SeattleSue

You do not need a passport unless you are flying into country. A certified birth certificate and a drivers license is sufficient. Done it twice in the last 2 months.

hahahahaha I went to Dr. Kelly...they have their share of handsomeness too. Funny think, I took my girlfriend just last week...made a comment to her about a particular young man. I knew as soon as he laughed, "oops...speaks excellent English" bahahaha

hmmm let me try again with the pic

Sweet! Mine is the red one in the forground, hubby rides the baby blue. That's Mount Saint Helen's in the background!

WOOT WOOT

THANK YOU for posting. You really have had an incredible transformation!!! Consider this; you are now the inspiration that someone else will hold onto. Isn't that remarkable?? Again, thanks for posting your pics and your story...you look AMAZING and happy!!!

I share your mixed emotions. I had a small "reveal" at work after having the summer off. I popped into work for 7th grade orientation on Monday and it was so busy that my co-workers didn't have a chance to do more than see me in passing, but the shock on their faces definately registered a big, "Holy Cow!" I wasn't prepared for that. What I see in the mirror is someone who has 135+ pounds to lose...what they saw was someone who lost about 50# since they last saw me. I thought I was ready with the "diet and exercise" response. And honestly, nobody asked, but it's coming. I'm really doing some soul searching on this... My intent was NOT to share that I had WLS, and I had a whole list of exceptions for those that I "might" share with based on my own judgments of their need and/or motivation. That alone was a very revelatory and very personal thing to discover about myself. For me, the scary truth is I think it is some inverted pride that triggers a shame response. Like I'm afraid to fully own the fact that "I couldn't do this without help." That may be too inflammatory for some to hear--but I'm still exploring this vein in my head and heart. The rational part of me say's strong people know how to ask for help. Like that old lyric, "...people who need people are the luckiest people in the world..." There is a great measure of truth to that. Knowing when to get intervention IS a mark of honesty, strength, humbleness... I think Starry was the one who pointed out that Americans as a society will generally applaud expeditiousness and inginuity. Why the ground rules change for losing weight is beyond me... The thinking is definately wrong. I LOVE the statement of "...tried the hard way and it didn't work..." I have a lot of thoughts roaming around. You are not alone... I'm going to let this one mull on the back burner for a while. I basically have until Monday to put the issue to rest because that's when I am back to work officially.

WOOT WOOT So glad to hear you are recovering!! Tomorrow you should be getting your drain out and heading for the hotel!!! I HIGHLY recommend the pineapple jello. We don't get that around here and it is good (I don't even like jello) hahahahaha

Dawn, Thanks. I have to agree...we really made some fun memories. My friend and I were laughing so hard at times, we had to put a pillow over her belly. Hysterical. We met quite a few other American ladies who are board members here...we got our picture taken with Paco the stripped "zebra" donkey...what a kick. I TOTALLY can see myself doing this again with other friends. hehehe It sort of took me back to my youth when I lived on the edge a lot... hahahaha I think I'm a tad bit crazy. It was fun.

Hahahaha Julie...thank you. This was good timing to revisit the post as I just returned from Tijuana for a second time. I travelled as a companion this time for my very good friend who just got sleeved by Dr. Kelly too! I am so glad I wrote this too, because my girlfriend new EXACTLY what to expect at every step. I think just about all of us are paranoid about sending monies to foreign countries and most certainly, putting your life in the hands of someone you've never met face-to-face... No bragging, but it takes a pretty courageous person to cross the border to do something like this!! I obviously had those, "are you out of your stinkin' mind" moments! Because we did not go through any broker (i.e., American Coordinator) because my friend was my referral, there were some bugs to work out as far as finding the most efficient payment process, etc....but it all worked out wonderfully. My girlfriend, knowing my experience...didn't have all those concerns that others may have had, not knowing a real patient who had lived to tell their story! hahaha Dr. Kelly is building a private practice after having left a very successful career at the beautiful Angeles Hospital. Things aren't "super slick" using Trish...at least not from a "polish" aspect...but they are working out some procedural things and what IS impressive, is the personal care that you receive. Trish now physically works for and has an office at florence Hospital. I come to think of her a friend of the family. She's a remarkable woman. Anyway, my friends trip was almost identical to mine...her recovery was also exceptional and we were laying poolside at the Lucerna when she looks at me and confesses..."I feel so good! Part of me actually thought you were lying about how good you felt!!" Hey, what are friends for!! teeheee As a newly sleeved patient myself, I was a little concerned about what I would eat; especially since I need to focus on Protein and I'm a woman. I'm not so brave (or stupid) to go wondering off campus by myself in search of food. I was fully prepared to live on Jerkey and cheese sticks...but not to worry, I was driven anywhere I needed. Trish took me to Breakfast and I had a fantastic Chili Cheese Omelette...she took me to market so I could get cottage cheese, yogurt, pork rinds and anything else my little tummy desired. She was wonderful. We had a blast.. It's funny...Dr. Kelly is the only other person besides my family who gets away with calling me Susie. As a side note, when you book directly through Trish (which I had also done...but paid by credit card through the other coordinator...), you are picked up by a professional driving service. The driver meets you at baggage claim and has a sign with your name on it. This is for those that read my story...I just wanted to update you, because I expected something else, not realizing that because I had used the other website merely to make my deposit (I never spoke to them or ever had contact with them) they did arrange some of the details and apparently were paid the booking fee. Going directly through Trish, there are some minor differences, but I would call them improvements. Before, I wasn't processed at the border as a medical patient, this time we were and were expedited through a MUCH shorter line of cars.

