Hi all,

I would be keen for a November get-together. I am getting sleeved tomorrow and am pretty bloody nervous! Course I'll probably just be eating something mushie but the support would be enormously welcome.

I live in Kensington (kinda near Yarraville) but will travel anywhere pretty much.

Oh, if you are asking for a DFO, there is one at Essendon airport, just off the Tullamarine Freeway.

Bye for now,
Donna

Hi girls,
Can anyone tell me where the DFO is that is out of the city. I have been to the one at the train station but I know there is another somewhere. My daughter is over there until tomorrow night on a shopping spree.
Thanks,
steph

Hi Issi,
How are you going? I havent been to Docklands yet hope to get there soon, my Daughter (20yr old) was going to check it out for me yesterday but her boyfriend had a massive seizure in the car on the way there and they've ended up at the hospital all weekend instead! Thank God he wasnt driving and they are both OK...
Hope we all get together soon

Lisab

I am up for a nov meet up just let me know when. I'm sure your surgery will be here before you know it how exciting!! Have you tried the docklands for Xmas shopping? I went to south warf dfo today and everything was an additional 20-25% off reduced prices got some great bargains recommend checking it out :)

Hi Everyone,
How are you all going? Well its only 6 weeks to go now until I am sleeved, wish I could say it was going quickly but time seems to be dragging at the moment and I still feel like its never gonna get here! Anyway I was hoping we could have a meet up in November (a pre xmas one )before I am sleeved, as I have been told to expect a fibromyalgia flare up (like I had after band out) by my specialist, so I am trying to get all my shopping and xmas stuff done before my op...

Bye for now

Lisab

Hi Issi
Yes, I agree with the others too. Good luck with the appointment, and please let us know how it goes. I hope that you have no problems and like the new surgeon. Best of luck.

Issi

Lisa has given you great advice, I totally agree with how she suggested you handle the appointments with the 2 x new surgeons you are considering as well as the letter.

You certainly are a strong woman and as I have said before extremely brave;.......just be yourself and everything will be fine.

Issi also remember the obesity surgeon pool is relatively small in Vic, these surgeons hear what is going on with their peers (both good and bad) and are adept at reading between the lines; they will know or be able to find out EXACTLY what has gone on with your medical history up until now so don't worry!!!

Best of luck with the appointments, please keep us updated how everything goes....PM me if you would like to chat offline and I will forward you my contact details.

Thanks Lisa, I will try my best x

Hi Issi,
Do you have a report from the Drs or Hospital about what you went through and what treatments they did, if not request one straight away.. I have just had to do this as my new sleeve surgeon wanted a surgery report from my old band Dr. so it is common practice to request these things.
Your new Dr will request your files from your old Dr., if your old Dr does not supply the file then your new Dr will know that they are covering up something and wont believe what he says..
You just have to come across as not being hysterical or upset, just be confident and be yourself as you are a very smart young women, let him know that the band just didnt work for you in the way you had hoped it would and as you have a long history of obesity and your weight is going up again you want something, the sleeve, that is a permanent answer to your weight problems.
As you know I had alot of band problems ( and band Dr problems) but with my new Dr I have never said a bad thing about the band or the Dr, I just made it clear that I felt the band wasnt for everyone and I was one of the unlucky ones that it didnt agree with.

Hope this helps, I know how hard it is to put your trust into another Dr, especially after what you have been through...
Just remember that you are very strong and dont let anyone intimidate you as you know what you need..

Good Luck with your appointments Issi,

''

Lisab

PS...Issi did you send a lawyers letter or just one you wrote?
If you wrote it go and see a Lawyer. As you cant work at the moment go and see Slater and Gordon or one like them where if they dont win you dont pay, also I believe with most of these types of lawyers the initial visit is free and if they cant help you they will recomend someone who can...

I am seeing the surgeons you guys recommened in the next couple of weeks. First appointment is next Thursday. How do i broach the subject of my last surgeon? I want to get him out of my head and pretend he never existed but i can't, so what do i say when asked about him to sound diplomatic? I am worried about being turned away by other docs because of what my previous surgeon did to me.

Thanks in advance x

ps. I followed through with the letter and got the response that i transfered out of their care by going in the ambulance to the emergency hospital so was no longer their responsibility! Pretty scary considering how many people go to emergency rooms when they have problems.

Thanks a lot, Leonie! You're very observant!

