Aussiegirl

Good to hear Bec is safely on the sleeved side. Cath, I hope the doctors tests have come back ok... mzbkt, it is definitely stressful pre-op,being so concerned about what life after surgery is like, am I making the right decision. But you are best off giving yourself the best opportunity for a healthy and quick recovery. I had my first plastics consult today. It was interesting but I am not sure about the surgeon. Seems to be a paint by numbers kind of doctor which I am not sure I am happy with. Also need to see how much, if any is covered by my health fund. He did say that he would expect that he would remove between 7-9kgs of skin, excess fat etc. Also that there is really not much more for my body to loose and it is ready for it to be gone. I would get a Tummy Tuck with some lipo on my hips to even out, and arm lift with some upper body toning (no bra fat lumps). This would be almost a 6 hour procedure, depending on my cover anywhere between ($15 - $27k..yikes). Tho I think I will look at another surgeon and see if I feel more comfortable, I felt this way with the first doctor I saw for wls and then found my surgeon who I felt comfortable in his hands...ya know...and this is my forever body.

Cath I would atleast put a call into your surgeon and check what they thinks, it could be just gas but really better safe than sorry. If it is gas the best thing is walking. I dont remember having any specific back pain, it was more around my shoulders. Welcome to all the newbies..it is great to see new people coming through, as you may have noticed we have peolpe here at all stages of the sleeve life. Sydneysiders, I am going to throw out a date of the 19th June to have a catch up. How does that sound?

Good luck Bec....You will do great, look forward hearing you are sucessfully on the flip side

Lessismore, Exactly!!! I had absolutely no co-morbids before surgery (other than persistent sporting injuries, yes they were I am sure contributed by my weight, but I was exercising lol)...the weird thing is since surgery I have had more issues that before I lost all my weight...4 surgeries and counting lol. Go figure on that one health providers lol

I missed the story but have seen that alot of people were not happy about it. I dont think it is just the media but we as Aussies are harder on overweight people than anything...especially when it comes to medical professionals. Any health issue that I had the first response was loose some weight, got the flu, loose some weight, yes I may sound a bit jaded. Which in most cases that issue had nothing to do with being overweight..I went to see a specialist for another issue yesterday (and will have surgery again later today...whirlwind..anyways) but most my conversation centered around the fact that I had had the sleeve and the weight I had lost, rather than the issue I went to see him about. I think of how society treats overweight people and it makes me sick...(rant over)

Misty, sounds like you are going strong K8ee, cant say i have even heard of that brand Lessismore, yes it is expensive, but as Misty said, your life is more valuable. And you would think that your grocery bill would go down, only really early on, but nowadays I dont see much difference but also I eat different now.... On news from me, sharing it here first. I got an appointment for Monday to see a Plastic Surgeon (he had a last minute cancellation woot woot), he has originally quoted just under $15k for a TT and arm lift, my 2 must do areas. Will see what he says in person, as I know my tummy, pelvic area is a mess right now (unfortunate camel toe...eeek ). Thankfully I am not planning on getting the girls fixed, I went from a 22/24 DD to 14DD or 16D depending on the bra.

Way to go Liss!!!! How amazing does it feel to finally see the double digits!! You should be incredibly proud of yourself...btw saw your picture on Facebook and you look amazing, all the good curves (Hopefully that doesnt sound too creepy lol) Misty, hope work isnt being too bad today!! Any and all Sydneysiders can come and join us...date to be confirmed...How is the middle of June for everyone?

Misty, another idea may be spaghetti bol sauce. I may be mixing up my phases (as I was not specifically given any real idea of phases when I was recovering and generally under ate on consistency ..anyway). I slowed cooked the mince and sauce so it really is sooo soft. It was really flavourful and filling.

You are not wrong the servings are quite large already. I have been there once and had the quesadilla and only ate like half if that. Tho the margaritas are good from recollection and come in huge glasses...one may knock you off your feet. Jimbo, when are you off purees? We will set a date around that, evenings work better for me too

Geez it is a small world Sounds like we need to have a catch up on a Wednesday...we can go to Margaritaville and share an entree lol. But seriously we should do it Welcome KitiKat!!! We are happy to help, support, encourage as much or as little as you need.

Misty, I want to swap...pouring rain and cold down here

LOl Sue. I know I didnt know that winter was going to make me look like i was dressed in one of those Sumo suits. Misty, yep better stock on the warm clothing, it will be needed. Sue, do you work i Pyrmont? I live in Pyrmont and walk/run the Bridge most nights...we may pass each other. We really should catch up in the middle some time

Here is my PSA and rant for the day....especially for newbie sleevers.....be prepared you are going to feel the cold a lot more as you loose the weight, its freezing!!! Rug up

Bella, me too We should work out a time...June is good at the moment. Nessa, you are welcome to come join if you want a trip up to Sydney

Congrats Misty! The weight loss and NSV's!!!!

