This is such a wonderful gift we have given ourselves.

Some useful tips I have from my journey; Take lots of before photos dressed, and in undies, different angles. Take your measurements; neck, bust, arms, thighs, waist, hips and bum! I do this every month on the anniversary of the op. I used a program called PERFECT DIET TRACKER where I could map my progress on a chart, it's really easy to use. I kept my favourite shorts and top and took photos of my progress wearing these when I could.
At the end, I had a pic of me standing with both my legs in ONE LEG of those shorts!!! I've seen this done in advertisements but thought that they were models in big clothes - now I've done it myself. Check out my photos.

I took a photo of my 'last big meal' and one of my 'first tiny plate' of real food with my hand next to the plate to give you an idea of how small the serving was.

Doing all of this really made the journey fun and the time went really FAST. I lost the majority of my weight in 8mths! I've since had a hard covered book made of all my photos (yes including the ones in the undies) of my journey. Friends I show, are just amazed at the difference. There's a printed copy of the Perfect Diet Tracker progress page in the book from start to finish.


My psychologist told me about the Ghrelin hormone we all have. When we are sleeved, this hormone is removed - BUT it does grow back within 6mths at a smaller capacity. Without knowing about this hormone, I found that I didn't crave for the bad foods I used to eat. I'd look at it and not have any interest in that type of food at all. When I went for my workshop session with the Psych and Dietician, that's when I found out about "Ghrelin"

The following is an excerpt from a website about the hormone:

http://www.raysahelian.com/ghrelin.html

"Ghrelin is produced in the gut and triggers the brain to promote eating. Protein in diet suppresses Ghrelin
Diets high in protein are a good way to keep hunger in check. Protein in the diet is effective at keeping Ghrelin in check, while carbohydrates and fats don't work that well. Suppression of Ghrelin is a way to lose appetite. Fats suppress Ghrelin quite poorly. Proteins suppress Ghrelin quite well. Carbohydrates suppress Ghrelin well at first, but levels rebound later, rising to an even higher level. Carbohydrates eventually make people even hungrier than before they had eaten."

So when I read about other sleevers who ‘crave’ for chocolate etc etc within weeks after surgery, I find it hard to believe and feel they need to refocus on why they took this journey and to make the most of the first 6mths. I do like my ice cream and chocolate and I do have it occasionally – which is fine. I certainly don’t eat the volume I used to eat and I do make it a special treat when I do have it. I did experience stalls along the way. It was explained to me in this way. It's like going down a stairway. You get so far down and you have to stop and rest, then you get going again, stop and have a rest and go again. Measuring yourself is good here because even though you think your not losing, seeing your measurements change, is very encouraging.

Now on the 11th March 2013 I'm having a full tummy tuck and this will be another book - for selected viewings only. My surgeon is willing to take lots of HAPPY SNAPS of my procedure and the SKIN that's removed and weighed. Sounds a bit off I know, but you only get one crack at this so I'm making the most of it and these books serve a reminder, not to go off the rails.

In saying that, I have a close friend who had the sleeve 3yrs ago and has now regained all her lost weight! I distinctly remember her saying to me " Gee Shaz, you can eat anything you like", Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Even though we have had surgery to help us, we still need to do the hard yards and eat differently and change our mindset. I feel so sad for her as she did so well in the beginning. I know she’s not been in a happy place for such a long time and I hope that in the not too distant future, things will change for her. When I caught up with her long after her surgery, I couldn’t believe it was the same person. As much as I was so happy for her, I was feeling even more depressed/jealous/envious and wished it was me.

2010 - was the year I decided I’d had enough of being overweight and something needed to be done. I went to my GP, she agreed and referred my to a specialist. Months later I eventually got the courage to ring and make an appointment. The person I spoke to was lovely and very helpful. Before I got to make the appointment she told me approx. how much this surgery would cost. Devastated, I hung up the phone, NO APPOINTMENT, and I burst into tears.

2011 - I had another GP appointment, I mentioned I would eat a large meal and within 20mins I would feel like I hadn’t eaten and I was really hungry.
Dr asked about her previous referral and I told her what happened. This time she referred me to a different Dr. I made the call and an appointment. By the end of 2011 I had a surgery date – I was so excited. My thoughts were, I’m going to make my Surgeon proud and follow the program to the letter!!!!

I was sleeved on 30th January, 2012 by Dr Layani - Weighloss Solutions Australia at Tugun Private Hospital QLD.

