Thank you everyone for your comments

Been a while since I've written something, but looking back on some old posts, I didn't realise how many comments I've had.....so a big thank you to all reading my little blog.

Not much has been happening weight wise.  Had an amazing 2 weeks in Hawaii and I think I may have lost about a kilo.  I forgot to weigh myself before I left.  Did a lot of walking, including a 6 mile hike over a volcano to view lava flow...AH-MAZING experience!  Also did a helicopter flight over the Big Island and snorkelled with manta rays.  First time snorkelling and I think I did pretty well, despite having to use a noodle to stay afloat as I needed a free hand for the camera LOL.

Food was a bit of a challenge at times, but I managed, ordering off the appetiser menu or on those few occasions, the kids menu.  What I didn't eat or drink (no alcohol), I was able to take with me in a take out container.  Can't do that here...stupid rules.  I was a bit naughtly and couldn't help myself with some treats, namely a nice big slice of Red Velvet Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.  Had a few mouthfuls when we got back to the room and about another half for breakfast the next day...so not healthy, but then it just got too sweet.  I've added this cheesecake to my "Must Replicate Dish", along with a few other items that I ate throughout the 2 weeks...which wasn't much really LOL.

So now I am trying to get back on track and lose these last 5kg to take me to my goal weight of 68kg.  I'm next seeing the surgeon for review in January, so fingers crossed I can get there.  If not, I'll be very disappointed in myself, as I have no one else to blame.

A few weeks ago I went to see a surgeon in Geelong with regards to a breast reduction/lift.  Quote was near $8000, covered by Medicare and PHI.  This week I'm seeing another surgeon with regards to an abdominoplasty or whatever else he can offer me.  I saw his nurse a few months ago for a free consult and she quoted me $10,000 (!!!).  Looks like Hawaii will be my last holiday for a loooooooooooooooooooong time.

Once I have more info with regards to the latter surgery, I shall post.

Until then....toodles!

A year ago today...

A year ago today, I made the post important decision of my life, to have weight loss surgery.  Some of you may already know this, some of you may have figured it out or some of you had no idea.

I have battled with my weight my entire life and tried many diets, my first one being at age 12, Jenny Craig.  Each diet came with just a bit of success.  The only one I really succeeded in was Sure Slim back in the mid 2000's.  With that one, I lost 25kg in a year and felt great.  Unfortunately that was short lived and I regained that weight...plus more.

In my late teens, I went and saw Prof Paul O'Brien to discuss lap band surgery, which I had seen on a current affairs program.  I went for the consult and never went back.  I was young and scared and chickened out.  In the mid 2000's, I went to see another Geelong surgeon to again discuss the band.  And again, I chickened out.

Fast forward to November 2011 and I saw another Geelong surgeon to discuss the lap band, except he suggested to me a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or the sleeve.  I really didn't fancy this option as it involves cutting away 2/3 of the stomach and it's gone forever.  I still wanted the band as cutting away stomach is so drastic...and permanent.  I went away to think about things and research more about the sleeve.  I only knew of one other person who had the sleeve, my friend in Perth.

In the meantime, I had to have a sleep study, even though I didn't commit to the surgery, as I didn't know I wanted to go ahead with it.  I also saw a nurse and dietician to discuss the procedure in more detail and to see if I was ready for surgery.

I went back to see the surgeon in February and booked a tentative date for March.  That rolled around but I still wasn't quite ready and cancelled that.  Went and saw my surgeon to just talk things over and I guess for him to reassure me, so once again I booked a new date for 26 June 2012.

And the rest they say, is history.

The surgery only took 1½ hours and it was uneventful and there were no leaks or other complications.

I spent 2 nights in hospital and was discharged home in no pain, well, the only bit of pain I had was from one of the port site wounds, the one from where my excess stomach was pulled out from...ouch.

For the first 2 weeks following surgery, I could only have liquids, so water, soups etc.  Initially I could only manage 2-3tbs of soup.  I was allowed to have water throughout the day to keep my fluids up.  It was a big adjustment, going from a massive meal to something so small as a few tbs at a time.  Some mouthfuls were very uncomfortable and I had pain.

