Redheadedone

Hello to everyone. I will be having my surgery on Tuesday July26th. I can't begin to say enough how happy, excited and thankful I am for this to be done. I have started the liquid diet just so my brain doesn't go into complete shock with the new eating plan and thankfully it has not been bad. Having said that I am about to go to NY to visit friends and family so I won't be so quick to announce my victory lest I fall flat onto some dirty Water dogs or NYC pretzels (my New Yorkers will know what I mean). I have met such a wonderful woman who has quickly become my friend who will having her surgery the day after me and will will both be traveling alone, kind of a WLS Thelman and Louise! I have been obese nearly my entire life. I can remember as far back as 8 years old having a school nurse announce it and I had no idea what that meant. It's amazing how things stay in your mind. Until this surgery came into my life plan, I truly had given up any plans of being a "normal" weight and just prayed I could get enough weight off to keep my blood pressure from killing me. I know that sounds crazy but if you can't bottom line it here you can't do it anywhere else. I have an amazing life as is. I have a career in a field I genuinely love, I have wonderful people in my life and am so blessed it almost seems hard to imagine. The weight is my "final frontier". That is not to say I operate in a state of perfection in all other areas. But I have a calm, drama free life and am a positive and happy person. Now, here's the thing that caught me off guard. I find that just as I am thrilled for the "new" me to arrive, I find myself mourning the loss of the "old" me. I don't know how to truly describe it but I almost feel like I'm abandoning her. Don't get me wrong.....to get this weight off has been a dream and I know these feelings will pass but if anyone even remotely understands what I'm trying to say I would love to hear from you. I don't ever want to seem unappreciative of this gift, just didn't expect to be feeling this. The food, oh yes, I thought I'd climb the walls but it's almost freeing to know I will only have to drink my meals. No binging, or trolling the cabinets and refridgerator, just fire up the blender and dinner is served! Regardless of responses or not I want to say that this message board is such a gift and all of you are so wonderful to share your love, support, funny stories etc. I can't count the number of times I have laughed out loud, by myself, and had people look at me like I was bananas. I wish all of you the dreams and desires of your heart. Wendy

Kemo I'm glad you said that. I have talked to A LOT of people who have gone to Dr. Almanza and nobody has complained about heat or anything else. That is not to say Yellow rose is, I think she's painted a very good picture of the experience but some people seem to be responding as thought the experience is going to be like broke down palace. My friend Sandra and I are having surgery there in a few weeks and we both agree that for the money we're saving we can suck it up a little on the amenities and use that extra $1,000 to $1,500 for a one year anniversary vacation.

That made me feel better to know you did fine by yourself because I'm traveling alone as well. You mentioned your things weren't locked up. I'll be sure to request that they are as I will be coming from the hotel with my stuff. You are such a great story teller I look forward to following your story.

Alexis you are beautiful!!! I am so happy for you.

Hi Tex, just thought I'd put my two sense in. I'm 41 and have been obese my entire life. About five years ago I worked for a company that would have paid for me to have gastric bypass so I started the process. About mid way through I knew in my heart that God was telling me not to do it. Now mind you, while I am a Christian and LOVE the Lord but I am not a person who goes around claiming God tells me what to do all the time. In this case I knew as sure as Monday follows Sunday, gastric bypass was not for me. Fast forward 5 years later and I am back up to my heaviest weight once again. I am an ultrasoud tech and was scanning a patient who has a lap band. God bless her she was so open to talking to me about it and because it was something I considered, after she left I started to pray about it and do as much research as possible. I have since decided to do a sleeve and will be getting mine on July 26th, also in Mexico but with a different physician. Everything has fallen into place beutiful during the planning stage and while I am not God, I do believe that when things fall into place well God is cool with it. I don't know where you stand as far as faith but it is time to trust God and put yourself in His hands. As much as we all want to be blessed, God wants that even more for us. Think about your love for your children and how deep that is. Now think of the fact that you are a child of God and when He has a blessing for His kids, nothing can block it. It is not my goal to beat you over the head with God but He is able to not only remove your fear but keep you safe. I will be praying for you and wish you the absolute best in your journey!

Also. . .my coffee has not kicked in. . . .I MADE a friend not MAID. . . . .more coffee to follow. . . . .

I laughed out loud reading this! I am going to the same clinic on the 26th to have the sleeve. I'm traveling alone but have maid a wonderful friend and "sleeve sister" who will be having her surgery the next day so we are kind of in it together. Thank you for the laughs and forwarning!

