Hello and newbie advice?

toocheeky · April 25, 2008

Hi I did an intro in the main section and then saw that there is a section for ozzies as well! Great!

I am not banded yet but have my first appointment with a surgeon soon. I am a public patient so not really sure what to expect.

I hope I meet the criteria to go on the waiting list can anyone advise me what to say and what not to say? LOL :rolleyes2:

Other than that can anyone please share with me what you go through from 1st appointment to 1st fill? What physical things are involved and which other specialists do you see ect?

I would really appreciate hearing this from ozzies as the procedure will be similar nationwide I assume?

Cinni.

sewenup1 · April 26, 2008

Hi I did an intro in the main section and then saw that there is a section for ozzies as well! Great!
I am not banded yet but have my first appointment with a surgeon soon. I am a public patient so not really sure what to expect.

I hope I meet the criteria to go on the waiting list can anyone advise me what to say and what not to say? LOL :w00t:

Other than that can anyone please share with me what you go through from 1st appointment to 1st fill? What physical things are involved and which other specialists do you see ect?

I would really appreciate hearing this from ozzies as the procedure will be similar nationwide I assume?

Cinni.

Hi Cinni,

Congratulations on your first appointment.

It's hard to tell you exactly what will happen as each surgeon has different requirements and it also depends on your weight and any co-morbidities. Public and private also have different requirements.

I was a private patient, I went to my surgeon's information night and then made an appointment. First I saw the nurse, she is my main contact, she gave me more specific information than what was at the information night, explained what would happen etc. My next appointment was with the dietician, she discussed what I ate, how, why etc, explained what the changes would be once I was banded. My 3rd appointment was with the surgeon. Both the nurse and the dietician had given him their opinion as to whether I qualified, and if they thought that I would follow through on the necessary changes. He then discussed what would happen, whether he thought I would be a good risk and arranged for some blood tests. He also told me that I would have to do a period on Optifast once I had my surgery date to make sure my liver was not too fatty.

Once he got the blood tests back and gave me the all clear it was about 6 weeks to my surgery. The surgery was quite easy for me, didn't have a lot of pain or any other bad thing happen but did have 2 weeks off work. I was on fluids for 2 weeks and then mushies for another 2 working up to normal meals. About 6 weeks after the surgery I had my first fill.

Some surgeons require you to see a psyhologist or depending on other factors may send you to other specialists or for other tests - all depends on the individual and the doctor involved.

Hope this helps a little, my blog address is below and you are welcome to read the journal I have there, it might give you a bit more info and you will realise that any nerves or fears you may have - your aren't alone.

Good luck, this was the best decision I have made.

Danna

toocheeky · April 26, 2008

Thank you Danna for demystifying the process for me. I feel a little less nervous knowing sort of what to expect. :tongue2:

I have been doing a lot of thinking and reading and I think I am coming to a decision that the band could really help me. :sleep: It will be great to go in to the appointment fully informed and confident with my decision. I will have to change my signiture soon to all systems go, the next challenge will be getting a date. :w00t:

soriminah · April 27, 2008

I am not banded yet but have my first appointment with a surgeon soon. I am a public patient so not really sure what to expect.

Have they told you how long the waiting list is. When I enquired last year I was told the wait list in Brisbane was years and years so I ended up getting the money out of my Super and paying myself. I didn't want to wait up to 7 years.

toocheeky · April 27, 2008

I live in a regional part of WA and the waiting list is not as long here. About 9 months I think.

free2bme · April 29, 2008

Which surgeon are you seeing? I am going public in WA as well, and don't have a date (although I have chose the gastric sleeve and not the band)...I have been told that the wait at Bunbury is not as long as here in Perth, but it depends where you live.

m

toocheeky · May 3, 2008

Dr Werapitya in Bunbury. I hope the wait is not to long but I have heard it has a short public wait. What is the gastric sleeve?

mss · May 6, 2008

Dr Werapitya in Bunbury. I hope the wait is not to long but I have heard it has a short public wait. What is the gastric sleeve?

Welcome to the forums TC.

The gastric sleeve is another type of weight loss surgery.

I had my lap band put in around October last year and it was the best decision I had made. One of my surgeons had actually suggested the gastric bypass however the surgeon I eventually chose said that he thought I was too young to have this major surgery (wow me young at 40!!!!!!!! YES! haha).

free2bme · May 7, 2008

Dr Werapitya in Bunbury. I hope the wait is not to long but I have heard it has a short public wait. What is the gastric sleeve?

I recently heard that the Bunbury wait list might only be four or five months, good luck in your appointment on Friday, I hope the surgeon can give you an idea of the time frame (waiting to find out your date just sucks!)

The gastric sleeve is the Vertical Sleeve (or tube) Gastrectomy, in which the stretchy part of your stomach that produces the hunger causing hormone, grehlin, is removed. It is restrictive wls in that you cannot eat as much food as your stomach is physically smaller, but you also don't feel hungry:thumbup:

Its bascially a 'set and forget surgery', as in once its done you have immediate restriction and don't need fills or anything like that. It has slightly higher risk than the band at the time of surgery, but the long term risks and complications with the sleeve are far less than the band, and the expected weight loss is higher. Its not for everyone, its not reversible like the band (but I figure I don't want *any* chance that I will reverse my weight loss so I am happy with that personally).

If you would like to chat with other aussies that have had the band or sleeve, there are local support groups and get togethers being organised here.

m2