The Avenue Bandits

[tully]

Hello ladies,

Sounds like everyone is doing so well!

I had a bit of a 2.8 kilo blip over Christmas, but back on track now. I had a fill yesterday and apparently now have 5ml in my band. I asked what size band I had (assumed it was 10 ml, not sure why) and I was told it was a 6-8 ml APS band! I'm not sure why they couldn't tell me exactly what size it was though. Anyway, after the fill I think I am feeling a bit more restricted, prior to this I feel like I had no restriction at all.

I have a question for you guys, do you struggle with your energy levels? I must admit I feel tired a lot and wonder if my calories are too low. What calories do you tend to aim for in a normal day? I don't count calories strictly, but I do aim to eat about 800-1000 calories a day and exercise 4-5 days a week. I have just started to take a berocca every morning and I am hoping that will help.

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Nonny, you are so close to getting into doubl digits, how exciting! What are you going to do to celebrate when you get there?

Rhiain, 20 kilos in 7 months is awesome! Especially because that is 20 kilos gone FOREVER!

Bellamore, that sounds like Dr Bequith (spelling?), he is quite nice and gentle. 1.8 kilos lost in a week is great, wouldn't it be awesome if every week was like that!

[Nonny]

Tully - sometimes yes and sometimes no, I think it's just me generally though. Although the chewable vitamins helped stop my hair falling out.

I don't know what I'll do to celebrate yet - it's funny trying to celebrate things without food. Very very weird.

[qui_xxx]

Hi Everyone,

Up early this morning, and first thing hopped on the scales, and surprise, surprise, I am under 82kgs again. Touched on 81.9 a couple of weeks ago, but then have been hovering around 82-83 again. But today, 81.7kgs, so I am hoping I will now continue to lose. My weight loss is very slow, and it can be a bit disheartening, but I am determined to reach "overweight" stage this first quarter of the year. That would mean 79,7kgs (BMI <30), so another 2kgs loss. Had a fill on the 15th, and I am not going back until March 15th, but I will see how things go and might go back for another fill earlier than that. I feel I am getting close to where I want to be as far as restiction is concerned, I have to be very careful chewing enough, but can still eat too much before getting full. Also still looking for food at night, so I have to be very strict not giving in to cravings then. Bought some Isowhey, and I have some of that if I get too hungry. Other than that, I am feeling great. Have gone from size 22 tops and 20 pants, to 16 tops and 14-16 pants. Bought a pair of 14 pants, they do fit, but are fairly firm, so I still prefer the 16 but they are now getting very lose around the top of my legs and backside, but fit perfectly around waist. My waist has always been a size bigger than my hips and legs, so I guess I am barrel shaped

Hope everyone else are travelling well. It is a great journey, but frustrating at times.

Have a great Australia Day weekend.

[bellaamore]

Had my 3rd fill this morning, 0.5ml this time making it a grand total of 5.5ml in a 7.5ml band! Apparently I have losy 25% of my excess weight which is encouragind as my loss seems slow. i'll be back and stepping up the excercise this month especially with the wedding in just over 4 weeks!!!!!

[Rhiain]

Hi Ladies,
I'll crawl out from under the rock I've been hiding under... Nonny Congrats on nearly being double digits!!! I wish I were that far along... I've been stagnate at 20kg lost for weeks apon weeks now... its driving me nuts! I am happy I didnt put any on over christmas which was my plan.

Nonny, I find that the band gets tighter a few days before my period and the first few days of... other than that it then lostens up.

If anyone wants to go, i'm going to go to the Nutritional Seminar on the 15/2/10 6.30pm onward its $49.95 (or 10% discount if you book with someone) Nonny I think this is the on you went too... i just didnt have the $$$ at the time. I'm hoping it will get me back on the loosing rather than staying the same!

Rhiain

[Nonny]

Bella - not long till your wedding now. How's everything coming along for you??

Rhiain - babe what's going on? Are you too tight? Not tight enough? Not exercising? Eating wrong? I do hope it moves for you soon. It's so frustrating at times.

