Cknorte

I just did 40 minutes of cardio dance on demand....I was to lazy to go to the gym/treadmill and run.....wow a change in pace does kick my bootie......and I can look like a total white girl with no rhythm in my own bedroom.....I came out all sweaty and out of breath....my husband hadn't noticed I was jumping around....he called me a back stabber since I ok'd the no-gym Sunday.....LOL~

It's been a while since I posted...I am still losing weight. My surgery was on July 16th I've lost just over 68lbs and I am still going down. It seems that around Christmas/New Year I stalled for a few weeks (3) where the scale did not move, then out of the blue....wham, I was down 5 lbs.....then I gradually lost 1-2 lbs a week and have been stalled for the last 2 weeks, then all of a sudden 4lbs, down.....I guess our bodies have to be reminded to keep losing. I think that I have stalled at every major weigh point in my life....I stalled at 250 for a few weeks....but a few years ago I was 250 for a couple of years, it's almost like my body remembered that is was ok and comfy at that weight....then I tried all the tricks, workout, no workout, carbs, no carbs, more calories, less calories, and then all of a sudden it started moving down again. Same thing happened at 240 and at 238. I am finally down to 234.2 (yes the .2 is important) I will probably stay here for 2 weeks and then finally make it into the 220's....I haven't been there since 1998..... It feels like our body has check points and we have to somehow remind them that at some point there was another comfortable spot.....a few pounds lower.....

Oh my goodness!!!! Alexa I'm so sorry to hear about this complication. Thank you for posting your story......hope you are recovering well from this ordeal..... keep us posted.....

Also remember that it may not be hunger but acid...make sure you are taking a PPI (prevacid, nexium) to make sure you are not having excess acid....I found that early on I thought I was hungry and once I started taking a PPI it took care of the "hunger" growls...

Yay!!! congratulations on starting the year with a kick in the butt...we all need it! huh! BTW, when you do cook all the stuff......make sure you make up some chicken Soup for you post op...home made soup (old school, chicken skin and bones and veg)....separate about half to turn into broth and freeze in containers, the other shred the chicken and veg and put in containers...as you go through food phases you can unfreeze and just have broth or have some of the chicken soup (chicken and veg) blended and then just as soup..... I know having my own broth was wonderful and gave me a little more calorie/protein intake on those first few days.... Good luck and keep us posted!

I had surgery with Dr. Corvala.....I am super happy with my surgery and weight loss....I don't know about Dr.s in Dallas.... You can check out my blog (in my signature line) and or PM if you have questions.....I was at the gym on the treadmill on day 6....ok not doing a full mile, but got 20 minutes in.....I also rode home 7 hours or so from Tijuana the day after surgery....recovery time differs from every body....but for me it was relatively easy.... Take care,

I love love love my surgery....I have lost 59lbs...I didn't make 60 before the end of the year....but hey, I lost a lb in Vegas....so I can't complain..... My surgery was in July, in Mexico with Dr. Corvala....I also was set on VSG until I read about this procedure.....you can't go wrong with Dr. Watkins in the US or in Mexico I am a Corvala fan... You can read my story, and see pictures on my blog, it's in my signature line....PM if you have any specific questions or if you just want to know more.... I am in the process of moving from California to Florida so I am on and off the boards, but will be around..... I have never puked or slimed...I feel full without feeling "thanksgiving" full for the first time in my life, and with about a cup of food. I eat everything and drink everything...there are things I don't like anymore...scrambled eggs, diet coke, coke zero, or any carbonated bevy (I do have a beer or champagne on occasion)....I drink alcohol (vodka and crystal light) with a straw.....I have been on vacation, I go out to dinner, and I live a normal life....the difference is that now I eat like all my "skinny" friends...I leave stuff on my plate and don't feel guiilty...left overs are awesome and have been a $$ savings....my grocery bill is down.... It is a journey and you have to research....but if I am so glad I did this...down almost 60 I have about 40-50 to go....yay!~

I went to Dr. Corvala...in July...you can read my blog (it's in my signature line).... i had the best hospital experience I've ever had, the Dr. is awesome his team is great....I have not once regretted my decision....remember it is major surgery, and you are having major medical care....but with Dr. Corvala I felt safe, was at a full service hospital... It's a tough choice....good luck.....

