Just had sleeve surgery with Dr Costa Karihaloo at lake macquarie private hospital and he and his staff have been fantastic!

any questions ask away.......

Hi workdanceplay- hope your doing ok?

Just a couple of questions regarding Dr K (I dont see him till 24th March so thought I'd get some 1st hand info from you)
At any stage does he require you to have a gastroscopy/endoscopy?
Does he insert drains?
When does want to see you again?
Does he require you to see a psychologist?
How does he you determine your goal weight? Is it based soley on BMI? I'm really interested to know why you can expect to lose 60% only of the weight you need to lose (what he told me at my last visit) Maybe it is dependant on what end of the BMI range you aim for ?
(Sorry if that does'nt seem to make sense but hope you get the gist of what I mean!)

Do you have to wear the glamorous ted stockings? If yes, for how long? Phew! Thats all! (For now anyways!) THANKS!!

Hi cos im worth it

~I never had to have a endoscopy thingo.

~I did have to see a psychiatrist, and it was one of his. expensive though $200 and you cant claim at medicare but can through private health insurance.

~You spend a lot of time with his dietician- I had Nicole West, i doubt you will cause she is pregnant with twins.....! The dieticians know so much about the surgery, they work specifically with him and cover all aspects of sleeve surgery, so they understand the process, you dont have to explain it to them!

~Between when I first saw him and my next appointment was only a matter of about 3 weeks-I think?. and at that appointment we set a date and it was as soon as he could do it. About a month, for me. After surgery he wants to see you 2 weeks then 4weeks then 3 months..ect...

~Yes you wear those stockings the hospital does all that, dont buy any of that stuff.

~yes they work out your BMI- you probably already know it anyway.

~They didnt tell me what weight they wanted me to get to. I think it was just a matter of getting it down and close to your healthy weight range.

~They do tell you how much they predict you will lose- but they talk about the excess weight you are carrying and its in % form??does that make any sense????????????? and yes it is taken of your BMI.
(I think i have confused you more?)

~He did not put a drain in me, thank god! it sounds kinda creepy. But their was some else who had a sleeve at same time and they had one, but there was a specific reason for that, not sure why though?

Hope these answers help.

Workdanceplay

Thanks very much workdanceplay, now all I have to do is wait for that appointment date to hurry up & get here......

ciwi

I have an appointment with Dr Karihaloo (well, I think, she said she'll book me in with who can see me first out of this Dr or Dr Gani) My appointment is on the 30th March and I'm going to the 4th March seminar. I'm so nervous. My BMI is 39 and the website says you have to have a BMI of 40+. Do you think 1 point will matter?

xlnt - great to hear there's someone in that area doing the sleeve now.

Hi sandy-lou,
Back in December I saw Dr K to enquire about lap-band surgery. He suggested the sleeve as a better alternative . So after much consideration & many hours reading through this fabulous forum
I will be booking a date for the surgery at my next appointment on 24th March. I am 52 & have a BMI of 33. He did say I will be the lightest (ha ha) he has performed the surgery on but recognizes that I need help in maintaining a healthy weight. I have a woeful history of yo-yo dieting, but am also in the high risk category of developing diabetes.
Hope this helps & good luck!
ciwi

Thankyou Cos I'm Worth It, that's comforting to know. I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain. How exciting to be booking in your surgery! Would you be able to reply back with how far ahead your date is? I'm curious how long the wait is between the initial appointment and the surgery date. You must be so excited. I'm 37 and hope that I'm off the yo-yo and looking fab at 40..that's the plan anyway,lol

Hi sandy_lou,
I am also from Newcastle, had my appointment with Dr Costa on 16th Feb pencilled in op for the 17th March, see Nicole dietician tomorrow, see psych guy on the 1st March $200, need to do Barium Swallow (think that’s because I am older) booked for the 22nd Feb. $200, then bring cheque with me on the follow up visit with Dr costa for $4,300.

Think my BMI Is 40, started out at 39, but I regained so much weight after the Jenny Craig re-run.
hope this bit help also
all information is good information

That's a great help, thanks Alter Ego. You must be so excited! I'm a little worried if something goes wrong, my kids are still pretty young but there's the pessimist in me coming out.

Edited to add, is the Psyc guy a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist? I recently stepped down my Private Help Cover to get rid of Obstectricts and it was coupled with Psychiatry (which I think is very ironic, lol) but it saved $50 per month on a family policy. I'm covered for Psychologist and all things hospital and extra's just not babies and shrinks.

Hi,
I am excited and also like most others worried, even have my bag packed. I am ready to rock n roll.
Oh the pain - also remember no pain no gain.
It is a Psychologist that he sends you to, I do believe some funds cover it, but unless you get a GP referral you can't claim it on Medicare.
Dr Costa does not give you a referral; you just ring and make an appointment.

This could be a start of a new me, may even look at Internet dating - what a catch, 54 year old with baggy skin and cranky cat.
may have to work on some of my other attributes. :) hehe

hi everyone

For those of you that havent seen either Dr Costa or Dr Garni, if you would like the sleeve, you need to see Dr Costa as Dr Garni only does lapband-and a lot of it, and bypass!

Sandy lou i also thought something was going to go wrong, i even thought i might die..Ha Ha. But i am great , I had my surgery 10 days ago, and cant believe that ive had it. I actually woke up and thought id feel different, but i didnt, its kinda weird?
The best part is i just keep losing weight! I cant believe it.

The appointment with the psych was not claimable through medicare or on my healthfund and i have specific Psychiatry cover as i have a mental illness. I see a psychiatrist and psychotheripist fortnightly and still had to see Dr Costa's psych. I was really annoyed to say the least, but didnt want to "rock the boat" too much. At the appointment the surgery and the effect it would have on my life ect.. was discussed and it was all sleeve/ weight loss related, so i kinda saw why i had to see his psych. His dietician and psych discuss with him your suitability for your surgery so thats the main reason why you have to go with them.

On the note of dieticians--- Nicole West is fantastic-But she is having Twins, so im not sure how long she will be around for. So i suggest that you consider this for post surgery care and appointments and the 1st 6weeks you will see her often.

Hi Alter Ego, I am also seeing Nicole tomorrow @ 3pm. Not sure when your appointment is or if you would like to catch up for a coffee/ water..Ha Ha if not tomorrow maybe another time? Let me know.

Thanks
workdanceplay

Hi workdanceplay,
so great to hear you are losing weight, can I ask what was you starting weight, and how much have you lost since surgery,
Gets to the stage where there is only Dr Costa doing the work in Newcastle, you really don't want to "rock the boat" just getting past the appointment person I think is some clever maneuvering (can sometimes be very abrupt).
I am seeing Nicole @2pm today, maybe able to say Hi, coffee for me and water for you sounded great, unfortunately I have to keep going for work,

I think Nicole is on baby leave sometime in April, Dr Costa is on leave for 2 1/2 weeks up till 10th march also on baby leave,
Melissa the Psychologist also on baby leave - I am seeing one of her colleagues.
Very busy in the baby department in Newcastle.

we will have to organise a Newcastle get together, we are starting to get a couple of Newcastle people on here,
they might be like most of us and lurking in the background waiting till there is some confirmation of appointment etc.

would be great to here everyones storey.


sandy_lou - sorry to hear that you son has Autism - that is a long road,
If we are able to lose weight and get a healthy BMI, that is another battle won.

Hi sandy lou,
congrats with referall before you know it you will be at your 1st appointment.

Hi alter ego,
My heaviest weight was 121.3kgs.
Pre Optifast was 119.3kgs.
Post Optifast lost appox 7kg plus
Two weeks tomorrow I will be 2 weeks Post op and I weigh 106.1kgs

So total weight loss since heaviest is 15.2kgs
Total weight loss since Optifast 13.2kgs...............YAY!.......so i am happy!

sandy-lou- I dont have a date as yet. I did ask Dr Costa how long a wait for the surgery once you make a definite decision & he said only a couple of weeks. So when I see him 24th March I'm hoping we'll be looking at mid April. Which for me fits around school holidays & husbands roster & also the fact I live over 300km away, so will probably stick around for an extra couple of days to be on the safe side before I venture back home again.

workdanceplay- great to see all going well for you!

I have FINALLY found other people going to Dr Costa!!!

My first appointment is the 30th of March. I have already attended his seminar (December), have my referral, etc.
Looks like there is a chance we could run in to each other in the waiting room!

I am not from Newcastle, I am closer to Wyong.

Welcome Eternlslady

Great to see i have had another friend join the "Dr Costa" thread.
When you see him tell him you want the surgery at that time and he more than likely will do it then. I needed to have mine when i did because i needed some time off before uni starts. and he worked well around that.

