mellifrits

Thank you so much for your uplifting words. I might tell more people once it is done, we will just have to see. But I'm only 23 so I'm sure anyone I tell will just try to talk me out of it and there is no changing my mind. My sister (47 years old) got her lap band a few years ago and she is going with me to Mexico! My mom helped me get the loan for the super sleeve and has been nothing but loving in this whole thing. Monday (July 12th) is my big day so please keep me in your prayers everyone!!

Im in my diet now and it really isn't so bad. Mine is the Adkins also. So my last meal had mainly carbs. I can't wait to eat to live instead of live to eat! Don't get me wrong I enjoyed my last meal BUT I am ready!! I Good luck everyone! My friend that I am a live in Nanny for made me the butt of her joke last night and when someone said it wasn't nice she just said, "Oh she doesn't care she is use to it." "She knows I'm just joking!". It always hurts but if I say something she says "You need to suck it up and not take things so personal." I am done being the easy target that just smiles and acts like no one can hurt me. I want to be my own person, not my weight! Monday July 12, 2010 my life will change forever!!

Im in my diet now and it really isn't so bad. Mine is the Adkins also. So my last meal had mainly carbs. I can't wait to eat to live instead of live to eat! Don't get me wrong I enjoyed my last meal BUT I am ready!! The funny thing is in my head I thought the 12th was Tuesday but it is Monday! It has just been a while since I booked everything so it was a good suprise! Good luck everyone! Monday July 12, 2010 my life will change forever!!

Here is the letter that was sent to me: Hi MaryAnn, * Here?s some information on the new Super Sleeve we are introducing at an introductory price of only $6200 for a limited time.* It is only available at our two Mexico facilities. * *Less Invasive** *Reversible**** *No cutting or re-routing of any internal organs** *No leakage issues** *No foreign implants* *Fast recovery! * My sister and niece just had this surgery on Saturday, 5/22/10, and were back at work on Monday.* I?m really excited about this procedure and urge you to consider it as another weight loss option! * Call if you have any questions or want more information! Ishi J * * TGVP Super Sleevectomy Laparoscopic total gastric vertical plication (TGVP) is a new restrictive technique for the treatment of morbid obesity. This operation may be considered as an advancement of the well-known sleeve gastrectomy and is carried out with the use of pure non-absorbable surgical sutures. In TGVP the gastric capacity is diminished without gastrectomy (removal of the stomach,) or foreign implants. Due to the lack of gastric strictures TGVP does not cause any food intolerance nor impair patient?s dietary habits. The excess weight loss is about (62-67% EWL.) In comparison to other modern restrictive bariatric techniques, (laparoscopic gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy,) the advantages of TGVP are minimal risk of acute or late complications, and it?s reversible, (removing the gastric sutures will allow the stomach to go back to its normal form.) September 2009 update WEIGHT LOSS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC TOTAL GASTRIC VERTICAL PLICATION. 16 MONTHS STUDY. Other key words: gastric greater curvature invagination, gastric folding. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new bariatric technique (laparoscopic total gastric vertical plication - LΤGVP) in a personal 52 obese patient series. Patients decision/consent for this type of operation was based on the following criteria: minor surgery, reversibility, fast recovery, absence of implants. Mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 119.36 +/ 18.22 kg (range 88-157) and 41.50 +/ 4.58 kg/m2 (range 35- 55), respectively. RESULTS: There were no serious complications; the only late side-effect (> 6months) was mild GER (reflux) which affected 8/49 patients (16.32%). Three patients failed to lose weight loose due to gastric sewing disruption (one of them had a successful reoperation 3 months later). This happened early in the study. These 3 patients were excluded from statistic analysis. Mean follow-up was 9.33 +/ 3.39 months (range 6 -16). The mean postoperative weight loss was 29.36 Kg, mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 62.50%, while mean BMI dropped to 31.18 +/ 4.02 kg/m2. Thirty-nine patients (80%) lost more than 50% of the excess weight, 45% lost 61% or more, while one out four patients lost more than 70% of excess weight (range 71 -120%). CONCLUSION: LΤGVP is a safe and effective restrictive bariatric operation. In comparison to the published results from gastric band studies (over the same time period,) weight loss after LΤGVP is faster and more intense. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a new bariatric technique which has a unique feature: it combines gastric restriction with appetite suppression. LSG significantly reduces ghrelin levels due to resection of the gastric fundus, which is the predominant area of human ghrelin production. In other words, LSG has a physiological advantage over other restrictive procedures such as gastric banding or vertical banded gastroplasty, which does not influence the ghrelin-producing cell mass. Furthermore, in LSG no foreign material is implanted avoiding complications such as band migration, erosion and infections. The risk of peptic ulcer or dumping is low, while absorption of nutrients and orally-administered drugs are not altered as may transpire after gastric by-pass. What is super sleeve? Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is not as simple as any other gastrectomy. Gastric tube size influences both the degree of weight loss and weight stability. A large sleeve predisposes to gastric dilatation (stretching) and weight regain. Inexperienced surgeons tend to create large tubes ( or to leave back large remnants of the gastric fundus. A standardized technique with a gastric capacity less than 100 ml (A) is mandatory in order to get the patient to achieve a durable weight loss. The sleeve should be ?super? which means a small gastric sleeve diameter and a higher degree of restriction. With the gastric capacity being restricted to 60-80gr and Ghrelin (the appetite hormone) totally suppressed, the resultant weight loss is predictable and comparable to those achieved with gastric by-pass (60-70% EWL), without any serious complication or side effects (e.g. Vitamin mal-absorption). We believe the ?Super Sleeve? to be a very effective and safe bariatric solution even for super-obese patients. * * Ishi Patient Facilitator www.beliteweight.com* Direct #949-388-6828 Toll Free #877-922-5272 X1 *

Did he say anything to you about your liver? What is your BMI? Did you take anyone with you? Does it hurt to be sitting in a car or plane for a long period of time? Have you lost weight since the sleeve? Are you wanting to eat, just can't or are you not hungry at all? How is your pain now? Are you able to be around people or does it wear you out? Sorry so many questions..

Wow this is amazing! Thank you for taking the time to share this! You have been a ton of help!!

That is so wonderful to hear. I don't know much about your dr but I'm sure this site has helped you just as much as it has helped me in research. There is nothing more powerful than word of mouth! I am getting a super sleeve in Mexico July 12th! I can't believe it is almost here!!

Just so everyone knows there is a form on post-op for everyone getting sleeved in July. I love reading on how everyone is doing! And I can wait to see what joy July will bring! I can't believe Monday my life is going to change forever!! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/7030-july-2010s-new-losers.html#post61478

I researched after I was refered. I went though a company that told me Dr. Rod would be my dr if I went to Juarez. This site helped me and ton on making the choice to go with him. Just so everyone knows there is a form on post-op for everyone getting sleeved in July. Can't wait to hear how everyone is doing!! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/7030-july-2010s-new-losers.html#post61478

Wow that is amazing that you are getting sleeved before college even starts. I though I was young sine I'm 23 but you bet me. What dr are you doing to? Do you have a date set yet?

I would love to! I will bring my computer with me to Mexico so I'll be writting as soon as I feel up to it. I am getting the super sleeve. This week is going by so slow! I can't wait for Tuesday!

Hi everyone! I have been posting on this form for a little bit but I have yet to really introduce myself to you. I am 23 years old and have been fighting obesity since my dad passed when I was 16. I have always been over weight but when he passed it got out of control. When I was 18 I got a plastic retainer glued into my mouth over my teeth to try to make my mouth wider for braces causing me to be limited on what I could eat and how fast I could eat it. I lost most of the weight and kept it off for 6 months after the retainer was taken out. Once that aid was gone the weight just seemed to come back. Then when I was 19 I got my wisdom teeth and tonsils removed in the same month so I lost the weight again. That time I kept it off for 8 months until the obesity came back. Over a year ago my boyfriend of two years ended things with me since he didn’t want to marry someone that was over weight. He told me that he gave me a year to lose the weight and he just wasn’t attracted to me anymore. It is one thing to think someone broke things off due to your weight and it is a whole other to have someone tell you. So I tried EVERYTHING from South beach diet to Weight Watchers to Diet pills. I would lose 10 or 15 lbs but then stay the same a few weeks. After not losing for a few weeks honestly I don’t think I did the diets well and I would always just gain it all back and then some. Now I don’t care what he himself things of my weight but I care what I think and what I feel. I really believe that if he doesn’t love me because the way I look on the out side is different than what he would like then there is no reason for me to live the rest of my life on egg shells in fear that if I gain weight he will leave. Once I was able to deal with my fathers death and my ex’s hurtful words I made the choice that I will be happy. And that is when I made the choice to lose the weight for myself. I put my start weight on what I weighed that day and it was 210 lbs. Since then it has been a flight to lose weight but I am now 180 lbs. but it seems no matter what I do I just seem to gain it back. I would lose 10 lbs and gain 5 lbs then lose 5 lbs and gain 15 lbs. It is a never ending battle that doesn’t even get me under a 30 BMI. I want to be in control of my weight. I want to eat to live NOT live to eat. (does that make sense?) All my siblings are over weight and so is most of my family. When my sister was over 100% over weight she made the choice to get the lap band and now three years later she doing great still at 130 lbs. Losing the weight made her look amazing on the outside but it really helped make better is many other ways. It has made her such a happier person and she is healthier. So I started to do some research on WLS and made the choice to Booked with BeLiteWeight to get what is called a Super Sleeve from Dr. Rodriguez in Tijuana Mexico on July 12, 2010. The only times in my life that I have been under a 30 BMI is when I had some type of aid so I am really happy to think that I will have this sleeve for the rest of my life to aid me in having a normal weight. Sure it would be nice to weight 115 lbs but honestly I would just be happy to no longer have Wii Fit tell me “du du du.. Your Obese”. It is past midnight now making it Tuesday July 6th here in GA meaning I am starting my seven day pre-op diet. My dr put me on pretty much the Adkins diet but I’m going to try to stay with shakes as much as possible. I find it very hard to eat steak and then pass up the red potatoes. It is so hard for me to fully wrap my mind around the fact that I will have that full feeling in just a week from today! In one week I will be able to control of my life!! All of you on this site has been so good to me and I cant wait to share my surgery with you all next week. And in a few months my surgery success! I cant wait to be on the losers bench with wisdom and advice for those like me getting ready to change their life!

