Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[sueoco 509]

looking so good Shell!

[lessismore67 158]

Hi Kell' date=' lunch sounds great Friday, let me know where and when

I am having a full body composition assessment done on Thursday where my muscle mass, fat, biometric age etc is all assessed and measured. Whole new experience and really looking forward to it..

Anyway, my little bit of uncomfortableness is now with all the compliments. Was shopping today and it honestly got a bit difficult as seemed like each aisle I ran into someone I knew and some hasn't been for quite some time so they could not get over the new me and just kept up with the compliments and it got quite difficult with the attention, can't believe getting that attention makes it uncomfortable, who would have thought

So I have uploaded a collage of some pics of my journey so far...so sad of where I was and still can't believe I let myself get that bad The pics in the black singlet are my most recent - the rest are along the way since July last year - 50kgs down

[/quote']

I am surprised that people recognise you these days.Gorgeous.You look like you are glowing with good health and I love the photos of you climbing and doing push ups.So inspirational.

[kelliv 659]

This Friday coming Kelli? I'd love to meet up with you guys and get over this pre-op hump of mine

Great Brendan. We will confirm where and when early in the week. I look forward to meeting you. Cheers Kelli

[tashk 45]

Hi guys, I've been lurking in the background jus reading where everyone is up to. I saw my dietician last week and found out I will need to do opti for 4 weeks prior to my surgery, I am worried how I will cope. It honestly freaked me out. I get to see my surgeon this Thursday to get my surgery date, I'm hoping seeing him will help lift my spirits.

[kelliv 659]

Hi Kell' date=' lunch sounds great Friday, let me know where and when

I am having a full body composition assessment done on Thursday where my muscle mass, fat, biometric age etc is all assessed and measured. Whole new experience and really looking forward to it..

Anyway, my little bit of uncomfortableness is now with all the compliments. Was shopping today and it honestly got a bit difficult as seemed like each aisle I ran into someone I knew and some hasn't been for quite some time so they could not get over the new me and just kept up with the compliments and it got quite difficult with the attention, can't believe getting that attention makes it uncomfortable, who would have thought

So I have uploaded a collage of some pics of my journey so far...so sad of where I was and still can't believe I let myself get that bad The pics in the black singlet are my most recent - the rest are along the way since July last year - 50kgs down

[/quote']

Wow Shelley, you look tiny. I wouldn't have recognised you in the street. No wonder you are getting so many compliments. I look forward to seeing you on Friday. Where do you suggest we meet?

[kelliv 659]

Hi guys' date=' I've been lurking in the background jus reading where everyone is up to. I saw my dietician last week and found out I will need to do opti for 4 weeks prior to my surgery, I am worried how I will cope. It honestly freaked me out. I get to see my surgeon this Thursday to get my surgery date, I'm hoping seeing him will help lift my spirits.[/quote']

We are all here to support you so feel free to vent or ask questions along the way, as we all know how you feel.

[mistysj 1,940]

I can't do this Friday either because I am hosting a lunchtime all-hands meeting at work. We are having pizza and I haven't figured out how I am even going to handle it. Maybe I will secretly eat lunch before the meeting. But anyway you all go and have fun and I will catch you next time.

Shelly you look SO GOOD! I know what you mean about the compliments though. I Valentina been getting them yet this time bit when I have lost weight before it has been the most awkward thing. You want them to notice, but just in the right way and at the right time and not too much! The worst are the people who just go on and on! Or ask you your "secret" then tell you you're wrong or unhealthy!

[sueoco 509]

Hi guys' date=' I've been lurking in the background jus reading where everyone is up to. I saw my dietician last week and found out I will need to do opti for 4 weeks prior to my surgery, I am worried how I will cope. It honestly freaked me out. I get to see my surgeon this Thursday to get my surgery date, I'm hoping seeing him will help lift my spirits.[/quote']

Hi tahk

I did Optifast for 1 day off 4 weeks. I was told 3 weeks but I just bit the bullet and thought I may as well start as soon as possible! No last supper for me!

Anyway, I also freaked out when I was told I would have to do it for 3 weeks but I just steeled myself and kept thinking about the prize at the end. It was a bit disconcerting when I showed my GP the diet and she said 'that is and awful diet!' Anyway, I crossed off each day as I got through it, my version of the advent calendar with no chocolates! All these biblical references are unintentional!

