DaisyChainOz

Home made Butter chicken with a small amount of rice. Normal sized fork for perspective

Oh I am so sorry you are having these issues @Arabesque hormonal weight gain sucks! Those of us post menopausal have it so hard when it comes to getting the weight off, nature whats us to be chubby grandmas it seems!!! 😆 But... and not to diminish your concerns, You are still very tiny, if you are still 48.5kg as per your profile, so whilst I know it's driving you nuts, maybe try not to be too distressed about it, you look amazing still, and I am sure that the HRT issue will be sorted out before too long and your doctor and yourself will find the right combo! Your birthday will still be amazing, and you will look stunning!

So I had my first consultation this week, the system is very different in Australia to what I have read about the surgery elsewhere. Things went very well, loved the team I spoke to, the Dr I saw was not the surgeon, but a very good bariatric physician, and after our consultation it would appear that I have the choice of; Signing up for top Health insurance, paying premiums for a year and then getting the surgery. Approx $5-7k AUD out of pocket and $5-8k in premiums for the 12 months Going through a semi subsidised model which would be in about 6 months Approx $10k AUD Paying for the surgery myself which would be in a matter of weeks. Appox $22k AUD Good news is I can do any of the above, am healthy and a good candidate, there is little requirements to do a lot of the pre-surgery requirements that other country/systems have, so I guess I now just have to decide.

Well, it took 5 years LOL but I finally got there with Gastric Sleeve!! We had COVID, and 2 x interstate moves in that 5 years, so there was a lot going on! Surgery on 16th Jan 2025 - lost almost 16 kg since the journey began and 10kg since surgery 10 weeks ago. This has been so life changing, I am losing slowly, but steadily. Not at all what I expected, I have had friends and colleagues who have been through this and dropped so quickly, my expectations were totally unrealistic as it turns out. I have to keep in mind that losing 16kg in 6 months has not happened before, and probably wouldn't have happened without surgery. Comparison is the cause of so much misery, so I am working hard to not compare and to enjoy this journey for what it is.... my journey! This is me in 2023 probably around 113kg, not my heaviest, I think at one stage around 2010 or so I was over 120kg as my scale at the time only went that high, and it was showing highest for a long time. I will put up After photos when I get there 😂

chili bowl, no after pic.

Not very exciting but sometimes plain comfort food is what I crave. beef sausage with mashed potato, gravy and veg.

Hello and welcome! I am also post menopause and was sleeved on Jan 16. I am losing super slowly, I think it's slower if you're older, it certainly is for me, but it's coming off, I am feeling great 10 weeks out! 🥳 I need to start some exercise regime, I have never been into exercise really, but I think it's time! 😂 Congrats on your decision and fingers crossed you have a wonderful recovery! Give yourself time, follow your plan! 😊

I had a very similar experience about a week to 10 days post sleeve surgery! It was awful, never had anything like it previously in my life! I had some San Pellegrino laxative very effective, it took a few hours, but worked very well! Sweet relief!!

Congrats! The relief to have made it through with minimal side effects after all that mental and emotional build up pre surgery is amazing isn'tit! 🥳 That's great you are feeling so fabulous! 😁 Your journey really begins here. Follow your Surgeon and Dietician plans and you'll do so well! 😊

This forum is all about helping and supporting each other as we go through this! 😊 We are here for you! But yeah, try not to compare yourself to others in any aspect of this journey, you're a unique individual, and no one else is the same, this is something I have had to really take on board with this weight loss journey! 😆

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I had the exact same thing, it was seriously doing my head in! But.. it's quite normal, you might be eating at such a deficit that your body is literally slowing your metabolism right down, or you're retaining fluid. My Dietician last week told me on avg people lose between 4-7 kg (roughly double for lbs) between the first and 2nd months... I was despairing as I had only lost 5.1 kg... turns out, right in the middle!! Try not to worry, it is happening! I found upping my cals to 900 really helped!