In full disclosure, I used Trish for my surgery and then referred my friend to her. Where I spend my money is enough of an endorsement I guess. I'll take expertise over bed-side manner in my surgeon, and boots on the ground in Tijuana over a slick operation with printed materials at the ready and a sketch 3rd party payment system through a website that doesn't give you any warm fuzzy feeling when you get a single line response, "...your payment is received..." but no confirmation, no summary, no surgeon name, etc. I happened to be in Tj this last week for the "drama" which Dr. Kelly and Trish tried to hide for the most part from patients. But here's my understanding...and a lot of it was confirmed in the statment posted by Sandy that I read advertising her website and company. Trish no longer works for Sandy and so she's now "competition". This boils down to money...or losing money. It's all about the commission. The coordinators work for Dr. Kelly, not the other way around...and no one is "exclusive". Dr. Kelly worked at Angeles Hospital, a part of a large staff. He's now building his own private practice and pay's various outlets for their referrals. Now that patient referrals are coming in, some businesses are losing money because patients are going directly to Dr. Kelly or to Trish. It seems that some or a, coordinator(s) feel that it is unethical of Dr. Kelly and/or Trish to accept clients that another coordinator didn't send them without paying a royalty to her...even when the referring patient never went through her either. It boggles my mind. Anyway, my advice is to remember that not everything that glitters is gold. A slick web page $10000 Guarantee's of lowest prices $400 Boots on the ground in Tijuana = Priceless Just my 2 cents...

I agree, they are big. Last night I heated one, then I layered some fresh basil leaves, some low moisture part-skim mozarella, and a slice of tomato and popped it under the broiler for about 2 mins to finish the tomato. I ate half and it was so good!

I don't know how many of you have tried the Amylu's chicken Burgers...but they are DELISH. I bought them at costco in the butcher dept... I picked up the Sweet Carmelized onion version and I really love it! They are pre-cooked and just need to be heated. 150 cals. I think they are WAY better than the Chili Lime patty's from Trader Joe's...and I really enjoy those! The other think that I have found to give me some light carb crispiniess...is a brand called Kavli. They make wafer thin flatbreads and 3 = 50 cals and 10 carbs. I eat the garlic flavor with some laughing cow. YUM Totally satisfies that cracker desire. Found them at Fred Meyer's in the cracker section...near the entertainment crackers.

possibly, but unlikely with only 2 carbs?

Thank you...I'll check it out. Makes sense...I wasn't thinking in terms of liquid leaving faster...duh. I was just thinking calorie per calorie...

Yesterday, I was hungry...I'd eat (not full, undereat and be comfortable) but be hungry again in 2 hrs. ALL DAY. Ended up just over 900 cals. Today, meh. Scrounging to get in just under 600. WTH?? So yesterday I lifted weights...but not until mid-day and was hungry before that. The only thing I can think of is that I drank a Protein shake first, treadmill, Water...ate egg later. Today I reversed that and ate egg first, treadmill, water, Protein Shake later. The difference was astounding in how I felt. Both my treadmill workouts were equally punishing. Anyway... This is sort of random ramblings, but I remember someone (Rootman?) saying that if he started the day with a shake he was hungry all day. Well, it's got me thinking.... Does anyone else find this to be true for them? Is it too early to start a hypothesis? lol Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple?

THANK YOU! Everything you said made sense. I don't want bad habbits to sneak in, and I already found out that I can't have just ONE Dorito (slider food for me)...so things like that I'll have to just ban as tabu for me. Hey, you will get NO lecture from me on the coffee front, but I appreciate the heads up on the water consumption suffering from no logging--I can very clearly see this happening to me, so maybe I'll have to do the old paperclips in the pocket or something to remind me to drink. I used to do "counting" on WW with pennies, paperclips, whatever...it was helpful, if not a little OCD. HAH! Thanks for the answer... I hope my '6 month' point comes too. Gosh, I can't even imagine not 'thinking about food." Wow. That's just a fantasy right now. A good one though!

Good for you!! Nothing like a cup a joe mmmmm

WOW You look so good!! Seriously. Great job! Hey, can I ask if at what point the "novelty" of the sleeve wore off where you didn't obsess over everything? I mean, for me it's gotten WAY better now that I'm beyond the first month...but when did you start to forget that you "just had surgery" and began to feel normal and not ruled by the food diary? I hope that makes sense. I just don't want to be obsessed in a whole different way than I was before and I feel like I am right now. Thanks, Susan

When you say your blood pressure is good, what is it?

Bless him! Very sweet and succint. I'd have been in the lou too.

Are you kidding me???? WOW It looks too big!!! hahahahaha ...black hose with a seam up the back to "tart it up a bit" lol You naughty girl

My immediate family -hubby, kids, mom, dad...and BFF, and a good friend who I am accompanying to do the same, and one trusted confident who happens to be a nurse...and also my PCP.

OH, that's GREAT!!! Congrats

Hi Dave, and welcome. You are definately not alone...not in your journey, not in your fears, your thoughts, you desire to live... I know that you will find the strength to do this!! I agree, if you survived boot camp...recovery will be nothing! :-) Best of luck...see you on the boards!!!