bulldog1973

This is me now, down 95 pounds, still have 30 to go. Feel like I am doing pretty good, haven't been this weight since high school!! The "before" picture was taken the day before my surgery in Mexico.

I was sleeved by Dr. Garcia on 07/03/13 and could not be happier. I was 277 the day of surgery and I am 187 now, down 90 pounds!! I have not had one single problem. I could not have been taken care of any better while I was in the hospital or in the hotel. Being a nurse I have seen lousy care, but the nurses and doctors that took care of me were fantastic. A woman that I work with also went to Dr. Garcia a few months after I did and she has also had great success. I cannot recommend him highly enough, you will never regret choosing Dr. Garcia.

It was 5 days after surgery for me.

I have mixed opinions about this question. On one hand, I was also an overweight teenager and would have loved to have been a "normal" size like all of my friends were. However, I can also say that I know that I was not mature enough when I was 17 to handle the responsibilities that comes with this surgery, following the steps, avoiding certain foods, and to be able to really understand the possible consequences. I think it would be on a case by case basis. I think if your daughter is mature enough to handle all of the baggage that comes with weight loss surgery, then there is nothing wrong with having the conversation with her.

No, mine skipped a month. Had my surgery 7/3/13 and didn't start my period until the end of August. I knew I wasn't pregnant since my tubes are tied and my boyfriend has had a vasectomy, so I wasn't concerned about it, figured it was a moody as I was. P.S. They have all been regular since.

Looks like the only Super Smoothie location is in Doral, FL so I guess I will stick with my Smoothie King, that's a long trip from St. Louis for a smoothie.

I think this is normal, I know I had a fear of a leak until I got to about 3 months post op. I even went so far as to drag out my liquid/soft phases an extra week because I had a fear of eating something that I thought might cause a leak. Just try and relax, make smart choices, and you will be fine. Good luck to you!!

I love them!!! I found Smoothie King about 1 month post op and hit them up 3-4 times a week, especially on the days I am struggling with Protein. I am 6 months post op and still swear by them. I bought their Protein Powder and try to make my own smoothies at home, but mine are never as good as theirs!!

I became a huge smoothie fan after I started gaging on Protein shakes, just the consistency of them made me gag. I use Smoothie King Protein Powder (45g in 2 scoops) mix in some strawberries and apples, little bit of ice and there you go.

I had mild GERD before my sleeve, so I had been taking one 40mg of Nexium daily for about 2 years before my surgery. Then after my surgery the GERD went to a whole new level, it was horrible. My doctor raised my dose to 40mg twice a day and I haven't had any trouble since. I never miss taking my Nexium or else I will be up in the middle of the night with acid in my throat, its bad.

I had a lot of problems with constipation my first 2-6 weeks. I started taking a Fiber capsule everyday with my Multivitamin and that seems to have taken care of the problem, hasn't been an issue since. I'm now 6 months out and still take my capsule.

I had a new nurse start at my job that has also been sleeved, but she still weighs about 100 pounds more than I do now. She has just had a baby and money is very tight for her and her family. I had a crazy amount of scrubs (we get a $300 voucher each year for uniforms) so I was able to give her enough scrubs that she won't have to do work laundry for almost 3 weeks. I have never seen someone so thrilled to get used scrubs. All of my "real" clothes were donated to disabled veteran store.

I'm in St. Louis if you can't find anyone closer. If all else fails, I would be happy to talk to you on the phone and answer your questions.

I know this sounds crazy, but I downloaded a stopwatch app on my cellphone. I thought I was eating slow enough, but I was throwing up every time I ate. Once I downloaded the clock I would see what time I took a bite and then wait 2 minutes before I could take another one. It was pretty tedious in the beginning, but it got me to REALLY slow down and pay attention. I would give myself 30 minutes to eat, I always was full before my 30 minutes was up, but I would at least keep it down.

I was sleeved in Mexico on July 3rd. My surgery weight was 277 and I am now 197, down 80 pounds!! I can eat pretty much anything I want and I don't mind eating a few things outside what I am supposed to, but I will have a bite or two and then I am done with it. I kind of think of it as this is a life change and I refuse to live my life by telling myself I cant have this or that, everything in moderation. No, I wont sit down with a plate of brownies, but if I break one in half I will eat it.

About a month after my surgery I started having a horrible time with constipation. I started taking a Fiber capsule every day with my Vitamins and that seems to have taken care of any problems.

Mine is never slimy or sticky, but just very foamy and frothy. I only get it when I eat too much or when I vomit. I will get an entire mouth full of foam, its more annoying than gross. A friend of mine that has the Lap-Band tells me it is the same thing that happens to her when she eats to much. There doesn't seem to be any foods that trigger mine, just the amount.

Hi Lisa, I had problems with GERD before my surgery and was warned that it may get worse after the sleeve, they were right. I was waking up almost nightly with stomach acid coming up my esophagus and then I was aspirating it into my lungs, bad combo. Talked to my PCP and he started me on Nexium 40mg daily. That seemed to help, but didn't take care of it completely so after 2 months he raised my dose to twice daily and I haven't had a single bit of trouble since. Hope you find some relief!!!

Since all things taxes scares me, I send everything to an accountant. However, since I financed my surgery do you think I would still be able to deduct it?

Surgery 7/3 SW: 277 CW: 211 GW: 155 56 pounds to go!!!

I was always cold, even at 277 pounds. Now that I am 3.5 months post op and down to 216 pounds, I am constantly freezing. It is ridiculous!! Yesterday I was sitting in the living room in jeans, socks, shoes, t-shirt, and hoodie and my teeth were chattering!! My poor boyfriend has found himself sleeping next to an ice cube every night!!!

Hard boiled eggs are my nemesis!!!! I can eat then in something....ie tuna salad, but to eat one alone has me vomiting in minutes.

Hello Everyone!! I am 2 months post op today and I am down 45 pounds. I had Dr. Garcia as my surgeon and can't imagine being any happier with my results. I was 277 at the tme of my surgery and I am 232 as of this morning. The journey has been difficult at times, always struggle with getting enough fluids and protein, but all in all I am happy with where I am.

My PCP was awesome!!! He was/is totally supportive. Went to see him about 3 weeks after surgery, just to check in, and was down 20 something pounds already. He was as excited as I was. Going back next month to do my 3 month post op check up and labs, can't wait for him to see me down 50-60 pounds!!!