jenjo11072013

I am 5'5 and 29 years old. I had surgery on November 7, 2013. I am a few weeks away from my 1 year post op date. I started at 260 pounds. 11 months out I am now 165. 5 pounds away from 100 pound loss. I really wanted to hit that by my one year, but honestly I just don't see it happening. The past few months, I have been stalled at 165-166-167. I just can't get out of those numbers. I really thought by 1 year I would be a lot smaller than 165........ Just kinda disappointed. I am also disappointed in clothing size. I can wear a 12 at American Eagle. 12 is still BIG. 12 is still at the higher end of the clothing sizes (before you move into plus size)...... I can wear a Large shirt at American Eagle. I know there are lots of people out there who would love to be those sizes, but I just thought going to the extreme of surgery would increase my chances of being smaller and getting into smaller sizes of clothes. I just still feel big.......still feel the same......still consider myself "bigger" in crowds..... I constantly compare myself to others and think about how I am still larger than they are..... I am just feeling bad lately about myself. I feel like a disapointment and maybe that I didn't do too well during this past year. My husband of 7 years is 164 pounds.... He wears a Medium/Large Mens shirt and 32 jeans..... neither of these come close to fitting me. I am dreaming of the day I can wear his jacket or that he can give me a piggy back ride in a photo! I just feel like maybe this is the end.... 166 is where I will be.....

Thanks everyone for your kind words!! I just hope someday I get to a number and be happy. Not wish I was lower or constantly feel bad about my loss so far. It makes things hard when I read all the posts about "lost 100 pounds in six months!! hit my goal 3 months later!!! Size 26 to a size 6!!!" (examples) Cowgirl Jane- thank you for sharing that it took you longer than the year to lose the weight you needed to. I guess I felt like I was almost to hit the one year and this was going to be it. Congrats on your loss!! That is amazing!! I think you are right about refocus. Back to Protein shakes.... time to put some effort into it and work for the rest.... I have been lucky so far and have lost just by the little portions, but I think its time to focus and eat healthy and lose the rest. Thank you all for the pickmeup's today and to get me back on track!!! I am so glad I came to this site today ( I havent logged in since early spring).... I appreciate you all taking time to give me that push!!

Slow loser here...... Start 252 October 24, 2013 Surgery Day 242 November 7, 2013 Current Weigh 217 January 15, 2014 Down 35 pounds.

In a few days, I will have the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I was talking to a friend who had the surgery and they said that the stomach can stretch back out and that you can still stay big and not lose any weight. I guess my question is: What percent of people don't lose weight once they get the sleeve? Why don't they lose?? If they over-eat, wouldn't they get sick? If they were eating the 3-4 ounces per meal, why aren't they losing. I understand the person might not lose if all they are consuming is junk food, but I just don't understand why they wouldn't at least lose something. Please don't be rude with your answers. I am just researching and thinking. If I eat three bites of mashed potatoes, is my life over?? LOL Please help. Just trying to prepare.

Thanks for sharing! Congrats on your weight loss so far!! That is great!

Thanks Jules....this is what I needed to hear..... I need to know you can fail, but if you give it your all, hopefully you get the great results you want. Thanks for being so honest about the food, chips, etc. I am so scared of the what if's...what if i fall back into the old routine.

I think that is my problem too, getting close to surgery and second guessing, questioning everything...wondering if i will fail...or do good. So many people put negative stuff in my head!!!!!

I am going on November 7th to Tijuana for Vertical Sleeve with Elias Ortiz at Mi Doctor. Is anyone else going on this date or around this time? Looking for buddies!

Thanks so much for more reassuring words to make me glad I made this decision! Funny you mentioned families coming together for the surgery, as my mom and I will be travelling together and getting the surgery at the same time! We will be in the same hospital room, the same hotel room, etc. LOL! Nothing like some good mother/daughter bonding!! Forget mother daugther tattoos, we are going all out with the vertical sleeve!

I am going November 7th, so I will just miss seeing you there!! If you want, you can contact me while I am there.... Just message me if so....and I can give you my cell. They said its free WIFI, so calls to and from my phone should be free as well as text messages! I am all about documenting this journey and I would be happy to share!

