*Shell*

Size 18 (don't know how I got the smily face with the sunnies)

Kelli, that's great about last night. Can't believe your B/F has still an attitude about this. You would at least expect a positive acknowledgement even if it is tough for her to do if she values your friendship - the jealousy must be eating at her terribly to try and give not say anything..fantastic that others around you noticed and those size 12 jeans - awesome I went to a Xmas party last night and walked into crossroads yesterday and felt so good to buy a summery dress (size 18) and above knee length..also got heaps of compliments and hubby admitted he was very jealous of how great I looked and going out without him.... Sorry haven't been on for a while - I became a 39 year old grandmother this week so hence busy with her!!

Kayargh, I think it's definitely time for new scales. I brought mine for about $60 from target - weight watchers brand...can't wait to hear what your correct weight is, you might be pleasantly surprised

My hair loss started at about 4 months and though I am shedding like a cat, it is not noticeable except when work mates are wiping my clothes to remove the hair or from the desks were at etc. it is a bugger to wash having that hair tangled through your fingers but at this point I'm not too worried if I've only got a few more months of it and if this has been my only issue since the sleeve, than hey I couldn't be happier It will grow back !!

I have chicken, salmon and pork - all not a problem. I only really get a mouthful of vegs though after I eat my Protein first. A lot of stir frys Lunches are either a sandwich thin/ a sushi roll or a grain ryvita. I have never had a problem with any food.

Welcome Melanie, glad you have popped in and said Hi. You must be so happy with your weight loss, so nice to be able to buy size 12. I'm down from 24 to mostly 18's now so just love it going down...it would be interesting to hear what you do in the weight loss industry (that's if you don't mind) as I'd be interested to hear how popular this weight loss option has become I just paid $25 towards my Xmas party (I work in govt so we pay our own) and everyone felt bad that I'd have to pay that much and only eat like a sparrow they say - but I don't mind as it is for the social aspect. They line up for my left overs anyway so all good:)

On another note, have decided today to have my 40th in July 2013 on a cruise This will coincide with my surgerversery. Initially I wanted a big party as being big for last 15 yrs I never wanted parties etc and really stopped living life but after thinking about it and taking into account that I have my sons 18th & 21st in the same year which will be celebrated by parties - I think a cruise sounds perfect So planning begins - only wish I could squeeze in the plastic surgery for the bikinis by then, but no chance . Haha First cruise ever !!

There is a gastric sleeve support group in australia but I find it very hard to navigate around that site, so I only use this one on VST and I am in the Gastric Sleevers Australia group on Facebook which is also great. Otherwise if you are looking for a specific topic, go to the GSS group as it has threads to all different topics..I go there is after specific information on a topic

Damn iPhone auto correct

Lila, love your new profile pic - you really do look awesome. Have a great night tonight. Aussiegirl - I had my gallbladder out about 15 years ago after I was just a out dying as I was that sick from it. What meant to be keyhole surgery turned out to be a 9 hr operation as apparently such a mess in there and had to open me up but anyway all done now. Get better soon Kelli - glad you had a great night last night at the tourism awards. I was planning going out for a birthday party and had something planned to wear but thought I would try on this afternoon but was too big and looked disgusting so unfortunately let my husband go and I stayed home as really only have a few work clothes to get me through. My old faithful jeans can even do it anymore - really going to have to get some clothes before all the Xmas parties start

Well just thought I'd share with you one of my really bad habits which I have experienced over the past 3 days which is so stupid of me Had a big investigation at work and the last 3 days that is all that consumed me. day one I got home at 9pm and was like "OMG I have not eaten a thing all day" oh well I'm tired I'm going to bed - day 2 got home at 11pm and "oh well I'm so damn tired, haven't eaten all day so better try and eat this chicken drumstick - day 3 back at work 6am and went through another day with no food therefore making myself have something last night for dinner. this was my routine pre-op of not eating all day then starving by night and consuming junk food like maccas/kfc etc - the difference now is I'm not hungry at all (oh and I don't have any desire for maccas or KFC anymore, the thought actually makes me feel ill) On my way to work today grabbed some various fruits, nuts to take to work to pick at during the day to ensure I eat something.. Just thought I would share my bad vices and what led me to where I was looks like something I am going to have to work on until I kick this habit ...

Dean I am currently struggling with the same, in fact it's the first thing I do when I wake up. I think I will have to get my hubby to hide and bring out once weekly..

That's great news Aussie Kelloff about being cleared to try and have another baby. You must be so excited and you have done so well with you weight loss to date My hubby keeps asking me if we can try for No. 5 (typical Samoan with huge families) I already have 2 teenage sons and 2 daughters, youngest is 10 and now wants another baby. I keep saying 'no more babies coming out of this body under construction' and just want some us time to travel and live now - which I can after this surgery Kelliv - you are looking awesome and don't worry about the exercise routine to much with your busy schedule at the moment. Will have to get together soon xx Lila, I agree with Kelli - would love to see an updated pic of you and I love to see the progress of you all along the way:) Dean - I have been with Liquor Licensing since 1997, starting in the Mt Isa office and transferred to Brisbane office in 1999 and here ever since. Done many ops with Police over the years Hope you all have a great day

Deb that is great news all went smoothly for you. Just going to get better and you will see a huge improvement in your lifestyle. I have been working out at the gym about 4 days a week and 2 personal training sessions a week as well so really happy with my progress. My aim is to lose 8 kgs by Christmas/new year which will put me into double digits which I can't ever remember being there...when people ask me how much more I've got to lose and I say about 30 they all don't think I will be able to lose that much as I will be to thin for my body. Nice feeling not being the fatty in the room anymore, I was always the biggest at work so such a nice feeling:) Hope everyone else is going well

That is awesome Kelli. I too have started crossing my legs and it felt GREAT. Can't remember being able to ever do it before Funny the little things you notice which make you smile. I was sitting with hubby tonight and could feel these little knobbly bones/bumps on my wrists which I haven't felt before then I'm like what the - when did these make an appearance

Hi, I really hope you are feeling better...obviously it is your decision and only you can make the right choices for you and your family but me personally, I think by going ahead with the sleeve and working towards your goal will be a great confidence booster for you when you see the scales going down. This will shine through you... My situation now post sleeve is my hubby can't leave me alone, he is so affectionate and caring as I think he can see the confidence in me now with only 25kgs gone. What till the last half comes off You don't want to put this on the back burner and wait for the right time as you may regret this then become angry at him for you feeling like you had to postpone the op. I reckon- GO FOR IT AND TIME TO DO THIS FOR YOU !!! Great things will follow from there

Kelli - that is awesome - gosh you will be a little skinny minnie next time we catch up. Mine feels slow but happening - averaging about 4-5 kgs a month but I couldnt be happier.

Sorry Mimz - no nausea or vomiting for me at any stage

That's great Scotty that your home and your op was complication free. I will say I did keep you in my thoughts as what Lila went through and the self pay, I didn't want to hear of another unfortunate situation where no insurance to cover it. Bet your do glad you continued on with your plan to get it done b4 your health insurance kicked in as you will be way ahead and no more waiting, as you were so determined to do this life changing op weren't you. It is the absolute best decision I have done and am so privileged to be among this group with the same goal to achieve. One thing though - last week when washing my hair, started to see hair falling out OMG - so I've been upping the Protein this week. Have a great weekend all