barrbdoll

Mental preparation and awareness is an essential part of this journey!! Do I weigh myself every day?? Yep!! Sure do!! But the difference is that I don't get disappointed when the scale doesn't move because I understand the process. What works for some doesn't work for others...Find a routine that YOU are comfortable with and stick with it! Best of Luck!

FACT!!! I will stall for a couple of weeks and then start back up again... My first stall was at about 3 weeks out.. I went through another one recently that lasted for 2-3 weeks. I will say this.... MEASURE YOURSELF!!! When you stall you lose inches!! That is a FACT as well!! Good Luck!

I'm almost 5 months out and I mess up on occasion... My thought is this... Moderation is key!! I didn't have this procedure to be on a diet the rest of my life. I had it to help give me the control that I lacked when it came to food. You ate a soft pretzel... so what?? Just watch what you eat the next few days and you will get back on track... I had some Chef Boyardee Beefaroni this evening for dinner... Not the most healthy choice but I had a craving, I ate about 1/2 a cup and now I am full and good to go... 6 months ago I was eating a whole can of Beefaroni along with a grilled cheese AND Doritos!! LOL I want and STILL enjoy some of my favorite foods..... I'm almost 90lbs down in 5 months so I must be doing something right!!! LOL Lovin My Sleeve!!!!!

PdxMan is RIGHT!! Stalls happen to pretty much everyone and your first one usually hits around the 3 week post-op mark... You will start moving again.... Don't worry!

I would think that your Dr's office could answer that question.. My surgeon shares his practice with a Plastic surgeon and they partner with the Marriott in Tijuana to provide lodging. I think a week would be good for anything other than a tummy tuck, lower body lift etc... I do know that the drains have to be in longer as well when you have plastics.... Good questions though.... Good Luck!

I have always had an hourglass figure... Just a bigger one!! I had my surgery April 16th and am down 89lbs so far. I have been keeping up my on my measurements and I am happy to report that I am losing evenly. So far I have lost 12 inches off my hips, 11 inches off my waist and 12 inches off my bust!! It's crazy how this weight is falling off!! Best decision I have ever made!!!! Lovin my sleeve!!!!

I recommend that you talk to Lori Wrights who is a coordinator with Dr. Ortiz's office. Lori was my coordinator and she is a patient as well. She had the band and opted for revision surgery to the sleeve. Her surgery was the same day as mine... April 16th.. She is a wealth of knowledge as well as a good friend and will answer any questions that you may have. All the best!!!! Emily

I was able to incorporate salads at about week 7 or 8... I started small with just some spring mix or baby spinach.. Sliced up a couple of strawberries with some grilled chicken and balsamic vinegarette... went down just fine!! I enjoy the 1/2 salads that Wendy's sells..... I really lke the apple, pecan grilled chicken one...

Congrats on your decision!! I just had my surgery on April 16th with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and I feel fabulous!! His center is called Obesity Control Center and it's a state of the art facility that has been given the honor of being an "International Center of Excellence". He's been featured on Oprah, The Doctors and has even been named one of the top 15 Bariatric surgeons by Newsweek Magazine. When I first started researching WLS it was 7-8 years ago but the timing just wasn't right with work, personal relationships, etc.... I finally started to research again and after looking at other Doctors in Mexico (I'm was self pay too) I went right back to Dr. Ortiz. There are other surgeons to choose from and I implore you to do your research and due diligence before making your final selection. When choosing a surgeon you should focus on experience, facility, comfort for you and any guests, etc... and not just on price. I paid $6995 and that included all transportation from San Diego, 4 nights hotel stay at the Marriott in Tijuana for my mother and transportation back to San Diego. There are 6 private suites in his center that are very comfortable and you even have your own Direct TV.....PLUS you are surrounded by nothing but folks just like YOU and not in a hospital where God knows what types of diseases, infections, etc... are present. That was a HUGE deal for me. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez speak perfect English and have an incredible bedside manner. My surgery was on Monday morning and I was discharged on Tuesday around noon. I was back at the hotel laying by the pool and getting some sun and on day 3 I was out shopping for 3-4 hours. Dr. Ortiz has an agreement with the Marriott and they will bring you broth, popsicles, etc.. all included in your price. Your guest (if you bring one) will be very well taken care of. I honestly believe that a good pre-op diet accompanied by a positive attitude truly helped me come out of this surgery with flying colors. A lot of this journey, especially in the beginning is all mental. Once you decide on a surgeon get into a ZONE and stay there!! Reach out for support (the forums are great) and find folks that are getting their surgeries around the same time. It really does help! I am definitely an advocate for Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center... He has changed my life and I will be forever grateful! His website www.obesitycontrolcenter.com is very informative and he even has his own YouTube channel where you can watch videos of testimonials, surgeries. etc... You are going to get a lot of responses from others promoting other surgeons.. Everyone's experience is different so be prepared to research, research RESEARCH!!!! Feel free to contact me directly if you have any other questions!! All The Best!!! Emily

