Marblicious

Shopping now that's a good Idea. I would really love some new clothes everything is beginning to hang off me. It's soo good bug soo annoying too.

I'm in Sydney, and covered by private health insurance. I had an Initial consult with the surgeon, who offered a slot two weeks from the date of that consult. I chose 4 weeks. We went through my history also I have had my thryroid removed and any impacts there might be. I had a load of blood tests done the week before and an ECG at the hospital on the day of the surgery. I had an appointment with the Nutritionist who explained what I could and could not do after the surgery and then it was all over so fast I really didn't get much time to think too much about it. I am now nearly 4 months post surgery and will see the psychologist in December for the first time. Lots of followup appointments with the Nutitionist and Barriatric surgeon but I have not seen the Surgeon who did the operation since. So relatively simple a bit like a production line. Plus's and minus's to my experience

I've suddenly after wearing the same clothes for quite a while notice that when I pull on my pants that they are all too long. Inches too long. I swear they were the right length before! Anyone else find their pants getting longer? I had a job interview the other day and my trusty interview suit was too long. OMG what to do!!! I had five minutes to sticky tape up the hems of my pants before rushing out the door. Anyone else have anything weird and funny happen during the course of their weight loss? I would love to hear your stories

Try sleeping and hugging a pillow, I found it more comfortable plus it was protection against hubbie's accidental elbows lol.

At the age of 35 I started taking blood pressure medication as my blood pressure was out of control. At 40 I was diagnosed with graves disease. By the time I was 45 I had hit 140kgs (308 pounds) and had my thyroid removed. I remember seeing a doctor at the time who told me "It won't be long before you are 160kgs (352 pounds). I yoyo dieted for years never making much progress and always putting the weight back on plus even more. In the last 2 years my mobility has become more and more challenging, and travelling to Asia regularly for work was dreadful. In April, my doctor told me I was Insulin resistant with a score of 30 and my cholesterol was high. I am already taking medication for depression, blood pressure, thyroid hormones and Calcium due to damage when removing my thyroid I did not want to add Insulin and Cholesterol medication to my huge list of tablets. So I bit the bullet and saw the surgeon at the end of May. Surgery was 19th June and I can honestly say it was the most difficult decision of my life but also the best decision. I have lost 35kgs (77 pounds), my insulin resistance is gone and my cholesterol is back to normal. I have even started "old ladies pilates", which is so much fun. For the person who is bitter about this being a forced change that you must do, I truely do understand how you feel. I was very resentful about this being the only way that I could lose weight and hopefully keep it off. Angry that it is happening to me and jealous of the people who can eat anything and not gain weight. Whilst it is not quite the same thing, I feel that I also had no choice. But I am living with the changes, and they are making my life better. And whilst my quantity is limited I am not missing out on food and am able to eat anything so long as I don't eat too much.

I took way too much stuff to the hospital. But I did wear in a pair of soft leggings and a tunic, and a wireless bra and I wore them home as well, I had a rolled up towel instead of a pillow. I took boy short knickers as they sit under the waist so didn't bother my incision sites. But honestly at the hospital. I took 3 pairs of pajamas and only used one pair because most of the time I was in a hospital gown. I soooo over packed

Miso soup is good, I just strained out the seaweed but it is really good for when you first get out of hospital and it is a different taste from the normal.

I am 3 and a bit months post surgery and apart from the first 2 weeks I have been continuously hungry. I have no trouble eating anything and have to make sure I don't eat too much. During this whole process, I have never felt I could not have enough water or protein. I don't know why that is. But the hunger bothers me a lot. I often wonder if there is something wrong.

I've been lucky, I'm 3 months now and having no problems with anything so far except early on with egg

I had brussel sprouts overcooked they were to die for

While i was waiting in the room outside of the operating theatre, the surgeon walked past me. I was hooked up to everything, IV in the arm and ready to go and I said to him "Am I doing the right thing". He looked at me very seriously and said, Yes, but you can call it off now if you want. I was minutes away from being wheeled in for surgery. I had to think about that quite hard at the time. I don't think he was very happy with me lol.

Great, this is a great motivator for me. I am walking or riding my exercise bike to do this. I am in Sydney so may be reporting a day ahead of you all Where are we going to post updates? Here?

I would love to do this too. I am just starting out on my exercise as I have been so overweight it has been very difficult. But something like this is a perfect way for me to get moving and so count me in

My BMI was 61 with insulin resistance, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol. I was advised by my surgeon to have the Gastric Sleeve. I am more than happy with the result. I have resolved the insulin resistance and cholesterol issues already, asthma and mobility are much better as well. Working on the high blood pressure now

It depends on how much you have to lose, whether or not you have co-morbidities. If you have type 2 diabetes, they tend to recommend the Gastric Bi-pass. There is a lot to consider

Hey Knightsaber88, I don't know what your current weight is and I can only share my story. I struggled with my weight all my life, gradually gaining and gaining and at 53 years old I found myself weight 168kgs. As you get older things start to go wrong, blood pressure starts to go up, you become more at risk of diabetes, the ongoing weight means you are at risk of several different cancers. cholesterol and all sorts of other problems. I can't say you should do it but I can say it was the right decision for me. Only you can make the decision and if you are not getting the support you need. I suggest you speak to a psychologist or councellor as well as your doctor before you decide. Here is some of the plusses for me:

I am three months out and lost 66 pounds. The first month after surgery I lost 11 pounds and had a 2 week stall where the scale did not move at all. It really does vary. I am also starting from 370 pounds which is quite high. But I am 53 and have had my thyroid removed and was suffering from Insulin resistance. So there can be many things impacting your weight loss. I think so long as you are losing and continue to lose you are doing great.

