Chevron

Here in Australia, there aren't too many options as it is considered very new. My GP has connections in the field so that's how I found out about it. My doc, Dr George Hopkins, I *think* is considered the best or one of the very best in Oz. He keeps very up to date with the latest info and techniques and has even done the operation on another WLS surgeon!

A few days ago my stomach was stitched up by Dr George Hopkins in Brisbane, Australia. Despite it having only been a few days and I'm still in hospital, the clothes I packed fit better now! No more stomach poking out. Very surprised. I'd lost 3kg on the pre-op low carb diet (didn't do optifast). Currently on free fluids. Going home tomorrow. Got a few weeks off work so when I go back I should be on the soft foods. The first night was the worst, coming off the general anaesthetic - I was convulsing and a woman told me when they wheeled me into my room I looked crumpled and 16 (16 I wish!). The experience was so terrible that I begged the nurse to put me in a coma several times. But now it's all great. My doc has come around a few times and even called me. And they do a great potato soup.

My dietician has put me on a 2 week low carb high protein diet which doesn't use meal replacement drinks since (in her words) my belly isn't where I'm carrying my weight. Normally though she puts people on Optifast liquid diet VLCD.

I too am trying to decide :/ My GP raved on and on about plication and sent me to two different surgeons to discuss it. The first surgeon wasn't confident and has only done one so wouldn't do it. The second doesn't want to do it to someone young in case it doesn't work. Surgeon 2 recommended bypass which my doc then agreed with. But I don't want a bypass, I want plication! The risks with bypass are too high for me - mortality, dumping syndrome, staple leaks, and smelly gas. I don't want that. Not sure whether to insist on plication Has anyone else had plication when their doc recommended something else? My age is the only issue the surgeon has.