FatToPhat

Hi, yes, I did use Dr. Cottam for my plication surgery. My research indicated that he is one of the first few surgeons that was doing the Plication in the United States and that he has a reputation of being very knowledgeable and experienced in this particular procedure. So much so, that I have heard the use of the Endoflip as being called "The Cottam Technique" He is very funny and has a unique sense of humor. I liked him from the start and felt very safe in his surgical skills, especially with this newer procedure. However, I will say that he did not impress me after the surgery when I asked him the next morning if I had a hiatal hernia that he had to repair. He said he did a lot of surgeries that day and didn't remember. When I joked with him about whether he could even remember my name, he said "Does it matter?" He may have been joking, but it didn't make me feel very special. I also have felt that his office staff are very disorganized and they have not followed up with me at all, even after I contacted them and asked for information, support, etc. to be given via email as I live in another state. If you live in Utah and can go to all the followup apts, they might be o.k., but I feel they have not shown any concern for me since I'm out of state, out of mind.

Pretty wild!

The last couple of weeks I have not been paying much attention to what I've been eating nor have I been very good at working out. Prior to my surgery this would have been cause for a great deal of stress and very definitely a weight gain of at least 5 lbs or more. But I just realized that instead of majorly overeating and gaining lots of weight and having lots of guilt, etc., I have been fluctuating up and down the same 2-3 lbs, have not felt like I've eaten everything in the house but the kitchen sink and don't have the same level of stress, anxiety, and guilt about it as I used to! I'm just having an "off" couple of weeks and I'm still able to maintain my weight! What a great feeling!

What the....?

So, I was told to take a multivitamin for life after my Plication surgery. Or at least that's what I remember. But! I'm eating 1200-1600 calories a day and feel I'm definitely getting in a variety of foods with that, although I am trying to concentrate on my protein and vegetables first. I'm still trying to gag through the chewable vitamins I bought before surgery since I thought I wasn't going to be able to swallow pills just after surgery (not true). What does everyone else think about taking a daily vitamin?

Thanks for the link! It looks like it has some great recipe ideas.

Your body is in shock from both the surgery and the limited calorie intake. It is very common to go into a stall about 2-3 weeks after surgery. Your body is just trying to figure it all out. Just keep doing what you're doing and the stall will eventually break. Don't get too discouraged. I, also had "starvation-like" pains in my stomach, unfortunately for quite a while after my surgery...like a couple of months. It was horrible. I felt like I was ravenously hungry all the time. It would go away for about an hour after I ate, but then it would come back again. Others have said that it could be increased stomach acid production and to take a protein pump inhibitor, but that didn't work very well for me. You might try a Gaviscon or Tums. My doctor didn't know what that was about and didn't agree that it was increased stomach acid, but I know others have said Pepcid or Prilosec or Nexium has helped them. You might talk to your doctor about it. Good luck and KUP!

Thanks for this info! I will keep it and refer back at tax time.

I have heard nothing but positive things from those that have gone to Mexico.

I agree with ChowChows. If your overall health is good and you don't have such extreme comorbidities that would cause you to be at too high of risk for ANY surgery, I think it's definitely not too old! I know of 85 year olds getting hip replacements and coming through them just fine.

FeFe, I am SO glad this is working for you!! It sounds like you are doing great. KUP on how you're doing as you progress. We all love success stories!

And YAYYYY for YOU, too!!

I'm a strong advocate in wearing seatbelts. I used to work for an injury attorney and I learned early on that seatbelts DO make a difference! But when my weight was at its highest, I just could NOT get the seatbelt in my car buckled! I looked into the cost of a seatbelt extension and I remember it was pretty expensive, but can't remember exactly how much. Anyway, since I've lost 40 lbs, I can finally get the seatbelt buckled again comfortably!!! Yeah, safety first!

$12,000, plus gas and hotel for the drive there. I heard that we might be able to write it off on our taxes!??

Thanks for the info on how to do this. I actually would like to upload some, but I've taken my picture every month since surgery and just haven't felt like the weight loss has been noticeable enough to post pictures, yet, but I'm hoping soon! I hope others will upload their pictures, too, though.

Hey Grandma! Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery. Keep up that positive attitude and I'm sure you will be a great success!

That's awesome that you are doing so well this soon after surgery! Congratulations!

I have a friend who had both her band and then later a sleeve done by Dr. Aceves and she highly recommends him and his hospital. She says she had a great experience and was impressed with the Dr. there.

That is SO awesome! Great benchmark, as you said. I've been stuck gaining and losing the same 2-3 lbs the last 2 weeks, but I got on the Elyptical today to try to break that stall. Slow losers unite!

Thanks Mednar! I love what you said about it not having been any easier BEFORE!!! How true!!!

Even though I'm down about 40 lbs, most of my clothes still fit, only looser, because they were pretty tight to begin with as I refused to buy more clothes. But I haven't lost enough to fit into some of my smaller clothes that I've saved. So, I decided to buy some more outfits today to perk me up and make me feel better. Retail therapy!! But, it backfired! Those mirrors belong in torture chambers!! I looked horrible in them and couldn't find anything to fit or flatter me! I felt totally defeated and like I hadn't even made any progress. I did manage to find 2 shirts that made me feel better, but they were black and I was trying so hard to get away from just boring black which is what I've been wearing a lot of lately. Anyway, I sure hope this gets better. I would totally love to be a clothes hound someday!

That's totally awesome! What a great feeling!

Good luck tomorrow, Anne!

Sorry, but I've heard it's advised to wait at least one year after you reach goal before scheduling plastic surgery. Mainly for two reasons. 1. In case you dont keep the weight off. Gaining weight after plastic surgery supposedly doesn't look so good! And 2. To allow your body to adjust and rearrange.