cajun

Tiffany, Being a nurse myself, I would be honest with you and tell you if I thought you looked "sick". Your photos do not look at all sick to me. You look absolutely beautiful. I think they are just so used to seeing you as obese that they are worried. Change is hard especially for loved ones. I would just let them say what they need to say and thank them for their concern. Then quietly go on about your business of getting to your goal. No need to say that you want to lose more. You can just say "I feel fine where I am right now (which is the truth...you are fine today.) Tomorrow...well, you might want to lose a little more but that's between you and your scale. If you decide to stay right where you are at, that's fine too. You might also want to share with them results of your normal lab tests and what your doctor says about how great you are doing. I am so proud of you and you inspire me to keep on going even when I have bad days. Thank you for all that you bring to us on this forum. P.S. Here is a link to "ideal body weight" calculators...there are different opinions and different calculators. Take what you like and leave the rest. http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Thanks! Another pound this morning, down to 229. ! It amazes me too. I have not been in the 220s for about ten years. I thought I was fat as a teenager, but was looking at some old photos yesterday, and I actually looked pretty good! By this time next year, I'll look like that again! Am so excited about my transformation. It's the best Christmas present I could ever give myself. What a blessing.

shutterbug, Are you a photographer? If so do you do landscapes, flora, fauna, or what? I'm an amateur (hobby) photographer, no sophisticated equipment but love to take pics.

Actually the VSG has been used for many years as a part of the duodenal switch WLS, so it is not a new procedure. Many patients who are super morbidly have the VSG initially and after a year or two, the rest of the duodenal switch was completed, and this surgery has been performed since 1988. Since some patients did very well after having just the VSG, they decided to not proceed with the "switch" part of the surgery. That started research into using the VSG alone. Of course more research is being done and I'm sure there is more to learn.

The swelling does make it hard to get the fluids down at first...that will gradually get better. But that's the most important thing the first few weeks...fluids. Don't worry about protein and other stuff...just don't get dehydrated! That can cause lots of problems that you don't want. Sip Burp, Sip, Burp....walk walk walk, nap in between. You'll do fine! Right now your sleeve is in control...it's going to do some great work for you!

What do you mean by "medically"?

I agree with Tiff. You are purchasing a service and have every right to purchase what you want, not what someone else says they want to give you. Sounds like you've done your research...kudos to you!

Congratulations on setting your date...it will be here before you know it. I lost many pounds multiple times too, and at some point decided it was healthier to just stay put and not do the yo yo thing. When my weight started to interfere with my activities, even walking, I decided WLS was the only option. I'm so grateful that I discovered this forum, which helped me research surgeons in Mexico. There are many nurses on this forum who offer great advice and insight. Don't hesitate to ask questions. I have a good job and insurance, but the sleeve is not covered. Actually I was kinda glad because I've saved up, and did not want to do the six months of jumping through hoops that insurance requires. Once I decided, and chose a surgeon who meets my high standards, it was done in a month. Being a "get 'er done" kind of person, that made me very happy. I'm 2 1/2 months post op and have lost 58 lbs from my highest weight...33 of it has come off since my surgery date. No more hypertension or depression medication. Soon I'll be off the cpap. Best of all, I am active again and enjoying things I could not do for several years due to the weight. Are you in a DNP or PhD program? Congrats on that also...you are really a "go getter", aren't you? Best of luck to you. Where are you going for your surgery?

I took off 2 weeks, and was glad I did. I was easily fatigued those first two weeks, since I was on clear liquids only for 1 week and full liquids for 1 week. After starting mushies I got stronger and felt almost back to my normal self the third week. It was nice to be able to just go take a nap when I felt like it those first two weeks. I say if you have sick time, take it for a couple of weeks.

I weigh almost daily except when I am in a "stall", and then I weigh once a week so I don't get too discouraged. I've had several stalls, but still lose inches during those times...and am very happy overall with what I've lost.

I drink Sobe Lifewater. Love it. My taste for plain water has gone down the toilet. (grin)

Since you seem to like animals, perhaps a job with a veterinarian would be fun, as well as productive of some income.

AJW NICE photo! You really do look great and I can see why folks say you have lost enough...but I know what you mean...I've only lost 58 lbs, 85 to go and people frown when I say I have a lot more to lose. So now I just say I have "a little more" to lose so they don't harass me.

I agree with Vegas Angel. The high protein, low carb diet before surgery is very important, to shrink your liver. If it is big and slippery from eating carbs, you have a higher risk of it being nicked (which causes hemorhage) during surgery because the surgeon has to work very close to and under the liver. So fill up on meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, cheese, and other protein and stay away from all carbs as much as you can. This will shrink your liver and take away its' slippery coating, and give you the very best chance of having no complications post-operatively. You'll love Dr Aceves and Dr Campos. Let us know how you are doing post op!

Chancie, AWESOME!!!!!! Your success and all that you share helps me keep on following the program, so a big THANKS, and CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS THAT COMES YOUR WAY!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING YOU IN ONDERLAND IN A FEW MONTHS.

