Territravel

Awesome! I have decided that I am going to claim my liscense lost so that I can get a new picture taken....one without the double chin rolls!

I was sleeved 6/15 by Dr.Verboonen in Cancun. Surgery went great, no problems with recovery. Down 34 pounds and doing well. Dr Perez removed my drain and released me. Both were nice and I would recommend either one for surgeries in Mexico.

Started at 225 lost 10 lbs on the pre op diet, down to 191.4 as of this morning. I'm 8 1/2 weeks post op now, so that makes 34 lbs for me!

I'm sorry this has happened to you! It's past time to bring in the big boys "The Experts" and get this figured out. You may have to travel outside your area to get the best possible treatment....Maybe someone here on VST knows of a specialist they can recommend? In the meanwhile, hugs and lots of prayers going out to you now!

I've been lurking for a while. I am scheduled for surgery in just 14 days. This is the year I take back my life, my health, my body. I'm so excited to take this first step.
All of you have been a wealth of help and information whether you've realized it or not.

I eat nuts as well with no problem.
One thing I do is measure my food. I measure about 2.5 ounces and eat that. If I eat too much, it does sit really heavy. I think my eyes still think I can eat a bigger portion, so, weighing out my food is a good idea for me. For example, the other night, I ate 2.5 ounces of pork steak and 1 ounce or brocolli for dinner. I measured so I knew exactly how much I ate. I did feel really full after, so next time, I am going to either forgo the broccolli, or if I really want that, I would decrease the meat by .5.

I confess- I'm lucky to get in 60 grams of Protein a day.
I confess- I hate drinking Water.
I confess- my weight loss has been slower than others on VST.
I confess- the slow weight loss, is because of confession 1 and 2.
I confess- I eat too fast, can't seem to make myself eat slow enough not to slime.
I confess- can't wait to be small and feel sexy again!
.

I confess that your post made me sad. You have our support!
My other confessions include:
I confess that I have gone down all the sizes in my closet and i finally hit the smallest size and they no longer fit (size 12) so I literally have NOTHING that fits. Sounds like a good problem to have, but it has me very depressed.
I confess that I get irritated when people tell me to buy new clothes because my clothes are too big. If it offends them so much they can buy me some.
I confess I don't want to spend the money on clothes for fear I will not be able to wear them long. Plus size 12's are too big, but 10's are snug. What can I wear?
I confess that this depression has made me snacky and self sabotaging on my diet. I ate Cookies today and FRIES yesterday.
I confess I am worried when I get in these funks that I will go back to old habits because I don't feel worthy.
I confess I love the people on VST because they are always willing to help and listen. It's like free therapy.
I confess I love this thread. Still feel yucky in my clothes though.

I'm back!!
- I confess that I really miss ice cold coca cola
- I confess that I love the way I feel now
- I confess that I am afraid of vomitting therefore I am afraid of trying new foods....
- I confess that I crave salt and vinegar chips
- I confess that I would REALLY love a glass of wine
-I confess that I feel skinnier than I am right now
- I confess that I often wonder if I'll ever be able to eat certain foods ever again.... Like cheese enchiladas
- I confess that I am not perfect, but I am doing my best.

I confess that I am not exercising like I should be either...
I confess that I think about going to Cheesecake Factory and ordering
a chocolate chip cookie dough slice of cheesecake :wub:
I confess I had a fish sandwish from McDonald's last week -
I did not eat the bread tho.. like thats an excuse.
I confess I WANT A CORONA SO BAAAAAAD!!!!
I confess I could tear up a snickers right now.
Now having confessed all this.... I will not go back to where I was...I ate the fish, the rest was in my head.
I have come too far to turn back now. But I do like these confessions.
It felt good to get that off my chest.

I confess that this journey is both harder and easier than I thought it would be.
I confess that in public situations I finagle things to make it look like I've eaten more than I have.
I confess that it makes me sad that I might never be able to consume a large sandwich with big ol' slices of homemade bread again (like I need it).
I confess that I occasionally use a straw.
I confess that I haven't told anyone about my sleeve and I don't plan on it. I don't need your negativity or opinions.

That last night is really scary for many of us. I didn't sleep at all the night before my surgery. You have made a huge decision for yourself and now you're looking it in the eye and wondering the same things many of us wonder. Should I do this? Will I be able to live with this decision for the rest of my life?
If you're truly in an introspective mood, go back over your list of pros and cons. But, remember this, once you're sleeved, you will lose that 150 pounds and be happier, healthier and more energetic. You'll get to live a lot longer than you will if you remain obese. Even if you manage to lose that 150 pounds on your own, how hard will it be to take it off and keep it off. Yes, you've lost weight pre-op, but you've done it by literally eliminating food from your diet.
I had the same thoughts you're having right now. Less than a year later and 112 pounds lighter, I'm STILL thrilled I got on that table. Think of this: What would YOU give right this minute to be 112 pounds lighter? A piece of your stomach is easy compared to whatever the answer to that question is.
Good luck! I'll be here waiting to welcome you to the loser's bench after your surgery!!! Your future is so bright that you're gonna need shades!

