November sleevers in Mexico?

[Becca R. 59]

@@amgarza54 -- Is today your day?! How are you feeling?

[Revgirl 19]

Is anyone getting different responses from your family members or friends with your weight loss?

[Becca R. 59]

@@Revgirl -- I get a wide range of responses from people about Mexico. Mostly negative. Then I explain about my surgeon--that he was born in Michigan, was a member of the US armed forces, etc. and they tend to chill out about that. Some people do tend to say things like "Couldn't you just do this without surgery?" But here's my story. I was overweight in high school (about 220 pounds as a Junior in high school). One day, I realized that I was the biggest girl in my high school choir and that if I gained any more weight, I wouldn't be able to wear the choir dresses. That shook me. So I started walking a mile a day and eating low-fat/high-carb (it was the 90s, after all). It took me three years, but I got down to 125 pounds. I maintained that weight loss for years, until I got pregnant with my first baby. I have 5 kids, and I gain 50 pounds each time. I fight like a devil to get the weight off, and each time--my body adapts. So the way that I lost weight the first time absolutely would not work the second time, etc. After my 4th baby, I hired a personal trainer, a nutritionist, and got my GYN and an endocrinologist on my team as well. I worked out for 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 10 months and ate a diet of 1500-1700 calories/day. At the end of that time, I sat down with my entire team. I had lost 0 pounds, 0 inches anywhere on my body, and my body fat percentage had increased. It was at that point that we all conferenced and decided that I was an ideal candidate for this surgery. So I had my last little baby in April, and I'm moving forward, no matter what anyone else says.

SO MANY PEOPLE seem to think that people who are overweight sit around eating bags of doritos all day. I have complete strangers who make comments at the gym when they see me running and lifting weights. I have people walk up to me at costco and tell me that I should just give up fast food... which I don't eat. I'm *amazed* at the discrimination I've faced. But I know that I have tried my very hardest to avoid surgery. At this point, it's like chemo for cancer. Being obese will kill me, and this is my treatment.

How about you, Revgirl?

[Becca R. 59]

@@Tootie Smiles (Pauline), thanks for seconding that suggestion! I wonder if it's from being cathed during surgery. I'm remembering now how uncomfortable it was to go to the bathroom after being catheterized after my last surgery. Ugh. I'd forgotten. Will definitely put some pads in my suitcase. Thanks!

Edited November 5, 2014 by Becca R.

[Becca R. 59]

@ --how are you feeling today, dear? Did you have your leak test done yet? Is today the day that you head to the hotel?

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

@ --how are you feeling today, dear? Did you have your leak test done yet? Is today the day that you head to the hotel?

I'm feeling a little better each day. I had and passed my leak test yesterday and was given Gatorade. Mmmmm. No problem sipping it either!

I slept much better last night. I still have periods where my chest feels heavy from gas and mucous. I finally coughed some of it up today. Walking helps immensely. I took a shower on my own today but hubby had to help me dry off. The nurse came and cleaned and taped my stitches (which look fantastic so far!) I'm supposed to go back to the hotel today and get my drain out tomorrow.

[Becca R. 59]

Oh, I'll bet that first shower felt heavenly!! I'll bet you're so ready to get to that hotel and keep healing. You're in my thoughts a lot!

[Revgirl 19]

Becca, Thank you so much for being so candid and telling your story that was so poignant! It takes alot of courage to talk about the emotions that come with descrimination that sometimes feels like it takes away your power. Congratulations for being your own advocate, moving forward and making bold choices for your own life. I applaud you! Some of my struggles were similar to yours and some were different. I happened to be a "beanpole" growing up with frizzy, naturally curly hair and glasses. I say all this to make the point that even though I was skinny didn't mean I fit in...As I got married and had children ( 4 of them to be exact) My body decided it didn't want to lose weight. I too gained alot when I was pregnant with each child and never could really lose much afterwards, 20 pds. hear and there. But each time I lost, I would inevidably gain it back and then some. It was a steady climb up the weight gain "ladder." I am now 51. The wake up call was when I kept exercising, eating right and yet I would still gain weight. I blamed alot of the medications I'm on. Then my last dr. visit was like somebody snapped me out of a dream. "It looks like we will have to put you on a second blood pressure medication." I realized I was walking down the wrong road and with that decided I was taking charge of my health and my life and making a change. I decided to walk "the road less traveled." So, on this forum, it is nice to walk the road with others, like you! I hope we can encourage each other along the way. I have no reservations about the decision, I'm so ready! Just with losing 20 pds. on my pre-op diet, I notice when I go out that people talk to me more, respond to me more, hear what I'm saying. I don't feel so invisible. But my response from my immediate family members has been less than. Meaning, I would like them to Celebrate my weight loss and yet, I usually get silence or them making some comment about how they are unable to lose weight, in other words the focus is on them. I think that is why this forum is a great relief to me because we are going through this together and can praise and celebrate our choices and accomplishments together. Tomorrow is my big day! flying to San Diego, having surgery in Tijuana on Friday! I can't wait!

