Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[kelliv 659]

Hi Jewls' date=' I think that with any surgeries there are risks and you'd be silly not to be concerned. As someone who had a leak, a long hospital admission and several complications I can now say that 12 months on I still think this is the best thing I could have done for my health. But if I had to do it all over again, I would make sure that I had PHI in case of emergency surgeries, that I had my finances sorted out so that should I have a longer than expected hospital stay I would be covered and that I had conversations with people about what to do if things went wrong (i.e. where to find my will, financial documents etc). However I am in the minority and most people on here had a "dream" run So be prepared however don't be alarmist. As I said, even with the leak etc this is still the best thing ever All the best, Liss[/quote']

Always the voice of reason Lissa, wise words from someone who knows.

[sueoco 509]

Hi All' date='

I'm still counting down the days til surgery! Lol I'm now on my pre op diet - day two and things are fine so far - thankfully not struggling like I have heard many say the first days are hardest.

I am having Optislim shakes for B'fast & lunch and a small piece of meat and a cup of low carb vegies as per my surgeons instructions and I'm not struggling with managing hunger but the shakes are YUCK! I know everyone's tastes are different but I find them far to sweet and I add more Water to combat that but then I just have more unpleasantness to drink lol I can stand it for two weeks but my dietician is talking about drinking the shakes after surgery for at least a month. I'm willing to do anything to lose the weight but if there is another option I'm taking it lol

I am on a low income so I already have to drink these shakes I have bought but can anyone tell me if Optifast is any better or very similar? Are the bars / Soups powdery like they seem on the packaging? Any tips on making life easier would be greatly appreciated! Xo

Donna[/quote']

Pre-op I also found Optifast bars better - I could not find a good shake as I am not a milkshake person. I endured them pre and post op - yes you will have to continue with shakes post op to get your Protein in when you are in the liquid faze! I must say that I have not gone near a shake since I could eat solid food! I did try a Soup but it was a brand that my surgeon's clinic sold call kick start and they were dreadful - never did try any Soups again after that - as you mentioned, these are not cheap so I just didn't want to buy more and find I hated it.

[sueoco 509]

Happy Sleeversary to me <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me (for which there would be few on this thread) here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg and my current weight is 87kg. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma' date=' everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around.

I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013.

Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have.

It has been a truly amazing journey. I love you all - you have become friends to me even though (with the exception of Kelli) I've never met you in person. You've understood my struggles and triumphs in ways that my family and friends here struggle to do. I can't thank you all enough for your kindness, encouragement and support. And I promise that I WILL get around to meeting you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> **Wow, hope that doesn't sound stalker-ish...Deano, you're the copper - is that a bit creepy lol**. Before I finish my rambling post, here are some comparison shots that I put together. Thank you all for sharing my journey and helping me out so profoundly along the way. Much love to you all! Cheers, Liss

[/quote']

hi Liss

What a pleasure it has been to share this experience with you. It is so wonderful to see where you are now! I definitely want to meet you face to face and would love to make the trip to the Gold Coast to meet the Qld crowd - just need to work out if I can.

[Birdie007 28]

Iv got my operation coming up soon but I'm really scared and worried should I be ?

I think if you were not worried that would be abnormal it is 2weeks today till my op I am excited but also nervous! It is a big decision but also a very life changing one! Just stay positive that's what I am doing!

[*Dean* 1,594]

Happy Sleeversary to me I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me (for which there would be few on this thread) here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg and my current weight is 87kg. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma, everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around.

I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013.

Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have.

It has been a truly amazing journey. I love you all - you have become friends to me even though (with the exception of Kelli) I've never met you in person. You've understood my struggles and triumphs in ways that my family and friends here struggle to do. I can't thank you all enough for your kindness, encouragement and support. And I promise that I WILL get around to meeting you **Wow, hope that doesn't sound stalker-ish...Deano, you're the copper - is that a bit creepy lol**. Before I finish my rambling post, here are some comparison shots that I put together. Thank you all for sharing my journey and helping me out so profoundly along the way. Much love to you all! Cheers, Liss

  

Stalker-ish. Rubbish. I'm sure you'll find the feeling is mutual.

You rock and have been an inspiration to all of us.

Deano x

[*Dean* 1,594]

Phew .... just caught up on the thread. Great to see all my old friends doing so well. Hi to everyone I haven't met yet. I'm sure you've already realised what a great bunch of people this is.

NSV this week. I can do (unassisted) pull up. It's a real milestone in my training. 44 years old and I've never done a strict pull up in my life before. Very happy.

Have a great day,

Deano

[skudibz 24]

Any mistakes I should avoid to prevent having to resubmit ?

Just make sure the wording is the way they request it to be if you get your dr to do a letter. That's where my problem was.

[mistysj 1,939]

Hi all! I'm feeling mostly myself again after the flu symptoms hitting hard Tuesday-Thursday. I tried to go back to work Thursday (there was a required meeting) but only made it half the day. Yesterday I was back at work all day and felt pretty good. I even had dinner with a friend.

We went shopping and I downgraded to size 16 jeans from Target! I think I will just work my way down the sizes in the $20 jeans. I could almost get the 14 to button but too much hanging tummy.

I've missed two runs of week 7 of couch to 5k due to being sick so will restart week 7 on Monday. Sadly I have a ton of worn to catch up on this weekend and have a huge presentation to deliver Wednesday to a VIP in my company, so this is going to be a busy weekend. Also need to see if I can alter a black skirt that is nice but too big, so I have something nice to wear to said presentation.

[k8ee 131]

Good luck with the presentation misty, and I'm glad you're feeling better.

I'm so happy ATM. I have finally broken the dreadful 8 week stall. Jumped on the scales and bang 2kg gone! Thank goodness because I was starting to get worried that it was the end of my journey. I never gave up though. I am still going to the gym and eating right.

[Lissa_S 787]

Good luck with the presentation misty' date=' and I'm glad you're feeling better.

I'm so happy ATM. I have finally broken the dreadful 8 week stall. Jumped on the scales and bang 2kg gone! Thank goodness because I was starting to get worried that it was the end of my journey. I never gave up though. I am still going to the gym and eating right.[/quote']

Well done K8ee!! I think that has been one of the things I am still really trying to learn - that this is a long term thing and I need to take a longitudinal view of my weight loss, particularly now that in only have the last 10kg or so to go. Keep it up though!!! And congrats!!

[k8ee 131]

Thanks Liisa. I'm oober excited today eeeee!

[Lissa_S 787]

Thanks Liisa. I'm oober excited today eeeee!

Wow love your new profile pic!!!

[k8ee 131]

Thanks It was taken a couple of weeks ago at the sunny Gold Coast!

[Lissa_S 787]

Going out for a girls night Love my sleeve!!

[Bec101 227]

Looking Hot Liss!!!!