smoothazz

I've seen a few references to self pay options in Las Vegas. Does anyone have any details on this? I have a family member that is interested but is feeling intimidated by going to Mexico.

I understand the regret and wondering if you've done the right thing. I'm out over a year now and all those feelings have passed. I've adjusted to my new body, diet, lifestyle and I'm loving it. There most definitely is a physical, mental, and emotional adjustment period you go through though. So, I'd say feeling some regret and wondering if you did the right thing is normal. It also passes.

My advice? Relax! I know it's scary to see a "stall" when you may have had weight loss failures in the past. I'm at 1 year 3 months out from surgery and saw several stalls. They'd usually be followed by a pretty rapid drop in weight. My weight didn't go down in a straight line, it was more like a staircase. Keep moving, drinking, and staying positive. The weight will come off, don't stress out about it! I've lost 110 lbs, btw.

My ass is just gone. I'm not even sure what to call what I have back there now.

I'm 1 year 3 months out from VSG and had a very full, thick head of hair when I started. I noticed about 6 months in that it was thinning a little. I refocused on getting protein and taking a biotin supplement and the thinning stopped. I'm not where I was prior to surgery, but I'm happy with where I ended up.

I was just over 40. I'm a tall man and carried my weight pretty good (learned that over decades of being overweight). I'm so glad I did it. I'll toot my own horn and say I look damn good! I could never have done this without it - I tried for years. I will say that I got comments from other much larger patients at the hospital. They kept saying "you don't look like you need this!" I kept thanking, "do I need to wait until I've got one foot in the grave like you before I do something?" Like most people I felt a lot of shame about my weight and this criticism wasn't easy to hear, but in hindsight IDGAF. I feel great, I look great, and I can enjoy the rest of my life without obesity ruining everything I want to do!

I think that must refer to the Marriott you stay at when you're not at the hospital. It is very nice. The hospital is fine, just not on par with what you'd expect at a surgery center in the states. It's just kind of old and small.

I went through ALM in January 2015. I didn't have any problems at all. Seeing the hotel was a bit of a shock. It seemed so unimpressive and old and was a moment of "oh my god what am I doing?!?!" But it was clean and the doctors and nurses were great. In hindsight, it seems like nothing. I had almost no pain to speak of, recovered quickly, and lost 110 lbs! I was very nervous at the time, but now it feels like a dream I had ages ago. Best thing I ever did for my health though.

Good to know. Maybe I'll give hot yoga a shot.

Glad I found this thread as this is what I'm going thorough now. I'm a little less than a year out and down about 110 lbs and feeling good. I look great clothed, but saggy and strangely proportioned naked. I have this saggy spare tire. It's a deflated tire. Just the deflated inner tube, I guess. Also a saggy wrinkly ass. My legs are a little saggy too. I have some excess skin on my chest hiding what I think are decent pecs. I have been working out (HIIT) and doing more outdoors. I know my muscle structure is improved. I guess I hoped I'd see more firmness... more taut. Has anyone seen improvements over a longer time in this area? I'm wondering if I need to be more patient for the results or if I need to adjust my expectations.

Maybe I've just had bad luck or maybe it's just the sort of people I hang around with!

I've hit a tipping point where even the densest person in my life can't help but notice my weight loss. I've had a bunch of people coming up to me to say "You've lost weight! What are you doing?!!" I told a couple of people what I did early on and then spent 30 minutes defending why VSG was good for me and why doing it in Mexico wasn't a death wish. That cured me of giving a damn about giving anyone the backstory. So, now when I get the "What are you doing?!!" question, I (truthfully) say "Well, I dramatically changed my diet and became much more active." When they asked what I did with my diet I say, "I cut out soda, most carbs, sugar, etc. and emphasize Protein. I also reduced my portion sizes." I try to leave it at that. How do you respond when asked about your weight loss? Do you openly talk about having surgery?

Along my journey, I've had to learn to speak my truth. I've turned the page on this new chapter and the universe has given me a real gift. I've had to open my heart to receive love and learn to do hard things. Just remember to believe in yourself and just be you.

With your June surgery you could be kayaking by the end of the summer! It's different for everybody, but for most of us "big guys" the weight starts dropping pretty fast. You can look forward to that moment when you WILL be saying, "holy crap I'm doing this!" as you easily paddle along with your wife. I've had a few of those moments - they're awesome!