He's having a busy day on the 30th! My friends Mother has an appointment on the 30th too, so that's 3 people, LOL. I'm so impatient, I want my appointment now. (stamps foot like a toddler).

I was hoping Dr would say mid April too as I would like to be up and about for Lovedale Long Lunch (but without the lunch, I can still enjoy the bands, we go every year with about 80 women). It's on the 15th May, maybe I should wait until afterwards but I'm sure I won't be able to.

Is anyone getting their super to pay for it? I have enough but feel a little uncomfortable spending that much money on myself and would like to try and access my super.

Welcome to some more Newcastle people.

Dr Costa is going to be very busy by the sound of it,

Hi workdanceplay, great news on the weight lost, sounds awesome, so looking forward to my big day, so I can join you on the losers bench.

sandy_lou you may have to take a thermos of soup to the Long lunch, but go just the same, can't break with a tradition.

did my BMI it is 43 , I really just want to get to a healthy range.

alter ego my BMI was also 43.
my GP didnt believe me at 1st, till he did the maths himself and got a big shock!

Hows the weightloss going workdanceplay?

I'm going to the seminar tonight. Is it easy to find where to go? I'm a little embarrassed asking for the "obesity seminar", unless I just wait and follow the large people, lol. Is anyone else going?

hi everyone,

Just thought id let you know how im doing!

Todays weight loss stands at.......16.6kg......!!! and thats over a 6 week period!
Dr karihaloo is a magician, he has given me my life back!

I asked my daughter - almost 9, how i looked the other day and the first thing she said was "happy" and then she said mummy you look healthy and happy. She is exactly right. Its been 3 and a half weeks since my op and im now playing netball " dont laugh" i am of course so unfit but my friends and me are just having some fun. I have already become so much more social and i only sleep half the amount of time i use too during the day.

I just cant believe how much the sleeve has changed my life... I read post after post on this site leading up to my op and most of my Q's were answered, the main thing i was looking for was the negatives- I couldnt find any? So i saw that as a good sign. The sleeve is amazing, difficult in the first 3 weeks especially. But know i am almost back onto normal food and losing weight- its weird?

Anyway I totally recommend Dr Costa Karihaloo, and his staff , and the hospital staff were wonderful, at first i was embarrassed to let them see me in a hospital gown, i thought that they would think that i was disgustingly fat and looked revolting, but not once did one of them bat an eyelid, I felt relaxed, safe and reasurrured.

Anyway any more Q's ask away only too happy to help out.
Till next time workdanceplay....

That's excellent workdanceplay, congratulations! 16kg, well done! You sound happy in your post too so I can only imagine the happiness in real life.

Last nights seminar was Dr Gani talking about lap-band and he skipped past the sleeve. Dr Costa is talking on the 10th but I don't think I could sit through another one, do you think I should go? I've done that much research I can't imagine anything changing my mind.

workdanceplay - so happy for you & your pleasing results. I have read so much on this forum & have been inspired & encouraged by all the post sleevers stories. But especially so to see great results for someone who joined the forum same time as me & is going to same surgeon & hospital.


sandy_lou - I havent attended a seminar yet, do they make you? lol. The 10th isnt the best day for me but I could possibly get there. Though like you, feel that theres not much more info they could give you really.

cos im worth it - it says on the website "All patients having Obesity surgery need to read the information booklet downloadable from this webpage and attend one of the fortnightly Obesity Seminars at Lake Macquarrie Hospital (please phone 49433122 to make a booking for the Seminar)." http://www.drjongani.com.au/templates/drjongani_content.aspx?edit=false&pageID=1329

I booked in but they didn't mark my name off when I arrived so you could just say yes if asked. It didn't cover anything I didn't already know and about 20 people where asking questions that they could have looked up on the net, I found it a little frustrating. It went from 7 until 8.20pm and I struggled the whole time trying not to yawn.

sandy_lou - thanks for that! I've rung and booked in for the seminar on the 10th. I want to really go into this knowing I've done all I possibly can. If that means driving a few extra hundreds of kilometres so be it!
If you decide to go we'll have to look out for each other, you know something along the lines " I'll be the fat lady wearing the black jacket"! Mmm... maybe that wont work....lol

Hi all,
great news workdanceplay, excellent weight loss, and how good is the feeling for playing netball, and your daughter obviously did notice how much happier you are, well done -

Re the seminar, I went to one about 4 weeks ago, Dr Costa was there on that night, as with Nicole dietician and 2 previous patients from WLS, one patient had gastric bypass and the other was a band, lots of info about all the different types of surgery plus could ask patients questions etc,

When I did go for my appointment with Dr Costa he did mention that I was at his seminar.!!!!! So either he has a good memory or I drew a lot of attention to myself,

Have started Opti, this is 3rd day, all is ok, and need to sweeten them a little bit otherwise taste like soy drink.
Hey workdanceplay, did you get to drink the Freusbin from Nicole for 2 weeks?
So far op is still pencilled in for the 17th March,

looking forward to the new happier me .

workdanceplay - I just rang to book for the 10th and they said to call back on Monday in business hours. You're hilarious.."fat chick in the jacket, LOL"...for sure! My friends Mother is going that night, hopefully I can book in (thankyou Alter for that info, that sounds a lot better than last nights seminar) on Monday and I'll see you there.

Hello ladies/girls...ect.

I didnt go to dr costa's seminar- I had a referal to see dr Garni as i thought i was having lap band, sooooo glad i didnt!

While i was there i spoke to one of his patients who had lapband surgery it then slipped and she then had the Gastric bypass, she swore by the bypass. She said that she had much better weight loss with the bypass then the band and less difficulties and said if she had her time again she would have the bypass 1st.

After i spoke to her i went home and couldnt stop thinking about the bypass.
Next day rang Dr Garni's rooms to make appointment. Then the devastation hit, he couldnt see me for 5 months! After crying for a couple of hours i rang back and spoke to his rooms again. They said Dr Garni would be away for a few months and thats why i couldnt get in, but suggested i maybe see costa. I had an appointment within 2 months. The staff said i didnt need another referall and didnt need to go to another seminar. but told me i had to read that booklet thingo-cant remember if i did?

When i saw Costa he said he hadnt seen me at his seminars, but i explained the whole story to him and he was fine.
I told him i didnt want the band- cause- too much maintanence and restrictions and possible probs.... He was fine I then told him i wanted the bypass not the sleeve -the thought of losing 2/3rds of my stomach scared the hell out of me. but he explained the process of the sleeve to me and it sounded so simply. He then told me that the bypass tends to be an absolute last resort, due to surgery complications and all the attaching and detaching they do...sounds creepy.

So the moment i walked out of that building my mind was made up- The sleeve it would be!!!

So its really up to you...Just keep in mind that Dr Garni DOES NOT do the sleeve, but Costa DOES! so maybe its worth the trip to go to one of Costas seminars.

Sorry for the long story, but hope something helps.
Good luck and like others have said you WONT regret the sleeve!

luv workdanceplay

Hi all,

I am also going to Dr K for a sleeve. I had been considering the band but after attending a seminar in February have decided the sleeve sounds the better option. I was really impressed with him and have my first appointment today...very nervous. It is great to hear others stories and experiences. The positive certainly seems to outweigh the negatives which helps give me the courage to go keep going forward. I have been up and down with my weight my whole life and have a realy high BMI so I feel like I have to do something for my own sake and my family.

Bye for now!

Hi all,

I am also going to Dr K for a sleeve. I had been considering the band but after attending a seminar in February have decided the sleeve sounds the better option. I was really impressed with him and have my first appointment today...very nervous. It is great to hear others stories and experiences. The positive certainly seems to outweigh the negatives which helps give me the courage to go keep going forward. I have been up and down with my weight my whole life and have a realy high BMI so I feel like I have to do something for my own sake and my family.

Bye for now!

Hi OMG - (love that name)

Im seeing costa today as well, be prepared for the wait its his 1st day back after his paternity leave!
My appointments at 3pm, maybe i will see you there?

workdanceplay

Yay another one! Tell me all about your appointments, every detail. I'm hoping to make his seminar tonight but my husband is in Sydney and should be home in time for me to go

Edit to add, yay, he's home so will see you there at 7pm (I have a pink flower hair clip in)

hi sandy-lou,

I had a follow up after surgery appointment, so didnt get to see you. plus only on computer now at 11.50pm so didnt realise you would be there at 7pm. i didnt get out till 6.15pm. So if i knew, i would have waited so we could meet!

Hope seminar went well.

Everything is going really really well for me.
I am in a 31year old habit- as costa calls it and need to break silly old habits.

I need to eat a bit slower, im so use to having a lot more food and eating quickly. but cause there is not much room in there if you just woof down some toast or fruit before you know it you have had too much, and i get this massive pain near my chest bone and have to wait till it goes away- it feels like forever.

Any way let me know what the seminar was like.

It was a great seminar! So much better than the week's before. Poor Nicole, I thought she was going to pass out, she could hardly breathe, those babies are sitting up high! Dr Costa is gorgeous, what a lovely man. There was only a very small group , 5 people, there was 20+ last week.

I enjoyed the past patients, lapband and bypass but he said he should have a sleeve patient by next seminar. Wish the 30th would hurry up!

He went over that pain from not chewing well and slowly quite a bit, maybe you were on his mind? lol.

sandy-lou, sorry we didnt get to speak at the seminar last night. I felt too stupid to approach everyone & say "hey, would you happen to be sandy-lou from the forum?" I hadnt been on the computer since the night before, otherwise I would of twigged to the hairclip! I was the one over to the side on my own , that kept asking questions! I just felt Costa seemed more approachable in the group situation than in his room? But maybe thats just me, I get so nervous & often cant get across what I'm meaning & feel I sound stupid. Anyhoo, I'm really glad I made the effort to go, & hopefully he'll see that I am motivated & prepared to commit to all this.

LOL @ Cos...I felt the same way. I think I actually looked at you and nodded a couple of times...wasn't it a great seminar?! Your questions were great. You live 4 hours away????? Wow, you must be stuffed after such a long drive home and in crap weather. He really looked everyone in the eye, didn't he? I felt like he was directing the whole seminar to me.

I was sitting next to my friends Mum and Dad but I think it may have been just me and you in the room for a while. My name is Sandra anyway...nice to have nearly met you! LOL

sandy-lou, How funny! I actually had crap headache from driving so was keen to get out of there.Again, I am SO pleased I went, I'm feeling much more at ease now. Was great to hear from the patients also. Cant wait for the 24th to roll around now.




I'm Georgie!

Hi guys,
I haven’t really gone missing in action, was reading all the time, jsut had mountains of work to get rid of, and have nearly done it all, also had training seminar in Melbourne for 3 days, as well as all appointments etc, so it keeps you jumping, (phew know wonder i have lost 6 kgs)

YES YES YES it is all a go for Wednesday 17th March, in the am I believe,
Opti has gone really well have lost nearly 6kg, hopefully will be at the 100kg mark on op day, but if not all will be ok, as I am not going to stress over anything at the moment. Actually thought Opti tasted ok, I put some equal into it.

My bags are still packed; I am ready to go,
Got the apple juice – Thanks Vouge
Go the degas – thanks to all for that bit of info
Also the Benefibre., soluble Panadol, Supadryn vitamins,
Hopefully got it all covered, if not,

How does the song go – Don’t worry.
Will keep you updated on owies or ouchies.

Hi alter - was really hoping you would stop by prior to Wednesday. Just want to wish you all the best for the big day, you sound super organized & well done with the Opti!

Look forward to hearing all about it when you feel up to it.
Take Care,
Georgie.

Awesome work on the Opti. You sound all organised! I'm very excited for you!

Good luck girls you will be sooooooo happy when the next couple of weeks are over. This is truly the best decision you will ever make.
I have now lost a total of 20kgs in about 2 months.
good luck and thinking of you!!!

workdanceplay - That is fabulous! So very very encouraging. Can't wait for it to be my turn!

Well-done workdanceplay
excellent result, so looking forward to being a lighter happier me, I'm with sandy_lou to lose 20kg and know its not coming back.

I forgot to say, (that was either old age or nerves)
I need to arrive at hospital at 7am, so looks like first cab of the rank.
Nerves are setting in, feeling really nervous about it now,

I need to arrive at hospital at 7am fro admission, it looks like I am first cab of the rank.
Nerves are setting in,

Don't have any post-op diet info, Nicole was taken to Hospital last night, spoke to her practice all is well, just a precaution,
so I am winging it on the post op info, got lots of info from other peoples posts,
this is such an excellent site, covers all emergencies and drams.

Bye for now,
will let you know how I go in a couple of days.

there is nothing you need to worry about, at all.

costa will see you in hospital and you will be on liquids for the 1st 2 weeks- no puree just liquid- nicole said "anything that will fit through a straw" its a simple guide. you will find it boring towards the end of the 2 weeks but its all so your tummy will heal.
dont stress all will be good!!!
we are all here for you.