Earwood

You look beautiful! and HAPPY Happy for you...

Mine started falling out in clumps during the shower in the last couple of weeks...it's not noticeable yet but I'm a bit freaked out.

So how much did you way before? I was sleeved Aug 30th & have lost 56 lbs and can't believe the difference. The one thing I'm having a hard time with is shopping...i can't wrap my head around being in smaller sizes idk why, shopping should be the fun part. Anyway it is all a mental adjustment & that takes time. 86 lb loss is amazing in that amount of time & I can't imagine a # any higher being good or safe for your body...just relax & give yourself another 3-6 months. I know dropping that much weight your body has to at least feel better? Even if you don't see it right?

Thanks for the update and congrats to you on your success!

My starting weight was 233 and I'm 5'5 and also wore a size 16-18 and XL shirts. You must just have some heavy bones lol. I have sons like that though...they can be the same size but one is very lightweight (I tell him he has hollow bird bones) and the other one is much heavier weight wise (we say he is solid). 80 lbs might be too much to lose for you if you are only a size 12 now. 80 is my goal I'm hoping to be a size 8.

Agree with coolmamma73...I had a friend with me and we had to pay $55 a night to stay in the hotel but it was worth it. Very nice stay. There were people in the group, however, that came alone and while that got them the hotel room for FREE they did have a roomate. Some were paired well, but I remember there was this crazy plastic surgery patient that one of lapband revision girls got stuck with and it was not good. She was able to switch roomates after the first night but you just never know who you will get paired with.

I will also mention I've done everything wrong and you can still see my results. I hated protien shakes...I tried but I'm pretty much a single mom w/ 4 sons who works 60 hours a week so making them was too much of a hassle and I didn't like them. My same problem as before between my work schdule, taking care of the boys and all our activities (we have something 5 nights a week) we have always lived on fast food and I still do (bad girl I know). I'm really going to make a committment this new year to slow way down and focus on my health with this wonderful VSG gift I have been given, however, I only tell you this because look at my results with the still bad diet in such a short time! I was also the 3rd lowest BMI in my group of about 8 and I'm female so these should contribute to being a slower loser but it hasn't effected me at all. Never thought I'd be more than half way to goal in only 3 months. Truly amazing but everyone is different. I loved Dr Almanza but I've heard good things about the other Dr's you are considering. Best of luck to you!

No, I don't recall receiving blood thinners while there although the bad thing about Almanza and his staff is the language barrier. Great friendly ppl but only a small handful speak very good english. I took my spanish speaking friend but she wasn't with me during most of the pre-op and surgery part, just got to wait in the lobby for me. Our legs were wrapped for surgery which I was happy with considering I've been thru 5 major surgeries in the US and couldn't get my legs wrapped even when I asked.

I've heard some surgeons are 'more aggresive' in the size of sleeves they create although all you hear is the bougie size they use so I'm not sure what all this means. I know I've 50 lbs in 3 months and was on the lower BMI side of the group I was in so I feel these results are amazing and I've lost MUCH MORE than I expected at this point. I went to Dr. Almanza in TJ who uses a size 32 bougie but who I've heard is one of the 'more aggresive' VSG surgeons. Who are you researching?

Well the good news is...I've lost 50 lbs in 3 months. The bad news is...my hair is starting to fall out. I'll admit I haven't done very well eating well and taking my Vitamins. I bought some pre-natal vitamins (bcuz I remember how great my hair and nails were when prego) with Biotin and a juicer to get maximum nutrition. I guess my question now is, once the shedding has begun, is there a way to stop it and how long until it grows back???? I knew this was a possibilty but I'm not liking it!

Thank you everyone for your input...guess I'll have to do the best I can to get thru this part of the process.

Thanks for sharing...these are the posts that keep me moving forward.

I'm a very busy mommy who works 50-60 hours a week. Of course I know I've lost weight but honestly I had no idea how heavy I was before or how much I lost until I just decided to do this side by side. I don't own a scale so not sure how much I weigh right now but I was down around 50 lbs last time I checked a couple weeks ago. WOWZERS I just thank God Almighty for finding a way for me to have this surgery. So THANKFUL! Made me cry looking at myself before...that picture was taken at my sisters graduation in May 2012, had my surgery August 2012, and the after photo was taken a couple days ago November 2012.

My hair just started falling out last week...everyday there is a clump of hair in the shower drain ugh Got some viatmins w/ biotin and a juicer to start getting more nutrition to see if that helps...pray for me. I don't like this part

I was sleeved in TJ with Dr Almanza in August 2012. I heard Dr. Kelly was a great doctor so no worries. Wish you the best of luck! It's an awesome journey.

Congrats!

Congrats...you look great

O yes, I remember all the fluid from the IV's. It was very hard getting down fluids in the beginning but it is temporary. Just remember to sip not gulp because that does hurt. I'm finally now able to drink good amounts of fluids but the first 6-8 weeks I was so dehydrated from lack of fluids so be careful and don't forget to drink your water. Thanks for the compliment about my arms...my stomach on the other hand is a whole other story and the only part of my body that will probably need some extra work after all the weight is gone.