Lissa_S

So I am waiting to see if my ERSB is approved and should hear by next Wednesday. I am so excited to actually have an answer which obviously I am hoping is affirmative...it's an all or nothing process. I spoke to someone from DHS today and they indicated that I should know by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. It's so exciting though...I keep looking at my life and reminding myself how different things will be. For example, just watching Jamie Oliver (food porn lol) and thinking to myself, I'd only be able to have a bite or two of that - no sadness or remorse, just kind of excited. It'd be a damn good mouthful That's how I am looking at it anyway preoperatively. It will be interesting to see if I still think that way post op. I was also just watching a travel show and thinking to myself, this time next year I could do that I won't have my weight to stop me from doing things! So exciting! So that's my update for this week. Hope all is well in your world! See you on the flip side...Lila

Wow, though! 7 kg in about two weeks right? That is great! Congrats!

Congrats! I hope yours is a speedy recovery!

Thank you so much for your response and it's not tmi - I'd really rather know in advance The fewer surprises the better!! I also wanted to say wow, your most recent post with photo's are staggering! Can I ask, how often do you work out now? And do you find you're more motivated because you're losing good weight or does it just get a bit easier cause you don't have to carry around as much excess weight? Thanks, Lila

Wow that is amazing! Congratulations!!!!!

It sounds tough but perhaps it would help if you reminded yourself that you're doing everything that you can do given the limitations that you have. try to celebrate the small goals and to cut yourself some slack...you've just had major surgery and you don't need to get everything 100% right from the beginning...Mokee is right - this is what this site is about, to vent and get rid of what you're struggling with. Stay strong and know that you're not alone in this!

Hello fellow bloggers This is probably just a little bit of vanity so please excuse me. It's just that I have finsihed sending off all of my paperwork now for my operation and I am feeling great. I should know if my ERSB has been approved by next week (should be fine) and once that is through, it is clear sailing to my date with Mr Sharpie. Well I still have to go through the pre-op diet of course but to be honest, there is a part of me that is looking forward to it...it means that it's the "end of the world as we know it"...lol. In the best possible way. I am so lucky that several of my friends and work colleagues have had this surgery and they have been so incredibly supportive, telling me of their experience which has really reduced some of my anxiety. For anyone dipping their toes into this pool (gastric sleeve) I highly recommend asking even what you think is the dumbest question of someone who has had the op, preferably close to where you will be having it. In hearing the stories of others there is a vast difference between how things are done depending on which country (or even which state) you live in. But for me, having someone to ask really functional questions of has reduced my anxiety significantly. I am sure as the date draws nearer that my neuroses will rear their ugly little heads again but for now, I am just excited. I hope that this feeling lasts for the next month! I am hopeful though and not stupid - it's unlikely but I am going to enjoy it for as long as I can!!

Wow...nothing else, just wow

Wow, that is amazing. I am about the same weight you were before the sleeve (about 160kg at the moment) and I am so pleased to hear about your loss. It's inspiring and thank you for sharing it! I am getting my op on 3rd September and can't wait to start my journey. If you had three things you wished someone told you pre-op, what would they be? (is that too much pressure lol - feel free to ignore this!) Anyway thanks so much for your post and congrats on your amazing achievement. Cheers, Lila

Wow congrats to all the sleevers who posted their losses. Can't wait to join you there!

Good luck to all of you who have surgery coming up! I will no doubt be in the same position this time next month (my surgery is the 3rd of September). Wishing you a safe surgery and a speedy recovery!

I am having my surgery on September 3 too! Good luck! I hope all goes well for you!

It is a tough decision to have to come to but it gives so much hope! Well it did for me...I resisted for so long out of fear, fear of surgery or complications - or so I thought. Really I think I was just afraid of change...I've been so big for so long I have no idea how to imagine life without the burden of my weight. It's so entrenched into who I am that I don't think I have really realised how much my weight has stopped me from doing things in life. I imagine that the post-surgery challenges are going to be finding out these things, trying not to mourn (for too long) the time I've wasted and celebrating the new and exciting challenges before me. I hope that you find the same! Cheers, Lila

I'm not a doctor but my surgeon did say that if you continue to overeat your stomach will stretch but it will never be a "normal" stomach size again. It's like anything I suppose - if you push and push, something will have to give...