Tracy, You will sure be in my prayers for a successful revision. What resiliance! You are such a strong person, I know you will reach your goals.

Judy, sounds like you are doing great. Clear liquids will be done soon and you will be able to have a more satisfying variety. I loved cream Soups in the full liquid stage. You can put any Soup in a blender, and make it totally particle-free...lots of different tastes to enjoy. Congratulations on sticking to the program...you will be so glad you did this once you are through the hard part and see the pounds falling off.

I agree with that! A hospital, with an ICU and full service specialists in the event they are needed!

Tiff, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so thrilled for you, and like the other comments, am so grateful for your honest and "right on" posts that have helped us all to keep a perspective. It is great to have you as a sleeve sister.

I hate it when people lie to you just to get your money. GRRRRR. I hope you find a way to get the sleeve if that is what you want. I'm delighted with mine, and highly recommend Dr Aceves in Mexicali. "Summer" rate was 8700 all inclusive except for my airfare. He is president of mexican bariatric assoc., is a Fellow in American College of surgeons, has done over 700 sleeves and has an outstanding reputation. I'm a nurse myself, with 30 years experience, did extensive research on multiple surgeons before deciding, and I'd send my first born child to him...can't do better in my opinion.

I agree with other posters. Drink more Water. Write down your grams protein, calories, carbs daily and see if you are meeting goals. Measure. I lost two clothing sizes but very little weight the past month. Bet you are too. Keep on keeping on...let your body do the adjusting it needs to do and put away the scales...weigh once every two weeks.

Dr Aceves did my surgery, and I highly recommend him. I paid $8700 for mine, since it was a "summer special" even though I went in late September. One advantage with him is he operates in a new, very clean and beautiful, full service hospital, not a clinic. You stay in the hospital for four days, and receive all the medications you need to control your postop pain/nausea, etc. You are seen by him or his assistant about 4 times a day, which is unheard of in US hospitals. He takes every possible precaution to ensure a safe and successful outcome. I would even recommend him over the very best US sleeve surgeon group in California, who have lots more experience than anyone else. They cost about twice as much, and I hear from several sleevers that their bedside manner sometimes is not as user-friendly as Dr Aceves. You will be treated with the utmost respect and kindness by Dr Aceves and his staff, AND receive highly skilled care that is better than any I have ever seen. I am a nurse, with over 30 years of experience, and have had 5 surgeries. The only downside is the travel in my opinion. I love to fly, but wish Dr Aceves' office was in MY home town! Oh well, can't have everything! His office does stay in touch and he likes to see his patients for follow up if they can get there. But since I am a thousand miles away, I see my local internist for followup, and communicate via email with Dr Aceves' office because he wants to know how I'm doing. The response I get is rapid and always helpful when I have questions. Call 888-344-3916 to talk with Nina if you have any questions. She's great!

I wish that I could have found a surgeon with as much experience as Dr Aceves, as good a reputation, and as inexpensive, here in my area, because I would have certainly chosen to stay closer to home for many reasons. Easier, safer in terms of getting follow up in the event of any complications, no language barrier with nurses or any other staff, no travel time or expense etc, etc. However I could not find anyone nearby who met those qualifications. There are more US physicians who are getting experience with the sleeve as time goes on, and eventually there will be lots of them across the country that will be excellent choices, I'm sure. For now, they are few and far between from what I've been able to determine. I'm glad you found one near your home. It will be easier on you than travelling. My internist had referred me to a bariatric surgeon 1 1/2 hours from my home town of 200,000 people. No one locally was qualified. But when I did my research, I found that he had not done even 100 sleeves, so I was not willing to risk using him either. (research says after 300, the complication rate falls dramatically). She was surprised when I saw her next after getting back from Mexicali, but she was also impressed with the credentials of Dr Aceves. I'm impressed with the results! I've lost over 1/3 of my excess weight in just two months, and am feeling great. I look forward to the day when any US citizen can find a well qualified, affordable Sleeve surgeon with a good program in their own home town. That will be the very best option. Welcome to the board!

GREAT! You will be at your goal in no time!

The only caveat for me would be if you are on a PPI or other acid reducer after surgery, such as nexium, prilosec, etc, you are not making enough stomach acid to kill any bacteria that might be in the honey you consume. So I'd wait until you are off the PPI. That goes for other unpasteurized dairy products as well. I'm also careful about not eating foods that have been sitting out all day such as at holiday gatherings because they are more likely to be contaminated. A "normal" stomach with plenty of hydrochoric acid will kill off most bacteria we consume, but even a normal stomach will get "sick" if we eat a large enough portion of contaminated food. Ever had the "runs" after munching on an all day Christmas buffet? Not fun. An e coli infection from contaminated ground beef or poorly washed spinach could even be lethal, and has been for some people with normally functioning stomachs, as we have seen in the news. I just try to be conscious of avoiding high risk situations until I'm "back to normal" and off the nexium that I take.