134andhappy

Congrats @canadianprairiegal

Julie how is your restriction

WOW i cannot believe you are at the Zoo for five hours. That is incredible- i can't say i could do that after day 2...just because all i wanted to do was sleep. Congrats! and yes the spasms are the worst. The dynamic duo!

@manwithkids it usually goes away in about a week. I felt like my stomach just wanted to uncurl itself...lol but i am giving this too much credit. It really is just for about a week max two for me. You must take your Inhibitron religiously until both bottles are done if that is what they prescribed for you, they usually give you something for the ulcers etc to ensure it remains in good health, it definitely helps and tell Dr. So or one of the Dr's there to see if the Buscapina is good for you. I took one a day for a week. Also i never used the pain meds i didn't need them so who knows if they might have helped.

Today, March 15th makes one month since my gastric plication with Dr. Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana Mexico. here is a link to my lengthy post from the start http://www.sleeveplicationtalk.com/topic/191-day-4-and-counting-after-gastric-sleeve-plication-surgery/ There are so many reasons to Celebrate and some lingering unwarranted causes for concern so here I go. Since my last post, I have dropped down to 160lbs, I fluctuate based on Water retention but never more than 162 which is thrilling. During this time i have travelled quite a bit. Much of which has been a true test of this surgery and my will power. WOW Mind over Matter! insane. I went to San Fran with a group of friends of which very few knew about my surgery and i am not going to lie, it was hard. I could only eat Soups at the time and soft foods, such as yogurts and heavier soups. I spoke to the doc about wine and he said if i could tolerate creamy soups that a little bit of wine would be ok but to test it out little by little and see how i felt. I didn't drink much, i have never been a drinker and on our first tour stop i had maybe max 1oz of wine, it went down fine but i just did not crave it. instead to participate i held an ice cold glass of water which i sipped throughout the excursion. The wineries only charged for half the tour price since i did not consume wine. San Francisco and Napa were a great destination because CA is so healthy in general - lots of great soups, juice bars and healthy spots. Unfortunately not all places had a plethora of options for Soup, i was pretty OVER the Clam Chowder by my 3rd cup, but something is better than nothing. One of my biggest tricks i can share is my CUP OF NOODLES in my purse at all times...when we were driving from San Fran down the pacific coast highway, there were not many soup places to stop at and we simply stopped, got some hot water from a starbucks for tea and there i was well on my way to consuming something to hold me over. The anxiety i had from eating in front of others still exists, especially those that do not know. They just don't understand how i am full, knowing my eating habits. As an example today i went to my have lunch salad spot, pre-surgery 134andhappy i would have half a chicken sandwich on french baguette, a cup of broccoli and cheese, and half a salad or a variation of that without the soup. I would feel satisfied and still a pretty healthy meal. Today, i could barely eat half a cup of the broccoli with cheese i was soo full and there in front of me was my friend wondering WTF is happening here. Another post op anxiety factor, drinking and eating. I have to wait 1hr pre and post either eating or drinking and its insane, at lunch i gulped water only to realize half way and spitting it back out. I had to pretend i had a lemon seed in my water. Horrible. I travelled again last week to CT, that was not as easy as CA because it does not have such a large variety of healthy food stores and juice bars. Instead there is a dunkin donuts or starbucks in every corner. The worst part of this trip was the event i was participating in on Sunday had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING i could eat, no soup, no mashed potatoes. Here we go again, thank goodness for my handy dandy cup of noodles. added water and voila. held me over until i could get to the nearest soup destination. So here we are one month later. I started back up with my trainer on Tuesday and i am most excited about that. My weight loss had definitely been at a standstill meaning not as aggressive as the first few weeks but still losing little by little - and i predict with my workouts even more to come soon. I am glad it is coming off slowly, i am scared of sagging skin and just not looking healthy, rather a small version of my old self and that is not what i went to this extreme to accomplish. I want it all and i will have it all. Healthy mind and body. My one month anniversary present came last night, when i went to ZARA at the mall and bought 2 new outfits. even though i have not wanted to buy anything since i know i will continue to lose weight, but nothing fits anymore, i look like I'm wearing borrowed clothes sometimes. But both pants i bought were a size 8!~~ OMMGGGG SOO HAPPY. The jackets are still a large but lets face it ZARA is practically made for adolescent teens, i am just thrilled to fit so well into the clothes. Today i wore a stunning fitted light pink jacket with my skinny black trousers SIZE 8! and my light pink heels. Everyone had something today even the president of our company stopped me and complimented me. I could not be happier, and although i do worry about the progression i remind myself HEY its only been a month. You did not gain the weight in a month. I am finally tolerating foods now, i eat tuna and some very light low carb crackers...what cracks me up is that after three crackers with Tuna i am STUFFED beyond compare. I giggle to myself and i definitely have a lot of restriction. The only thing is that i do need to eat every 2-3hrs. No if ands or buts. Concerns i live with: How long can i sustain this behavior of not eating or drinking at the same time and waiting an hour pre or post? I went to get bloodwork, bc i worry about my Vitamin depletion and thyroid/metabolic condition Now is the real test of time, when the options are open as to what i can eat. Ensuring that i stick to a heavy Protein lo-carb diet is imperative. Dehydration- i know i am not drinking enough water, i am trying its just not that easy. I get full or i have to wait and then i forget This is all for now. Would love to hear from others with the same concerns or experiences. I have been setting my alarm for the times i can drink something after a meal. Any tricks of the trade? recipes? For those considering this surgery, please do your homework, listen to the conditions that you will have to live with for the rest of your life because even though this is reversible, why would you ever want to go through the surgery again? But if i was sitting next to my old self right now and she was asking me for advise - i would say DO IT! HEAD FIRST NO HELMET! Because the high i am on right now, fitting into smaller clothes, feeling great, lots of physical stamina and getting such a large amount of feedback and encouragement from friends and family is soo worth it. and the experience with my Dr. has been nothing short of exceptional. They are always available to answer my questions - first class all the way. I am ready for the next chapter in this challenge and eager to accept this as the norm-waiting for the moment when its just "eh" a part of my life and i don't have to think about it as much. My next goal for month 2 is drop to a size 6 at least by April 28th, develop healthy athletic mind and body. Will keep you posted. Next Wednesday i can finally eat normal foods! As always, this post is meant only to encourage and personal recount of my experiences. I am neither a medical professional or have the ability to provide medical advise. I hope you read this post with love and that i did not offend anyone. Sending you all my love and on our way to 134andHappy!

