Hello - first post from new member down under in Oz :)

**timeisright** · 04-25-2013 01:45 AM

Hi everyone - my first post on this forum - I am booked in for gastric sleeve surgery in around 3 months time - I am at my heaviest weight ever and I feel the "Time is Right"for me to have the surgery. I am in my late 50's with a sedentary lifestyle and weigh 109 kgs (239 lb)and need to lose around 49 kgs (107 lb) to reach my goal weight. I would love to talk to other women around my age, weight etc who have had the gastric sleeve about their experiences. Wondering about average weight loss, adjusting to different portions etc and wondering about what happens to skin post menopause when you have a large weight loss etc etc. Many questions. Love to hear from someone - cheers.

**Truebody** · 04-25-2013 01:52 AM

G'day welcome aboard. Where are you based? Lots of good stuff on this site and pretty much an answer to any question you wish to ask to be found in the old threads.

**juniper** · 04-25-2013 02:38 AM

I am 57 and had the sleeve dec 27th. i have lost 55 lbs which i think is amazing in such a short time. i have slowed down but i am still loosing. i dont get really hungry and when i do eat i eat very little. i dont miss any foods because i eat anything i want just in smaller portions. you will easily get used to the portions because your body will give you warning signs to stop eating. i think your taste for certain foods and your cravings are not the same. i still like food i just dont endulge. i stop and think before i eat, do really want to waste my calories on that? i will turn my back easily on things i had a hard time saying no to before. you can screw this up but you have to work at it. i feel so much better and now i hope that i have avoided diabetes and stroke.
walking will benefit you a lot.

**timeisright** · 04-25-2013 04:18 AM

Thanx Jen - I am based in Townsville - sounds like you are looking to lose a similar amount of weight to me - hope everything goes well for you in a fortnight's time when you have your surgery. I will have a better look around this site at some of the old threads. cheers.

**timeisright** · 04-25-2013 04:24 AM

Thanx Juniper - what a terrific weight loss!! I have begun to walk a bit but need to do more. I am also looking fwd to the health benefits after I lose weight and keep it off. How has your skin adapted to the loss?

**Bilby** · 04-25-2013 05:04 AM

Hi and welcome. I encourage you to make the most of your three months to implement lifestyle changes before surgery. We are around the same weight and goals and I have lost the initial 40 pounds by making sensible choices and increasing my exercise I hope to have my surgery soon (awaiting date). Read all you can but remember that we are all individuals and "one size fits all" is definitely not the case in the forum. Cheers

**carol62** · 04-25-2013 05:09 AM

hi I am based in NSW..I am around 4 weeks post op and have lost 32lb. I am 51 and this is the best thing I have ever done. Sice leaving hospital i am now off my type 2 diabetic meds and also my colestrol meds. The next thing i want to get rid of is my cpap machine. I was around the same wight as you (102kgs) and my goal weight is around 62kgs...good luck i am sure you will do fine...PM me if you have any questions..

**JulesH** · 04-25-2013 06:10 PM

Hi, I am on the Gold Coast, Queensland and had my surgery over 3 weeks ago.. Still coming to terms with the sleeve but have lost 17kg (37pounds) in 7 weeks due to the pre-op Optifast diet and partly post op.. Its a big decision. I am also over 50 and have a lot more than you to lose. I believe it is achievable based on the posts of this forum and the surgeon's advice.
Good luck..