Michael from Gordon

Having my hiatus hernia fixed was the best decision I’ve made in a long while. My heartburn has totally gone, I’m completely off my Nexium, and my tiny scars are already fading away, all in less than 3 weeks.

Selina from Wahroonga

For so long I believed only a certain ‘type’ was able to go through with the gastric banding procedure, being in my early twenties and weighing 105kg with no major health problems I just assumed I wouldn’t have a chance to be considered because I wasn’t an extreme case and most of my reasons stemmed from me wanting a better quality of life – something I deemed ‘superficial’ and ‘selfish’ at the time!

It was only after researching the procedure that I realised wanting a better quality of life was not selfish, superficial or vain, it was normal and something every person has a right to, even me.

I chose to tell almost everyone around me about my decision to go through with the procedure and yes there was protest after protest from many people but it was usually from those who were selfish, jealous or just ill-informed.

I acted quickly and booked my operation in two months after my first appointment, I didn’t want to waste anymore time and what a fantastic decision that was! I have been living with my band since January 2009 and have lost over 25kg so far.

There have been some habits and foods I’ve had to say goodbye to, but after living with my band for a few months now they are certainly things I do not miss and have never really thought about, in the grand scheme of things the rewards far, far out way any food, habit or diet out there.

I’m only half way through my weight loss and already the results have been extraordinary. From fitting into beautiful clothes, receiving genuine compliments, having more energy, enjoying exercise, feeling confident, gaining a thirst for life and by far the biggest change – noticing that my life no longer revolves around food – I eat to live, I no longer live to eat and what a liberating feeling that is! I certainly didn’t realise how much time I spent obsessing over what I was going to eat, what I wanted to eat and what I shouldn’t have eaten.

So if you’re thinking about going through with gastric banding, stop wasting time and just do it, I’ve spoken to too many other patients at the clinic who agree that if they could change one thing, it would be to have done the operation sooner, and Dr. Taylor is wonderful, he’s like God’s gift to fat people!
‘No more excuses!’.

Jenny from Roselands

Losing the weight has never been the problem for me. I have tried every diet under the sun – legitimate weight loss programs, herbal supplements tablets just to name a few. Yes, I have lost weight. The problem for me is that it keeps coming back on. If I lost 10 kilos, I’d put 20 kilos back on. Numerous times I have tried to shed the kilos from my 122kg, 173cm frame.

I saw an advertisement in the paper for the gastric-band operation and realized this could be for me. I attended an information night, but more importantly, from two women who had had this procedure and they sounded surprisingly just like me.

No-one ever judged me or questioned how I had let myself get to this point. The surgery was like any other surgery and it took about one week to recover. Then things started to happen. People began to notice the regular weight loss. The loss was nothing dramatic – a few kilos each month.

Now, here I am eight months on and 40 kilos lighter. I feel fantastic. I have realized the amount of food I need is miniscule compared to what I was consuming before and, the great part is, I physically am unable to eat large amounts anymore. Even though I still eat some “not so healthy” foods, I am only able to eat very small amounts of them.

Lap-band surgery has given me a new lease on life. I am able to keep up with the children and even treat myself to some new clothes. This has not been like any other diet I have been on. I am still able to eat the foods I like and crave but, now I am restricted as to the amount I can eat before I feel I have had enough. The best part is now I feel like I am in control and I will never put that weight back on again.

Joy from Smithfield

It is hard to write about my weight problem without starting to cry but I have to be honest it has been a difficult and a very painful journey. For years I started thinking about whether I could ever be a normal weight again. I was tired of being the “fattest” person in the room and the person that was teased and laughed at all the time. I didn’t have any friends and could not find work and people were constantly giggling and staring at me all the time because of my weight. One night when I decided to venture out I spent most of the night listening to people giving me weight loss advice and it was awful. I was simply existing from day to day and just thinking that my life was over. However, I would say that what affected me the most was that I could not get a job in my profession as a Solicitor. After I graduated from the College of Law I remember thinking “wow” I am now a qualified lawyer but I could not get a job because of my weight. I hid from the world for about 6 years and just sat in the house watching videos and comfort eating. Then a friend told me about lap band surgery and I began researching the topic. I thought this may be a tool that could help me become “normal” so I went to a few information seminars. I met with Dr Taylor [my surgeon] just prior to the operation and I remember thinking what an impressive person and what an intelligent Doctor [so knowledgeable in the area of obesity surgery]. I had my lap band surgery on the 14 April 2008 and started to see changes both physically and mentally immediately. One of the most important changes has been the fact that I am finally free from feeling hungry. I am now constantly pinching myself because within a few months my whole life changed…”I was transformed”. Shortly after the operation I bought a property, I received a salary increase at work and also I began to notice people behaving differently towards me [I have even been asked out on dates and that has not happened for 6 years]. All in all it has changed my life for the better and for the first time in 6 years I am able to wear nice clothes and I have a spring in my step again! I do not think I could ever repay Dr Taylor but I know that he has saved my life and for that I will always be grateful to him.

