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Lila S' Blog

A blog by Lissa_S in General

  • Entries

    24

  • Comments

    70

  • Views

    10,879

About this blog

Random thoughts about my upcoming VGS surgery :)

Entries in this blog

ONE YEAR SLEEVE-VERSARY!

Happy Sleeversary to me I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg/ 382 Pounds and my current weight is 87kg/ 190 Pounds. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma, everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around. I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badl

Six Month Surgiversary

Hello fellow sleevers,   Well tomorrow will be six months since my surgery. Wow, what a ride. For those that haven't read my other blogs, in summary, I had my surgery on 03.09.2012 and my start weight was 173kg (382 pounds). Two days after the surgery, I had emergency surgery due to sepsis from a leak. I was in ICU on a ventillator and later transferred to the surgical ward where I remained (bumping back and forwards from short stays in the ICU) for the next two months.   I came home in

(Almost) 100 Pounds lost in 3 months!

Hello fellow sleevers,   Well it's been three months since my initial surgery, a little more actually and I am finally doing pretty well. Though I was in hospital for two months with a leak, I am finally starting to feel a little normal. I am back at work (part time admittedly) and getting around to christmas parties etc. I usually love this time of the year - I am loving it a little less this year. I am not sure if it's because I was sick and the whole Christmas thing is (frankly) exhaust

Leak no more!

Hello fellow sleevers.   I am now three months out since all of my surgeries, both planned and emergency following my leak.   When I was discharged from hospital at the end of October, the leak test had showed the leak had healed but I was always worried that something would happen and it would come back.   I had my three month consult with my surgeon today and she said that given my overall improving health, fitness, weight loss etc that she is convinced the leak is totally healed and be

The Stupid Things I Have Done :)

Hello fellow sleevers,   I hope this blog finds you all well. I am almost 7 weeks out since my leak was confirmed to have healed. Yay. I should get clearance from my surgeon soon to start going to the gym which I think will help with my over fitness (or more to the point, lack thereof). Generally things continue to improve. I still struggle (some days more than others) with a faintly sick feeling and a gurgling in my tummy. This usually means I am not eating quite enough or regularly eno

Life After Leak: Does It Get Better?

Hello fellow sleevers.   So I am now officially six weeks out from the test that confirmed the leak had healed. In reality, we think that perhaps it had healed a fortnight earlier (they'd done a dye test and it didn't come out of the drains so it was probably healed then). So it's possible it is 8 weeks out since I was healed. It's been a rough ride. I really struggled when i first had to eat and drink for myself.   I am pleased to say it's gotten easier. I am slowly learning what is b

Almost Six Weeks Since Leak Healed....

HI everyone,   Well next Tuesday marks the official six week mark since I was tested and the leak was shown to have healed. It's been an up and down couple of weeks - I mistook pulled muscles in my tummy for a leak (and stopped eating and drinking for three days - whoops), have started very light exercise and have gone back to work part time.   It seems like a really slow recovery - I keep forgetting that less than 3 months ago I was in ICU on a ventillator fighting for my life I am real

Wow When Things Go Wrong, They Really Go Wrong!

Hello fellow sleevers.   It's been two months since my last entry and this is because I am one of the unlucky few that got a leak post surgery.   I was still in hospital when it happened and was rushed into emergency surgery two days after my original operation. I had a brief stint in ICU and then a two month stay on the surgery ward at my local hospital.   I can't describe how awful this time has been. There were several complications in addition to the leak (although I had no indicator

Two (-Ish) Days To Go :)

So today is Friday, finally. Just the weekend to go before my surgery and I can't wait.   I've made no attempt to hide how hard the pre-op diet was for me but like most people reported (though when I was at the worst of it, I thought everyone lied to me lol), it did get better. Today isn't such a good day but it's not really the diet. It's me not doing the diet properly and being faced with a LOT of temptation.   The story is that my wisdom tooth decided it was a really good time (one we

One Week Pre-Op Diet Down, One Week To Go :)

Hello sleevers So at the beginning of the week, things got pretty rough. The first four days of my pre-op diet were beyond horrible. As so many of you commented, it was probably the Carb flu - detoxing is never a pleasant process. Many warned me before-hand, but I truly had no idea how bloody awful it was going to be. For those of you reading this and are just about to start, if I had some advice it would be: Be prepared - for how regularly you will need to eat, for how your tolerances for be

Day Two Of Pre-Op Diet - And Feeling Miserable :(

Day two of the pre-op diet is drawing to a close and I'm miserable. I have a nasty headache, I've eaten dinner and I am still hungry, I feel kind of nauseated and I am grumpy. Not good. I had to do a pizza run for the volunteers painting the church and it was HELL. Ordering all that pizza and picking it up...not a good feeling.   I am trying to put it into perspective...it's just food, you control it blah blah blah...but for some reason I think i am wallowing in my misery. I have to snap

Dear John (Letter)

Dear food,   You have been a source of refuge and comfort for a long time, something to warm me on cold winter nights and to celebrate life's milestones. But sadly, our relationship is no longer working for me.   You've become an obsession, an unhealthy and unproductive millstone. So I've decided that it's time to say goodbye. There are some special mentions I'd like to make...good bye massive bowls of spaghetti, blocks of chocolate, cheesy pizza and my old friend, coke. Though over the

Where Is The Time Going?