Hi Jackie! I was so happy to find someone so close to home. I'm Wendy and live in Jackson. I lived in Fayettevile prior to moving here. I'm scheduled on May 26th and am going to Mexico to have mine done. No insurance coverage for the procedure. I was wondering what type of group meetings they may have around here. i know Suothern Regional does one but wasn't sure if you could go to one if you were a patient of that particular physician. I wish you great success in your journey and look forward to hearing from you. Wendy

Hi Sarah, what an awesome testimony! You have a great outlook and attitude. May you have much success as you move forward!

Hello my fellow Georgian :-) I believe we crossed paths on another thread and I will be praying for you. I haven't even read the responses to your posts I was just so turned off by what your friend said. Many years ago I found a quote that essentially said never dim your light because others refuse to allow theirs to shine. I could be comletely off the mark but sometimes when we try to grow, eventhough others may be happy for us I think sometimes it causes people to feel condemned that they themselves are not doing the same thing and rather than be motivated they judge. An abomination, as your friend calls it, would be to abuse children or animals, to cheat on your spouse or to be a mean, hurtful person. It's not like your having this surgery so you can go work a poll or turn tricks. Now, if you do that. . . . .no judgement. . . .just sayin' I have been very open with my plans and will be happy to talk to people who may potentially be interested in having the surgery after they see what I've experienced. I have also presented it in such a way as to let people know that I am happy and at peace with my decision and while I do appreciate any and all concern I am not asking for permission, just getting the info out so people don't think I disappeared when I go to Mexico in a few weeks. If you have prayed about this and have peace and your husband is on board then get your sugery and keep it movin'! I hope we can stay in touch and keep each other lifted up! Wendy

You are not crazy! I could have written the same posting! I am having surgery on the 26th of this month and I think it really hit me last night that my relationship with food is about to change forever. I have done the exact same thing you've been doing. I can't tell you how many "last suppers" I've been having. I'm not sure where you stand as far as faith but for me, prayer has been extremely helpful. I also went to Amazon and found some wonderful books on eating disorders with a workbook as well and have been trying to work with those. I have also decided to start my pre-op diet early to acclimate to the new eating I'll be doing or lack there of as it were. I will be praying for you. This is much more psycholgical than physical in my opinon. Please contact me by PM if you need or want to talk. I am relatively new to this board but so far the people are wonderful and so generous and supportive. God bless you and good luck!!

Hello everyone. My surgery is on July 26th. I am seeing so many posts where people are losing anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds pre-op. How is that possible? Are most of you doing this in one to two weeks? I am amazed!!!

How did you lose 55 pounds pre-op? That alone is amazing!

You go with your bad self!!!!!

That is beyond my comprehension!!!!! I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!! What a massive blessing. Congratulations!

Thank you both for the reply. Boots I am actually getting done on the 26th by Dr. Almanza so we will see each other!!! I take that as a good sign. I was going to bring my Mom as she was concerned but when I added up the cost I felt that money could be better spent elsewhere. I'd love to keep in touch with you if you're interested. My e-mail is luvsantana@comcast.net. I too have prayed about this and feel strongly that this is the best and right choice for me. What a blessing to find someone who will be in the same place at the same time.

Hi everyone. I am scheduled to travel to Mexico next month for the sleeve. I have complete peace about this and wish I could do it sooner. After thinking about the cost involved to bring someone with me I thought I'd be OK to go it alone. I'd save close to $1,000. I was wondering if anyone went by themselves and how did they feel about it after the fact.

Hi Everyone. I will be having my sleeve done on July 26th and I live in Jackson. I look forward to getting to know all of you and wish you great success on your journey!

That sounds great! I am so happy to find other GA people. We are about to start a great new chapter in our lives!!

Hi there! I am scheduled July 26, also in Mexico. My name is Wendy and I live on the south side of Atlanta. It would be GREAT to have someone going through the same thing at the same time. I'm nervous but excited and just can't wait to get started on a new life. I will keeping us both in prayer!

Hi, not sure if it helps but I will be getting a sleeve with Dr. Almanza on the 26th. He has a package for $5500 which includes a tummy tuck, breast lift and one area of lipo. I will go back after I lose the weight and get the nips and tucks.

I don't even know you and I am doing the happy dance for you!!! Get down with your bad self!

I'd be THRILLED if I lost 36 pounds in the first month! I think you're doing great! I go for my sleeve on July 26th. I was going to do the lap band but read and heard from so many who went with the sleeve and were thrilled! Keep up the great work.

Hello everyone. I live in Atlanta and am considering going to Mexico for my lap-band surgery. My concern is getting follow up here once I get back and I was wondering if anyone knew of any. Also, if anyone has feedback on Dr. Mario Almonza I'd be very appreciative of any feed back. Thank you!