Im from The Hunter Valley NSW .........

[lou975 1]

I guys I'm a brand newbie on these forums, I just got my date for surgery yesterday which is July 14 2014. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I start my Optifast diet on June 30, so still time to adjust and clean up my eating :-)

I'm hoping to find some local people for support and catch ups if needed, but really any support from you guys will be amazing.

It's great to read on the existing threads so many success stories but to also know that I'm not alone with my fears post op.

Stay strong and take care xx

[sueoco 509]

Hi Lou - this is a great place to get support. I had my op in July 2012 - I started at 103kg size 20-22 on top and 20 on the bottom, I am now around 60kg size 8-10 on the bottom and a 12 on top. I too was really scared and found the pre-op diet hell and the post op shakes awful but it is all a distant memory now and I just love my new unbelievable life. My advise is don't get too excited when you are losing weight and buy a lot of new clothes as I did this and ended up with great colthes that were too big for me! Good luck and hope you can connect with someone in your area. I am in Sydney so if you are ever down here I am happy to meet up.

Edited May 2, 2014 by sueoco

[Merry1 45]

Hi Lou and welcome, where a outs in the Hunter are you?

[lou975 1]

Hey there - thanks for the replies......Merry1 I'm in the coalfields / vineyard area ..... I worked all weekend so going to get really stuck in to these threads, plus I downloaded a book - which was recommended on a thread I saw here somewhere ..... Plus I'm feeling positive and like there may be a light I can see from this tunnel I am in hmmmm :-)

[Merry1 45]

Lou I am from the central coast up towards the Lake Macquarie end, so not to far from you. I had my surgery October 8 2013 and have lost 40kg so far, weight loss has slowed down a bit now, but I still loose at least a couple of kilos each month. I am due back at my surgeons at the end of May and am really hoping to have hit the 90kg mark by then. Have to be honest haven't really got into exercise to much but try to get a bit in here and there.

Happy to answer any questions you might have take care and good luck on the journey

[lou975 1]

Hi Lou - this is a great place to get support. I had my op in July 2012 - I started at 103kg size 20-22 on top and 20 on the bottom, I am now around 60kg size 8-10 on the bottom and a 12 on top. I too was really scared and found the pre-op diet hell and the post op shakes awful but it is all a distant memory now and I just love my new unbelievable life. My advise is don't get too excited when you are losing weight and buy a lot of new clothes as I did this and ended up with great colthes that were too big for me! Good luck and hope you can connect with someone in your area. I am in Sydney so if you are ever down here I am happy to meet up.

Wow sueco congrats on dropping that weight, I bet you feel a million bucks!!! Thanks for the tips ;0)

Keep up the great work and thanks again for reply and support!

[lou975 1]

Lou I am from the central coast up towards the Lake Macquarie end, so not to far from you. I had my surgery October 8 2013 and have lost 40kg so far, weight loss has slowed down a bit now, but I still loose at least a couple of kilos each month. I am due back at my surgeons at the end of May and am really hoping to have hit the 90kg mark by then. Have to be honest haven't really got into exercise to much but try to get a bit in here and there.

Happy to answer any questions you might have take care and good luck on the journey

You are doing amazing Merry1 ....... I don't get down the lake often, but once I'm sleeved, and getting into the groove of things we will have to go for a walk around the lake or something ? I'm lucky enough to love exercise and along with walking my crazy boxer dog I also Crossfit - which I LOVE and I'm totally addicted to! Hehe

Keep up the great work

[moo moo 1]

Hi Lou - I went from an unsuccessful lapband to a sleeve on 8 October 2013, weight on day was 186kg, am now down to 122kg and am so thrilled with my new life and my weight loss to date. Am walking 4 out of 7 days for approx 45 mins, rarely get hungry, love my little meals and after a lifetime of struggling with a weight problem, now feel like I am in control. Please feel free to ask any questions, happy to help if I can, good luck

[MyTime70 0]

Newbie here! NSW South Coast. Just received surgery date - Aug 13! Keen to connect with Aussie sleevers (easier to discuss products etc).

Scared, excited & feeling positive :-)

[Merry1 45]

Newbie here! NSW South Coast. Just received surgery date - Aug 13! Keen to connect with Aussie sleevers (easier to discuss products etc).

Scared, excited & feeling positive :-)

Welcome MyTime, you came to the right place, people on here are so helpful. Ask away someone will assist if they can. Congrats on your date, where are you having it done at?

[MyTime70 0]

Thanks. St George Private. Just waiting on Super release. Anyone had experience with that?

[Merry1 45]

Thanks. St George Private. Just waiting on Super release. Anyone had experience with that?

No sorry I paid the gap myself. I was impatient and didn't want to wait for it to go through.

[Hermione67 3]

Hi I'm originally from Newcastle, my parents still live there, and considered having my surgery there. My husband was a bit reluctant for me to have it away from him and the kids so I'm having it in Orange (not too far from where I live) on August 5. I start my pre-op diet next week. I'm paying the gap too, don't want to further erode my super, but my out of pocket is only $3000 including my hospital insurance excess.