Suzannesh

Hi, Thanks for all your comments and I always appreciate other peoples point of view. I did a little revisions on my statement, because the facts that I had were incorrect--and I do want to present the correct facts. You will find that most of the time I always say there are other good doctors out there too besides Dr. Aceves. I want people to educate themself--just like you did. And you asked all the right questions--congratulations to you for doing that. I also like you took about 6 months to do my research and talked to 100's of people about who they went to and listened and made my choice for a doctor. I do understand the cost issue for many people and all I want for them, is to be safe. There are good and bad options when it comes to having weight loss surgery. There is one thing that you do not know or have not checked up on is that I give SUPPORT all the time to people who have already had surgery, and I could care less who their doctor is or was. I am ALWAYS happy to answer any questions they have. So YES we are here to support each other. I was excited about the information that I learned about Dr. Aceves and I wanted to share it. He recently was on the cover of Newsweek Magazine too in May. I see nothing wrong with anything I have said about him. I'm sure if someone asked you about who your doctor was, you would share ALL the information you knew about him and would recommend him highly also. Isn't that great that we are able to say how we feel! Take care and I wish you nothing but great success in your WLS journey. Suzanne

Hey Everyone, I have very exciting news about Dr. Aceves. He has been asked by Johnson & Johnson—and it is the Latin America Division of Johnson & Johnson that we all know about to teach other Bariatric Surgeons from various locations his techniques and they will be watching him for 3 days to see how he does his VGS surgery. They will watch his VGS surgeries for these 3 days learning his techniques and skills. This is very exciting because Johnson & Johnson are the makers of the quality staples that are used when they do “VGS aka The Sleeve” surgery by many doctors. NOT all doctors use these quality staples. Some are getting the cheaper staples from other countries like China and that is how they can afford to do surgery for less. Some of these staples are low quality. Please make sure they are the approved Staples if you are having surgery with another doctor-—this is part of educating yourself. Dr. Aceves uses the very best staples along with keeping you for 4 days in his state of the art hospital to make sure that everything is going to be OK before you go home--which includes 3 leak tests. Please be careful when picking your doctor. I always say you honestly get what you pay for. This is very exciting news because of all the Doctors that they could have chosen to demonstrate how to do the VGS aka “The Sleeve” he was the one that they asked to teach these Doctors from various locations who are attending this demonstration by Dr. Aceves. This just affirms what I have been saying for the last 4 years about the quality Doctor that Dr. Aceves is and his team of Doctors who assist and help him. For most of us when we think of Johnson & Johnson, we just think of Band-Aids. They make so many more products other than Band-Aids and house hold products. Johnson & Johnson have a Pharmaceutical Division and they are located in different areas of the world. The Latin America Division of Johnson & Johnson picked Dr. Aceves to demonstrate his skills to the Doctors from various locations. Dr. Aceves's was selected because of his reputation and how highly skilled he is along with all his experience Dr. Aceves has. I am so very proud to be able to say that Dr. Aceves was the surgeon who did my "VGS aka Sleeve" weight loss surgery. I feel I had the most highly qualified Doctor there is. :wub: If you are trying to make up your mind as to where to have your WLS, this bit of information might help. I wish you great success in your life changing journey. This surgery will change your entire life, for the better and it is something that will last a lifetime. There are other good Doctors out there. Please educate yourself and be careful. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone out there, What prompted me to write this was a wonderful lady named “Kathy”. She spurred some thoughts that I have going around in my head. First of all a big thank you to Kathy for what she said and the very nice compliment about my writing style and the things I have to say. She said they have helped her go forward to make some appointments to check out having WLS. For most of us we didn’t overeat because we were hungry. We ate for a thousand different reasons, and they were mostly emotional reasons. We have so many issues or problems in our life and have turned to food for comfort. The range is so wide, self-esteem, addictions, to food, drugs, alcohol. Our hearts and souls have deep emotional scares for various reason, we cared more for the food than we cared about ourselves. Food was or is our comfort and it was easy to hide behind being fat. For some they have been sexually or emotionally abused and the food was the one thing that we could control and NO one could stop us. Kathy said something that really stood out in my mind; and that was we were slowing killing ourselves with a “fork”. That is so true. So what will it take to motivate you to love and care for yourself enough to STOP this cycle? We do have a disease also called obesity. If we had any other disease we wouldn’t think twice about having surgery for it, we would do it because a doctor would tell us it will save your life. For some it will take some therapy, to heal enough to turn their life around. What you look like on the outside is usually not who you are on the inside where it really matters. There are so many people who love and care about you. I want you to take your power back and take the steps to move forward past the pain you feel. I never said it was easy, but you are worth all the efforts it will take. You are unique, and special. There is ONLY one of you, and you are here on earth for a purpose, and a reason. Take that giant leap forward and consider having the WLS to change your entire life forever. You have earned the right to be everything you could ever want to be. Shed the fat and let that inter person inside of you out. Look at all the possibilities and pick the right one for you. I will be the first one who will tell you, it will require work and effort on your part. WLS is your tool to use to achieve your healthy weight. Be proud of yourself for doing it. Only you can make this choice to change your life. The first time someone calls you “skinny” you will think are they talking about me? Yes, they are. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. I had Weight Loss Surgery almost 4 years ago and Dr. Aceves in Mexicali was my doctor. I happen to think he is the very best doctor you could ever have for WLS. As a matter of fact Dr. Compos who is his partner has had VGS and so he knows all the things you have to go through to be healthy again. They are a terrific team, and when you have them, you have the BEST. Hugs, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

