Age,Gender,Location?

[missymoopooau]

Hi everyone. As I chat to you all it occured to me that I don't know where you all are etc. I'll start the ball rolling with the vitals and look forward to hearing about each of you!
Date of Birth: 28/12/1967 - that makes me 42 for the math challenged! lol
Height- 161 cm. That makes me 5 foot 2 inches for those who care!lol
Weight: 119.8 kilos and rising- That makes me morbidly obese in anyones language! lol
Location- McDowall, Brisbane
Surgeon- Dr George Hopkins,Holy Spirit,Chermside ( or Dr Hope -kins as I like to call him)
BMI- I think 44 now. Somewhere round there?
Other useless info- I work full time assigning analysis to soil and water samples.I have 2 great children. A son aged 17 and a daughter aged 14. I have beem married to my husband since 1995 but we met in 1991. I am a Kiwi by birth but became a citizen in 2007.
I play guitar really badly. I sing in a band at church but am not a singer. Just in tune! lol. I love to read and am reading Jodie Picoult 19 minutes. I LOVE TV on dvd and am a reality TV junkie.lol I also like long walks on the beach and world peace! Bhahahaha!!!
I look forward to learning a little about the worlds in which you all live! Have a great week!!
...Missy

[melissa_186]

haha, ok here goes my big spiel....

d.o.b: 18th june 1986, makes me 24 this year
height: 170 according to the surgeon, recken he robbed me a couple of cms there!!
weight: a shameful 135.... god knows wot number is after the point lol
location: perth WA
surgeon: dr werapitiya at sjog in bunbury
bmi: i have a bmi checker on favourites across the top of my screen, how sad... seems bmi is also a shameful number being 47
info bout me, hmmm, always been big, parents were big, never ate healthy growing up so i guess their habits wore off on me, so now im trying to rectify their mistakes and make sure the same doesnt happen with my kids.
born in melb, moved to perth at 16, never been back to melb since, now have a bf and 2 gorgeous girls, one turning 5 and the other turning 7.
i dont work, am a stay at home mum, figure once i get my health back in order i will get my butt in2 gear and go get a job, but loosing the weight is my priority at the moment.
always up for a chat and a laugh, and have one massive addiction to facebook, so spend wayyy to much time on the computer!!
did u all enjoy my little dribble, look forward to hearing everyone elses stories aswel

[mazzles]

Ok, enter Maz...
Date of Birth: 1st May 1983, which would make me a Taurus, 26 and born in the year of the pig (how fitting!!)
Height: 5 ft 7
Weight: currently 143 kilos, dropping slowly but surely!
BMI: I'm pretty sure it's over 50, but I haven't calculated for a bit--so super obese (sounds terrible!)
Location: Bayswater, Perth, Western Australia
Surgeon: The lovely Dr Kevin Dolan, banded on the 1st Feb 2010 @ Joondalup Private Hospital, WA
Other info: My "real" name is Tamara (meaning "Palm Tree"), however since highschool I got the nickname Mazzles and Maz just seemed to stick! I don't have any kids, but the next best thing are my pets--I have a pekingese called Llama and a kitty called Hank. I have 3 adorable nephews (aged 11, 8 and 6) whom I love to bits and see as often as I can. I work in admin currently, but am studying to be a youth worker. Same kinda story as Mel, always been big, although when I was in highschool I managed to drop a load of weight for my year 12 formal, and ended up getting gall stones in the process (but once that little bladder came out, the weight piled back on!) I love music (especially aussie artists!), performing and visual arts, camping and loooooong road trips, animals, laughing so much it hurts, love LOVE Grey's Anatomy (addicted!!), reading and spending time with my luvverly friends and family.
Ummm..obviously theres lots more, but I don't wanna be a thread hog (ha ha, another swiney reference!) so I'll wrap it up! Peace

[RubyDoo]

alrighty girls - I will have a go!!

