I Made It

I used Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali and was thrilled with my experience. He is at the upper end of the spectrum on cost, but I personally think it was worth it. He operates in a modern hospital and you stay 3 nights after surgery in that hospital. I have had pretty good follow-up also.

Today is my 10 month surgiversary!
Sleeved 4/13/2011
Height 5'5"
Start weight -210.5
Today - 143.4
BMI went from 35 to 23.9
Went from a size 18 to size 8 in 10 months - I am so grateful everyday that I made the decision to have wls, and that I chose the sleeve. I can't say it's for everyone, but it's definitely the right choice for me.
Dr. Aceves did my surgery, great experience and highly recommend him.

I had my sleeze surgery on the 10th and doing better than imagined. Spent three full days in the hospital Almater located in Mexacali Mexico. The hospital was cleaner and newer than several American hospitals (California) I have seen. The nurses And staff attentive and both dr.campos (which himself had the sleeve and is also a nutritionist) visited twice daily- in the morning and late afternoon. The Canadians I befriended (mom n daughter) felt exactly the same! I am sip sip sipping away. I only had some slight nausea yesterday when. first drank and i have rumbling and gurgling...but my poor tummy has been so good to me considering. !
I am now at a fancy hotel awaiting to get a ride to get my teeth cleaned, chipped tooth repaired and xrays for cavities. ..looking less forward to dental work than the sleeve! Lol!

What an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing it! I am new to the forum and looking at the Gastric Sleeve procedure. Paperwork has been sent, waiting to hear back to see if I am a candidate.

HI! I looked into having the lapband about 18 months ago. During my consultation/seminar they mentioned all of the different procedures and when the began to describe the sleeve, it was like a light bulb went on and none of the other choices made any sense to me. That's when my sleeve journey began! I ended up not being covered by insurance and was a self pay. I am 1 year out and it's the best investment I've ever made in and for myself! I am sooooooo glad I did it. Your post reminded me of me in the sense that I was always weight challenged, but after having kids I lost complete control and could not figure out how I could not only lose all the weight but maintain it off too! I felt like Weight Watchers and I needed to break up and I needed to find a new relationship with the sleeve.... I'm in love! lol...
Good luck to you and I wish you all the happiness in taking this journey... it's so worth it! Just jump and don't look back!
Wendy

HI! I looked into having the lapband about 18 months ago. During my consultation/seminar they mentioned all of the different procedures and when the began to describe the sleeve, it was like a light bulb went on and none of the other choices made any sense to me. That's when my sleeve journey began! I ended up not being covered by insurance and was a self pay. I am 1 year out and it's the best investment I've ever made in and for myself! I am sooooooo glad I did it. Your post reminded me of me in the sense that I was always weight challenged, but after having kids I lost complete control and could not figure out how I could not only lose all the weight but maintain it off too! I felt like Weight Watchers and I needed to break up and I needed to find a new relationship with the sleeve.... I'm in love! lol...
Good luck to you and I wish you all the happiness in taking this journey... it's so worth it! Just jump and don't look back!
Wendy

Hi, my fellow losers!
I can't believe that tomorrow, the 19th of April will be my 1 year anniversary of the sleeve! Last year at exactly this time, I was a mess, worrying about everything that had to do with this surgery. I was getting my band taken out as well, and I was petrified. I prayed that everything would be O.K., just as all of you did. This was my last chance and I was so afraid that it wouldn't work. The one thing that I could hold on to was this site. Thank God for all of you. You said what I needed to hear, and I hope that during this year, I helped some others with their fears and frustrations.
I won't hit my goal weight, but that's ok. I am thrilled that I have lost the amount that I have, and I hope to continue to lose until I reach my goal. I can't tell you how much better I feel, and I know I look better. I can't believe how this sleeve has changed my life. I am so lucky to have had this procedure and not to have gone through it alone.
So, hip, hip, horray!! We did it! Now I have to keep on doing it. The sleeve makes it so much easier. Thanks again, fellow losers.
Love,
Linda

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am getting sleeved on Monday 4/23 and was looking specifically for someone who is a year out to share their story. Thank you! When I read realistic stories like yours, it strengthens my resolve for a journey I expect to be both challenging and exhilarating. Continued good luck to you (and your children are ADORABLE!)

