Are there any Australian Sleevers out there, Would Love to hear from you.

Thanks Shell

Would I be correct that I don't need the GP letter if my specialist is happy to write one for me? He has said he will do and write whatever I need' date=' he's really keen to get me healthy.

I'm pretty happy with the surgeon he is referring me to, have only read great things about him, and I trust my cardio so I guess that means at least one thing I can cross off the list.

Now that I've made the decision, I'm getting really excited on starting on the journey to a better life. Just hope that the surgeons appointments etc are not to drawn out..lol.

Im looking forward to following everyone's journeys.[/quote']

Hi Novo, I think you will still need two letters, but others will advise you re their experiences. From my first WLS surgeon appt which I got within one week, i then mulled it over and did research for a couple of weeks, but once I made the decision I was booked in within one month which included seeing the shrink once and the dietician once as well as the 2 week preparation diet. Looking back the time went quickly. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long, but the Christmas New Year period may delay appts a little.

Welcome Novo and congratulations on your decision to take back control of your health. I am the same height as you' date=' but started at 107kg. It's all relative to your situation. Often you need to be at least 40 BMI or ave multiple co-morbidity's to be considered for WLS, so it sounds like you would qualify. Most of us tried to do it ourselves over many years with limited long term success. The sleeve is the best thing I have done and my health has definitely improved already. I am 4 months today since my surgery ad am down 22kg so far. So much energy and feel great. I was covered partially by Defence Health and Medicare, so cannot advise you re self funding, but Shelley's advice sounds about right. There are a few others on this thread who got money from their super. Make sure you budget for a contingency just in case you need to be in hospital a night or two longer than expected. I was in for 3 nights which sees fairly common. Hope this helps and we look forward to joining you on your journey.[/quote']

Thank you Kelliv, I knew I was in the right place for advice, everyone is so friendly. 22kgs in 4 months is awesome, I only hope I can achieve something similar. When I was pregnant with my now 10 month old, I didn't put on any weight and actually lost 2kg (pregnancy is the only time I feel skinny lol) and I lost another 12 kgs after she was born so went down to 82kg and I felt awesome, so would be happy with that and anymore would be a bonus.. Sadly as soon as my bub started solids and sleeping through the night I stacked on the weight and have put on 10kgs in about 3 months, so devestated.

Hopefully the end to yo yo weight is going to be a thing of the past.

Hi Novo' date=' I think you will still need two letters, but others will advise you re their experiences. From my first WLS surgeon appt which I got within one week, i then mulled it over and did research for a couple of weeks, but once I made the decision I was booked in within one month which included seeing the shrink once and the dietician once as well as the 2 week preparation diet. Looking back the time went quickly. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long, but the Christmas New Year period may delay appts a little.[/quote']

kelliv, just been looking on the apra site and it states you need 1 letter from surgeon and 1 from GP or specialist so looking good. Yours was a really quick turnaround, yay. My birthday is in Feb so hoping for around then if not earlier, gives me a 12 month goal to work towards my 40th in 2014 and hubby wants to take me on a holiday..

Novo, yes one from surgeon and one from either your specialist which I think would be better than a GP so best of luck.

I also aimed to have mine on my 39th birthday (9 July 2012) but the closest I could get was 20 July so close enough...I wanted to give myself a year to get to my goal so my 40th in 2013 will be so different to the last 15 yrs and going to Celebrate on a cruise so can't wait:)

I am down 30 kgs, 30 to go so couldn't be happier. I have been battling with thyroid issues for a few years and 2 years ago had my thyroid removed but have struggled getting my levels under control so didn't know how this surgery would go with and was told I could have moments where it slows down so that's why I mess things up a little with a stint on optifast...

Hi everyone, just checking in in 7 weeks down 16 kgs ( plus 6kgs per op) feeling good, went back to training which was good, started going to gym again ( not very regular). Have had a few lil issues with food not sitting right, prob eating too quick ( we live n learn lol). I watched a YouTube video of a Perth lady who had VSG n she posted what she was eating at weeks 5-7 n there's no way I could eat that much. Anyhoo off to bed.

