tarajane

Aquasky13 - i have been dying to find out how you went today with your appointment with Mr Nottle. Please post asap

Me too I was looking forward to reading a reply, didnt realise it was for a special condition, funny jenny as i had been thinking about it this last week and wishing that i could remember what was said.

Parvathi - do you mind me asking why you changed surgeons? What is revision surgery?

thanks heaps lil goodnight

I think she will go anywhere, basically wherever the shortest wait is. i personally chose my surgeon for reputation etc but not having health cover she doesnt have that luxury. I wouldnt recommend going home same day, I stayed in one and a half days after my op and needed that time.

Thanks Lil which hospital were you done at? and how long were you in hospital?

Thanks lil for the info. Yes she does have a HCC. Do you know why your friend had to wait so much longer for her op? 7 months is great, I expected it to be several years, I went private and waited 4 months. As a public patient what happens if you have a slip or other problem? would you have to go back on the waiting list again to be fixed?

I'll be there with bells on Anna.

Welcome Eddie, just ask away, someone here is sure to have experienced what you are concerned about. Nothing is better than talking to someone who has been thru the same experience. What part of good old Aussie are you from?

Aquasky 13 - could you please tell me what is involved re having your op under the public system? i went private but my d i l doesnt have private insurance. what costs are involved with all the fills etc? thanks heaps

I'll be there.

Thanks Cam, or even just the name of the outlet is fine, i regularly am down that way and will hopefully see you on the Tuesday night anyway.

Cam, could you please post the address or name of the direct outlet for the optifast?

I am from Melbourne Cathy1 and I had it done at the avenue. Despite the difficulties working out what food I can and cant eat, it is still the best thing I have ever done for my health. Go ahead and book your op with confidence that you will be a new person in 12 months.

I am still finding the food a mystery. Last Sat night I ate with friends who dont know I am banded and no one would have been the wiser. The following day I tried to eat leftovers ( all salad type so nothing that would have toughened overnight) and couldnt get a thing down. Same happened last night for me, Tried to eat apricots and yoghurt which I haver had often with no probs but struggled, pain and then my first episode of "sliming". It isn't just certain food but certain days that cause me grief. I guess this is all a great learning experience. i am 2 months banded and when I go to restaurants I havent attempted anything more than soup, just playing safe. Once summer comes I guess I will have to try and find something suitable.

You'll be fine Anna, looking forward to catching up at the group in a few weeks. i am sure you will be feeling great and on a real "high"

Cam, could you please give me the name /address of the direct outlet? I dont need it, i am banded but my sister takes optifast.

I pay nothing, it was all included in my up front out of pocket expenses of $3060. They just bulk bill medicare each time for anything for the rest of my life which i think is a pretty good deal.

I'll be there, looking forward to it.

I have heard that Lake Hume in the Albury area has a resort which is supposed to be very good and reasonable prices. Beechworth is also a pretty decent place for the ladies, lots of craft shops and of course the famous bakery. There is an old convent there which has accommodation. It is called the "Priory" i think. Lots of schools use it.

Hi Goanna, We missed you tonight, hope you are doing ok and not too anxious about your op coming up. I am sure you will do wonderfully.

Thanks for that info goanna, i am going for another fill on Friday so will head to the glen on the way home. Of course I plan to buy a couple of different sizes in preparation for the terrific new bod I hope to have soon. Hey - just realised that maybe I wont be needing to shop at 1626 this time next year!!!!!!!!

Hi anna, I also went to the sunday get together. It was much more varied in regard to surgeons and hospitals. i couldnt stay long but it was great to meet some really inspirational ladies. i cant wait to be looking like them in a few months - hopefully not years.

I was in tears my shoulder pain was so bad, felt that someone had stabbed me with a knife and kept it there. My surgeon said degass etc wouldnt be of any use but in desperation i took soluble panadol, heat pack, electric blanket, hot shower, peppermint tea and a quick eze. Did all this at once, went to bed and by morning I was a new woman. i suspect the peppermint tea and quick eze were the main help. My shoulder pain didnt start til 5 days post op and was 3 days of hell. hope some of the above might help.

It went well, everyone seemed to be talking non stop to someone. One extremely interesting point was that we each discovered that there are different foods we couldnt eat. example one girl has no prob at all with risotto and another has trouble big time, same for bread and red meat. Shows that we really are very individual regarding our loss and eating abilities. What part of Melbourne are you from Mary? there is another get together planned tomorrow (sunday) with another group.