Hi all Well It is 4 years today since my weighloss surgery. It has been an exciting but sometimes difficult jpourney, The first thing i found was the exercise was difficult the direhoea was difficult too, the identy crisis i went through was quite unexpected, I didn't know who that was in the mirror - I didnt think it would affect me but it was rather suprizing it was who is this person now and where do they fit in. Things changed as I got thinner people's attitude began to change towards me, before, the fatter I was the more invisable I was, and now,after loosing 176lbs (80kgs) its like i'm a person who deseverse some respect although I'm the same person and socity's attitude really sucks. it wasn't all plain sailing for me, but one thing was I was more prepared for wls than for the tummy tuck, but the tummy tuck was actually harder to get over. early this year I had a bowel obstruction this was as a result of the wls and the bowl hates to be interfared with, it was April when I was on life support and my blood went septic so its a wonder i'm still here, 3 other people i knew had this same problem after their wls surgery, they all passed away , Im not telling you this to scear you it is just a fact and it is a very brave and serious decision to have this surgery, my dr Has a very good reputation, but there is always risk. I had to have my bowel resectioned further down and now have something called short bowel syndrome, I can handles it but it make you rush to the toilet , depending on what I eat bread is best if Im going out because i know i wont embarrass myself. I have now only got enough bowel to cope without a bag luckely.My hair fell out but grew back much thincker. I would never taken this step litely and I know that any of you considering this is at the end of your rope as far as wl is I was on the verge of heart attact angina and diabeties and my blood pressure was so high that it was going to affect me really soon. I had to go to a cardologist. Now my pressure is just right i still taker the vitamins when I remember but my supply is usually ok withoput taking them. Since My episode in April I lost 10kgs (22lbs) and havn't managed to regain any of that although that is good for me the dr thinks i need to be a bit heaver but im not worried I like being a size 12 i still find it hard to believe, and it is increadble that I will not be fat again thats the thing I love most. It changed the self esteem i had and made me be able to cope with many other things in life but esentuall you are still the same person and you won't change everything. the love life has been alot better though I can eat about a bread and butter plate of stuff now,well actually I don't usally manage that much , and I have to eat every two hours because I am so totally hungry.Pasta is very filling too . I don't each many vegies now because they have too much roughage for the bowel problem. When I go out. I always have a drink before something to eat even now at this stage I have found that if I have a drink after eating I will still be sick - this is not the same for everyone though you will have to find out what is best for you.Also I just get the thing I would like the most I enjoy say like if there is a piece of sponge cake and a wrap there and i really want both I will only have the one i want the most like the sponge cake because thats all ill be able to fit in. If we have battered fish and chips I will only eat the fish no chips and also KFc i only buy one piece of kfc. If You ever have a really sore stomach that doesn't go away for more than half a hour go and see about it this was the warning signs for mre I kept getting a sore somach every few weeks and i enede up at the hospital a few times but they never discoverd what was wrong until i nearly died from it so if you ever get that dont hesitate to get it looked at I believe we have pain to tell us to do something about things, please never ignore it. Anyway I'd better sign off here if you want to ask me anything feel free [email protected]. or look at my profile on here it has got about my first surgery that was the lapband and all that went wrong.Also my tummy tuck. I am pleased I'm thin but its been a big journey to get there. Rachel Alexander

Hi Geoff, I have not had a sleeve gastrectomy but am considering having it done. My next consult with my surgeon is tomorrow. (I am in Adelaide) The Sleeve Gastrectomy forum on here is tremendously helpful, lots of people have huge amounts of detail in their profiles. There is also an FAQ site that I found very useful - http://www.beadbaker.com/VSG/index.html this was created and is maintained by a lady on the forum. Priincess Kath (I see she has posted here) also has had one done and is in Sydney. Good Luck with your decision, sorry to hear about the problems with your band. Q

Hi Lori My name is Kelly and congrats on your surgery date, mine is october 26 I live in Adelaide, South Australia and I am 37 with 3 children 13,14, & 17. Everyone hear was very sad about Steve Irwin's death. I would love to be your pen pal! Regards Kelly

Hi Carol! I'm from Perth. I'm scheduled to get banded on Oct 30 by Dr Stephen Watson. :cool:

:-S I would love to be in contact with any Perth members with the view to offering each other support,,I feel very alone and need to discuss and possibly meet up with fellow WLS newbies,,, Carol