justright66

It seems like we have not a lot of action in our Aussie forum. My date is 8/3/16 in Brisbane. Would love to meet other Australians having surgery around this time

I really feel for you. Things don't always go the way we expected. It's great that you have recognised your battle with alcohol. Not everyone has such in site. Sobriety will give you back so much more,than a normal liver function test. It will give you piece of mind, self belief and improve your health and self esteem. This is a difficult game that we play but it is worth it. First things first, believe you deserve the best and take one day at a time.. The rest will follow. You are worth it.

That good news, sounds like your right on track!

Yeah[emoji108]

Hope it was good news for you ChunkyMonkey 76. I have had to postpone my surgery due to my sons illness and now have another 7 weeks to wait till next available....... Lost 3 kg on optifast now I'll have to do that over again in 5 weeks. Things can certainly change in the blink of an eye. So much planning then everything changes. Thinking of you and hope Friday is your day[emoji106]

That is so close[emoji4] how are your nerves? I got a curve ball today, my son will have to have surgery the same week locally and I don't think I can bear to be over 1000 km away in no condition to help him. Sooo don't want to change my surgery date. See what strings I can pull tomorrow. Are you all organised for when you head home? I think the extra day is a good idea.

Thanks Sisterchip [emoji4] I'll check it out

Hi, we have surgery on the same day. I am on a 2 week optifast diet that is very strict and I can say I am not enjoying it one bit. The way I am keeping myself on track is by reminding myself that my life may depend on my compliance with this diet. My liver needs to shrink as small as possible for the surgeon to do his best work. I need to do my bit so he can do his and I don't want any half measures that's for sure. Best wishes, you can do this.

Thanks for the tip about the Australian FB group, there really are a lot of us out there. Shame they didn't make it a secret group as apposition to a closed group. Just gives a bit more privacy. Is there a way around that. I would really like to join??

Hey I'm March 8th. Around 2.30 pm. Had my band out last June after 2 slips. Now going for RNY

Our numbers are growing, it's so good to talk in Kgs and mls. I have started my pre op diet, to weeks on optifast and it's going ok so far. I can add a cup of salad and a cup of steamed veg a day as well as a few frozen blue berries to my shakes. Pretty good really! I'm from North Qld so I am coming down to the Wesley in Brisbane to have my surgery on the 8/3. Also nice not having to write that back to front....those of you who have been on other forums will know what I mean. Anyway I am just keeping busy with work and next week I will get everything organised as I plan to stay down for at least 10 days. Let's keep the conversation going [emoji4]

Thanks for the reply, the m just starting my 2 week pre op diet. Optifast 2 meal replacements day an 1 small low carb meal. Cut the caffeine last week. Were you able to go back to coffee? My weight is 90kg. Much higher before the band. Dr says to expect to sit around 78 but that isn't even within my BMI healthy weight. I think I can do better than that. Main goal is to fix the GERD and hopefully relieve the back and foot pain. I haven't seen sugar free Popsicles which I think might be good post op. Do you know of any brands. What things did you find helpful?

I've messaged you a link. Yes I'll have to have my last supper this weekend. Valentine's on Sunday is a good excuse. We'll be pretty cheap to take out after that won't we :-)

Yep I have a supportive partner but he will only be there for a few days. Where do you buy the Degas, is that it's only name? I also read that optifast do a range of soups and puddings high in protein so I will check them out for the immediate post op. I have got 2 weeks of fluids then 2 weeks of mush! I can't remember exactly but I think it was the same for the band.

Hi, I have to use optifast for my 2 weeks prior and I'm getting a protein powder called Robb Jay On line which is a bit exy but highly recommended by someone I know. I have heamacromotosis so I don't know if I'm going to need iron supplements as my body already has too much. They don't offer this procedure up here and I have full cover so getting it done in Bris. Yep I went through the fear stage, see my post in the general bypass forum. I got really good advice from there and I did the exercise of writing down all my fors and againsts so I have that all written out to remind me when I start to 2nd guess myself. I haven't got a dietitian yet, best I do something about that! How are you going?

Hi, so you will be 4 days ahead of me. I was also thinking of starting the pre op diet early with a big reduction in carbs and cut the caffeine as when I have done this in the past I have suffered headaches and brain fog for a few days. I'm from Cairns but having my surgery at Wesley. Going to try to stay in Brisbane for 2 weeks if finances allow, just for the rest and follow up. I too had the slipped band, 1st time had it replaced, 2nd time just got it out. Both times due to extreme vomiting. Who did you use as a dietitian? And what brands have been recommended. Australia is so much more laid back with all of this than the US. And looks like we have a helpful mentor in Elizabeth :-)

Thanks Elizabeth, are those vitamins chewable and have you tried the sublingual spray? How are you going generally?

Hi, I put some pics up and would like them removed. I am happy with the post, just want to drop the pics.

Thanks goblue9280. It worked :-)

Hi, thanks for the reply. I would like to know what some of the products you used during the first 2 weeks of your post op diet. I read names like Crystal Light and sugar free Popsicles that I don't think we have here in Australia. Also what range of vitamins do you use and what are your tips for brands of protein ect..... Grateful for any advice :-)

Hi Dawn, hope your still using the forum. I'm having my surgery in Early March in Brisbane and would value some Aussie support. You could help me with Brand names and would be good to talk in KGs and grams. Hope to hear from you and hope all is going well.

Not to discount any ones previous research, but I have made notes in my Pre op diary to reming myself that my teeth already were in a poor state of repair which I attribute to long periods do drastic dieting, poor food choices when I was not. Also the bolemiaI suffered as a adolescent, vomiting through morning sickness in pregnancy and I must also add my like for champagne on a regular basis until 3 years ago, the failed lap band of 7 years and associated vomiting, " E I E I O" The list goes on. Also our teeth are naturally going to deteriorate along with the rest of us as we get older and for women going through menopause. I wrote these things down as a reference point as I have of my many pre op discomforts to look back on when I start scratching for answers. All I can do is take my supplements and look after them the best I can from here on in.

I'm just looking forward to wearing heels again. I've heard when you loose the weight they are not so uncomfortable to walk on. At the moment I live in rubber slip ons and my feet ache a lot. Hope this all changes.

Hi, yes I also have Barrets, pretty scary stuff when you read up on it so it's great that they found it. I have also seen an article praising the benefits of RNY in patients with GERD and Barrets . So I think the Bypass may be our best option.

I had a band for 5 years which was moderately successful initially, after2 slips and surgeries to correct I had it removed. By this time I had regained most of the weight. My Surgeon recommended I have Bypass 3 months later after all settled. I am not a candidate for a sleeve. I'm not afraid of the diet ect but the aftershock, Byers remorse in the first few months, hair loss and like all of us.... Complications. Weighing this up I have high cholesterol, debilitating GERD, chronic back pain which previously rectified itself with weight loss. A family history of diabetes, heart disease and all of my siblings are Obese with their own health issues. My GP says I need to rectify my fatty liver as I already have a compromised LFT from heamacromotosis and medications. Psychologically my self esteem is in my boots as I hate the way I look and my constant back pain keeps me cranky and disparing as I can't exercise and struggle with daily activities let alone the life enhancing ones that I have had to give up like gardening and bushwalking. My Psych is supportive of my having surgery as is my GP I sooo want this but I am scared......I am also soo afraid of the life I have ahead of me if I don't have it. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this with the pain and general unhappiness. I spent new year in hospital with a suspected heart attack. All checked out our after an angiogram but it was yet another reminder of my risk factors... Please feel free to hit me with some realities and advice.