Lissa_S

Good luck! I am sure you will be fine but best wishes for a speedy recovery anyway!

LOL I honestly dream of having that problem I suppose when I read this I remembered what my surgeon said - that basically the sleeve acts to "reset" the body and to get your body used to working on less - less energy (as you're lighter you don't need to produce as much), less weight and less caloric intake. She said to me that at the end of the day, it will be a combination of my body and my lifestyle that determines where I end up. If I want to be thinner and my lifestyle supports going to the gym 12 times a week, then it's awesome. If I decide on a weight I am happy with that I can maintain by working out 5 times x 30 mins a week (as per current health guidelines as the minimum exercise for general good health), then that is awesome too. It will be our CHOICE - pre-sleeve I haven't felt like I've had much choice or control for a while so it will be really nice to exercise that muscle too

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! Everyone was telling me not to stress but I admit, I was totally stressed out. Not that if I'd been knocked back it would have stopped me, just delayed me a bit. But this way I get to keep to my preferred schedule It's not an accident I wanted it as soon as possible in September - I want to get myself healed and losing weight so I can swim this Christmas (it's summer in December in Australia). I wanna get in that pool! I wanna play with my nieces and nephews...and to have more energy, better health and hopefully a better quality of life. So excited - wishing you all well out there! Today is a GOOD day!

LOL so apparently he didn't mean to call at 9am this morning I will wait and call back later on today .... ugh, the waiting blows !! I guess it's all part of the process...

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 Be back on as soon as I can....

I have my surgery on 3 September and I've had the same thoughts. I think it's natural to think about it - I just made sure that I had everything sorted out (will up to date etc) but when I was thinking about this over the weekend, if I don't do something now I will have to have surgery down the track for knee replacements or hip replacements due to my weight (and I am only 33) - so I am looking at it like a pre-emptive strike lol. Best of luck to you though and I agree with the recommendations to stay positive - it won't make any different to think negatively but if you think positively, your body will be under less stress which makes our bodies work more efficiently and our recoveries should be better So aim for a little positivity and I look forward to hearing your exciting updates post-surgery!

LOL - oh yeah, I definitely have some "booth and chair" issues I can't wait to address post-sleeve Congrats!!

Good luck!

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 WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

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 all and I can't wait to know for sure if it's going to go ahead. This is the only thing holding me back now...I can't really get excited about it until I get this approval I imagine it is what many of you experience waiting to hear back from your insurance people. Don't get me wrong, this WILL happen for me, it's just the WHEN that I am worried about. I really don't want to wait any longer than I have to so I can begin this process. It is just that important to me. But I also know that things happen for a reason and I will manage whatever comes my way (I just don't want to have to manage my disappointment lol). Anyway this was an unnecessary ramble Hope you're all well sleevers!

What I won't miss is feeling like the biggest person in the room when I walk into it. I won't miss feeling embarrassed to eat in public. I won't miss not being able to wear short sleeve tops or dresses because I hate my flabby arms. I won't miss not being able to shop in my home town for clothes. I won't miss worrying if I will be able to get my butt into chairs when I go places or have to ask for a seatbelt extension on airplanes. I won't miss being so unfit I can't join in things for fear I can't finish or will hold people up. I won't miss discounting opportunities for relationships so I can avoid being naked in front of someone else. Man, I could go on all ***ht...I won't though lol

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 myself, I'd only be able to have a bite or two of that - no sadness or remorse, just kind of excited. It'd be a damn good mouthful That's how I am looking at it anyway preoperatively. It will be interesting to see if I still think that way post op. I was also just watching a travel show and thinking to myself, this time next year I could do that I won't have my weight to stop me from doing things! So exciting! So that's my update for this week. Hope all is well in your world! See you on the flip side...Lila

Congrats! I hope yours is a speedy recovery!

Wow that is amazing! Congratulations!!!!!

It sounds tough but perhaps it would help if you reminded yourself that you're doing everything that you can do given the limitations that you have. try to celebrate the small goals and to cut yourself some slack...you've just had major surgery and you don't need to get everything 100% right from the beginning...Mokee is right - this is what this site is about, to vent and get rid of what you're struggling with. Stay strong and know that you're not alone in this!

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 the "end of the world as we know it"...lol. In the best possible way. I am so lucky that several of my friends and work colleagues have had this surgery and they have been so incredibly supportive, telling me of their experience which has really reduced some of my anxiety. For anyone dipping their toes into this pool (gastric sleeve) I highly recommend asking even what you think is the dumbest question of someone who has had the op, preferably close to where you will be having it. In hearing the stories of others there is a vast difference between how things are done depending on which country (or even which state) you live in. But for me, having someone to ask really functional questions of has reduced my anxiety significantly. I am sure as the date draws nearer that my neuroses will rear their ugly little heads again but for now, I am just excited. I hope that this feeling lasts for the next month! I am hopeful though and not stupid - it's unlikely but I am going to enjoy it for as long as I can!!

Wow...nothing else, just wow

Wow congrats to all the sleevers who posted their losses. Can't wait to join you there!

Good luck to all of you who have surgery coming up! I will no doubt be in the same position this time next month (my surgery is the 3rd of September). Wishing you a safe surgery and a speedy recovery!

I'm not a doctor but my surgeon did say that if you continue to overeat your stomach will stretch but it will never be a "normal" stomach size again. It's like anything I suppose - if you push and push, something will have to give...

Wow, congratulations! It is so good to hear a positive story about the sleeve - as my surgery date gets closer any negative story seems more "real" so it is nice that there is another side too It's important to hear both sides! Congrats again!

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 claim! I am just so pleased that I am able to go ahead! Bring on September 3 (surgery date)!

Good luck everyone! Let us know how you get on!

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 that there was a limit...I was under the impression that they just paid the amount on the quote. So basically I may be scrambling to find $10 000 in a month. What's so annoying is that I've lost more in super since the GFC than the amount that I am applying for. It seems so wrong that I won't be able to get what I need to have this surgery. I am trying to remain positive though - it is very important for me to have the surgery and I will be able to manage to find the money if I really, really need it. I just am hoping for a better outcome...can't wait until Monday so that I can speak to someone! Will update my blog when I know a little more...

Congrats! Good luck - I am getting my "sleeve" on the 3rd of September, so I will watch with great interest to see how you are going as you'll be about a month ahead of me