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Let me say to every who is think about having this surgery DO IT! Man each day is just getting better and better. Many people choose to undergo this surgery as a means to improve health not looks. If your suffering from sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure or other obesity related illness, this is the reset button! i'm 3 weeks post op and no longer need my CPAP, blood pressure 120/80, Blood suger 128. The day I got home I walked one mile and have increase that until now i'm riding six mile on my bike. Also waiting for clearance to lift weights. Now the downside: I was not aware that I was not to eat more than 1oz, so of course i was trying to eat the allowed 4oz, I figured out that will not happen right now. I think it was a mind thing because I am almost never hungry. Still working on the fluid increase i was able to drink 80 for a couple of days but, that started reflux, so if any one has any ideas on dealing with that let me know. My reflux shows up about 5 to 6am every morning for the last week and a half. The fact that i can get out and be active again is so cool! I'm down to 225, but my focus is to get physically fit again. So I hope for those how have doubts that we on the forum, can give you the info you need to make a educated choice. this is a tool not a miracle cure for obesity, so if you can start approaching food and exercise with the right attitude you will be well on your way to being healthy.

I will go to the gym. I will eat the right food. I will drink my water. I will keep doing what I'm supposed to. (Long sigh....) Now if my body would keep its end of the deal...... (kicks the dirt) Pity party over.

In my last post I wrote that I had to go back to the dentist for another round of the teeth whitening. Again, I found it harder then the WLS in terms of nerves (nothing like being trapped in a dentist chair with mouth guards in not speaking the language in essential a "foreign country."). He was definitely recommending a good teeth cleaning because I had some tarter buildup (which was probably true since I generally avoid the dentist office but do brush and floss on a regular basis). He offered to do it but I just wanted out of the chair! I would most definitely not recommend doing the teeth whitening (the dentist himself was very nice but I did wonder about the general cleanliness of the office and procedure...I won't go into details but some of the stuff made me go ewwwww and wish for tons of hand sanitizer!) . I did it because I thought it would be cheaper then the Zoom treatment (which is was) but I didn't get the piece of mind that I think having it done in the States would have provided. Afterward Ana took me shopping. She offered yesterday and I should have said, "No thank you." I don't like shopping in the States and I don't need any more clutter in the house so it wasn't like I was dying for anything in the souvenir end of things. Geni, the other sleever in the hotel, was smart and opted out. She has children at home and is taking back Mexican convenience store candy/chips for her kids. We did that with our son when we traveled because he thought the different flavored candy and chips were cool (and makes for a nice cheap souvenir for the children...he took items to school in his lunch and his friends thought it was "cool"). Ana took me to Revolution Road, which is a main shopping street for tourists coming into Tijuana. This meant lots of sombrero, poncho, and knick kacky things and worse the haggling that comes with it (haggling is up there with dentists for me I liked the jewelry but the rings I were eyeing up were priced at $123 and he came down as much as $75 but I could get them for $40 in the States (sure not genuine silver or handcrafted but I am not that picky about my jewelry as a whole). I couldn't eat or drink (and there were lots of those places as well) so the appeal of walking around was lost on me and I asked Ana to take me back (I think she was doing it as a courtesy for me which is awfully sweet but was unnecessary). I never like going shopping on vacation. It isn't something I am ever dying to do. I prefer to do spa like things on my vacation as a whole (plus eating and drinking). I know this isn't a vacation "per se" but it is a bit for me (and I saved up some spending money for the trip). Dr. Kelly did come to see the two of us today to answer any questions and generally check on our well being before we leave tomorrow. I wish I'd know he was coming up to the room or I would have picked up a little. I wanted to know about the bandages on the incisions. Mine are still covered up and she said just to wait until the bandages come off on their own. I wanted to know exactly how important the stomach pills he gave us to which the answer was, VERY IMPORTANT. (Yikes! I have not been taking them just because it seems overwhelming to take the two at night but I will start tonight!). He didn't seem concerned about my lack of getting fluids in. He said the stomach will expand making it easier to get the fluids in (Geni managed to drink an entire bottle of Gatorade last night and I was seriously impressed!...not at one time just to clarify). I asked him if I could skip the Gatorade (too sweet for me) and he said that was fine. Geni said she thought that they put a breathing tube in while we were under in the operation (she said she felt it being removed). I didn't feel it so I asked and Geni was correct...they did put a breathing tube in which explains my somewhat sore throat. I asked what was the best way to remove the surgical adhesive residue that is currently very unattractive on my stomach (think peeling off a label on something you have bought and the residue that is left behind...which is pretty much how it feels and looks). He said it will come off in time during bathing. Health wise I have plenty of energy (no more, no less then before). I am working on getting more water in today. Getting my period sucked a bit and I am a bit sluggish as a result (happily going down for a nap in a few minutes) but no pain to speak up (still some gurgling and I have to count to at least 20 before taking back to back sips of the water). The food smells delicious downstairs but I am happy to write that I am not hungry.

