TEXAS DIVA

HELLO TO EVERYONE: Wanted to give my 1 month surgery update. At first, I didnt want to do it because it has not been an easy month. I previously posted about my emotional issue following surgery. Im still dealing with that but thanks to the support of board members, a little research and a whole lot of praying, Im dealing with the issues. Im down 15 lbs in one month.. Not exactly what I was hoping for. I remember a year ago reading about people on this board who had lost 25 lbs in one month! I was sooooo sure that would be me.. but, i have had mitigating factors that have slowed my process. Mostly, I have had to get out of MY OWN way. I am guilty of over analyzing and over thinking this whole process. I have really had to meditate on the fact that Plication is simply a tool, nothing more nothing less. All together, pre op diet included, I have lost 20lbs exactly in a 5 week period of time. I guess that is nothing to really sneeze at. My total weight loss goal is 70lbs so I have 50 more lbs to go. If I continue to loose an average of 4 lbs a week, I should have about 4 months before I reach my goal weight of 157lbs or so. What I miss the most since my surgery? definately the ability to eat without pain..I still get a stomach ache and tightness after very small amounts of food What I like the most post surgery? the money I save by not eating.. I didnt realize that I spend about $30 per day between Breakfast and lunch, while working, on food. I have really been able to see the money that I am saving. Not to mention, my car stays cleaner because I no longer eat at the dashboard diner. Good luck to anyone who is considering plication. I beleive that once a little more time has passed, that I will really be able to appreciate what I have done. Right now, im still wondering how it will all turn out. Thanks for reading! Misti

CONGRATS!.. I pray all goes well for you!

THANK YOU GENEPHA! You always have the best things to say. Im an emotional wreck, I know. Also realized that I am approaching "that time of the month" as well. I really appreciate you taking time to give me encouraging words. Im trying not to be so hard on myself.. I just dont want to be a failure.. But, you guys are right.. Just taking the the steps to save my money and do something about my situation has got to count for something. A million thanks!

Thanks for responding Chilo1.. Im glad to know that I am not the only one who cheated on the post op diet.. just makes me feel a bit more normal.. baby's baptism cake huh? well Im here to tell you that I am a sucker for some "butter cream icing" ... its just not safe around me..I can skip the cake, but the icing.. well, Im sure you know what I mean!... Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. There are some wonderful people on this board.. you being one of them... Thank God for you all!

SWIZZLY, KELLYL AND LEEBLEWB..THANK YOU SOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I GUESS SOMETIMES IT JUST NICE TO HEAR ENCOURAGEMENT AND KIND WORDS. IVE BEEN SEARCHING THROUGH OLD POSTS AND IVE NOTICED THAT OTHERS HAVE FELT SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM GOING THRU.. ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. GOD BLESS YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME FROM YOUR SCHEDULES JUST TO RESPOND.. ONE MILLION THANKS!

I know this is old but it is a POWERFUL thread and very relevant to what I am going thru. Thanks to the OP and all that chimed in on it.. Right now, I am searching the internet and the archives trying to get some help for myself. Thanks again to all that contributed.

