Kimmes

WOW!!!! Your transformation inspires and and it is so wonderful to see the results in pictures! Congratulations to you - job well done! You should be proud of yourself! Cheers to the healthy new you!

50 pounds down - gone forever!! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Kimmes.......239.8................189.6..........179...........10.6 I can really do this! I love my sleeve!

Wowsa! You are doing great and look amazing! 50 pounds gone forever! Congrats! Kim

Started the journey at 239.8 day of surgery (Jan 6, 2011) was 217 today I am 192.6 - I am 9 weeks out tomorrow. So that is -24.4 since surgery day 2 months ago.

Best wishes tomorrow! Sending lots of prayer your way this week. Please say hi to Dr Kelly, Trish and Sam for me - Tell them Kim in Minnesota sends her love! You are in great hands! Kim

Sending best wishes and prayers your way today! Kim

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Kimmes.......239.8................194.3..........179...........15.3

I am considering having a body composition analysis done here at the University of Minnesota using a Bod Pod. Has anyone else had a Bod Pod analysis done. Here is a video about the process: http://www.bodpod.co..._bp_testprocess Cost is $40 - this I will have it done now and then again after I have hit goal. Please let me know if anyone had had this done or your thoughts! Kim

Julie - I love you girlie! I always watch your update videos and you inspire me! I will get my dancing shoes on later today when I get home from work and I intend to dance with you - to Celebrate your 100 lbs, your wonderfully inspiring attitude you give us all HOPE and inspiration! Your beautiful smile makes me smile and I hope to do a similar dance this summer! I have 39 more pounds till I reach my goal. While it's not a 100 pounds that I had to lose - each and every pound gone helps me gain new confidence and happiness. So thank you for sharing your story, your videos and your life with us! And Happy Birthday next week. Celebrate your success and enjoy the day! You are an amazing woman! Kim :Banane04: :Banane04: :Banane03:

