Testimonials

Sue Suchocki – Robertson Queensland
45 years old
Height - 157cm

Vertical Sleeve 19th May 2008
Anticipated Goal Weight – 68kg

19th May 2008 - 98.0kg BMI 41
19th May 2009 - 71.0kg BMI 29

I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I am a confident, successful woman but I was losing the battle with my weight.

My BMI at 41, classified me as morbidly obese. I couldn’t afford to fail one more time or to put on extra weight.

I started looking into obesity surgery and found the Obesity Clinic Queensland website After reading about the procedures, I was interested in the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy which I felt this would be a suitable option for my lifestyle. I learned that it was not reversible but I needed this to be a life-time change and not something temporary or a quick fix. I liked the idea that the food still travelled in your own stomach and uses your stomach functions.

My main concerns were having major surgery, vomiting up food, nutritional value from the small amount I would eat and my social life such as eating out with family and friends.

At my first appointment I spoke with Marlene about my feelings, concerns and the after effects of the procedures; then Marlene spoke about other people experiences. This personalised the procedures. We took some “before” photos both front-on and side-on.

I then met with Dr Mark Daoud. We spoke about Gastric By-pass, Gastric Banding (Lap Band) and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedures and he explained the differences to me. We both felt the Vertical Sleeve was the right type of surgery for me. I learned that Dr Daoud studied the procedure in Germany and has been doing the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure in Australia since 2003.

We set a date for my surgery as Monday 19 May, 2008. I saw a dietician and was on Optifast prior to the operation and then continued with Optifast during the initial recovery period after the operation.

The admissions procedure and my trip to theatre at Sunnybank Private Hospital was stress free.

The morning after my operation Dr Daoud visited me in hospital. He was pleased with how everything had gone. Five small cuts was the only evidence of the surgery. I felt pretty good, a little discomfort from the gas in my stomach but nothing major. It was from there that my journey started…

I am now one year post op. This has been one of the best years of my life as far as self improvement. I am so proud of my achievements and the fact that I have not failed in my quest to lose weight. I thank Dr Daoud, Marlene and the staff at Obesity Clinic Queensland and the support of other patients involved in the OCQLD Support Group and chat line.

I am happily eating any type of food, just smaller portions; my family are so proud of me; I have a great social life and a brand new size 12 wardrobe. I feel and look fabulous thanks to the Obesity Clinic Queensland, Greenslopes.