rebecca_dsu

I don't know how you feel about confrontation, or how much you see these gals, but if it were me, I'd speak my feelings at some point (better than eating them). A conversation when the time is right along the lines of "Hey, remember the other day when we were talking about weight an you made the comment about how I must of had been eating constantly to get up to 330 lbs, etc... well I need to say that that really hurt my feelings. I was dealing with a lot of stuff in my life, and food became my way to cope, just as some use alcohol and drugs. It was a ruff patch in my life. But your words really hurt me." Now she might respond rudely, or maybe, just maybe she'll apologize. Either way, you will have spoken your feelings, and that does lead to healing and keeps us from bottling that stuff up, and eating our emotions. Just be "REAL". I think this world would be a much better place if we all were. Sorry you had your feelings hurt.

Ha! My husband and I split a pint of Ben & Jerry's tonight, and Friday night we are going to The Melting Pot (it's our 3rd anniversary dinner). Hilarious! So glad Im not alone in this train of thought I will get to seriously working on what I eat before my preop diet.

You look fabulous!! Congrats on your progress! You are an inspiration!!

I'm so with you. It's frustrating not being able to do certain positions because of all this extra fat going on. And I feel like I'm crushing my husband in any me on top positions (he's 135lbs...) So yeah girl, I get ya, and I don't think we'll be disappointed in this department once we are at goal. Now I do know, some people say the lose skin makes them super self conscious, but still it beats the heck out of crushing a partner..haha!

As someone who is in that 250 - 200 lb range... I'll just say wait until you get here, and see how you feel. I was once 320 and got to this range 5 years ago, and I'm no where near where I want to be. I still feel all this weight on my body, and it keeps me from doing the things I want to do. So...don't judge. We are still "obese" and unhealthy, just as you are. I know many people say how hard it is once you are sleeved and have to finally deal with your emotional attachment to food. It's a hard road we'll all go through, and I hope you find emotional healing and acceptance soon. I do dread that part of this journey, but as many have said, they are so glad they did it and will do it again. Hang in there.

Lookin' good... but girl we gotta get you smilin'...ha! Keep up the good work!!

Here's also a great article with foods that provide those same nutrients we try to take in Multivitamin form... (also look at the options listed under each one..not just the bolded ones). Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

I JUST did some googling about this, because it's one of my concerns... Here's a decent article about it explaining hair's growth cycle and how it's interrupted from bariatric surgery. LINK Some articles mention that the anesthesia from the surgery causes more of your hair to go into a resting stage, and normally after the resting stage, it falls out.... And it normally falls out...guess, guess... 3 to 4 months after entering the resting stage. Things you can do to try to help, and to get your hair to grow back hopefully sooner and to normal thickness: Eat your protein! ....make sure you are getting 60 to 80 grams a day. Take your Vitamins as you have, but also start taking some extra Biotin (can be found where the other normal vitamins are). I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, but I've also heard if you aren't getting in healthy fats, it will also cause hair loss. (Example: Olive oil, real butter, fatty fish like salmon, etc...)

I feel ya. Mine is not until June 7th... I guess I'm not so worried about the skin part (I can get another surgery for that if it doesn't "bounce back" or muscle toning doesn't help.) I am however a little nervous about the hair part. My hair is already naturally really thin, so it's going to be very noticeable. I'm already taking multi-Vitamins, Biotin and Vitamin E every day just to get in the habit. And I will make certain to get in my Protein recommended by the doctor/nutritionist after surgery. I know I can't avoid losing some, but hopefully I can minimize it or start the regrowth sooner. *fingers crossed* It'll all work out and be okay. The skin can be removed, and the hair will grow back... it's going to be SO worth it

If you just need to lose 10 - 15 lbs...that can be easily done (depending on your current size). (I always fail at the sticking with it part...but the initial 10 -15 I've lost many times in the past 5 years...) Here's what I would suggest to someone truely lost on the how to lose 10-15lbs BEFORE having surgery. 1. Drink Water!!!!! I can not stress this enough....flush out the "junk". Find a way to keep track, but try to drink 80 - 100 oz (more if you are over 300lbs). Drink a full glass before you eat...set an alarm during the day to remind yourself...find a way, but drink lots of Water. Stay away from beverages with sodium...stay away from diet cokes, real cokes, any cokes... those Vitamin waters Read the labels, stay away from sodium! Drink Water!!! (have I stressed that enough?)...ha! 2. Try to keep your net Calories around 1,500 (now if you are much larger than me, google bmr calculator, find out what your base calories are if you sat still all day, and subtract 500. Track in MFP or another software. 3. Eat Real foods, and watch your sodium intake...keep it below 2,000mg a day! I can't tell you how big a deal this is. I tracked my calories at 1,500calories a day for 3 weeks and didn't lose a pound (working out too...but eating packaged meals and restaurant meals). The next 2 weeks, I finally started eating real foods and tracking my sodium and lost 9 pounds doing NOTHING different except switching lean cuisines and packaged meals for home cooked real foods. 4. Keep meals simple, but keep this equation: Protein + Complex Carbs (always together!). Examples: - 1 egg + 3 egg whites scrambled + 2 slices Ezekiel Toast (sprouted grain bread) + 1/2 tablespoon real butter on toast. - 4 oz grilled chicken thigh + 2 cups raw spinach + 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper + 1/2 tbs olive oil + 1/2 tbs balsamic vinegar (oil + vinegar is your dressing...stay away from the processed dressings!!!) - 4 oz Steak + 10 spears asparagus - 4 oz baked chicken breast + 2 cups roasted zuccini (tossed in olive oil + balsamic vinegar + fresh rosemary chopped...baked in oven at 425 until done) - smoothie... 1 scoop Protein powder + 8 oz unsweetened vanilla Almond Milk + 1/2 cup blue berries + 1 tbs flax seed + 1/2 cup ice + 1 tbs NATURAL Peanut Butter. Example of Snacks: - 1 string cheese + 1/2 large banana - 1 oz almonds (use a food scale!!!) + 1 orange - 1 tbs peanut butter + 1 apple 5. Stay away from Dairy... (just for now...it will help get those pounds off). 6. Move your body!!! Go for a walk, mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk, etc. I wish I could keep with this for more than 2 weeks at a time. But I fail miserably with the sticking with it part. You gals can do this.