I enjoyed various wines, beers, Hennessey, Crown Royal as well as other "adult beverages" prior to my surgery. I was a "social" drinker and could put back about 4-5 mixed drinks or glasses of wine before feeling REALLY good... My surgery was April 16th and tried my first drink which was wine at about 8 weeks out.. It BURNED my throat and didn't sit well at all. I tried a Crown n Ginger at about 12 weeks and still... not good.. the only drink I have tried that went down okay was Ciroc and pineapple with a splash of sprite. It took me about 2 hours to drink it but at this point I can honestly say that I don't even desire alcohol anymore.. Once you are sleeved you will notice that your tastes change when it comes to drinks or food.. Some of the foods and drinks that I enjoyed prior to my surgery I don't like at all now.. Not a big deal for me personally.... My boyfriend loves it!! I'm a cheap date AND the designated driver!!! LOL

I am right there with you!! My surgery was April 16th and I can honestly say it was the absolute BEST decision I have ever made!!! and best money I have ever spent!!! No issues here either with the surgery..matter of fact I never felt like I even had surgery!! LOL Like you, I can eat pretty much anything as well but just small portions so I don't feel like I am depriving myself of my favorite foods!! It's the best feeling!!! Down 86lbs and I feel amazing!!!! LOVE MY SLEEVE!!! WOHOO!!!

Almond Milk and Almond/Coconut blend is all I drink...... Much better that regular milk!! At least for me!

I eat pasta and rice just fine.. No issues here... I first started with soups that had rice or pasta and that was at about 3-4 weeks. I'm 4 1/2 months out and I enjoy various pastas such as tortellini, penne, spaghetti, etc.... I usually have some chicken with it though so I can make sure I get protein. Granted, I don't eat much but it digests just fine and doesn't make me feel bad.

My surgery was April 16th. I started eating wheat thins about 3 weeks out...... I added cereal at about 5 weeks.

I am 4 1/2 months out and can pretty much eat anything.. I wasn't a big regular milk drinker before... I drank Almond Milk and still enjoy it post-op. I had half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the other day and it was sooooooo good! The only thing I have issues with is bananas.. Loved them before but they make me sick now..... Not sure why....

I take meds twice a day and also chew on Tumms here and there and I still have heartburn. My surgery was April 16th. It's the ONLY issue I have had since my surgery. I was on Nexium after surgery and it did nothing so I moved to over the counter generic "Rantidine" that I buy at Sams for around $10.00. Works better than the prescription stuff that I have tried. I hope it eventually goes away.... Time will tell!!!

I eat wheat thin crisps and the Special K chips when I have a crunch craving.. I also eat pretzels with Peanut Butter here and there.

I was eating wheat thins and crackers around week 3.. It was nice to experience the "crunch" factor. I enjoy Honey Nut Cheerios maybe once a week. I've also had Special K. I can't eat much of it but I do enjoy it!! Good Luck!

no issue at all.. I can't shove the whole piece in my mouth so I just cut each roll in half and bombs away!!! LOVE IT!!!!

I pureed Loaded Baked Potato Soup and it was perfect!!! Full of flavor and very satisfying... A lot of folks talk about carbs but its hard not to eat carbs during this stage.. To be honest... I eat a normal diet and enjoy carbs... I haven't had to limit them and my weight loss has been steady since my surgery. I just know that when I do eat which is 4-5 times mini meals a day I always start with Protein first. Good Luck!

I am in the same boat as Kimmy.... I can pretty much eat whatever I want... Just small amounts!! I feel completely satisfied and don't feel deprived of my favorite foods!! My boyfriend loves it!!! I'm a cheap date!!! LOL

Don't be scared.. it will pass.... Just your body saying.. WOAH!!! What is this??? Your body will tell you what it likes and doesn't like.... Take this as a sign and stay away from foods like this in the future...

Yes.. Normal.. My leaked a lil bit too.. maybe about 48 hours.. .I just put a band aid on top.... The hole closed up and no problems since...

I don't really monitor my carbs but I enjoyed Dreamfields before surgery and still enjoy it to this day!! Tastes great and personally, I can't tell any difference!