Nice post, Katie, that's fantastic you are feeling so great! How was your son's game?

5 days Cos, yay!

Our son is contracted to the Casey Scorpions, feeder club for the Melbourne Demons AFL club. Am so glad we made the trip, as he was voted second best on ground! (wouldn't have mattered, though, if he'd sat on the bench the whole match...still would have been so proud of him!).

I'm seeing Dr Costa for my first follow up appointment next Wednesday, 21st - do any of you have an appointment that day?

Not me Katie... my next appointment with Costa isn't until the 11th May (2 days after my oldest son turns 10... awwww double digits!)

Luckily, with the kids being on holidays, a trip to the zoo, my appointments with Steve and Nicole, and then my birthday on the 26th, organising Mothers Day/DS's birthday/Dad's 50th birthday party all combined on one day!!!... I have lot to fill in the next few weeks.

I got my date, 31st May. Did anyone hear if Costa was off all of June? My friend has an appointment on the 7th to book her surgery and was worried that she won't get done until July if he's away. Anyone know?

How's everyone going?

Sorry, Katie, I didn't see your post. Did you book in your op yet? How was your appointment on the 21st?

I was told that Dr Costa was going to be away at the end of June - beginning of July.
I guess I won't be sleeved until July. My appointment to book the date isn't until the 11th because I couldn't get in to see a dietician in time.
On the up side... he will have had more practice!

Hi Girls - I just got off the phone to Costa's rooms (making follow up appt.).
They said he's away from the middle of June to the middle of July.

Eternlslady LOL, that's a good point! You never know, I was the first written on the page for 31st May, I'm sure he does a few per day. Fingers crossed it's earlier for you.

Thanks guys, very helpful for my friend. When's your appointment Georgie?

Hi thanks for steering me to the right page .I had my appointment with Dietitian today. She said she was glad I was not going for the band as it wouldnt work for me with the way I eat .I see Costa on the 7th may tried to get in earlier but he is booked out. The sec said he is trying to get as many done as he can before he goes away so fingers crossed I will be lucky ,if I have to wait till half way through July I will go mad. The Dietitian said she sees you 3weeks before op and talks you through what you eat .Does she give you a print out so I dont have to try and remember everthing ? Everthing I read is positive with you lovely people I hope when my turn comes it will be just as positive. I was told you cut your food to the size of a rubber on a pencil to eat is that the size you cut your food for ever ?

Hi flo and Eternlslady, so glad you can join us on Dr costa's section,

my op was 17/03/2010 which was a breeze - no problems what so ever,
he did say that he had done a tight sleeve for me, which is noticable when you think you can eat that extra spoonfull, you learn very quickly not to overeat as it feels like you have football stuck in you tummy,
I also had a small sliding hernia fixed which does tend to slow up you eating recovery - i am still on mushy type food with a little solid added every now and then - last night i had 1 slice of toast with peanut butter ( it has protein i am sure) but it was yummy.
Struggled a little as dietician was on maternity leave, so had to source some additional info from my roomy, who was done at the same time as me, she is 62 and is going great.
If you want any info let me know, will try to help

Talk again soon
Hugs

Sorry people - quick question.

Can anybody who sees Nicole West give me the address?
I have an appointment with her tomorrow and my kids seem to have gotten into my purse and now I have lost the card so I can't find the address or the number to ring them.
(Mental note, kill kids when they get home from school).

Thanks.

I don't see her but I have her card. Macquarie Centre, 1 Skyline Way, Gateshead. Ph 49421322. Good luck at your appointment!

jinx!

snap!

Thanks heaps :)
My next plan was to call Dr Costa's rooms but they are always so busy!

Hi all,

I tried to make an appointment to see Dr Gani yesterday after going to one of his seminars and when I contacted his office, they said that Dr Gani does not accept self funded people and that I had to be in a health fund or go on the public list.

I am after a sleeve, so Dr Costa K is the choice, but seeing as he works out of the same office, would he be the same, and not accept self funding people?

Thanks heaps.

Hi correva, welcome to the forums.

Dr Costa does bands, sleeves and bypass, Dr Gani does bands and bypass so it's Dr Costa you're after. I'm pretty sure he doesn't accept self funded patients either but wouldn't hurt to ask. Dr Costa's seminar is much better than Dr Gani, I went to both and Dr Gani skims over the sleeve whereas Dr Costa discusses it more. You could ask him at the seminar about being self funding.

I think they don't allow self funded patients because if there are any problems at $800 per day you could be in hospital for months with a worst case scenario and would cost a fortune. There are a lot of people on the forums that got basic hospital cover (around $40 per month) and waited out the year and did all the other stuff (psych, bloods etc) while they waited or you could try a Sydney surgeon. Sorry, probably not the answer you wanted to hear.

Thanks for the reply Sandra. Looks like I will be needing to join a health fund. Is there a particular one that would be best? I was looking at Medibank Private top fund (may as well go all the way), but I could not see where they mention bariatric surgery.

You only need Hospital, the other stuff is covered by Medicare. Unless you want dental, optical etc then go top but you don't need to for the sleeve. Oh but the Dietician I claim on my PHI but it's only $30 rebate a pop, not really worth the cost of the extras. I'm with HCF. I emailed them with the item number 30511 and they replied that they cover 100% of my theatre costs and the staples but I have to pay an excess of $250. Try reading this section of the forum http://www.gastricsleevesupport.com/about-paying-for-your-surgery-c5/ and compare funds. I don't know whether one is better than the other, I'd go for cheaper monthly payments but I'm a tight-arse, lol.

Hi Im finally really one of the group ,been to see Dr Costa Will be having my WLS on 31st May.
He was in an extra good mood today asked when I would like to have it I said tomorrow would be good. he rang threw to the desk and the girls said 31st may .He said looks like its all sleeves that day. So its you me and someone else Sandra.I cant wait
Flo

That's so exciting Flo! Sandra will be wrapt that she has a sleeve buddy that she knows!

Not long to wait now either!

Woo Hooo!! Yay Debbie! Awesome, can't wait. When's your dietitian appointment? Awesome, now for Eternal to get in and we can have shindig.

Hi all,thanks Georgie,cant wait .I will have to start organising myself (more getting things organised for the hubby) 31st of May is not far away, but for sure it will drag out.
Sandra I see the Dietitian next Wednesday the 12th when do you go? Flo

Not until Monday the 17th. They have a weird system there, lol.

Yay Flo!
Sounds like Costa is really trying to fill his day on the 31st. I hope he left room for me!

Congratulations on getting your date!

Hi Eternlslady thank ,fingers crossed that you might get done on the 31st may .Flo

Hi to all the Newcastle girls. I am booked in with Costa for surgery on 21 July and looking to see if anyone else is going to be in at the same time. I have really enjoyed reading all the stories from the May batch of Costa's patients and excited by all your results so far. Not too long and I will be on the other side and moving my ticker along too. Just got to keep up the Opti Starve in the meantime while every cell in my body is screaming for carbs.

Cheers
Baygirl

Welcome Baygirl, we look forward to hearing your story, mine has been very good thus far, although weight loss has slowed, was operated on 17/03/2010 and have lost 23kgs, the other ladies are aslo doing very well,

Lots of Hugs and a great big welcome to the forum and Dr Costa's beautiful ladies ( no men have come out of the woodwork yet)

Alter

Hi Baygirl, how exciting! Opti will be just a distant memory soon. Are you having stir fry veges? They were a saviour for me with a bit of so. Also Opti mixed with jelly makes a nice pudding too, just to mix it up a bit. All the best for your surgery and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Look at you sneaking in Alter, 23kg! You go, you skinny minnie!

Hi Baygirl - and welcome.
You are in good hands with Costa.
Stay strong with the opti - it does help... even if it's just a nice boost to that weight that is never coming back.
I look forward to seeing how you go :)

Hi again to Costa's girls.
I am battling on with the opti and starting to think about surgery. The questions are starting in my head so anyone that can help..here goes.
1.How long did the surgery take?
2.How many incisions did you have?
3.Were they stitched?
4.How long did they take to heal?
5.What about scars?
6.I have no idea what happens with the anaesthetist. Do they contact you before and when do they get paid??
7.How long were you in hospital?
8.Did you get a private room?
9.Did you take a laptop in with you, and if so did the wireless broadband work OK?
10.How long were you drinking that Fresubin for??
11.What was the first "real food" you ate and how long after surgery.
12.How long till you went back to work?
13.Finally, where are you all up to with foods now. And has anyone had a wine?? Beer??
That's enough for now. Maybe now I've written them down I might just get some sleep tonight. I know this opti should be getting easier, but on day 9 my tummy is still rumbling and I'm dreaming of burgers and fries.
Thanks in advance
Baygirl

