*Shell*

I ran out of my nexium at about 2 weeks post op and forgot to get another script when I was at dr's appt so haven't had them for close to 3 weeks and don't think I have acid problem. My stomach grumbles a lot though morning and nights when lying in bed so don't know what this is but this is all I am experiencing

A question to all the post sleevers.

I am having a bad time with milky products. I was having yogurt and milk and just thought i was getting use to my sleeve but now being 4 weeks out' date=' even a sip of milk just makes me feel sick.

Never had any problems with milk before the op. I am worried I will always have this problem and will then have to take Calcium meds and find alternate Protein. cheese is no problem

Thanks[/quote']

I have had no problems with any food whatsoever so really happy about that, oh except my two small bites of a Dagwood dog at the Ekka otherwise my sleeve can handle anything. I have heard that many people can't tolerate milk. Hope it resolves itself

I am having a miserable time of things tonight. I had to do a pizza run for my family (who volunteered to paint the church hall after work this week) which turned into ordering and collecting 7 pizza's for all the other workers. The ordering and smell were TORTURE. I know that they don't do it deliberately but man' date=' it was a killer. I was then supposed to take the leftovers home and I am like what the heck? I don't want it in my goddamn house! So I've left it in the car (which will now stink of pizza) and said I'll go out and drop it off when they get home.

So frustrating. My stomach hurts from being hungry. Sorry to be so whiney (I know that I am responsible for my weight) but OMG anyone who said this is an "easy" option has no freaking clue.

And I am just two days into the pre-op diet. Starting to have serious second -thoughts...[/quote']

Lila it does get better. I too found it hard and even cheated once or twice in the first week but them was so down that I couldn't even stick to pro op and worried that dr would not be able to continue with op because I failed, so relieved when I woke from surgery and hearing that all went well, phew !!!

Anyway hang in there Lila, it will be worth it . Not much longer to go now

Well I just saw the Dietican and psyc Dr and they have booked me in for surgery on the 3/9.

I thought of yeah thats the day after my birthday then realized it is less the 2 weeks away.

ewwwww

Julie

That is great news Julie. I really wanted to do my op on my birthday 9/7 but couldn't get done until 20/7. So I have something to push for as I'm 40 next year and hope most of me is long gone by then . Count down is on now and before you know it will be your time

and Michelle - thanks for your help.

Thanks for this Cookeeeeez. I went onto my surgeons website and found the following which peeves me a little. You would think being an Investigator for Qld Govt, I would have checked this out first as usually I am very efficient in my research. Oh well - cant complain as I'm very happy with the outcome, just would have been nice to get something, even a little back

The program fee must be paid in full before your surgery. Please note that you cannot claim a further rebate from your health fund or Medicare as these discounts have already been taken into account in our program fee. However, you may be eligible to claim a further rebate when you lodge your tax return as our program qualifies for the Medicare Safety Net.

Did anyone get a rebate from Medicare with the surgeons gap. I heard a few people on previous sites say they did but I have been told by the office girls of my surgeons that I will not. I received my receipt for $4500 from surgeon yesterday and was going to take it to medicare to see if I am entitled to anything but under item number it just says 'Known'.

Has anyone here been successful in getting a refund from their surgeons account?

From my anesthetist costs of a $2000 account and I did get about $500 back and I know my initial consultation with my surgeon which cost me $150, I got about $70 back from medicare.

Interested to hear your thoughts

Lila, I had a throbbing headache for about 4 days straight on my Optifast and honestly struggled for the first week. 2nd week I got through no problems. Hang in there, it'll be over soon

Omg girls, decided to walk 10 levels of stairs at work today and for a exercise that took possibly 15 minutes, I have never been in do much pain, my heart was going so fast and at the end, I was light headed, unsteady on my legs (still am 8 hrs out)!! I am going to do this 3 times a week such a great work out and heart rate perfect for weight loss. I started to struggle 2 floors up but just pulled myself up, then had to come back down.