6 weeks out and never looking back again. Can't wait to hear from you 6 weeks from now. Tell Doctor Ortiz we are his biggest fans and now that i am 155lbs i can't thank this surgery enough for making such an impact on my life. Looking forward to your updates...Good luck and have patience and walk a lot...you need to walk. Try not to have ice cubes right after...and if you have pain or fireworks feeling ask them to give you the BUSCAPINA it helped me A LOT with the muscle spasms. Walk walk walk and sip your gatorade. GOOD LUCK!

Thanks. My starting weight was188lbs..pre op 181 I don't count calories but probably just at 1000 but I also hardly have carbs I workout with my trainer 3x a week We do a variation of cross fit with traditional work and I walk run the other days 2-4 miles depends on how I feel My daily diet routine is Yogurt bkfst Protein shake Lo/no carb lunch chicken or tuna smoothie or soup Tuna or chicken I know I need to find more options but it's fine for now...no complaints

*****update***** 6days after my post...clocked in at 155...size 6 in some items or a small. Bought a size 28 jeans today. I cried. Thank GOD everyday and I've been working out a lot...even walking /running before going out last night. Life is soo sweet. 21lbs to go for 134andhappy ...next Goal 150 within 10 days

Stina I could barely get anything down and yes you're still hungry but have more broth ...i recommend a heartier broth..make chicken soup home made and onlynhave the broth. What really made the diff for me was not the sodium junk it was the real deal broth...even if you buy from a local spot i think it will make you feel satisfied, I'm one month out and I can def consume more liquid than before still nowhere nearb64 oz...and don't fret over the scale your body is in shock let it heal and find it's natural fat burning state...good luck ooo and expect to eat or rather drink broth every 2hrs