Anyway, the first 3 or 4 days are the worst. Then you kind of go into this non eating trance - I don't really know how to describe it but you just get in the zone! I am not saying it is easy but it is doable - those of us who have been through it and those going through it at the moment are here to talk to if you have some down moments and to offer support.

I will be thinking of you and hope the time goes quickly for you! All the best!

[sueoco 509]

sorry - got you nick wrong - I meant tashk

[tashk 45]

sorry - got you nick wrong - I meant tashk

Thank you... For some reason I had in my head 2 weeks, and I felt I could do that... To hear 4 was a shock. I did hear from another girl who was in a group session I attended that she has 8 weeks of opti I wanted to cry for her! I do love reading everyone's daily struggles and triumphs and am definitely taking it one day at a time.

[mistysj 1,940]

Thank you... For some reason I had in my head 2 weeks' date=' and I felt I could do that... To hear 4 was a shock. I did hear from another girl who was in a group session I attended that she has 8 weeks of opti I wanted to cry for her! I do love reading everyone's daily struggles and triumphs and am definitely taking it one day at a time.[/quote']

I did Optifast for 12 weeks straight on my last diet attempt before the sleeve, which was a year-long medically supervised diet with the Wesley. You get it in your mind that this is what you are doing now, and you can do it. It is all-or-nothing mentality and you can't do it forever but it will get you your sleeve. Eye on the prize. Be prepared for three bad days and then it will be smooth sailing. You got this!

[lessismore67 158]

Hi guys' date=' I've been lurking in the background jus reading where everyone is up to. I saw my dietician last week and found out I will need to do opti for 4 weeks prior to my surgery, I am worried how I will cope. It honestly freaked me out. I get to see my surgeon this Thursday to get my surgery date, I'm hoping seeing him will help lift my spirits.[/quote']

Hi tashk! I am on day 6 preop and living on 700 to 750 cals which is good practice for after the sleeve.Absolutely *not* hungry.I have to remind myself to eat/drink.I have always had a huge appetite so it is taking me a while to adjust.Now I honestly think I wasn't as hungry as I thought.I actually *didn't know* when I was full.The good thing about opti is that u know for sure when u r done each meal.So despite the bad breath and shakiness I am really pleased to be learning all this before the surgery.It means the sleeve will be easier to use and I will get the best results I can.

Before starting this process I was really worried about the preop diet especially with a family to look after and cook for but it has been fine.

Having 80% of my tummy cut out?No worries!Lol

How are you going brendani?

[brendani 69]

Getting there! Hardest was last night (night 3) sitting at the table with my little one eating dinner. I just wanted a bite of her toast!! I called my dietician this morning and she's happy with my loss so far (about 4kg) so is happy for me to replace each 2nd dinner's shake/soup with 120g of lean chicken/fish/beef. I'm on Kickstart too which is apparently a whole lot more palatable than the Opti.

You guys are right though that once the hunger is gone, the mindset is changed, you feel like you can really do this! I was afraid that I was equating the feeling of hunger and deprivation that comes with the first few days of pre-op with how life will be after surgery.

This feeling of just wanting a quarter of a piece of toast, or one chicken nugget is preparing me I think. I don't for a second want to go and get a pizza I just want some real food haha.

[*Dean* 1,594]

Hi Kell, lunch sounds great Friday, let me know where and when

I am having a full body composition assessment done on Thursday where my muscle mass, fat, biometric age etc is all assessed and measured. Whole new experience and really looking forward to it..

Anyway, my little bit of uncomfortableness is now with all the compliments. Was shopping today and it honestly got a bit difficult as seemed like each aisle I ran into someone I knew and some hasn't been for quite some time so they could not get over the new me and just kept up with the compliments and it got quite difficult with the attention, can't believe getting that attention makes it uncomfortable, who would have thought

So I have uploaded a collage of some pics of my journey so far...so sad of where I was and still can't believe I let myself get that bad The pics in the black singlet are my most recent - the rest are along the way since July last year - 50kgs down

Smoke------ing!

[Aussiegirl 580]

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....

Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.

Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes

Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.

Brendan, wont be long now!!!

Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.

My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.

You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol