Live Life newsletter issue two

"There is only one person in our lifetime that we spend 24hrs a day, 7 days a week with, from birth to death; ourselves. It's an awfully long time to spend with someone you don't like very much!"

This was the quote that changed my life forever. At just 23 years of age and having been morbidly obese since I was 8, being called every fat name you could imagine, I finally cracked – I’d had enough.

I had heard about the gastric band procedure a few times, but really didn’t know much about it so I started looking on the Internet and researching the procedure. Looking at patient websites with their fantastic photos of success, I was crying, I was jealous, I wanted what those people had - a tool to help me lose weight, once and for all.

I had been on every diet there is and nothing had ever worked. I had hit rock bottom. I hated myself, I hated what I had become, I hated my life, I hated the world and I wanted it to be over. After discussing my options with my bariatric surgeon my choice then became clear and simple. I was going to have gastric band surgery and change my life forever!

On the 4th of April 2007 I underwent gastric band surgery at Epworth Hospital in Box Hill, Victoria. When I had the surgery I was over 150 kilos with a BMI of almost 50. Over the past 18 months I have had the most amazing journey full of both ups and downs, but the results far out weigh anything I have ever experienced.

I started to exercise within 2 weeks of having the surgery starting with just 10 minutes a day on my treadmill, I now run 10 kilometres several times a week along with bike riding, water aerobics, boxing and walking.

The smallest of things I am now very grateful for; only obese people would understand what it feels like to feel bones in your neck, to not break chairs in public places, to not be sweating 24 hours a day, to not be starred at and laughed at, and most importantly to not hate what you see in the mirror everyday.

The most difficult part of my journey was beating “head hunger”. I had to get used to what it actually felt like to feel full. I learned the difference between emotional hunger, head hunger and real hunger. This was the biggest battle for me personally.

During my journey I have also suffered from a slippage of my band and had to have more surgery to reposition the band. But as I told someone after I’d lost my first 30 kilos, if I had to have this surgery every year for the rest of my life to be healthy I would do it in a second.

There is not one day I regret my decision to finally give myself the life I have always wanted. I will forever be in debt to my surgeon and my support network of family and friends for giving me the tools that finally helped to lose over 80 kilos and change my life forever.

If you have had weight loss surgery and would like to share your story with us please email your story of approximately 500 word length and a before and after photo to bariatricedge@its.jnj.com

60g granny smith apple
pinch of all spice and pinch of cinnamon
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbs berry low fat yoghurt
½ tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp berry jam
1/4 cup of water

Peel, core and chop apple. Add water to saucepan with apple and sugar. Cook until tender. Add lemon juice, cool and mash.
Combine breadcrumbs and spices. Brown crumb mixture in non stick pan.
In glass dish assemble trifle.
Layer half of the crumb mixture in the base of bowl.
Add apple sauce and then yoghurt in layers.
Add remaining breadcrumbs on top.
Cover and chill in refrigerator
Drizzle melted jam over trifle.

Energy 71cal Protein 2.1g Fat 0g Carbohydrate 14.5g

This recipe has been taken from BandFOOD by Helen Toouli, a book of mouth-watering recipes suitable for patients who have undergone a restrictive weight loss surgery procedure.

To purchase a copy for $28 (including postage + handling), please email helentoouli@optusnet.com.au, or contact Adelaide Bariatric Centre by calling (08) 8177 1503 or faxing (08) 8177 1357. Please note that credit card payment is preferred.

Social events often seem to revolve around food. At this time of year celebrations, holidays and family gatherings can all be times where food holds a central place. You may feel that social engagements are less enjoyable because many of the high-calorie foods and beverages served are not part of your healthy eating plan. Here are some easy tips to help you have a good time at social events and still stay on your healthy eating program.

You may feel pressure to eat when you are not hungry; ask yourself what makes you feel this way. Are you concerned that it will draw attention if you do not eat as much food or the same foods as others? Observe what people are eating and the reactions they receive. You will be surprised to see that there is more to the event than the food!

Focus on the enjoyable non-food aspects of the event, such as the view, the service, and conversations with friends and family.
Focus on the positive rewards of your new healthy lifestyle, the added confidence you feel, or the ability to stand longer without knee or back pain.
Position yourself on the other side of the room from the food table.
Practice saying, "No, thank you" politely yet firmly, if you are concerned that you will offend the host/hostess by refusing food. You might also say, "I’m pacing myself," "I’m not hungry," or "I’m trying to lose weight."

Consider serving healthy foods. It’s likely many of your guests are watching their weight and would appreciate healthy menu options.
Send leftovers home with your guests, or freeze them immediately. If this isn’t practical, don’t be afraid to throw food away.
Immerse dishes and utensils in soapy water immediately to prevent nibbling.

Call ahead to find out what’s on the menu; this will allow you to plan accordingly.
Establish a calorie budget for the day.
Offer to bring a dish that fits into your eating plan.
Move your conversations away from the food table.
Hold a beverage (low-calorie) in your hands. Being empty-handed can make you feel uncomfortable.
Ask for small portions or offer to help serve.
Fill your plate with lean protein and fruits and vegetables.

It’s often harder to stay on a healthy eating plan when you are away on holidays because you have less control over food choices and are unfamiliar with your surroundings. Therefore, planning ahead is critical.

Avoid the all-or-nothing mindset. Monitor your food choices by keeping a food diary.
Ask yourself, "What are my weight goals for my holiday?" Do you plan to continue to lose weight or just maintain your weight?
How long will your trip take from door to door? What meals would you normally eat during that time?
Check out your fast food options ahead of time. Many offer low-calorie options or smaller portions. Pre-plan some acceptable choices.
Bring an esky with foods stocked to eliminate the need for fast food or restaurant dining.
If you are flying contact the airline in advance for special food requests. Or carry a meal replacement bar with you.
If possible, stay in an apartment or holiday house that has a refrigerator and other cooking facilities or request a hotel room with a refrigerator.
Limit alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks have a lot of calories and very little nutritional benefit.

Answer: The cost of weight loss surgery depends on a number of factors including the type of surgery, surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, the hospital where the procedure is done and any medications that might be prescribed to you after surgery. For example, on average gastric band surgery ranges from approximately $10,000 to $14,000. Unfortunately gastric band surgery is not covered by Medicare.

If you have private health insurance you will be covered for gastric band surgery but you may have some out of pocket costs. Obesity is considered a pre-existing condition by private health funds so there is generally a 12-month waiting period between joining a health fund and being able to have gastric band surgery. Contact your private health fund for more information and quote item number 30511.

Contact your surgeon for detailed information on out of pocket expenses associated with gastric band surgery and other weight loss surgery procedures (eg. Sleeve gastrectomy) and what is covered by the fee (eg. Pre-surgery consultations, post-surgery follow-up visits, gastric band adjustments etc).

Answer: The Australian Prudential regulation Authority (APRA) can only approve an early release of superannuation benefits on ‘specified compassionate grounds’. One of these grounds refers to Medical Treatment.

Accessing your superannuation may be available to help pay for medical costs where medical treatment is necessary to treat a life threatening illness or unjury, or to alleviate acute or chronic pain, and where such treatment is not readily available through the public health system.

Please contact APRA on 1300 13 10 60 for further information or visit www.apra.gov.au