Susie & Lila - time will fly by and before you know it you will be on the other side. It was about 2 days before op I started getting very anxious but surprisingly on day of op I was really calm and couldn't wait to have it done. As soon as I was wheeled into theatre, I was a bit shaky and then my sleep doctor asked how I felt then I was out, woke up 3 hrs later

No sorry Kelli - didn't have an issue with that

Hi Susie

I had heard all about the gas pains and obviously expected this when undergoing my surgery, but thankfully I did not experience this so very happy

My best friend whom also works with me wanted to support me on opti stage. So sweet of people being so supportive - she only lasted the week and had to give up. I think if you know you have to do it for your op, then you soldier through it ok. It mustn't have been that bad as I am 4 weeks post op and have an opti shake for Breakfast 6 days per week.

Good luck with your flu - time is ticking down for you know, I would have rathered to have my op with the effects of the flu instead of day 2 of the dreaded monthly visitors. Was a nightmare having to deal with that in hospital

OMG that's terrible. Like you said after major surgery with all the possible other complications and you get this. Hope you get some relief soon

Isn't it incredible even to "like" the idea of exercise?! I really the sleeve must secretly be brain surgery!!!

So so true.. I used to hate exercise but now have to say I am wanting to do it and really striving for an active outdoor lifestyle. Hubby and I went walking to and around markets this morning, then this afternoon dragged my daughters for another hour walk. I love my horse riding which haven't done for last 5 yrs as didn't want to cripple poor horses so this is one thing I keep picturing to help keep me on track, oh and things like weekend bike rides around south bank - too much fun - great healthy life ahead of us all

Looking forward to meeting up with any of you from Brisbane that can join us next Saturday, it will be great:)

Oh that would be great one day' date=' a ride around Brissy although my bums still too big to be comfy on a bike lol!!![/quote']

I too think that is great. A bike ride around kangaroo point followed by a nice lunch somewhere. Something we can all do one day at a meet-up

It has been disappointing Shelley. I had to write a stat dec for a small loan too' date=' I think I may need to be more vocal with them! I am hoping for a surgery date of the 25th September as my girls will be at my sisters farm for two weeks of school hols. This will give me time to recover to an extent as I do not want them to know of course. My eldest has a mild form of autism and has high levels of anxiety. If she thinks I might be unwell at all it will really affect her. She has huge separation anxiety- but is fine with my sister as we are all so close - and fears I will die and leave her here alone....she is only 11.[/quote']

I had my children and my husband overseas when I had my op as I just wanted to recover without having to worry about them and the perfect opportunity arose when my hubby's mother came down ill so I made the decision to send them all to Samoa as I really didn't want to be cooking etc for the family and wanted to just relax and get through this. I must say it did allow me to do nothing except lie around and go for little walks.

I totally understand how you wouldn't want to give your daughter the extra anxiety of you going for this op and nice that she can feel safe at your sisters so perfect opportunity to get your surgery done at this time. Least you have a bit of time to sort out your super then allow another 7 days or so for super company to release the funds:)

My stomach starts making all sorts of noises in the morning. I really don't know if it is hungry as prior to my surgery I never ate Breakfast so don't know what is happening. Lately I have been having an opti shake that gets me through to lunch except today was 1 egg and cottage cheese scrambled with 3 small mushrooms - delicious. Yesterday after our walk family ate their weekly takeaway at McDonald's for lunch and I was amazed that I had no interest in that food and got myself a small apple juice instead.

Weighed myself today - 1 day short of 1 month post op and very happy with my 10kgs loss since surgery day. My aim was 10kgs a month if possible and I know this will not be the case as everyone is different but least I can say it was for my first month.