Hello Everyone: im gonna try to keep this topic brief.. I know I get long winded. I really want to express how I am feeling because I need HELP! In a bad way.. If you guys can give me input and feed back I would really appreciate it.. Im on the verge of going to see a counselor because I really cant understand what I am going thru.. Please be patient with me.. Just typing this post, Im getting teary-eyed (I now understand the importance of pre surgical psychological evals) HONESTY: I feel like I cant be honest with the friends and family that know I have had wls because people are so judgemental and no one was supportive of my wls to begin with. I want to be totally honest with you guys. I am 19 days post op and beginning with day 8, I have really not done well. One night, no lie, I literally was sleep walking into my pantry and opened/tried to eat a snack size bag of lays potatoe chips. Its like I was dreaming because I woke from a sound sleep and did this.. used to do this pre surgery.. Well, I was able to get the some of the chips down and I couldnt beleive they went down, once I realized what I had done.. I immediately threw up.. dont know if I did it on purpose or if it was reflex/reflux. While fully awake, on different occasions, I have tried to eat some chopped hamburger patty, I have tried to eat the topping from pizza and I even tried to eat the meat and cheese from the inside of a philly cheese sandwich. Well of course, none of it when it down and all three times it was followed by episodes of vomitting.. WHO DOES THIS? I just dont know what is wrong with me.. Its like following this post op diet is impossible.. WHY WHEN I KNOW I CANT EAT REGULAR food??? GUILT: On all four of the occasions where I have screwed up.. I have literally cried myself to sleep.. I feel like a complete failure.. I feel guilty ALL THE TIME because I didnt think I was this type of person.. I MEAN REALLY WHO CHEATS ON THE POST OP? I was able to stick to the pre op diet WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING WHATSOEVER. Now, I cant even make a 4 week post op diet? The only thing, aside from Soup, broth and baby food that goes down and stays down is this ice cream by Blue Bell, it has no sugar and very few carbs. But, even after eating maybe 5 teaspoons, GUILT SETS IN AGAIN cause who has wls and eats ice cream? After taking this trip to war torn Mexico by myself, enduring an invasive surgery, 72 hours of post op hell not to mention the THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS I SPENT AS A CASH PATIENT, i just cant believe I would be this weak and jeopardize everything.. I didnt realize my addiction to food was this bad.. I FEEL LIKE THE BIGGEST LOSER OF ALL TIME,.. how ironic, the wrong kind of loser. Oh, now all of a sudden, I hate looking at myself in the mirror, partly because of guilt. Even though I know I have lost (threw the scale out on day 9) because my clothes are FALLING OFF, I just cant stand the site of my own image and even pre surgery, I loved to look at myself. I dont know where this self hatred is coming from, other than guilt of not following this pre op diet. SUBMISSION: I am a believer and I pray on and about EVERYTHING. I have asked God why I am weak now, of all times, when I have had to be so strong my whole entire life. I wake up every morning wondering if im still "plicated".. I see other people eat, though I have not had ANY hunger since the surgery, and I realize that I will never be able to "enjoy" food again the way I used to but, I do know my "enjoyment" of food got me into this mess.. so, I get sad, just thinking that I will be on mushies FOREVER.. at this point, I cant even see me ever being able to eat regular food, even in tiny amounts because it hurts so bad and Im tired of throwing up.. so.. ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION to the surgery is what has come up in my spirit after really praying and meditating on the subject. I guess to ACCEPT the fact that my life has changed forever and SUBMIT to the surgery.. meaning just realize that this sewed up stomach has the upper hand and this is just how my life is going to be.. If anyone here can relate to any of this, please let me know.. I dont have anyone to talk to that can remotely understand. I really dont want to spend the money on a therapist after taking so much from my savings for the surgery but I feel totally alone and I need to talk to someone.. If you dont want to share in front of anyone in the open on this topic, please send me a private message. I really need the help of anyone who understands cause I am starting to believe that I AM LOSING IT.. Right now, trying to heal my body, mind and spirit, I just cant afford to be falling apart like this. Thanks in advance for your help. Thanks for tolerating my long post. Texas-not feeling like a-DIVA

THANKS MS LISA..IM DOING BETTER..I AM 18 DAYS POST SURGERY.. CLOTHES FALL OFF OF ME BUT THE scale IS NOT MOVING LIKE I WANT IT TO BUT I HAVE DEFINATELY LOST SOME WEIGHT.

Wow Genepha! That is wonderful!!! You truly are an inspiration to us all! Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the great work!

Congratulations! I think you are doing great. I read success stories of people who lost 25lbs the 1st month and more.. I think we should be grateful for WEIGHT LOSS of any amount the 1st month.. That means you are doing really good. I am two weeks out and I wanted to be down more that what I am but I wont weigh again until my one month anniversary. I think some of us just lose slower than others and thats fine.. Means we stand a better chance of long term weight loss. Keep up the good great work!

I didnt see the show but congrats on your 10lbs weight lost! thats great!

KEEP IT UP GENEPHA..KEEP IT UP!

Well, Oliviam, once again, you have confirmed my granma is right.. Everyone is different and we do have to listen to our own bodies.. Probably start on some mushies or baby food next week.. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing..Im not stalling yet, but Im sure with mushies, it will come. Im not big on exercising but I have committed to a 15 minute walk every night, followed by 30 minutes doing the "Michael Jackson"dance game on the WII. I appreciate everyone who shares their experiences. Thanks so much Genepha!

Thanks Oliva...most of the gas has passed..Im at work again today, hoping I can stay the whole day.. I had some broth last night and a protien drink this morning..though I am technically 1 day early on starting the Protein drinks.. I already feel better.. at least I could walk from the parking lot into the office building without feeling like I was about to pass out..So, I guess that alone is improvement... Congrats on your success too,, I see that ticker is steadily moving! Keep it up!

