Tim H.

Thanks. I'll take it

This weekend marks 5 months since my surgery. The first four months were great. I lost 109 pounds. This past month I've gained three pounds. It's frustrating and I'm angry, because I have another 75 pounds to lose. I'm getting in my Protein and Water. I'm staying active. I'm staying under 1200 cals a day. (My surgeon wants me at 1200.) My food choices aren't always perfect, but they aren't terrible either. I'm worried my stall might be due to my thyroid. On April 13, my thyroid level was 0.13. On July 23, it was measured as 0.12. My pcp was concerned, and he told me that my thyroid might make it difficult for me to lose weight, but he wants me to wait until Oct 24th and have my bloodwork again before he considers treating it through medication. I don't really know much about thyroids, and my pcp didn't explain the issue too well. I've tried looking online, and apparently my levels are low, which actually causes most people to lose weight (although it causes 10% to gain)??? Has anyone else had thyroid issues? Can you give me any advice?

Thanks. I guess I'm just worried that if it is my thyroid, I've got two more months to go before the doc wants to consider medication. I would sure hate to be stalled for an additional two months. But, I'll just keeping doing the right things and hopefully the scale will reward me soon.

Yes, that's my TSH level. I'm looking at my most recent bloodwork now, and I don't see anything labeled T3. All of my other bloodwork is normal. I know stalls are normal. I've had several 2-week stalls along the way. But this month-long stall is driving me insane. I just don't understand how someone 75 lbs overweight can only consume around 1100 calories a day and gain three pounds over a month.

3 days of 30, 3 days of 20, and 3 days of 10.

Hey Linda, do you use Facebook? A lot of us March sleevers are in a private Facebook group. I was sleeved on March 18th. I've lost about 108 pounds. I had a lot to lose though. But I'm in a very frustrating 2-week stall right now. I hope it breaks soon.

I was on a 9-day course of prednisone from July 6th to July 14 for a bad case of poison ivy. I gained about 10 pounds over those 9 days. The following week I lost those 10 plus another 5 or 6. Around July 21st, I gained 2 or 3 pounds and have been stalled ever since. I don't know if the prednisone is causing this, but I'm beyond frustrated and ready to start losing again.

Yes. It's the same Dr. Garcia. My surgery was at Mi doctor hospital.

http://www.capellaplasticsurgery.net/photo_gallery.htm Hey, I came across this website today, and I found it very informative. It shows pictures of patients with large amounts of weight loss before and after plastic surgery. WARNING: The pics are uncensored and feature full nudity, so don't click if that offends you. Does anyone know of other sites like this? (Not necessarily ones with nudity, haha. Just pics of plastic surgery for weight loss patients?)

I had my surgery on March 18th with Dr Garcia. I had a wonderful experience. He and his Entire staff were great. I'm down over 100 lbs. Also, Dr Garcia is great with aftercare. Just add him on Facebook and he'll answer your questions. His name on there is Dr. Fernando Garcia Govea.

Hopefully things work out with your doctor. If not, I'll echo the others and suggest Mexico. I had my surgery there on March 18th after being denied by my insurance. Best decision I ever made.

So funny that I sprayed water all over my computer while laughing out loud. Thanks for sharing.

I spent several weeks reading through everything I could find on these forums. For me, the most consistently positive reviews coupled with the best price led me to Dr. Fernando Garcia. I made sure to talk to several of Dr. Garcia's former patients, including a couple from my home state. Everyone only had positive things to say. Once I felt confident with my choice of surgeon, I contacted the Ready4Achange website and they set everything up and answered all my questions. I had my surgery in March and have zero regrets. Dr. Garcia and his entire team are awesome. Good luck to you. ***Oops. I just realized this was an old post. Lol. I'll leave my advice. Maybe it will help someone else.

Awesome. You look great. Dr. Garcia is a wonderful surgeon.

4 months out. Total calories - 824 Total Protein - 71 Breakfast - 6 pieces of sushi (Philadelphia roll) Lunch: Louis Kemp crab delights (3 legs) with cocktail sauce Dinner: 3 oz shredded pork roast with fresh sauteed mushrooms and a couple bites of iceberg lettuce with balsamic vinaigrette Snacks: 1 Jack link's turkey stick, 1 homemade protein popsicle, 1EAS Advantage carb control chocolate Protein shake

You can do it! Just make a plan and stick to it. I'd like to lose another 20 before October 9th. I'm going to a concert and the last time I went to this venue was in November. I had to buy two tickets because I couldn't comfortably fit into one seat. I'm hoping this is a better experience.

I'm now at 4 months post-op. I had surgery on March 18th w/Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. For me, it was a great experience. He and his whole team went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. And, if you add him on Facebook, Dr. Garcia is awesome about answering any follow-up questions you might have. I've got a ways to go, but I'm very happy with my progress so far.

Hey everybody. I'm from McAlester in Southeastern, OK. I was sleeved in Tijuana with Dr. Fernando Garcia on March 18th. I think those of you going with him will be very happy.

I really don't work out at all. I do a lot of physical stuff outside like gardening, mowing, fishing, a lot of activity with work this summer, but no actual exercise routine. I'm hoping to start one next month and maybe join a gym if I can get up the nerve. I do log my food every day. I always get at least 60g of protein and try to keep my calories around 1000. For the first three months or so I was between 700-900. This past month I've moved up to 900-1100 usually. Other than that, I've been pretty lucky. I started with a high weight and bmi, so I know that has contributed to faster weight loss.

Thanks! There are times when I hit stalls (sometimes up to 3 weeks) and I get so frustrated. But, I just keep with the plan, and it starts coming off again.

Yes. I stayed at the Marriott. It was nice and very comfortable. It was also within walking distance to Wal Mart and the movie theater. I actually caught a cab to Wal Mart, because it was about a mile uphill, but the downhill walk back was not bad at all. I'd stay there again.