LezzieLez

I lost my best friend of 18 years.. Why? It wasn't because of my attitude or weight loss, it was more about her insecurities. Her boyfriend cheated on her and I was the one who caught it. While I was contemplating what and how to tell her, he told her that I hit on him. I found out through our mutual friends what was said about me. Apparently since I lost weight, I felt like I could have anyone's man, my insecurities made me feel like I needed to have what they had, and that most fat girls are hoes and it gets worse when they lose weight. The fact that she believed what he said and that most of this came out of her mouth hurt so bad. Don't live life worried about what others are going to say and do. This surgery is to make yourself healthier and while it is your best friend and it hurt like hell losing mine, I don't regret anything.

You're totally right on this one. The cost of PROCESSED food are higher than getting fast food. That's just because the stores are processing the food in bulk with cheap chemicals/preservatives to make them last longer. I still eat at some fast food establishments (chick fil A is my fav) but it is cheaper and healthier for me to just cut up a chicken breast and saute it or bake it into nuggets. Besides coupons, butchers for meat is a great option or farmers markets for fruit and veggies if frozen isn't desirable. I personally like the steamfresh brand. You can share a meat package deal with family or friends. For convenience, I buy bagged salads and split it into servings. I buy nuts in bulk from costco and mix it with cereal for a snack and it lasts me a long time.

Too funny!!

Yay!!!! I am glad everything went well...

Cash? 100 but only used about $20 for tips. Because of a minor issue (anemia) I had to charge about $300 for a blood transfusion.

Thanks!

@@shizwiz - are you ready??

I live in Atlanta and I walked it the length of the airport. I figured since I was on the plane for so long, it was better to get my legs moving. I also went to walmart after leaving there but I am a pretty tough cookie. I didn't carry a purse though and my carry-on was a roller. I only needed help getting it down from the overhead compartment. I brought my computer but honestly, I could've kept it home. I used my phone the majority of the time.

I tried a lot of protein shakes but the only ones I could tolerate both before and after was premier protein,chike, and click. Everything else tasted ok before but was hard to keep down afterwards. I am a coffee person so thats where chike and click came in. I used the vanilla premier protein as a base to my smoothies after the surgery and the chocolate I still drink plain.

Congrats!! We started at the same weight but I am guessing that its the height difference that will make our goals different. I cannot wait for my arm lift and am not sure if I am going to get anything else. Maybe a thigh lift too.

I am now 10 months out.. If you know hair types, I am a 3c/4a. I started losing my hair around the 3rd month and now again recently. Over the holidays I slacked off on everything so I just started on my Biotin and Vitamins. I have a head full of hair (way more than my profile picture) so the only way you can tell is when I point it out. There are Patches of hair that are about 3-4 inches long and the rest of my hair is in the middle of my back when stretched. Luckily, I wear it curly. The biotin and vitamins work. Theres no need to do anything else. And I had my hair braided - all of the hair that didn't shed daily came out all at once when I took my braids out. It really didn't matter. So, do you want to shed daily or all at one time? It was a bit more scary and shocking all at one time..LOL

I am getting close to my goal for my 1 year anniversary and I am eating enough Protein but my biggest issues are my Water intake and consistently exercising. I am making excuses everyday and haven't been in the gym or working out in over 3 weeks. No weight gained, but no weight lost either.

Hey ladies! I am getting close to my goal but with partying, drinking, and a ton of other excuses, I am finding it hard to get back to doing what is right. This journey is NOT easy - this tool is great but the better tool is our mind and that is the hardest to use at the moment.

Going alone wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Everyone checks on you and I met some cool people there that were also having the surgery.

10 months out and I still can't tolerate eggs! I used to LOVE eggs - omelettes, deviled, scrambled w/cheese.. etc Now it is the only thing I can't eat. I am actually less lactose intolerant since the surgery than I was before. Go figure!

I forgive - never forget. And as I forgive them, I release them. I cannot live my life wondering if they will do it again. Plus, I am a pretty open, cool, and don't intentionally hurt people and don't feel that someone who intentionally hurt me deserves me in their life. Honest mistake? Ok - but to hurt me intentionally? To make a decision knowing that it would hurt me? I'm good..

I had my surgery in Mexico on a Wednesday and went back to work on Monday. I had no energy and honestly wished I had taken off an additional week. I made it through the week - going to sleep as soon as i stepped in my house. I wasn't keeping up with my Water and food intake as I should've because I was so occupied with work. If you can, do at least 2 weeks. If not, try your best to keep up with the Protein, Vitamins, and water. You will need it!!

I've been on the boards for 2 years and his name just started popping up. It doesn't mean that he isn't experienced - because every surgeon has to work under another one before going on his own. I just never heard of him and did a lot of research prior to choosing my surgeon. Price was a factor in choosing my surgeon but I was also chatting with a lot of people that used him too and that made a big difference to me.

I was scared because I went by myself. My boyfriend at the time waited until 2 days before to tell me he didn't buy a plane ticket because he didn't want me to go. As for Dr. Garcia - I didn't really see much of him but he was cool. The doctor that I saw the most was a woman and I cannot remember her name but she had the surgery too and looked great! The Ready4Achange staff was great though. I got in late the night before so I didn't see anyone other than the driver until I got to the hospital the next morning. The coordinators were lively and answered every question I threw at them. The hospital - (Florence) - the nurses were ok with me. They ran out of compression stockings so if you can bring some yourself - do so. The ekg machine and equipment they used were real old school except for the operating room which was decently high tech. The building is older as well and my shower was stone so I wore my flip flops in there (I couldn't tell if it was clean). I am anemic and I knew prior to going. What I didn't realize was that my normal hemoglobin level was considered low to them and I had to have a blood transfusion and extra medicine. That came up to almost $400 unexpected costs. All in all - I would recommend them to my friends and family. The process was smooth and I am happy!

Hugs and best wishes!!

The internet was decent at the Marriott. I was able to chat, post on FB, and browse the internet with no problems. I installed the magic jack app on my phone and use the wifi at the hotel to make calls so I didn't have to worry about have cell reception and extra charges. Do that ahead of time and give everyone the new number. I also used glide and tango to video chat from my phone. Tip in US dollars. I bought stuff at the hotel and they gave me US dollars back.. No need to change currency.

@@Kerri Wright Ellis I live in Marietta and I had my surgery in TJ as well. Feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns.

If you have large calfs, buy them. When I got there- they ran out so I used mine. I had the ones that came up to my knees.

The only pain I had was gas and by the time I got to the airport - it didn't exist. The airport is fairly small so I walked to my gate. I didn't experience any pain at all.. I used my jacket instead of the pillow underneath the seatbelt for takeoff.

I accepted too Sweet Pea! This is just what i needed to help get through the holidays!