Newbie from QLD

He is nice, I liked him instantly. He is a slight man with fine hands and a firm handshake. You would never guess he was a surgeon by the looks of him. HIs costs are very reasonable too, you will have to pay him upfront about 2,500, and then theres the anesthetist fees which vary. If you have private cover, no hospital fees. I go see him again on the 23rd and a dietitian to sort out pre op diet. Im looking forward to the end result. I have all the support of my family.

hi, any idea what the out of pocket will cost. What is dr Donovan like. thanks

Ive found another doctor in Nambour-Selangor Private Hospital called Dr M Donovan. I have an appointment to see him 26th March! I feel much better already taking this course. Ive been to this Hospital before and its a nice place and its only 2.5 hours drive from home. This way I can be taken to the hospital and picked up with ease and my follow up visits are within my limitations. YAY to the next step!

Ive sent an email to Dr Greenslopes, he does online /over phone consultations, so saves me a trip into Brisbane.

bluebags wrote:

By the way I think you could wear around size 16 maybe even 14 in better cut clothes if you were around 85 that has to be better then 22/24

More like 24-26 (and in one dress I bought a 26 and it was skin tight meant to be loose fit), Im keeping it though cos it will fit me one day!

thank you, Im still dubious about the lap band, in fact, Im almost certain its not the way to go. In fact, if I had the choice of lap band or bypass, Id go bypass, despite the risks!

I know the surgeons bedside manner is a bit brusque, his ability Im certain is excellent!

I will start a new thread asking about surgeons closer to me that do the surgery.

What are your views on the bypass? I am considering a proper bypass...????

Sorry just looked at my package from Dr and he stated that banding people loose around 50 to 60% excess fat and sleeve/bypass 70 to 80%. I am 108 and he estimated I should get to 71 I am thinking more like 65.

By the way I think you could wear around size 16 maybe even 14 in better cut clothes if you were around 85 that has to be better then 22/24

Tell him to punch it! Sounds like he has a one track mind lined to his pockets. Definitely get a second or third opinion, plenty of people on this forum from the pineapple state who can point you in the right direction.

My own personal experience was I was booked in for the band last year with a reputable doctor here in Sydney. We hit a speed bump with a federal funding issue and it was his way or the highway, he put his own financial interest before his patient welfare and that is one thing I will never forget.

I believe it was a blessing in disguise as I am much more happier with the end result.

Good Luck with it all

Cheers

Peter

I too am about to get the sleeve (prob April/May) done by Dr Talbot at St George Private Sydney. I thought about the band and realized it would not work for me I'd be slip sliding away till my hearts content. I don't want to fail and I think from my research it is a op that sets up people to do just that. I'm no hero and I am frightened out of my wits about the sleeve but I'm frightened not to have it for the longer term issues of obesity.

Its just a thought that yes this Dr you saw may not want to give you anything but the band and that locks you in the seeing him very regularly but if you have the sleeve with someone a bit further away maybe Sunshine Coast or even Brisbane rather them Harvey Bay area you don't need to see them very often after the initial checkups so the distance would not be such and issue. Post another thread to see the names of surgeons in those areas that others have had success with.

I agree with glenmaree get a second opinion especially if your not very happy with the recommendations you've been given. Yes he has years of knowledge but its Your body not his so it never hurts to double check w someone else. I really wish you all the best.

Omg my spelling was horrible.....hopely you get my drift....I am at work today and bloody customers keep coming in to talk to me...sorry about previous post :(

ritaz1964 wrote:

disappointed...... saw the specialist yesterday and he refused POINT BLANK to do a sleeve on me. He says the only way to go is with a band, explained the risks, etc... the usual spiel you get, totally has said it 100 times before.... bedside manner rather lacking, but dont judge his skill as a surgeon based on that.

Also said that amount of food I eat in any meal is exactly the same as the band, but I hear stuff about the band and how people constantly feel ill. Im concerned about the social aspect, Im concerned about feeling tired and cranky. I dont want to take two hours to eat half a cup of food!

He then said that whichever way I go the most I can expext to lose is 50kgs, so Ill be at around 80-85 mark after the required wiehgt loss time. So, still in the obese category....

Why would he paint such a horrible picture to me? I would have thought, whichever way I go, Id be able to get down to 70-75 kgs (even though 85 is still heaps better than 130).

Im in Hervey Bay area of qld and if I do the lap band, obviously you need the surgeon to be close for the adjustments..... so little choice!!!!

I am sooooo upset and I dont know which way to go. Doc told me to not listen to support forums and to listen to him he is the surgeon with the knowledge...

HELP!!!!



ps: at 85kgs.... what size clotheing is that, its been so long I cant dont even know if I can buy off the rack (not fatty clothes), and be happy there..... IM SOOOO BLOODY CONFUSED!

Same here honey...don't be depressed....just do so more research .....he sounds like an arrogrant pig to me.....My doc is fantastic her in Sydney, he would at St George Private and work very closly with overweigh people.....everyone I know that had the band, has to then get the sleeve after a while, plus they are sick all the time ect ect ect......can you come to Sydney to do your surgery....my doctor would help you I am sure.....sounds like your doctor lives in pre historic times to me....