I am feeling increasingly frustrated regarding my super. I handed in my forms on the 22nd of June' date=' received a letter on the 11th July to say they required a new quote as I didn't have enough super after tax to pay for surgery. I then rang them to clarify what was required and they said that they get over 1000 applications a month for super and its going to take a while. Have handed that what was required in and have still not heard anything! It's been almost 2 months!![/quote']

Wow Kayargh, that is really disappointing with your super. They have legislative processing times that they have to comply with. If that was me I would be calling them every/twice a day as that is so unacceptable to have you waiting this long. My friend had the same response at day 10 of how she will pay the balance that her super did not cover so she had to put in a stat dec saying her next couple of pays and a small loan from family member but was then approved pretty quickly then,

I really hope you get the approval soon When is your surgery date?

Shelley

I got approval via phone on day 10 for some super. At first they rang me and said my doctors letter was not acceptable. I couldnt reason with them that it covered all elements but instead of arguing i drove out to doctor immediately and got a new letter and faxed it in. All this was done within 45mins from the first call. I called them back and confirmed they got the new letter and was told a further 10 days for further processing. I demanded that I speak with the assessor which he finally agreed. Anyway speaking to assessor I explained that my first letter covered what was required and that I work with legislation in government so this running around was unnecessary. He was trying to argue with me at first then said he would take a couple of minutes to look at it again, then within 2 minutes said he was sorry and that I was correct. So was approved It was then about 10 days max for my super company to release the funds.

That is so strange. My actual surgery was 32' date='000 not including surgeon and anesthesia dr charges. Insurance only paid about 19,500 to the hospital because they are a preferred provider.

That situation seems unusual. Did insurance say if you go to a different dr do you have to start the while process over?[/quote']

Wow, things are very different in Australia. For the same surgery in total is between 15-20 thousand dollars max. My private health insurance paid my hospital costs 2 x nights at private hospital and I paid my gap about 6500 for surgeon and anaesthetist.

Yeah I heard that you have to wait like 2 years for skin to adjust after weight loss. I have a total of 50kgs to lose so just have to wait and see the outcome.

Just came back from an hours walk so ready for my crusket, salmon and cottage cheese and aiming to get through a heap of Water today as I think I am dehydrated a little.

Going to go and swim a few laps of the gym pool tomorrow so really looking forward to that

It's great to see all the newcomers joining us on this great thread. I never even go on the other sites anymore as I get all the support and info from vst.

I have just been watching some YouTube on WLS and the excess skin and then the reconstructive surgery. It is major major surgery but it is definitely something I will not hesitate to do if I am left with this which I am sure after 4 children my stomach will need some attention. I have checked my phi and it covers reconstructive surgery and been advised that anything with a Medicare item number will be covered. The last thing I would want is to be left with all this skin. I have joined a gym this week and will start on a program to help minimise the skin issue

Interested to hear your thoughts on this?

Sounds great. I have my work function on Friday night do can give you an update of my first experience of having some alcohol.

Hi guys, hope you all enjoy the weekend ,

Anyway I had the dreaded before pics done as my husband is going to document my journey along the way and will do a website for me. This is one thing I did religiously every night was watch people's video on utube and websites and this was so inspiring for me to see the progress and changes to their life. If I can give 1 person some hope after following my story when website is done, I will be happy as all the clips, blogs etc has definitely helped me and no looking back now . I think I will do new pics every 3 months to really see the changes.

No shopping yet. But after pulling up my work pants all day yesterday (size 22) and looking really baggy, decided l will pull my wardrobe apart over the weekend and see what I've got from when I lost weight during early days of graves disease (thyroid). I think this is why my weight loss is quite slow with this damn thyroid prob so not going to let it get to me.

Work friends are also starting to raid their cupboards and going to bring in clothes to get me through until I can really go and shop to my hearts content when close to my goal weight.

I use to be a member on the Australian gastric sleeve forum but unsubscribed my membership because there's so many bitchy wankers on there. I had my sleeve done on 10th May 2012 & have since lost 30kg' date=' if your someone considering this op then I HIGHLY reccomend it.[/quote']

Wow Robbie that is great weight loss. Glad you have joined our little thread!