Perth Newbie - Just starting to get things rolling

Only my husband knows about my band. My sisters and mum, no way. Work mates? Nope. I dont want to be gossiped about and I also hate the idea of people watching what Im eating during my meal breaks at work. I would never tell my manger/boss either. I needed time off so used annual leave. I think the best thing for anyone to do if they are going to use sick leave from work is to ask your GP to give you a medical certificate rather than ask the specialist who does the wls. GP can just write "unwell due to medical condition" or something similar to that.



Bands can fail even sleeving can fail. That is the main reason why I chose to keep my wls private. Just my opinion of course, cheers.

hey there
I only told three people,my hubby,one work college and my PT.
Basically I am going by "I dont have to justify my decisions to anyone" full stop.
To get around the questions I just say that I am having a hernia repaired ,which was true by the way ,done at the same time .
It just made me uncomfortable to have to say what i was having done.
Funnily enough a couple of people who had bands that I did some research with said that they would like to sleeve now

I have a date!!! Saw my surgeon yesterday and I am booked in for 8th November. Couldn't believe it is only 4 weeks away, was expecting it to be a few months at least.

Starting to believe that its finally going to happen.

Also had to tell my boss yesterday which was awkward but he understood and is fine with the 2 weeks off.

Yay!!!!!

Hi Louise

I am hoping to have the sleeve done soon (I was also booked last year but had to postpone) but have previously had a band and my surgeon is dr armstrong too (he put the band in and out and was going to do my sleeve op last year before I had to postpone it). He is absolutely fantastic and I would recommend him 200% and I did briefly think of booking with someone else for the sleeve because i had moved and with 2 little kids and a shift working husband its hard to get to and from perth for appts, but it was a very brief thought because I couldnt think of having it done by anyone else. I trust him completely.

He is just a delight really. I was nervous seeing him a few times but he instantly put me at ease and he just seems to get it. Most of all he listens. He is thorough and professional and just a nice guy as well.

Im going to be ringing for an appt tomorrow but need to get a new referral too. Last time I went to see him about the sleeve I had to get a new referral then as well and had the worst GP ever. He was so ignorant to the whole thing and gave me such a lecture but then as I was walking out the door he stopped me, pointed to my referral and said "that! That is the easy way out!" Can you believe it. I told him no its not and niether was the band. I still left with my referral as as far as I know they cant refuse to refer you to anyone you want to see, but I cired the whole way home. He made me feel so rubbish about myself. Jerk. I just dont get it why are some dr's like that. They are meant to be professionals for god sake, it shouldnt matter their opinion. Anyway I will be going to a dif dr this time thats for sure.

Also, I told no one about my band except for my hubby and it will be the same for the sleeve. My parents will not understand and I dont feel the need for everyone to know because some people are just too judgemental. Theres people that just dont get it and like that referring GP I had, they believe you are taking the easy way out. I do have one friend this time round actually that knows I'm doing it but its because she had just had it done too, so it does help to have that extra person to talk to. But its up to you who you want to tell or not. Tell who you feel comfortable telling.

Oh and I have never needed to do Optifast. Not with my band or when I was booked for the sleeve last year I didnt need to either. Dr Armstrong will get you to do blood tests and one will show if you have a fatty liver, which I luckily never had both times, so i didnt need to do it.

Good luck and keep us posted on your journey xx

Hi

My mother was initially against the idea so I took her with me to my surgeons information evening and to my appointment (I will be sleeved on 6th October). Now she is incredibly supportive (and I think a little jealous) of the opportunity to lose weight that sleeving provides.

Good luck on your journey.

HI Louise,
i am newly sleeved and only told my parents and husband what i was doing. My parents were very supportive... worried but understanding... Husband has been fantastic.

My reason for keeping it quiet is really because i didn't want to explain it again and again to others that heard on the grapevine or other. It is my experience and if i am asked how i am doing it i will simply respond with portion control and exercise.
Which is basically what a smaller tummy gives you! SO no-one else knows. I may tell my sister but she is currently abroad... it is not something i feel others need to be concerned about.
told my children i was having a gastric problem fixed.

Good Luck with you appointment. and will look forward to following your journey..