@manwithkids my starting bmi was 32. I would consult with dr. First since they can be the only ones to address psychologically and physically her condition and success rate. It is just a tool for a lifestyle change...how she uses it will determine success. Bmis are a small portion of the equation bc for me I just was not losing anything with trainer cutting calories everything..insulin resistance it was just not moving... @kika get ready life is about to be amazingly vibrantly changed. I did not do can soups bc one lifestyle change inforced myself to do even with a restricted diet was reduce processed foods. I only have them in emergencies. My soups were all homemade by grandma, she would make me chicken soups and I would only drink the broth. She would make them in large qty's and I would freeze in small containers. Then take them to work. I did always keep a cup of noodles in my purse that's about the worst of the consumption for broths bc you must be prepared at all times. One thing you are not diminishing is your hunger justbthe capacity for which to satisfy that hunger. Instead of 24oz of soup you are stuffed with 2-5oz but be prepared every 2hrs to eat. At the first 2wks restriction is absurd you just hate drinking it's like fireworks in the tummy for a while I was even having warm broth at 6am bc it was the only thing that would tame the beast, after a while keffir yogurt. Another interesting fact coffee ....haven't had coffee since pre surgery and I don't crave it. Learn to love whole foods and start looking at fun places for soups. Once you can eat heartier soups you'll stop at fancy restauratnts and take them to go. Try them now during your pre-op and remember post no chunky soups. Also your Protein shakes are vital...I choose an egg white protein from whole foods with my mixed frozen berrie and 4 oz of coconut juice w Water blend and enjoy Also need to be armed with your story...once weight loss starts everyone wants to know who what when where and how....be consistent and accurate lying sucks but it's no ones business but your own.

***MORNING UPDATE*** Bloodwork came in and everything is gleaming with success! Cheers everyone...Happy Friday!

I can't speak from experience but rather some serious thought and self analysis as to this growing concern that eventually this restriction will be less than it currently is and the root of what the real problem is. First my thoughts are that we did this for the basic tenet to feel better...we did a physical act to feel better eventually look better too. With that said it's just like a new car, new blouse the newness wears off and the norm becomes the realization that we needed to work on our emotional journey as well. It's very easy to have done the emotional change at first bc we had the physical manifestation occur...we just did not address or work on the emotional which trust me if it could be fixed with a few sutures and a trip to Mexico we would all be living there perminantly. We certainly did not get to where we are because there is not an underlying problem....that problem is emotions. We have an emotional problem with food and once that is addressed and sutured in our own way then we can succeed long term. To have done this extreme and eat chips, bread, heavy carbs is not acceptable. My plan of attack for now is simple....I want the body of an athlete therefore I need the mentality ofmone too I will fill up fast with heavy Proteins no carbs so that temptation doesn't have time to catch up because I'll be too full. Secondly I'm excited to be exercising this coming week...and I don't mean elliptical I mean climbing flights of stairs and eventually kicking ass in cross fit. Treating my body as if it's still obese...mediocrity is not an option. I also dream a lot which helps my emotional state...I day dream every moment I see a cupcake...long detailed daydreams and then end it with "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".... sorry for my rant but I just want everyone to be happy with this plication I worry about the lack of restriction too.I can't believe I did this and think there is an opportunity to fail....but that failure is up to me and I've never failed at anything I've passionately wanted....and anytime I've fallen off the wagon i pick myself up dust myself off and get back on the saddle...it's a forever journey and I'm going to make sure this horse I'm riding is mentally prepared for the long haul.... Good luck everyone....also I had read this on dr. Talebpours site before selecting plication google his site it's really interesting as the pioneer of this surgery. CONTRAINDICATION OF TVGP Morbid obese cases without any cooperation or any acceptance of limitation of intake are bad candidates for restrictive operations like plication. If I use plication in these cases a moderate rate of weight loss may occurs at first, but due to high intake of foods after that time, regain appears again. The selected technique for moderate cooperating patients is gastric bypass (cut of stomach, making malabsorption by using long limb gastrojejunostomy anasthomosis) with higher risk of complication. Aggressive technique advise for low cooperating patient. In patients without any cooperating, any acceptance of food restriction (enjoy of eating), if would like to have normal weight, just malabsorptive methods like duodenal switching or modified ileojejunal bypass is advised.

Walk a lot it will go away the more you walk....for me it went away in 24 hrs

Great news that you are feeling better. Yes walk walk walk! My friend just got back from her gastric sleeve surgery and she said if she would have known the pain 48hrs after surgery she would not have done it...however, she does feel great now and no pain just gas. Ask your doctor before you leave about evacuating, he might recommend Milk of Magnesia if you don't go after 6days. Good luck and keep up the updates.

***INSPIRATIONAL UPDATE*** Wearing a strapless TRINA TURK DRESS SIZE 12 and its too big!!! YAY Best morning ever. I bought it last year on memorial day weekend for a trip, i wore it for 2hrs and then had to take it off it was too tight. Feb 29th, 2012 its big on me... The small things that make baby progress so worth it. Good times friend good times...and the best is yet to come...134 and Happy!