I am back! Sorry if I worried anyone by my delinquent update! So here is my story: I left Minnesota for Tijuana Mx on Jan 5th to have VSG with Dr Ramos Kelly on Jan 6th. I arrived safely in San Diego and just like Trish ( Dr Kellys patient coordinator) said the driver was waiting for me with my name on a sign. The driver was also picking up the other ladies from Canada who were having survery in TJ that very day with another doctor. The driver took me directly to the Hotel Lucerna where Trish had already booked me and was waiting to take me to my room. For those using Dr Kelly - this hotel is very nice - has a nice gym (which I did not use but my sleeve sister Pam did), a beautiful pool area and 3 dining options. Trish got me situated and I tried to relax while I waited for my Sleeve Sister Davida (how also posts on this site) to arrive. In the mean time Trish went back to the hospital to pick up Pam to take her for her final leak test and bring her to the hotel. Trish wanted me to meet Pam so I could hear from her about her VSG which took place 2 days prior. Pam arrived and I was amazed at how she said she felt little pain, no hunger and was pretty relaxed. She loved Dr Kelly and Trish and the new hospital that Dr Kelly is using. It really relaxed me talking to Pam! Dr Kelly came to the hotel to meet me and just introduce himself and to find if I had any remaining questions. (What US surgeon would meet you at your hotel (or home) the evening before surgery to go over questions??? None! Around 9:30 Davida arrived!!!! We had been exchanging phone calls, emails and texts for over a month and now we finally got to meet! She had brought her mother with her - Mom agreed to adopt me for the next 4 days. These ladies made this experience so much easier! I was blessed that they were there with me. We all settled into bed after 11:00 - the next day was surgery day! 8:00 Trish arrived to take Davida, Mom and I to the hospital: Florance Health Care/Oasis Hospital. I had at least 3 doctors visit me before I was rolled to the OR for surgery. All I remember is being on the table and then next thing I knew - I woke up and I am back in my room. Had I just really had surgery?? Mom was there rubbing my hand and saying a prayer and told me - it was all over. AFTER SURGERY: Day 1 & 2 - No one could have properly prepared me for the pain/medication/gas etc. Remember everyone is different - but I thought childbirth was much easier than this surgery! I do not like pain meds - I feel nausea from just about everything and the nurses where right there on a schedule giving me pain med, antibiotic, nausea meds etc. Never had so many meds! The hospital staff was amazing! They were there within seconds of me pushing the beeper! All except one could speak perfect English so that was never an issue. Day 3 , Dr Kelly removed our drains and Davida and I were discharged and headed for our final leak test (3 total for me). After the leak test, which is very interesting to watch, we headed back to Hotel Lucerna. Every day Dr Kelly and Trish would come by no less than 3 times to check on us, bring us Gatorade, jello and our take home drugs. Pam was still at the hotel when we returned be cause she chose to extend her stay and take additional time to heal before returning to Canada. (no complications or issues - just her personal choice). It happened to be Pam's birthday so Dr Kelly and Trish bought her a beautiful flower display ! That evening we all gathered to share one bowl of chicken broth (Mom got to eat a yummy meal). It was hard to believe that 3 of us split a bowl of broth! lol. Day 4: Trish and Sam (Dr Kelly's son) took all of us shopping and out for dinner. It really blows my mind how quickly you feel better after this surgery! We each had a bowel of Tortilla Soup (after Dr Kelly was called for approval) the soup was strained and there were no tortillas but it tasted perfect! Then we returned to the hotel and prepared to leave the next morning. Later that evening Dr Kelly came to the hotel to check on us one last time and to say our goodbyes! I arrived back in cold Minnesota at 8:00 pm. That part of my journey is complete! Thoughts: Dr Kelly - I cannot even begin to explain the kindness and care he provided to each of us. I have never received this type of treatment before and possibley never will again. He explained in detail what he was going to do during surgery and then after surgery he talked about how my surgery went and what he found inside me (my blood was thin and he had a harder time getting me to stop bleeding). He is very professional, thorough and patient! Trish - This woman works more hours than I can imagine. She is so organized and also so comforting. She made this trip so much easier for me! Hospital - The new facility was very nice - better than any hospital room I have ever been in. My room was clean and had the following: Hospital bed, dresser TV, comfy recliner and an extra full sized regular bed for patients who may have guests. The room had a very large bathroom and a nice window that let in the light. I think that 2 levels of the hospital are called Florence Health Care and the remainder is dedicated to Oasis of Hope an alternative cancer treatment center. There were lots of US patients in the cancer center. Now get this - your guest can eat in the hospital cafeteria the entire time for free!! To sum it up - I would do the exact same thing over in a heart beat! I weighted 217 on surgery day and today weigh 211 so I am down 6 pounds. I am working hard to get my water and fluids in. Dr Kelly gave us a detailed take home diet to follow and I plan to stay as close to that as possible! Thank you for all of your prayers and messages while I was gone. I appreciate continued prayer during the next few recovery week.s. For anyone considering Dr Kelly send me a message if you have questions! Kim

Congrats on your decision and best wishes on your journey! Best choice I ever made beside marrying my husband and having all of my beautiful children. Just wish I had given myself this gift sooner! Hugs Kim

I had surgery with Dr Kelly and I DID receive pain mediation and was also sent home with some so I am not sure what you mean that he did not use narcotics. I was sent home with pain pills, acid reflux meds and antibiotics. Never did I have a pain issue or feel my pain was not managed. In fact I did not want some of the pain meds that the nurses were giving me the second night after surgery and I had to argue with them a bit be cause they said they were ordered by Dr Kelly. I was in florence hospital and never felt my bed was uncomfortable at all - perhaps it was just luck of the draw???? You are correct Sam (Dr Kellys son) does not speak much English - that was never an issue for me as Dr Kelly, Trish and all of my nurses except one spoke perfect English. I don't think Sam ever really needs to have that much interaction - he did just fine with use when he took us shopping etc. Cute and polite young man in my opinion. I hope you each have a great recovery Mine has been textbook perfect thus far! KIm