I'm the first to admit that I cannot keep a secret - and surgery for me was no different! Anyone who cared to listed I told. I think in an odd way it was a part of my 'coping strategy'. Who you tell (or don't tell for that matter) is such a personal choice that no-one else can really offer advice. In my experience, most of my friends and family where very supportive. Those that came across as a little negative were usually just concerned for my well-being. It's a scary thought, and especially because this is something that isn't as widely known about as other procedures. I tended to start the conversation with the negatives of banding, and by the time I got around the the sleeve everyone was so relieved I was avoiding the many and varied potential complications of banded life they were very supportive!

One thing I do know for certain, the support and love my friends and family showed me during the time of my surgery was more important to me than gold. I couldn't imagine having snuck in to hospital without being honest and open, and I'm personally glad I did it the way I did.

Hi Louise

Like you I am just at the first step - about to see the surgeon for the first time next week. Apart from hubby I have told my sister and 3 of my closest friends, all of whom have been supportive. I might not tell anyone else. I work at a big place and can't bear the thought of my surgery being the top gossip. I'm hoping that my surgeon will be able to fit me in during the next school holidays so I can take leave to "spend time with the kids" !!

I agree with the previous poster - we have to live our struggle for all to see but it doesn't mean we have to share our solution, expecially when some people will judge us again, thinking that it is the 'easy way out'.

Good luck with your journey, on your terms!

Ffion

Hi Alaskybarney,

Like you, I have my reasons for keeping this decision to myself.

My surgeon suggested I tell my family I was having a hiatus hernia repair.



W.

Hi Louise,

Only tell the people you feel comfortable telling - I chose to only tell my Mum, husband and one close friend. My family are very judgemental - my Dad would say, "you just need to eat less" or "stop eating rubbish and you'll lose weight". No-one understand the torture of obesity and the constant gnawing feelings you get. It's a double edged sword - you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

What I mean is - if you give in to the cravings (and let's face it - who has the willpower to fight it EVERY day of your life) then you put on weight, if you don't give in you're in agony day in, day out. Regardless of your choice - life is hell when you're overweight.

I'm only 4 weeks post op (1 month today) and I'm feeling amazing! I still haven't told anyone else and I doubt I ever will. It's none of their business. Your weight is your issue and no-one elses unless you choose to share it with them. Personally I treat it as my own private treat - I can feel & see the difference in my body, and I don't care if no-one else does.

Plus - I don't want anyone watching & judging. I've had enough of judgemental attitudes to last me a lifetime. You get judged by strangers every day of your life - being overweight is like wearing a HUGE badge that says, "Look at me - I can't control what I eat" or "I eat a truckload of food everyday". Society and general medicine have yet to educate the public on the truth behind obesity, and that it's a recognised medical condition that afflicts a large proportion of the population. With most other medical conditions, you can remain 'anonymous' - ie: if you have HIV, Ciliac, Diabetes, Hepatitis etc - you don't wear a sign on your forehead that informs the WHOLE WORLD! Obesity is such a public (and humiliating) condition - I can truly understand why you're reluctant to tell people.

At the end of the day, your the one who has to live with it - no-one else. Tell those whose support you will need, and not those who will watch & judge.

And most of all - know you are surrounded by people who understand your dilemna and support you - even if it is from a distance!

Hi Everyone



Sorry but I have another question. I am now struggling with how to tell and who to tell in terms of having this done. I have already mentioned it to 3 of my closest friends, 2 were really good and could understand where I was coming from, the other one initially was a bit against it as it is major surgery but after asking why I wanted to take this path she came around to the idea.



My issue is telling my parents and family. My parents will be completely against it. I have sort of put a hint to my mum saying that my gp has referred to my surgeon as he has dieticians etc that work with him. But when I mentioned that he does WLS, she got all concerned and worried that I would go in for surgery and have 'half my stomach removed' - didn't tell her they actually take more than half.



How did people bring this up with their direct family? Its not like you can hide the fact as they know you too well and will guess somethign has changed?



Thanks in advance

Louise

Hey Kristy,

I have sent you a long PM....grab a cuppa before you sit down to read!!

Love Cath x

Hi Ladies,
I was Banded 4 years ago in Perth and am thinking of getting it out and haveing the sleeve done.
To the ladies who have had their bands out and are now trying the sleeve I would be so very very greatfull for the reason why it didnt work for them and how the sleeve is better?
Good luck to everyone here I know how much better I feel now even though I am still so far from goal!

Kristy

Thanks LittleMissCee.