Hi Everyone, What is holding you back? We all have thought about having weight loss surgery over and over I am sure. I thought about it for 6 months before I actually said the words to anyone. I did so much research and wanted to learn all I could about it. I was a self-pay because my insurance was never going to pay for it. I knew that I had tried many different things over the years. Only to ride the roller coaster of lose it and gain it back over and over. I had a disease and it is called obesity—just like so many of us have. I was not weak, I could follow the diet. What I have learned is that I am NO longer on a diet. I have made a lifestyle change for the rest of my life. I had my head in the right place and I was ready to have Weight Loss Surgery or as some of us refer to it as WLS. I am sure you have been down this same road that I have been down. I am here to tell you that the VGS aka “sleeve” will work for you too. I also thought what if I am the “one” person that this will not work on? I bet you have had all these thoughts too. I am here to tell you it WILL work for you. You can NOT go back to your old style of eating habits—or you will fail. You can eat yummy and good foods. You will eat small amounts of them. You will crave & want healthy foods. Yes, I have small amount of desert now and then, but not every day and when I have some it is a sliver of what I used to eat. Sometimes just the taste of something is all you need to satisfy your need for it. If you have any questions and have been sitting out there and want to know more, ask question please. There are so many of us on these boards who are more than happy to share our experience and answer all you questions. I had sleeve WLS 4 years ago, lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. It does require work on your part and some exercise is very helpful. I walk for exercise, and that is something that does not require a membership. Just a great pair of walking shoes and away you go. At first you really can’t walk that far, but as the weight starts dropping of you, it because much easier. :wub: Honestly WLS is your answer to your disease that we called obesity. I happen to think that Dr. Aceves is the very best Doctor you can find to do your surgery. He is amazing, kind, caring, an excellent surgeon; he will be there for you every step of the way. He has gathered together an incredible staff that is there for you too. Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

Hi, I can only speak from my experience, and what Dr. Aceves wanted me to do. I did not have more than 800 calories per day and watch the carbs--NO more than 20 to 25 carbs per day. Read ALL labels, you might be surprise of the things that have carbs in them--like Milk. I hope that will help, but check with the doctor that did your surgery. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Not everyone that is going to Dr. Aceves are on some of these boards. Some of them, do not have any idea of the different number of boards there are. When I went in 2008 I found a few people who went before me, so I met them when I got there. I also met a lot 4 other people who were in the Van and we all talked on the way to Mexicali and got to know each other. We also all went to dinner the night before the surgery at the Hotel. So do not panic if they are not responding to your post. Make sure you ALL take a group picture the day of the surgery! It is always nice to look back on a year later. Get their e-mail address's and keep in contact with each other. You all have a lot of things in common and it is nice to have each other for support. I am always out here if you have any questions or just want to talk. You are in GREAT hands and are going to do great. I know this is a BIG step to take, but you will never have any regrets. I think Dr. Aceves is the BEST doctor you could have picked. He is going to give you the tools to change your entire life. Hugs, Suzanne

