shortstuff

Here I go! #1. Surgery date? February 25th, 2010 #2. State you live in? Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia #3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr Laurent Layani, Gold Coast Obesity Centre (Circle of Care Program) #4. Insurance or self pay? Private Heath Insurance + co-contribution of $6,200 (which has been approved from payment as an early release of my superannuation benefits) #5. Age and height? 38 and 5'1 #6. Current weight and goal weight? 224 (102kgs) and 143 (65kgs) goal #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? Health mainly - High blood pressure, fluid retention, joint pain and limitations on what I can do physically. Also due to family history of obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke - i'm heading down that road.... and for myself and my family - I need to feel better, be more active and be around for them in the future. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Yes. Only me husband and best friend know, and that's the way I want it at the moment as I do not need or want the added pressure - I will be putting enough on mydelf! #8. Concerns and questions? Yes, lots - I'm a born worrier. I like structure and routine - so setting out a meal plan and schedule will be easy. Petrified of the actual surgery. My hubbys a chef - so the luxury of food will be a big thinks that I miss - but hey - it's all for the best and no use having negative thoughts - you need to think positively to assist yourself to have the best chance of coming out the other side. Looking forward to seeing how everyone is going - especially those earlier in the month. Thinking Thin Thoughts, Tracey:tongue: Thanks for listening and good luck!

Hey Guys, Had my initial appt with Surgeon and Dietician on 7th January and with Pshychologist on 8th Jan. Was booked in straight away for 25th Feb surgery - could have had it earlier but as I already had the 26th Feb off work for a different appt which was postponed until May, I jumped at the chance to have the op then - so as not to have to hassle with extra days off work etc. As it turns out I have arranged extra days off work and will most likely arrange some more for after the op. My hubby is off for the whole week after the op too to take the pressure off with out 3.5 year old daughter. I am a firm beliver of thinking positve thoughts and it will be all be worth it in the end. Thinking Thin Thoughts, Tracey:thumbup:

Hey Lou Lou, Am so please for you - I read your posts with interest and am so glad that you are mostly happy and upbeat about the whole thing.. So many of these forums you go on and everyone is so negative! Start my pre-op diet on Thurs and op on the 25th this month. I am of the firm belief that if i go into this with a positive attitude and don't try and cheat - that I'm going to better off (& lighter)!!! Any tips or pointers that you have - especially for the pre-op diet to start with would be greatly appreciated! Cheers, Thing Thin Thoughts! Tracey:w00t:

Hey alycejo... Thanks - can you believe that I got a call from my Dr's office today asking if I could bring my operation forward to 12 February, 2010 - not quite ready for that - need to do my 2 weeks of pre-op shakes, and have arranged my time off work and hubby has too (he will be home for me the whole week after the op - and to distract the 3 year old daughter!). You asked in your reply what APRA was? - Funny it showed up in the email notification I got but doesn't seem to be in the post?!?!? APRA is the Australain Prudential Regulation Authority and they regulate all Superannuation monies in Australia. You can make application to them to have funds released early from your superannuation on hard ship grounds = your doctors need to provide letters stating that you are suffering from a life threatening condition and the operation is not avaialable through the public system (which is the case). Even with Private Health Cover you will have out of pocket expenses - for my surgery, hospital costs, aneathetist (oops spelling) and follow up consults for a year with dietician, psychologist and specialist for fills etc my out of pockets would be $6,200. As I don't have that sort of money I have made application for that money to be released early from my super. APRA have approved my claim and I am just waiting on the original letter which I send off to my Super company with their specific release form and they deposit the money directly into my bank account. Don't mind doing this as the long I am here and can work for me and my family the more I can put into super at a later stage. Your six month wait will go like a flash.... just kepp thinking positive thoughts! Cheers, Tracey

Just had to share (as no one other than my husband = and you guys:tongue:!) knows that I am going in for lap band surgery. Lodged my APRA Application Friday 15 January, 2010 and YES 12 working days later - APPROVED:eek:. No further info required. Phew.... Now I can go ahead and confirm my surgery for the 25th February (yes THIS MONTH :-0) and begin my pre surgery diet next Thursday the 11th. :sad:AND no more sleepless nights wondering if it's going ahead.. Anyhow, just thought I'd share! Think Thin Thoughts, Tracey:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Hello to all. This is my first time ever posting to a fourm. A little about me: My name is Tracey aka shortstuff I am married to a wonderful man who I met 21 years ago at High School We have a 3 year old treasure of a girl (well, today at least she is a treasure) I weigh too much I have done just about every weight loss program out there (shakes, lotions, potions, pills - you name it, I've wasted money on it) I suffer from high blood pressure and bad Fluid retention AND I am booked to be banded on 25 February, 2010! Start the pre-op 'diet' 11th Feb - all stocked up and ready to go! I don't know if having more time in the lead up to the op is a good thing.... Cheers, Tracey:thumbup:

I really do sympathise with you. Once I also had made my decision, I was - I want it done NOW! Considering though I think I have been quite lucky - made my mind up over Christmas after both my husband and I had been to see our GP the week before Christmas and discussed ALL the options I had left. Saw my GP again on 5th January, 2010 and rang that day to the Gold Coast Obesity Centre and they were able to get me in with the Specialist & Dietician& Psychologist all within 2 days on 7th/8th January, (before I went back to work on the 11th January) Even booked in that day for surgery for 25th Feb - wow. Lodged my APRA Application on 15th January and got that approved today so all seems to be falling into place. You could call it a dream run. Getting excited and anxious and know that when I start the pre-surgery diet next week that all will be going ahead! Keep your chin up, and hopefully like me, all will fall into place for you. Look forward to hearing all about your progress. Think Thin Thoughts! Tracey

Hello to all. This is my first time ever posting to a fourm. A little about me: My name is Tracey aka shortstuff I am married to a wonderful man who I met 21 years ago at High School We have a 3 year old treasure of a girl (well, today at least she is a treasure) I weigh too much I have done just about every weight loss program out there I suffer from high blood pressure and bad Fluid retention AND I am booked to be banded on 25 February, 2010! I don't know if having more time in the lead up to the op is a good thing.... Cheers, Tracey:thumbup: