Aussiegirl

Lissa VaVaVooooooom!!!!
Birdie, might be a bit of a delay but will come around soon enough We will all be waiting for your progress on the other side
Dons 2.0 way to keep strong, you are doing awesome, eating out was the hardest part when on the Opti.
An update from me, I am now 20 days post my plastics surgery. Things are finally starting to settle down and thought I would take some progress shots. Still have some Fluid accumulating under my right arms and my butt cheeks (not a place I was expecting, was expecting hips but not to get a weird looking bubble butt), the doctor will likely drain these or some of these when I see her for a progress update tomorrow.
Here are some progress photos:http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/23156-me-20-days-post/

Aussie girl thanks yeah was bummed for short period when heard my surgery slightly postponed but okay now just going to continue with pre op diet as I have just now it used to it and don't want to start again! Only like 10 days extra! Will only loose a little more weight before op! been 5 days now on pre op diet and lost 3kg! So I figure what I lose is only a benefit to me and reduces my anesthetic risk!

Oh my gosh aussiegirl! What an amazing difference already! Your clothes are going to fit even better and your body confidence will be through the roof now that all your loose skin is gone.Thank you for sharing.

Lissa VaVaVooooooom!!!!
Birdie, might be a bit of a delay but will come around soon enough We will all be waiting for your progress on the other side
Dons 2.0 way to keep strong, you are doing awesome, eating out was the hardest part when on the Opti.
An update from me, I am now 20 days post my plastics surgery. Things are finally starting to settle down and thought I would take some progress shots. Still have some Fluid accumulating under my right arms and my butt cheeks (not a place I was expecting, was expecting hips but not to get a weird looking bubble butt), the doctor will likely drain these or some of these when I see her for a progress update tomorrow.
Here are some progress photos:http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/23156-me-20-days-post/

My husband and I have a phone / video call with Dr Lockie on Thurs. Really nervous but sooooooo excited. Not confirmed but we may be able to both have our sleeve's done within the next 6 weeks. Fingers crossed.

Kelli, hoping your friends surgery goes great and she recovers quickly

I am waiting at Holy Spirit Hospital Chermside for my friend who has gone into surgery to have a sleeve done. I hope all goes smoothly as I feel a bit responsible for inspiring her to make this decision. I can't wait to see her changing. She started at about 130kg and lost 5kg during opti pre op phase.

Hi All,
So I held strong today! Lol I am now on day 5 of Pre op diet and went to the movies with hubby. He loves movie popcorn and he was going to pass for my sake but I convinced him I was fine for him to have it (he has been incredibly good about the diet and eating healthy with me - I'm so lucky!) anyway, while waiting to go up to the cinema I was looking at all the movie treats and my mind wondered to all the things I would normally get when at the movies - m&m's, choc top and a coke. Of course this makes u kinda want it lol anyway I held off and as we walked up the flight of stairs, then to our seats, I was totally puffed and out of breathe in that moment I knew I was making the right choice getting the sleeve! I don't want to be puffing up stairs any longer! I sipped on my Water and felt good about it! Xo

Good luck with the presentation misty, and I'm glad you're feeling better.
I'm so happy ATM. I have finally broken the dreadful 8 week stall. Jumped on the scales and bang 2kg gone! Thank goodness because I was starting to get worried that it was the end of my journey. I never gave up though. I am still going to the gym and eating right.

Dons, I started at 150 kgs and before the plastics I landed in the 77-79 range, so 80 is definitely doable. I was aiming for 80 at first as well.
I did have almost 5 kgs of skin that was removed, so will be interested to see where I land now.
Thanks Ali
I.caught a glimpse of my arms today in the mirror while changing the compression garment, they are still puffy and bloated, with no bat wings hanging down...they look just normal..yehaaa...I have never had normal arms.
I am still carrying a fair bit of Fluid and draining a fair bit of stuff still so will see where my weight lands during the next week.
I am getting to go home from hospital today but still have 4 drains to monitor. But better than 4 more days in hospital

Checking back in, I went out with my wingman on Friday night, he was helping me see what kinda guys are out there.
Had the best night, got hit on like 4 times in one night......not sure any were 100% serious, but more attention than I ever got pre-op.
Guess I am starting to get sexy...will embrace that

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 (for which there would be few on this thread) here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg and my current weight is 87kg. 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 badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013.
Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have.
It has been a truly amazing journey. I love you all - you have become friends to me even though (with the exception of Kelli) I've never met you in person. You've understood my struggles and triumphs in ways that my family and friends here struggle to do. I can't thank you all enough for your kindness, encouragement and support. And I promise that I WILL get around to meeting you **Wow, hope that doesn't sound stalker-ish...Deano, you're the copper - is that a bit creepy lol**. Before I finish my rambling post, here are some comparison shots that I put together. Thank you all for sharing my journey and helping me out so profoundly along the way. Much love to you all! Cheers, Liss
  

That's great, Lissa! I just did W7D1! Its hard but I feel great when I'm done.

Sue..lol...strange how that happens eh.
AusSmith, welcome aboard, a few here have been with Dr Taylor and have only heard good things about him. I went with Dr Joseph as his rooms are close to my home for follow ups and he is also a great surgeon. But I did have the surgery at Mater and can not say enough good things about my experience there.
Scotty, you really do look good. And really dont look to have too much to fix. I for one do understand the need to finish the journey.
My thoughts about plastics after surgery are as follows:
1. Great to finish the journey and really see the changes you have made.
2. Make sure you have a doctor you are comfortable with. You need to have faith that if something does go wrong they will be able to handle it.
3. Recovery is hard. No ifs no butts, it is hard. Most of us here, breezed through the sleeve( yes there are exceptions) so we somewhat think it will all be ok. I personally also had a gall bladder and broken ankle surgery together also a cake walk in comparison.
Depending on the surgery there are increased risks, you are out for a longer time.
I am now 6 days post op and have not had a shower yet, drains are still in and not likely to have them removed for another 4 days, so no shower til then.
Yes the results can already be seen as well, tho I am still not sure how it will all look in the end.
Despite. Losing 5 kgs in skin my weight has not changed...yesterday I weighed almost 3 kgs more than before surgery, sooo much swelling, everywhere and that is painful
Just my 2c, we will see how time changes my opinion.

Fingers crossed for us to get a cancelation Susan. We joke about who will get the first spot if we can't be done on the same day.

Hi Aussiegirl your progress has been amazing so inspiring to those of us that are counting down the days until we can get to the bench

Sue..lol...strange how that happens eh.
AusSmith, welcome aboard, a few here have been with Dr Taylor and have only heard good things about him. I went with Dr Joseph as his rooms are close to my home for follow ups and he is also a great surgeon. But I did have the surgery at Mater and can not say enough good things about my experience there.
Scotty, you really do look good. And really dont look to have too much to fix. I for one do understand the need to finish the journey.
My thoughts about plastics after surgery are as follows:
1. Great to finish the journey and really see the changes you have made.
2. Make sure you have a doctor you are comfortable with. You need to have faith that if something does go wrong they will be able to handle it.
3. Recovery is hard. No ifs no butts, it is hard. Most of us here, breezed through the sleeve( yes there are exceptions) so we somewhat think it will all be ok. I personally also had a gall bladder and broken ankle surgery together also a cake walk in comparison.
Depending on the surgery there are increased risks, you are out for a longer time.
I am now 6 days post op and have not had a shower yet, drains are still in and not likely to have them removed for another 4 days, so no shower til then.
Yes the results can already be seen as well, tho I am still not sure how it will all look in the end.
Despite. Losing 5 kgs in skin my weight has not changed...yesterday I weighed almost 3 kgs more than before surgery, sooo much swelling, everywhere and that is painful
Just my 2c, we will see how time changes my opinion.

Dons, I started at 150 kgs and before the plastics I landed in the 77-79 range, so 80 is definitely doable. I was aiming for 80 at first as well.
I did have almost 5 kgs of skin that was removed, so will be interested to see where I land now.
Thanks Ali
I.caught a glimpse of my arms today in the mirror while changing the compression garment, they are still puffy and bloated, with no bat wings hanging down...they look just normal..yehaaa...I have never had normal arms.
I am still carrying a fair bit of Fluid and draining a fair bit of stuff still so will see where my weight lands during the next week.
I am getting to go home from hospital today but still have 4 drains to monitor. But better than 4 more days in hospital

Thanks Kell, it will be about 18 months by the time I have surgery. I had a good photographer to hide my extras lol. It's my final chapter in my life change and ill be glad to be happy with the skin I'm in.

Hi everyone, I have done nothing but read through this site for the last 2 days and finally caught up with what each of you have been through and what you have achieved. All of you are inspirational.
So where to begin ? My husband and I have been livinging in Singapore for a few years because of his work commitments. We are both extreamly overweight with shocking BMI's. because of his position here we both have top medical coverage. After lots of soul searching and research, we decided that we would both get sleeved ! Yeah felt so good to make the decision together to get healthy for the last time. First step ensure we were covered by insurance. Not a chance ! Considered to be cosmetic surgery here. Desperate to have the opp now after all the time we took to decide, so we said okay let's pay for it, this will increase both of our lives. Not a chance! The first thing every single surgeon wanted to know before they had even met us was what Nationality ? The minute they new we were expats the dollar signs clicked over and the cost was going to be 30k each. I can not tell you how devastated we have been.
Left it alone for a few days and have now come up with another plan ( will not let this beat me now we are committed)
I called our medical insurance company in Aus and asked them if they covered the opp tick. Also asked if I release the suspension we have on our membership how long would it be before we could have the opp, " as soon as we can org it " yeah. This will mean organizing everything from here and returning to Aus 1week before opp and returning to Singapore 2 weeks after but I'm okay with that. Long way still to go but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will mean we have to continue to pay 6 mth worth of medical insurance once we leave before we can suspend it again but that's a small price to pay when you consider the 60k it will cost us here. I'll keep you updated, sorry about the life story I just needed to vent.

Dons, I started at 150 kgs and before the plastics I landed in the 77-79 range, so 80 is definitely doable. I was aiming for 80 at first as well.
I did have almost 5 kgs of skin that was removed, so will be interested to see where I land now.
Thanks Ali
I.caught a glimpse of my arms today in the mirror while changing the compression garment, they are still puffy and bloated, with no bat wings hanging down...they look just normal..yehaaa...I have never had normal arms.
I am still carrying a fair bit of Fluid and draining a fair bit of stuff still so will see where my weight lands during the next week.
I am getting to go home from hospital today but still have 4 drains to monitor. But better than 4 more days in hospital

Dons, I started at 150 kgs and before the plastics I landed in the 77-79 range, so 80 is definitely doable. I was aiming for 80 at first as well.
I did have almost 5 kgs of skin that was removed, so will be interested to see where I land now.
Thanks Ali
I.caught a glimpse of my arms today in the mirror while changing the compression garment, they are still puffy and bloated, with no bat wings hanging down...they look just normal..yehaaa...I have never had normal arms.
I am still carrying a fair bit of Fluid and draining a fair bit of stuff still so will see where my weight lands during the next week.
I am getting to go home from hospital today but still have 4 drains to monitor. But better than 4 more days in hospital

Hello hotty Scotty!!!!
Welcome Ali, I think there are some WA peeps out there

Skubidz welcome to the thread or the sleeve family.
As the others have said there is a lot of information around and between the lot of us, we have experienced almost everything.
I am now 5 days post my Tummy Tuck and arm lift, and doing well. Still in hospital with 4 drains which is driving me stir crazy, and have had some horrible nausea for the last few days due to pain meds and being backed up, hopefully the backed up part is moving now.
Hard to really see my body at the moment, it is all very bruised and swollen but will eventually know how it will look. Tho I do enjoy putting on underwear without my belly over hanging, the thing I have hated the most.

Skubidz welcome to the thread or the sleeve family.
As the others have said there is a lot of information around and between the lot of us, we have experienced almost everything.
I am now 5 days post my Tummy Tuck and arm lift, and doing well. Still in hospital with 4 drains which is driving me stir crazy, and have had some horrible nausea for the last few days due to pain meds and being backed up, hopefully the backed up part is moving now.
Hard to really see my body at the moment, it is all very bruised and swollen but will eventually know how it will look. Tho I do enjoy putting on underwear without my belly over hanging, the thing I have hated the most.