SexySlim

I think you will see more of the US patients with complications than Mexico patients. The Mexican surgeons have been doing this surgery longer. On that note I was sleeved by Dr. Kelly and I would do it over again 10,000 times. I am not being paid to say this. Actually I haven't spoken to him since my surgery. I should shoot him an email to tell him my progress a lot of Americans are misinformed about medical tourism. I'm glad I did my research and have no regrets!

I've done a few pole and chair classes. Let me tell you it is a workout and you will sweat! I went at my heaviest 288 lbs. one of the instructors was over 300 lbs when she started and she's down to 180. She is the reason I joined. She can do all the pole tricks and can hang upside down. You definitely have to stick with it to build your upper body strength. I haven't been in a while but it's definitely a fun workout. And definitely buy the platform shoes. Better leg and calf shaping.

Wow! You look great. That second pic looks like mother and daughter.

I can't believe it's been 6 months! I took my 6 month pics yesterday the 28th. My weight loss has been "stalled" for the past two months. I lost 3 lbs last month and maybe 1 this month. So I think my honeymoon phase was 4 months. I posted 13 week pics and they don't look that much different than these. I can tell I'm shrinking though. And I've still been working out and started doing TapOut XTreme workouts along with my Elliptical. Here's a summary of my stats and goals: Height: 5'11" still an amazon Weight: 288 to 231.4 lbs Size: tight 20W to 18 regular (16 in dresses) Tops: size XL to L Goal: 190 size 14 (in pants and dresses) not sure what weight that requires, I don't remember ever being under 200 lbs. I don't really follow a "diet" but I do drink a shake every morning. Either a scoop of Muscle Milk in skim milk or a RTD Muscle Milk Light. I only eat three times a day. I eat whatever for lunch and dinner just small portions. I still have a major sweet tooth so battling that is very hard. I'm going on vacation next week and plan on getting back to basics when I get back, eating only fish, chicken, fruits, and veggies (no sweets!). I can't say I will follow a diet because I have made this a lifestyle. This surgery has been wonderful for me. The best decision I have ever made for myself. I am in love with shopping again. I bought bags of clothes last weekend and it felt great to just be able to pull something off the rack without worrying if it will fit or not. I bought a goal dress size 14. It's skin tight right now, but the fact that I could pull it down over these hips felt great.

I had to attend my boss' birthday lunch a week after I was sleeved. I wasn't even on mushies yet. It was at a Meixcan restaurant (my favorite cuisine). We had to pre-order our food. I ordered chicken tortilla soup just so I could eat the broth, and it was nasty!!! People noticed I didn't eat my food, I didn't like it, so I just sipped on water with lemon. I would still go and just eat foods that are mushy or foods that you can make mushy in your mouth. Just be prepared for questions/reactions because they will happen.

Awesome! So happy to hear this! Hope we hear about the second date real soon

I stepped on the scale this morning thinking I gained maybe 3 lbs, and I lost 2!!! I went to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic for 5 days. I ate and drank whatever I wanted. We did do a lot of walking. The resort was huge and we had to hike up a hill and stairs for Breakfast every morning. We got curious and counted one day, 61 steps! Maybe my body just needed some confusion. For breakfast every morning I had one egg scrambled with cheese and ham, fresh pineapple, and some type of bread either 1/4 of a croissant or 1/4 of a slice of french toast. That's all my belly could hold. I ate whatever I wanted, just a smaller portion. I had crepes, pork chops, beignets with chocolate sauce, seafood Pasta, salmon, chicken parmesan, rotisserie chicken, ice cream, rum punch, pina colada, etc. Of course I couldn't finish a whole drink, but I was on vacation, I was in paradise, I had what I wanted I love my sleeve!

I know for sure you will be doing a lot of walking at Disney World, I'm sure you will lose

Hey who knows. The body works in mysterious ways. Maybe I need to go to DR every time I have a stall. Great stall-breaker!

Mmmm peanut butter m&m's are my absolute favorite!!! I like Unjury. I make sure I do a Muscle Milk Light every morning on the way to work. I'm sure once you incorporate the shakes the weight will start coming off again!

