SouthernSleever

My point in mentioning those other mishaps was that I had researched those Doctors and trusted them. I'm saying start with the internet and forums and THEN go to your doctor. Their time is limited and you should have your specifics in a row before you see them so you can get the most out of their visits.

Man, I'd take every last cent of any extra money I had and pay it every month for the next 10 years if it meant getting my sleeve. I paid 8750 plus airfare and some extra money so all together I took a loan for 11,000. It was worth every single payment. I went to the best Doctor in the world and I'm almost at goal. Wearing size 6 jeans, feeling confident wherever I go. Can't put a price on that.

Down .7 today putting me at 157. 7 more lbs to go..and then I'll probably set a new goal weight. I'm hoping as I get close to goal these stubborn parts (tummy and outer thighs) will go away. I've been doing hooping classes 2x a week and then yesterday I got an additional 20 minutes in. I'm going to get back outside today as well. I'm going out with my girlfriends tonight to a resturant so hopefully I won't blow it and then we are suppose to go bowling/drinking....Keeping some cheese in my purse so I don't feel the need to snack on chips/french fries those girls always get.

Where's my freakin check? Nah, I didn't get paid or even any promo or anything of that sort. I tell about my surgery and surgeon as honestly as I can. Now there are plenty of Doctors I can certainly tell crap about but I don't. You could get paid if you were a coordinator but you would have to live in Cali or Mexicali and they don't really do promo stuff as far as I know.

Actually I had a blood clot in my lungs in 03 and I went to my orthopedic surgeon 6 times to say I had pain that the pain killers wasn't taking care of. He threw another script (threw literary) and said not to come back asking for more. 3 days later I was coughing up blood in the ER. How did I find out I had a blood clot? Well I was in nursing school at the time (was taking a couple weeks off for broken ankle) but I went onto the internet and did a search for my symptoms. I went into a walk in clinic and they sent me straight over to the hospital. They were pretty shocked I wasn't dead. When my son was vomiting over and over again, gaining weight like crazy, and screaming for hours on end his pedi said it was reflux or colic. After two months of not knowing I posted on a Mothering forum and the next day a story was relayed where the baby was having the exact problems and it was whey allergy. Sure enough, I quit drinking milk or dairy products other than goat's milk and my son was a million times better. My second son had the same aversion/allergy (whatever you want to call it) When I was so full of self hatred about my weight and having been through countless diets and feeling defeat over and over I went to my PCP. He told me "Eat less and move more". 60 bucks well paid. I started reading on lapband forums and that led me here. Voila I'm 120 (almost) pounds lighter. I could go on and on. I dropped all 3 (well the pcp dropped me after finding I went to MX for surgery) of those practitioners and since I've found pedis, and pcps. I actually bring in what I've learned on the internet regardless of if it's about vaccines or weight loss surgery and we discuss it. Via forums I get the opinions of hundreds of other people who are in the same situation I'm in. I also get the library of knowledge of what they have researched. I get personal experience and unlimited time to ask/answer questions. So....If I had to pick internet forums (and you are making the assumption that people rely solely on the info they find in the forums and do no other research) or a Doctor. Well I'll be right here on the forum when I need info. I understand what you are saying. Don't read a forum topic that says you need 60 grams, run off throw 60 grams into a shake and think you are done. This is being straight lazy and the few people who actually do this don't want to be their own advocate. Your post won't help them either because they won't read the whole thing. My point is that a NUT or MD isn't the end all be all either. A little of both is needed. Editing to add I hope my post doesn't come off as snarky. I do not hide the fact that I am disenchanted with the medical system after having experienced what I have and working in the field. It is valuable to have a discussion of both sorts IMO.

