How Bout New Zealand

[slimmingkazzy 0]

Hi Brenna,

Yay you, it is great to get that weightloss moving again, I find when ever my mind starts to say "I won't lose anymore, I'm a failure blah blah blah" it is usually because I have lost some or most restriction and am hungry again, go get a little fill and think "oh thats right this is what it does" LOL So I am not a failure after all.

The fills are imperative though, I can imagine the hassle of going to Tga everytime you need a slight tweek to get you going again, a friend gets her's done in auckland by her surgeon, are you able to just get your fills in Auckland, or do you get them free with your surgeon in Tauranga? It would not hurt to transfer your file if you were happy to do that for convenience...

I would love a get together sometime, there seems to be a few Aucklanders here, and I am happy to come that way for a weekend some time, maybe we could meet for Band practice LOL

Sounds great even sharing food ideas for when we get stale would be good.

Karen

[Beka 0]

Wow Brenna that's a long way to travel for your fills, have you thought about transferring to someone closer - good to see things are moving again for you.

I have one week to ago until my surgery and how much have I lost since I last saw the Doc. Zero zilch nada!!!! I just find it so hard to stick too and have found myself binging at night and now I am so scared they won't let me go through with the surgery. I was told to lose about 4 kilos. Has anyone else completely bombed on the pre op diet!?! I am completely freaking out, I don't want my surgery to be postponed or cancelled because I am too useless to stick to a simple and relatively short diet but I feel that is what I am facing.

:help: Bex

[Nuff 0]

Hey Bex

Don't worry too much about the pre-op weight loss. I only lost a couple of kilo's and the doctor didn't say anything negative. The pre-op diet is REALLY HARD! I found it totally horrible. Now that I'm onto the mushy stage of post-op I feel full after 1/2 cup mush and I don't think about food all the time like I used to. Be brave, I am sure that if I can do it anyone can!

Does anyone know of a fill doctor in Wellington? I will have to fly to Tauranga for fills! *sigh*

[Beka 0]

Well here I am one week down and feeling....well not sure really. Am only on liquids and dont seem to be able to take in a lot so I am a bit worried that I am not giving my body enough to heal. Also right now would give anything for something to chew - I miss the chewing sensation. I haven't felt hungry at all yet if anything I have to remind myself to try and drink my Protein otherwise I reckon I could get through the day pretty much on nothing. My surgeon said he put 5ml in my band when he did the surgery so maybe thats why I haven't felt the hunger yet. Big bonus of course has been the weight loss so far - loving that!!!

Anyway how are all the other Kiwi banders going?

Bex

[amourette 5]

Guys we really need to get this thread moving...........I have been pretty slack also, but would love to get a group meeting going in Auckland. Have you guys checked out those fills in Akl and Wellington, Robert Fris is the one to talk to in Aucklnad, I wanna tell you the ph number but do't have a reference regarding phone number right now.............there is no way they would turn you away from a fill, you just move your files, maybe as someone said before , maybe you have free fills or something included, wish I did, hahahaha..............but if not you have no reason to travel out of major towns for fills.

Well after that, I am well and hoping to get this group moving a bit more...............I am well into the journey after Easter banding last year, I do have hard times as I know there are things I can eat around the band, need to pick up the exercise also, I don't wanna be a fat aunty, just to remind to you all who I am, Fiona, 36 yrs, 110kg at banding, not sure what at now I think it is 72kg, enjoy the first joys of weight loss 'cos I do think you reach a plateau a bit, would be interested to hear other opinions.................I haven't told a lot of friends, find it hard to explain the sudden weight loss, at moment surviving, but very tight in the morings and I kinda have to ease into eating, does anyone else have this.........

Ok

will chase you guys up if don't hear in next couple of days......Beka I know it is hard, but if you don't lose it now it is always harder later.............

