jjinWA

Have your B12 checked when you do labs. I was very tired and found out I was very low on B12. I get shots for B12 now and my energy is through the roof! It made all the difference for me.

I am down 40 pounds. Surgery date was June 17th. HW 226. CW. 186. I am starting to notice in my clothes. I have moved from one closet... All too big now, and have migrated to another closet, that had clothes that previously had been too small. I have one closet left! These are size 12. If I go below that size I will have no other closet to go to. I have not been below size 12 in my entire adult life!

Add spinach or baby kale to this smoothie and you have a home run for nutrition. I don't juice, but instead emulsify in my nutribullet. I get all the fiber from wonderful nutritional food sources. Add in my protein powders and I am well on my way getting in my required daily protein.

I consider myself lucky, if not the norm. No pain ( and no pain meds), no nausea ( no nausea meds) and no gas issues. I was able to walk the hallways within 2 hours after I was delivered to my room. I had no issues getting in 50oz of Water in the same day of surgery. I have to say I questioned whether I actually had the surgery. With all that said, I did have a painful lesson on constipation once I returned home. I stay ahead of that now with a daily dose of Benifiber! I always get in my required water intake, even if I don't get in all my Protein. My dr said dehydration is a serious concern and I listened to that advice.

The comments here are so very common and is good to put out there for all of us to share in our frustrations. It makes our stalls more understandable and certainly it helps to make me feel normal and let's me know that I am not alone in my journey. Through all of my experiences in my own process I have come to realize that I will lose pounds when my body is ready to let it go. I tell myself regularly...RELAX! Stay the program, which includes thoughtful and healthy eating and exercising. My goal is not so much as to lose it fast but to lose it permently. That is something I have never accomplished in my past life. Hang in there my friends. We will all get there!

When you are researching a surgeon in Mexico how do you know who is on his/her team? What are their qualifications? Most importantly the anesthesiologist. I never hear any reference to this side of the decision. Is it possible to get confirmation on who all the drs are that will be involved so that research can be completed before a final decision is made?

Alex helped set a new password for me, but I have yet to figure out how to change that password to something else. :-(

Here is another positive spin.... It does not take me nearly as long to blow dry my hair, since I have very little left! :-)

Funny, I saw these in the grocery store today and walked by them. Had not read your post yet. Will have to go back and buy one and try it.

My surgeon here in the US uses a robot for all his surgeries. I am not sure there are any surgeons in Mexico that perform their surgeries via this latest method. Can anyone enlighten me if I am incorrect in this assumption. I have seen a lot of videos by surgeons and yes, they perform laperscopic, but I did not see any utilize the robot.

Thanks I will check it out.

Ha. Yes! My husband said he can certainly relate to your story.

Do they use robotics for their surgical procedures. St Francis did with my surgery. I don't think there are any surgeons in Mexico using this new procedure. Dr. Houseworth has been using this tool for 2 years now. Maybe that is why they are so expensive. Not sure it is that much better procedure. They say it is more accurate. But could just be marketing thing.

I would like to try this product. I love Arnold Palmer's ( half lemonade half tea). I brew my own decaf tea. If I get this true lemon product I might just meet my perfect drink! BJs? Is that short for a full product name? I will check on Amazon. For now Chrystal light has been my choice but I certainly do not like their lemonade.

RJ, your comment about the leftovers made me smile. My husband and daughter are complaining cuz they are going to gain weight due to eating my leftovers. Ha! I have no problem eating very little in front of them because they know and understand my new dietary requirements. But those that do not know about my surgery, well... That is another thing. But for now I just tell them I am cutting back on my portions. I had one gal say " yeah, way back! ". So yes, they are noticing. Just not sure I am ready to tell them the truth. May actually be easier for me to tell them and let the "true friends" rise to the top.

Hi lylabelle. We had made our decision to go with Dr. Alceves and was set to send our deposit the very weekend he was killed. It was such a tragic loss of a top quality surgeon. We then set a date in July to go with Dr. Illan but with the Omar mess, we cancelled. Now back to our research. Regardless, Mexico is still a viable option for us. Just waiting until Jan. We are going to resubmit her data to the insurance one more time in Dec. and will then proceed accordingly.

I understand what you are going through. My dilemma is a bit different but with same results. Since I have not told anyone about my surgery I am finding it difficult to eat in front of my friends. I can eat very little and I know they are wondering what is the matter with me. Plus I live in a very close knit neighborhood where we all get together for Sunday barbecues, evening social events, etc. Someone is always dropping of desserts, etc. It is just what we do here. I think I may have no choice but to share my news with them so they understand that I am not being rude by not eating all their delicious dishes. :-(

I went to st Francis in Federal Way. My insurance covered it, but a friend of mine did self pay. She paid $28,000. My daughter's insurance denied her because she did not have BMI over 40. Mew are researching surgeons in Mexico and looking for a date around January to give her time to save her money. Mexico ranges from $4600 to $8600. I cannot meet untIl after Sept, but of course everyone that can meet up should do so if that works out for everyone. Enjoy! Maybe we can make it a monthly thing and rotate locations and I can catch up with all of you in Oct. I am able to meet most any location.

Of course presurgery folks are welcome! I am looking forward to meeting all of you!

The name of the restaurant in West Seattle that serves the individual meatballs ($2 ea) is Talarico's. I have to travel to SD to help my mother pack and relocate to Washington so will be gone for a few weeks. I have a few days (sept 8-12) available before I head out. Otherwise I will return on Oct 4 and can meet up any time after that.

I don't track unless I stall. And yes, 800 is for the first year. I was sleeved in June.

No, I never got a limit from my NUT or PCP, but I know through trial and error what my limit should be personally. I stay about 800 per day. Go over that and I stall or even gain a pound or two. So when I journal I can track all of that.

Journal! Track everything you put in your mouth. Identify protein, carb, sugar intake. It may shock you. Be accountable for everything you eat and stay on track with your calorie limits. Not every one has to do this and continue to lose weight, but for some of us, that is the key to success. When I go into a stall I find going back to my food journal quickly identifies why I am not losing. If you are gaining this should be your first step to getting back on track. My fitness pal is a great tool for this journaling process.

I have a very supporting husband. He went on a diet with me so together we limit carbs, exercise, and focus on other things rather then eating out in restaurants. He has always watched his weight and has been successful for years. He hated that I could not be as active as he was. He loves biking, walking, downhill skiing, and so forth. We have been married 40 years. He is beyond happy that I am now joining him on these activities. We walk every morning and evening and pull out the bikes when it is not too hot. This winter I am putting on my ski pants and going to hit the beginner slopes! I love this new life and I know he is over the moon as well!