Thank you Chris....yes it is a great feeling, although a very long way to go yet!

I noticed your current weight is down again, that is fantastic....like I said in my earlier post you are my inspiration as you have come from a similar place to me.

Until we catch up again....take care.

Hugs!!!

Congratulations on reaching that first goal, Leonie - it's a great feeling, isn't it? And there are many more to look forward to, too!
Hugs
Chris

Hi Lisa

Thank you for your kind words..... OMG......honestly, if I can do it ABSOLUTELY ANYONE can!

In a just few short weeks time you too will be on the losers bench.

Lisa if you need to talk please phone me ANYTIME day or night....I'll be there for you just like you were for me!

I will phone you during the week, until then take care and don't be too hard on yourself....time for self discipline will come soon enough.

Hugs!!!

Hi Leonie,
just read your post and want to congratulate you on reaching your first goal,


''

''
You have done so well, you are an inspiration to me!

See ya soon
Lisab

Hi Everyone

Sorry I haven't been able to post before now.....It was so nice to meet you all and finally put faces to names; I had a lovely day.
I must have also been lucky as fortunately I did not receive a fine either, I'm sorry for all of you guys that did ....I didn't notice any time limit signs ......although when I thought about it, it is actually a shopping centre and not just a supermarket and there are time limits at the other shopping centres around that area (eg) Greensborough.

Issi and Lisa, I hope your forward journeys can erase some of the pain and heartache of your past experiences; you are both very brave to continue on despite the disappointments and have both been through way too much...lets hope the future holds nothing but success and inner happiness.

Daisy, even though your journey is just commencing and it seems that your op is so very far away; don't believe it for a second...the time just flies and with being a part of this wonderful forum you have luckily found the right place for all the loving support (with a gentle kick up the backside too when necessary LOL) a safe, non judgemental place to share your fears, tears, frustrations, hopes and joys and achievements along the way.

To you Chris....what can I say?...You are an inspiration, my personal hero!!!

Thank you for the well wishes and support Chris and Daisy, I would like to share that I have today reached my 1st goal!

I hope we can catch up again in the not too distant future.....in the meantime take care and if anyone needs support in ANY way, please don't hesitate to get in touch!!!

Hugs to all.

Oh, does it? Sorry?! Try Janey, who's taking over from Hayley. Thanks again.

It says there are no moderators under gallery? In the moderator info it says "moderator: none" - i'm not sure who to msg around here for it?

Hi Issi
Just so you don't feel left out, do you want to share my fine? (just kidding)
PM the moderator of the gallery, and they'll help you out - thanks for doing that!
Hugs
Chris

Hi Issi,

It was great meeting you, so glad you didnt get a fine. I hope you start feeling better soon as you have definately been through enough already.
Make sure you keep in touch and let us know how you are doing...

Bye for now
Lisab

PS, If you ever want to sell off some your swarovski stuff let me know .....

I didn't get a fine thankfully. It was great to meet you all! I can't figure out which gallery i am supposed to post to as there isn't a Melbourne one? I tried to post to my personal gallery but just get errors :(

Don't worry, Lisa - not your fault. Unfortunately, I think that they'd have a record of the times, and sihce we were there for well over the 2 hours, I guess we'll have to wear it.
Thanks for your lovely comments, Daisy - and I waited for you when I came out too! LOL
With Daisy doing patchwork, me doing papercrafts and Lisa making jewellery, I think we'd all best get together for a craft day - what do you think?
SleevePlease, you are doing really well - don't worry when you see what others do - they're not you!
Oh, and Issi, thanks for getting the pic - hopefully the mods can help you put it up and label it.
Hugs
Chris

Hi Everyone,
I had a lovely time meeting you all as well!
I am so sorry about the parking tickets I got one as well, first one in twenty yrs of going to that carpark, I didnt even think you could get a ticket in the supermarket carpark!!! Once again I am sooo sorry as I picked the place..
My husband reckons we should all send in written complaints saying that we werent there for as long as we were as the the time we got there isnt noted on the fine so how do they know how long we were there for and if we back each other up we might get away with it ....lol