That's interesting that he didn't give you a diet to follow. Most doctors what you to go low carb...something about shrinking the liver so they can move it out of the way during surgery. My doctor's diet looks like this: "A low carb (30 grams or less daily), high Protein (minimum of 60 - 70 grams a dday), and don't over do it on fat" "You may have low fat yogurt, lean meats, grilled chicken, green vegetables" "If you chose to drink a Protein shake it should have atleast 15 grams of protein and less than 6 total grams of carbs" And then it has menu ideas and link to a carb counter on the atkins web site.

Many of us self payers are choosing to go to Mexico. There are doctors there who charge anywhere from $4,500 to $10,000. Do lots of research about the doctors, look through and use the search function on this site, or ask questions. Check out the Self Pay Mexico Forum..http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/114-self-pay-mexico-vertical-sleeve-surgery-new-forum/ Some folks also report lower cost in Nevada and Texas... But I still think Mexico may be the cheapest option with qualified doctors that have done a lot of these surgeries. But I've been wrong before

My husband once climbed the stairs in the Westin in downtown Atlanta "for fun"...but I think it was only 80 floors...I think?

I had to go off the pill because it made me *batshitcrazy*... and yes, I tried about 5 different ones. The hormones just made me so mean and I'm normally a "nice" person. Ha! And I don't know if you are aware or not, but being on the pill does not make you ovulate... so you aren't having a "real" period anyway. Since you aren't ovulating, you aren't building up "cushion" in your uterus which is then shed through having a period normally. So I never really understood why they recommend you go on BCP if you aren't having periods...because it's just making you have a "false" one anyway. *headscratch* It's been condom usage over in this household.... 1 year..so far so good (maybe I should buy stock in latex). Sorry, I'm really no help towards your original question about going on/off the pill after surgery..ha. But yeah...don't get pregnant!! ha! Congrats on your engagement though!!!!

That's easy enough...read the back of the label. Some Protein Shakes will have vitamins added and there will be a LONG list with the daily recommended percentages (below the normal stuff like calories, carbs, etc).

Are you drinking Protein shakes that have added Vitamins? If not, I don't see how on Earth you are getting in all the vitamins and minerals you need from the little bit you can eat. Someone else chime in... I'm not sleeved yet, so I'm no authority....

I am self pay, and due to cost and frustration you just described, I'm heading to Mexico!..ha. Like CurvyJ said, basically they have you fill out a general questionare (not nearly as long as the docs here make you fill out) which give them basic info, any co-morbities you have, any medications, family history, etc. Then, the day you arrive in Mexico you will have labs done, EKG etc. So no..nothing to be done here in the US...it's all done there..a "one stop shop" as you said. Most people don't need follow ups, but if you'd feel more comfortable, bring your PCP into the loop, have him do a "physical" on you before you go, and then post surgery, months down the road you can have another one to see how you've changed. (just a suggestion...) I just couldn't afford the $19k it was going to be here in the US....

Have you tried the phone number/email on their website?? http://jaimeponcedeleon.com/contact this may not be a main number, but if you are this close to surgery, I'd be calling every number available.

Welcome Nono! I'm proud of you for taking charge of your health at 21! My highest weight was also 320, and if I would have gone ahead and had bariatric surgery, I wouldn't have waisted so much of my 20's missing out on stuff. You only have a few weeks girl! Get excited, and be sure to keep us posted. (My surgery date is not until June).

Is the number/email address on this page the same one you used?? http://jaimeponcedeleon.com/contact

Who is your doctor? Have you asked them if you need to be on a pre-op diet? I've heard some that have a low BMI don't have to do a preop diet, but most do. I have to do a low carb diet for 7 days (I got a list of okay foods and menu ideas)...my surgery is also in Mexico. Get to emailing your doc/patient coordinator ASAP!!

Have you seen the Word document in the first post on this thread in the Pre-Op section: http://www.verticals...surgery-thread/ Don't forget your heating pad, slippers or comfy sandals you can slip on....a book maybe... lots of great stuff in the list too. And Congrats!! Please come back and post how it's going after surgery for all of those anxiously waiting still..haha!

That is a fantastic list!!! Love it! Some of mine are: 1. Sitting in my husband's lap (he's 135ish...I'll break him now) 2. Rock climbing walls...seriously, I want to do this. 3. Shopping in "normal" sizes... haven't been able to since I was a pre-teen. 4. Being in better shape for hiking...equaling more epic trips. 5. Bungee jumping in New Zealand in 2 years (seriously)

I know this is probably a silly question, but is it possible to lose too much weight before surgery, and then be denied the surgery? My current BMI is 36.5, and I have 8ish weeks til surgery. I'm heading to Hawaii in 5 weeks and am going to go back to clean eating tomorrow and tracking my calories (I've been eating too much Easter Bunny loot!) and am determined to lose 15 lbs before we head there (I know I can do it if I eat clean and hold my calories around 1,600 + exercise). That would put me at 34.2... and that's even before I do the 7 day preop diet which is only 1 week after we get back from Hawaii. So... if I get to surgery and my BMI is 32-33ish...will they still do the surgery? My Doc is Dr. Aceves in Mexicali...

Deb I am self pay