Newbie in Brisbane

Thanks All, I went to a support group meeting last night by Phil and Shirley Lockie.  It seems a great team environment and everyone was singing their praises.  It was also good to see that it was a no BS environment also.  These guys really seem to believe in what they are doing which is refreshing to see. Most of their ops are at the North West Private or St Andrews.

I will head down to the free info session for Dr Adib and then make a call

Hi,

I'm also going with Dr Adib, The Wesley and WLSA, but my surgery is on the 11th Feb. I am VERY impressed by the support post surgery.

I went to the last seminar they had and found it very informative. All my appts with the psychologist, nurse, dietitian and surgeon were last week. Found out that the dietitian actually works for the same company I work for also... so I can harass her while at work also hehe! We had a good chin wag about it!

Good luck!
Carissa

Dr Adib is my surgeon. I'll be having my surgery at The Wesley. Im going through weightloss solutions Australia. They cost a bit but have been impressed with their support so far. They have a free info night coming up on 8th dec. their clinic is down the coast at varsity lakes. I registered to attend via webinar so I didn't have to travel down the coast. 
Hope that helps apom

This sounds like a good way to go.  Luckily my family is not close so its only some very close friends that I am happy to share with.  If they are true friends they don't care how you get it done, just happy you are doing something to help yourself.  

Can I ask who you are seeing in Brisbane?  I am just looking into it at present and yet to make a final decision

YThanks for sharing your journey. Part of me wants to be a secret sleever and the other part of me wants to shout it from the roof top and be proud that I have made this choice. 
Still navigating this. Still finding it a bit tricky. I'm terrible with secrets     
I really don't want to lie either. My psychologist suggested not saying anything till after the fact. By then they can't talk you out of it. My mum was great. She was a bit worried at first and wished I didn't have to do this but when she heard where I was coming from and that I am at peace with my choice she wholeheartedly accepted it. I love my mum, she is so awesome. I'm glad I told her and it went well. MIL on the other hand... Well I REALLY do not want to talk to her about it. I just feel I can't have it both ways. Tell some and not others (as in close family and friends)
Anyway, congrats on your progress. Looka like you are doing really well.

Hi grace, I'm a secret sleever for the very same reasons you expressed and MIL is the biggest issue I had as well. I,m 5 months out and have remained a secret sleever as I knew I could not handle all the toxic garbage if I disclosed. Only my best freind, husband and four daughters know. 
I have not been untruthful at all. Many people gasp at my transformation and whisper they want to know my secret, how much weight I,Ve lost (Which I find a bit rude) but I just confidently tell them I'm on the optifast programme through my dr and a dietician -which a lot of people now have seen ads on tv. If they want a bit more info I just say I'm basically paleo as very low carbs, no sugars no bread, rice or pasta and that's were they loose interest as a lot of people won't give up those things. If they try to get me to eat things I'm not eating I remind them I,m accountable to my dr and dietician so am strictly adhering to it this time. They seem to loose interest after that. Keep the same story up all along and don't tell anyone and you will feel so empowered.
As my surgeon said you are doing it yourself with food choices - the sleeve is just a tool to help so I haven't felt guilty. All the negativity if I had have disclosed would have sabotaged and stressed me out and that is part now of my old life as food and chocolate helped me cope with the toxic comments and people.
Collaborate your story with the loved ones you tell. my MIL got my daughter and husband out on a special lunch date when I went away for a 5 day break and grilled them why was I all of a sudden loosing so much weight. She tried to ask was I doing this or that but my daughter and husband just briefly said I was doing very low carbs.
she later told some one that she can't understand how or why I have lost all this weight even though I had right from the beginning I had told her I was doing low carb diet through my dr for my health......... she can keep on guessing because she will never find out I have a secret freind.
This is my journey and I'm now eating all foods just choosing what I eat and the small amount is not questioned at all.
I know some have had to say they have been unwell, had gastro or just avoid some gatherings to stay secretly sleeved. Xmas is a hard one. I chose winter time and the time I got sleeved carefully so I wouldn't not have contact with family and freinds until I was food ready and could just merge into the situation with out being noticed that I was eating differently.
You could eat beforehand and then say you were still off in tummy and stick to clear fluids. My specialist advises that if you want to divulge surgery but not the sleeve a hiatus hernia repair has same diet restrictions and operation  so that could be a cover as well.
All I can say I feel I have totally made the right choice as there are to many gossipers and negative people out to bring me to my knees and make me put on my protective fat suit again. It's a very personal decision. Take the good comments for all the hard work you will do and don,t take on the negative - this is a new chance to be happy and enjoy the journey. 
I tell them it's been six months of hard work and then they shut down.
You can do it for you, it's no one else's business really how you achieve success
All the best what ever you choose to divulge but remember you can't take secrets back you need to be clear now how you will confidently deal with it - that will give you the power.
:onguard:Joybells

Hey GraceRose! I know where you're coming from re. coming up with excuses. My surgery is December 8 so I started Opti on Monday, and was worrying how to avoid questions about not eating at a big christening gathering on Saturday. Fortunately for me, the event has been postponed, but I'll still have to find a way to get out of the usual pre-Chrissy gatherings. Thankfully Christmas day this year is just us and the children here on the farm, so I can take things at my own pace. I'm really looking forward to going to see one of my favourite musos on December 20, so am hoping that 12 days post-sleeve isn't aiming for too much. Sorry I have no suggestions for helping you deal with the M.I.L...I'll be eagerly watching for answers to this question as well!

Hi All,

I'm booked for surgery 23rd Dec. feeling a little lonely. Haven't told anyone really. I have a great supportive husband though. 
I have some very judgemental and toxic people in my life, unfortunately they are family and I can't get rid of them ;)
We will have to start dealing with the "why aren't you coming to Christmas" questions soon. I have a MIL that will not be satisfied with bare minimum answers and will probably be the most critical. 
Any pointers on how to deal with this?
I'm more anxious about the people/relationships side of this than I am the physical.