Bob- I have also had friends and family NOT approve of where I am going.....but really, what is the difference? More than likely in big cities, you don't know the operating surgeon on a personal level either. I had a car accident in 2009 which required lots of neck stuff..... I had to have a myelogram (prob spelled wrong) where they strapped me to this bed, I was wide awake on my stomach and they went in and injected large needles in my spinal cord filled with blue dye.... It was traumatic, horrid pain....I laid there and it was like a nightmare. They yelled one inch move would paralyze me... Once it was done, I was taken to recovery. I had to lay flat 24 hours so that the dye wouldnt get in my brain. They did tons of MRI's and catscans to see where the dye had travelled to depict nerve damage. I did NOT know any of those people. I was in a big city hospital and had never met any doctors, nurses, or ANYONE prior to being wheeled into that room. How is that experience any different than this one??? I was told it was a normal procedure (the myelogram) and that there are risks like everything. I didn't know the people and I just had to trust in faith that I was doing what was best. People are only afraid because it is a "foreign" country. There are plenty of mistakes made in the USA...this place isn't perfect either. I am 150% confident with my decision to go to Mexico. It has been hasslefree, a great experience so far, and I am confident in the medical team there...let's be honest, if Dr. Ortiz crossed the border line in the USA 15 miles into CA, people would be OK with him performing the surgeries because he is on USA Soil. It all comes down to him being from "out of the country" that scares people. In 28 years, I have had gallbladder surgery, a birth of a child, ankle surgery....and many other things and the only person I had even met beforehand was the OB Dr. who showed up in the room 2 minutes before my kid hatched out and to catch it. I can't even tell you any of the names of the surgeons, doctors, nurses, or "put you to sleep" people from any of my other surgeries/illnesses. Therefore, this will be JUST FINE. This man specializes in this and does several per day! He has seen several thousand stomachs and does the same procedure over and over versus a US Doctor who might do a vertical sleeve, but also do 10 other surgeries as well, which makes him not as "experienced" in the vertical sleeve operation because he does so many other things, too. I hope that makes sense and this message can reassure you that I believe everything will be just fine and that we ARE making a wise decision. Maybe this will help---- I was speaking to a preacher the other day who told me that God loves each of us. He wants us to take care of our temple (our body) and tat he wants us to live a healthy and happy life. And that if something is preventing us from living that, he would want us to change or get help to correct that issue. If being overweight is preventing us from that healthy happy lifestyle, he would WANT us to get help and change our life to live that life he had planned for us. An example... needing glasses... If you can't see, God wants to you to what you need to so that you can enjoy life and live it to the fullest. I know my God loves me and I know he will protect me and bless whatever doctor WHERE EVER he performs surgeries so that I may live a happier, HEALTHY life. I hope this helps you, Bob. Prayers your way as you reach for support and understanding from your close friends and family!

YES! I am using alighterme.com! My friend referred me to them and they have been exceptional so far!! I am counting down the days!! I have 13 days until i start the pre-op diet!! The paperwork was super easy and fast! I have added Dr. Ortiz on facebook, Abraham, Janese, and Eduardo....and talked to all of them many times except Dr. Ortiz. The only reason I haven't talked to him is because normally Janese or the guys can answer my questions and I don't want to bother him---he'll be seeing me soon enough! LOL! I am so glad your experience has been so great! That gives me great faith! I have dreamed of doing something about my weight since I was 10 years old, but never dreamed it would come true. I had tried every diet/exercise plan with failed attempts since I was little. I am so glad there is hope for me and that I can change my life! Keep in touch!! I know I have questions closer to time about what to take, etc.

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! IT SOUNDS LIKE I DEFINATELY MADE A GREAT DECISION!! CONGRATS ON YOUR PROGRESS SO FAR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BECOMING FRIENDS WITH YOU AND KEEPING IN TOUCH ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE AND PROGRESS!!

What is your asl? (age, sex, location)

I'm 28 from southern Illinois. My mom is also coming with me to have the procedure. She is 50.

Where are you from. What's your age?

I used Travelocity.com I needed two tickets ( one for my mom and one for me) from Illinois to San Diego roundtrip. We leave VERY early on Thursday morning, November 7th. We have surgery that same day.... Then we fly back to Illinois Monday evening. The cost was $251 round trip per person.

I made my decision, contacted them, we faxed paperwork back and forth for 1-2 business days, then I told them the date I wanted to have surgery. I made my deposit, the date I wanted was confirmed, I booked my flight and it was a final deal! It took less than 5 days total to arrange EVERYTHING.

Good luck with surgery. I'll be praying for you!

I'm in southern Illinois! Having surgery November 7th!

My mom and I are going together to Tijuana Mexico for surgery. We are both getting it done. We decided on September 20th and scheduled and booked flight. We are using the site www.alighterme.com with dr Elias Ortiz. The cost is $4200 each, private pay. We spent $250 each on round trip plane tickets from Illinois to San Diego where they pick us up at the airport and then return us to the airport after surgery and recovery.

I am going to dr Elias Ortiz from alighterme.com on November 7th. My good friend used him and had a great experience. So far it's been an easy process!

CONGRATS!! So happy it worked out well for you!