Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[kelliv 659]

Hi everyone .... I am new here and just wanted to say hello. I am currently in the process of converting from band to sleeve and had my band placed in august 2008 at a weight of 110 kgs. I successfully negotiated life with the band and was happy at 68 kgs (I am 173 cms)until December 2012 when I started having a lot of reflux issues and just a feeling that something was not right. I had all of the fill removed after scans came back showing all appeared ok and having such a great BMI the surgeon did not want to do anything immediately. My surgeon at the time was very pro-bypass and as I began to re-gained weight that seemed to be the track we were headed towards. With a feeling that perhaps the bypass wasn't for me I saw another surgeon who said that unlike my previous surgeon he did not feel that band to sleeve is an unsafe procedure and therefore I went ahead and had my band out last month. This proved to be a great decision as my gut feeling turned out to be correct and my band had adhered to my liver!!! Now back at 90 kgs I have a sleeve date of 9th July and cant wait for the calendar to tick around. With 7 weeks to go I am forcing myself to Optifast for 2 weeks to keep my weight stable between now and surgery. Then I will splurge a bit before my 1 week Optifast prior to surgery begins. It is really a bummer to be back at this point after 4 years of living life at a great weight and I just want my old "couldn't care less about food" life back!!! Anyway ... just wanting to introduce myself and look forward to getting to know everyone :-)

Hi Kitikat, you have certainly been on an interesting journey and good on you for making the decision to get the sleeve. We are all very positive on this thread and love our sleeves. It will be so much simpler for you than the band was and also it's a permanent tool/solution to keeping the weight off which is ultimately what we are all looking for. I look forward to hearing how you re progressing.

[kelliv 659]

It is a great day here in Brissy .... I wanted to go for a walk but am avoiding exercise for the first 3 or 4 Optifast days because the last thing I need is to be any hungrier than I am!!! Can anyone in Brissy recommend a good dietician and also tell me if you think the visits were worthwhile. I don't have to go as I successfully achieved long-term weight loss with the band and am in two minds whether to go to one anyway. I have a great understanding of the stages and dietary requirements so am not sure it will be of great benefit. I will definitely check out the band-to-sleeve forum for information but am really keen to interact with fellow Aussies :-)

Hi Kitikat, good to hear you are in Brisbane. I am sitting in a cafe on Racecourse Rd Ascot waiting for a friend who is going to have a sleeve done later this year. I recently changed dieticians and highly recommend my new one. Her name is Diane Barr and she is based at the Wesley. There are subtle differences between nutrition for those with a sleeve versus those with bands and she specialises in this aspect. She has helped me to stop stalling and to keep the weight loss ticking away. A few of us in Brisbane meet sometimes, so we would love to see you too is you are interested. Where do you live and work??

[brendani 69]

Would you guys in Brissie be against the couple of us down on the GC joining your little group? Would be great to meet you all, both pre and post op.

[Jimbo 22]

Geez it is a small world <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Sounds like we need to have a catch up on a Wednesday...we can go to Margaritaville and share an entree lol. But seriously we should do it <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Welcome KitiKat!!! We are happy to help' date=' support, encourage as much or as little as you need.[/quote']

I'm on Puree at the moment and start the soft food next week so no entree for me at the moment but once I'm through the next transition I'd be keen

[kelliv 659]

Would you guys in Brissie be against the couple of us down on the GC joining your little group? Would be great to meet you all' date=' both pre and post op.[/quote']

We would love to meet you Brendan. Just a mater of working out a convenient time and place for everyone. Dean, Shelley and Misty work in the Brisbane CDB and I work from home so can go anywhere. Do you ever get up to Brisbane during the week?

[lisap 8]

Hi everyone. I'm 15 days post op. recovering well. Survived my first day on puréed food which surprised me because I am pretty fussy! Had purred honey mustard chicken tonight and it was nice.

[mistysj 1,939]

Hi everyone. I'm 15 days post op. recovering well. Survived my first day on puréed food which surprised me because I am pretty fussy! Had purred honey mustard chicken tonight and it was nice.

I'm so happy to hear this! Any tips on getting the chicken smooth?

[lisap 8]

Not sure if its a great tip but I added a little bit of stock and kept blending so it was like a smooth paste. It actually turned out pretty well. I added more sauce so it didn't turn dry.

[mistysj 1,939]

Cool I found this too. http://www.mom365.com/Wisdom/Moms/Perfect%20Chicken%20Puree.aspx

[Bec101 227]

Well I've been busy cooking and freezing meals this week. I've made chicken and veg Soup and beef and veg casserole and tomorrow I'm cooking spag bog and savoury mince with some Pasta in it. I'm just trying to get organised.

Also today was day 4 of pre-op and it was sooo much better. Not as hungry as I have been so I must be getting to the zone!!!

I do have a question though. I don't like yougurt so do u think having low fat custard would be better in the full liquid stage?

[sueoco 509]

Geez it is a small world <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Sounds like we need to have a catch up on a Wednesday...we can go to Margaritaville and share an entree lol. But seriously we should do it <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Welcome KitiKat!!! We are happy to help' date=' support, encourage as much or as little as you need.[/quote']

Would love to catch up - just checked out the meals at Margaritaville - I think all of us could live on one of their main courses for a week! What the heck, lets skip the food and go straight to the Margarita's. Seriously, I work in the building opposite the casino so could meet after work for coffee or whatever on a Wednesday - lunch time might be a bit of a push for me as they tend not to take long lunch breaks. So Jimbo, Aussiegirl, me and anyone else that can make it on a Wednesday - lets set a date!

[*Dean* 1,594]

Well I've been busy cooking and freezing meals this week. I've made chicken and veg Soup and beef and veg casserole and tomorrow I'm cooking spag bog and savoury mince with some Pasta in it. I'm just trying to get organised.

Also today was day 4 of pre-op and it was sooo much better. Not as hungry as I have been so I must be getting to the zone!!!

I do have a question though. I don't like yougurt so do u think having low fat custard would be better in the full liquid stage?

Yep, custard is fine.

I'm off the low fat merry go round, except for 2% milk and some yoghurts (can't stand full cream in my coffee).

Everything else I have is full fat ie some yoghurts, cheese (lots of cheese), custard etc.

Because I can only eat a small amount I find the proper unprocessed versions A LOT more satisfying and better flavour.

If you look at the small amount you can eat and then compare the calorie difference, it peanuts.

Have a good day,

Deano

[Bec101 227]

Thanks Dean! That's good to know. Your right about the quanity v cals. It wouldn't make much difference

[Aussiegirl 580]

Would love to catch up - just checked out the meals at Margaritaville - I think all of us could live on one of their main courses for a week! What the heck, lets skip the food and go straight to the Margarita's. Seriously, I work in the building opposite the casino so could meet after work for coffee or whatever on a Wednesday - lunch time might be a bit of a push for me as they tend not to take long lunch breaks. So Jimbo, Aussiegirl, me and anyone else that can make it on a Wednesday - lets set a date!

You are not wrong the servings are quite large already. I have been there once and had the quesadilla and only ate like half if that. Tho the margaritas are good from recollection and come in huge glasses...one may knock you off your feet.

Jimbo, when are you off purees?

We will set a date around that, evenings work better for me too

[Aussiegirl 580]

Misty, another idea may be spaghetti bol sauce. I may be mixing up my phases (as I was not specifically given any real idea of phases when I was recovering and generally under ate on consistency ..anyway).

I slowed cooked the mince and sauce so it really is sooo soft. It was really flavourful and filling.