Hi everyone back in Miami. I wrote a beautiful long email overnight on thurs bc of course I was still on east coast time but I fell asleep and it was deleted. Sorry...hehe. Ok so here I go...I have a low bmi. I started Jan 2012 at 5'3 188/190. I have tried everything...my dedication and passion for working out is unwavering until something happened and I can't explain it...no one can. In 2006 I weigh 160 and I looked great even though 134 is my perfect weight or well my dream #. I had an amazing trainer but finances and + the death of my grandmother spiraled me upwards until I could no longer look back. The best years with the most grandiose moments I spent so miserable about my weigh. In 2009 after some of my greatest professional accomplishments I laid in a hotel pool w 3 friends. 2 of which had come back from Colombia from lipo, 1 which had gastric plication from a dr.sales puccini then lipo. He would not perform lipo unless she lost weight. They looked unbelievable frolicking in bikinis. I was sooo envious but happy for them. We went to a pizza place after and I'll never forget it...she could barely eat half a slice meanwhile I thought I was being modest with just 2. At the time bariatric surgery was an obscene notion. Years passed I dieted, went back to my trainer, did cross fit, paleo diets, saw homeopathic dr's for what I thought was a hormone problem, gyno for pcos, cardiologist for heart, endocrinologist for diabetes, nutritionist for diet...nothing...all came back negative. No pcos thyroid problem cholesterol or diabetes...wtf!!! Am I the only human to defy the law of thermogenics...the lowest I got was 175 and I though I rocked 175...190 creeped back up. So this past summer while laying on a beach in puerto Rico in a rolly Polly bathing suit I was DONE...I vowed to do whatever it took 134 in 2012 is my goal this is my year to make magic and personal happiness mine. I wasn't even sure where to start. But I prayed and just let God know my health first and he would lead the way. The first week of Feb one of my three friends the one that had gone for lipo but no plication told me she had gained weight and then some that the Colombian dr. Was in town doing consults and she was going no matter what the 1st week of March. I ran and made an appt. I was a week out from seeing him and I started doing research to formulate questions. This dr does not call it plication rather branded the procedure his own name. oops battery died...as i was saying. I started researching ferosciouly. I couldn't find a whole lot on Dr. Puccini-Sales all i had was the evidence of my friends and their overwhelming success. BTW the original friend that had plication/lipo, had a baby a year after her plication and she had a healthy beautiful baby and bounced right back to her thin weight after giving birth, they actually had to photo shop her baby bump it was so small. i digress, other friends went after her and they too look like bombshells but going to colombia to baranquilla didn't appeal to me and i did not like that i could not find posts on Puccini Sales, not on the bariatric times, or public state posting, nothing. The proof was in the pudding, but i wasn't convinced and the price although similar to what i ended up paying at the OCC + or Minus was about the same. I researched Dr. Ortiz and OCC, i was pretty convinced even though i not one to fall for many marketing tools which they use many, nonetheless the decision was made. I was going to go in March for the sake of combining it with another trip, but after things kinda of fell apart from the perspective of company going with me, my friend who had gastric bypass over 10 years ago went with me. i booked the week before valentines day and was scheduled for the 15th. Tijuana was hard to roll off the tongue, i don't recommend you tell too many people but your closest confidants because you will get an ear full about Tijuana, everyone has an opinion, yet no one has gone or can provide evidence outside their perception.

Thanks Linda & btw I lived in Canada my entire childhood. Grandmas soup recipe on it's way. That thing is soo good, warm and yummy. Thanks for the responses happy to share my story since sadly I can't with my friends...only family....

