Speedbump

I work out a a YMCA. I am currently doing cardio 7 days a week. I do 65 minutes on an eliptical trainer, I usually end up with about a 900 calorie burn. I would like to incorporate a weight regiment into my workout....But where to start. The YMCA people seem to have no clue, I haven't even been able to get the fitness assessment out of them that they promised when I joined up. How did you guys and gals find a PT that you can work with? How much is the going rate for such a service? How often does your PT actually work with you? I also have a non sleeve friend that is looking to shape up, is it out of the ordinary to find a trainer for both of us (and maybe even our teenage boys) all in the same workout / trainer ?

I just read on the YMCA website that they have trainers at some of the other locations that I am also able to visit with my membership. It was $40 per hour for up to 4 people in a group. I thin we may be able to spread the cost and get a solid beginning with this. When I played football 25 years ago, we started working out for the first time. The coaches made us do a "max" lift on each exercise and then had a formula that set the weight and reps for either bulk or toning. Does anybody know of any Apps or websites that do that for you?

I am one of those Mexico sleevers...so that is not an option. thanks for the input though!

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I was sleeved by Dr Aceves on August 20, 2012. They are a great team, I have recommended them to at least a dozen friends or business associates.

I had surgery with Dr Aceves on August 20 2012. Everything went well and I would (and Have) recommend his team to anyone. The biggest questions I had before surgery was about the epidural, but I read somewhere that they no longer did that.

Started at a high of 372; down to 353 on surgery day. Had surgery 8-20-12 and I am now 236. Weight loss was several pounds per week in the early months, now 1-2 per week. Good luck

It's earlier on the wallet sometimes when you are happy to share or get an appetizer instead of plowing through app, entree & dessert. Nice to eat a few boiled crawfish & not being the 'clean-up' dude still at the table finishing up the sack.

Sleeved by Dr Aceves 8/20/12 at surgery day wt of 353. Currently down to 252. Feeling good and eating what I want, lots of seafood with protein first!

Also like Bass Pro - easy in & out with dressing rooms right in the middle of the clothing section. Most of the time I have been shopping in my closet from the last time I lost a lot of weight many years ago. So long ago, old navy still had heavy denim jeans... It so much more fun in the regular fellow section.

I snored alot when I was 370lbs. I have lost down to 255 and I no longer snore. If I could only get my wife to stop snoring....

In Baton Rouge we have the Dillards Clearance center. I had the need for 3 days worth of buisiness casual clothes last week so I went in there. I got 2 pair of 42/32 slacks and 3 16 1/2 long sleve dress shirts for $68. By far the most fun I have had in a department store in the last 20 years,

Sweet Tea, Thanks for asking. I'm feeling good. Except for the week of Christmas where I grazed too much on homemade goodies & carbs, I've lost around 2-3 pounds per week. I do not know anything about TJ since I went to Mexicali but San Diego was very nice. My wife & I went together for my check up & a long weekend. I went alone for my surgery and if Garcia is like Aceves you will be well taken care of. I can eat more now but still not much. I don't measure or track every detail but definitely know what full & too much feels like. I have trouble with dry meats but everything else is good. I travel a lot in the state so I usually find seafood, or something light when eating out. Love shrimp or oysters and gumbo is always good; chickfila has grilled nuggets, etc. I adapt. You will too. Take care & best of luck for a smooth journey.

Sweet tea. Not sure if you have looked at flights yet but on my check up visit in November it was about $100 cheaper to fly out of Lafayette. Not sure if it was a sale or not.

Here in Zachary. Sleeved by Dr Aceves in Mexicali. Aug 20th

I used Priceline on both my trips to San Diego, both pre surgery and For my check up visit. I got the Rancho Bernardo Doubletre (Pre surgery) for $70 I got the Westin Gaslamp (VERY NICE) for $60 I got the Manchester Grand Hyatt for $85 I used the super shuttle on the first trip to and from the airport, but used Taxi service on the check up visit. The downtown hotels are about $10 for 2 people in a cab, versus $18 for the Super Shuttle.

