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If you want the ultimate Medical Tourist experience go with Dr. Illan's team. They use Florence Hospital- no strip mall.- excellent nurses. He has a Facebook support group- go to Baja Bariatrics to join. This group is very active and will answer all of your questions and cheer you on. My SD was 10/10/13.

In general....you'll want to do resistance training (lifting weights) in addition to a few sessions of cardio each week. Usually the best types of resistance training are compound lifts with free weights, kettlebells or some body weight lifts once you progress. There are SOME machines that are beneficial and actually may be a good way to ease into it, learn your technique, then progress to more difficult / technical lifts as you will eventually stop progressing with many machines. Usually you'll want to aim for 2-3 sets of each lift starting out, with about 6-10 reps each set....depending on the lift. You'll probably be fine starting out with two lifting sessions a week (one upper body, one lower body), then several months down the road you may want to go up to 3-4 lifting sessions a week. Make sure to get lean Protein and some complex carbs (veggies, oats, etc). High protein and low carb is fine for maintaining strength and muscle while lifting, but to build it, you need some carbs. How many carbs depends on your personal sensitivity to them. Wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress!

Very interesting! OK, I'll fess up. 1. Huh? I think so? 2. Agree with Parisshel. Don't sit me down in front of a stack of baklava, chips and quac or a taco bar. 3. Still working on this one. 4. 75% there on this one. 5. Nailed this one 90% of the time. 6. 100% A+ 7. 90% of the time. Sometimes triscuits sneak into the pantry for a short stay. 8. 100% OK. 9. 80% OK 10. Easy one for me since I work from home. 100% 11. Not sure I agree with this one. I'll go for an extra 5-10 miles on the bike if I overdo a meal. 12. This one's kindof mushy? What'r they talking about? 13. I still fight this one. Not when I'm home, but dinner with friends, going out, traveling? 14. 75% most of the time.

So excited and scared as hell at the same time! My journey is almost complete . I am 6 lbs from goal and hope to lose that in skin! What are some words of advice you have for me as I prepare for surgery? Things to take to the hospital, things to have on hand at home, what to wear post op...your words of wisdom would mean so much to me!!!

10 days post op and last night was the first night I slept on my side, and even a little bit on my stomach. I am a lifetime tummy sleeper but was unable to sleep on any other position then on my back unitl last night, even with a pillow under my tummy all my attempts resulted in a tugging sensation on my stomach and pain, but last night I didnt sleep on my back at all and just woke up with the slightest feeling of soreness (very tolerable and a minimal sacrifice to sleeping well).

Actually, that is almost EXACTLY the prep that I will be doing. I only have to take 2 dulcolax and I mix the miralax with 64 ounces of gatorade. I know that it will not be pleasant, but I was wondering if it was different for us WLS patients. The low fiber diet is IN ADDITION to the day before prep. Apparently it 'bulks things up' so it moves through quicker. Four hours before the test I need to drink 10 oz. of Magnesium Citrate. The low fiber diet really through me! I am being ordered to eat everything I used to eat, but haven't in nearly 3 years! Carol No, I eat meat nearly every day - I am definitely NOT a vegetarian. But I also eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day - especially fresh veggies. I sometimes have a salad twice a day. No fresh veggies is going to be hard - even for just three days.

Wow, Missy, you sure don't look 55!!! Anyway, I was sleeved at 58, am now 63....best thing I ever did! Congratulations! Excited for you. Interestingly, I was 223 lbs, but 205 at surgery, just like you! My goal weight was 138 which I reached in exactly one year (I wrote a book about called Queen of Crop, where I wrote every Sunday for a year (while traveling!). Might help you see what you might be in store for....a great adventure for sure! I was at my goal weight for 4 years....this past year I have gained 10 lbs and am working to get that off.....good luck!