Did you have sleeve or plication? Drains usually for sleeve

****LUCKY DAY 13**** Hi friends...it's day 13 for me since surgery. I feel and look great. I'm down to 165 which translates to this progression: Jan 23 188lbs Feb 10 181lbs Feb 15 174lbs Feb 27 165lbs My clothes already feel loose and people are starting to notice, big time....I have been consuming soups and liquids at least once every 2-3hrs. I can't take much down, no more than 2-3oz except smoothies. I make a killer smoothie with Frozen Berries, Lakeland Coconut juice, Half of a banana blended and its delish! I can take about 4oz of that but in sips and over time. Love keeping that at my desk, totally curves my appetite. Last week I was very good about my walking. The last day I walked 2miles was last Thursday. 3days since a good long walk kinda bums me out, because tonight i have an event and i am not sure i can get the walk in without being exhausted when i get home. I will do whatever it takes to get these walks in everyday. Wednesday makes two weeks since my surgery. I am finally getting use to this new appetite and mentality. Although this situation with the liquids is getting old already. At first it was kinda of fun to find different things to drink, fun soups, great yogurts etc but now its just getting to me. I want something to CHEW on for the love of Christ. I don't miss food, i don't care for it, i just need to find more variety. I still have another week before dr.'s orders will allow for soft foods, tuna, cottage cheese, apple sauce, pudding, puree vegetables, mashed potatoes. I am terrified of eating at restaurants and events. This weekend was my first experience being out of my 'comfort zone' with food and one of the worst for someone in this post surgery condition. In Miami it was the South Beach Wine and Food Festival an event that i not only work but also love to attend. This year was different, i could have cared less partially b/c my fear of being around all that food but also i am just over food. I think its the same stuff over and over and over again. I gave up some pretty expensive tickets all in the name of my sanity. On Friday, i worked the event and never walked in the doors, i did everything i could from the outside and left early. My grandmother made me black bean Soup and i ran home to eat that...so good. On Saturday i had an event late at night and thank goodness it was passed canapés, because they crossed my path but i never even blinked. I got extremely hungry during the event while it was in full swing and i took a break. I took a 10min break and sat down and had my soup. The key to bad circumstances is to fill up. Even though it takes 2-4oz of anything it is just like when you are full and eating large amounts of food, once you are full that sensation of disgust after is still there. When i got home almost 4hrs after my last meal, i tore up a small bowl of black bean soup...yes at 2am. Don't judge.. lol The next day i passed on the Paula Deen Brunch and the grand tasting village. Even though i could have gone and i am not tempted to EAT desirable things, i was just fearful that friends would want me to try something or drink wine or that i would be without something to eat for a while and I might panic. Especially since i don't want to tell anyone and i do need to eat my soups etc by 2hrs. I know this is a problem but i will ease into it little by little. I am going to try with friends that know my situation just so that i can start to ease back into normal life with my new stomach and not have to feel like i am explaining to the world. This to me is forever... Also my nutrition is worrying me...i am not eating but a mere 500 calories a day and not getting enough Protein that is for sure. going to my doctor on Wed for some b-12 shots and going to up the consumption of my Protein shakes. Lessons learned so far: Plans your meals or have plenty of back up just in case Throw a single packet or two of Protein Powder in your purse. Worst case scenario. You can mix it in a bottle of Water a voila! a meal MILK products are not your friend. When on the liquid portion of your diet do not expect to evacuate every day, its more like every 4-5 and if you feel constipation take Milk of Magnesia before going to bed, you'll thank me in the morning. This is all for now. I start back up with my trainer next week so i am excited about that and major GOAL is 150 right now. Hoping to get there soon. Until then....feel free to ask questions. I am happy to help with what little experience i have with this and as with all things, I am not a medical professional nor does this post imply any medical advise or suggestions, these are personal accounts. Good night SPT friends. xo 134 and Happy!

Linda love to hear your story! Congrats on the weight loss! Day 10 for me...

@sue on my way back at San Diego airPort I bought a chicken soup at the counter and only had the broth and the only reason this happenned to me was because my "cup o noddles" I accidentally packed in my luggage...otherwise I would have asked or bought hot water for tea and poured the contents into the cup of noodlesnand again only had the broth. The reason i like the cup o noodles is bc well it comes in a Cup so in don't have to worry about packing a container etc. Good luck with your procedure....I'm out 1week 3days and feel amazing. I'm sure you will too

I recommend lots of soup. Sip broths keeps the anxiety low and satisfy the need for warm food after all that protein

The journey has begun and look at it with excitement....you're doing this only because you know you will feel better and that is worth a lot than being "thinner" it's healthy you want and deserve. I think you should start now being the change you want to see....walk a lot force yourself to do the things you will need to do post surgery. You're going to do great and tell yourself that when you walk...headphones on chin up and look fwd never back. Can't change what's in the rearview mirror only what lies before you...good luck

