Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[lessismore67 158]

You had cider and shots?? I have to stick to one type of drink (eg:wine or spirits) otherwise...yuck.But then I am old.Have a great time in the gym today )

[Aussiegirl 580]

I am usually fine mixing as long as it isnt too many different types, and as long I am not drinking wine. Wine makes me ill.....I am not a normal sleever when it comes to alcohol.

Not sure why I bring it up as to say we all go into this thinking we are giving everything up. But as time goes on you get a new normal that feels like it was never any different.

And on top of it all, bad night with food and stuff, this morning I weighed in at the lowest number I have seen in a while..

[RetroGolly 0]

HI everyone, not sure i am in the right thread BUT i am a new poster i live in the Gold Coast and am wanting to have a sleeve. I have paid for a year of Health Insurance back in March this year and have been told i need to wait 12 months before i can claim on it. I am at the very beginning of finding out what exactly to do next! Can anyone please help me out? which surgeons are the best, in the Goldie or Brisbane? Do i need a Drs referral before i make an appointment with the surgeon? Any tips would be great.Thanks in Advance :0

[Aussiegirl 580]

RetroGolly...welcome. We have a heap of people in here from Brissie that cab help with doctors and everything up there...

You do need a doctors referral to see the surgeon.

[kelliv 659]

HI everyone' date=' not sure i am in the right thread BUT i am a new poster i live in the Gold Coast and am wanting to have a sleeve. I have paid for a year of Health Insurance back in March this year and have been told i need to wait 12 months before i can claim on it. I am at the very beginning of finding out what exactly to do next! Can anyone please help me out? which surgeons are the best, in the Goldie or Brisbane? Do i need a Drs referral before i make an appointment with the surgeon? Any tips would be great.Thanks in Advance :0[/quote']

Hi Retro

I am in Brisbane and saw Dr John Copp who now operates only in Ipswich. I am sure some of our Gold Coast members will refer you t who they used there. Apparently there are a few people who see a dietician on the Gold Coast (Brendani & Shell) called Fiona. Once you have a referral from your GP and have an initial meeting with your surgeon, you will most likely have to have at least one psych visit and also get regular advice from a good dietician experienced in patients who have had weight loss surgery and sleeves in particular. I am 10 months post op and have lost 31kg. Just 7kg away from doctors recommended weight. Best thing I ever did. We are all at different stages in our journey and are here to support you if you need us.

[brendani 69]

HI everyone' date=' not sure i am in the right thread BUT i am a new poster i live in the Gold Coast and am wanting to have a sleeve. I have paid for a year of Health Insurance back in March this year and have been told i need to wait 12 months before i can claim on it. I am at the very beginning of finding out what exactly to do next! Can anyone please help me out? which surgeons are the best, in the Goldie or Brisbane? Do i need a Drs referral before i make an appointment with the surgeon? Any tips would be great.Thanks in Advance :0[/quote']

Hi Retro,

I saw Dr Nolan at Southport Bariatrics (across the road from GCH). You will need a referral from your GP and a BMI of at least 35 (if you have other health problems you may be ok lower). He's very direct and to the point of being blunt, but comes highly recommended. I wouldn't recommend the Weight Loss centre in Varsity - just mine and another member's experience.

Also try and speak with your GP or surgeon about seeing a psych for sure before you make your final decision. If you read back a few posts you'll see that I got to one week out and decided to take some more time to make my decision, work with the psych and Fiona my dietician to have one last go at doing this myself.

Whatever you choose - all the best, we are all here to help

Brendan

[mistysj 1,939]

Retro, I'm in Briabane (south side) and used Dr. Adib, the same as Shell. He was great and I had no complications. As others have said, the first step is to get a referral from your GP. Well that's not true, the first step is to do a lot of research. I recommend reading a few books, which you can find as ebooks or paperback on Amazon.com.

1. The Sleeved Life - this is one woman's description of her journey.

2. The Big Book of the Gastric Sleeve - this is by the same man who runs this forum itself and it is absolutely full of great info. You can read it cover to cover or you can use it as a reference.

3. Your Complete Guide to Nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery - this is by Sally Johnston who is an Australian doctor. She has tons of info and tons of recipes using ingredients to be found in Australian supermarkets. She talks about kilos, grams, and degrees Celsius.

I really think everyone should do a ton of reading and research on their own before going to their GP. Your GP is very likely to suggest the lap band as it is still extremely popular in Australia. It's easier to talk to your GP about the sleeve if you are prepared beforehand. And you will be able to gauge your emotional level of readiness based on how you react to what you read.

As for me, I just got back from brunch with the girls, at coffee Club. I ordered an espresso to come before the meal and only had time to finish half before the food came. Luckily it was only about 1/4 cup total so I wasn't full of liquid. I ordered a cheese and salmon omelet and on,y ate about 1/3, and half a slice of toast. I was and still am very full. I felt a bit bad sending back so much food but I explained to the waitress that it was great, I just couldn't eat much at the moment.

For lunch and dinner yesterday my husband made me stir fry on his new outdoor propane wok ring. Sooo good. I will have more for dinner tonight. He is making mine with tofu since I love it and he dislikes it. I have about 2/3 a cup cooked, and a tbsp or so of rice. I do find that it's hard to eat more than about 8 grams of Protein from a stir fry though.

What about this rain?

[brendani 69]

Guys, I've just realised that my psych appointment is going to clash with lunch tomorrow so I'm going to have to give it a miss. Hopefully I can catch up with you all at a future lunch.

[dicoyte 32]

Hi retrogolly, I am in brissey also, my doctor is dr hatzifotis, he is great! To the point and doesn't sugar coat anything but his smile is infectious and I once asked him if he really loves his job that much to smile all the time - his reply was yes and his favourite visits are always the month after surgery :-). I got a drs referral and discussed it with him on a very basic level. Then I researched everything I could lay my hands on, not sure if this was for me or for the arguments that I knew I would have to put up to the doubters! If you need someone to talk to please feel free to get on and ask away.

[kelliv 659]

Hi retrogolly' date=' I am in brissey also, my doctor is dr hatzifotis, he is great! To the point and doesn't sugar coat anything but his smile is infectious and I once asked him if he really loves his job that much to smile all the time - his reply was yes and his favourite visits are always the month after surgery :-). I got a drs referral and discussed it with him on a very basic level. Then I researched everything I could lay my hands on, not sure if this was for me or for the arguments that I knew I would have to put up to the doubters! If you need someone to talk to please feel free to get on and ask away.[/quote']

Di if you are in Brisbane CBD a couple of us are meeting for lunch at Groove Train in King George Square tomorrow at 12.30pm. You are very welcome to join us if you wish. Cheers, Kelli

[dicoyte 32]

Thanks kelliv I would love to meet up but being on the Optifast I'm kind of hibernating (sulking)!! Would love to catch up after my op on the 12th though :-)

[kelliv 659]

Thanks kelliv I would love to meet up but being on the Optifast I'm kind of hibernating (sulking)!! Would love to catch up after my op on the 12th though :-)

Sounds good. We've all been there and know how you feel. Good luck with the Opti stage. It's the beginning of the great positive weight loss journey to better health and feeling and looking great.

[k8ee 131]

Are there any vic sleevers out there who went through Mr McHenry at lap surgery Australia??

[Sydney Susan 333]

BMI hit 29.9 today... Been a long time since there was anything other than a 3 at the beginning.

[lessismore67 158]

Well done Susan!You must feel so happy!