The Avenue Bandits

[JaneS]

Man, it's been way too long since I last posted.

To cut a long story short, I've gone through around 5 months of no loss. Not because of the band but because I started to eat around the band.

I've been back on track for a month now and my loss is now closing in on 30kgs. Not super great but a loss is a loss, right?

[Lisa T]

Indeed Jane, a loss is always a loss which is better than no loss and much better than a gain.

I can't believe I missed this thread before. I signed up to the forum just after I was banded by Mr Stewart Skinner on 28/4/10. So I'm only really a baby bandit. Things are going well for me and I have lost 17.6kg as of this morning. I had to have my port re-stitched last week as it seems I tore some stitches when I was recovering. I also had my second fill while I was under the general. I'm pretty sure I currently have 4ml in a 7ml band and I go back for a follow up appointment on July 23rd (at The Avenue).

I live out in Croydon South but travel to The Avenue for everything band related.

Nice to see this thread and I will definitely keep my eyes on it from now on.

Lisa.

[JaneS]

I had Stewart too! He's lovely.

I just got lazy. And I started not obeying bandster rules around portions, drinking while eating etc.

But I'm back on track and 30kg is not bad. Not great, but not bad.

[tully]

Hi girls,

I totally get what you mean by eating around the band. I am 13 months banded and lately I feel like I don't follow the rules as closely as I should and I have learnt to push the boundaries of my band. I need to take it back to basics and practice lap band 101.

I was speaking to a friend who has the band and is struggling a bit too, we have both recently had fills, but we both know that unless the motivation is there to do the right thing, then it doesn't matter how much fill is in the band.

I desperately want to lose another 10 kilos, but for some reason I don't have the focus I had when getting off the first 40 kilos. Oh well, I'll keep trying!

How is everyone else going? I love hearing everyones updates, it's very motivating.

[Lisa T]

Yes Jane, he is very lovely. I'm very happy with him.

I know I'm only a baby bandit so I'm still trying to get that initial chunk of weight off and hopefully get under 100kg by new year (so I better start exercising). I know I also don't have extent of experience that you girls do and I'm sure it's had to stay enthusiastic when the regularity of the initial visits to the surgeon die down and you sort of find yourself on your own again. One thing that did occur to me though was to think of all of the times that you have dieted in the past though. Every time you would stay strong for 3 - 6 months and then just couldn't keep it up, because hey we weren't designed to rely on will power for something quite this significant. Thing is, in the past you would have fallen in a heap and gained, gained, gained. My understanding is that you have lost 30kg and 40kg. First most important thing is to realise that that is significant weight loss and absolutely remarkable to someone like me who is still trying to get there. Once you've given yourself a pat on the back, continue to do what you are doing now and that is reaching out to other people for some support and motivation. You will get there but unfortunately this one is a marathon and not a sprint. On the plus side it sounds like the band will be able to sustain you when you reach the maintenance phase of your weight loss.

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm dribbling on about something I don't know anything about. I know there are ebbs and flows in all life changing decisions and I'm sure you will get there.

[JaneS]

Lisa, you're absolutely right.

I think the difference is that, even though I've had a six month slump, I have not gained a single kg. In the past, I would have gained and gained and gained. So the band is absolutely doing its job. Once I start holding up my end, we'll be back on track!

[Lisa T]

[quote="JaneS"I think the difference is that, even though I've had a six month slump, I have not gained a single kg. In the past, I would have gained and gained and gained. So the band is absolutely doing its job. Once I start holding up my end, we'll be back on track![/quote]

It's almost like a pause button. I used to always say that I only had enough in the tank emotionally and physically to handle 3 - 6 months at a time of full on work and trying to get the weight off. But then when I'd take a break the weight would stack back on almost immediately. Then once you put at least half of it back on you figure what the hell and fall right off the wagon. Finally you find yourself being even bigger than you were to start with and feeling really depressed about wasted time and how useless you are. Now with the band it seems we are able to take some time to recharge the batteries without going backwards the way we used to. And you know what they say Jane, the first step to fixing a problem is admitting that you have one. You're here on the forum talking about what has been happening of late. That means that you are already on your way again

[Nonny]

I've been using the My Net Diary which is an iPhone app and also a website that both link together to track my calories in the last few days and it seems good so far. I've become far more aware of the amount of calories I've been eating and I am shocked at myself. Even though I don't eat much what I am eating hasn't been great. I slipped back into bad patterns and have to drag myself out of them.