Congrats....keep posting and let us know how you're doing

They took my temperature, kept my IV always refreshed and constantly monitored my meds. There was never a moment when i questioned where they were or if they had remembered me...i mean unreal the service. Constantly at my call. Although thank goodness i didn't need them. Walking is vital. It helps so much with the gases which is the main source of pain or rather angst. I was up very often but not because of pain simply discomfort. I DO NOT recommend you drink anything or ask for ice. as soon as i sipped on ice and threw it back up and it was not pretty. you don't need it my IV was running and changed so ofter i knew i was hydrated. The morning came, they finished monitoring my med, asked questions, the surgeons came in and checked on me again, spent quite some time again at least 45min this time talking and talking. I was released probably around noon, but not before i was checked with an X-ray machine for leaks and digestion track. I went back to the hotel and just showered, rested and tried to take down anything i could. I walked a lot, i would force myself to do at least 5-6 rounds sometimes ten around the entire floor with my friend. We went down by the hotel pool and took in some fresh air, walked around again and just relaxed. I did not like the broth at the marriott, i was thankful that i packed some ramon noodle packs, i would add hot water from a tea order on the flight or even at the hotel. You can barely take down half a cup. I recommend you pack Gatorade, electrolyte water and packs of ramon noodles even though you will only have the broth. i like mine hot so the room temp broths were not my thing. The meds i bough at the OCC were great. I did not need pain meds even though i bough the sublinguals. The anti-acid is great and the naseau has gone unopened - i had ZERO naseau the entire time. Friday i went back to the OCC for one last check up, even though it was not included they welcomed me and gave me one more look on the Xray, since i live clear across the US it is not easy to get back here nor do i feel comfortable going to a bariatric surgeon in Miami that has neither performed the surgery or knows what they are looking for. I did tell the dr. that the pangs or discomfort from eating and drinking which feels like fireworks are going off in your tummy whenever you eat something was driving me crazy he gave me a small pill that i took a box home. It helps with the stomach muscle spasms which i think is what they were. I will be back in 6mos for my endoscopy and to enjoy everything i missed out on in Tijuana and San Diego. The trip back i booked FIRST CLASS, if your flight is more than 1-2hrs, i highly recommend this. Although you will have a very small amount of discomfort really from the external larascopic sutures, you want need and deserve the care and comfort of not waiting-every dime i spent on first class back on the red eye was worth it. I am back home, i have slept for hours and hours, I've taken very little down, i can't even count. Powerade, electrolyte water, grandma's life saving broth (she claims it can bring the dead back to life lol) and i went to whole foods. I bought some organic popsicles, stocked up on my keffir yogurt for the week and i also purchased a green food supplement that has probiotics and lots of Vibrant Health and Green Vibrance. It has 25 million probiotics from 12 strains. I have been adding a little bit at a time to my broth. Nothing worries me more than nutrition right now. I think it will be key to my success but also in not becoming a small version of a heavy girl. I want to be healthy, vibrant, frisky and fun. Knowing that i have this secret tool that is going to get me to where i want to be forever. So i have been taking my meds religiously, i have only taken 2 small pills that help with the spasms. the only think i wish is i could gulp down a big fat cold glass of water but thats not the case you can only sip and you WILL feel is hit you stomach. EVERY DROP. I am thrilled with my decision, the choice i have made because it is the key to my long term health. I plan on resting tonight and tomorrow a lot, need to get back to work on Monday, and thank goodness it is a holiday and things will be slow. I do work in my own office so i know i can close the door if anything happens but i know everything will be fine. The nutritionist recommends a min of 3days on clear liquids, i am going the full 7 days so that i heal well. yogurt and hearty soups from whole foods will hopefully start on Wed. I bought some veg based protein powder since it might be softer on my tummy in the beginning with almond milk and berries. Lets see just one step and one day at a time but planning ahead. Also, my dreams are soo fun and vivid, all i dream about is shopping for new clothes and funny things i have wanted to do for a while. Its as if psychologically and subconsciously i am preparing for the changes that lie ahead. I can't go back to my trainer for another 3weeks but i plan on doing some slow long distance walking on Monday night - trust me it helps A LOT with the gas. Ok this is all for now, i hope this post helps because when i was soul searching online i could not find a whole lot. not sure how ofter i will dedicate to updates but i will do my best. If you are in search of a decision i promise you i made the right one with occ so far everything was better than expected. My friend that went to see the colombian doctor also changed her mind and is going with a Dr. Kelly in mexico next week. I will have her post as well so that she can offer a contrast and options. I know OCC is not the only once in mexico and i a sure that there are other qualified dr"s that offer the same great care. I don't mean to boast in anyway in my post and i apologize if i offended anyone in any fashion, i am just happy and on a high with the decision i made. I have not weighed my self but i assume i must be at 170 by now...36 healthy pounds to GO! Cheers to loving yourself beyond that which you thought possible. With all of my love