DOB: May 8, 1984 - 26 this year. and born in the year of the rat :/
Height, 5 feet 2 inches
Weight: started 132.9kg ewww.... now 115.5kg\
BMI - ummm not sure - does say on my ticker!!
Location: Tassie and am lacking other bandits to catch up with for a chat etc
Surgeon: Tony Patanosis (excuse my spelling) - banded September 1, 2009
useless info - I too have a name change lol - I am Rebecca but since birth my Nan called me Ruby red lips with the red hair and the red dress........ great i know :/ since then Ruby has stuck to which I dont mind at all. I am in a relationship currently which I am unsure at this time where its going - been together 2 years this year. No children. In November I am going to climb the sydney harbor bridge with a friend and I have always wanted to get my bike license but am saving the $$$ atm. I too am addicted to facebook, and my restaurant, farm and cafe need lots of attention

I dont think there is anything really to say lol

Ruby

[melissa_186]

Ok, enter Maz...
Date of Birth: 1st May 1983, which would make me a Taurus, 26 and born in the year of the pig (how fitting!!)
:

bahahaha, omg. i lost it laughing at that comment. i was born the year of the tiger, although feel more like a cow or whale most days lmao.

[suzie]

Ok will have a crack at this too!

D.O.B - 3rd December 1976
Height - 156cm - 5 foot 1!!
Weight - currently 90.3 starting weight pre-band 104kg
BMI - check the ticker!
Banded on the 25th February 2009 By Dr Justin Bessell Adelaide

I know I was not as heavy as most people getting banded, but when you are only 156cm, it's compacted! I have a family history that is starting to get very scary... I am happily Married with a 9 year old daughter and I live in the Adelaide Hills.

Suzie

[Marion]

Marion 62yrs (Looks like I am the old lady of the group )
D.O.B 11.2.1948
Height : 5ft 7inchs
Weight 118Kg pre Op..
114Kg at Operation day 24th Feb 2010.
currently 109Kg..
Location : LakeMacquarie NSW
3 adult Kids .Richard..Anita..David
Married to Hubby Joe for 39years this May.
2 Grand-daughters.Madelyn 3..Genevieve 2
Pets ..
A Samoyed Dog Zeus 12yrs
2 parrots..Sunny a sun conure and Buddy a Blue Quaker.
Run our own Business ,for the past 20years manufacturing Pumps for the use in Mines (and a repair service for the local mines) selling all around Australia and now starting to export to USA,U.K and Europe..

http://www.pumps2000.com

P.S I work from a home office doing the accounts...

[missymoopooau]

WOW! That was a fun game! I think I was born in the year of the big mac! When the weight watchers told me once that my goal weight was 65 kilos I laughed and told her that was my birth weight! My real name is Jenny! um... forget what I was going to say. I was going to give you my facebook details but I kind of like having you all here to get to know and to share stuff with. Stuff that I don't wanna necessarily post on facebook. Is it ok if I keep you all to myself? lol.When I get my stuff together I will add a youtube- before pics -video and I will post a link . I think it's nice that we identify each other as more than the "bandit" or"fatty" or person with a weight problem. If we don't then we are no different than the people I always complain about.You guys are funny and honest and insightful and brave etc.It was important for me to know you all as something else. You know what I mean?Thanks for sharing! ...Missy.

[bellaamore]

Name: Belinda
B'day- 28 June- 28yrs old
Weight: Started 108.6 current 93.2 (though I've gone up and down this week after my wedding eating cake!) Goal 65kg
Height: 160com - 5'3 ish
Location: Melbourne
Surgeon- Mr Stuart Skinner
BMI- is dropping!!! check my ticker as well
I got married last week and have a puppy (9mths) I hope to reach my goal weight by my 30th B'day next year!!

[Ricketty]

I'm in
DOB 2/9/54 which makes me a Virgo - picky, picky! Almost catching you Marion age-wise
Height 5ft 2in
Starting weight 102 kg now at 94kg
BMI think it is about 43
Banded 22/02 in Bundaberg Qld by Dr DeLacy. First fill is due 17/03
I work from home for a training organisation developing training programs for industry. Today I'm working on the cattle industry, but tomorrow it will probably be mangoes and mung beans, which means I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. Some days what I do is reallllly boring, so I web surf to keep myself awake.
Home is a little town called Howard in the Fraser Coast region of Qld. Very small, population about 1500, and therefore not a lot of facilities like gyms (not that I would be guilty of using one even if it was available!).
Throughout my life I've been big and skinny. Skinny is better, believe me. But this time I decided enough of the seesawing weight - it is time to get it off and keep it off permanently. I have two kids (22 and 27) who live in Bundaberg and we went to luch to meet our daughters new partners parents. Usually, I'm pretty self-confident, but the parents were both really slim and fit. I saw myself through their eyes and I knew they were concerned that my daughter would end up big like me and be a liability to their son. That really shook me up. I had been considering lap band for about threee years and that experience made my mind up for me.
My husband has been really supportive but I havent told anyone else - not even my kids. So this forum has been a real godsend. I think that I have been on so many diets over the years, lost weight and then put it back on that this time I just want to make sure it works before I let people know. Once I've lost some weight I will be more comfortable telling others (I think).
What else? I enjoy kayaking and fishing and competition shooting. My dog is called Shumba. he's 55kg and a real sweetie. Most of the day he lies at my feet while I work.
Love Jodie Piccault novels, too and My Kitchen Rules
I'm pleased to be sharing this journey with all of you.
Cheers
Ricketty aka Kate

