"I was excited to see the weight coming off so quickly"

Having the surgery has turned my life around. I have always been passionate about horse riding, and after loosing weight and keeping it off I have been able to ride again for the first time in 11 years! The feeling is unreal. I also started entering equestrian competitions, which I could never have imagined doing when I was overweight.

Throughout my adult life I have been overweight. I tried everything from diets to drugs to exercise as well as gimmicks that deep down I knew would not work. None of these options showed significant improvement or long term results. Weighing 145 kilos means that loosing only 10-15 kilos has little impact on how you look and feel.

It does nothing to motivate you, as results are slow and when you are an over-eater you soon give up when you're not seeing any significant change in your body.

Finally I decided to go through with the surgery because my weight kept creeping up and up and I could not stop eating. I was addicted to food and could not see an end to my weight loss problem. I realised I had to do something more proactive.

While I was considering surgery I met someone who had actually been through the procedure. I never knew this person when she was overweight and simply couldn't believe what she told me. I spent some time doing my research, consulted with my GP and decided to that this was definitely the solution for me.

The procedure was very straightforward. I felt only minor pain for a couple of days. Now I had real and tangible results to focus on. After the surgery I felt very positive. I did take three weeks off work, however within two weeks I was completely back to normal.

After the surgery I was constantly on the scales because I was excited to see the weight coming off so quickly. Within a month I lost 20 kgs. This was far more than I had ever lost before through dieting. Friends began to notice the changes and started complimenting me, which made me feel great and more motivated than ever.

I am certainly no longer as obsessed with food as I was prior to the operation. I rarely feel hungry and I am usually satisfied after a small meal or milkshake.

My advice to anyone considering having the procedure would be do it! It is a real chance to get your health and happiness back on track. I was so limited in the things I could do, now my options are limitless. The surgery has enabled me to rediscover my riding, but for others it could be playing soccer in the park with their children, or even just being able to get up on the roof and clear leaves from the guttering.

I feel more like me now, I'm more confident and outgoing and I just love shopping for clothes. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner.

Cathy, age 40, NSW

Surgery date: 1996
Starting weight: 145 kilos
Weight now: 65 kilos

"...this new 'me' is here to stay!"

It's hard to believe that I was morbidly obese only two and a half years ago. To be honest, the new "me" still feels a little alien. I guess I'm yet to come to terms with being comfortable in this new shape, but I'm certain it will become very familiar because this new "me" is here to stay.

The weight loss journey I've travelled over the past couple of years hasn't been all smooth and easy to navigate. I've lost my way a few times and had to face some demons along the way. But this is the first time in over 15 years of being obese that I've been able to reach this far.

I've tried dozens of weight loss methods with limited short term success and without ever really achieving long term weight loss. However, for the first time I'm now in the "normal" weight range, and without the Gastric Band I'm sure I would never have reached this point.

So if you're considering the Gastric Band, you can see that it does work. However, it's not a miracle cure and you will need to remain focussed on your goal. With the support that is available to you each step of the way, you too can finally succeed.

Good luck!

Petra, Age 47, NSW

Surgery date: 11 November 2002
Starting weight: 130kg
Weight now: 58kg

"I would recommend this to anybody trying to lose weight"

Gastric band surgery has helped me shed 50 kilos and has made a remarkable difference to my life. The change in me has been dramatic.

What I have lost in weight, I have gained in self-confidence. As well as having a new man in my life, I find that shopping for clothes has become a pleasure. I now buy size 12-14 rather than size 24-26.

I don't worry so much about wearing make-up as I'm more comfortable in my own skin. I can walk across the road without feeling self-conscious. I can eat an ice-cream in public without worrying what people will think of me. I can buy groceries at the supermarket without being frowned upon.

I had been trying to lose weight since the age of 13. I come from a family of chronic overeaters and had tried every diet in the book. My weight was causing all sorts of health problems.

I could hardly walk and was heading for a knee reconstruction. I was always tired, I had sleeping problems, and even going to the theatre was an effort as I couldn't fit in the seat.

I finally decided to take serious action when I saw Dr Jim Toouli on TV. Having a gastric band fitted was my last chance of living a normal life. Following the surgery, I lost a couple of kilos in the first week and then proceeded to breeze through the recovery.

Twelve months later, I had reached my goal weight. It's not a quick fix� you have to be disciplined and make a conscious decision to eat less. You don't talk calories� you try different foods and smaller portions and find what works best for you. It comes down to being sensible. I believe it's the easiest and best solution for being overweight.

I received fantastic back-up from my doctor, and the support group was very helpful. I've made lots of friends through this and encouraged several friends to have surgery. It has helped every aspect of my life and I am very happy with my weight. I would recommend this to anybody trying to lose weight.

Maureen, Age 57, SA

Surgery date: 1999
Starting weight: 115kg
Weight now: 75kg

"...my rescue from obesity..."

Gastric banding was my rescue from obesity. Living with obesity was pure hell. It involved sitting down at picnics and not being able to get up. The indignity of getting on a plane and asking for a seatbelt extension.

Making excuses while the rest of the family headed off to the beach. I wasn't living� I was just existing from day to day.

You get sick of false promises. I tried every 'miracle cure' on offer� diets, supplements, gym, pills. Yet whatever weight I lost came quickly marching back.

After years of dieting, I hit my ultimate low point in 1995 with severe depression. My weight was at its highest ever. Low self esteem, depression and many tablets�life was a living hell. I gained 30 kgs during this time and finally had enough.

I had the banding done in April 2001. This is the best thing I have ever done. I may not have been a star patient, but as I began to lose weight, it gave me the confidence to persevere with the band.

I have lost 55kg in total. My self-esteem and depression have improved, and the band has taught me to slowly change my eating habits. I still go to restaurants and enjoy the occasional drop of red wine. I now have a personal trainer who I see twice a week and walk at least one other day. I have never done this before and I actually love going.

Through my obese years, my husband never made a negative comment about my weight, bless him. Now he won't stop telling everyone how proud he is.

I feel in control of my life. Every day, I wake up feeling confident and in control. For the first time, I can really enjoy what I eat without guilt. I can go where I like, buy the clothes I want, and not feel other people's eyes on me anymore.

Thanks to gastric banding, I have got my life back.

Wendy

Surgery date: April 2001
Starting weight: 125 kg
Weight now: 70kg