A Tentative Hello & Medical expenses

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I'm very new at this (ie writing email's) and relatively new to the lap band, so please bear with me if I waffle on a bit.

I was banded on 21st May 2001 at Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast by Dr t Layani. I have lost 15kg and although I am happy about that I can't help feeling a little disappointed that I didn't have a greater loss these last few weeks. The disappointment is probably due to the fact that I lost 7kg in the first 2 weeks (the lack of weight loss is probably due to the consumption of a few ''goodies'' and the lack of exercise).

I had my first fill on the 26th July and after reading all of your postings I feel like a bit of a dill that I don't know how much he put in, he may have told me but I was so nervous that I wasn't listening. I really can't feel much restriction, so I am wondering if I should go back and get some more put in.

I would have loved to go to the Brisbane meeting last weekend but we had visitors (from Brisbane) so it wasn't possible. Maybe next time.

My husband and I went to the accountant the other day and she informed us that once our medical expenses have reached $1,500 per family in any financial year, we can claim 20%of the out of pocket expenses, back from the ATO. This also includes anything related to these medical expenses including scripts, dietitians etc.

You can request a copy of all doctors visits previouslly claimed from Medicare & some chemists keep a copy of the scripts that have been filled with them. This applies to all medical expenses that the family has within that financial year, not just in relation to the lap band. Ask your accountant or whoever does your tax about this. It isn't a "wonderful" amount, but at least it is something.

Bye for now

Errin