Wow, congratulations! It is so good to hear a positive story about the sleeve - as my surgery date gets closer any negative story seems more "real" so it is nice that there is another side too It's important to hear both sides! Congrats again!

Sorry to hear about your Dad's experience - but I am glad to hear that he is finally getting back on track. Surgery is a gamble - every single time. It is important for those of us pre-surgery to really think about what we are getting into. For me, as scary as your Dad's story is, I still know that the sleeve is the right thing for me to do, much like you going ahead with your surgery (congrats on your loss by the way). Thank you though so very much for sharing both sides of this story...it can't be easy!

Hey no worries! it wouldn't have surprised me if there was a limit on it - but thankfully there isn't Of course there is no guarantee that they will approve the full amount (DHS) so I could still be looking to pay a gap myself anyway...at least the application is in now and I just have to wait to see what the outcome will be! cheers, Lila

Found out today that there is no limit on how much superannuation you can use for medical purposes (sorry, applies to Aussies only this blog). So relieved that I won't have to find the additional cash myself to pay for the surgery...am now just in the process of waiting for the government to sign off on my application (this takes about two weeks) and then they will pay it into my bank account. It was awful waiting over the weekend to find out if there was a limit to how much you could claim! I am just so pleased that I am able to go ahead! Bring on September 3 (surgery date)!

For any aussies who are looking into having their super annuation released early for the surgery, I am putting in my application today to Department of Human Services and should hear back in two weeks. I will keep you updated. previously, someone posted that there is a maximum to how much you can have approved - this isn't the case. It may have been in the past but if you apply for Early Release of Superannuation special considerations, there is no limit. You just need two doctors to sign off on it (one your surgeon) and a quote for the costs and it's done. My surgery will cost around $20000 so it's worth it to check out if you can get your super released. I will let you all know what the outcome was! Cheers, Lila

Good luck everyone! Let us know how you get on!

I have also heard about this procedure and when I asked about it, they said that they don't do it. My surgeon is Dr Candice Silverman out of John Flynn hospital at Tugun. So hopefully you'll be spared the experience as I heard it is awful!

It's amazing how much of this journey is rollercoaster of emotions!! I am now worried about organising finance for my surgery which I thought was sorted out via early release of my superannuation. I can't find anywhere that stipulates that there is a maximum amount although another member told me it's capped at $10000 and by the time they reserve tax, it's closer to $7900. I have mentioned the approximate costs along the way to both the DHS and the superannuation company and no one mentioned that there was a limit...I was under the impression that they just paid the amount on the quote. So basically I may be scrambling to find $10 000 in a month. What's so annoying is that I've lost more in super since the GFC than the amount that I am applying for. It seems so wrong that I won't be able to get what I need to have this surgery. I am trying to remain positive though - it is very important for me to have the surgery and I will be able to manage to find the money if I really, really need it. I just am hoping for a better outcome...can't wait until Monday so that I can speak to someone! Will update my blog when I know a little more...

Wow this is amazing and congratulations! It must be an awesome feeling! I wish you all the very best!

Thanks for letting me know. I will have to find out a little more as unfortunately my surgeon doesn't work out of anywhere but John Flynn private hospital and the medical bills there are $10000 and the surgeon's fees are on top of this again. So all up, it's close to $18000. Anyway I am hoping that I will be able to find out a little more on Monday but it's a bummer that they can't cover the entire amount...I've lost more than $18G since the GFC so I may as well use it to help me then to wait for the next stockmarket crash! Will update here on what Ifind out on Monday

Congratulations! I am so happy for you and I hope that my own surgery goes as well