iegal

Hi Katf; Highly recommend The New Program, several people here have used group. 14K, which is not cheap for self pay but worth every penny. I spent more 18K - but two other people on this site used Dr. Braverman and he is less cost than my surgeon. You can contact "Veda" or "SkinnyNurseBetty" if you want their personal experience. Surgeons at New Program in Newport Beach (they have an office in LA area too) are highly skilled and have the lowest complication rate in Southern California for Barriatrics besides being a Barriatric Center of Excellence member. The start of the process for me with self pay was just over 30 days including the two week preop diet. While I spent an enourmous amount of my retirement on VSG surgery, I would do it again tomorrow. My life has changed because I am healthier, happier, move more and have discovered that doors I would never open I will now. VSG is not always easy and since it is non reversable, make sure this is what you want. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to talk. Good luck in your search! I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Can you say TENACITY? Wow. Good for you!

Congratulations, I am excited for you. How did you find a surgeon in Costa Rica. I know nothing of plastic surgery outside the US, so any tips would helpful. Kept us posted on your progress.

Nice to hear from you Globetrotter. Always loved your posts from beyond. Globetrotter - Encouraging you to keep the fight to hit the goal you want. The bad thing about "knowing" our sleeve at over a year out is we know how to cheat. I am talking to myself here - but get back to the basics. Log everything you eat/drink/suppliments. Watch for a week or two noting what weight if any is lost. If not satisfied change things up. See if anything happens. I know if I eat carbs, I gain weight and only want more and more and more thus I try to avoid still even after being sleeved. Most importantly - keep up a good fight and never give in. Hugs to you and welcome home!

Thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery.

An early - Welcome to the losers bench to you and Misha. Exciting changes are coming!

Feelings will get hurt on here on VST sadly-this is not the first time I have seen this. People strongly believe what they believe in and voice this inappropriately. You need to stay strong and do not be bullied. Yes, you do have a right to voice an opinion as long as you are not attacking someone personally or being offensive which I highly doubt you did. Now, there is a time to be rude. I have taken someone on for one of their posts where they stated absolute faslehoods and lies. Did I attack? Probably. I was angry because so many trust what they read here. To all newbies, remember to be vigilant and do not trust everything. We have a fine line to walk. Glad you decided to stay and keep smiling in your posts. You staying is a WIN. Congrats on being sleeved!

Thought I would share this site again. Someone was kind enough to share with me when I was a newbie just starting out on my sleeve journey. You can even upload your photo. Not entirely accurate results, but pretty amazing to dream and keep you motivated. I hope you like this and post what you think about site. http://www4.weightmi...or/index.php?id=

Wish I had good news ladies. I am freezing too. Here I sit in "sunny" Southern California with a high of 70 today. What did I wear? Pants with a high neck sweater to work, with a blazer on top. If I was in the sun, I was fine. Did anyone else catch the clause of preop paperwork in fine print of my sleeve surgery that a move to Hawaii or the Caribbean was needed? HA HA Say "fleece" with me. It will be your newest friend and worse fashion offender. Oh well, I still love my sleeve.

Your icon and new thumbnail both show a lovely lady. A little creepy with someone following you around, but great NSV. Hey - you know you are stunning, right?

So, did anyone upload their picture yet? Willing to post results?

Work that sleeve! Way to go.

I wish I had started my life in my 40's. This is my best season ever and not just because I am sleeved. My life has the usual challenges but my joy is almost overwhelming. Kiddies are adults so just hubby and I - enjoying life to the fullest. Pinch me.

You make me smile and dance. ROCK that sleeve!

One of my sleeve sisters kept her fat pants too and would take a picture of her new pants on top of her old pants. Last picture she posted was of her standing in one leg of the fat pants. I find it amazing that you can look back and call them fat pants with a smile on your face. Congrats on your success with your sleeve!

Teresa, so glad to hear you are doing so well. Your weight loss thus far is incredible. Keep up the walking and remember to sip often.

Yes, the preop diet is torture, but the results are worth it. There are so many benefits to VSG, you will be so happy. Today, keep you eye one the goal and do not cheat the diet as you are almost there! Good luck on Tuesday, please provide an update when you are able. Hugs.

Thanks for sharing your success story with us. Congrats on all the wonderful changes in your life. Just because you made a decision for YOU to be healthy. Look at all the benefits!

Hey - our next So Cal get together is March 3rd, somewhere in the Inland Empire. Send "sleeve 4 me" a private message if you want to get details on location, time, confirmation of date. Group is usually about 10 - 15 people from SoCal. We love getting together just to share stories and cheer each other on. Hugs!

Once I hit goal, I grabbed some of my old professional suits from over 15 years ago. Imagine my horror when my old size 10 skirts fit like a glove when I just took off a size 4 jeans from today. Almost had a meltdown. Here is a great article from Yahoo about Vanity sizing. http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/what-size-are-you-really-the-truth-behind-vanity-sizing-2532831.html I have embraced my "new" size. Whatever the number, I am healthy.

Consider me one of your fans. Congratuations on such an incredible job!

Hey S4M; This was from when you and I were newbies back in Sept 2010. What fun!

This is a BIG victory. Celebrating with you and cheering you on to many more NSV.

Sorry I have to ask but are you having issues with expelling your food which way? Are you throwing up or other?

Okay hun; You are headed for disaster - aka emergency room if you do not get help or help yourself. I am baffled at why your doctors office refused to acknowledge your need to help. Get a shot glass. Go out and get g2 gatorade or Powerade zero (no sugar) and set your timer. Every 15 minutes you will fill this glass. During that 15 minutes you will take very small sips so small liquid barely runs down your throat, NO GULPS and continue working until it is gone. This might take 10 minutes. Repeat all day long. (feels like a full time job) Also, do room tempature, NOT COLD. Cold is hard for our new tummies to tolerate. I experienced the same thing and this was the cure. Try tepid chicken broth from something like Lipton Soup if you are gagging the sweet stuff. Or you can try peppermint decaf tea which is a natural tummy calmer. Remember, not hot, not cold but warm. Also, on Monday AM call your doctors office and request a PPI perscription. If doc will not perscribe one then get permission to take an over the counter like Pepcid acid reduce strips. This will help your stomach gurgles. I felt like I had an alien in there wanting to get out for the first few weeks until I read about a PPI on this site. Tummy was embarassing is was so loud. Take care your yourself because no one else will. Hugs!!