Wow! Merry Christmas to you!!!! Keep us posted on your progress...and yes, I would have traded just about anything to get out of my compression hose....love the wrap things......

me too!

I had surgery in July in Mexico with Dr. Corvala.....I actually had surgery the day before Julie....I am down almost 60lbs....I eat everything and do everything...as a matter of fact I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas, tried out new restaurants and (ok not the best choices, but it's Vegas) had a few too many adult bevy's....I am still down 1/2 lb.... I have learned that I need to order what I really want from a menu...yes there will be left overs, and yes, sometimes it is easier and better to order one meal for me and my husband and eat "family" style..... other than that...it has been great.... Read my blog, go back to July, and you can see what I was doing, eating and feeling...I write about 1 a week now, but will get back into the swing of writing with the new year... I started at over 300 and am now in the lower 240's!!!! so yes, would I do it again...in a minute....would I go to Mexico...No doubt! Just think of your stomach at a wayyyyy smaller size....I can eat about 4-6 oz of food, if it is soft and mushy I can eat maybe 8-10oz...but still think about a 1 cup measure, that is 8 oz.....so if you are full (and for the first time in my life I knew what full felt like....).....I have now made it through the Holidays and am down 4 lbs in December...it is a slower month than any other month, but also I indulged in alcohol, Cookies, etc...so all in all it beats my usual 10+lbs gain...... good luck and keep us posted...

Hang in there...it is scary for sure...and yes it is major surgery.....but do your research on your surgeon. I went to Dr. Corvala and have been so please, it was an easy go at it, and if you are scared of narcotics/relapse...they don't use narcs in Mexico...so you'll basically be given strongish tylenol....I didn't use my pain med...used them for menstrual cramps after surgery..... good luck, keep the faith, and know that you are in the best hands you found.....keep us posted

I live in California, and Dr. Corvala was close and made sense. I really liked him, his staff and hospital. I don't think you can go wrong with either Dr.

I can totally understand feeling like a quota....someone else posted on aftercare.....though I didn't have any real issues, and when I had random questions I called and got answers, I didn't get "real" after care. I never got a call to see how I was doing, if I didn't call to ask stuff I would have never heard from the surgical team or coordinator again. I loved my surgeon, the facility and my results. I hadn't heard about Dr. Watkins before having surgery, I would have definitely have considered and talked to his office. Take your time, don't let anyone push you one way or another....check them all out. What I do know, is that I am glad I had plication vs. any other surgery. The recovery for me was easy, I am down 55lbs, I feel healthy and feel good (ok, have some heavy hair shedding, but it's just hair)....everyone tells me how much better I look. I feel better, I can sleep better at night and feel rested, I eat normal foods, just small portions (kind of like all those skinny Biotches we always looked at in restaurants), I've conquered my fear of restaurant booths, and have discovered thrift store treasure hunting.....

Hi Patrick, I had over 150lbs to lose....I am down 52. I can't eat more than 3/4-1cup of food. I usually get in around 900-1000 calories a day. So you can totally lose weight and a lot of it......just think about it.... Also, with Plication...there is a risk that the sleeve could stretch if you constantly overeat (it's hard to do, because it is super uncomfortable to overeat), but they can go back in and re-stitch and re-tighten. Corvala is an awesome Dr. let us know what you find out....good luck!

I went with Dr. Corvala at Angeles Hospital in TJ. I think he was one of the first ones and has taught the other Dr.'s in Mexico. I had a really good experience and it was the right choice for me. Email Dr. Watkins, you may be surprised at the cost, I think it may be similar to the prices in Mex. Dr. Corvala is a little pricier than Dr. Rodriguez.....but for me it was so worth it, the hospital and staff were great. Good luck with your choice....