Another benefit of Bariatric Surgery. A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that 40 percent of all U.S. cancer diagnoses can now be linked to overweight and obesity. Out of all cancer diagnoses, nearly 55 percent of female cases and 24 percent of male cases were linked to overweight and obesity. These cases statistically affect older adults, mostly between the ages of 50 and 74-years-old. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/10/04/cdc-40-percent-cancers-linked-to-obesity-overweight.html

walking right away, 6 weeks for anything else. Can't lift over 10 pounds for 6 weeks... the staple line is not healed for 6 weeks. I couldnt wait to get back to the gym and my bellydance classes!

Hi my surgery is on Friday November 10. Just wondering if anyone was told to be on a liquid diet? My Dr said only 2 days... have you all heard anything different!?! Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

It will get better. One advantage of the situation is when you feel you are getting constipated, you can just correct it easily with food having a little fat in it! I used that to my advantage over the past 10 years!

Double stuff Cookies is my favorite, especially when mixed with light soy. Generally I use between 6-10 oz of soy with the powder.

Hi everyone, Some of you may remember me and some may not, but I thought it would be a good time for an update on myself and my daughter. I also have a question regarding VSG and diabetes. I had VSG in November of 2010. My highest weight was 251. My lowest weight was 104 (too low for my 5'5" frame) and now I am holding steady between 108 - 112 (has been this low for over a year now). My regular doctor still thinks I am too thin, but my labs have been great so he isn't nagging me too much. My biggest problem other than what I address below is that I have a hard time finding clothes that are small enough (yeah, I know - stop complaining). My daughter had surgery the same day as I. Unfortunately, she developed a leak and was in the hospital for quite a long time. She has since lost over 200 pounds and feels terrific. She has new-found confidence (she is 23) and is much happier than she used to be. She has always been beautiful, but now the way she feels about herself makes her even more so. Now for my question. I went to my PCP on Friday and he is concerned because he said that my blood sugar could be going too low. I "had" type II diabetes but haven't been on any medication since the surgery. So, I got a new meter and have been checking my blood sugar levels. They have been about as perfect as they can get, with the exception of me gorging on a lot of candy last night (I'd like to say it was an experiment, but I love candy and eat too much of it, too often). About 1/2 hour to 1 hour after eating a lot of sugary candy, my blood glucose level was 179. Within another half hour, it came back down to 103. So technically, if I had waited until the 2-hour mark after eating, my glucose level would have been fine. I don't like the 179 though. I have been craving candy, especially in the evening. It is almost as if I am a junkie and have to have my fix. But, once I start eating it, I can't seem to stop until I brush my teeth before bed! I've always had a sweet tooth, but never this bad. My husband tells everyone that I have a "tootsie roll pop problem." Also, if I don't eat candy, I start losing weight again. (Yes, I've tried Protein or good carb Snacks.) Anyone with any insight on this issue? One theory I have thought about is either that my blood sugar is going low so I crave sweets to bring it back up or that my body goes after sweets because I am so thin and it is trying to get me to not lose anymore. Or, something I don't like to think about - I am tempting my diabetes to come back and need to kick the sugar habit asap! Oh, and one thing I neglected to say - my current weight also includes my extra skin, which my PCP figures is somewhere in the 10-12 pound range. So, I'm actually a lot thinner than the scales say. Thanks. Marilee Quote MultiQuote Edit Report

Hi, you will have to do the 12 week options program after your orientation. That gives you time and information you will need to make your decision whether or not you want to have the surgery. I had my surgery 10 months ago with Dr. Belzberg and he was great! the program is a lot of work but it will really help you make an informed decision. Good Luck, I had a great experience and wish you the same!