We all felt that anxiety and worry about how things will change, as humans we don't like change much. But for most it's a good change aand whilst it's definitely not easy, it does get easier day by day, week by week from that surgery day! Eating clean whilst on the road is not easy, but also not too hard. You can always take protein shakes/bars etc with you for your small meals. It's also easy to find rotisserie chicken, or to ask for a burger without the bun etc. Remembering you CAN'T eat much, and have to prioritise protein first, so it is possible, just make better choices. The surgery doesn't mean you have to find organic salad all the time, you will be able to cope fine 😊

Salmon chick pea salad. Small bowl and it’s a cake fork, ate about half! It’s great to be back to real food again!! 😁

he may well equate cooking you food with love/acts of service. But he might just be scared you'll change, that the relationship you have now will be different after you've had surgery and lost weight, or that you might get slim, and leave him. Lot's of things might be playing with his head. Communication is the key, if you can get to what it is he's truly worried about, you might be able to reassure him and put those fears to bed. On a similar vein.. My husband gave up drinking completely due to health issues, and now he doesn't want to drink, which is fine of course! But, honestly, it has changed our relationship fundamentally. We always had great fun having a few wines, dinner and talking for hours, he now doesn't want to talk for hours, I'm lucky if he gives me an hour of his time in the evening, even if I am not drinking either. Our fun time after work is no more. It does make me realise this major change in his life, HAS totally changed OUR lives. Your husband might be fearful of something like this happening to your relationship.

you have done amazingly! I am really looking forward to being in that position down the line Thanks for sharing your journey with us all, it really does help to inspire so many people!

I second everything said by @Bessieboop1981 I was also sleeved 8 weeks ago, and have found it hard at times to deal with the head hunger and the change to my body and lifestyle (former chef and pastry chef) Food has been a HUGE part of my life for a long time, and now it is not so much! But that doesn't stop the desire! The physical pain of overeating is very real post surgery, I can not eat much at once, and sometimes grieve that, but I do know that after trying to lose weight my whole adult life, this is the only thing that will help to control the volume I eat. That is what I was after, the handbrake to stop me overeating, but it is only a tool, the fact is you need to be ready emotionally. The physical risk factor of Gastric Sleeve is minimal, however, as said above, all surgery has risks including serious complications and even death and this has to be weighed against the potential benefit. Only you can know if it's worth it to you. I also wish you well!

That's a brilliant effort so far! Congrats and keep up the good work! 😁

You look fabulous! Congrats on your loss so far. It's great that you feel your identity is not about your size, terrific to see you are you, no matter what!

My surgery was on the 16th Jan, I have not been losing quickly either, only lost 8kg since surgery. I also had a long time with no loss at all. I spoke to my surgeon at one month, he wasn't worried, he said it's quite OK to lose slowly, in fact it's good. He said it is because my body has been triggered into starvation survival mode, I know I am retaining water. Very frustrating for us slow losers I know, but quite ok, we have to learn to trust the process, so long as you're getting your protein and water as priority. I did get things moving again by eating more, pushed my intake to over 900 cals a day for a few days and this did work for me. I now eat around 800 cals a day, and slow and steady loss of about 1 kg a week for the last few weeks. Things to look at might be bowel movements? Maybe try eating more, Good luck and let us know how you go!

It sounds like he is a very good and ethical surgeon. That's great your arms are largely paid for anyway! You can always look at boobs down the line if they bother you! Best of luck with quick wait time!

Continue to get well! It sounds like you're doing great so far! Sending Positive vibes your way!! 😊

I love your posts, you really are such an inspiration!! 😍 Congrats on 7 years.. wow!🥳 Thank you so much for continuing to be an active member of this site, and for sharing your journey with us still!! 🌟

Hi guys, I had my Sleeve 9 days ago, and am averaging 430 cals per day. Trying to get my 2 litres of water, but mostly 1.5 or so. Still on liquid diet, having one shake in the morning and 2 x 125ml (half cup) serves of home made soup with protein powder for lunch/dinner. At first the weight was falling off at .5kg (1lb) or more a day. but the last 3 days it hasn't dropped, in fact this morning it was 200 gm (half lb) up. Not panicking, I know that there will be stalls, but I didn't think at this early stage 🥲 I also know I probs shouldn't weigh everyday, but I *have* to 😝 Today I thought I might try to up the cal intake a bit and get a bit more steps in. Anyone else have this so early?

Holy schmoley!! That must have scared the bejebus out of you!!! 😅 Mine are the exact same brand!!! it must be they go wacky when new battery needed lol! Thanks for the support, it's encouraging to hear someone like yourself who's been so successful with the surgery say you only lost the same sort of amount in the first month. Gives me hope!! 😁