Ciao all, waiting for your replies

XX Amourette:clap2:

[merelou 0]

Merelou again. Well it is a week since my last visit to Tauranga, and now have 11ml in 11ml band! At last getting some response from the band that helps.For Nuff who asked about Robert Cable, I guess by now you have your band done, Rob is a very thorough man and nice guy also. I travel up from Southern Hawkes Bay each time I need a fill, fortunately have friends and family up there so usually go up on a Monday (drive myself) get fill on Tuesday and back home on Thurs if all is well. As many of you may have been told "its only a tool ! " well, as I explained to Rob its pretty hard chopping wood with a blunt axe and now he has sharpened it I can get results!!! I have a tendency to question restriction and try and beat the system etc and this is the worst thing to do with a band! Back on liquids for a month and so far so good. Have set myself a goal to reach by Christmas, going to Oz in January.Also started going to Curves Gym,Time will tell.

Merelou

[Ange123 0]

I am currently in the holdong pattern waiting for my first fill. although it is scheduled for 27th August.

when I had my surgery my specialist presented me with a picture os a Cyst !!! Bugger and then advised I do need to do something about it.

So I made a appointment with my Gynae and she sent me for Ultra Sound , then I had to have a MRI scan (that MRI was awful) any way I went back to the gynae on Wed and she said that the cyst is the size of a tennis ball and it has to come out Grrrrr. I had had a hystorectomy last year and lost an ovary then so I only have one and it is doing over time growing. so they have booked my in for the 14th September I have no choice.

I now feel frustrated cause if I did not have the surgery I would have no clue that I had a cyst.the only upside is I hope it weighs a lot i guess every little bit helps.

My question is will I still be filled with my impending surgery ????

Does any one know.

[amourette 5]

Fiona here, so how about a catch up in city centre Auckland next week..........I would love to meet some of you, sorry for those not in Auckland, I am 18 months banded, I am quite happy to answer any questions you want to ask........ get back to me about next week

Love Amourette

Be Strong!

[striver 0]

Is there anyone out there that is from New Zealand. I have just joined this website - thanks to another friend who told me about it. I was just wondering if there were any other kiwi's out there. I have just had my banding op on the 8th March 07, so it all rather new for me. Just gone on to the mushy food stage and excited about that. Some normal food that I don't have to drink - YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a kiwi but live in Australia - I missed the boat some 30 years back and there are too many sharks in the bass strait so didnt want game to swim........ hoping to be banded next year this time ..... kind regards M:p

[skinnyafatbody 0]

Well, i am just about to take the first steps ...

i have spoken briefly with a surgeon ....

i have the ok from hubby ...

Going to see the GP on Friday - the thing i am most nervous about. He has been my GP since i was 8 years old - i am not sure on what his opinion will be regarding surgery. fingers crossed he says it is ok to explore further.

Now for the questions:

Do any of you know what Southern Cross's criteria is for accepting? I have been a member for like 10 years with them, so i meet the time thing ... what about the rest?

Has anyone had it done in HB, at Royston? I have had contact with a surgeon there ... would be keen to hear about experiences!

What is the average cost? What does this include - and just as importantly - not include?

And to end of a good note - omg - those PB's sound positively revolting!! (though bareble if i can be the normal sized person i feel like - but don't look like)

[snuggels 0]

Hi snuggels here I was searching the net for banding and have stuck gold (I hope finding this sight) I am very interested in having stomach banding and wonder if anyone could recomend a understanding and god specilist in Auckland West Auckland would be great. Also a rough estemate of the cost? Thanks

[Ange123 0]

HI

I was lucky enough to be accepted by Southern Cross the total surgery cost $15,000 southern Cross pay a one off fee of $6000.00 at the discretion of the cheif medical officer, I need a letter from the specialist saying my weight and BMI and a brief family history to give them an idea, then I faxed this through and the surgery was approved, and questions donet hessitate to ask

I have now lost nearly 20kgs so this is so worthwile

[skinnyafatbody 0]

wow, 20kgs, thats great. Can i ask how long ago you had the surgery?

[Ange123 0]

I started the pre op in the Middle of may and unfortunately I have just had a large cyst remonve from my ovary and my ovary but progress has been very good hard work and determination

you can do it too

[skinnyafatbody 0]

Ange, i hope all has gone well with the cyst removal, it would be a worrying time for you i am sure!

i have been to see my doc today - he has given me the thumbs up for going to see a surgeon and writing a letter to the surgeon today with my medical history. What a relief!

I feel very positive about this.

Thank you