*Shell*

I have just been watching some YouTube on WLS and the excess skin and then the reconstructive surgery. It is major major surgery but it is definitely something I will not hesitate to do if I am left with this which I am sure after 4 children my stomach will need some attention. I have checked my phi and it covers reconstructive surgery and been advised that anything with a Medicare item number will be covered. The last thing I would want is to be left with all this skin. I have joined a gym this week and will start on a program to help minimise the skin issue Interested to hear your thoughts on this?

Sounds great. I have my work function on Friday night do can give you an update of my first experience of having some alcohol.

Hi guys, hope you all enjoy the weekend , Anyway I had the dreaded before pics done as my husband is going to document my journey along the way and will do a website for me. This is one thing I did religiously every night was watch people's video on utube and websites and this was so inspiring for me to see the progress and changes to their life. If I can give 1 person some hope after following my story when website is done, I will be happy as all the clips, blogs etc has definitely helped me and no looking back now . I think I will do new pics every 3 months to really see the changes.

No shopping yet. But after pulling up my work pants all day yesterday (size 22) and looking really baggy, decided l will pull my wardrobe apart over the weekend and see what I've got from when I lost weight during early days of graves disease (thyroid). I think this is why my weight loss is quite slow with this damn thyroid prob so not going to let it get to me. Work friends are also starting to raid their cupboards and going to bring in clothes to get me through until I can really go and shop to my hearts content when close to my goal weight.

Lila, before you know it you will be joining us on the other side. I have absolutely no regrets and can remember my last week pre-op and had all these emotions but kept reminding myself I have come this far and I needed to do this. My weight loss has been slow but have noticed the last week I have dropped down a size as my work pants are sliding off me and even gone down to last belt hole. Trying to not let the scale disappoint me and just playing around with foods now. Anyway your preop will fly by

For the last week I have been having the following; Optifast - Breakfast Crusket, avocado & salmon - lunch Stir-fry/chicken/snitzel/pie /sushi at dinner Babybel cheese / yoghurt - 1 x snack day Gatorade Water Congrats Scotty for taking this step. I couldn't wait a year either, especially if I had some super to use. I'm just thankful I had my phi but still was out of pocket $7000. Kelliv - hope you are home and feeling well

Michelle I agree totally about dieticians. I got nothing out of my visit and have learnt more from my doc and sites like this and learning as I go.

There is no way I could consume 2-2.5lt even at 4 weeks. I can get through maybe a litre a day and that is having to remind myself to drink. I was told between 1-1.5 should be my aim. I have had a couple of gatorades, an ice tea and the rest being water over last 4 weeks.

8 days for me and no soreness or issues at all. Hadn't seen hubby in 3 weeks though so as soon as he arrived back home from overseas, he pounced

Hi Sue Sorry to hear you are not feeling the best. I am feeling great but everyone is different with their experience. I was feeling great from about day 3 and sometimes ask myself if anything was done, them I am reminded when I eat a fraction of my previous meals. I am 4 weeks out as well. I would suggest talking with your doctor and just try and remain positive that these feelings won't last and it will all be a blur when your strutting your stuff when at goal weight. I think these sites are fantastic for support as well and you will meet people that have experienced similar feelings. My thoughts are with you and pray you are better real soon Shelley xx

Kelliv, so glad your doing well. I had the one drain and felt every it of it when they took it out. Also had the horrible leak test so you were lucky you didn't have that to experience. In regards to my costs - medibank private covered all my hospital costs and I was $6500 out of pocket - $4500 surgeon, $2000 anaesthetist. I have since fixed up my phi incase any reconstructive surgery is required at the end of my journey

Mine is exactly like Michelle's. I am now nearly at week 4 and can pretty much eat anything. I have even tried sushi and went down great. I went to the ekka on Saturday and had 2 small bites of a Dagwood dog, really well chewed but I straight away felt I was going to faint so had to rush and find a seat. I think the oil / batter didn't agree with me, otherwise all is going great. I guess like my surgeon said that I will learn what foods I can and can't tolerate. One thing that I used to consume daily was coke cola. I have absolutely no desire to have fizzy drinks, lollies etc so really happy about that Kelliv - I got my liquid Vitamins from a health store but I was able to swallow tablets (thyroid) from day after op so after I finish the liquid, I will go on Vitamin tabs. Good luck for today keep us updated when you can. Does anyone know at what stage we can incorporate more exercise. I want to start swimming and gym sessions ? Welcome to our Aussie group to the newcomers. Great support and info here !!!

I got liquid multi vitamins but was told to start when I got home from hospital.

Hi Kelli Good luck for tomorrow, my thoughts are with you and am confident you will have a complication free op. looking forward to hearing from you. I took books, magazines etc but didn't even get to open them as I was so sleepy for my two nights in hospital and just slept constantly.

Hi Scotty, great to hear from you. I had to do the same with my PHI and counted down every minute. I could have accessed my super but my surgeon would not do the sleeve without phi in case I had to stay in hospital longer. He was happy to do the band without insurance but I was determined to have the sleeve. In saying this though, I have heard of self pay in Aus for the sleeve so it can done, I guess it is up to you whether you want to wait a year. I wish you all the best, you'll be living that active lifestyle before you know it My new life began 20/7/12 by Dr Reza Adib, Wesley Private Hospital, Brisbane. Starting weight 134kgs, goal weight 75kgs - 177cms

Michelle I'm sure you enjoyed eating some solid foods and off the liquids as much as I did. I am having some salmon and avocado for dinner to tonight. The clix biscuits with cottage cheese sounds nice. Sent from my iPhone using VST

That's great news Lila. Wish you all the best Sent from my iPhone using VST

My out of pocket after medibank private covered hospital costs; $4500 surgeon (that's with discount for referring clients previously) $2000 anaesthetist (500 refunded) It would be great if all surgeons/costs were similar but I have read so many variances. I will go and try the new Protein drink and see how that goes. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Btw- found great app today myfitnesspal which calculates all your calories and keeps all your stats etc. recommend it to you all Sent from my iPhone using VST