Appointment done, got a nice lecture on losing weight is as simple as a low GI diet and exercise. Sat there and said all the right things and walked out with the referral so I got there eventually. He did congratulate me on asking for help by the end though so maybe I got through to him. He did say he wants to see me every 3 months to keep an update on how I am going - is this normal??

Anyway I am booked now to see my surgeon on 4th October (figured I might as well book today and get it started). Am feeling a range of emotions that seems to be normal based on what others have said, nervous one minute and then excited the next. Hubby is being very supportive which is a big help.

Thanks everyone
Louise

Hi Louise!

Good luck with your doctors appt today - that was probably the easiest part of my journey! I hope your appt goes smoothly & you have an appt booked with a surgeon in no time.

Good luck! xx

Hi Louise,



All of the best for getting your referall today! I definately do not recommend the band, for I'm getting mine removed in nearly 2.5 weeks.



Let us know how it goes!



Love your display picture by the way!! Oh so cute!!



Emma :)

I had a Malamute once, a Wolf Grey.

Lovely animal, his name was Ki'iva which meant 'Come' in Eskimo or something!

He got cancer at the age of 3 :(

Now I have Australian Bulldogs! :P

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all the positive comments and support. I go to see my doctor today to get my referral (won't be leaving without one) and then I will contact the surgeon's office.

Thanks again
Louise

PS - My pic is one of my 4 pups - all alaskan malamutes - they're one reason I want this - their my version of 'kids'.

Hi Alaskybarney,

Good luck on your decision....I am 7 weeks post op, down 19kgs, feeling great and best of all NO hunger. Best decision I ever made!

If that is a picture of your puppy dog....I want one! So cute!

Love Cath x

I went and saw Jon Armstrong on the 17th of June and that day he scheduled me in for surgery on the 4th of July.

Due to my PHI dicking around, I paid for my surgery and am still fighting with PHI (it was a payroll issue as well, don't even get me started on THOSE losers) It has been the best 14k I have ever spent!

I am not quite 2 months out and am down 20kg in total (I lost 3kg on opti in two weeks)

It has been a life change for me, I don't want to minimize my chances at successful loss, so I am really good about what is going into my body (with the odd bit of booze and Freddo frog ;) )

Get your referral, mine was a simple matter of seeing my GP (a new one as the old one had left), her reviewing my notes and writing the letter.

If you haven't chosen a surgeon, I couldn't recommend Jon Armstrong enough and there are many on here that feel the same way!

Hi Louise. I am getting my sleeve done by Dr Armstrong on 20 September - he is fabulous! I saw him late July and then made the appointment for the surgery. It might have been sooner but he is on holidays at the moment. I got a referreal from my doctor ( if you don't have one just go to your medical centre and explain your history with weight loss) as gottarhyme advised and then made an appointment to see him. Once you have a chat with him you can decide whether it is the right thing for you to do.

Dr Armstrong does want you to do opti for about 2 weeks before your op - depending on your weight how long you need to do it for. The reason that the opti is done before the surgery is that mose obese people have a fatty liver and the opti will help this. The liver needs to be 'lifted' out of the way during the surgery so that the surgeon can get to the stomach, and the smaller the liver the easier the operation - this is my understanding anyway and please correct me if I am wrong.

I hated opti when I had attempted it before but I know this time I have an end result that I need to achieve and I know I will achieve it!

If you have any further !'s please feel free to ask. Good luck!

Do you have a Doctor's referral?

If you don't, do what I did...go to a Doctor, tell them everything, tell them about your struggle, your fears that you might die, etc etc...Ask for blood tests and a referral all at once. Tell them what you have researched, and all about the diets you have tried and failed.

Quite simply,DEMAND a referral! It is your health, and your decision.

Hi Trish



Thanks for the info. I am looking at Dr Armstrong. My friend at work used him and there is a lot of positive remarks on here about him so I feel comfortable with everything I've read about him.



Louise

Hi Louise,

I'm about to get my sleeve done in Perth on September 21st so very new to it all too. Welcome to the forums they certainly are a wealth of knowledge. In terms of how long it takes from the appointment it really depends on the surgeon. My surgeon (Dr Padovan) pretty much had the appointment July and being sleeved September so about two months which is really quick. I also don't have to do any opti or anything like that just 24hrs before surgery have to be on liquids but again doesnt have to be opti. Which surgeon are you looking at? Anyways good luck on your journey look forward to see how you go.



Trish

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