Hi! I live in a country town in southern NSW near Canberra. I am planning on having gastric sleeve surgery at Canberra Bariatric in a couple of months. I would be doing it now, but I just had my gallbladder removed two days ago by Dr Mosse (who is lovely) and it has to heal first. Dr Mosse,

Dr Peake (anaesthetist), and the surgical/nursing staff at Calvary John James have all been awesome so far. Would love to make contact with anyone else in the region who has done it, will be doing it, or still thinking it through. Best wishes, Cathy.????

Hi I'm not from your region but I am from Ipswich Queensland and I'm 4 months out from my op if that's any help. More than happy to be a contact or support. Its been the best thing I ever did. Good luck with it all.

Hi Catherine, how are you feeling after your surgery?

Charlie Mosse is a great surgeon, just had my sleeve done two weeks ago and very pleased with it. I had mine at Calvary Bruce.

You're in good hands with Dr Mosse

Hannah

Hi Catherine, how are you feeling after your surgery?

Charlie Mosse is a great surgeon, just had my sleeve done two weeks ago and very pleased with it. I had mine at Calvary Bruce.

You're in good hands with Dr Mosse

Hannah

Hi Hannah, I have a few questions for you. How much pain did you have after surgery? I was surprised with how much pain I had from the incision in my navel (much more pain than I expected). I'm feeling quite apprehensive about further surgery at the moment. How did you cope with starting to drink? Did that hurt much? Do you have any regrets at having the surgery? If you have to cook meals for the rest of your family, do you have trouble doing it knowing you can't eat what they are eating? Are you back at work yet? How much time did you need off, and how did you go when you were back at work? Anything you didn't expect, or wish you had been warned about? Sorry about the "20 questions"! ???? Cheers, Catherine.

I'm having mine done on the 21st by Dr Mosse too!!!

And I've also had my gallbladder removed (years ago due to stones)

Hey guys, Charlie is lovely and a great surgeon. Careful and cautious, and also very personable.

Unfortunately when I reply, I can't see your post anymore, so ill try answer your questions

Very little pain afterwards, I think I could have managed with panadol or forte if I'd been able to swallow. I didn't get shoulder has pain, just nausea. You can get up a few hours afterwards. I got hiccups EVERY TIME I sat up, that was a bit painful, so you will need a pillow to brace yourself. I slept for a few days and was up about walking around regularly on the 2nd afternoon.

I was on a drip the whole time in hospital, and was sipping ice chips night of op and the day after. I had Apple juice that night, so day 2. Take home any extra poppers if you don't drink them. They'll be handy in your liquid week.

I took a week and 2 work days off, personally, I probably could have gone back after a week, being generous. Desk job, drinking liquids was fine and no probs.

Hot tip, wear your stockings afterwards and don't forget to take your clexane anti clot meds. I got sick last week after being lazy with it. They're not just being overly cautious.

I'm sure I haven't answered a heap of questions!

Food wise, I spent my whole week off drooling over food and reading about my overeating food addiction lol. This operation is definitely not an easy fix, it's not brain surgery, but 3 weeks down, food is getting easier. In my week off I cooked up a storm with soups and casseroles, veg bakes, curries etc and ended up throwing most of it out as it's just myself and my daughter. I wasn't hungry of course.

In the liquid phase I had tea, coffee, milky Milo, opti, thin custard, yogurt, clear soup from Asian noodle soup, thin home made soups. Laksa soup didnt sit well..

So I've relaxed a lot now in the puree phase and happy with yogurt, thin porridge, mash potato gravy, refried beans, scrambled egg. Soft cheese, smoothie shakes, tea and coffee. Chew thoroughly to mush anything that's not pureed.

I dont like pureed chicken, the texture is very grainy. Pea ham soup pureed is nice.

I'll be very honest here because you asked. I had extreme regrets the first night. The nausea was so bad, I couldn't relax, sleep and literally was thinking what have I done and wanted to die. I promise you all that every day after the other gets even better. I promise.

There has been minor regrets about food and WANTING to eat. And eat a lot. But that is all due to the addiction and wasn't because I was hungry. That has gone now.

Other regrets was not wearing Ted's as advised and forgetting to take the clexane religiously afterwards. I got chest pain 2 weeks after op and surgeon sent me for scans. I have a blood clot on my lung, and had to also do dvt tests. It was expensive $700, dangerous and could have been prevented. I wish someone had told me that.

Im wishing you all the best. In the long run, I know you won't regret it and the health and weighloss is worth it! I RAN with my dogs for the first time in years today! It's worth it!

Books, Who was your surgeon? And did you have your sleeve at Ipswich hospital? I live in Brisbane. Cheers, Donna.