I like what you are saying about the pause button though cause I should have put on 5 kg or more and all I've done is plateau.

Fitness First have just released fitness first online too which looks awesome. I might give that a go cause it's more detailed with training & menu planning guides etc.

www.mynetdiary.com
www.fitnessfirstonline.com.au

Nonny

[bellaamore]

Back to The Avenue next week to visit Helen the dietician and see a doctor- definatly don't need a fill and not 100% sure if I need maybe .1 taken out?
My port has moved again- was told not to worry first time- now it's basically right under the port scar- no pain though more just concern? I have lost about 27 kg over the past 8 months or so - I would imagine my muscles have changed and there is alot less fat.... hopefully no surgery needed etc

B

[Lisa T]

Hi Bella,

I'm going back on Tuesday to see Stewart as a follow up from my re-stitch of my port. I don't think I want to have any more fill put in either because I am definitely noticing the restriction and I have lost 6kg since they last weighed me at the clinic which I think they'll be happy with.

Hope all goes well for you and everything is A.O.K

[bellaamore]

Hey Lisa and every one!

I had Stuart, he is so lovely!! I think I will see him again in November for my 12 month review. He does say hi to me though if he's in the corridor!
My weight loss is great but I can't say it's totally healthy- I have 2 or 3 good days in a week and then the other days are tread carefully days and stick to "safe" foods like cruskits! It's so wied- some times I can eat a soft bagel and other times can't even get water down- I have to get more intune with my band as I know much of it is my fault casue I keep trying to eat casue I am hungry and do it TOO fast!! I still eat too much junk (chips are my weekness) but my emotional eating is pretty much a thing of the past along with my anxiety.
I wan't to get my bloods re-done and see where I am at health wise- hopefully my cholesterol is normal (which was really my only issue) and I want to make sure my viatamin intae is sufficient. My skin and hair have never been healther and my immunity to colds is great so I am assuming I am good
I will definatly be able to reach my 1 year goal of 30kg loss (maybe a little more) I have lost 27kg (WOW who would have thought) and my banaversary is Nov 11!! My goal is only about 16 kg away which I thought when I set would be a safe weight- and puts me at a BMI of 25 exactly. I may even get below that- but I don't want to be super skinny- I like my natural curves and so does my hubby!!
I get lots of you're looking greats and I get so embaressed! I also feel a little guilty as I haven't told any of my friends or family (besides mum and hubby) and I'm still not ready to yet!!
I will stop going on and on!! Thanks every one!!!

Bxo

[Lisa T]

Hi Bella,

I agree Stewart is lovely. I feel very comfortable with him.

I know what you mean about treading carefully. I have pretty much decided that I don't want anymore fill in my band just now. I can eat the things I'm supposed to be eating for dinner but every time I try to eat something I shouldn't be eating it gets stuck. I'm sure part of that is because I just want to get into it and I end up eating too quickly, but I'm not going to argue with it because I'm really not supposed to be eating pies, untoasted bread with a sausage in it, battered hotdogs from the fish and chip shop and most recently a piece of Hot 'n' Spicy from KFC. I end up giving them all up before I've barely touched them because they are just too much work. Now all I have to do is not try to eat them in the first place because it turns out being a waste of money lol.

You sound so very happy and like you are doing so well. You will definitely meet your 30kg goal by your bandiversary. Keep it up and I hope you have a great appointment next week.