It is on Facebook if you are on Facebook. Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I am glad to see that there are some of us who enjoy walking. I hear what you are saying when you say it is hard to walk on the treadmill at the gym. It bores me to death, and I love walking outside. I have learned to reverse my walking route each day. I walk in my local neighborhood and I have seen some beautiful yards and actually see what the yards and home look like now that I am walking all over the place. Keep up the good work everyone! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, Recently I have heard of a couple of people who have backed out from having Weight Loss Surgery with Dr. Aceves. I think to myself what a shame. For the most part they backed out because their “own” families had been giving them such a bad time about doing this. I consider these family members “Adult Bully’s” they are the worst kind of bully. Your very own family should be there to support and encourage you to make your life better and most of all healthy. You are going to DIE so much faster from being fat. You have an illness or disease and it is called Obesity. If a Doctor told your family that if you did not have your appendix out you were going to die—they would say go ahead and take it out. If you do not have Weight Loss Surgery, you are going to be in poor health and it could result in your death Please think about what I am saying. You are an adult and you DO NOT owe them any explanation of what you are doing. Stand up for yourself and your health and be a hero and save your own life. I know it is hard for you to stand up for you—if you can’t then I will stand up for you. You do not need their permission to have weight loss surgery. You have earned the right to make these kinds of choices for yourself—you are an adult. Most of us have experienced a little of this negative kind of remarks and comments from someone before we have weight loss surgery, but we learned we had to do what is best for us. STOP giving away your power to make good and healthy choice for YOU. This is NOT about them, this is ALL about you. Take back your power and control—YOU can do this. If you need someone to talk to them and educate them, I am more than happy to talk with them. I find that most of the time people who are these “Adult Bully’s” when it comes to weight loss surgery are misinformed, scared, have all the wrong medical information, and just need a little education. Some are also scared they will lose you if you become skinny and they remain fat. They are being selfish and that is really sad. I want you to take back your power and put yourself first. It has been years since you have done this. There are so many of us out here who support you and will be there every step of the way with you. So if you are sitting out there and reading these posts and someone has bullied you, this message is directed to you. They want to keep you under their power and control—that is so wrong!! You NO longer need to fear what they think. I am here to help you in any way I can. You can be very successful and healthy and take back your life. Again this is ALL ABOUT YOU AND NO ONE ELSE. This is my private E-mail—please send me a note and we will start talking. I will call you also if you would like. Suzannesh@AOL.com Together we will get you through this. Hugs, Suzanne Lost 105 pounds

Hi, I loved your comment. That one word says it ALL!!! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Boy you are so right about that. It took me a lot of years to learn that I deserved and had the right to take care of me FIRST! I have earned that right. Now I am very proud of what I have accomplished. You will too! Hug, Suzanne

Hi, I am always happy to be able to give out some information. I am glad you liked it. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I know how difficult it is to have weight loss surgery. We have tried so many diets and failed or lost the weight to only gain it back again and again. I was reading an article a few days ago on ObesityHelp.com and they said over 800 people die every day because of obesity. Come on love yourself enough to know that having WLS is YOUR answer to becoming healthy and making a life style change that is going to save your own life. I am living proof that it works. I highly recommend having the sleeve--I lost 105 pounds. I love my doctor who is Dr. Aceves and he was the best for me. When picking a doctor take your time to check him out ask people 100's of questions about their experience. I have nothing but good things to say about my doctor and his staff and his hospital where I did my recovery. You want the very best you can for yourself. Don't give one more day of your life away being fat and putting yourself at risk to die. You are worth the effort and work it takes to become healthy and thin and be able to stay that way for the rest of your life. I had surgery in 2008 and have maintained my 105 pound weight loss. Don't be one of the 800 people who are going to die today because of obesity. Hugs, and take care of you FIRST! Suzanne