Aww I am sure that is so hard. I wish I could give you advice but I cant since I still have another week. It has been four weeks and you still cant drink? Is that normal?

I am sorry that anyone else has to deal with that. You shouldn't have to put up with any of that crap. I think maybe once I start to lose the weight I might tell people but I honestly my mom and sister support me so really I dont think I need to tell anyone else. My sister questioned my reasons at first but that is only due to her having the lap band and she wanted me to understand how much my life would change. And as for my mom any worries she had she faced with my sister a few years back so she is just wanting me to be healthy. I dont think I will ever tell the friend I live with (over eater that doesn't work out and still weights 90 lbs) since I know she would just talk down to me on how I lost the weight and say, "Well sure anyone can do it that way." But is instead as simple as that and we all know that. Please just hang in there! We are hear for you even if those around you aren't.

We are ALMOST sleeve sisters.. I am getting mine the 12th in Mexico. How is your pre-op diet going now? I have to be on mine 7 days so I HAVE to start mine tomorrow. I tried to start today BUT got my last cheat out I am hoping so that tomorrow I can make myself be 100%. I am just ready to have the sleeve already lol.. I cant believe it is only a week away. It seems like time went by so fast getting here but now time seems to just stand still as I wait for my big day.

I think my mine worry is I get my super sleeve July 12th and my 5 year reunion is July 17th. I was hoping to lose a bit more weight before going BUT we will just see how I am feeling. I am not even sure I will feel well enough to go to the reunion that close to getting my super sleeve.

I start my pre-op diet today but mine isn't just shakes. I just have to stay with high protien items like eggs and meat but it is hard sometimes knowing what is in everything so I use these breakfast shakes that taste pretty good. They are 9 grams of crabs instead of 6 grams but they work. Does anyone have a pre-op diet they like?

I am so glad to hear things are going so well for you. You have no idea how wonderful it is to read your post since my big day is only 8 days away. Did you get the super sleeve or the vsg? I would love if you keep updating me on how you are doing! I have yet to find anyone that is getting sleeved that same day as me but I honestly think it would be better to pen pal someone that is a little ahead of me.

As July 12th gets closer and closer I seem to have a few fears come up. I know I cant be the only one. Is this normal to be a little scared a week before getting my super sleeve?

I had my last meal today and felt mad at myself since it was a Big Mac Meal (I over did it). I dont have to start my pre-op diet until Monday but I am starting it tomorrow (Sunday) anyways since I just feel ready for this change. I am done with being the over weight friend. I dont even get to be the funny big friend, instead I am the shy big girl that Manda (my bestfriend since I was 12 that is size 00) hangs out with. I am just ready for people to see me instead of my weight.. I'm sorry to vent but I am just sick of myself. I cant believe in just 8 days I will have a sleeve! There is hope!

I am so glad to hear things went so well. That makes me feel a lot better! I start my pre-op diet Monday. Yahhh! I just have a few questions for you: Is there anything I need to make sure to pack? Did you bring anyone with you? If so how has the trip been for them? Can you drink the Water at the hospital or take a shower? Did you get the super sleeve? Thank you for letting me know so fast how things are going! Please keep me up dated on your process. With you only being 12 days ahead of me any advice you have would be so helpful to me.