Sorry again girls,
But I did love meeting you all,
Lisab

Hi
I had a lovely time meeting you all today at lunch in Eltham. I dont know what happened there Chris l waited after going to toilet but???
and YES l got a parking ticket as well, l never new that you could get a parking ticket by parking in a supermarket car park l never even seen a sign. Well thats my 1st parking ticketin my 46 year life Oh well theres a first time for everything.Doesnt make me happy about it tho.
Issa you are one brave girl to go through everything you have and l wish you all the best in getting the sleeve.
Lisa you have also had an alful 6 years with the band.I am so glad now that l have to wait the 12 months to get the sleeve as its allowed me time to do the reserch on the band and find out just how alful it is.
Good Luck Leonie on the start of your new lfe with the sleeve. and last but not least Chris, you have done wonderfully well to lose the weight that you have and you look amazing.
Thankyou to you all for meeting up for lunch but maybe somewhere else next time so l dont end up with a parking ticket

Daisy

Well, we had a lovely time today, and it was great to meet everyone.
There was myself and Daisy, Issa and LisaB and SleevePlease.
Thanks for making the effort, everyone, and I look forward to doing it again soon.
Sorry I missed saying goodbye, Daisy - not sure how we missed each other there!
Oh, and I was lucky enough to get a parking fine too - overstayed my welcome in Eltham! Did anyone else get one? I was in a 2 hour parking area...
Hugs
Chris

See you all tomorrow!!

Lisab

Ooh, this is wonderful - I'm really looking forward to it!
See you all tomorrow.

I will be there look forward to it :-)

Hi All

I will be there, save me a seat Lisa!

I look forward to meeting everyone.

Leonie XOXOXO

PS - I hope all goes well for you today redheels, big hugs for a speedy recovery!

I will also definitely be there, I am really looking forward to meeting everyone.
Can I get an idea of how many are coming as I will get there early and reserve a table...

See you all Monday 21st at 12 noon

Lisab

I will be there
I am looking forward to it

Daisy

Oh, a time - let's make it midday since we're doing lunch!
See below for details - next Monday - don't leave me sitting alone there!

Hi Redheels
A shame you'll be just 5 days post-op, but if you felt like coming, you'd be welcome to come with me.
If not, perhaps next time...
Best of luck with the op.
Chris

Hi,
It's nice to see a get together is being organised in Melbourne. I will be 5 days post op so will have to pass this time, maybe next time.

That's great, Lisa - thanks very much.
Confirming Monday 21st September 2009 at Alta Vita cafe/restaurant at 906 Main Rd in Eltham for our first group meet-up in Melbourne.
Sorry to those it doesn't suit - let us know if that's you, and what does suit, so that we can arrange something different for next time.
For those who can come, please confirm on this thread, just so we know who to expect.
Thanks
Chris

Ok Girls,
I think a good place to meet up is a cafe/restaurant on Main Rd in Eltham called Alta Vita.
You can order from the menu or they have cafe style food and the yummiest cakes (not good I know but now the band is out I am enjoying food for my last couple of months before being sleeved). It is 906 Main Rd in Eltham. Look for Coles supermarket sign, go to Coles undercover car park and enter mall from carpark, walk past Coles entrance around bend and its on your left next to the deli, I will get a table out on the enclosed verandah which is at the back of the cafe if coming in through the mall.
Does this sound alright to everyone or does any one have other ideas?
Hope to see you all soon,

Lisab

Okay, confirming Monday 21st September 2009 at Eltham - venue to be arranged.
As far as type of food is concerned, I'll eat anything! LOL But it would be great if it was a place with a varied menu and the opportunity to choose small portions, to suit everyone.
Can't believe this is finally happening - yay!!!
Chris

Hi Leonie
I dont really care where we eat as long as there's a nice pot of tea for me to consume. I am a bit of a tea drinker.
You can share my food if you like l dont mind, as l am trying to lose some dreaded weight before my op next year, or at the very least NOT put on any more. tall order l know .
Yee Haa a GROUP.
Seeya in Eltam

Daisy

Hi Daisy

That's great that Chris can come too....well that's 4 of us now (officially a group).

As for an actual venue, Lisa said she knew of few nice places so we'll see what she suggests...is there any types of foods that you don't eat or ones that you particularly like?
(eg) I enjoy Chinese...however to be honest I am 7 weeks post op today and haven't as yet tried Chinese since so I'm not even sure I can tolerate it.
I eat most things though, however not keen on mexican.
I really am only able to eat a TINY bit of anything, wouldn't be anywhere close to even a 1/4 of an entree size at this stage.

Will keep in touch re possible venues, until then take care Daisy, I look forward to meeting you!

LeonieXOXOXO

Hi Leonie
I am sure Chris said she could make it also.

