KristenVSG2014

My FB name is Kristen Paz.

That's what I thought and that's why I'm all for a private, secret group! I already saw the other group and decided against joining. I'm actually not a huge fan of social networking despite being in my 20's. I find it invasive and creepy at times.

What is your FB name? I'll send you a friend request.

Can my FB friends see if I belong to that group? If so I don't want to join. I just don't want my surgery broadcasted.

Yes! Sounds like a plan.

LOL that is totally something I would do. I love to play pranks!! You have a fun friend.

It WILL be harder but take that fear and turn it into determination. Find the strength within yourself to be successful. :-)

I've never been to Utah but I have family in SC, NC and TN. I love it up there!

I LOVE the Thai Ginger!!

I haven't had my sleeve surgery yet but I did experience this with my gallbladder surgery. The gas settled in my right shoulder for days and it was much worse than the surgery itself. It felt like someone stuck a knife in my shoulder and left it there. Expanding my chest while breathing was excruciating so I found myself breathing very shallow. Walking is the only remedy. I'm hoping I don't experience this again but I guess if I experienced it once I'm probably going to again. Small price to pay if it is the only issue I have.

Ok, that's similar to my pre-op diet but I've had to do it 4 weeks. I'm on my last week. I cheated slightly and by that I mean I had some cheese or pork. I didn't cheat by eating carbs. If you only have to do it for a week stick it out. You can do it!! When I'm tempted (like by the 6 desserts in the breakroom today) I say, "Eat to live, not live to eat". Then I ask if eating something will help me get closer to my goal or further from my goal. :-) You've got this.

How long is your pre-op diet and is it only liquids??

So we are having our surgery in Mexico but where is everyone from? I live in North Florida.

11 days left until surgery. It's getting real now...and I'm getting nervous.

My instructions clearly say to only take a mild laxative once three days before surgery. Double check your instructions.

I'm taking $50 in 5's and 1's. I think customary is $10 for driver, $5 for bellhop, $5 per day for housekeeping.

Three weeks down, one to go and then I start my Clear liquids diet ???? SW: 260.8 CW: 251 Lost 1.6 pounds last week. Yay!!

Not too bad. I can't say I've followed it 100%, maybe more like 90%. But I've lost 10 pounds so far!

@@Becca R. Whoa! Our goals are very similar. My highest weight was 290+ but I got down to 217 on a very strict diet. In two years I got back up to 260 and decided to make a permanent change with my 29th birthday approaching. I always felt if I could not reach a healthy weight by my 30th birthday it would become impossible. I'm down 10 pounds on the pre-op diet so far so I'm currently 250. I have a series of goal weights. Under 200 (duh, everyone wants to see ONEderland), 190 (total 100 pounds lost since my highest), 180 (my one year goal weight) and 160 (my ultimate goal weight). Less than two weeks until my surgery. I'm starting to get really nervous but I know it's what I need to do. :-)

The last few days have been uneventful. I was invited to have Family dinner and it would be the last time I see my sister before surgery so I agreed. She lovingly made a big salad and gave me noodle-less lasagna made with venison. We went to the beach before dinner and Mom and I walked for an hour. All in all it was a very nice day and I felt very happy with it. I love how supportive my family has been. They have seen me struggle my entire life with my weight. My sister is gorgeous at 5'4 and 120 pounds but she sees me for me and not my weight. Even though she's my little sister she's very protective of me and I love her for that.

Nov 3rd in Tijuana with Dr. Lopez!

Here is the email from my coordinator: Make sure to take along some gas X strips, roll of gauze, a roll of medical tape, a small tube of Neosporin to put around the wounds but not in them, take a good book, pack lightly and if you have any medications that you take on a regular basis, take them with you in the original bottles to Tijuana so you can discuss with the doctor when to restart them. Please note¦. Only the Tijuana location offers complimentary broth and popsicles. Please pack your own bullion cubes or broth packets if you are traveling to the other locations.

The instructions from my coordinator actually suggest bringing bandages but my hotel provides free broth and sugar-free Popsicles. I didn't buy gas-x strips because the gas is not in your stomach, it's in your abdominal cavity so gas-x wouldn't seem to work. I did buy some chewable antacids though.

I love food and come from a family of "foodies". We all love to cook and get together and eat. However, I'm the only one in my family overweight. I've been overweight my entire life. I remember my parents putting me on a diet when I was 8 years old. They took me to psycholgists, dietitians, weight loss specialists, etc. Nothing ever worked. There are obviously some genetic issues going on. But I also have discovered some things as an adult that I feel I need to acknowledge and address in order to be successful. 1.) I'm a perfectionist. This has caused me to be successful in every aspect of my life but my weight. Why? What happens when I "cheat" and have cookie? The whole day is ruined and I go overboard and eat whatever I want. "All or nothing" is a bad way to think. I am not perfect. I will make mistakes. Then I will move on. 2.) I have always craved my dad's acceptance. He is also a perfectionist and I felt like I was never "good enough" no matter how hard I tried. We have finally mended our relationship and he loves me and is proud of me. I still need to learn how to love myself. The biggest help in determining what issues you need to confront and deal with is documenting what triggers overeating or eating something you shouldn't. Acknowledge those triggers and try to avoid them. If you come across it have a non-food way to deal with it.

Two weeks down, two to go! SW: 260.8 CW: 252.6 Lost 2.6 pounds last week. Woo hoo! The pre-op diet has gotten easier recently. I think I've finally gotten all the carbs and sugar out of my system and I haven't physically craved anything. Mentally is another thing...but I'm still working on that.