Justine from Marsfield

I have tried every diet known to man and had spend lots of money on them (possibly thousands). I never thought i was 'that big' until yet another diet failed and my weight blew out. I was now 'that big' and when I saw myself in some party photos I was shocked and disgusted!

I decided to get lap banding. I had done a lot of research into it and decided to meet with Dr Taylor. The surgery went smoothly, and i have been supported throughout the whole process.

My biggest regret about lap banding is that i didn't have it done sooner!! I have lost over 30kg and have gone from a size 18 to a size 12 (which i haven't been since my teens). I also have a new lease on life!

Maxynn and Jorja

We are a very happy mother and daughter team, having had lap band surgery together. Once we took the first step by attending the seminar, our lives have completely changed. There is no other way we could have lost the weight and kept it off.

We would say to anyone thinking of having the band, do it, and enjoy the rest of your life.

Heather from Burwood

Having a Lap Band has been the most liberating decision and action I have ever taken in my life, loosing 45kgs has changed my life so that now I can feel confident in any situation. I look for opportunities rather than make excuses to attend a function dreading that people will see how fat I have become, fat is being as well as doing. Fat took over my thinking so that I thought fat. Now I am wearing a size 14 top and a 16 bottom. Who would have thought that I have been able to loose 80% of my excess fat and my BMI is in normal range. I have just turned 60, I look better now than when I turned 50, thank you Dr Craig Taylor.

Edwina from Moorebank

At 56 years old and after trying every diet and program out there, I was feeling a total failure. I came to an information night for lap band surgery and my life was changed.

I finally lost weight! With the encouragement and support of the team I knew that the weight was never coming back! Dr Taylor gave me every support I needed and explained things in non-technical language so I could understand what was happening to my body. From 124kg to 73kg – I can recommend gastric banding for anyone who wants to get rid of the weight permanently. There is no going back for me – my future is great!

Catherine from Kellyville

This works ! In the past a diet meant a period of depravation, hunger, frustration and ultimately failure. This is a lifestyle change for me NOT a diet. I’m losing weight and I know it’s not coming back. I’m well on my way towards my goal of a healthy weight and healthy life.

Neville from Yass

My name is Neville Dowling. All of my adult life I have been overweight. In October 2007 I weighed 186kg, I was diabetic, morbidly obese, had sleep problems, damaged knees, and a limited lifespan ahead of me. The obesity clinic offered me a lifeline, I underwent lap band surgery and my life was given back to me.

I now weigh 109kg an am still losing. The surgery has put years back on my life. Since the surgery I have taken complete control and maintenance of my life and health, in the past my wife had to do everything, I mean everything for me. I cannot emphasise how this surgery has turned everything around and I will forever be grateful and indebted to this wonderful clinic and each and every person here. I recommend and encourage all people with obesity problems to undergo this surgery and support the work the clinic does. Once again thank you Dr Taylor.

Bassam from Mt Pritchard

I am 33 years old and already had high blood pressure, joint problems, high cholesterol, and always felt tired and depressed. I heard about Dr Taylor through word of mouth and decided to have lapband surgery. My surgery was done 11 months ago and I have already lost 40kg and am still loosing one kilo a week. My life is so much better now, and I can still eat heaps of food choices only smaller amounts than I used to. I have heaps more energy. I would recommend this to everyone - I am trying to convince my cousin who lives in Melbourne to have it done! Its the best thing ever.