Daisy

Where are we meeting in Eltham, The Tom Tom needs a address, pushy bugger.

Look forward to meeting you all

Hi All

OK so that's a party of 3 so far for Monday 21st at midday....Lisa, daisy and myself.... that's a great start, now lets see who else can make it!!!

Lisa.....I can understand you having doubts with all you've been through, however I'm sure the sleeve will be NOTHING like your band....you'll be fine, don't stress!


Daisy...the old Tom Tom (or in my case Garmin) are at times, life savers...it will get you there.

Leonie XOXOXO

Hi Everyone ,
Monday 21st midday in Eltham is fine with me to , I am really looking forward to meeting everyone. I will be two months away from surgery then and I am already starting to question my decision so I am in need of some encouragement ....
See you all soon,

Lisab

Hi Everyone
Monday 21st Sept suits me.
Eltham will be fine, TOM TOM will lead the way and hopefully not get me lost HAHA

Daisy

Hi All

Chris....yes it is always difficult to arrange something that suits everyone and of course the more people involved the more difficult it becomes.
I can see why you are confused seeing as you haven't been a Melbournite for too long.

Anyway....Monday 21st at midday is fine by me!

Lets offer an invitation to all Melbournite/Victorian sleevers, soon to be sleevers or those that are researching or thinking about it, let us know if you are interested in coming and if a venue at Eltham (to be confirmed) on Monday 21st September at midday suits.
I think we should make a final decision by say Friday 11th so that everyone can organize their diaries?

We WILL get this get together happening!
Look forward to seeing you all!

Leonie XOXOXO

ROFL - I feel as though we've been talking about this forever, and since I'm still so lost around here, I just can't get my head around it.
Eltham will be fine for me too - what about others?
But I can't do Friday 18th, as I have a specialist appointment at 11.45, so how about Monday the 21st at midday?

Hi Lisa

Hope all is good with you; Eltham would suit me and of course there are some great places to eat there as well....what about Friday 18th at say midday...(with venue still to be decided) would that date and time be good for all?

Leonie

Hi Everyone,
If Yarra Glen is too far for people on the other side of town there is always Eltham which is a few suburbs before Yarra Glen (coming from the city and still easy to get to from where Chris is and via the Ring Road) and I know some great places we could meet there for lunch. I am available most days except the 17th (as doing sleep study on 16th and I probably wont sleep so will be exhausted ) and the 19th as it is youngest daughters 8th birthday and her party...

Hope to see you all soon,

Lisab

Hi All

I have just checked back in the posts and it is Carmela that is from Yarraville (apologies Carmela).

Also issi....where are you!

From what I have read it does seem like most can do during the week (lunch) which as I said would suit me better.

Anyway I will leave dates up to you Chris......you always get stuck with the hard decisions LOL!!!

Leonie XOXOXOXO

PS Chris in my last post I meant I realise Yarraville is the other side of MELBOurne, not sure where the rest of the word went!

Hi Chris

I realise Yarraville is the other side of urne and that is why I also suggested Greensborough as our sleever from Yarraville could use the ring roads if they were interested in coming, it was just a thought......I am embarrassed that I can't for the life of me remember their name.

Anyway it appears that Yarra Glen or Warrandyte is OK....I do not know anywhere specifically however I can ask around and get back with suggestions re possible venues.
I do however have a problem with the dates you have suggested though as I am unable to make it on the 12th or 13th or anytime before the 16th actually .....I can make it Thursday 17th, Fri 18th, Saturday 19th or Sunday 20th or anytime the following week.
During the week actually suits me better than the weekend, however I can possibly do either, depending on the date.

Lisa, yes we can certainly go together, you could drive to my place and then I will drive to Yarra Glen or Warrandyte if you like; I will give you a call....hope all is well?

I will certainly understand if the majority would like to go ahead on a date I am unavailable and in that case I will just have to catch up at the next meet up.

I so look forward to catching up with everyone!

Cheers Leonie XOXOXOXO

Okay, so Yarra Glen seems like the place to go for most.
I have been there, but only to the cheese factory, so don't know what else is there.
Can anyone else suggest somewhere to meet?
And since the weekend seems to suit most people, let's make it Saturday the 12th or Sunday the 13th - either suits me, what about you? And yes, let's do lunch!
And if anyone wants to come but needs a lift, I'll be happy to help out. I'm at Burwood East.
Chris