HoosierGirl

The Surgical Review Corporation measures how many procedures are done annually, ensures the facility is tracking outcomes, has specific staff in place nutrionist/cardiologist, standardized operating procedures, patient support and methods to track long term data. Number of surgeries is only one measure, but the website below says they only have to have performed 125 'qualified' procedures in their lifetime. Most of the bariatric doctors in Mexico are doing many more than 125 a month! Here is the link to the 'Center of Excellence' requirements: http://www.surgicalreview.org/coembs/requirements/

He did my surgery just fine. Still has legit medical certifications at a Center of Excellence that you can verify. I knew going in the Newsweek thing is advertising tool. There are a lot of docs that use the Newsweek thing for advertising...why not shame on Newsweek?. You have to do your due diligence selecting a surgeon in Mexico or anywhere for that matter. It's like showing up in Mexico for surgery only to find out that the "hospital" isn't what we would consider a hospital at all. Got to do the homework up front to be sure what you are getting.

LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing! You look amazing!

Wow - great details! Hate to hear that you felt bad after surgry but glad the blood sugar issue was found and solved! Cannot wait to follow your weight loss!!! Congrats and enjoy the sleeved side!

What is a panni?

Dang it....I've been there too and it stinks. The dreaded 3-week stall! I FREAKED OUT when I actually gained a pound during that time. Contacted the nutrionist at the surgeons office (because I was convinced I was going to be one of the people the sleeve surgery didn't work for.) Her exact words, "Relax. It is normal for weight to flucuate, especially after surgery. You do have restriction there. Just keep doing what you are doing and the weight will come off." She was right of course. Seems like when I have a stall or even gain, it's always right before I have a dramatic drop in weight. My weightloss has not been a smooth downward track, it looks more like steps...down then flat.....down then flat. You keep doing what you are doing and you will lose. May have a few more stalls along the way too. You are welcome to read my blog as I started at roughly the same weight but am only a few weeks ahead of you. http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/three-week-stall-weight-and-diet/ Good luck!

WAY TO GO! You are rocking your sleeve

Sorry I couldn't hear you - I was busy inhaling my lunch! HA! Yes, it's a big struggle to slow down. Thankfully I am now trained for small bites, so that helps. I have to try really hard to slow it down. OINK!

Having the sleeve is easy like having a mastectomy is the easy way out of breast cancer or not drinking is the cure for alcoholism. The sleeve is simply a surgery...it's only one part of curing obesity.

YES! I thought I was alone in this. But a few months ago the fat person eating the burger and fries -THAT WAS ME! Now when I see huge amounts of food for business lunches or family holidays, I just think 'Why does everyone eat all this junk?' Clearly, I have changed. My attitude towards food has changed too. But I never want to be a person who forgets how hard it was before I had the sleeve. I never want to judge someone who is struggling the same way I used to struggle.

Pre-surgery, I would have NEVER posted here! Now that I am trying to release my inner skinny-b***h through exercise, I have gained a little confidence. So, HERE GOES!!! Currently on week 2 of Jillian Michaels Body Revolution program (90-days total). It has 3-phases that increase the workout intesity each month. Needless to say, for someone 11-weeks out from weight loss surgery, still carrying 55 extra pounds, it is kicking my a$$. Even though I cannot do the whole workout yet, I refuse to stop trying. Four days she has you doing circuit type training and two days of cardio....six 30-minute workouts per week. She does allow 'extra credit' so, on the four circuit days I am adding 30-minutes of cardio. WHEW! I refuse to let myself stop because I can literally see the changes in my body. Never been a workout person so this is really amazing. I don't have to be perfect, just a little better than I was yesterday.

I think DIET COKE ADDICT would certainly describe me pre-surgery as that is virtually all I had to drink! Since the surgery 11 weeks ago, I have had a sip and it tastes AWFUL let alone how nasty it feels in my sleeved stomach. Who knew? Pre-surgery, I couldn't get enough to eat. One cookie would just piss me off, so I would eat until I was "full". I tried a cookie last week and didn't eat it all because it just didn't taste that great and it didn't leave me with any feelings of fullness. I used to LOVE boneless buffalo wings. Now, eh. They are OK, but not the yummy treat they used to be. Before surgery, I worried the sleeve wouldn't work for me and that I would waste all this money. But, it is working! And the foods they tell you to eat are also the foods that make me feel full and agree with my new stomach. It's hard to really communicate how the changes feel. The foods and drinks that used to be "wonderful" are just not that great anymore. Who knew??!!