Vacation was amazing! And get this, I lost 2 lbs! How weird. I ate and drank whatever I wanted. But the resort was huge and we had to climb up hills and stairs to get to breakfast. We were curious one day and counted the stairs...61! We were like I bet we will come home lighter and we did. And I brought my 2 bikinis and wore them. They are a size 16. My stomach is no where near flat but I still wore them! I love the Dominican Republic, I'm already planning to go back in February with my boyfriend

I also wanted to add that I didn't tell my BF upfront about my surgery. He noticed that I barely ate that day, I just told him I'm a small eater. It wasn't until we got closer that I told him I had surgery. I say do what you feel is comfortable.

Congratulations on your success! I met my current BF on a dating site. It took a while for me to even join because I thought there would be nothing but crazy people and liars on there. And I had been single for 3 years and very discouraged. As my friends told me, you can't have any expectations when meeting these people. Just try to keep it light and have fun! Also, most people don't want to meet on an official date at first, it would be too awkward. Just something casual to break the ice and to see if you are compatible, My BF and I met at Potbelly. We were supposed to meet for smoothies, but we were both hungry so we ended up getting sandwiches. I was prepared to pay for myself, but he paid for me. Our first meeting ended up being 5 hours and the rest is history <3 Good luck and keep us posted!

Here they are!

I need to get some bags ready to donate. I bought tons of clothes last weekend and they are still in bags because I have no room to put them. Out with the old, in with the new! Oh yeah I posted my 6 month pics. When I get back to my laptop I will post them here too.

Thanks. I don't really remember how much I lost in the first month. I lost 10 lbs 2 weeks before my surgery.

My period started the morning of surgery. They let me wear a tampon, and I actually would prefer that over a pad. I heard some people wear some type of mesh panty and a pad. I went comando.

Thank you!

I have Verizon. They let you prorate the international plan. I think I did five days and my bill was maybe only an extra $10 that month. If you don't do this you will get charged $0.05 per incoming text and $0.50 per outgoing text. Not sure what the rate is for data and calls but I'm sure it's high.

Hmm, yeah so I didn't research about what hospitals he can and can't operate in. I just went by his credentials, his experience, training, and made my final decision after I spoke to him over the phone. He was my first choice, then I kept reading and changing my mind, then I ended up back with him. Like another poster said, this is a decision you have to be comfortable with because you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. I have had my blood work drawn after I was 4 months out. My PCP said everything looks great. My cholesterol is still borderline high, but that's genetics. It has always been a little high, even when I was fatter and still working out almost daily. I'm due back next month for some more blood work. Hopefully it has gone down. Sure, more surgeons are more popular, but popularity didn't matter to me. What's popular isn't always right. Also, take into consideration that this surgery has a risk. You can go to a surgeon with a 0% complication rate and still end up with a complication (hypothetically). Of course I was freaked out and paranoid that I would be one of 0.1%, but by the grace of God I wasn't. I pray that you are successful with whomever you choose.

I was sleeved by Dr. Kelly 6 months ago and couldn't have asked for a more pleasant experience. I would do it 100,000 times over. And no, he did not use a drain. I actually like the fact that I DIDN'T have to deal with a coordinator. I just wanted the surgery, so dealing with the surgeon directly was more convenient for me.

Yes, I've been in the 230's for over 2 months. Just keep swimming! Oh yeah, but I have been shrinking though, so all is well.

Oh and as far as shopping, I bought over $200 worth of clothes at Burlington Coat Factory last weekend. Their prices were amazing, it was like 4 bags total. Shirts/blouses for work, sweaters, some jewelry, some lingerie And I bought another goal dress, size 14. It's a straight cut so it is realllllllly tight over my hips. Hope I can wear it in a few months

Awesome! Congrats!!! That is a great week's loss. I lost 2 this week making my total 56.6. I worked out 5 days last week so I think that helped. I'm leaving for vacation next Wednesday (my weigh-in day) so I would like to lose a little before I go away. I'm already planning to do a "back to basics" clean eating when I get back. I need to really work hard to get these pounds off now. I'm still eating too many sweets. I can't believe tomorrow is our 6 month surgiversary <3

Yep major stall here too. I lost 3 lbs last month and have been bouncing the same pound all this month. I know I am shrinking but I wanna see those numbers move dammit! I have been working out sill and haven't really changed my diet. Hoping for better numbers next month.