Hi everyone I have not been here in so long I thought I would come and say hi.

I am trying to attach pictures but I have no idea if its working so if it does it is one taken less than 12 months ago (cant believe its really me) and then one I took today in my office

Thats me today think I have iot right now.

hi nat36

wow you look great well done

Congratulations...you look great.....

Awesome work Nat!

Hi nat,

haven't seen you in ages! You look great!

I see you're still losing despite getting to goal. I hope I do as well as you!

Thanks Lellow and Emma. You both are doing really well too. I was thinking today Emma it was today this time last year that I started on the dreaded Optifast and exactly 2 weeks til the big day, time has gone so fast.

Lellow tell me more about the body lift surgery, how did you start the process? that is my next move ut I dont really know where to start.

Nat,

I actually asked Steve Watson who he'd recommend, and he said Dr Bruce Allbrook. So I got a referral from my GP, called Dr Allbrook's rooms and made an appt for the 21st of Jan. I was about 73kgs by the time I went to see him (3kgs off goal).

Dr Allbrook said he was happy for me to have the surgery as soon as I was ready, so I booked myself in for the 2nd of April at that first appt!

That's basically the short story, but I have to say he was really nice, seemed to know what he was doing, and Steve's recommending him made me feel a lot better about deciding to go with him!

Thanks for that Lellow. The last time I seen Dr Watson I asked him for some names and he said he would post them but he must have forgotten so I might just make some enquiries with this guy. My big question is how much? if you dont mind answering.

He quoted me for a TT and a body lift, and the TT was about $8k and the body lift (with vertical incision and body contouring) was $16000.

His fees include the compression garment and 6 weeks of aftercare, and he said if i needed revision, he would make sure the cost would stay similar to the medicare rebate so it wouldn't cost me too much out of pocket (if anything). He also gave me item numbers for some of the procedures he's doing, so Medicare is rebating me about $2000 on his fees.

The anaesthetists will cost me a maximum of $3500 (based on an 8 hours surgery, but if it takes less time, he will charge me less), of which half is rebatable by Medicare. My hospital fees will be covered by HBF because of the item numbers that were provided. Autologous fees are covered by medicare too.

So altogether, after rebates, I'll be out of pocket about $16000k for everything.

I decided on the body lift based on his recommendations. I figured if I was going to go ahead with surgery anyway, then I wanted to shoot for the best result I could have.

Thanks for that Lellow. Looks like I better stop buying clothes and start saving!!!!! Im quite happy with myself dressed its just whats underneath that could scare little children LOL

Just wanted to say that you look amazing Nat! I am getting the surgery in about 10 weeks (and counting...), so your pictures are really inspiring.

Thanks Tully, I feel pretty dam good right now. My life has really opened up because Im not wondering if Im too big to participate anymore. Next week I am going to a fancy dress birthday party, the old me would have said what a stupid idea fancy dress was and not dressed up (mainly because I probably wouldnt have found a costume that fits), the new me is very excited to be going as a naughty nurse. Mind you I have stepped up the exercise a little just to make sure that it fits properly LOL.

Good luck with your surgery it is the best thing you can do and worth the wait.