Dear Food, I know you think I'm stupid for talking to you because...well, you're food and you can't hear me. I just want to tell you that it's been quite a ride these last 42 years. We've had our ups and ups and ups and ups and downs and ups and ups. It's time for our relationship to change. I'm not breaking up with you, because I still need you to live, however, our relationship has to change now. And really....believe me when I say...It's not you. It's me. I'm the one with the problem, so don't ever blame yourself. You're really sweet. And salty. And delicious...OH WHAT AM I SAYING....how can we ever part?? NO!! We must part for a time. Two weeks- no more than five, I promise. When we come back together- things will be different. You must hide your sweetness from me. Don't tempt me further with your refinements. I want to see the REAL you....the one with all the vitamins and minerals and protein...yes...I said protein. Hey, I told you things were going to change. And for pete's sake, stop bringing your friends around! But don't worry...you'll always have a place...sorta...close to my heart... No, I didn't have a mental break. I start liquids Monday. (siiiigh)

Greetings, So I have decided to lay off the surgery for a while. God, I totally feel like I am putting the cat among the pigeons here... I have been praying on this every Salat for the past month, hoping that Allah will guide me to making the right decision. And I believe He did, for the time being. Firstly, I had a baby, only a mere 7 months ago - my breasts are still producing milk, even though I have stopped pumping which suggests to me that my hormones dont know whether to scratch their watches or wind their butts..I read that it can take a full year for your bod to get back to normal after having a baby. Secondly, I gotta finish my dissertation this spring break - 12 000 words more to go - Oy Vey! Thirdly, after having read oh so much literature on this surgery, I dont really feel like I have given it 'one last shot'. So I have started. I started the C25K programme which I am loving, and have lost 3kg this week. I bought a set of scales - something I NEVER EVER thought I would do because of my innate fear of them - and have used them. Finally, after having met with my sleeved buddies (who I love TO DEATH) I have decided to give myself two conditions: a) if I become heavier than I am now then I will immediately do the surgery. if I do not become heavier but fail to lose a good amount of weight over the next year, then I will do the surgery. My head has been totally up my butt over this and I have SO much admiration for everyone who has done this surgery. It is a BIG change. But for me, now is not the time. I haven't discounted it at all by any means - I am just giving it a go on my own first. My sleeved buddies are so supportive and so full of wisdom and light - I am so blessed to have met them. Maybe some of you think that I am a complete wuss but I know that most of you will believe that everyone has their own journey to make. All your messages of support and advice have been invaluable. Truly. I'll still be visiting here and blogging my thoughts occasionally. Anyway, good luck to all of you brave hotties. You are all amazing people. Peace, love and light to you all xxx

Okay so i was sleeved 3/27/12 , 2days stay in hsptl 1st day aftr surgery was great (morphine) but baby when it wears off!!! so day 2-3 was stuff. day 4 the gas is more irritating than painful , im taking no pain meds (yeah) but i cant drink or SIP any of these protein shakes or soups . So im worried im not intaking enough proteins. any suggestions???????????????? oh yeah im down 10lbs in 5days yeah!!!!

