Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[sueoco 509]

Hey Misty - I would look that therapist in the eye and say 'I am more than just a stomach!! :-)

I think you will be honouring your mind and body when you reach your healthy weight range and know you can stay there!

I look at this way, my husband is a type one diabetic and he would have 75% of any organ removed ( well maybe not ANY!) if it was going to cure him and ultimately save his life! I don't see any difference because having the sleeve will help extend my life (I know there are no guarantees) or at the least, give me a vastly better quality of life going forward. Just being able to buy trendy clothes has added to my quality of life!

[sueoco 509]

I'm not Australian' date=' but I'm living in Adelaide and am set to be sleeved on April 22nd! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Hi Jess - great to see you joining our thread! Hope all goes well with you op on the 22nd. Keep in touch and let us know how it all goes.

[mistysj 1,940]

I just got back from my GP. It turns out that my diabetes numbers are still great on the average even though I have seen poorer control after meals. He says I am a good candidate because I completed the Optifast program and kept some weight off, though not enough to help my health. He usually recommends the band so he will do research on local doctors who do the sleeve surgery and write me a recommendation after that.

I also got signed up for the NDSS finally so I will get my test strips at a fraction of the cost. Why didn't I do that sooner? Laziness!

[Lilly_ 36]

Fantastic Lily! You must be really happy! Has it sunk in yet that you are no longer a person with a weight problem - it has taken me a while. You will soon be joining me on the 'maintenance' journey which I am coming to terms with!

Thanks it really sunk in when I came across old photos I say looking at them and though wow that used to be me, then I forget about it for a while till I see someone who has not been me since before surgery and then it hits me again, maintenance is going to be a whole new challenge, did you adjust well to that side of things?

Lilly

[Lilly_ 36]

Wow Lily that is a great result and how exciting that you are so close to your goals. You must feel and look fantastic.

It's so close I can smell it and for ones it's doesn't smell like yummy food I want to pig out on lol, I am feeling so much better and loving the fact I can go in to a "normal" size shop, although my husband is mourning the loss of my boobs lol

[Lilly_ 36]

Hi and welcome all newbies, this site has been a god sent for me and I hope you find it just as helpful

[kelliv 659]

Hi Kelly! I am not sure what surgeon. I live on the south side but Greenslopes is annoying to get to for check ups etc so I would prefer someone with rooms at Wickham Terrace or the Mater. But it seems everyone uses Greenslopes. I would also be happy to use a public hospital to save money but if it is means-tested I'm sure I won't be eligible. It seems like the private doctors charge wildly varying prices and I have checked with my PHI and they are less than generous with how much they cover for the sleeve. I think I will see who my GP recommends and go from there. It seems like I may be more than 6k out of pocket. I get jealous hearing that some of you paid less than 3k!

I have also struggled with binge eating over the years. Some objective bingeing but mostly subjective. Objective means that others would call it a binge and subjective means it feels like a binge to me. I hope I don't get disqualified. My therapist thinks the surgery might not be the best idea but she is a bit airy fairy and keeps asking how I can honor my stomach' date=' since it has done nothing wrong. I asked her how I could honor my poor pancreas (diabetes), heart, and my absent uterus (uterine cancer in 2011 at age 32).[/quote']

Hi Misty, I have had lots of things done at Greenslopes over the years and have always found it easy to get a park either on the street or in the car park. My doctor used to have rooms at Greenslopes, but now only works in Ipswich. There are meant to be good surgeons at Wesley too, but I don't know their names. Shelley had her surgery there and I have just started seeing a new dietitian who is based at the Wesley Weight Management Centre.

I was out of pocket about $5,000 - $6,000 after Medicare and my private health insurance rebates. Best money I have ever spent. I have not heard of this surgery being offered in the public hospital system, but could be wrong.

[mistysj 1,940]

It's so close I can smell it and for ones it's doesn't smell like yummy food I want to pig out on lol' date=' I am feeling so much better and loving the fact I can go in to a "normal" size shop, although my husband is mourning the loss of my boobs lol[/quote']

That is just so good! I can't wait until its me along with you!

I was wondering what is the quickest anyone has gone from the referral to the surgery. Has anyone managed it in less than a month? Now that I've made the decision I'm so ready to get the show n the road. I've been obsessed for three weeks. I know that's not much but it's basically been a full time job! I have been reading everything I could get my hands on!

[kelliv 659]

That is just so good! I can't wait until its me along with you!