So my date got moved up so now I will be getting my super sleeve July 12, 2010 at Star Medica Hospital with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez, Mexico. My sister is coming with me and I was wondering is there anything I need to tell her to bring? Will she be bored out of her mind? Will they bring her food? Will she need money to buy food there? Will she need to leave to get food? Will she have a bed and all the bedding she will need? Can we drink the water or take a shower there?

Can anyone help me out with my packing check list? Is there anything I would be sorry I didn't bring? Any advice would be very welcome. I will be in Mexico noon on Monday, Tuesday, and leave Wednesday morning..

I just found that list and thought I would post it for everyone. I was hoping some that has already gone could let mr know just that. "Do I need everything on this list or is there something I should add?" I will be getting my sleeve July 12, 2010 at Star Medica Hospital with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez, Mexico. Yes but my BMI is between 30-40 so I only have to do the diet for a week instead of two weeks. This weekend is my last weekend before starting my pre-op diet on Monday and since it is 4th of July weekend I'm going to make the most of it. To bed honest I find myself not wanting to eat as much junk food now, I am finally just ready for this change! How is everyone doing on their pre-op diet yet? Anyone find some low card shakes that they like? I am so happy and so scared at the same time! I know that sounds weird but I don't know how else to explain it. I can't wait to hear how everyone's day goes! Here is the letter they sent me abou my pre-op diet: * BACKGROUND INFORMATION In the obese, the liver is a huge, fatty organ. It is ?in the way? of the surgical area during Sleeve/band surgery, and must be held back with surgical instruments. An enlarged liver is very fragile and bleeds quite easily when touched or manipulated during surgery. This bleeding can be difficult to control, and the extra care required with an enlarged liver increases surgical risk, as well as surgical time. Longer surgical time and extended time under general anesthesia can make both immediate and longer-term recovery much more difficult for you. An especially large and fragile liver has even caused some sleeve/band surgeries to be cancelled, for the safety of the patient. * Following this Pre-Op Diet is extremely important. The goal is not to lose weight, necessarily, but to enter a temporary period of dietary ketosis, which is not harmful to you at all. However, many do lose a good amount of weight, which will jump-start your sleeve weight loss as you begin to regain and improve your health. It is this dietary ketosis that results in liver-shrinking and the normalizing of your metabolism so that you can do well with the sleeve Pre-Op Diet: * Start with*proper Protein sources (no less than 20 grams of protein per serving with 6 total grams of carbohydrates or less and 6 grams of saturated fats or less per serving), keep a close eye on the fat intake (don?t over do it).* Some choices are lean chicken, turkey, fish,*fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar free jell-o, pudding, Beans.* Please include fresh fruit at least 2 times a day. * PLEASE eat *only* solid protein! Choose only a piece of chicken, a lean steak, a hard-boiled egg, or some low-fat cheese. PLEASE: NO mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup, sweets, junk food, cereals, or anything else.* Even the smallest amount of non-protein, carb-laden food can take you out of ketosis and easily negate many day?s worth of the low carbs that are so greatly decreasing your surgical risk. * Those that choose to use a Protein shake, please read the labels. You should try to choose a protein shake with*between*20-30 grams of Protein, less than 6 grams of total Carbohydrates, and less than 6 grams of saturated fat per serving.** * Count only the NET CARBS that are on the label, not the ?total? carbs. Please eat and drink NOTHING that is not clearly labeled as to net carb content. With some products, the ?Net Carbs? are called ?Impact Carbs? or ?Effective Carbs?. Protein Shakes are NOT required, but are very convenient. These are just some of the brands that have the correct protein/carb/sat fat ratio: Iso Pure, Slim Fast LOW CARB,* Designer whey Your local GNC or other nutrition store will have a variety of drinks and bars to try. We suggest getting one each of several kinds to try before you buy a larger quantity, so you can find some you really like. Do a web search for ?low-carb Protein Bars? and compare costs, grams of protein, and grams of Net carbs. Online sources are often much less expensive than those found in local stores, and the shipping is often free. We feel that the Atkins ADVANTAGE and ENDULGE protein bars are excellent, with about 3-4 grams of Net Carbs per bar, but there are several other brands that are fine. Watch out for things that you would normally not consider food! You must also have NONE of the following things that are full of sugar: ? chewing gum with sugar or carb sweetener ? breath mints ? cough syrup ? hard candy and cough drops.