[bellaamore]

ohh and I'm a typical Cancerain = emotional especialy emotional eater!!

[barbara]

What a good idea this is.

I am 52, female, and have been married for 32 yrs, and have gained 32kg in that time - the best growth of any investment my husband ever made.

I am 161 cm, started this process weighing 91kg (my heaviest ever), and now weigh 85kg. I have set a target of 65 kg, but real goals are to a) buy size 12 clothes in a normal shop, b) never again be the fattest person in the room, c) get rid of high BP & cholesterol, back pain, & lethargy, d) live to a healthy old age

I have 3 kids, girl 29, boy 27 & girl 17. The younger two live with us in Brisbane, Qld. I also have a granddaughter who is 6.

I really have averaged 1 kg weight gain per year, despite trying every diet known, some more than once (ever hopeful).

I now want a permanent solution, have a lovely encouraging medical team and family (selectively told).

Was banded 1 week ago today, no hunger, and feel recovered apart from stamina.

Nice to meet you all,

Barb

[chrissy99]

Hi, I have my first appointment with the surgeon next week.

I am 45 years old have 4 children 21(b), 18(b), 9(g) and 3(b). I am approx 97kg have not been game to get on scales since I have just returned from 2 weeks holiday. When I was in my early 20's the most I weighed was 53kgs. So although I do not seem that heavy I am only 161cm (5ft 2in) and very small framed so I am wearing a size 20-22. My goal is to try and reach 65kg as I think that would be a realistic weight that hopefully I could maintain. I too just want to be able to buy clothes off the rack from mainstream stores. I also want to be healthy for my children and husband. I have been married for 11 years this year to husband no. 2 ( and there will be no more), he is very supportive and is happy for me to do what ever makes me happy.
I work fulltime and have done for the last 6 years or so before that I was working 3 days a week. The only time I have never worked was when I had my kids and was on maternity leave during the 1st twelve months of their lives. I have a very supportive family and friend network and I have never been any good about keeping secrets so most of my friends all know that I am going to see the specialist next week, of course there are those that have no understanding why "you just can't set your mind too it and exercise and stop eating" but they never will understand what it like to be obese and to understand the daily struggle when you love food as I do.

[chrissy99]

Sorry forgot to say where I was from. Eleebana, Newcastle ,NSW. I am seeing Dr Karihaloo next Tuesday for my first appointment and if all goes well well be getting banded at lake macquarie private hospital asap...

[missymoopooau]

Wow! It's so nice to officially meet you all! I really look forward to following all the stages you go through and sharing this with you all. Maybe we could all meet up in 12 monthes and have a 1/2 cup of cocktail? Or some soup? (sounds like crap eh? lol). Or maybe we will sit around together chewing the fat. hehehehehe!!!! Crispy, warm, salty crackling.......droooooolllingggg!!!....um...where was I?....oh never mind. Some People say I'm easily distracted but I say that...Oh! Look! Something shiney...

[Linny51]

Well OK!
Here goes.

