kelliv

Hi lilas, congratulations on your weight loss so far, that's amazing. 4 weeks was a long prep period. I am glad I only have to do 2 weeks. Reading stories like yours helps me so much as it gives me some understanding of what to expect post op. thanks, kelliv

Hi Aussie kellof, welcome to this thread. I am in Brisbane at Morningside for next 2 weeks, then moving to The Gap. Having my sleeve done with Dr Copp in Ipswich on 14 August. Very interested to hear how you are getting on post op. Due to start pre with Optifast next Wednesday. Keep us posted. Would enjoy catching up at some stage, Cheers KelliV

Wow, I am in trouble. In between running two businesses, the place we have been renting has just gone under contract so we have decided not to wait around to move. Instead we are going to be moving 2 days before my surgery on 14 August into my Mum's place. Can't believe we are moving back to live with my patents at 50 years of age! I also start prep on 1August. I will be ready for a rest in hospital if I survive the next 2 weeks!

Hi MichelleDes, good luck tomorrow and keep us posted on your exciting journey. We are with you from afar every step of the way.

Thanks petite, great ideas. I find the opti shakes really watery and tasteless. Am I doing something wrong in making them on water with 200ml? Are you saying they are not suitable to take after the op? At what point to clear liquids finish and you can start on shakes do you know? Thanks for your idea if icy poles.Live tat idea.

Hi everyone, tans for your comments re radon for choosing a sleeve. My reasons are virtually identical to mine. All great reasons. Got quote for anesthetist today. Only $500 gap as my private health fund covers the bulk, so very happy with this. My surgeon Is more expensive than soe others at $5,900. I am hoping to get about $1,000 of that back. Went shopping today and bought: Gourmet baby food for purée stage (beef & chicken with vege) Bamix stick mixer chocolate & vanilla Optifast Mini packs of variety of V8 juice Benefibre One week until start of 2 week preparation.

Thanks for sharing your story shellz I hadn't thought of surgery until about 6 weeks ago when my sleep specialist suggested it. I immediately started researching and met with surgeon, dietician and Phychologist fairly soon after. Doc said he was happy to do either band or sleeve on me, but I was already 95% convinced on sleeve. Wen dietician and GP told me it would be their choice too, that clinched it for me. Looking for a permanent tool, so reversibility not an issue for me. Also didn't want a foreign object inside me for life with the various complications that go with bands. Very confident with my decision.

Just curious how you all decided on a sleeve? I am surprised more people don't opt for it. Reasons seem obvious to me.

Oh dear, I will not be looking forward to that. You poor thing. It's the first time anyone as mentioned it. I am glad to know about it in advance. Thanks

How do you all go drinking water with sleeve? I struggle to get 2 litres down now before the op.

Shellz, that certainly sounded smooth for you. I haven't heard about swallow test. Please elaborate.... Thanks

Kayargh, how much did you get back?

My husband will drop me off in Ipswich and happy for him to pck me up a few days later. My parents may visit in between. How long were you at the Wesley?

Hi shellz, I work for myself from home. Have a repeal estate company with my husband and a tourism marketing consultancy with a friend, so do a lot of travelling around Qld. Live 5kms from city so easy to jump on ferry. I expect to be out of pocket around $5000, plus sleep doc. My GP did a joint carer plan fr me which covers bulk of dieticians appt x 4 and the Phychologist visit. I am on Medicate safety net, but it doesn't apply to in hospital treatment. I was hoping I would get more back!

Shellz, I wish I could ave banana & strawberry shakes

I trialled myself with a week on Optifast whilst doing my research. I coped ok, but very hungry for first 3-4 days. Hunger then strangely disappeared due to ketosis effect. Lost 3.5kg that week which was a bonus. It will be difficult for two weeks, but very worthwhile the effort I am sure.

Hi kayargh, from way I've heard it woudn't hurt to start on one opti per day leading up to it all, but I'm not going to start my preparation diet full on until exactly 2 weeks out! Good luck

Hi shellz, I would love to meet you in the city one day when you are back at work. Dr John Copp is doing my surgery. He used to operate at Greenslopes and in Ipswich, but now only does it in Ipswich which is a bit of a nuisance. At least he still sees patients at Greenspoles for follow up every Friday. I am scheduled for 14 August. $2000 sounds a lot for anaethestist! I haven't heard from mine as yet so don't know what it will cost. Hopefully I will te a good portion back on Medicare and Defene Health. My dietician suggested only having vanilla and chocolate Optifast. Not sure why, but I will do what he says. Cheers kelliv

I find Optifast watery and tasteless, but plan on blending with ice and berries to improve it. I am allowed salad and non starchy vege, 1cup berries a day so this should give me ariety during prep stage which I am due to start on 1August. I don't know how some people manage on Optifast only for 2 weeks.

It's great to finally talk with others who have or are getting sleeves. I like the banding together site, but it is deninately more focused on lapands. I also look on thinner times,which is a US based site. They seem to do mainly gastric bypass and sleeves there and very few lapands in the States. I would like to meet with any of you especially if you in Brisbane. I also visit the Gold Coast quite often, so happy to meet up for a coffee. Cheers kelliv

Hi shellz Thanks for replying to this thread. Where in Brisbane are you based? In am in Morningside. I would love to hear how you are getting on post op. cheers KelliV

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site and just saw this thread re sleevers in Australa and I am excited. There doesn't seem to be a lot of us. More people seem to have lap bands. In am in Brisbane and am due to have a sleeve on 14 August with Dr John Copp. Would love to hear from others in Brisbane.