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I’m in Wellington but have not found a group here either. Online support was useful for me. Good luck. Was Thailand a lot cheaper for you? As I stated earlier I paid $19,000 in Auckland.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Good discussion. I have a gastric sleeve so eat a good diet but not the volume. I appreciate some of you must take vitamins due to various factors but my point was more if I don’t have any negative results/low levels do I NEED to take multivitamins as I really don’t see the point. The only thing prescription wise I’ve been given is a vitamin D tablet monthly and zinc tablets as results showed low end of normal readings for that.

I’m 14 months post surgery, reached goal weight, very happy and healthy. I’ve just had one year blood test follow up. Every test within normal range and naturally vastly improved results than pre surgery. I don’t take any vitamin supplements. Now here’s my question. How do we know we should take vitamins if at all? My nutritionist recommended to take a multi vitamin daily for the rest of my life but to be honest I just didn’t bother. Never a fan of supplements pre or post surgery and if results are good and diet good, why take them? Thoughts and feedback appreciated.

Well done you too on what you have achieved so far. Be patient as it will happen. Best thing I ever did, should have done it years ago. Never considered Malaysia as an option but good on you. NZ is too expensive for sure.

I paid $19k in Auckland, how much cheaper in Malaysia was it? I did look at Thailand but wasn't much cheaper than NZ. I'm 14 months along and lost 38 kg so goal weight. No regrets at all.

I'm a Kiwi and am 5 months post surgery. 25kg down, 10kg to go but holding pattern ie not lost anything for about 3 weeks. Do hope I can lose the 10kg but guess it all slows right down now? Have gone from a size 22 to 16 and down a shoe size too! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

41 lbs on my 3 month anniversary (surgery 4 July) but slowing down now which has been a bit worried. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

37lbs (17kgs) in 3 months and I'm happy with that. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Happy to communicate. Email me privately at: timels14@paradise.net.nz I am in Wellington and have met face to face already with another online member from Palmerston North Regards Elspeth

I took 3 different BP Meds for over 10 years. One day post surgery, I was told to drop two of the three. I am two months post op, BP stable but will keep tracking it and hope to get off the last med at some stage. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am 5 weeks post op and struggle to get in 300ml a day which I know is way too low. I flavour my Water too but it doesn't make a huge difference to my consumption . I worry about it but can't take more than sips. If I could swig it back or even drink normally it would be OK but more than sipping hurts. Will this improve? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

There seems to be a lot of controversy around this topic. I like an occasional soda Water with a bit of cordial (not the coke, Sprite etc canned drinks). My surgeon has no issue with this and said no scientific evidence to show carbonated drinks can stretch the stomach. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I adore chocolate and will still eat it but probably only a few squares at a time versus a whole block. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had 3 weeks but this was more than needed. 2 weeks would have been enough. Straight back into 7 days straight working shifts and all ok. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I never took any pain pills after day 2 - guess I was fortunate . Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I chose a surgeon that did not require me to do a pre-op diet as for me this was psychologically a big no having done diets all my life there was no way I could face yet another. Luckily I found a surgeon who was fine with that and I had no issues during or after surgery. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi Kara, $19750 total including pre surgery appointment, 2 nights private hospital, after care, nutritionist appointments, psychologist etc. If it's $10knz in Mexico, add on airfare, pre and post op accommodation, travel insurance. Still cheaper I guess but what if something goes wrong and what about follow up? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Kara, I shopped around within NZ and went to Auckland as cheaper there. I did look briefly at Thailand and Australia which weren't any cheaper. To be honest didn't look at Mexico, how much is it there? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

All good 'Dub', onwards and upwards (or downwards as far as weight loss anyway)! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Guys, I really appreciate all the advice. To 'Dub' - your comments weren't particularly helpful. I was out walking with my husband and we bought a 6 pack of sushi to share. I am on the soft foods regime at the moment and thought it would be OK. It was a snap decision and I didn't have my bariatric notes with me and had obviously missed seeing about rice so thought it was ok. Through this forum I now realise rice is a big no no. I was not playing 'stupid games' as you put it. It was an innocent mistake. Let's be honest there is a big list of foods and dos and donts. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Still suffering, man what a bad experience but a learning curve all the same! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm in Wellington and had my op 4 July 2016. Would love to talk or meet up with fellow sleevers Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

An employer cannot ask what surgery you are having, it is private! They can however ask for a Doctor's note advising how long you require off work. I asked my Dr to supply a note stating I required 2 weeks off work due to surgery - no further detail. End of. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Good to know . Wondered if it was the rice and no didn't know it was a no no at this point. Thank you. Sent from my SM-J200Y using the BariatricPal App

I swallowed mine singly after day two as on blood pressure medication which you can't just stop. Sent from my SM-J200Y using the BariatricPal App