Thanks Amy,.I really need all of the encouraging words I can get right now. I also left work early today and went straight home and had some broth.. Talk about heaven. Tomorrow, I will start my Protein drinks and maybe a lil more broth. Listening to my granma, I will have to accelerate my post op diet a bit because like she said, everyone is different. Im glad you are better as well. Im so happy about your weight loss! Keep it up!

THANKS GENEPHA: Today is almost over, but tomorrow, I will definately be on broth, Protein Drinks, etc. I will try my best to follow the doctors orders, but I do have to listen to my own body. Thanks a million!

Aww, Im so sorry to hear this.. just reading your post mad me sad too..I know It would be very discouraging to gain after all you have went thru. But, it makes sense about the fluids from the IV.. Hang in there.. A change will come Im sure.. you will be losing in no time

Hello Amy: im having a WTF moment right now.. The pain, the discomfort, the irritablity and the WEAKNESS! ALL ARE GETTING ON MY NERVES!. 5 days out and I cant even say I would do this all over. I guess everyone gets some different post op diet instructions. I was told Clear Liquids and broth only till this Friday, then 7 days of Protein drinks, blah blah. Bump that, Im on protien drinks in the morning! I have got to get to feeling better some way very soon. Hang in there. Surely it will be better soon!

Congratson your choice of WLS. I had plication with Dr. Rodriguez in Mexico 5 days ago and I am down 12.4lbs since the surgery. I have only had problems with gas. Everything else seems to have fallen into place. If you are new to the board.. read everything about Plication with an open mind. There are some people on here that are very opinionated and dont have the medical training to back up there opinions. Remember, you have to chose what is right for YOU! Good Luck!