Ok, real quick...I lost 2 more lbs aat ww this week for a grand total of 7.4 wooohoooo. I guess its better than nothin. baout 1.9 lbs per week off...hey if I could do that for a year.....yeah whatever. I actually start thinkin of that sometimes....thats what the evil insurance companies want ya to think so that I will abandone the idea of wls in favor of a self paid lifetime of ww memberships that will net me a gain of another 50 lbs by the time I die, and a loss of another 10 grand probably....they figure better hers than ours!! Anyway, I went to my obligatory meeting with the RD at Cleveland Clinic today, and I was my usual 20 minutes late for the appointment...and she was rather annoyed...oh well. So me, the FAT dietician listened to the skinny dietician tell me how to eat, because, obviously THAT must be the problem! So anyway she was nice about it and really not condescending...thank god for her sake! So we talked about nothing for 15 minutes, Cleveland Clinic billed Medical Mutual $200.00 for the visit that they insist upon and I wait til next month to do it all again. OH BY THE WAY....Very interesting finding....I have lost 8 pounds since I was there 5 weeks ago and she did not even acknowledge it...I mean, I know you can't see it on me, but she weighed me and wrote in the new weight right next to the last weight and...not one friggin word like "oh ya lost a little weight, that's great keep up the good work" Nope, nothin no yes, no, go to hell...nada. Here's me thinkin I'm not doin too bad and waiting for that little crumb...how pathetic is that??? AND THEN THE GREAT EPIPHANY CAME TO ME!....I never thought I gave a rats ass about that little bit of praise that I get at ww...but alas...I crave it!!! I never knew it before because I hav never had it...but once you get it, it's like a drug. Anyhow, that is the secret to the success of the ww empire....not the good plan they have (and it is good), not the gadgets and food and stuff...ITS THE NEED THAT MOST ALL OF US HAVE FOR PRAISE, and for comraderie...like we're all in this together...we can beat this thing...I love you, you love me, we're a happy family....(Barney sucks the big one) YES folks...it's all about a giant multi billion dollar industry exploiting our basic need of acceptance and of love. OK...I gotta step down off my pulpit now before someone knocks my ass off.. Love One Another... Nighty Nite D:D

I was banded on 10/23 and without any problems. Life is good, it's Sunday and our family is looking forward to the Holidays as am I. Halloween in right around the corner and the children are so excited. I started the shakes 3 1/2 weeks before surgery at the heaviest weight ever 301....wow, I can't even believe that is possible and now I am 281. I am so proud of myself, but more important I can't wait until next summer when I hope to be at least 70-80 pounds lighter.

DANG Girl... Whos lookin at U. FAB back at cha. Congrats !!! Thats 10 lbs avrg per mo. WOW Your going to pass me right up.

Hello all my bandster buddies! I know you all have been waiting to hear how everything went with my surgery and I'm here to tell it all. (LOL) Had to check into the hospital at 10:30 and my surgery was suppose to start at 12:30. Needless to say I didn't get wheeled in until 1:15 (but it's all good). Got in the room and all I can remember when I got into the OR is the anesthesiologist over my head and that was it. I was out like a light! (LOL) Anyway, I remember the nurses telling me that I was back in the recovery room and I over heard a telephone conversation with one nurse and my niece on the phone. Got wheeled into my room and from then on I was on the go. I got out of my bed immediately and began to walk. One of the nurses made the comment when she walked in is " I like this already!" I guess normally they have to make people get up and move after surgery, but I was determined to get out the next day so I took it upon myself not to wait.(smile) The last time I got on the scale which was yesterday (05-17-05) I had already lost 10 pounds. Yippeee!!! Total motivator! Had no complications accept my GERD was acting up something fierce, but knew that was bound to happen with the change. My sister had to laugh at me the day after surgery when she fixed some chicken broth for me and saw how big my serving was. She had to be funny and bring it out to me on a huge plate.(Smile) All and all, I do not regret my surgery and already going on a week post-op. So for all of you that are having a hard time or think that you may have a hard time after banding, stay strong and think of the ending results. Do everything that the doctor says to do and by all means do not over eat. I am fortunate because I haven't gotten sick and pray that I never do (hate puking). You all take care and I will be posting pics as I gradually shed the pounds. Take care and God bless you all!!!!