Scotty

Welcome Novo, re the Dr referrals: a specialist referral lasts for 3 months and a GP lasts 12 months. Also,if you could afford private health ins, you need to join you get any referrals because the health may change terms Conditons. Also,this becomes 'pre existing condition. I am having Bypass, so pls ask any questions.

Great news. sleep doc very happy with my weight loss and I can stop using my CPAP machine straight away. YIPEE!!! This was a major goal and a big reason I had the surgery. I still have to do another sleep study on 13 January' date=' but she thinks it unlikely that I will need it ongoing. Again, this is the best thing I could have done for my health.[/quote']

This is great news! You must be so happy!

Puppyphat - 62kg! That is amazing!

Lila - Great weight loss - it seems to be coming off steadily. Isn't such a great feeling!

Novo - welcome to our thread - a great bunch of people here, lots of laughs, support and shoulders to cry on if needed!

Scotty - awesome weight loss - I bet they are really curious at work about how quickly you are dropping the kilos now! I love my secret weapon - well in my case, not so secret because I tell everyone!

Confession - I can't stop eating walkers shortbread!! Aaaarg Christmas!

Thanks Sue And I know what you mean...so much Christmas temptation out there!! It's very hard not to partake but at least we now have the sleeve so we can't really overindulge! That's what I love about it - nothing really is taboo anymore. Except for all the stuff the sleeve won't tolerate lol

Thanks Sue <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> And I know what you mean...so much Christmas temptation out there!! It's very hard not to partake but at least we now have the sleeve so we can't really overindulge! That's what I love about it - nothing really is taboo anymore. Except for all the stuff the sleeve won't tolerate lol <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Yes Lila - you are so right - I can only fit two biscuits in - pre sleeve I would have eaten the whole packet in one sitting! I love it too for this reason!!

Yes Lila - you are so right - I can only fit two biscuits in - pre sleeve I would have eaten the whole packet in one sitting! I love it too for this reason!!

I had to make rum balls this week so I made them at my mums house and left all of the left overs there. I can eat 1 at a time and be happy, but was scared that I would keep going back for more.

I just discovered that I struggle with grapes. I can only have about 3 or 4 before feeling really full. Why is it that I would probably be able to eat more grape sized rum balls than I can grapes???

Mmmmm, rum balls

Novo' date=' yes one from surgeon and one from either your specialist which I think would be better than a GP so best of luck.

I also aimed to have mine on my 39th birthday (9 July 2012) but the closest I could get was 20 July so close enough...I wanted to give myself a year to get to my goal so my 40th in 2013 will be so different to the last 15 yrs and going to Celebrate on a cruise so can't wait:)

I am down 30 kgs, 30 to go so couldn't be happier. I have been battling with thyroid issues for a few years and 2 years ago had my thyroid removed but have struggled getting my levels under control so didn't know how this surgery would go with and was told I could have moments where it slows down so that's why I mess things up a little with a stint on Optifast...[/quote']

Hi Shell, yes I certainly understand the thyroid issues, I suffered post partum thyroiditis and it wasnt picked up until almost 12 months after my son was born. I went to the gp so many times complaining about no energy, appetite and could barely function and the weight was piling on only to be told its normal, youre a

mum, and to rest when possible, take Vitamins and watch what I eat, and exercise.

It wasnt until my thyroid went hyper and I was bouncing off the walls that they decided to investigate. I still have nodules on my thyroid but bloods are stable at present phew.

You're half way there, 30kgs is so good, looks

like you will be rocking bathers on your 40th. A cruise sounds great. Hubby mentioned Thailand or somewhere warm and my immediate thought was no, cant go, cant get into a bathing suit but Im looking more hopeful now.

Went to a restaurant for a Christmas dinner tonight - had two prawns and two pieces of meat plus a piece of zuccini. Totally full I LOVE my sleeve!!!