[bellaamore]

I pretty much don't do junk food any more full stop- the smell of KFC just makes me ill!
I just got a call from the Bariatric centre to cancel my app with Helen the dietician on Wed but I'm still seeing one of the doctors and I think I will have 0.1ml removed as there are too many bad days to good- yesterday I could eat bread and dip etc and today I can't keep down soup, as it's to inconsitant I think I may be bordering on the red zone. My weight loss this month is phenomenal but I dont think it's healthy with already 3.5kg lost just this month (I usually average 2.5kg) I have been turning to crukits and vegemite to make sure I eat something (can't stomach the thought of going on optifast) on bad days or naughty food like some chips (but they all give me reflux now) or a bit of chocolate- mind you I can't eat a whole bar or anything any more.
I discover "Quorn" yesterday- it's a vegetarian meat substitie and alot moister than meat- I have gone off meat a bit cause it can be too difficult- though lamb can be ok if it's not overcooked. Any way it's on sale at Coles this week for $4 and they have nuggets, shnitzles, patties, mince etc- it's healthy and has protein and was very yummy!
Will keep you updated on my visit and fill removal!

B xo

[Lisa T]

Hi Bella,

Sorry I didn't get back to this thread sooner, it's been a busy week. I saw Stewart on Tuesday morning and I had lost 4.7kg since I was last there (about 5 weeks ago). I told him my thoughts on not wanting a fill and why and generally how I was feeling. He just sat there, smiled at me and then said "I really don't have anything to say. Your weight loss is great, and you sound happy and well so we'll do nothing for now." So I go back and see him again on the 24th of August.

I'm not put off by the smell of junk food at this stage but I am at the point where I have learnt from my past experiences and just decide that it's not worth it. It's a far cry from my obsession days where I would think about fish and chips or something one day and then continue to obsess over it for 3 or 4 days after that and then finally decide to go and get it and absolutely pig out.

I will have to check out the Quorn. I've heard of it before but have never actually tried it for myself.

I saw in another thread that you mentioned your fill removal and I'm glad to hear that it is working out for you. I'm really happy with my decision to not have a fill this time around. Some foods can be a bit tricky to eat as it is and I know that I had my band put in to make me healthier and enjoy myself more not give me all sorts of issues.

Keep up the good work.

[Elizabeth]

Hi All,

Just wanted to say Hi - I'm a newbie to the forum, was banded in late December 2009 by Gary Crosthwaite @ The Avenue.

[Nonny]

Welcome to the forums Elizabeth !

Nonny

[bellaamore]

I need my .1ml back!!! I over ate yesterday and had the worst stomach ache all night, havent had that for years!!!! I feel yuck Need my head to catch up casue my will power is CRAP- in contrast the meals I ate were not al that big just too big for me!!!
I am officially have my first FAT day in ages!!! Yuck Yuck hink I need to take the dog fora loooonnnng walk to melt the fat!!!!

B xo

[Elizabeth]

Bellaamore you remind me so much of myself!!!!!!!

Keep your chin up!

[bellaamore]

Hi all,
Went back to see Peter today at the Bariatric Centre and we decided to put that 0.1ml back in. He double checked and took all my fill out to ensure only 0.1 was removed and there was no leaks and yep it was 0.1ml- what a massive difference it made!! He gave me a referal for a barium swollow just incase I have any problem over the next few weeks and a dvd to watch!
So here's to some weight loss again (i just went up and down 1.5 kg for the last 3 weeks) and getting under 80kg!

B Xo

[Rhiain]

Hi Girls,

Well I havent been around in awhile, I could really use a kick up the old beeehind, have managed to gain back 5kg of my precious losses in the last 6 months or so....

Have started going to the new clinic run by The Avenue at Frankston Private - seeing Dr De Garis she is wonderful! Being a bandit herself I find she has a better perspective and really knows what we are going through.