FabBy50

Ash CONGRATS!!!! That is so awesome! I'm addicted to weighing myself too, every morning like clock work!! The goal thing for me has changed many times, I just want to be healthy and give myself just a little regain room LOL. Can't wait to see your pictures, I need to get busy and post some too. Have a great rest of the weekend! Bernadette

Hi!! I can tell you a million stories about why NOT to get the band!!! I had mine for only 9 months, and had to have it removed. Do you know that the average life of a band is 3 years? The band does not take away the gherlin, only the sleeve can do that. They actually remove it. I'm 50 years old and I only wish I would have done this earlier in my life, I wish I would have known more about the sleeve before the band! I don't know how strongly I can recomend that you don't have the band...pleae do yourself a favor and get the sleeve. There is no aftercare, awesome!! I eat just like a normal person, just smaller portions. I have 4 family members with the band...that is truly why I did it in the first place. All of them are having trouble, my sister is going to have the revision, she has had it with the band. I can't tell you how many meals I have missed because I was in the bathroom being sick! Really that is all I can tell you, I love my sleeve!! I don't know long term stats because ther are not a lot, I can tell you the stats with the band are not good. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Barbara Yes I love the way the sleeve gently reminds us that we are changed people!! I Love the fact that when you are getting close you get a littl pain in your chest (well at least I do) That is my food thermometer! Pumpkin I have had trouble with a lot of different foods too, the things I used to like taste aweful now. I can't stand Protein drinks, never could. I try very hard to get my protein from other foods. I never plan what I will eat everyday, I have never been that organized. That is probably why I got fat in the first place! I would not plan, get hungry and then go to Taco Bell!! You are doing a great job!! Don't worry so much about the food, it will all come together for you. Mary You will love all the money you save on food, not to mention all the time we wasted thinking about food! I have been on a buying spree, lots and lots of new clothes, I used to hate shopping! I bought 12 new shirts in one day!! All in a size medium, it is wonderful to shop and enjoy it again. Good luck everyone!

Ash I know how you feel when it comes to setting a goal. I set mine at 150, then after I had my revision done I changed it to 140. With all that said now that I'm almost to 150 I think 140 will be too little. Give yourself some time and you will know when it is right to stop. Good luck and happy losing!

Barbara Isn't that just the greatest feeling! I never thought I would feel this way either. Now if hubby and I go out, I eat maybe 1/3 of my meal and bring the rest home. I don't sit around thinking about what to eat next, sure make life easier!! Take care!

Hi newfor2010 Just wanted to drop in and say congrats on your weight loss!! And for turning 50! My original goal was to be fab by 50, which of course is my screen name!! I wanted to have my entire 70lbs off by January 9th which was my 50th!! Well I missed it by 10lbs. I started my journey almost a year ago with the lap band, which I had removed in December. If I would have been sleeved to start with I would have made goal! That is awesome that you get so much excersize in, I have upped mine to a 3 mile jog/walk. I enjoy it and so do my dogs! No advice on the Water because I drink crystal light all day long, I like the teas too. Good luck on the rest of your journey! I forgot to add that I put an additional 10lbs on my goal, not sure if I will need it or not. I will see when I get the next 10 off.

PNW and bkind You both stated that you have had tummy tucks, but your surgery was recent?? I thought I was the only one who did it backwards! Actually mine was calle a tram flap, it is for breast cancer patients. They take skin from your stomach and for a new breast. I had that done, and then lost the weight. I'm so trilled with my flat tummy! I always had a ledge after having my kids. Sorry Brenda, did not mean to hijack your thread! Bernadette

Good luck tomorrow!!! You will do just fine, it really is a pretty easy surgery. Keep us posted!! Bernadette

Brenda I'm probably one of the unusual ones because I was not worried about it being a clinic. i have had MANY surgeries and some of them have been at surgery centers. As far as post op, they do a leak test in the operating room, and then again 2 days later. You have to drink this awful tasting stuff and they do an exray to watch it go down. I don't know how your health is, If I had been severly overweight or had medical issues I would have chosen a surgeon that operates in a hospital. I have no health issues, other than battling cancer twice! So it is up to you to decide what is best for you. I wish you the very best, the sleeve is so easy! No after care, except getting the stitches out. (most people do it themselves) I took mine out both times. The thing I like the best about the sleeve is that you can eat any and all foods, just less of them!! Bernadette

Hi Brenda I went with Dr. Almanza in Tijuana Mexico, I had a wonderful experience both times. he really is a great surgeon, I have had no complaints. I can't tell you how easy the sleeve is, you will love it!