OMG I can't believe how quickly the time is going! With all of the functional stuff done (running around getting all my paperwork sorted for the approvals etc), I kind of expected things to slow down a little, to catch my breath but if anything, it's worse lol.   I am now three weeks away from my surgery (well, I leave on the Saturday and the surgery's on the Monday) and one week off starting my pre-op diet.   I almost hesitate to say anything about the pre-op diet in this blog after read

Funding Approved :) And Omg It's Only 26 Days To Go!

Hello fellow sleevers   So I am pleased to report that I got my approval today - the whole surgery is now paid for and I can just prepare myself now for this as it is going to happen. I even got to speak to my clinic today and they asked which time I'd prefer for surgery - I asked for the first one if possible. They said that they will put it on the file and contact me closer to the 3rd of September to advise me of the details, when to get to hospital etc.   it's just the best news! Ever

Today's The Day - I Find Out If I Got My Funding Approved :)

Soooooo...It's four minutes before DHS opens and I can call them to see if my funding's been approved. They did say to call this morning lol - they probably didn't mean as soon as they openned but you know what I am going to give it a red hot go   Hoping for an outcome, preferably positive please! Will update shortly - using creating this blog as a mechanism for distraction until these last minutes tick by Why so slow, time???? You go fast enough usually!!   Two minutes!!! Gotta go

Funding Update :)

So exciting - got a call from DHS today asking me some clarifying questions about my application but the upshot seems to be that it is all going ahead. I have to call tomorrow for an outcome for it but the lovely man on the phone today indicated that they were only questioning the additional costs of travel that I applied for and seriously, I can manage to work that out - it's the $17500 for surgery that's most important   So I should be able to advise you of the outcome by lunch time WATC

Two Days Until A Decision - Woot!

OMG I can't wait for the next two days to fly by! I just spoke to DHS and they are checking applications from the 27th which means...in the next day or two they will check my application I lodged on the 30th. I am so damn excited!! And bloody nervous...the reality is that if this doesn't come off I am going to have to push back my surgery date. Though I can't see why they would knock it back, you can never be totally sure and I really want to know the outcome. September 3 isn't far away at

Waiting :)

So I am waiting to see if my ERSB is approved and should hear by next Wednesday. I am so excited to actually have an answer which obviously I am hoping is affirmative...it's an all or nothing process. I spoke to someone from DHS today and they indicated that I should know by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.   It's so exciting though...I keep looking at my life and reminding myself how different things will be. For example, just watching Jamie Oliver (food porn lol) and thinking to mysel

Relieved!

Hello fellow bloggers   This is probably just a little bit of vanity so please excuse me. It's just that I have finsihed sending off all of my paperwork now for my operation and I am feeling great. I should know if my ERSB has been approved by next week (should be fine) and once that is through, it is clear sailing to my date with Mr Sharpie. Well I still have to go through the pre-op diet of course but to be honest, there is a part of me that is looking forward to it...it means that it's

Good News On The Ersb Front!

Found out today that there is no limit on how much superannuation you can use for medical purposes (sorry, applies to Aussies only this blog).   So relieved that I won't have to find the additional cash myself to pay for the surgery...am now just in the process of waiting for the government to sign off on my application (this takes about two weeks) and then they will pay it into my bank account.   It was awful waiting over the weekend to find out if there was a limit to how much you could

Wow, It's A Roller Coaster!

It's amazing how much of this journey is rollercoaster of emotions!! I am now worried about organising finance for my surgery which I thought was sorted out via early release of my superannuation. I can't find anywhere that stipulates that there is a maximum amount although another member told me it's capped at $10000 and by the time they reserve tax, it's closer to $7900. I have mentioned the approximate costs along the way to both the DHS and the superannuation company and no one mentioned

I Have A Surgery Date!

I had my first appointments over the past two days with the psychologist, dietician and surgeon. Here in Australia, I only have to see each once before the surgery which seems very different from the process for others. For those interested, this was my experience...   Psychologist - met with him just once and will see him again at 6 weeks, 6 months and at 12 months. Basically, he was interested in looking at motivation for ongoing lifestyle changes and some of the patterns of behaviour th

One Week To Go Until First Appointment!

Well, it's only one week now until I go for my first appointments with the surgeon, dietician and psychologist. Unfortunately, I was supposed to go on Monday but it was put back a few days. I was disappointed initially as the clinic is a 10 hour drive away and I'd already paid for accommodation and now I have to pay for further accommodation later in the week as well but I realised that I am actually complaining about having to spend five days on the beautiful Gold Coast (in Australia). How r

Optifast Shakes - Surprisingly Tasty :)

I am still a week out from my first appointments with the surgeon etc but the way that I understand it here in Australia is that you only need to meet with the surgeon, nutritionist and psychologist once, then get a surgery date.   On their website it can be as soon as two weeks after your appointment with the surgeon (assuming all is cleared) that you can have your surgery.   So to this end, I thought I would start on a modified version of the pre-op diet, gradually introducing meal replac

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