I lost a lot of weight before I came to Australia and are very lucky as I have not put it back on.

I still need to loose loads of weight and are considering the lap band surgery. Has anyone had it done and what are the experiences ? Any info would be appreciated. We have private health insurance so a lot of it is covered.

Sunshine23 (sick of being fat)

Hi , a friend of mine had it done and it doesn't seem to have made much difference. she had to go back as it didn't seem to be working and she also had an infection.

i don't know the ins and outs of this operation, there are risks. You have already lost weight why not carry on doing what you did to achieve this first.

i wish you luck, it's really hard to lose weight and easy to gain. You've done it so keep up the good work. Kate

I have my first appointment with a surgeon on Tuesday so will keep you updated with my progress if you want.

Thanks that would be great my appointment is first week in November. I know dieting is the best way but I have been like this for 40 years and want to get the weight off and keep it off. I moved to Australia for the lifestyle and want to be able to live it to the full.

Good luck on Tuesday.

Sunshine23

I feel the same, losing 65 kilos is something I just can't get my head around doing usual regular diet and exercise. The skinny folk would argue that we were taking the easy way out but if you read the forums dedicated to lap banding you realise that this most definitely not the easy route. I have wasted enough of my life being fat and the second part of my life, the part where I get to have confidence and not be looked down upon because of how I look, starts on Tuesday with my first appointment. Will keep in touch.

hi I am watching this thread with interest too - i have been fighting weight all my adult life and though working hard surgery may be an option i consider - is this covered on your health insurance in Oz as i understood that things like this always require private payment. Good luck northernbird with your consult.

Health insurance will cover a huge proportion of it. Depending on health company and surgeon you are looking at between $2k and $5k out of pocket expenses. All health insurances companies also have a 12 month waiting period before you can claim for this surgery.

Something to consider is the psychological aspect.I met a man who was off work due to stress.It was result off lap banding.He had lost a lot of weight,which he was happy about.However when he sat down for his meals as he was only able to have small portion's this drove him to despair.Now I didn't know this man but in the ten or so minutes I had with him,he seemed nigh on suicidal.He was in the process of finding out if he could have it reversed.
Also as someone else said it's not uncommon having to go under the knife again and again.

It can also be done under Medicare with a referral from your GP. There is at least a 2 year wait list for it to be done under Medicare, however. Also bear in mind that it is not a quick fix. You will have to give up a huge portion of the things you love now. No alcohol, no or very little meat, nothing with fizz (champagne, soda) no junk food whatsoever, nothing that will produce excess gas, etc. You will also have to be followed by a team including a dietitian and exercise program.

The surgeon I saw 8 months ago has said that I have to lose 10kg on my own before he would do surgery on me. I have to prove that I'm serious and not looking for a quick fix. My sister in Canada had it done and paid out of her own pocket for it. It was over $20k all tolled. She also had to have a psychological evaluation first.

Absolutely agree with you and this is something I am fully aware of. The despair that man feels is on a par with the despair I feel daily with the lack of sleep and pain I get from being obese. The despair I feel when I can't do things with my girls and the despair I feel when my eldest is teased about what she eats with her friends saying if she eats that she will end up like her mother.

Not everyone has to deprive themselves to that extent. Fizzy stuff is out for sure but the no alcohol, little meat and no junk is not broadbrush. One of the school mums I am friendly with is 15 months post banding and has lost 70kg. In the early days the restrictions are huge but 15 months on she has no loss of social life at all. She came out recently with us and had a starter when we all had main courses and she had 1 glass of wine which lasted all evening. I am sure the surgeon on Tuesday will be telling me the same as yours told you. A lot of lap banding patients have to do optifast for a while before the surgeon will operate, particularly patients who are having the procedure done on medicare. As I am self funding I am hoping that I may not have to do that, my friend didn't with the same surgeon.

Calorie King Australia is a very good web site to belong to for weight loss. I am always battling with my weight and have been a member for a few years now. There is a group on there that have had lap band surgery and they tell of their experiences with it.

Good luck for Tuesday

Yes, it's a good website, I'm a member too!

A friends husband had a Lap Band about 12 months ago as part of a research programme. He was type 2 insulin dependent diabetic and as is often the case with type 2 daibetes he was overweight.
He no longer takes insulin, the diabetes is controlled by diet alone and has lost a lot of weight.
He had no complications after surgery, still enjoys a good social life though he no longer eats steak or drinks beer.
I think as with any surgical procedure we only hear about the horror stories, the times things have gone wrong.
Imagine how many times this procedure has been performed around the world, and then compare the stories that make the press.... they're all the worst case scenarios, and yes it's important to weigh up the pros and cons, and to consider the implications, i think it's also important not to get carried away with the negatives.
If its right for you then go for it
Best of Luck

Maria

There is also a ball that they put in the stomach its swallowed inflated and you learn to eat less I guess and then its deflated and its passed through. Costs about$5,000. I to go a nutrition specialist don't ask me why to pass the time of day and it was one of the things we discussed. I just need to keep the fridge locked up and no food in the cupboard, no wine in the cellar etc etc and take willpower pills

I have looked into this, I am currently taking Reductil and if thats doesnt work for me then I will be looking at my other options.

Good luck on Tuesday