Hi all,

This topic is empty and I just can't have it staying that way so I'll say hi for all those Kiwi's to follow.

I'm Suz, I live in Laingholm, Waitakere and I'm having surgery of the 25th June 2009 by Dr Richard Babor.

Nope, we certainly cannot have an empty forum. I will have none of it!
LOL. Now carry on with fun and frivolity! I'm butting out because I am an Aussie!
Hayley

woohoo Suz, (much nicer than fatgeek!)

Is Waitakerie in the south island? I'll visit you in september if you're up for it!

...runs of singing i'm goinging to New Zeland like a 2 year old... heheheh!

Waves at all the fellow Kiwis. Hugs to you all.

I can be found in Christchurch. My journey to the sleeve was via web reading on the band over the last 12 months but the whole post op issues (fills and possible problems down the track) sent me away. I stumbled on the sleeve a few months ago and away I have gone.

I am having the sleeve done next week via Intus in Christchurch and so far are very happy. The pre op has been very very through and they have even allowed for me up to five days in a private ensuite room at Saint Georges.

Cost including all pre-op (dietitian x2 visits, psychologist x1, nurse x3, surgeon x2), all operation costs, and 18 months post op visits is over $23000. This may change for others as I am their first sleeve only patient so far the band being more common. I have been approved for Southern Cross's maximum rebate a grant of $7500 but it is worth noting you need to pay the full operation cost then send in for the rebate. Be prepared

Steven Kelly has been awesome. My first appointment was a cancellation spot the day after I called for the first time. He set my mind at ease and talked honestly about both the risks and the benefits. He was very firm that having gone over my history of diets and yo/yo weight loss it was not my fault. Using this site and others I made a list of questions for my second visit with him and found out I was his most read patient ever. We even got down to the nitty gritty of the operation as a result.

I am a person that likes all the information and to know all the risks. I had major surgery go wrong on me many years ago (6 weeks in hospital and many skin graft operations resulted). Hopefully in the months to come I can fill new people in more on the later stages. At this time I am happy with my choices as the sleeve seems the most natural operation, with the best long term chance to eat and live normally weight free and without later issues from the surgery (once the risk periods are passed).

Hi Belly,

Waitakere is to the West of Auckland (although the government is soon going to make it part of Auckland to our dismay), so I'm a North Islander I'm afraid (although I was born in the South Island so I can call myself a Mainlander).

oh, well thats a bit dissapionting Suz. If you happen to find your self on the S island visiting rellies or something in september, sing out!
I know, i'll go to the northern tip of the south island, you go to the southern tip of the north island and we can shout really loud to each other hehehe!

I am so jelaous of you guys in NZ. I was born on the south island. When my daughter was about 6 months old we came for a visit and my hsuabnd fell in love with Chch and Dunedun, and we'd loe to move there, but never will!

I have found this site absolutely fantastic.
I was sleeved on the 17th June after extensive research and have found this to be the most useful chat site.
I started this with a weight of 181.9 kgs (huge I know, but I had totally buried my head in the sand was still active and the weight just kept piling on.) I would yoyoy diet in extreme amounts.
The day of surgery I weighed in at 156kgs
After surgery with the added fluid I was back to 163KGS
Now a month today post surgery I weigh 149 KGS
And would like to encourage and support any body that needs advise or support.

Hi Nicky,

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the weight loss so far.

Do you mind me asking - who was your surgeon and where in Auckland are you?

My surgeon was the wonderful Habib Rahman and I am in Pukekohe

Hi Guys, just joined today, based in Central Auckland (Mt Albert), struggled with my weight all my life, been able to get down to 144kg from 166kg in the last couple of years. My procedure is booked for late September with Rob Fris. Looking forward to feedback or comments.

To follow up on my previous weight loss and encourage yet to be sleevers - i started this journey in june at 181.9 mid july weighed 149 KGS and today am down to 132kgs. I have finally joined a gym as well so lets see what the next weigh in will hold. I still struggle with eating enough food but am working on that at present. Good luck to all future sleevers and I hope I encourage some of you to take the plunge if undecided