Hi

My advice - get a second opinion or even a third if you need too. There are a lot of surgeons out there and all have their own view so just maybe his view is not what you need. here a lots of stories about the problems with bands on this forum so do some reading. The Doctor sounds quite arrogant - dismissing the experience of others for his "superiour" knowledge is just plain ego in my book. Good luck with the search - have a look at the tr=hread abut doctors, pm people if you want to know more and good luck

G

Will I even be able to wear clothes with a waistband and not feel sick in the guts.....

I NEED to do something and soon. I have the form for the ultrasound and blood test.... the money isnt even a real issue, its that Ive heard horror stories, but there are good outcomes too...ooohhhh...why is it so hard!!!

disappointed...... saw the specialist yesterday and he refused POINT BLANK to do a sleeve on me. He says the only way to go is with a band, explained the risks, etc... the usual spiel you get, totally has said it 100 times before.... bedside manner rather lacking, but dont judge his skill as a surgeon based on that.

Also said that amount of food I eat in any meal is exactly the same as the band, but I hear stuff about the band and how people constantly feel ill. Im concerned about the social aspect, Im concerned about feeling tired and cranky. I dont want to take two hours to eat half a cup of food!

He then said that whichever way I go the most I can expext to lose is 50kgs, so Ill be at around 80-85 mark after the required wiehgt loss time. So, still in the obese category....

Why would he paint such a horrible picture to me? I would have thought, whichever way I go, Id be able to get down to 70-75 kgs (even though 85 is still heaps better than 130).

Im in Hervey Bay area of qld and if I do the lap band, obviously you need the surgeon to be close for the adjustments..... so little choice!!!!

I am sooooo upset and I dont know which way to go. Doc told me to not listen to support forums and to listen to him he is the surgeon with the knowledge...

HELP!!!!



ps: at 85kgs.... what size clotheing is that, its been so long I cant dont even know if I can buy off the rack (not fatty clothes), and be happy there..... IM SOOOO BLOODY CONFUSED!

Hi there,

I am also a newbie from qld. My hubby and I are both getting sleeved within the next six mths. I have done sooooo much research on the sleeve that I am at the point of being researched out. We are still super keen for this experience and cannot wait to experience the new us... This is the best forum ever for finding out everything. Our appt with the surgeon is on March 5th.... Very excited



Good Luck

Hi Ritaz

I went into lots of research a couple of years ago, the band was the main option here then. Had my appt for surgeon and he retired. I read it wrong, as a sign, but honestly was scared outa my wits about the band. Continued to gain weight for two years (midlife/menopausal too) and knew after seeing a recent phot enough was enough. I am two weeks out and lost ten kilos since opti. I am really pleased I took this step....

I wish you all the very best! The forum is your support network...

Hello Ritza,

I am scared also, but I have decided that the gains are going to be well worth it.
I go an see my surgeon on the 4th of Feb and I can not wait for the real me to come out an shine.

After talking to a few people who have never had a weight issues so many of them have said "DO IT" and they are right. I don't want to have all the health problems that go with being over weight. And having yo-yo in my weight all my life now is my time to put me first and so something that will lead to a happier, healthy me. And I cant wait!

There is so much support here as well as so much information to answer the many questions that you will have.


I had the lap band and found that my body rejected it, almost from the moment it was put in. I lost a total of 9kgs with it, which was nothing really. And since having it out 3 years ago I have put on almost 15kg on top of the 9 I lost. I have read so many people stories having the same thing happen to them and then gone onto have the sleeve and said they wish they has done it sooner.

Never be afraid to ask a question or PM someone. We are all here to support each other.


Bec

ritaz1964 wrote:

Hello, I have my Gp referral and my first visit with the specialist is 8th February. I looked into the lap band a few years ago but it frightened the crap outta me! I am around the 130kg mark and sick of it... sick of not being able to play with my kids, sick of the clothing, sick of not being able to cut my toenails! Im also scared of the irreversible operation..... anyone else in the Bundaberg area using Dr DeLacey???



Rita

Hi Rita,

I know how scary is it...but I decided to do it this year because I keep putting it off.....and feel the same as you..I am 120....I just figure it could be worse that some weight related illness...my mother who was never overweight died as a result of being a diabetic so it just scares me.....

If you ever need a friend...just inbox me

My surgery is scheduled for March 20th 2013!! This time next year I will be THIN THIN THIN.....

Hello,

I'm in the same boat as you. I've got my referral and see the surgeon on the 5 march. I'm not to worried about the stomach tissue loss but dealing w the head stuff. like the ppl that say I'm to skinny! I've lost weight in the past and because I have a high set cheek bones and narrow face and I loose weight in the face quite a bit they tell me I need to stop loosing weight! That really worries me, I get discouraged pretty easy cos of my weight and this is why I've decided to go in this direction. Then ...oh I could go on but I'm still going to get it done if the surgeon will do it nothing is going to stop me bar the surgeon saying "No."

I wish you all the best and please keep us posted with your progress. It's exciting!

Hello, I have my Gp referral and my first visit with the specialist is 8th February. I looked into the lap band a few years ago but it frightened the crap outta me! I am around the 130kg mark and sick of it... sick of not being able to play with my kids, sick of the clothing, sick of not being able to cut my toenails! Im also scared of the irreversible operation..... anyone else in the Bundaberg area using Dr DeLacey???



Rita