My health insurance covered the procedure so there was no issues there. I think that is why I did not have to go through all the process a lot seem to have to go through. Thank you

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share my gastric sleeve journey so far and I apologise for the long post I am making here. I'm 53 years old and have battled my weight all my life. In my early 40's I started taking Blood Pressure medication, I was also diagnosed with Graves Disease. My cholesterol and glucose have always been good. Well that was up until 4 months ago. I went to the doctors and for the first time ever my cholesterol shot up and my doctor informed me I was Insulin resistant. I was now very scared that at 168.3 kgs, (371 pounds) I wasn't going to make it to 60. So after years of badgering me, I finally asked my doctor to refer me to a Weight Loss Surgeon and from the very first visit the train ride has been fast and furious. First off, he told me I should have seen him 10 years ago, (I had mentioned I had been thinking about it for 10 years). Then he asked if I was free for surgery in 2 weeks!!! OMG! I scheduled with him for surgery 4 weeks later because I needed to get my head around it all. I then kicked off a major Food Funeral. I don't deny it, I ate all the things I loved and that were bad for me for 2 weeks. I then started my 2 weeks on Optifast. What joy that turned out to be Surgery day arrived and all went well and to my horror I was presented with an A4 sized, colour picture of my stomach after removal and my stitched up insides. PUKE! Since then I have been through all the phases, Liquid, Puree, Soft and at last normal food. I just had my 3 month checkup with the surgeon and here is where I stand: I am no longer Insulin resistant MAJOR YAAAAY My cholesterol is now normal ANOTHER MAJOR YAAAAY My Fatty Liver is resolved and now shows normal results - YAAAAY I can walk for 20 minutes without having to sit down - YIPPEEEEE My asthma is almost completely gone - WOOHOOOOOO I have lost nearly 30 kgs (63 pounds) I had my first proper period in over 8 months (ok not such a major yay but at least it is working properly again) So I can honestly say that the major train ride I have been on in the last 4 months has been very worthwhile and I am feeling so much better, but please can someone help me with how to get rid of the damn pimples!!!!! I guess the purpose in my writing this is for any people who may be considering surgery, I won't say it has been easy but it has definitely been worthwhile. It's getting better and better

I never had any gas pain at all. I don't even recall having to deal with it. Maybe I absorbed it lolol

That I just have to eat one small piece of carbs like potato or a piece of fruit and I gain weight. It really is a High Protein low carbohydrate diet

Hi there, How much water are you drinking? If you are not drinking enough then you will definitely feel thirsty. But if you are drinking enough then I would speak to your doctor because thirst is a potential sign for diabetes and you should get that checked out.

I was similar to you, up and walking fairly quickly. pain in one site more than the others and could not lie on my sides at all. I did not feel the need to pee at all and they kept reminding me to go do that. Ad some sugar free cordial to you water, it is much easier to stomach than plain water. I slept a lot and rested a lot until about half way through the second week. Just keep on sipping.

I am struggling with my appetite too. I eat dinner and 20 minutes later I want something else. I am feeling hunger pains which of course makes me want to eat. I keep on seeing how people are unable to barely eat at all but I have not experienced that at any time.

Hi Ebroms17, firstly I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I can only say, is should get easier as time goes on. But for now here are a few things that I know. I stalled week 3 after surgery. It happens and we all go through it. Check your measurements not just what is happening on the scales. Stick to your plan. Many factors can affect your weightloss. I am dealing with insulin resistance, graves disease, blood pressure and injuries. Make sure you speak to your doctor about what you might be dealing with so you understand how that can affect you. The advice from my surgeon and nutritionist for me is 1/2 a cup of food at meal times. Eat your protein first. Protein is critical for body repair, growth and weightloss. It keeps you feeling full. If you can't eat anything else, then make sure you get your protein. Take your vitamins. These are to ensure that what you are missing out on you get back through vitamins. Hopefully you are having some regular blood tests done to check your levels so there is early warning if you are lacking in anything. I was also told to take Benefiber every day. Because you are not able to get the normal amount of fiber that you need, this is very important. What kind of protein are you eating? I found early on it was easier to eat things like mince, or chicken cut up small with a sauce because I could chew it up and swallow it easier. Try adding some diet cordial to your water. I found it much easier to drink that way. I use Lemon/Lime Cordial for mixed drinks as I like the flavour. For Breakfast try taking a protein bar with you in your bag to work, that way you can eat it when you are ready for it. For colleagues all I can say is, that I am on a diet recommended by my doctor. They can't argue with that. I'm no export, these are just the things I have been told to do by the experts. It is important to talk to your doctor, and nutritionist. But I hope some of the above might be helpful to you.