Hey all,

My name is Josh and I am from Brisbane. I am 29 and weigh 160kg. I have always been big and am just about at wits end. I am finally having my lap band op on 14th January and I can't wait! I am hoping to have some support either online or a support group around Brisbane.

I am a litte nervous but very excited about how it is going to change my life. I can't wait to go out in public without people staring at me, to buy clothes in a 'normal' shop, to be able to go to Dreamworld and actually go on the rides! It might seem like I am whinging but its excites me that I will be able to do all these things and more!

Hoping to chat to you soon,

Josh.

Welcome Josh

I'm Amy, and I'm from Perth. I am also a newbie around here.

If your looking for support I'm sure you'll find plenty here, I have learnt a lot from the message boards since joining here in November.

To me it doesn't come across as whinging (where you have stated some of the reasons for wanting this op), I myself, and probably many of us here made the choice to get the band for the same reasons (and for a longer, healthier life).

Congratulations on your Quest for a better life. I look forward to hearing about your progress. If you need some support feel free to pm me.

Good luck. Amy

Welcome Josh. It's a big step to take but definitely worth it. I'm from Sydney and was banded on 1 Nov. Have lost 12 kilos so far and am extremely happy with the result. Being nervous and excited at the same time seems to be a very common thing... I was so anxious that I couldn't stop eating and put on weight prior to the op. Good luck with your journey and keep us posted. :whoo::whoo:

Thank you so much for your kinds words and encouragement, it really means a lot. I was having a bit of a downer last night!

I am starting Optifast on 1st Jan, which just happens to be new years day so I thought I would make it a new year challenge. Firstly to stick to optifast, and then to get to my goal weight of 100kg.

You have both had your bands in very recently and it gives me great encouragement that you have lost so much weight in the short time since, that is so fantastic.

I will definately be around here chatting with you, and will more than likely sending a PM when I am having a hard time!

Thanks again, Josh.

Gday I'm from Perth i got my band one year ago and it is the best thing i have ever done and i was much bigger than you when i started

and now I'm only 20 kg off my goal weight

:rain:Welcome to the site Josh!!! Congrats on your date. If you surf the threads here you will find lots of good info. Donna

Happy to help when I can Josh. Lots of info here for those times when there's no-one to talk to. Good luck, you'll feel great once the weight starts coming off.

Hi,

I had my band put in on the 10th of December. I haven't been sick but I do find myself day dreaming about steak dinners. I am still a bit sore and get tired during the day. I am waking up at 4.30 though. Dr Flanagan did my surgery. He is really nice. I go for my first post op check up this Tuesday. It is really great to be able to talk to other people that are going through the same thing.

Hey TMG, I'm just a week ahead of you. Had my post-op appt yesterday and have been allowed to start mushies - so much better than fluids. Good luck on Tuesday.

Welcome Josh, plenty of people here if you have questions.

Danna

Hi Josh,

I hated Optifast so I used Tony Fergerson shakes, which are much nicer and lost 7 kilos in three weeks. My surgery date was brought forward so I didn't get the four weeks to liquid diet that they recommend. There are a lot more flavours and you still lose loads of weight and they taste great! I am still using them now in my first week post op.

Cheers,

TMG

Josh,

If you are allowed diet soft drinks while you are on Optiyuck, try mixing vanilla Opti with 200ml of your favourite - just like drinking a spider - I actually didn't mind drinking it this way.

Danna

Hi Josh,

Welcome. I had my band inserted in February of this year. I have lost a lot of weight and it has changed my life.

Good luck with it.

Susannah

hi josh. i am new too.. and i have my op on jan 21 so just a week after you.. pretty awesome experience waiting for it to happen eh?

so many things going through head.. adn for once, the hope that this time you may actually lose the weight. (although to be honest,, i still have doubts) look forward to hearing how you go with it all. seeing ur a week ahead of me, you can let me know what i am in for!

my msn if you prefer is neil4tracey@hotmail.com

seeya

tracey

Hi all,

Thanks again for all your words of support.

I have been there and done Tony Ferguson, and never want to taste another TF shake again!

I am going to give Optifast a try, despite everyone's dislike of it! lol.

I figure that its the means to an end and I will just persevere. Its only 2 weeks!

Will keep you all posted on my progess after 1st Jan!!

Take care, Josh.

Hi Josh, I am from Sydney, I had teh band 2.5 years ago, I was around 164Kg and am now about 94. The only regret I ever had about the band was not getting it sooner. Beleive me you will feel the same soon. If you have any questions you think I can answer from first hand experience, feel free to ask me.

Wow Nigel, what an achievement !! Congratulations and I can only hope that I get to a point where I can just be a normal size. I too wish I had discovered it sooner... just think Nigel, you discovered it 12 years agewise before I did.