wannalise

So exciting Lee! Its like a new birth. So excited to keep hearing about your journey. Best wishes on a speedy healthy and happy recovery!

Thanks for all of your honesty Pumpkin. I'm yet to be sleeved, but its good to hear about the difficult parts as well. I hope you start feeling well soon, but be cautious, your family can step up for a little while and let you heal, the long term results will be so worth it. Congratulations!

I am scheduled for surgery in June. I am trying to make a few simple changes in the meantime so that after surgery all the huge life changes won't seem quite so traumatic. I have a ridiculous addiction to diet coke. I drink as much as 144 oz per day. In fact two years ago I had to get an endoscopy because there were so many tummy problems and my dr gave me the option of either going on 6 different prescriptions or quitting diet coke. Anywho!!! Does anyone have advice about the best way to go about this or even some words of encouragement. Its silly, but my diet coke is VERY important to me. It is what I get when I feel like I need a pick me up or to reward myself and its become the activity of choice when I get together with girlfriends. Help!!!!

I am preop still and its good to hear these reports from those of you who have had surgery. I don't know if it would help you at all but the eggface blog has several Protein shake options that aren't as sweet, and different ways that she's modified them. Stay strong. This discomfort will certainly be worth it. And I'm sure it pails to the years of discomfort we've all felt from being winded climbing up stairs, etc. Best of luck to you! Anna

I haven't had the surgery yet, but when we consulted with my surgeon he said that it is really a lot of genetics. Depending on how much elastin and collagen your skin has. And the length of time you've been overweight affects the process as well.

I'm so sorry. I am not experienced at all, just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Does anyone know anything about the experience with Dr. Almanza specifically?

Hey all. I actually have a surgery date here in the states, have done all the psych and preop, however it is still a terrifying thing to me that I must put down 3500 and then make payments for years until I pay off my 14000 loan. I chose to go to this center because they are a center of excellence and have a great follow up program and I know that post surgery I will need all the help I can get, I have a very unhealthy relationship with food and I know that surgery alone will not change this. So, I guess I am looking to hear about your tips, experiences, and what it actually cost you to have surgery in Mexico. I had it all lined up at one point and the reactions I got from family and friends were similar to if I had suggested doing the surgery myself. Anywho! Thanks for reading all my rambles. Anna

There are a few unflavored Protein powders that supposedly you can bury in crystal light. They are 80 calories and 20 grams of protein. I'm not where you are yet, but this was one of the recommendations of my dietician. unjury Unflavored whey Protein: Medical Quality Unflavored Protein powder Mix Good luck, hearing your stories really helps me know how to make my own situation go as smoothly as possible

I am also self pay and when I was looking at surgeons I found that several of them offer catastophic insurance that is typically an additional $500 and covers all you post op complications. Its definitely worth looking into.

Good for you, and remember you earned every bit of it!

Congratulations! That is so thrilling. How is your energy level? How is it adjusting to the life changes?

I am still presurgery, but I have questions for those of you who have had surgery. I am wanting to have my home and kitchen equipped for post surgery. What dishes scales etc do ya'll suggest. What do you wish people had told you to do that you had to figure out on your own? Any and all tips would be appreciated. Thank you, Anna

Help! My surgery isn't until June 16th, I have to finance it myself and I need until then to have all of my money. I am also happy to wait until then because I can prove to myself that I am capable of making some changes. Namely stop drinking soda, become accustomed to taking supplements, eating Breakfast everyday, not snacking...on and on.... So please someone, give me your tips on how you motivate yourselves and how you stay motivated. Thank you! Anna

I'm new to this site, so I don't know if this is where I am to go about it, but I scheduled my surgery two days ago. I am financing it myself so I'm not scheduled until June 16th. I had decided that at least for the time being and at first after my surgery, I wasn't going to openly share that this is what I had done. But, on New Year's Eve my best friend told a room full of people and I don't know what makes people feel entitled, but people I don't even know well were offering their advice, acting like I had done NO research, and being calloused enough to suggest that maybe I just haven't tried hard enough on my own. So....to those of you who have had surgery, how do you share this info with people. What are the typical reactions? Do people treat your journey as if you "cheated." Do people get how hard this is?