[Revgirl 19]

_{Krispaz, So glad you are doing so well!! I'll be on my way tomorrow! I hope your husband has been a great support to you as well as the nursing staff! Praying for comfort and continued healing! Blessings!}

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

I got my drain out early! Yay!! It wasn't the worst pain but it only lasted about 20 seconds so I handled it. I'm sooooo glad to be rid of it.

[amgarza54 6]

@@Revgirl -- I get a wide range of responses from people about Mexico. Mostly negative. Then I explain about my surgeon--that he was born in Michigan, was a member of the US armed forces, etc. and they tend to chill out about that. Some people do tend to say things like "Couldn't you just do this without surgery?" But here's my story. I was overweight in high school (about 220 pounds as a Junior in high school). One day, I realized that I was the biggest girl in my high school choir and that if I gained any more weight, I wouldn't be able to wear the choir dresses. That shook me. So I started walking a mile a day and eating low-fat/high-carb (it was the 90s, after all). It took me three years, but I got down to 125 pounds. I maintained that weight loss for years, until I got pregnant with my first baby. I have 5 kids, and I gain 50 pounds each time. I fight like a devil to get the weight off, and each time--my body adapts. So the way that I lost weight the first time absolutely would not work the second time, etc. After my 4th baby, I hired a personal trainer, a nutritionist, and got my GYN and an endocrinologist on my team as well. I worked out for 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 10 months and ate a diet of 1500-1700 calories/day. At the end of that time, I sat down with my entire team. I had lost 0 pounds, 0 inches anywhere on my body, and my body fat percentage had increased. It was at that point that we all conferenced and decided that I was an ideal candidate for this surgery. So I had my last little baby in April, and I'm moving forward, no matter what anyone else says.

SO MANY PEOPLE seem to think that people who are overweight sit around eating bags of doritos all day. I have complete strangers who make comments at the gym when they see me running and lifting weights. I have people walk up to me at costco and tell me that I should just give up fast food... which I don't eat. I'm *amazed* at the discrimination I've faced. But I know that I have tried my very hardest to avoid surgery. At this point, it's like chemo for cancer. Being obese will kill me, and this is my treatment.

How about you, Revgirl?

Hi Becca yesterday was super tought....i am not going to lie I regretted it all day, but today I am am re day feeling so much better. Get to have some ice chips to da y around 2 so looking foward to yhat. The surgery was not bad at all. The worst for me was my iv at first, and then the vomiting and nauseating feeling. But the mess take care of that. The drs warned me it would be the hardest few days of my life....but all worth it!!

[haleytrim 244]

Hey amgarza, Glad to hear you got through a tough day pretty well. Hope from now everything will just get better. I PM'd you. I am having Dr. Ponce as my surgeon also. Any information you are willing to share would be wonderful. Even the tiniest details would be welcome. I am really getting the jitters now. Thanks for your post.

[Becca R. 59]

@@amgarza54 -- thanks for checking in! Glad to hear that you are on starting to feel a bit better. Recovery from anesthesia is just nasty. NOT looking forward to that, but now it's behind you!! Keep us posted on how you're feeling later today?

@@Revgirl -- One of the books that I read getting ready for this talked about the people around you, and how they'll react. It also talked about how important it is to have a positive mindset, and how hard that can be when people keep trying to turn something that for you is not optional, but a life-saving event, into something negative or, like you said, about them. I can't think of anything less fun. So frustrating. But I can't tell you how grateful I am to have this little group of November Mexico Sleevers. It's so nice to have a few people, all in the same place, moving forward together.

@ -- HOORAY! No more drain!! My surgeon doesn't use one, and I'm so glad, because that just kinda gives me the heeby-jeebies. Glad yours is gone. I know you mentioned that you've been able to sip some Gatorade; how is the drinking going? Has there been anything where you thought, "Oof, shouldn't have done that"? Is there anything you wish you had with you down there?

@@haleytrim -- I totally agree with you that even the littlest details feel helpful at this point! Share, share away our surgery pioneer girls!!

Becca

[wantingabetterlife 364]

@@haleytrim Glad you joined us! When is your surgery?? Hope we all can be of some help.

[haleytrim 244]

@@haleytrim Glad you joined us! When is your surgery?? Hope we all can be of some help.

My surgery is on 11/17 with Dr. jaime Ponce de leon. Will definitely be asking for your prayers. I will be 63 on 11/22 and have a few health issues. Type II Diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Sooo I am doing this for my health as I have watched my 81-year-old mom deal with these things and they only get worse. Here's to a better, healthier and more active life!!!