1.How long did the surgery take?
I 'lost' about 3 hours starting from when I was taken down to prep until I was back in my room. You will be given an injection that is supposed to relax you but a side effect is short term memory loss. I don't remember recovery at all.
I'm pretty sure the surgery itself is less than an hour.
2.How many incisions did you have?
5 incisions - 4 in a line below my ribs, the longest is about 5cm, 3 about 2cm and 1 tiny little 1 cm one between my breasts
3.Were they stitched?
No. Costa glues them. Nothing to be removed except the dressings 1-2 weeks after surgery.
4.How long did they take to heal?
They looked mostly healed by the time I took the dressings off (about a week after I went home from hospital).
5.What about scars?
By 6 weeks out I was left with neat pink lines. They are still getting better though.
6.I have no idea what happens with the anaesthetist. Do they contact you before and when do they get paid??
Good question... I didn't see him until I was being prepped for surgery and I still haven't gotten a bill (although it is supposed to be posted to you after surgery). I didn't sign a financial consent form either... I don't even know who my anaesthetist was so I can't contact them. I am chasing it up with Costa when I see him next.
7.How long were you in hospital?
Operation on Monday evening, home on Thursday afternoon.
8.Did you get a private room?
Yes. You can request one but the hospital can't guarantee it. All 4 of us who were sleeved on the 31st got private rooms.
9.Did you take a laptop in with you, and if so did the wireless broadband work OK?
Yes and yes. Don't expect to play World of Warcraft or anything, but it worked great to browse and chat to DH over Skype. Honestly, I am a computer addict and I wasn't well enough to get the laptop out until Wednesday night and that was to say goodnight to my kids because they couldn't get to the hospital to see me.
10.How long were you drinking that Fresubin for??
I wasn't. They DON'T give it to you in hospital (you'll get sustagen, but only if you order it on your menu). I threw all of mine out after taking 2 sips when I got home. I bought sustagen instead.
11.What was the first "real food" you ate and how long after surgery?
My first 'real food' was the broth from takeaway noodle soup 2 weeks after surgery... it was the first "real taste" I had afterwards. But the first SOLID food I ate was cruskits while I was on the puree stage. I'm not very good at sticking to the recommendations but I always chew well.
12.How long till you went back to work?
I don't work. I have 4 boys though... I could do light stuff about 3 weeks out, most household jobs at 4 weeks and by 6 weeks I was back in the swing of things.
13.Finally, where are you all up to with foods now. And has anyone had a wine?? Beer??
I can now eat anything I want including bread. I have had some issues with fried food (no throwing up or getting stuck or anything, it's just the fat doesn't sit well and made me feel yuck). I don't drink alcohol but anything with bubbles will take a bit longer to learn to tolerate. There isn't a lot of room for bubbles. I have had coke but need to let it get semi-flat first.

1.How long did the surgery take?
My Anesthesiologist bill said 2hrs15mins. I was wheeled out of my room around noon and woke up at 4pm. I remember waking up, kicking my legs and in a far bit of pain. Ask for as many drugs as they will give you.

2.How many incisions did you have?
5, 4 across the stomach, one tiny one between the boobs.

3.Were they stitched?
No idea, I think they might be stitched inside, disolvable stitches perhaps? I don't know to be honest.

4.How long did they take to heal?
One weeped and I think I should have seen someone about it but it has a scab now. It's been 6 weeks and they are thin red lines. I saw Flo yesterday and hers look better than mine so I think it's an individual thing how quickly you heal. I took the dressings off by day 6, I couldn't stand the itching.

5.What about scars?
Too early to tell if they will scar or not.

6.I have no idea what happens with the anaesthetist. Do they contact you before and when do they get paid??
I received a letter from Tom Eggleton before surgery. He came and saw me about an hour before the operation. I received a bill for $2500 two weeks afterwards which said if you pay my the end of the month it will be $1500. It said I could have a post op appointment which lasted all of 30 seconds and he would bill HCF if I paid the gap at the appointment. My out of pocket was $400.

7.How long were you in hospital?
Surgery Monday, out on Thursday lunchtime.

8.Did you get a private room?
Yes but Alter Ego and Cos I'm Worth it had shared rooms, not sure how it worked out.

9.Did you take a laptop in with you, and if so did the wireless broadband work OK?
Yes, it worked great.

10.How long were you drinking that Fresubin for??
I didn't buy any, I just sticked with Opti and soups. Liquid diet for 2 weeks, you don't want to stretch your sleeve whilst it's healing

11.What was the first "real food" you ate and how long after surgery.
I had mince in heaps of gravy 2 weeks out. At 6 weeks I have a go at anything but pancakes never again

12.How long till you went back to work?
I'm a stay at home Mum, I did a load of washing and cooked the kids hamburgers the Thursday I got home. No rest for the wicked! I would get really tired and collapse with exhaustion regularly. If you have good friends and family that will help you, take them up on it, I lucked out in those areas.

13.Finally, where are you all up to with foods now. And has anyone had a wine?? Beer??
I had a sip of my husbands red 3 weeks out and it went down a treat so I poured a glass. I can sip a glass over 2-3hrs with dinner but if I have an afternoon drink with no meal, I can drink 3 glasses easily. I love red wine and am glad I can still enjoy it. I've had a beer but burp a lot and don't enjoy the second part as much. I like beer cold and it tends to warm up after half an hour. I'm glad I can't scull half a carton in no time flat anymore. (Listen to me, I sound like a 16yr old binge drinker)

Feel free to ask anymore questions. The first week after the operation sucks but it's all up hill from there.

Thanks girls. That's all great to know. Can't wait for mine to be over.
Cheers
Baygirl

Just noticed that Dr Costa has a new website http://www.newcastlesurgeon.com.au/