What has always worked for me in getting new phones with Rogers and Bell is to talk to them... how long is left on your plan? Ask them why they treat new customers better than the people who are already paying their bills? As for retention Customer Care, if you don't have too long left on your contract they need to tell you what it would cost to buy out the contract there is a max they can charge you regardless of the contract length and that formula is$20 per month up to $200. But I have found if I am polite and ask the big question, why are you treating a paying customer like crap? Tell them what services you have with them such as home phone, sateliite etc etc. Make them see you as a valued customer. I haven't paid for a phone with Rogers or Bell in the last 10 years or so. Good luck just don't lose your temper with them then they get nutty..

14 day pre-op diet. day 2 completed called doc. today, asked if I can add 1 celery stalk, Yahooooo its a go. I am sticking to my diet as if my life depended on it ( it does) I premixed my vanilla Protein powder for work every morning. 8 oz's at 10 small fruit at 12 8 oz's at 1:30 celery stalk at 3:00 Water, water water 5:00 light dinner, 4 0z protien and 4 oz veggie I now am postive I can do this so happy Sc surgery 12/26/07

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go 1. TxArcher............345 ............342................325........17 2. Skinny_Jill..........186.............185................178..........7 3. Momto1plus1......228.8..........229.2.............218.8.........10.4 4, Longhorn...........204.............199.4.............195...........4.4 5. Mariegabrieleee...252.............251................240..........11 6. Teresajo...............195.............193...............185.... ... ..10 I'm starting slow, but using my bowflex every day trying to get my money out of it.

I'm a Newbie and just starting into this (I apologize now, if there is a list on this site, but I couldn't find it). My insurance is Highmark PPO Blue (BC/BS) of PA. I have a low BMI (36/37) so I'm learning that I need to document as many comorbidities as I have with my PCP -eg. my insurance needs 35-40 BMI "with comorbidities (eg., hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, dyslipidemis, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea" (note- comorbiditieS, plural). While at an initial information seminar at the hospital I was surprised to see Asthma (I developed adult onset Asthma a few years ago) on their list of minor comorbidities during the slide show as obesity related (still don't know why as I didn't get a chance to ask, but now I know to add this in my documentation). I thought I'd start a list of what everyone's Dr's. have considered worth documenting to insurance as a comorbidity, then I can discuss the ones I have with my Dr. These are the ones I've found so far (no I don't have all these). Please add others you know of...Thanks! COMORBIDITIES - I've read these are the Major 4 insurance is looking for: 1. Hypertension- High Blood Pressure (Anyone know the threshold numbers for this? Do you have to be on meds?) 2. Diabetes Mellitus Type II-metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to produce enough, or to properly use, insulin (Do you need to be on meds.?) 3. Sleep Apnea- Obstructive, Pickwickian syndrome (I've heard some ins. need certain numbers on this as well). 4. Cholesterol: Hypercholesterolemia-High Cholesterol (What are the threshold numbers?), Dyslipidemia- abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins (eg. high total chol. or high levels of triglycerides) - Others/sometimes called "Minor"?: 5. Metabolic Syndrome: Abdominal Obesity (high waist circumference), High Serum Triglycerides and High HDL Cholesterol, High blood glucose levels, High blood Pressure (combination of 3 of the 4 above) 6. Respiratory: Asthma and Respiratory Disease, or Exertional Dyspnea- Shortness of Breath with minor exertion 7. Cardiovascular: Heart Disease, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or Venous stasis disease - faulty veins that allow blood to collect in the lower legs (swelling), Venous Thromboembolic Disease 8. Pseudotumor cerebri - increased pressure in the brain which causes chronic headaches and eye problems (specific disorder mainly in obese women) 9. Liver Disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - fatty inflammation of the liver that is not caused by alcohol damage, 10. Gall Bladder disease 11. Gastroesophageal reflux disease- GERD- a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus, or acid reflux 12. Incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence- involuntary leakage of urine caused by increased abdominal pressure from excessive body fat 13. Spine: Degenerative disc (spine) disease- wearing down of discs in the spine 14. Joints: Osteoarthritis or Weight-related arthropathies (joint diseases) which impair physical activity, degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint 15. Depression or Obesity-related psychosocial stress 16. Skin: Intertriginous soft tissue infections - infections in excess folds of skin that are caused by obesity, rashes, sores 17. Impaired Activities: Significant impairment in activities of daily living and work (list normal activities you can't do) 18. Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 19. Cancer: Some are related to obesity eg. endometrial, breast and colon