I concure Sue is definitely right, and once you get through this stage, everything else is so much easier..i still remember opti as the hardest part.

Lissa, definitely still up for a road trip to BrisVegas.....Deano you are on single guy duty lol. Some time in July works at this stage, June is going to be work crazy. Brendani, it is natural to be afraid and scared of how this is going to affect your life. I can only tell from my experience but I know the fears I had pre-op (and they were huge) seem like such a waste of energy. I am coming up on 2 years (well in Sept anyway) and my life is so normal. I travel, for work and personally, eating hasn't been an issue for a long time. Most people don't recognize the amount I eat as being anything abnormal now. I drink, and sometimes too much, my social life has kicked up a notch and am drinking probably more than pre-surgery. I don't endorse drinking too much but I choose everything in moderation now. In regards to energy, after the initial recovery period I have more energy to do everything, early on I was sustaining twice a day work outs and not feeling a reduction in energy levels. Nowadays I work out 5-6 times a week, and feel weird if I don't do it. The first 6 -8 weeks are hard, adjusting, fatigue etc but it gets better and oh so quickly. I was actually travelling internationally at the 8th week. It is normal to be afraid, just trust in the reasons you are doing this and that you have made the right choice for you.

I am wanting to respond to this question, but am not sure how coherant my response will come out as so please bear with me. I went in to this surgery thinking that being skinnier i would be a happier person and get all the things i was craving, partner, family, full life. Never really ever being a skinny person it all looked so easy on the outside. I am now the skinnier version of myself but still find myself looking for those same things. Yes it is easier to shop, and I can buy cute/sexy clothes and feel comfortable in them, i fit into seats, flying is a breeze, i can run and keep up with most normal people, i am fit and healthy. Life is easier but I still feel that there is something missing from my life. I would say on a happiness range I am probably between 5-7 each day, which is definitely higher than pre-surgery.

Hi All, It has been a few weeks. I have been dealing with some health issues (non sleeve related) and havent felt much like posting. Tho I am happy to see that everyone is progressing well and we have some newbies to our happy lil thread. It is so interesting to me to hear you newbies talk about post op stuff, it all feels like such a blur to me nowadays, so yes it does get easier. I am now struggling to maintain my weight, my portions are quite large (well comparatively to you know the first 4 months). I can finish an Entree size meal and feel soooo stuffed. In a day where I am not being careful about what I am eatting, I still emotionally eat (just less) I can consume up to 2000 calories. I am aware now that my weight is sneaking back up towards no my upper limit cause of some issues, tho surprisingly it is easier to control when i am aware of it...kinda random. Liss, I am soooo happy to hear of your 75kgs loss you really are doing amazingly well and look amazing. Such a huge milestone to Celebrate.....

Bella I have no idea but definitely feel your pain... I didnt know how many absolute wankers were out there until I apparently went looking for them. I know the hating mode, which I am pretty sure just means I am even less open to anyone who may be a good one. But strangely I havent yet given up hope. The saying all the good ones are taken or gay (or both). Bella, where are you located? We should go on a man hunt lol

Yay Bec!!! That is a nice quick turn around Misty, smart move on the track suit pants...you will probably live in them for the first week. You are definitely organised. The flavourless whey Protein was the only real way I was getting protein in, would add it to everything early one, made a heap of Soups and stuff and they made them all nice and creamy. Have you got a nice comfy couch you can sleep in if needed?

Misty, hopefully this will work The video itself has taken on a life of its own. Pretty much anyone who has ever walked past me has seen it and contacted me. Now I wish I had dressed better for it lol.

Echoing in, good luck today Bec. Misty, is it wrong that I find the whole phrasing of honoring your stomach wrong. Just me, it is less about honoring your stomach and more about honoring your life. I hope she can find a way to help support you through the challenges. It is weird how your whole mindset changes, or atleast mine has, others may have different experiences. But now adays I dont punish myself for eatting, I have eatten McDonalds a couple of times since surgery (it didnt really attract me pre-surgery either), and dont have the guilt with it. I hope you can find a balance that works for you. On other news from my end, I have been asked to do an Interview, have an article written about my journey in Thats Life magazine. My old trainer has put a reporter in touch with me and they apparently are really interested in it. Will be interesting the slant they will put on it, but I hope it comes across as a positive empowering story, rather than a last ditch effort. Watch this space......

Way to go Nessa!!! Another milestone down

Bec and Misty, it is pretty normal to feel some level of anxiety about the procedure, as well as relief and excitement. I remember the day of the surgery like it was yesterday, I was so calm the weeks leading up to it, prepared for every eventuality or so I thought. The day of the surgery I freaked out...but it all turned out for the best, and now looking back I wonder what I was so scared of. Just trust you have done your research and have made the best decision for you