Name Linda

Born dec 1951(year of the rabbit) which makes me 58 at the moment
Sagitarian
Height 165cm or in the old rule 5ft 5in

Starting weight 130.9kg
current weight between 108.7 and 110.7 depending on the day

I live in Atherton Queensland

Married to Greg for 10 yrs

Retired grey nomad

check ticker for other dates

[soozington]

And I am Sue
I turned 50 last December - another Saggitarian (another year of the pig kid )
I live in Cairns, with my wonderful partner of three and a half years. His 12 year old son spends alternate weekends and part of each school holidays with us.
I have three dogs, who are my 'babies' and range is size from massive to regular (a bit like the clothes in my wardrobe, really!)
I was banded in October 2009 by Dr Knott in Cairns.
My start weight was 126.5 kilos, my current weight is around the 107 mark (depending on scales, time of day etc) any my goal is 75kg. I was in size 22 clothes and I am now hovering between an 18 and 20 depending on make. I want to be a 14 at the most.
I am 178 cm tall (or 5 foot 9 in the old money)
I am currently a public servant, but that could change at any time, because I tend to stay in jobs for only about 4 years, and I have been in this one for 4 years and 4 weeks! Who knows what is around the next corner.
I have told only a handful of people about the band, and will decide at a later date about telling others.
One of the great positives out of this experience (as well as the butt vs plane seat issue) is that I have started exercising daily and I actually enjoy it - I know, hard to believe....!! LOL
One of the less positive things is that some days I can eat absolutely anything that you put in front of me (like yesterday) and other days I cannot eat anything without chucking (like today). Very frustrating when I made a yummy dinner and couldn't eat it . I don't understand why it varies so much day by day.

I spend too much time on the computer playing useless games, am an avid reader (2-3 books per week), and want to be brave enough to do as the very famous author Quentin Crisp did - not dust my house for decades to see how thick the dust would accumulate before it falls off! I love travel - I have lived on three continents - and would love to travel some more around the world - I will do so when time and money permit (roll on lottery win!!) Anyway, I have to wait till I am skinny because fat clothes take up too much space in the suitcase and weigh too much I seldom watch TV so often am unable to join in conversations....

cheers

Suze

[loubear87]

Hey - it's great to hear from all of you ... here's mine...

Date of Birth: 17/12/1987... 23 this year
Height- 165cm
Starting Weight: 126kgs.
Current Weight: fluctuates between 80 - 82kgs.. that's a loss of 44-46kg depending on the day
Location- Queensland, Townsville
Surgeon- Dr Bovey, highly recommended for those tville people - he's FABULOUS
BMI- 30 at the moment...still overweight, borderline obese still..
Other stuff: I study fulltime at JCU, Bachelor of Education Secondary and a Masters of Guidance and Counselling. Hopefully will be a guidance officer or teacher when i graduate in december this year.. fingers crossed!
I just brought a block of land with my partner of 6yrs and hope that he'll pop the damn question soon You never can depend on men though, so here's hoping he thinks of it!

I still have a giant ass and hope to lose this during the year. I have about 20kgs to go before I am truly happy with my efforts, but now the band is not doing the hard work anymore, as you can only lose up to 60% of excess weight which for me is 44kgs, i've lost 44 - 46 depending on the day, so although the band helps me not be a porker and eat too much, it's down to me for the remaining 20kgs of weight loss.. 64kgs is the goal... one year to do it in - COME ON!!! haha.. probably won't happen, maybe 1.5 - 2yrs.. fingers crossed I stay motivated! I am a size 12 on my top half and at my giant ass I get to about an 18 off the rack in any shop and a 16 in some depending on sizes.. so that's quite a huge difference.. I am definitely the 'pear shape' all those health professionals talk about.

Nothing much else to say... did I cover it all??
Lou..

[chelezilla]

I only just found this thread!! I'm late, sorry, anyone still here??? I'll natter about my stats anyhoo....

loubear and her 'giant ass' made me lol! isn't it bloody fabulous we can just be ourselves here. i'm so happy i found this site, u bandits rock!