I suggest a carb detox. It seems like you are filling your days with too many snacks/junk food (carby). After 3-5 days on a limited carb intake, your cravings will decrease. But the more you eat it, the more you want it. Here's an example of what I ate/drank today: 9am: Iced coffee with sugar-free caramel syrup, Water (0 everything) 10am: 2.5 oz. turkey sausage, 2 oz. egg beaters, 1 oz. shredded cheese. (9g fat, 185 cal, 3 carb, 0 Fiber, 3 sugar, 21.5 protein) 11am-2pm: finish coffee & 66 oz. water 2pm: 2 oz. chicken, 1 oz. broccoli, 1 oz. blue cheese, 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream, hot sauce (mixed together), plus 1 oz. turkey pepperoni & 1 oz. cheese (19g fat, 350 cal, 2.5 carb, .75 fiber, 1 sugar, 35.75 protein) 3pm: 16 oz. iced tea w/ 1 sweet & low 3pm-6:30pm - drink 34 oz. water 4pm: finish work - go to gym - 40 minutes elliptical 6:30pm: 1/2 c. chili Beans, 1 tsp. bbq sauce, 2 tbsp. cheese, 2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream (4 fat, 192 calories, 24 carbs, 6 fiber, 3 sugar, 11.5 protein) 7:30-10:30: drink 34 oz. water 9pm - do 3 sets of 20 arm exercises & thighmaster daily totals: 32g fat, 727 calories, 29.5 carbs, 6.75 fiber, 7 suger, 68.75 Protein a lot of people tell me i eat too little. i eat when i am hungry and try not to when i am not hungry. i know i have a real problem with compulsive eating, so i cannot let myself snack or graze unless i am truly hungry. i also don't believe that weight loss means "one-size-fits-all" - some people lose on 1500 calories a day, others on 700. it just depends. it's not just that eating/exercising this way makes me lose weight (which it does), it makes me FEEL better. over memorial day weekend, i had some crackers & pizza & bread, etc. when i came back home, it was SO HARD to not eat them. i just wanted to stuff my face w/ carbs. but i did a 3 day very limited carb intake (20g or less), and the cravings went away. for the most part, i try to stay below 30g net carbs (meaning total carbs minus fiber - sugar alcohols DO count) a day, and no more than half of those in sugar. i try to get all of my carbs only from foods naturally (i.e. beans, veggies, etc). it causes fewer cravings. just my $.02

Just looking at your signature, it appears you have already lost over 10 pounds. You must be doing something right! I completely understand how hard it is consume fewer calories before your first fill. But, I have to tell you that even after that first one, you still may not feel the restriction to make a real difference. I understand it can take a few fills. I got my first fill two weeks ago today (1.5cc) but can still eat just about anything I want. I have noticed a slight restriction this week and am getting fuller faster. Why it took two weeks, I'll never know. I have seen similiar comments on this forum though. The scale is finally starting to move downward after a month of status quo. Talk about feeling discouraged. As for exercise, that is the hardest part! Eventhough I go to the gym twice a week for cardio, I have been getting on the floor and doing some stretching. It probably doesn't burn many calories but it does get my mind off food. Even if you only do a few sit-ups, you did something good for yourself. I'm still stuggling with mindless eating when I'm bored. It's all I can do not to go into the kitchen and grab a handful of crackers when I am not hungry in the least. Old habits die hard. Hang in there. You'll be thin before you know it! PatU