*Shell*

Are the Brisbane Sleevers ready for a get together again and catch up on how everyone's going?? I have been exercising 6 times a week and absolutely love my new lifestyle - have gone from 137kg to now 94kgs - only 14 to go YAY... My goal is to do my first ever Bridge to Brisbane run this year and have to keep pinching myself that a year ago I was so totally different and exercise was the last thought after working full time and 4 children, I had every excuse in the world The sleeve has been my lifesaver and without a doubt would not hesitate to do it again !!!

Hi all my Sleevers buddies, It has been quite some time since I have been on here with work demands and running a family of 7 so planning on sitting down today and catching up on what's been happening. I see we have quite a few new members which is great... I'm still going great, actually better than great - I am in double digits for a while now and life couldn't be better Hope everyone is well xx

Lila, congrats on both fantastic achievements !!! You deserve it all and gosh you are dropping those kilo's... I believe the confidence we gain with the weight loss truly reflects in our work environment because my personal experience is since my op, I have been moving my way up

37kgs GONE - I SO LOVE MY SLEEVE <3

How ironic with the couch to 5km. I started 2 weeks ago and LOVE it. Glad to hear a few of us are onboard this program... I am in for another get together Kelli. Great to have a few more join us

It's great to have a few more join our group from Brisbane Congrats on taking this fantastic opportunity to allow yourself a new beginning. I haven't been on for a while as so busy with work but have just caught up on all the pages.. I am 1 kg until double digits can't wait as can not even remember when I was in double digits. Everyone keeps saying that I can't lose anymore as they think I've got nothing left. When I tell them I've got 20 to go, they are all shocked..I am in a really good place and feel fantastic about myself and how I'm looking and feeling. Have upped my exercise to 5-6 days a week and can't believe it but actually run now..who would have thought I would actually enjoy exercise Anyway, hope your all well and best of luck to the newly Sleevers and upcoming

Cookie, I am having the same with my sister and she is very overweight and just won't acknowledge anything. In the beginning I always talked about it and I found she was becoming distant and would never say anything so now I don't mention anything and I just hope one day the light goes on for her and she wants to talk about it and maybe consider changing her life with the op. it's funny because we used to always talk about our weight together and know it's a no go zone - sad

That is awesome news Swift Kate!! So happy that you could get it all done in one op. can't wait to hear your journey along the way

Puppyphat, I think you look absolutely awesome and agree with all the comments above. I do hope you take it easy until your feeling 100% though!

Hi SueSue, welcome to the thread and such great news about how great we can feel after achieving something new...I really want to get a bike and drag the family bike riding as well. Glad you enjoyed it and hope not too sore in the next few days. I start my PT sessions again on Tuesday after a month off so not looking forward to the pain Congrats on your great loss so far

Hi Sarah, I have not had this experience, thank goodness!! I did though think I was close the other morning on the bus to work - I had half a small coffee in the morning and my husband used some light cream in it then on the way to work I did not feel so good I tell you...I was starting to clear my handbag of important stuff as I was thinking omg what am I going to do here and just wanted to jump off an express bus on the busway - Anyway I learnt a valuable lesson - to be prepared for this if the situation does arise and that is I now carry a small plastic bag in my handbag Thought I'd share !!

Kelli, there is a menu at www.jackpotdining.com.au. Check this out and see if anything suits or we can look elsewhere.

Kelli, I can meet closer to the mall area as it will take me awhile from work getting to the parklands.. Lunch sounds great

Wow Puppyphat - you look awesome !!

Damn auto correct on my iphone - sorry

Hi Guys - great feeling being able to buy from normal shops. My mum have me a $200 gift voucher for City Chic but she said she heard me say earlier in the week "no more city chic or autograph as I can buy anywhere now - haha so she was worried with her Xmas gift to me . I headed to the shops yesterday and dying to spend my city chic gift card as desperate need of clothes and was great asking the last from the dressing room for smaller sizes like size s and xs - great feeling !! On another note - I have been a bit of a piggy over the last few days with Xmas lunch, desert and now the left overs!! Definitely did not feel good with what I was eating, regardless of being small amounts it was not good choices and have been dreading the weekly weigh-in. Braved it this morning and very pleased to see I had actually dropped 1kg over the last week, this blew me away I must say so am happy again now and ready to start again for this fabulous year ahead of us Hope you all had a great break and I wish you and your families a very safe and prosperous 2013

Lila, you look fabulous - I'm so proud of you and your positivity got you through the tough times that are behind you now...great times ahead Kelli - definitely time to catch up again, it's been a while. Have a great time away and looking forward to catch up in the new year

Well so happy today - wearing a size 16 skirt (began at size 24 - 5 months ago) I LOVE MY SLEEVE <3<3

Novo, yes one from surgeon and one from either your specialist which I think would be better than a GP so best of luck. I also aimed to have mine on my 39th birthday (9 July 2012) but the closest I could get was 20 July so close enough...I wanted to give myself a year to get to my goal so my 40th in 2013 will be so different to the last 15 yrs and going to Celebrate on a cruise so can't wait:) I am down 30 kgs, 30 to go so couldn't be happier. I have been battling with thyroid issues for a few years and 2 years ago had my thyroid removed but have struggled getting my levels under control so didn't know how this surgery would go with and was told I could have moments where it slows down so that's why I mess things up a little with a stint on optifast...

Kelli - that is awesome news about the sleep machine - bet that news alone makes it all worth it. I still remember when you first made contact with us on here and look now where your at Guys - your kicking butt with the loss each week. I actually started a jump start with a week of Opti. I thought perfect time just before Xmas but wanted to go back to basics for a week as been a little slow over the last 2 weeks and want to drop a little more before Xmas... and funnily enough I actually enjoy Optifast now so do 2 a day and just had some salmon for dinner:) Anyway will chat soon, hope you all had a great week!

Hi Novo Glad you have joined us on this site. For me, my experience has been so worth it. My only regret is that I didn't do this earlier. You will need to see your surgeon or find a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Mine I knew straight away I was going to go with him, even though he was not the cheapest and he didn't give out too much info, I found I liked him immediately and i would do it all again with him and he is sooo happy with my progress. Your surgeon will have to do a letter, along with your GP that covers exactly what is required by legislation to release super. It is to be word for word and meet the elements such as; Either life threatening or acute pain (back pain, etc) and not readily available in the public health system.. When you have the two letters to include in your application, you then submit to human services which will take 10 days to get a response then a further 7 days or so to get funds. Your surgeon may get you to see a dietician and physiologist first then will usually set a date if happy with results, however in saying this all surgeons are different in what is required.... If you need anything else whilst you are considering this surgery, please do not hesitate to ask as this is such a great group.