The next 2 weeks was pureed food, the consistency of which could be sucked through a straw.  Then 2 weeks later, I was allowed soft foods before another 2 weeks before I could tolerate a normal diet.

Even to this day, it's still a learning curve.  There are a few rules to follow, which I sometimes break (hey, no one is perfect!).  The main one is food and drink...I can't do both.  I stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal then start drinking 30 minutes after a meal.  If I drink during the meal, it pushes the food through too easily and it'll make me eat more, something that I don't want to do.  My meal capacity is around ½ a cup.  Not much is it?

Now, the all important numbers.

I had to do Optifast for 2 weeks pre op.  My start weight was 128.1kg and in that 2 weeks, I managed to lose 4.6kg, making my start weight on the day of surgery 123.5kg.

As of yesterday, my weight was 75.9kg, a total loss in 12 months of 52.2kg.  I need to lose another 7.8kg to get to my goal weight of 68kg, which both my GP and my surgeon agree with this number.

So what now?  Going to see a dietician in the coming weeks to get some advice on how to stop losing weight.  I have a fair idea, but just want reassurance and to ensure I’m doing the right things.

Due to the rapid weight loss, I’ve developed quite a fair amount of excess skin, which I plan to have removed in June 2014, as my surgeon has recommended I wait a year before considering this.  I’m going to consult with a few plastic surgeons in Geelong just to get opinions on what can be done and how much it’ll cost me…apart from a lot.  Here’s hoping I win the Lotto…or rob a bank…or find a sugar daddy to fund this for me LOL.

So there you have it, my year.  Feel free to ask any questions.  I’ll try and answer them as best I can.

I’ll be adding some before photos as well as some progress photos in the coming days…stay tuned.

Had my almost one year check up today

Hey y'all!

So today I went to see Darrin for my almost one year check up.  On his scales, I have officially lost 50kg and said to him that I want to get to 68kg....so a 60kg loss and he was happy with that number.

He asked how I'm going food wise and I said have my good days and bad days, meaning some days I can eat more than others.  Everything is going down as it should and I don't have any vomits, just slight pain when I've overdone it.

He also examined my stomach and said that there was some 'jelly' there and I said that's why I wear these (Spanx) LOL.

Discussed removal of said excess skin and still told me to wait a year (ARGH torture) and also discussed which surgeons I should see and I told him of a few names and he agreed with me.  Didn't discuss exact procedures, but I'm definitely looking at a whole body lift, arms and boobs (the surgeon I want to see does good boobs according to him LOL, which is why I want to see her).

I see him again in January for the next check up.

Will post new photos when I've officially hit the one year mark on 26 June.

10 months post op today...and I've cracked the 80's!!!

Today marks 10 months post op.................AND I'VE CRACKED THE 80's!!!!. 79.5kg thankyouverymuch!!! Even though I did weigh myself on Tuesday and record that as my official weight, I also weigh myself on my sleevaversary date.

You have no idea how great I'm feeling to be rid of another 'decade', another one I will NEVER go back to.

48kg lost!!!! 80% to goal weight.

Just updated my weekly weight via My Fitness Pal and my ticker updated................48kg lost!

12kg to go and I'll be at my goal weight!!!  Hoping to hit this when is see my surgeon on 17 June, but my sleevaversary is actually 26 June.

And a welcome to my new follower/s :)

What I had done

This story featured on ACA on Friday.  Keith had the same procedure as I did and by the same surgeon, Mr Darrin Goodall-Wilson.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8641459

New Photos

OK so here are some pics of myself from the weekend.

NEVER in my life have I been able to wear a football jumper.

I was wearing size 14.

Borrowed from my SIL.

When I reach goal, I will buy my own.

 Top and below: With my sister.

Just a quickie update

Sorry for the delay in posts.  Haven't really been motivated to write and not sure if any one is actually reading about what I have to say, but if there is anyone out there....hello *waves*

I'm 9 months post op and 45kg down.

Feeling great.

The only thing that sucks right now is the excess skin.  You do not want to see me naked.  I don't even like looking at myself naked.  But I do, as I poke and prod and lift up the skin to see how it would look removed , well imagine it.

When I can be bothered and have time, I'll write more thoroughly.