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!

Hi All, I will echo what others have said everybody is welcome on the Melbourne chat thead!

I am so glad that I am not a drinker. I could count on one hand the number of drinks I have in a year, and then they are only pushed into my hand by others at parties etc.

Susannah

HI

I was banded sometime ago, I live in Adelaide South Australia but don't really know anyone here who has been banded. I know a couple of you from online boards but it is nice to meet other Aus bandster

Keran.... feel free to join the Melbourne Thread.... most of us seem to be hanging out there and it includes interstate people.

oops!!! KAREN

too early in the morning for me

HI

I was banded sometime ago, I live in Adelaide South Australia but don't really know anyone here who has been banded. I know a couple of you from online boards but it is nice to meet other Aus bandster

G'day Kebsa

I'm in Adelaide also, Welcome to the Forum

I've found some great support here at the forum, in this and many other threads. Theres some great reading in the various sections. I'd have been lost without this forum for sure.

I was banded 7 weeks today. I had my first fill last week.

I'm doing really well with it. The weight is dropping off slowly and surely.

How long ago were you banded?

How are you going with it?

CHEERS to you and Welcome Again

Hi Karen - we've already met on the other site!

Hi everyone else whom I haven't met yet! And G'day to those of you whom I haven't chatted to for a while!

I am in Melbourne.

hi anna havn't done much posting lately, but have been checking in havn't seen you on the boards very much are you okay?

Hi Gerbera

I was actually banded back in 2001 and intially started losing weight- dropped about 20 kg but ran into a lot of medical problems that took a long time to diagnose properly- had to have all the Fluid removed from the band because of the problems. I have been wheelchair dependant for 12 yrs and eventually was also diagnosed with MS that had affected ability to swallow- once that was properly diagnosed and diet was modified a bt to allow from the problems I have started losng weight, I have now lost 28kg since nov- have a very long way to go tho! Have just been able to have a small fill put back which, s taking a while to get used to again- I was a bit worred that I may have to have it removed/reduced again but I am gradually improving- its been a week since the fill and am alsmost back to the same type of foods I was managing before the fill- so I am happy these days!

Hi Goanna,

Amazing the people you bump into! I have seen a few familiar names here!

OMG Karenb.... that makes 3 of us with MS. Myself and susannah have it too. My neurologist thinks this is a great decision. I was diagnosed with MS in 1997. I have betaferon injections every second night. Ive been extremely fortunate with the MS.

hi anna havn't done much posting lately, but have been checking in havn't seen you on the boards very much are you okay?

Hiya Jenny - thanks for asking after me - I am doing great thanks, although have been very busy over summer with holidays, work and starting DS in prep. I've had very limited computer time. I've been reading posts as much as I can though. How are you going? Would love to catch up with you again soon.

OMG Karenb.... that makes 3 of us with MS. Myself and susannah have it too. My neurologist thinks this is a great decision. I was diagnosed with MS in 1997. I have betaferon injections every second night. Ive been extremely fortunate with the MS.

Geez, who wudda thunk it - 3 banded Aussies in our midst with MS. You guys should start a banded with MS thread (as well as hanging out in our local threads of course! LOL!). There's sure to be other bandsters with MS around, and the insights and advice that you could share with each other about your unique needs and issues would no doubt be a great reference and help to all of you.

I'll be keeping this very special and brave set of bandits in my thoughts and prayers.

:rockon: Hi everyone! and thanks Susannah for telling me about this Aussie thread so that I came looking for it!

I'm Jude from Melbourne and I have been a bandee for 8 days now.

Feeling positive despite liquid lunches and brekkies and dinners ( and not the alcoholic kind either!) Amazing how creative you can get with those liquids eh - there's lot of choice around. Even so, I was excited to start on some 'mushies' today - something with a leetle bit of texture is nice!

Been reading through lots of your messages - so encouraging - how do I put one of those cute little ruler thingies at the bottom of my page to show my progress?....they are great!

Cheers, Jude

Hi Jude

I did mine at the tickerfactory ( www.TickerFactory.com) then cut an pasted it into my signature- I think there is a thread about how do do tickers but I can't remember where it was!

Hi Bronie

As for the MS cluster, I met Susannah yesterday (on the boards) and now its nice to meet Bronie as as well (I do the betaferon every second day too- my abdomen looks like a pink and red dalmation most of the time because of it!! I was diagnosed 2004, but they think I have it for at least a decade- it was great to eventually find out what had been causing problems> its always easier to deal with a problem when you know t understand it well.

morning all.... im off the see physician at 10am and dietician at 3pm. Will fill you all in this evening. Have a good day

Hi Bonnie

I am seeing my surgeon on Monday 27th and am already booked n for surgery on March 23. I went 2 years ago and then was talked out proceeding by a girlfriend who thought I was having a stomach staple!

Can't wait until it is all done and I am losing weight - I have tried everything and really think this is the solution. All the best!

Cleo