About me...
Banded 26 Feb 2010
Start weight 126kg, BMI 44-ish
Current weight 108kg
Height - 168cm - 5ft 6-1/2inches
Born 6 August 1966 = 43 yrs but i look 23yr.... well i FEEl 23yrs and i do look younger, maybe not 20yrs younger but it's my delusion
Year of the horse, and a Leo
ENFJ (for the MBTI assessed amoungst us)
I am engaged to 'thingie' have been since 1998 - yes 12 years! Plan to get married next May when I'm not super sized (I've put it off cuz of my weight for years)
2 wonderful, intelligent, creative, gorgeous children - boy 10yrs, girl 3yrs
1 moggy cat - Milkshakes, 1 great dane dog - Pumpkin
Born in Gosford NSW, moved to Sydney at 18yrs, moved to Adelaide at 23 years, moved to Brisbane at 34 years, moved to Orange NSW at 42 years (want to move back to Adelaide eventually, which is where my heart and friends are).
We have a timer for computer time in my house as we'll all addicted to FB and computer games and emailing and badingtogether (well I am).
I have just returned to admin/IT work with NSW gov, 1st job since having my baby girl now 3yrs.
I want to win lotto, soon, so I can be a stay at home mum for my babies and travel travel travel.
I was an average to skinny teen (size 8-10), average sized in my 20s (size 12-14) and average in my 30s (size 14-16). I put on a stack of weight BEFORE I had my son (up from 70kg to 100kg) but lost it all during the pregnancy. Moved to QLD with a 1yr old at 34yrs and got bigger and bigger and bigger (I hated living in QLD from day one). Was 124kg when I fell pregnant with my daughter (at 39yrs), was 100kg when she was born! Pregnancy is my best diet lol! Then again put all the weight back on + until I was 126kg. Then I got a lap-band!!! I'm hoping it will work as well as pregnancy but keep working unlike pregnancy.
My body shape is that of a keg. My weight is spread all over, I'm very neat with my lard-ness. I also dress for my size, although I've never gone in for tight fitting clothes even when I wasn't big. I do not show the world my muffin top or back fat or flabby arms or dimply thighs. Being big hasn't meant I've been the target of rude comments like some here, actually I mainly feel invisible. And I've tended to dress that part as well, in that I haven't worn attention grabbing clothes, or colours for years. I'm usually head to toe in black. I do like black though
The buzzers gone off, I gotta go! LOL!

[dominique]

allright, allright ... you have sucked me in....I wasn't going to as the "AGL" question really raises the hairs on my neck, but this one is slightly different.
So here's what you want to know (and possibly some stuff you wish you didn't)

DOB - 7 January 1966, Capricorn and if anyone wants to find out what that is in Chinese go for your life coz I haven't got a clue!
Height - 1.66m & I don't do the "old" stuff (you'll see why)...
Location - currently in Canberra (good place to live in betwen end November and end March when the place is reasonably warm. The rest of the year the weather is s&%$!
Surgeon - Charlie Mosse
BMI & weight - check the ticker...
other useless info - Born in the Netherlands 44 years ago, lived in France & worked for Disney in Paris for 8 years. Met hubby online 10 years ago and we've been married for 8. He didn't want to live in the Netherlands & neither did I so Australia was the obvious choice. I love it here and never looked back and am a proud Australian since 2007. I work as a public servant (as you do in Canberra) but I work for the Dutch government (i.e. Dutch Embassy) where I spent 38 hours a week. Earlier this year I decided that it'd be fun to do a bachelor and started open uni 3 weeks ago. At the moment I think I am mad rather then smart for doing this as it takes up all my spare time & then some. Hopefully that feeling will subside soon ...
I'm a facebook addict too, but I've successfully let the farm go to waste over the last few weeks, and you know what: it didn't even hurt & the world did not stop! I checked the other day and the damned thing is still there ... it won't go away... perhaps a few seeds to plant? NO! no more ... oh but ... NO I said ... ok, enough of that...
I read lots of books (although I haven't had the time over the last few weeks), mostly crime novels and even after 8 years hubby is still wondering what I am going to do with all the knowledge ... does he have to fear for his life?!?!? (surely not!) Currently it is Kathy Reichs (Bones), Kathryn Fox (great Australian writer!), Karin Slaughter & Tess Gerritsen. Why is it women are the less violent of our species and yet they write the best crime novels? I feel a thesis coming up...
no kids, no animals, although if I was really mean, every once in a while, I could class hubby as either (sorry darling, just being cheeky)
When I grow up I am going to move to Queensland to enjoy the weather there. I'm afraid I won't be growing up for a while...

I've kept you for long enough .. I need to go back to my books. oh and btw: that is the reason why you also find me a lot less often on this forum atm!
Keep up the spirit everyone, I love reading your stuff, it makes me smile!

Dominique or Dom for short and I'm the female type (thanks Mum & Dad for giving me a name that in most countries is a boys name...)