Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[mistysj 1,940]

Want a shock? This photo was taken almost exactly a year ago, at our annual Thanksgiving party for the expats.

[Lissa_S 787]

Want a shock? This photo was taken almost exactly a year ago, at our annual Thanksgiving party for the expats.

Loving your new profile photo Misty!!

[kelliv 659]

That's awesome Kelly!

Love your new photo Misty, you look lovely

[kelliv 659]

Hi everyone, just spent the last few days reading the 360+ pages there are..it's amazing to follow how everyone is going and that most still make it back to check in from time to time... I am booked to have my surgery with Dr Riza Adib at the Wesley in Brisbane 13/12/13...I went with phi and used my super to cover the gap..it was an easy process and I had approval from DHS within 4 days and my letter 2 days after that and money in my account before the end of the second week so what I thought would take 6 weeks took only 2. I am so ready for this, I have read, watched blogs and everything I can get my hands on and I have never felt more sure of my decision. I am getting married in November next year so hopefully it will be a much smaller me by that time! My partner and daughter are extremely supportive and I haven't been concerned who knows as it makes no difference to me, I am so excited to have found something that may actually work that It doesn't seem anything but right for me to do it!! I am 167cm, heaviest weight was 160kg but after several months of yo yo'ing i am currently at 143.4kg. Surgeons goal is 91kg but I have high hopes of getting to 79kg, I'm not fussed how long it takes.. I have 2 weeks pre op opti but have made the decision to start it tomorrow for an extra kick seeing as I've had a few 'last suppers'.I have found reading from everyone's experience here has been most insightful and look forward to contributing in some small way...and getting tips on a liquid/puréed Xmas!!

Welcome to this thread and congratulations on your upcoming sleeve surgery. As you will have seen, this thread has always been very positive and we all support each other. You will probably have learnt a lot from everyone else's experiences here too and information is key. There is really very little negative relating to getting and living with a sleeve. For the majority of us the benefits far put weigh and day to day challenges. Enjoy your rude down and trust me, this thing works!! I look forward to hearing about your progress.

[kelliv 659]

Fantastic feeling isn't it! Well done! I can't believe how different you look in your new profile photo. Your face is a completely different shape - I wouldn't have recognised you from your old photo! Yes I am having the same problems with posting on my ipad app - hope this one gets there!

Thanks Sue, Starting my new job on the Gold Coast on Monday and I am making my first sales trip to Sydney in early December. Once I know my schedule, I will see if there is any free time for us to meet.

[kelliv 659]

Want a shock? This photo was taken almost exactly a year ago, at our annual Thanksgiving party for the expats.

Wow Misty, unrecognisable. I cringe now when I look back at pre sleeve photos. Mind you I avoided having them taken whenever possible.

[kelliv 659]

Loving your new profile photo Misty!!

Lissa your profile pic has disappeared. Is that intentional?

[Lissa_S 787]

Lissa your profile pic has disappeared. Is that intentional?

Lol nope I am hoping that the administrators can fix my account so I can go back to my old profile but I still can't log in under my old alias - I sent them a request on the forum but haven't heard anything not loving the new site!

[Sydney Susan 333]

I just came home from the shops with a size 14 "little black dress" for the end of year Christmas party rounds. That size will sound horrific to those from the US, but an Aussie 14 for a 53 y o, rather tall lass is really quite respectable, I think. I'm aiming for a 12, but it's nice to have got this far!

[Lissa_S 787]

I just came home from the shops with a size 14 "little black dress" for the end of year Christmas party rounds. That size will sound horrific to those from the US, but an Aussie 14 for a 53 y o, rather tall lass is really quite respectable, I think. I'm aiming for a 12, but it's nice to have got this far!

Isn't that the greatest feeling????? I bet you look (& feel ) great in it! Post some photo's so we can see how amazing you look!!!!

[Sydney Susan 333]

Thanks Lissa. Shall do - just hope I can sit down In it too - most of the things I'm going to involve dinner.

[mistysj 1,940]

Off to Work party #1. I really don't have anything that fits me great but it is better to swim than look like a beached whale like I did last year!

Congrats Susan!

[kelliv 659]

Well we've moved to the Gold Coast today and friends have offered us their house right on Mermaid Beach for the first few weeks. Sitting here watching the waves roll in and contemplating this new adventure in life. I seriously doubt i would be doing this now if I had not lost the weight. I feel good and confident and excited. Hope everyone else is having a great weekend.

[mistysj 1,940]

Sounds fabulous, Kelli!

The party was great. I got so many compliments. I have to say I am getting sick of the attention actually. Some people can be really inappropriate. But I looked good. We left by 10:30 because I was having pain from my incisions.

I think I'm recovering ok from the gallbladder removal. As above, the incisions are still sore and I think I overdid it yesterday. I bought a bicycle and rode it home from the shop (about 5 km but I am so not used to it). Then the party. It was too much. But I think I have lost all the swelling since the surgery and two of my four bandages have come off.

So the bike thing. I feel like I am ready to get a little more exercise on the weekends! I'm running three times a week about 6k per time (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and don't really want to add more running. I do a lot of incidental walking which I don't really count as exercise. So I figured I would get a bike and I could use it to get to the shops or church or other small errands on the weekends. I might go for a ride on the bike paths too for fun. I don't see myself becoming one of those Lycra-clad "racer" types that you see everywhere around Brisbane. So I got a European style "touring bike" and had a huge wire basket installed on the front of it. The basket unsnaps for shopping too. Because I'm so short it is hard to fit me for a bike, but this one is great (just a tiny bit too tall maybe). I don't actually have a ton of cycling experience especially on the road, so I am going to stick to the easy stuff and have fun and go slow. This bike is a 7 speed and not too fancy.

We went out for a short ride this morning, just 7 km along the bike paths. It felt good even though my bum is a bit tender!

I love my sleeve and the fact that I am seeking out more ways to be active. I also love that I was able to wear heels at the party last night and actually forget I was wearing them, because they did not pinch or hurt a bit!

[newlife281013 98]

Ok time for an update

Last Monday was my first day back at work, I was dubious that I would last a day as lacking energy and did not know how I was going to eat as a few teaspoons took 30 mins to eat and 30 mins up and down to walk off. Well all went well, managed to get through Monday and after work had my check up with the surgeon who was very happy with my progress and assured me my slow back and forth move between fluids and runny mash is ok and nothing to worry about. Energy ? Just for an extra boost in the morning I take a barocca (not spelt right) tablet. Not the fizzy tablet in Water, help heaps. I am currently 105 kgs 16 down from my start weight. I wasn't seeing it really and then due to lack of shopping a girl at work had given me a pair of size 16 work pants (I never fitted into them cause I was a size 22, never had the heart to tell her). OMG ( not a term I use ever). They slipped on like they were meant for me! I don't think I have ever smiled so much (other than when I gave birth 19 years ago). I have gone and bought another pair to see me through the next phase. I am still struggling getting my food down but have found that different texture goes down easier smashed up grilled barrimundi GOOD. smashed up lobster BAD. So I am learning and feeling much better. Hope everyone is well.