I purchased the Perfect Diet Tracker program
(www.perfect-diet-tracker.com) to be able to visually see my progress from month to month. Measuring myself was really helpful as sometimes you may not have lost much weight but your measurements have changed. You can modify the program as I did (I added the BUM) as I felt I needed to 'capture' it's progress!
I also took photos of the bathroom scales reading as I knew I wouldn't be there EVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE! and I needed visual proof, that I was really that big.

I had kept clothes from my younger days that I really loved and hoped that one day I'd fit into them again - we're talking 20yrs! When I finally fitted into them again, they were out of fashion and were 'too young' for me to wear! Such a shame, I really loved them. So I gave them away. One outfit didn't date, so I had a dressmaker alter it and it's wearable and I just love it - again.

My weight has stabilised after only 8mths. It hasn’t changed for 5mths now and I feel this is the end of my weight loss journey. So goodbye 114.7kg (252.34lbs) I know we will NEVER meet again, don’t bother finding me either!

Last year my husband was advised by his doctor that he needed to lose weight as well, and wanted him to participate in controlled classes at our local gym, so I decided to go with him (about 1mth after surgery) on this adventure which has helped him to lose 12kgs.

Joining our local gym (that's really big for me!) helped get my fitness under control. I really hate exercising but I persevered and I go 5 days a week. I'm learning to 'run' on the treadmill and have since bought my daughters treadmill to add to our little home gym. We've made lots of new friends, and also got to participate in our local 'Tour De Tambourine (We live on Tambourine Mountain) - instead of Tour De France ha ha

We did the 5k walk in just under 1hr so my hubby and I were happy with that. We were quite surprised we did it too and are now looking forward to this years and maybe a longer walk.

A few months after my surgery, my daughter was married and I had lost 20 kilos (44lbs) by that stage, and I was extremely happy that I could buy a dress for the wedding. I haven't worn dresses since 1996. That dress has also had alterations by my dressmaker and looks even lovelier now.

A few days after the wedding we headed North to tropical Queensland for 4mths in our caravan. A short walking distance from the caravan park was the local op shop. As I lost more weight, I donated my old clothes and purchased some new smaller size clothes. All clothes were selling for just $1. I found some great brands and came home with heaps of 'new' clothes to wear. We also helped the local Lions Club during our stay and got involved with the locals over 50's fun and fitness centre (shed) which was open 2 days a week. I was able to keep up my gym workouts and once I got back to the caravan park a friend and I ran a little fitness group at the park which we ran everyday for 1hr.
We went for walks most days and kept ourselves busy with fishing, socialising and shopping. In the 4 1/2mths we were away, I kept losing my weight. I did take our bathroom scales with us just so I could keep an eye on my progress while away.

I found a local boutique and got friendly with the owner. I couldn't buy anything as I didn't want to waste good money on new clothes only to find down the track I've lost more weight and they wouldn't fit, so I just had to settle with WINDOW SHOPPING at that stage. At the end of our stay, I caved in and bought some NEW CLOTHES from her just before we left to come home. She said she needed help with the shop and I volunteered my services, which she was quite happy to take me up on for this years trip (4th May). She pays you with CLOTHES instead of $$$$ so I'm really happy about that and can't wait to get there now.

With my husband being very encouraging and supportive of me, it’s given us both a new lease on life and hopefully a much longer life. Our bedroom is now a hype of activity, and we no longer suffer from aches and pains like we used to. So we actively pursue this intimacy – frequently.

THANK YOU:

Firstly, a huge thank you to Weight Loss Solutions - Tugun Qld. Your support, encouragement, morning teas/social events, facebook, emails and group sessions have all contributed my success. A personal THANK YOU to Dr Layani, such a skilled surgeon. I told you when we first met, that I would make you proud. I just love my sleeve and I have a renewed love for living and shopping. I have my life back thanks to you!!! I am more than happy to give something back by attending one or more of your sessions to help encourage new patients and just show and tell them how wonderful this could be for them.

Thank you my darling husband for loving me as I was, and as I am now. You’re my rock and inspiration. You’ve always been there for me, which I am forever grateful. I love looking after myself, and looking ‘hot’ just for you.
Thank you to my daughter, sisters and mum and all my friends here and in cyberspace. Thank you for all your support and I hope that reading my little blog helps someone enjoy their journey, get inspired to make the commitment to give yourself THIS GIFT OF NEW LIFE. I'm only too happy to answer any questions you may have about this surgery, All the best, Sharon