Today some relatives from out of town were visiting at my uncle's home with lots of other relatives in attendance. I chose to go (I wouldn't have gone in the past since I was embarrassed about my weight). Instead of feeling ashamed and self conscious, I felt empowered and happy. They were all happy to see me & I rec'd lots of compliments on my weight loss. I love my sleeve!

blended minestrone Soup blended mangos and v-8

I'm 12 weeks post op and am trying to connect with people who have a similar approach to this journey. I am pretty much by the books, on the plan, trying to get to my goal every day. I've lost 58 lbs in just over three months, but have another 57 to go. I would love to find others taking the same approach with fitness and diet - I have a lot to learn still! Mary

It's okay--I know it's strange, but some bodies just don't "do" the same volume as others for lots of reasons. I wasn't able to eat much at that point, either, max of 1/4 cup of food--I stayed at that same volume until almost a year out from surgery!
The trick is to maximize your nutrition and see if a schedule of mini-meals helps you keep your energy up and your metabolism running high. From around 3 months to around a year out, I typically ate 5 or 6 "mini-meals" through the day. A mini-meal might be part of a container of yogurt or 2 tablespoons of almonds/cranberries or some cheese or 1/2 a Protein bar... there's lots of options. I will say that even today, my most typical eating pattern is that of probably 5 mini-meals over the course of the day... today, for instance, I ate 1/2 a Breakfast cookie and some iced coffee for one mini-meal, then about 1/8 c. of fresh mango and some roasted asparagus for another; now, I'm about to go have a few small slices of cheese with a couple of crackers. That's what I mean by "mini-meals." This method of eating helps me get in enough nutrition IF I'm smart with my food choices and keeps my blood sugar steady and keeps my energy high.

I started at 253. I was 237 after my two week pre op and on the day of surgery. Today I am 2 months out and I weigh 210. 43 pounds down!

Man, you can tell your weight loss. Good job!
,

I had my sergery aug29.2012..I started out at 306lbs and now I'm in my 12th month..I wil be one yr. Sergerversery on aug29. 2012(correction) I had my sergery august 29.2011..one yr has. Almose come..I weigh 180lbs now..I have lost 126lb in this little time..I luv my sleeve..it has save my life..I don't take blood pressure pills anymore and I feel and look great! I use to wear size 20-22 and now I wear size 8-10 and mediums..I have no regrets.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE scale AND NOT SHRUG OR CLOSE MY EYES OF EMBARRASEMENT
I WANT TO HAVE MY FIRST CHILD
I WANT TO FIT IN EVERY RESTAURANT BOOTH
I WANT TO BE CONSIDERED "NORMAL" AND NOT OBESE (horrible word by the way)
I WANT TO WEIGHT LESS THAN MY HUSBAND
I WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO MY HUSBAND COMFORTABLY
I WANT TO FIT IN MY HIGH SCHOOL JEANS
I WANT TO STOP BEING MADE FUN OFF BY RUDE PPL WHEN I EAT
I JUST WANT MY LIFE BACK !!!!!!!! I WANT MY OUTSIDE TO STAND OUT LIKE MY INNER BEAUTY !!!

I'm looking forward to:
Walking from my car to the jobsite without running out of breath
Climbing the stairs without aching knees
Strut my stuff in some nice jeans with a bad pair of heels
Able to get out the car without making sure everything is covered up and inside where it suppose to be
Dance, laugh and live longer!
2 weeks out now I cant wait to eat some raw oysters and have my 1st cocktail..(dont judge me..)

Cross legs - both of them
Comfortable on airplane
Wear normal clothes
Wear a swimsuit
Run 3-5 miles comfortably
Horseback ride
Zip line
Enjoy exercise (Yoga, Pilates, Tennis, golf)
Not Having to wear jacket/cardigan
Towels at hotel wrapping around me
Buy bras at Victoria secret
comfortable wearing heels
Comfortable wearing jeans
Weigh less than my husband
Buy suits at j crew and Ann Taylor
Wear shift dresses to work
Elevator doesn't drop when I get in/out

AHhhh! So we do pee and sweat it out then
got it!

Thank you everyone for the support and advice!!! I'm working on the food diary and doing a mini start over, liquids only then working back to soft foods.

Tabby and others,
Hopefully your docs sent you home with pain meds (liquid). If not, do request something and know it is okay to use it. Get rest and sip, walk, sip. Don't worry about Protein, just make sure you get your fluids in. Dehydration sets in quickly and will make you nauseous. If you are real uncomfortable always best to listen to your body and either all your surgeons office or go to ER. you may not be comfortable laying flat either...get pillows for your tummy and side.
Best to you.