Hi Brenda I'm yet another band to sleeve revision...please don't get the band! I wish that I had never gotten it! I had it for only 9 months and it caused a lot of damage. I did a revision in December and could not be happier! I have my life back, I can eat like a normal person. I can go out to eat and not spend the entire time in the bathroom! I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. The sleeve is easy, you just eat less! Go for it, you won't be sorry.

Tia & Robin Good luck on your surgeries!! You will both do just fine. My best advice is walk as soon as you can, it cuts down on the gas. This is actually a pretty easy surgery, you both will do great! Bernadette

Hi Kerri Welcome to Verticle sleeve talk! Good luck on your surgery tomorrow, you will be fine! The sleeve is very easy to adjust to, I love it! Waiting for you on the losers bench! Bernadette

That is so awesome!! I totally agree with you. I lost my job in January and I'm still looking AI just turned 50 and I feel that takes away from you I;m starting to stress some! I will find the right job is just not out there right now!Wish me luck!!!

[quote name=FabBy50 Don't afraid to go there! I did well twice with them!! Go for it! He is an awesome Dr. Pm if tiy have more questions! Bernadette Sounds like you are doing great!! You will love the tasted of the chicken broth. You will also be surprised at how little you can have before you are full. Dreaming of pizza...LOL, was it pepperoni? I still have little bouts of gas pain, not much just a little pain in the shoulder. Good luck on your venture home, glad that you are doing so well!!! Bernadette[/quote] Go Go Go GoGo

Well I will speak the entire truth of the matter!! Since I came to this site and decided that I would use Dr Almanza, I have been called names threatened, told I was lower than POOP!!! And this has been going on for over a year! There are a lot of people who had decided that Dr. Almanza was not a good Dr, Don't know how they came to that conclusion but they did. (the singular thread that links these woman is that they all had surgery with Dr. Aceves) They come out in droves everytime we post positive stuff, and even more if it is negative!!! If you care any about this you will do some research: The negative comments are about the size of the clinic, and the aftercare home. I have been to both and found they were both just fine. I have not heard of anything stemming directly against Dr Almanza, I don't think you will see it. He is a fine surgeon, had to spend 4 hours on me last time to fix the band, I,m doing great!! So to finish this!!!! Please don't always agree with what you read! These people are here to make money, not all of of them, But there is a population that does not admit they are trying to make money. PM me I would be happy to answer any questions!! Pleas don't get freaked out by the ONE time poster who says :no one helped me, we had no phone, I was in pain and they would not give me something, ETC ETC!! It does not happen there! The nurses are wonderful it you do not get what you want call Dr Bettancourt, he will fix it QUICKLY! I Loved my experiences!!

I have used Dr. Almanza twice in fact!! I would trust him with my life, I did! Now if you need a lot of hand holding and a big hospital you will not find it here, it is a surgery center, not a hospital. I was totally OK with that because I have had surgeries in clinics before. Dr. Almanza is an excellent surgeon, don't let anyone tell you different. If you have anymore question PM me I will be happy to answer any and all questions! Bernadette

Just a little advice, don't get the band! I don't know anyone who is happy with theirs, I certainly was not happy.The sleeve is night and day difference, I wish that I would have done this first. good luck to you! Bernadette

I have been to Dr Almanza twice and I love him! He does a great job and he is not bad to look t either. I had the band for 9 months until it started causing problems. I had mt band out and th sleeve done on Dec 30th 2009. It was the best thing I could ever don for myself, the sleeve make eating easy. Good luck to you! Bernadette

Good luck, I know you will do it!!!

WOO HOO!!! Congrats on being sleeved!!

I had my band done in March and already it has to come out, to say the least I'm a little upset! Especially considering I'm self pay and I will be having 2 surgeries within 9 months. I tore my port away from the stomach wall so I had my choice of repairing it or doing the sleeve, so sleeve here I come!!! I started out loving my band and being able to work with it but it got harder and harder as it went on. I couldn't eat and if I did, it would not stay down. If I was even slightly upset about anything not even Water would stay down. I tell you this has been a bad dream. And I did everything I was supposed to do. Anyway I'm going back to Tijuana to see my surgeon again. My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday!! So sleeve life here I come. Wish me luck! Bernadette

Great job!!!!!

Awesome!!!

Hey I just had a question for all of you. I have a lump in my arm just past where I had my IV for my surgery. Do you think this is a blood clot? And if so, what should I do? Any advise would be helpful. Bernadette