am not trying to change that. But if you are looking for help and answers or suggestions perhaps there are people here who can help.

Personally, when I cant keep things down my surgeon takes some of the fill out. Perhaps you are too tight. How many mls do you have in? What size is your band?

Hope you find what you are looking for

Regards

Lisa

Sorry to hear the band is not working for you how you'd like. I have heard of some people having it removed (probably only about 2 people) & people who have had their fills removed or band removed (due to other problems) mostly regain the weight they have lost.

Remember why you got the band.

Have you lost weight from it? Are you willing to put that weight back on when its removed?

Honestly some days I hate my band & I've only lost 20kgs (which doesnt seem like much compared to some people) but i'm still glad I have it cause I was getting fatter by the year.

Yes I have the same problems as you, I sometimes think the band is "surgically induced bulimia", yes i feel self conscious when people 'watch' me eat (even if they think they are doing it discretely) & my family drive me nuts with the whole 'you wouldnt be eating that' but all in all I'd do it again.

Hope all goes well. Come talk to us.

Nic