l had the sleeve done 12 months ago and have lost 40 kilos so far. just follow the rules and make heathy food choices it is a tool you never feel hungry. well l dont try excersise well you lose the weight.dont skip the stages of introcducing new foods because you can make your self realy sick.

G'day ppls I'm new here but I am hoping I can get some feedback from those who have gone through the experience I am about to. As per the title of this post I am due to have a gastric sleeving done next week on Thursday 28th. It's being done at the Austin and to date I think they've only done 1 or 2 of these surgeries before. It's going to be done laporoscopically which I think is a real added bonus. About myself, I'm a 33 yr old male, I hit 300kgs last year around September and thought I was going to die. I've struggled with being overweight all my life. I have the usual things wrong externally.. sleep apnea, the fat, and I have lymphodema but internally I'm in A1 shape as I don't drink or smoke, etc, and up til a few years ago led a fairly active life. I started on Optifast as recommended by Professor Joe Poiretta (I think that was through the Austin, but he has his clinic days at the Heidelberg Repat) and over the last 6 months approx I have lost 60kgs. I feel tons better, but I'm still 239kgs and vastly overweight, so we have been planning to do surgery. I chose the sleeving as it would be the best way of helping me to get rid of the most excess weight, plus it's non-reversable. I don't want to ever have my weight get back to what it was before. Ever. Anyway, someone dropped out of surgery next week so they've scheduled me in. Striking while the iron is hot as it were and my weight is still on the downfall. Needless to say I'm a little apprehensive, not about the surgery as I am certain that they are more than capable at the Austin... my surgeon Ian Michelle seems more than capable and the other staff have been fantastic for the most part. I am more apprehensive about afterwards. Limitations. Problems that can occur. I just want to try prepare myself mentally in the next few days before surgery for the battle I have still facing me. I realise that this surgery isn't the be all end all, that is is just a tool. That is also why I wanted to know how many of you have used your 'tools' to your best advantage. Things that I should watch for or NOT do. Things I should do, or try. That sort of thing. Thanks for any responses :)

Hi Jenny I'm feeling really great after my surgery. Its only been a week but I do feel good. So far so good..... I am managing to eat pretty much everything as long as its pureed or mashed and havent had any problems with food coming back up. I too am suffering with gas as I burp alot after eating and drinking. I thought maybe this was because I was eating and drinking too fast. I am trying to slow down the process to see if this makes things any better. One of the nurses at the hospital where I had my operation also had the sleeve done about 5 months ago and she had lost 35kg. She also suffered with hair loss and warned me to try and make sure I eat enough protein. So thats what I'm trying to do. I'm also going to try my first glass of wine next weekend as my doctor said I should wait about a week (so I'm going to wait 2 weeks) and my first glass I would imagine will be heaven (at least I hope so). I know its early days for me yet but I can only hope that my journey continues on this smoothly. So far my weight loss is 10kg (I've lost 4kg in a week since the surgery). I will try and keep you posted on my progress. Cheers Kim

Hi Kim, Sorry I have not checked my emails for awhile. How are you after your surgery? I hope you are going ok with the big changes. I am now 91.3 down 28.2 kgs since the op. That is really great and I look and feel really well....but and there is a but. I have issues with gas still, not as much as in the start, but I do burp alot after I eat and drink. Also I don't get enough protein each day, I really struggle with this and my hair has started to fall out because of this. Not noticeable to anyone but me But it is coming out alot in the shower. I also miss eating normally... and having to put alot more effort in deciding what to cook for dinner as I eat different meals most of the time still. Any way my doctor keeps telling me at the 6 month period everything seems to magically go back to normal and all of my side effects should go away. I look forward to that time and hope they do and I am not an exception as I really just want to enjoy my weightloss and not feel sorry for myself for maybe making a rash decision. I will try and keep in touch with you to see how your journey goes. Good luck Jenny

Hey My name is craig i had VSG with Dr France on 11/10/07 i have lost a total of 70kgs to date which i am extremely happy with i would like to come to the next meeting to meet everyone past current and future patients hope everyone is well and look forward to hearing more great sucess stories like mine regards Craig