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.

Jen, It's okay to get on the scale everyday out of curiousity. But measure your weightloss based on a specific day of the week. For me, it's Wednesdays because I had my surgery on a Wednesday, and I document Wednesday as my weigh in day. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose any day-to-day - look at it week to week.... I'm happy for you and it's only the beginning of a great journey! Be patient, it will happen!

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.

I am 1 year and 4 months from my surgery. I have lost 177 lbs. I am hoping to lose 200 lbs. total. At my heaviest I weighed 385. At surgery I weighed 365. I am now 188.
The VSG was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. It has done so much for me than just lose weight. I have gained back hope, self esteem and a since of pride within myself. I love being able to ride a bike with my kids, going swimming, walking my dog, tying my shoe! All the things that I wasn't able to do without a struggle or being out of breath.
Don't get me wrong- at times I questioned "why did I do this"- but now I am so stinkin' happy I did!
One thing I try to tell myself is that this surgery doesn't fix everything. I doesn't fix why I got that heavy in the first place. Or my bad relationships with food. Those are things I have to work on a daily basis.
The best part- having a lap for my 7 year old to sit in. For the first time in her life!

Good Morning Everyone,
My Name is Heather and this is the first time I am visiting this wonderful site. I am 35 years old and have recently been approved for vertical sleeve gastrectomy. at this moment I weigh 400lbs.
My journey began in November when I took a fall and became painfully aware of just how badly my weight affected my health. I wasnt hurt badly but doing little things became a monumental task because of my weight. It was like having the curtain pulled back on my life and I realized just how many adaptations I had made for my weight without even realizing I was doing so.
I had thought about weight loss surgery on and off for the last few years but had not yet come to the point where I said enough is enough and I need to do something until now. I went to my initial seminar in Feb and had my first meeting with my surgeon a few weeks later. When I went to the doctor the surgery I was interested in was bypass because I had read, and heard so much about it. Sleeve was something I was not that familiar with. After meeting with my surgeon Dr. Rantis and hearing more about the sleeve and the benefits vs. bypass I agreed that it was the best option for me.
We submitted for approval with my insurance and I agonized for two weeks worried to death that we would not get approval. When I found out that Insurance approved it was like the world came off my shoulders and I could breathe. Next week I am doing all of my requried doctors appointments and I am hoping to be able to set a surgery date very soon. While I am a little nervous about surgery I am anxious for it to be done so I can begin the process of getting healthier.

Hi heather. First, congrats on making this life changing decision. Me and you are identical. My journey began last August. I weighed 400lbs. I am also 35. I was sick when I got on that scale and saw that number. Although not surprised it was so high. I had to do 6months of pre surgery studies and documented weight loss attempts in order for my insurance to approve it. So in those 6-7 months I lost 70 lbs on my own. Dr wanted me to try to lose 40. But I was determined. Sooooooo this past Monday the 9 th I had my surgery! I went in at around 331. My stupid battery on my scale died so I haven't weighed myself. Which in a way is good so I'm not obsessing. Anyway, You made the right decision. We're too young to feel this crappy. I don't know if u have kids but I have a six yr old and want to more involve in fun stuff with her. Im so sick of being the fat mom and the biggest person in the room. So excited for you keep us posted on your journey!

Yep, no regrets. I wish I could take every one of my overweight friends and family members to have the surgery, too!

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.

What a great story ! Congratulations on your success thus far.

Wow.... What an awesome story!! Thank you for sharing!!!

What an inspirational story!! Thank you for sharing and you look gorgeous and happy!!

I love your story!!! Congrats!!!
Little bits

Great story! Enjoy your new life!

Congrats on your success! Such an inspiration!!!

Congratulations on your success!! That is amazing and inspiring. I really hope I can say the same things when I am a year out. Good job!

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.