It's my opinion that just relying solely on a NUT for information or even a PCP for info is not a good idea. The reason why is because some of these professionals do not keep up with the latest info. They get their degrees get a job and are fine handing out the same information they learned 10 years ago. The best way is to be an advocate for yourself. It used to be that all the info was in libraries or by professionals but it isn't that way anymore. We are connected to a huge web of knowledge and some of it is published by very reliable sources. You must sort out what is truth and what isn't and just reading a forum on the internet doesn't cut it. However, I find I get much better and more complete information by doing my own research and then if I have any confusion or want clarity on a specific topic to then ask a professional since their time is usually limited. If I learned anything in nursing school it's that most of what is said in the medical field is pulled straight out of an old text or your ass. I, at least, choose who's ass I pull it out of.

http://www.mexicolapband.com/contactus.php

I'm 15 months out and here are a few typical meals I've had over the past month. 1 egg, 2 pieces of bacon and 1/2 a piece of toast 1 piece of super supreme pizza, hand tossed dough, didn't eat the crust 1/2 a sandwhich with 5-6 chips 2 string cheese with 4 crackers 1 cup cottage cheese 1 Jr Bacon cheeseburger from Wendy's w/o the bottom bun 3oz steak and two bites sides 1/2 a side salad and 1 bone of ribs + 2 bites of a side dish. 3 chicken wings and 2 french fries After each of these meals I am positively stuffed meaning I would get sick if I ate one more bite.

At 5'8" i think you can say confidently "girl I'm not on my way, I HAVE ARRIVED!" I wouldn't think going lower would be needed for someone of your height.

Gah! I don't know whats up but the last week I've been super craving sweets. Tonight I made a whole bowl of pudding just to eat something sweet. Gawd, this is suppose to be my losing week and it's so not happening. I just need to get down to where I was before but these cravings need to go the F away!

Wait till you see. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It was less invasive or hard to recover from than my c-section, vaginal birth, ankle surgery, or ankle revision. Piece O' Cake ( or bite now rather Mind you I had no complications.

So true. I don't put my extra food on hubby's plate but he eats it anyway.

I had an issue with pain meds after an ankle surgery in 03 but didn't go far down that road. I didn't need or have any narcotics after my sleeve surgery as they aren't really nessasary.

I know we have all done diet after diet and I'm not saying this surgery is without consequences/risks/costs however for me this has been the easiest way I've ever lost weight. No white knuckling and no real gain so far. Now implying that we took the "easy way out" is condescending however to me it feels like the easy way, the smart way too.

Hey girl, long time no see. Don't beat yourself up, say you have a 3 month old? Just cut the crap foods out of your life but concentrate on being healthy for you and your guy and happy!

Being the "smallest" one who has to climb through the window to unlock the door when ppl lose their house key. To have the ability to shop anywhere, kills your budget.

I don't consider myself a slow looser but I really need to get off these last 10 lbs and perhaps more if I can. My goal was 150 but I'm thinking maybe 140 or 145. 150 puts me at the higher end of the BMI. ALSO I want plastics. I would love to get it all done but I need a Tummy Tuck bad! My first goal is to lay off the sweets. Second is to start working out, building muscle Third is to get my butt in gear on plastics so I can be healed by summer time (I go to music festivals and it would be miserable with a binder on). Here's to us girlies!

You look amazing! Doesn't it feel wonderful!?

I loved Dr Aceves. I've heard good things about Dr Kelly too. Dr Aceves practices out of a private hospital which is very up to date and you spend 3 days there. It's right across the boarder and also your hotel the night before your surgery is paid for. I would go with Dr Aceves because of his rep but I think you will do well with either.

There are lots of whys this happens stress/diet etc. I read an article about hairloss post op and what it said in a nutshell was When you are going through those first few weeks after your surgery where you can't really eat a lot your body puts all your nutrition toward maintaining muscle mass and just getting by so your hair suffers. You don't see break off right away because it takes a few months for your hair to grow to the length where breakage will occur. So think of your hair strand as a time line. scalp Thick strand, thick strand, thick strand (surgery) thin strand, thick strand, thick strand. The hair will break when it's about an inch long. Blah this isn't making sense but it's kinda like an hourglass the skinny middle is the period in which you had surgery, where it will break off. But YES you will more than likely lose a lot of hair no matter what.

Good to see you back! Throw us a couple of those sweet baby pictures would ya? Hugs

You probably are thinking of DS not VSG. I was never told to take vitamins thought some doctors do. We still absorb all the food we eat so we aren't malnourished like some other surgeries. (BTW no vsg patients have passed away from not taking their vitamins)

Hells yes I took the easy way out after spending 20 years in misery and struggle and anyone who has a problem with me taking the "easy way out" can kiss my skinny ass

Used to happen to me all the time when I ate too fast or too much. Doesn't much anymore. It scares me, I don't even know if it's safe to take any uppers or drink energy drinks.