I was wondering what is the quickest anyone has gone from the referral to the surgery. Has anyone managed it in less than a month? Now that I've made the decision I'm so ready to get the show n the road. I've been obsessed for three weeks. I know that's not much but it's basically been a full time job! I have been reading everything I could get my hands on!

Hi Misty, I had an appt with surgeon within a week of getting a referral and had surgery approx 6 weeks later, as had to see dietician and psychologist and have blood tests first.

[Aussiegirl 580]

Hi All,

Welcome to the newbies!!!

Misty, I was sleeved a month after i had the appointment with my surgeon. Tho I had already had a few tests to see I was suitable for the band and had changed my mind. So he was happy I had the prep I needed. My surgeon usually requires 2 appointments before he schedules the surgery, but was happy I was as well educated as I could be ( I had seen his partner for the band) and ready for it, so was like how about 1 month...it can go quick once things are in motion

[Bec101 227]

Hi Misty and welcome. I'm new to this thread too and also live on the soutside of Brisbane. I'm so happy to hear that once the process starts it's quick. I should be getting my referral next Tuesday. But I don't know which surgeon my endo is sending me too. She has told me he is fantastic and works out of Sunnybank private. I just can't wait I'm so excited to have the sleeve and get my life back and beable to have a baby

[Aussiegirl 580]

Wow there is a fair Brisbane contingent coming on through

Welcome Bec!!

[sueoco 509]

Thanks <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> it really sunk in when I came across old photos I say looking at them and though wow that used to be me' date=' then I forget about it for a while till I see someone who has not been me since before surgery and then it hits me again, maintenance is going to be a whole new challenge, did you adjust well to that side of things?

Lilly[/quote']

Hi Lilly - yes it is funny when you look at old photos - makes it real!

I am still adjusting to maintenance and have to admit it is a bit of a challenge. I have to work out how to eat enough calories, excluded saturated fat as my cholesterol is still on the high side and at the same time eat enough red meat as in my last bloods my Iron was very low!

I am managing to keep my weight around 62-64kg but have to admit that my diet hasn't been that disciplined. I seem to have got control of my sweet tooth so have cut back on the sweet things quite a bit but the fatty things mmmmm that is another challenge! I developed the sweet tooth since the op - pre op I was always a savoury person - haven't quite figured that one out but a friends sister who is a personal trainer told me it could be that I am not eating enough Protein during the day which apparently gives you cravings for sweets. I have no idea if this is true or not.

I have also decided that exercise is another thing I have to do - still haven't got there yet as the friend that promised me 4 personal training sessions free hasn't dropped the vouchers around yet! Another excuse really as I could follow it up with her if I was really keen!!

[mistysj 1,940]

Hi Misty and welcome. I'm new to this thread too and also live on the soutside of Brisbane. I'm so happy to hear that once the process starts it's quick. I should be getting my referral next Tuesday. But I don't know which surgeon my endo is sending me too. She has told me he is fantastic and works out of Sunnybank private. I just can't wait I'm so excited to have the sleeve and get my life back and beable to have a baby

Hi Bec! It's nice to see another south side girl. Almost everyone seems to be from the north side!

I just got my referral today! To Dr. Reza Adib who operates at Greenslopes but has rooms at the Wesley. This is perfect for me as I work in the CBD and take public transit. It is hard to get to Greenslopes on public transit! Believe me, I know. I had uterine cancer in 2011 and my specialist gynecologist/oncologist was there. I had to go back for 2 years for 3-month check-ups (I have a clean bill of health!) and every single time, it was a production to get there and then to get to work afterward. But anyway, has anyone heard of Dr. Adib? I see him (is it a man??) next Wednesday morning.

Did anyone here make proactive changes to their life before their surgery, even before they were asked to by their doctor? I have stopped drinking soft drink (my vice was coke zero), cut back from 5-6 cups of coffee a day (black) to only one in the morning, and started drinking a ton of Water. I figure I might as well get in the habit now, and I have lost 2 kg in the past 2 weeks.

[BeardedBurbler 2]

For me it was

1. The pre op diet - I have never been so hungry and I stuck to it by the letter - I hate Optifast shakes!

2. My recovery immediately after the surgery was a bit rough - I just don't cope we'll with opiate pain killers - my only advise is go easy on the morphine pump if you have one!

3. The post op liquid and purée 4 weeks - I never realised how bad puréed meat tastes!

Gee I hope I haven't scared you! Anyway, I would do it all again if I had to because the rewards are great!

HI Sue. Thank for your post. For me, it is not about scarring anyone, it is honest posts like yours that make sites like this priceless...again...thanyou