Me I broke through into double digits Yay!!!!!
Went in and had an infill on saturday then back in this morning to have it all put back. I felt like I had no restriction whatsoever despite only .1ml being removed so this must be what the sweet spot feels like. I'm losing an average on 555g a week but it seems to happen a at once or not at all. I'm up and down like a yoyo.

I have a few friends who know about my decision to be banded but it is far from public knowledge quite a few people have decided this is also the best path for them. I am so excited for them and the journey they are about to go on. Hopefully they'll come and post in here too.

Good luck all I hope all is going well for you

Nonny

[ChunkyMonkey]

Hi all =)

Just have a question regarding band size at the Avenue; do they use the same sized bands for everyone and, if so, what size? Do they put any fill in at the time of surgery?

Ta!

[bellaamore]

Hi Chunky Monkey,

I don't think they use the same size bad on every one- I have a small band which is 7.5ml, I think it depends on your size.

Nonny, wedding is in just under 3 weeks and the weight isn't coming off as fast as I had hoped but what can I do, i didn't get banded for the wedding i got it for life !
I have 5.5ml in my band and the .5ml they put in 2 weeks ago has made no difference! I have another fill Tuesday week. I just want to have some restriction- obviously I can't eat certain foods any more and regurgetate more than I should (eating to fast and too big bites)- I'm still getting hungry and can eat too much!- Plus side is I am eating less than before and not any where near as much junk and I still need to slow down and take smaller bites!
I need to make an appointment with the dietician to dicuss my eating now so that i do reach my goal weight by my 30th Birthday in 15 months!
At least i am losing it slowly and it will stay off!
B xoxox

[candidbandit]

Hi girls,

Wow, what a journey you've all been on. I have spent the last 45 minutes reading back through these entries and more.

Congratulations to all of you for your losses. I bet you're overjoyed and your life is so much different to what it was a year ago.

I am on OptiFast currently and I'll be banded by Professor Paul O'Brien on March 22. Going crazy with excitement! Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself.

[qui_xxx]

Good luck candidbandit. Hope Optifast is going well for you. I quite enjoy Optifast, and have it every so often even now, if I come home tired from work and cannot be bothered cooking. Try to stick with it a well as you can, as the more weight you can lose before operation is going to be good. I am a very slow loser since operation. I lost 11kgs on Optifast prior to banding in about 8 weeks (I did not stick to it 100% in that time, wish I had). After surgery I am averaging only about 2kgs per month, but it is going in the right direction, and I am only now getting to a restriction that is limiting my eating. I don't want a too tight restriction, I guess if I did, I would lose quicker, but I am happy just plodding along as I am now. Very close to being in overweight range (BMI <30), have about 1/2 kg to go for that.

[bellaamore]

Hi all,

Had another fill last Monday so have 5.9ml in my 7.5ml band and it's finally making a bit of a difference, still think I need another 2-3ml to the sweet spot!
So the good news is my wedding is in 3 days and my dress has been taken in all over numerous times! I am losing regularly at least 700g-1kg a week and am also back at the gym! all on track!

B xo

[OWDAD]

Hello I am new to these boards. I have recently had my appointment with Stephen Blamey and he has booked me in to attend the seminar next week. Following that he said if I still want to go ahead to give him a call and make an appointment. I have a couple of questions I was hoping might be answered.

1. What sort of time frame can I expect from when I first book that appointment until I get the surgery done? I really want to get this all done ASAP so the sooner the better.

2. What are the steps that lead up to the surgery? How many appointments do I have and what is done at each one?

3. I'm funding privately through super and was wondering what sort of costs I can expect. I was told $5550.00 for the surgery, anesthetist, an assistant and the BC fees. But how much will the hospital cost me?

Thanks very much for your help.

[tully]

Hi OWDAD,

I've tried to answer your questions below based my my experiences, but I think everyone is different. Good luck!

1. The time frame differs, I would guess that you probably couldn't get a surgery date for a couple of months, by the time you have your pre-op appointments (normally 2-3) and get your date, it normally takes a little bit of time. I can't say for sure though because I had to wait for my private health insurance to come through, so the Avenue time frame was irrelevant to me, I was just waiting for my waiting period to finish. It also depends how busy your surgeon is and how picky you are with dates (ie. trying to work around work, kids, partners etc).

