ozeedonkee

I will need to pay the surgeon AUD$3500 prior to surgery, and then pay the anaethetist roughly $2000 whenever he sends his bill. And then hope for the best when claiming from Medicare and insurance.

That's great Scotty! Yes, I believe you may be correct - there could be some way of withdrawing for critical medical expenses.

I'm pre-op, but I've had tubal ligation. Best thing ever if you're sure you don't want (more) kids. I wasn't good at remembering and I also wasn't keen on the artificial hormones (pill, IUD, whatever). Oh, but I did use Implanon (the arm implant) a few years ago (about 10), and that was better than the pill (for me). Also - if you are planning on a family - I don't recommend the Depo Provera injection. The experience I had working in a dr surgery, was that most women who had at some point used it, seemed to have a LOT of difficulty conceiving for a long time after.

I actually moved a loooong way from family and friends. I don't have a lot of friends up here, so not many to cull...... Although thinking about it now, there IS someone I need to get away from. I have refused to even "friend" some of my family members on Facebook because I can't be bothered with the crap they post.

Yup Glad to hear you're doing well Kayargh

Can someone explain what turkey bacon is please? Putting the words "turkey" and "bacon" together to refer to a single food item is, well, plain weird to an Australian

Can you get Natvia? According to the label: 0.6 calories vs sugar 16 calories (teaspoon) No aspartame, no saccharin, no sucralose, no fructose, no sodium. Low GI. Carb sugars 0g/100g.

Hahaha love it!!

Putrid stuff. None of my 3 kids would eat it (as babies). It's not hard to cook your own, purée, and freeze into portions. And it tastes better!

I think cutting out sugar aka "white death" makes a huge difference!

You never had my mother's. like eating spaghetti between two slices of charcoal .....

Wow. You guys have to do some work! I got my GP referral, could have been in to see the specialist the next week and had the op any time after that. Easy. Unfortunately, I have 2 more months to wait out until my insurance company will cover me (12 month wait for pre-existing conditions). If I were to pay myself, it could potentially be done in 2-3 weeks from my initial GP consult.

Obviously - you need to make your family more scared of you mine wouldn't DARE lol Note: I'm assuming family here. Friends don't do that s***

Anyone say glutton for punishment?

Someone did that to you?!

I have heard the Musashi is pretty good tasting. I don't think it was as low in carbs - but we're only talking small amounts here! I might try the Musashi too

I've been doing a little pre-op protein powder label comparison. The highest protein/lowest carb formulation I can find is Atkins. And I actually like the Atkins stuff. It can be mixed with water or milk. I think (from memory) it's at 30g protein/serve.

Have you thought about adding something like Polyjoule? I don't know if it's called the same in America (I'm assuming that's where you are). I used it to help my baby gain weight (he had a heart condition). It's powder form and doesn't taste. Might be worth speaking with a GP or nutritionist about. You could calculate exactly how much you would need to maintain your weight. Good luck!

My husband saw this and started soap boxing about WLS. I pointed out the sleeve is not malabsorptive. And also - I don't plan on eating bread and chips.....

I completely forgot about your number 10! That's a dream of mine too and I wouldn't say no to 11 either

I will not miss: - constantly unrolling the waistband on my trousers (because my stomach pushes it down) - putting on my nightie and wondering why it seems to be a few centimeters shorter each time - looking at fabulous boots knowing that my calves just ain't gonna fit in - feeling like I need to finish EVERYTHING on my plate (I think my mother is responsible for THAT)

I have a 7 yr old girl, and two boys 5 and 3. There sure seems to be a common factor with having kids with special needs! (yes, me too) Although I'm always straight up with my kids, I won't be telling my kids the exact reason that I'll be going to hospital. My daughter is a sensitive soul who takes on more than she should, and I feel she doesn't need to try to comprehend the surgery. I'm just hoping the sleeve recovery will be slightly more mild than c-sections.