Hi! My name is Brittney and i'm a 25 year old mommy to one beautiful 2 year old boy named Jackson. I was banded on 3-23-12 and I figured I would keep a little blog about my struggles and successes! Today was my first day back at work since my surgery and it's been surprisingly really good. I have stuck with my doctor's diet to a 'T' but I can feel my body getting more hungry and it actually makes my stomach growl. Even though I would love to eat everything in the cafe downstairs, I haven't. I'm still sticking to my liquids and sugar free stuff. I have my first post surgery dr's appt on Wednesday and i'm really looking forward to visiting with my surgeon and seeing what he has to say and the direction we're moving in. I'm really excited about my new lifestyle and it's hard already but this is the best i've ever done with a new "lifestyle change" and I plan to stick to this as best as I can! But I can't lie, i'm really looking forward to having solid foods soon

Had a really great weekend! Did some walking, and visiting with friends. On Sunday, our church had a cook-out (hamburgers, hot-dogs, all the trimmings) to celebrate everyone who had a birthday the 1st quarter of the year -- and a HUGE cake. My name was on the cake too, so I felt like I kinda needed to attend. I took my food (tuna salad - just tuna and LF mayo; mashed potatoes w/ gravy; and avocado mixed with LF mayo), and I wasn't even the least bit tempted. Even by the cake! I have lost 19lbs at this point, and really find it amazing. I was worried that when I had the surgery, I might be one of the folks who weight loss was really slow to start, but so far, so good. I certainly don't expect to keep this up, but will enjoy it while it lasts. I'm sure that as I progress through the food phases, and eventually get back on regular food, the weight loss will drastically slow. I noticed on Sunday that I can drink more than "baby sips". While I don't want to take large gulps, I'm thankful that the swelling in my sleeve has obviously been reduced. I don't really know exactly how much I can eat at any given time. I eat something (very slowly), until I get a "full" feeling. For me, feeling full means I just don't want any more. When I do eat, I take several minutes between bites. I've seen how others take that "one bite too many" and then have to pay the price, so I really don't want to over do it. Especially at this point! So, once I lose interest in whatever it is I'm eating, I stop. Obviously I'm still struggling to get in the 60 - 70 grams of protein, but 2.5 ounces of tuna get me 21g, so between that and one of my shakes, I'm getting close!

Nothing much to report this week... bit depressed sometimes... don't know why. Slowly but surely coming along... another 2lbs gone this week! A grand total of 46lbs so far... People are really starting to notice the weightloss now, even sitting in my car I receive compliments.lol Earlier this week a friend of mine who saw me about two weeks ago excitedly asked "Where did the rest of you go?". lol And of course the inevitable question of "How are you doing it?!!!" came. I matter-of-factly replied "Eat less and move more"! I continue on my weigh down....

Ok folks- I'm going to expose my inner nerd a little here, so don't go telling anyone that I'm not as cool as all that, ok? I finally broke the 300 lb. barrier and am soooo excited to be in the 200s again. Ok, I'm only at 296, but that counts. So as I lift my eyes to look across the span of the next 100 lbs, I'm feeling a little like Frodo when he and Sam finally get into Mordor and look across to Mount Doom. (After all the spider trauma, of course;) ) All they see is a vast wasteland filled with threatening foes waiting to take them down. But, on the other side....Frodo knows that freedom from the burden chained around his neck awaits. I know the freedom from this weight is coming. It just looks so daunting right now. Such a loooooong.....rocky....journey. But I'm ready. I know it's not magic, and it's going to take hard work. But when I get there, the relief will be soooooooo SWEET!!!!! I can't wait to cast it into the fire!! Nerd moment over. Carry on.