My name is Julie (7 months post Lap Band surgery), I am 59 years old 5ft tall and have battled with a weight problem for over 30 years.  (Diets just didn't work for me).  I would lose weight, but always put more back on over time.  I found it hard to walk and exercise as I was always out of breath.  After hearing about the lap band surgery from a friend, I researched about the procedure on the internet.  I decided to go ahead with the operation.  Before the operation in November 2006 I weighed 97kg.  Now 7 months later I weigh 75kg (a loss of 22kg).  I could not have done this on my own, it has been achieved by my follow up appointments with my medical team (surgeon, Dietitian and Nurse).  I have learnt from Helen the proper nutritional foods and the amounts of food to eat.  I have learnt the proper way to chew my food and to really taste what I am eating.  I have never felt better in my life.  I still have some kilograms to lose, but with the help of my team of specialists I know I will achieve my goal weight.  I now can look in the mirror and not hate the person who is looking back at me.  Stay posted for my final reveal. Julie Heib VIC.

Dear Helen

First of all I'd like to say thank you for the prize I won. I'm particularly enjoying the meal suggestions and recipes at the back of the book. I returned for a repeat because since the first seminar I've put back in my and I'm determined to shift the remaining 19 kg to bring me down to 70 kg, which my surgeon and I decided was appropriate for my height.  

After the last seminar I went away on retreat early the next morning, with very little control over my meals. I felt I'd lost the impetus when I came home.  My new mantra has become 'eat sensibly, eat less, move more'.

The other thing is that it is difficult to take everything in one sitting. I take notes, because it helps me to listen carefully, but I found that hearing it all over again allowed a few things to fall into place. I think we tend to listen selectively, wanting immediate answers, and that excludes us from other important aspects of the message. The book will probably help a great deal in this regard.

So, here I am, banded March 2006, went from 103 kg to 78 kg, am now 89 kg and my clothes don't fit very well! I came back for a refresher because
      • I wanted motivation
      • I needed to know I'd grasped the whole of the message, not just the bits that suited me
      • I'm determined to shake the excess and I want to do it sensibly
      • Listening again reinforces the learning from the first seminar
Thank you for the time, energy and effort you put into this. You present concepts very clearly and your slide presentation really complements your address. As a retired teacher, I'm impressed!       Cheers Jill.  

Just wanted to say thank-you so much for last night, you were amazing.  I understand the band now and really feel it's going to happen.

I just had to let you know that, l can't thank you enough, l gained so much from the seminar, things that have never been explained to me previously and l have been able to eat real food again instead of the soft foods and rubbishy foods.  I have said to my husband that the cost of the seminar was the best value for money, that l have spent in a long time.  I can't believe that just the small technique you showed us on how to eat the food would make such a difference to the outcome.  You have put enjoyment of food back in to my life and stopped the embarrasment of having to sneak away from the meal table to bring the food up, l have never been bulimic but that's what l was beginning to think l was.
 
I now feel that the lap band may work for me as l can eat healthy, but small meals.  Once again l really thank-you for educating us and it does bring disappointment in the fact, that l feel where l had the band done should have been able to do this kind of follow up.  I was asking for help from them, but wasn't getting any, when l told them l could hardly eat anything l was just told "you should be able to eat fish" l couldn't!  There was no suggestion of seeing a dietician.   
Thank you so much.

Dear Helen last night I attened your nutrition seminar with my sister maureen & just want you to know that we have found the eating technique you introduced us to has been a great help & its only the first day. We are not hungry & coping better than at any time since we had the band done.

Dear Helen
Thank you, thank you , thank you.   I received your book yesterday, I am absolutely amazed at the content.   Why wasnt I told this  3 years ago when I had the band????? I could have avoided a lot of problems. I started to chew food like you said and today for the first time I had a slice of wholegrain  bread with tuna.   From now on you are going to be ST. HELEN in my book.   I have sent for the three dvds and I am going to follow every word.  I am italian and a chef and I eat differently.I have not touched rice or pasta for 3 years, have lost 40 kg but recently had the band emptied because of problems( mainly due to regurgitation) and have put on 10 kg. I hate it!!!!!    Thank you again, I would come and see you and sit at your feet, but I live 3 hours away damn it.

 Just a quick note to say thanks for the three DVD’s you sent me. My sister and I have found them both entertaining and very informative! Judy gets banded this Friday and she's getting very teary and anxious, but after watching your DVD’s she's excited and says she learned more in a few hours of watching you than through the clinic. She thinks they should all get copies of these to show prospective clients for banding as they're full of questions, answers and important information that we don't always get told as we don't know the questions to ask in the beginning. Thanks again and congratulations on what you do. You're an inspiration for us getting lap band surgery, you keep us going.

I had my banding operation done at the end of August 2008 and have lost 30kg.  Still have another 30kg to loose and I know with the help of  having access to Helens The Gastric Band Nutriction Essential book I know I will succeed in reaching my goal. Her book is my bible and whenever I am doubtful about anything or feel like I am falling off the wagon I just refer back to her book and listen to her DVD's as I get so much enthusiasm and self confidence that I have never had in the past.  Once you start loosing the weight it becomes an addiction because you cannot fail and you are in control for your success.  The advice you receive from Helen for you to do well and feel good is terrific.  It has been a life changing experience and I would like to take this opporunity to thank Helen for writing a book that is so easy to understand whenever you need advice and are not able to see your doctor at the time of need.  

I thoroughly recommend this book to all with Gastric Bands as it works! Patients find it easy, encouraging, and they quickly learn the healthy eating habits that lead to their goal, ie. becoming slimmer, fitter and happier

After looking for information through various websites, I couldn't really find what I was looking for, but then I came across The Gastric Band Nutrition Essential and it was the best information I have received prior to my op.  It made me feel well prepared for my first few weeks at home.  It was money well spent and the recipes are fantastic.  Thank you very much for my life saver book and I congratulate you on what you do.  Looking forward for your next book.  

In mid 2005, I had Gastric Band surgery and have never looked back since.  It has been the best thing I have ever done.  I had tried various diets, which never worked as it only increased my frustration further.  In response to an add in the local paper, six weeks later I had the surgery and have now lost 40kilograms in total and have dropped from a snug size 16 down to a size 8.  I have had no problem and have found the whole process very easy, due to the level of education and support I received. The biggest lifestyle change I had to make was to slow down my eating.  Helen’s tip on how to chew my food allows me to still eat steak and all food goes through the band as long as I am careful.  An entrée sized meal takes me 30 minutes to complete.   Medically my diabetes and blood pressure have returned to normal levels, I have more energy and confidence and I have a very positive outlook on life.

Before Lapband Surgery	After Lapband Surgery