Hello Everyone! I had plication surgery this past Friday, in Juarez, Mx, with Dr. Rodriguez. I wanted to post as soon as I was out of surgery but, Lord knows on this day five post surgery, I can barely muster up the strength to post now. For those interested or considering going to Mexico, I would like to outline my experience in this topic. I want to give the kind of info I was looking for before going to Mexico: THE TRIP: I had extreme reservations about traveling to Mexico by myself. Most people I asked said I should be fine alone and only a couple said take someone with you. I also was worried about transport to and from El Paso into Mexico. Well, the driver called me on my cell just as we were landing to tell me he was outside baggage claim. He told me what he was wearing and everything. It was a 35 minute trip across the border to the hospital with no problems at the border patrol. The van was older and needed shocks because I felt every bump in the road. No problem with this going to the hospital but sure didnt appreciate it coming back after surgery. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAKING SOMEONE WITH YOU IF FOR NO OTHER REASON YOU WILL HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SOMEONE TO HOLD YOUR HAND,RUB YOUR BACK, PRAY WITH YOU, COMFORT YOU, HELP YOU WITH YOUR BAG (even a bag on wheels is too much to deal with coming back)AND JUST SPEAK ENGLISH TO YOU.. TAKE SOMEONE..THE HOSPITAL HAS ACCOMODATIONS IN YOUR ROOM FOR A GUEST. Oh, I felt very safe with the travel and my hosptial stay. THE HOSPITAL: Star Medical hospital was absolutely gorgeous; very modern, neat and VERY CLEAN. Most of the nurses were male nurses.. Though their English wasnt perfect, they certainly were able to understand me and communicate with me. For some reason the day time nurses seemed more accomodating then night nurses. The night nurses seemed like they were bothered if i rang for them. For the most part, I give the nurses an 7.5 out of 10. THE DOCTORS: Dr. Calderon met me in admitting. In fact, he did most of the paperwork with me... He was always accessible and explained everything and answered all my questions. He has a warm and sincere spirit. He came to my room to check on me..I saw him when I was walking the halls.. he met me in Xray.. man he was everywhere I was. Dr. Solis, the anesthesiologist, was not only beautiful, but she spoke great English, answered all my questions and asked me several questions.. I felt at ease with her. I was able to barely say my prayer before I was out like a light. Dr. Rodriguez was very personable .. came to my room before surgery, spoke with me and answered all my questions. He made me tell him the kind of surgery I was getting because he didnt want me to be confused about anything. He was a great doc.. Only saw him that one time prior to surgery though. The docs get a 9 out of 10 in my book. THE MEDICINE: i dont care what anyone says.. the medicine in Mexico is NOT THE SAME AS IN THE USA. Any pain meds they gave me did not ease pain. The medicine for nausea did not ease the nausea and the meds for gas were and absolute joke. The sent me home with something for reflux that was supposed to be similar to Prilosec...yeah right... took it 3 times and had to send for some Previcid which gave almost immediate relief. They sent me home with a couple boxes of "pain medicine" which i put straight in the trash can. Thank God for my hypocondriac (sp?) family members that had plenty of Darvocet for me. The meds in Mexico I rate a 0 out of 10. THE GAS: I dont know wth kinda of gas or CO2 comes out of Mexico but I have never, and I mean NEVER, in my life experienced anything like it.. Gas everywhere in my body! all over my back, my shoulders, under my breast.. Man. I really thought I was gonna die the first 12 hours after suregery! AND I AM NO STRAGER TO PAIN..HAD THREE BABIES, NATURAL WITH NOTHING... I could not get any relief from the meds they gave me, from walking nothing.,, Oh and that GAS X save your money.. This "mexican gas" laughs at Gas X and does the Marcarena in your body while it is laughing at you and those strips. Day two was not much better.. I could not get comfortable for nothing and even though I was so weak, I forced myself to walk but nothing..aboslutely nothing as far as relief.. this is day 5 and I still have severe gas pain right now, as Im typing. Honestly, this gas pain had me to the point that I regretted surgery.. THATS HOW BAD THE GAS IS! If you cant tolerate excrutiating gas pain, you might want to think twice about surgery, or at least surgery in Mexico, maybe it is better in the US. I dont know.. I fear NOTHING IN THIS LIFE DUE TO MY SPIRITUALITY. But even the thought of the gas pains I experienced while in Mexico brings shivers to my body.. I DONT EVER WANT TO GO THRU THAT AGAIN! POST SURGERY: I have mixed emotions. Though I am close to GOD, this surgery has brought me closer. I swear I have had moments that all I can do is fall on my knees and beg for his mercy to give me relief. The gas, the irritability. the inability to sleep more than 2 hours at a time.. Just second guessing myself and overall misery. Im weak, cant even walk around my house without getting winded. I have a pain in my chest, between my breast , that I assume is gas, but I dont know.. Learning to sip is still new to me.. my throat wants to be quenched so bad but i accidentally gulped a lil bit of Water and had chest pains that made me almost call 911, not to mention I threw up profusely.. Oh didnt mention it THAT THE FIRST TWELVE HOURS AFTER SURGERY, I THREW UP EVERY HOUR.. I have to stay on Clear Liquids until this Friday but my granma has convinced me that I need to start the protien drinks now for energy or the lethargia will continue.. Im trying to do what the doctor said and wait till Friday but something tells me that tomorrow, Thursday, I will be on these shakes. sometimes you have to just use common sense and listen to your body. WOULD I DO IT AGAIN: Cant objectively say so right now because I am in too much pain from gas but i will say this: DAY OF SURGERY (five days ago) I WEIGHED 222.4LBS. this morning i weighed 210.0! SO 12.4 LBS GONE IN 5 DAYS MAKES ME WANT TO STOP WHINING ABOUT THE GAS PAIN! I hope this info helps someone. Like I said.. it is the info I was looking for before my surgery.. I want to report back on Friday which will be 1 week post op. If you are a BELIEVER, PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! Thanks for listening to me! Texas Diva

Well said Oliviam..Lord knows that I have always felt like plicators were second class citizens round here.. Thanks for your words of intellect..

Oh my goodness Tiffykins..just sitting here reading your recovery I have tears in my eyes.. I love to read your posts because they always seem so well informed. But, I never read your recovery story! I literally have a lump in my throat. Then to read that you have ZERO regrets even today! Man, I leave on Friday for plication in Mexico. I have had a rough week with self doubt, fear and overall lack of confidence in what I am getting into. Then I prayed to God to give me a sign or something. What I have gotten is just an overall feeling of peace and that everything would be all right.. Man, Tiffy, I have so much respect for your and what you have been thru. I pray that God gives me the strength to accept what may be ahead for me and give me the courage to face it. Thanks for sharing!

CONGRATS! IM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS

PS: SORRY FOR THE TYPOS AND SUCH..I WAS JUST A LIL HEATED WHILE TYPING.