Totally my fear....spending the money for it not to work. So, the only way I knew to tip the odds in my favor is DO EVERYTHING the doctor and nutritionist say. And I am....11 weeks out from surgery, I am losing. If I apply logic, I never GAINED weight this fast, so it is coming off at a great rate. If you spend the money and do everything you are told post-surgery, you WILL lose weight. Before surgery, I had to stay out of my own head...it was a dangerous place to go! If you can keep sane during the pre-surgery phase, you will do well on the post-op phase. Good luck!

* number of weeks out from surgery: 11 weeks * amount you have lost so far--post surgery only--do not include pre-op losses, or if you do, break them out: 24.2 lbs lost post-surgery (2.2lbs per week average) * if you want to include starting and current weight or low or high BMI, you can (not required): current weight 199.3, highest weight 237.6, surgery day weight 223.5 * whether you exercise and average amount of calories/eating plan: calories 600-850 per day, exercising 30 min per day at mid/high intensity 5-6 days per week If this is slow weight loss, I will sure take it!!! I could have NEVER done this on my own. Haven't been hungry and am very satisfied by the small amounts of food. Trying really hard not to compare myself to others. I am following the diet (getting all Protein and Water in daily), getting exercise, and enjoying every day. Figure this is my new reality and I need to embrace it and enjoy the journey.

There are many great surgeons in Mexico. And you are doing the right thing in researching and talking to former patients. There are also other things to consider that I didn't really think of myself before I went to Mexico. For example, do you have any health issues that would require additional help (heart issues, bleeding issues, etc.) Another, is some of the folks that work for the surgeons are on these boards and you don't know they are working for the surgeon. So, if you are able, make many contacts with patients that have used the surgeon(s) you are interested in. You are welcome to read my blog where I listed how I evaluated and selected a surgeon. http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/evaluating-and-selecting-a-surgeon-in-mexico/ GOOD LUCK!

Life is so short. You are feeling this way for a reason. I don't think it's the surgery as much as you respecting yourself and knowing she is not the right person for you. Sounds like she is a good person - so be direct and kind, but let her go. You cannot manufacture feelings that aren't there. Good luck - this is tough stuff.

I went back to my desk job one week after surger. But it was too soon for me - not because of pain, but because I was SO TIRED. After the second week, the tiredness went away and I was fine. My bosses were very supportive (and both are SUPER SKINNY MEN - go figure). If you don't have the bosses support, take at least two weeks and come back rocking it.

VERY inspiring! Congratulations! You are going to get there for sure!

WAY TO GO!!!!

WOW WOW WOW!!!! Stepped on the scale this morning and weighed 199.6! What a FABULOUS way to start Wednesday! Have not been this small since the day I got married 13 years ago. So grateful for this surgery. I no longer feel like a slave to food. Cannot wait to post when I reach my goal weight!!!

Able to fit in NORMAL size clothes (no more plus sizes). Don't feel like a slave to food/hunger. Improved confidence. Able to comfortably exercise. No more acne. No more heel pain. Look forward to shopping.

You guys are AWESOME....don't know what I would have done without all the support and information here. It's like having all your besties online! THANKS!

Wow...what great pictures! He is very thoughtful!

Post surgery, I have been walking and doing random "activity" at the YMCA. But, I wanted something a little bit more structured and I am a morning workout person. Started looking for something I could do at home. I tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD and liked it. Was about $10 at Wal-Mart. It's short (only 25 min or so) and she shows how to modify moves to make them easier or harder. After doing this workout for a week and feeling like it was something I could stick with, I checked her website. She has a 90-day program called Body Revolution. Total of 15 DVDs that mix cardio and circuit type training. It is a 30 minute workout, 6-days per week for 90-days that starts easy and increases intensity over the duration of the program. So, I bought it. So far, I really like it. I think she is needlessly mean on the 'Biggest Loser', but on these DVD's I like her. Feels like she is encouraging you to keep going and keep moving. The Phase 1 DVD's were not easy but not "CRAZY" either. I couldn't do all the moves, but I didn't stop moving and finished the entire DVD. Being only 30 minutes long and not overwhelming for a beginner, I feel like I can stick to this program. Took pictures of myself "before" I started and will be sure to post them "after" I am done! Should finish the 90-days a few weeks before our family vacation in July! BRING ON A BATHING SUIT!

Hi Veronica - welcome! I used Dr. Ariel Oritz and blogged about my experience. You are welcome to read the blog which details out my experience. The ONLY reason I didn't go to Dr. Aceves is that the State department had a "defer non-essential travel" warning for Mexicali, but not Tijuana. Dr. Aceves is a great surgeon (and there are MANY in Mexico). Good luck! www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com