I had my surgery with Dr A on 8/20. The day after surgery is the worst, but that is over fast enough. I went to the pharmacy on the same corner as the hospital and purchased 3 boxes of the propozol granules. They were $19 per box. I still have the pain pills that they gave me before I left the hospital, I used one before I went through TSA and another when I got on my connecting flight in Houston. I recently went back to Mexicali for my 3 month check up, and I bought more Propozol granules (anong other RX's) while I was there. For now..... Just blow blow blow on that spirometer and walk every chance you get. Good luck.

Hi All I just wanted to report that I went back to Mexicali for my 3 month check-up with Dr Aceves/ Campos. My wife and I flew in to San Diego and rented a car (it costs an extra $35 a day for Mexico insurance) and drove all the way to the hospital parking garage without incedent. We eve went pharmaceutical shopping for a relative and went further in and ate lunch while in Mexicali. We felt safe at all times and would not hesitate to go back if I needed to. As far as my check-up goes....My upper GI showed that I am eating too fast as my esophagus was enlarged. I was told that I am not eating too much, just too fast, and that my esophagus was acting as a reservoir until it made its way to the sleeve. Has Anybody else been told this? I have not gotten my bloodwork back yet, so no news there. BTW, I am 100 days post-op and down 95 lbs from the start of my pre-op diet, down 76 lbs from Day of Surgery.

I am in Louseyana.....We went and made a mini vacation out of it.

Personal decision for me. My insurance does not cover anything related to WLS. I was afraid to try with my family doctor, as it would have been $2500 if the insurance didi not pay. Instead...me and the wife spent 4 lovely days in South California without the kids ;p. The only bad part about the trip was that we got rained on for 6 hours in Disneyland.

We took the packaging and they sold it over the counter. My wife wanted Retin-A and her mom needed some blood pressure medicine. The Retin-A was $19 per tube, the BP stuff was $40 a pack ($560 at home). I also got some more PPI. They will sell over the counter unless it is a controlled substance.

I live in a small town and my family is freinds with my doctors family (little league, swimming lessons, social events). After I had already decided that I was going through surgery in Mexico, I mentioned it to her and the exact quote was "no way, they operate with rusty scalpels down there (Mexico)." I was so mad.... an educated american doctor making such an ignorant statement. I had my surgery with Dr Aceves in Mexicali and I really feel I got better care in Mexico than I would have gotten in Louisiana. I am going back to Mexico 11/29 for follow care. I have not decided if I will find another PCP or saty with her.

I used Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali and was thrilled with my experience. He is at the upper end of the spectrum on cost, but I personally think it was worth it. He operates in a modern hospital and you stay 3 nights after surgery in that hospital. I have had pretty good follow-up also.

I am 9 weeks post-op from Dr. Aceves, and I have decided to go back to Mexicali for my three month check-up. I have heard second and third hand that it is not good to take a car (I will be in a rental car) to Mexico. Has anyone had bad experiences driving across the border to see Dr. Aceves?? Gabby, Dr. Aceves's follow person, said we could also park in Calexico and walk over the border and they would pick us up and bring us back to the border where we would walk back accross. Has anyone done this option? My concern is the car getting stolen.....That is what I have heard happens alot. Is this a legitimate concern??

I have a great deal of MENS pant sizes 46,48, 50. I also have a bunch of shorts. I also have alot of size 2xl shirts, mostly casual button downs, I have a double breasted navy sport coat in size 52 (I think). PM me if you need any of these, I will take $2 for each item and I will ship them Fedex Ground, and just add $2 For the box. My wife has a paypal account that we can use for payment. I can possibly send pictures if you want to see anything specific.

I do not have insurance to cover the follow-up here. I was told that it would cost me about $2000 for the bloodwork and the upper GI locally. Sooo....my wife and I are going to San Diego for a 4 day vacation and going to do my follow-up with Dr Aceves for $150. I basically surmised that if I was going to spend $2000, I was going to have a nice little vacation.