Do a search fro Dr. Watkins on this board. He's done a fabulous job about posting and explaining the surgery..... You can go read my blog, I've described my experience. I had surgery with Dr. Corvala in July, and am happy as a clam....

One would think, hope and pray....but I think hair loss just comes with the territory of weight loss surgery.... I have been "shedding" way more than normal, it's like my hair is thinning out, but I do see large clumps of hair on my brush and shower drain.... I am taking the Vitamins, and trying to get in Protein....but oh! well......I guess it's a fair trade.....

Ugh what a pain....having said that....I've heard that sometimes 2 surgeries are required because the band has done some damage and it takes a little time for your stomach to be able to have anything done to it, something to do with adhesion or scar tissue....so check with your Dr. for band removal here....just in case...the last thing you want is to be in with Dr. Corvala and have him remove the band and have him ask you to come back later for plication.....don't take my word for it, I didn't have the band....but have heard this happens with the traditional vsg...... I loved my experience with Dr. Corvala.....so I am biased....but have heard wonderful things about both Dr. Watkins and Dr. Cottam.....you may talk to their office and see what they can work out with your insurance, perhaps the insurance will cover anesthesia, and band removal and all you'll have to pay is the difference in cost to the surgeon....won't hurt to ask...their insurance people are used to dealing with the insurance companies.... On the other Dr.'s in Mexico, I don't have any information...so no help there..... Vent away.....the process is so much more painful than the actual surgery.....

Dr. Cottam is in Salt Lake, he is doing the Plication. I think he and Dr. Watkins have consulted with each other. I used Dr. Corvala in Tijuana, great hospital, good care.....but check Dr. Cottam...he has videos of his surgery on youtube....I think a way further down on this forum there is a posting about Dr. Cottam in Utah.

I make a shepherd's pie thing using a topping of ricotta, cream cheese, 1 egg, and a little milk...for topping......also make a mexican lasagna using corn tortillas instead of noodles.....both are tasty and my meat and potato guy eats them.....they freeze well so it easy for reheating at later dates....

OMG! I tried this last week, I went for the armpits to start off....and my armpits felt like they were on fire.....I had to rinse off and walk around with my arms raised for the rest of the day....glad I didn't go down under as a starting point...UGGG i guess I have more sensitive skin...(my skin has been a pain in the rear since surgery)....I wish the powder had not burned...I get waxed regularly, not only is it expensive...it is painful.....I am soooo bummed! Oh and it smells like Perm solution...my husband had the fans going and the windows open.....he's a bigger pain than me.... I guess I'll go to sally's and buy the wax mentioned above....will have him do it...see how that goes...LOL!

I had surgery with Dr. Corvala in July, no issues at all, am down 46 lbs.....Really liked him and his staff.....

yup as soon as I was feeling up to it....I think we waited around 2 weeks....maybe.....

Hi... Flying there is no problem....however...don't over pack....for the most part while you are in the hospital you will be in a hospital gown..So take slippers or flip flops to walk around. Take some personal care stuff (travel sized shampoo, face cream, chapstick*****very useful***).....I took my laptop, my headphones with microphone so I could SKYPE home and make calls, if you are going to Mexico, you may think about taking a few DVD's so you can watch a few movies you like or some series you like...Mexican cable has a few English stations, but at least my hospital there were only a few, and it seemed like they were an an eternal Law and order or CSI cycle. For the trip home...pack a few tea bags, and ether some chicken broth bullion squares, or the powder from Ramen Noodles....you can ask for hot Water on the plane and the broth always feels good, you can get something to drink at the airport like FUZE or even gatorade.....get an aisle seat so you can get up and walk with ease, and go to the bathroom, also if you are of any size, don't be scared or embarassed to ask for a seatbelt extender....you don't want to get too tight on your brand new incisions, your tummy will be bloated/swollen....if you have to change gates and have a lay over, ask for a wheelchair or transport form one gate to the other....if takes the stress away from running to the gate...and again...don't over pack...you can probably wear the same thing you wore getting there, back home.....