Re: Introduction> Keryn >

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > Hi Keryn

> >

> > Welcome to the group and congratulations on the impending

surgery.

> > It's a big step, but it will be one of the best decisions you will

> > make. We all struggle and no bander will tell you that it is an

> easy

> > way out or a smooth ride – but that is life. It is all about

> taking

> > what we have and making something with it. I guess that the whole

> > concept of banding is exploding with all the publicity it is

> getting, so

> > it is always good to get the real deal on the life that you will

be

> > coming to. Something to think about also is who you will tell

> about

> > your op. I have chosen not to tell outside my immediate family

> and this

> > group of course. I have been happy with that situation, others

> are more

> > open. It is something worth putting a bit of thought into. Do

you

> > really want to be going to family functions etc and having

> everyone know

> > you had the surgery and them monitoring your food and weight? I

> > didn't – plus I don't feel it is anyone else's business.

> > They didn't pay for the op, so they have no say over how I go

about

> > it.

> >

> >

> >

> > My story is fairly typical of most banders. I saw a piece on a

> current

> > affairs show and went online the next day, googling. I came up

> with

> > numerous sites eventually landing on Ozband where I chatted on

> with lots

> > of great people Bev and Cath, then met up with the old

> SydneyBandsters

> > group and went to lunch with them. I was not covered by

insurance

> so I

> > went away, joined NIB and waited out my 12 months. I spent that

> time

> > not thinking about it too much, just touching base occasionally.

> I was

> > banded in May 2004 and then proceeded to loose 50+ kilos. It was

> the

> > rollercoaster ride – but I was pretty pleased. I then had some

> > complications and had to have my band removed in November last

> year. I

> > then gained some weight, had a second band put back in and I am

> starting

> > again. Thankfully it's not from my original start point.

> >

> >

> >

> > In any case, I have a good time being banded. We talk a lot

about

> food

> > on this site – so you can see that the obsession doesn't go

> > away. I wish it would, LOL.

> >

> > I eat small portions often; I don't eat anywhere the amount that I

> > used to pre band. I still go out and enjoy myself, but I just

> have to

> > think about what I am going to eat and how. I sometimes

exercise –

> > but I am busy/ lazy. I was to start back at the gym this week –

no

> > excuses, but typically I have been held up at work each afternoon

> and

> > not been able to make it there in time.

> >

> >

> >

> > Banding has changed my life, I am still the same insecure & shy

> person I

> > always was, but I just am doing it in a different body. Once I

> have

> > lost those 20kg gained, I will be looking for a new job – need a

> new

> > challenge. Well that is my prattle for the moment. Hope to see

> you at

> > a bandster lunch soon.

> >

> >

> >

> > Nx

> >

>