2. I think I had 3 appointments, my initial appointment and then I had to get tests done (bloods etc) and then come back for the results and to get a date and then the last appointment was a pre-op appointment. They are all fairly quick and easy.

3. My surgery was $3450 out of pocket and then I paid $250 for two nights in hospital, but this depends on your health insurance and what your hospital cover is I think.

[OWDAD]

Thanks for the reply Tully.

[bellaamore]

I had my second dietitian appointment that was included with the surgery costs, I was really disapointed as I didn't find them at all helpful this time. THe only usefull info I got was to include more beans/legumes in my diet as it will keep me fuller longer....Has any one seen any good Lap-Band dieticians? I want some one to tell me what I should be eating and more ideas.
B xox
p.s the wedding went well and my dress got taken in 3 times!

[Nonny]

Bella thats awesome news!
As for a dietician try Helen Bauzon
http://helenbauzon.com.au/

Myself I weighed in at exactly 30kg gone this morning. Things have been moving very slowly lately and work has taken over my life so it feels great to have reached that milestone. I have to really start moving myself towards a better fitness program so that's the next area for me to target.
Little bit by little bit.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Candid - not long now I am so excited for you. Sending lots of love and healing vibes.

Nonny

[bellaamore]

Thanks Nonny! I am at The Avenue on Monday morning for a fill and since she practices there as well I will make an apointment. Need good advice and a push or a kick up the bum! After not eating chocolate for about 2 months I'm addicted to it- VERY BAD!!!!
I am learning to eat slad again- I find it hard to get down so I have to really eat slowly and carefully- think I need another 0.2ml- I think I have 6.3ml in my 7.5ml band- What should the right amount feel like?? Will I know?....
Thanks xoxoxox

[jacquic]

Hello everyone, I've just found this forum, so thought I'd jump right in and get onto the Avenue Bandits thread.

I had my surgery on 6th May at The Avenue by Associate Professor Peter Nottle. I've just started on the Week 4 eating plan and am looking forward to next week's eating plan when I can pretty much get back to more real food. Tried mince meat tonight, and I don't think i've ever, in my whole life, enjoyed rissoles as much as i did tonight!

I go back and see my surgeon on Wednesday, so will find out then all about my band, what size it is, when they start doing a fill. Although the wound where the port is, is still not quite healed and that area of my stomach is still very tender to touch, i'm hoping I won't get a fill this week.

I didn't have a great amount to lose, I had this surgery mainly to help get my diabetes under control, as nothing seemed to be working for me. To date, since I started on Optifast 3 weeks before the surgery (6 weeks ago) I've lost 9 kilos, with 6 of that being post-op. My blood sugars are starting to come down, which to me is the best news and hopefully I won't have to go back onto insulin (type 2 diabetes) as that didn't bring my levels down and only put on weight.

Looking forward to exploring this site in much greater details.

[tully]

Hello everyone!

I have been overseas for 3 months and just got back and catching up on everyone on this website. So how is everyone going? I would love an update on how banded life is treating everyone- the good, the bad and the ugly!

I was travelling for 3 months and gained 2.2 kilos, which I was quite happy with because I was eating burgers and fries every day almost... So I am sitting at 92 kilos now, with my highest weight being 129.7 kilos.

I got back to Melbourne Tuesday and went to The Avenue for a fill on Wednesday, ready to get back on track. I had .4 mls put in my band, taking me to 5.2 ml (I think), but I can't feel it at all. I am starving!!! So I have booked in for another fill for this Thursday, I am so ready to get some good restriction and lose some weight.

Bellamore, I saw on another thread you were looking at starting a support group, how did that go? I would be keen to meet up and chat with other Avenue (or Melbourne) bandsters for support and advice, great idea!

Jacquic, how are you going after your surgery? Hope you're feeling great!

[bellaamore]

Hi Tully,

I haven't had a chance to really write much of the seminars as yet, also wanted to wait till I had "really" experienced band life and the sweet spot!!
Loveit is another Melb girl looking to meet up with fellow bandits. Would be great to meet for a coffee and chat for a little support!

B