Hi, I agree with you. And there are days when it would be easy to say, I am too tired and I will just skip today. I got caught in the rain walking with my husband on Thrusday. We got pretty wet, but you know what we didn'tmelt and we weren't hurt at all. I learned that I can walk in the rain or wind and I am just fine. Glad you enjoyed it. Hugs, and have a great weekend. Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I can not take credit for what I am posting. I have stepped up my exercise program and I am now walking 4 to 5 miles a day and I am walking 7 days a week. I NEVER walked this many days or this far when I was losting weight. I have been reading a lot of information on line and found this article to be very encouraging. Listed below is the Web Site that I got this information. Hugs, Suzanne ****************************************************************************************** http://www.the-fitne...of-walking.html Improve Your Body and Mind With the Benefits of Walking There are so many benefits of walking. As with any type of exercise, you can expect to experience: * lower blood pressure * increased energy * ability to fall asleep quicker * overall improved stamina In addition, there are more exciting benefits to share with you! Benefits Of Walking As promised, here are the health benefits that have been directly linked to fitness walking. Live Longer. Yes, you read that correctly! A recent article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that how fast you walk is related to your life expectancy. The researchers found that The those who walk about 2.25 miles per hour faster lived longer than those in their same sex and age category who walked slower. Keep in mind this doesn't mean you will live longer if you start walking faster, warns researcher Dr. Stephanie Studenski. Instead, Dr. Studenski advises that you handle any medical issues that may be slowing you down, such as heart conditions or obesity. For more details on this incredible study, visit EmpowerHer. Increase your resting metabolic rate. This helps to burn off extra calories and keep them off permanently. Fitness walking revs up your metabolism and you will burn more calories all the time, whether you are sleeping or watching TV! Because it is considered a low to moderate impact activity, fitness walking is easy on your joints and bones and doesn’t cause injuries as often as high impact sports like running. Prevent or control coronary heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes. There have been many studies that have shown that walking can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and diabetes. Improve your moods and reduce anxiety. A psychology professor at California State University, Long Beach studied individuals over a 20-day period and found that the more they walked, the higher they rated their overall mood, happiness and self-esteem. Other studies have found that exercise can help by reducing the symptoms of major depression. Reduce the risk of memory loss and brain deterioration. In 2001, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found that women in their seventies who walked at least one mile a day were less likely to lose their cognitive abilities than women who walked only a half a mile a week. In 2007, researchers from the University of Illinois found that exercise, such as brisk walking, reversed brain shrinkage and increased brain volume in older adults, ages 60-79. Slows the physical signs of aging. Exercise is vital to keeping your body feeling younger. It can strengthen your bones and improve your circulation. Keeping your body in good physical condition makes you look and feel younger. If you would like more anti-aging tips, please visit Effective Antiaging Tipsfor more in-depth information. Boost Brain Blood Flow. The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas found that women age 60 and older who walked briskly three or four times a week improved blood flow to the brain by 15 percent in just three months. Improved blood flow to the brain increases oxygen, glucose and other nutrients that are important for the brains' health. You can read more about this research and the benefits of walking on the brain at UPI. Believe it or not, fitness walking can also strengthen your wallet and improve the environment! Here you can read more about these amazing benefits of fitness walking. Wow! Are you inspired yet by the array of benefits of walking? Walking can help to improve your life in so many ways. It is easy to see why fitness walking is the perfect exercise! You may begin to experience some of the emotional and health benefits of fitness walking during your very first walk. So, let’s get started!

Hi, All these feelings and emotions are sooooooo very normal. I must have tried to talk myself in and out of having this surgery 50 times those weeks before I had it. I was excited, scared, happy, nervous and not sure I could do it, wanted to have it done right away, questioned if this was right for me, sad, and questioned if this was the right thing, and new it was the right thing! I had all these feelings and emotions all in one day sometimes. So if you have these, it is so very normal to have. I am glad my post helped you in some small way, I am here if you need to just talk and say how you are feeling. Hang in there your are going to love the results. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Yay! you did it and you are right. It was the best choice you have ever made. Just hang in there, as I said this 1st month is the hardest month you will ever have to do. I am always here if you need something, or you are having a hard time. I have been down the road ahead of you and I know what it is like. You are going to love your restriction and there there are times you many question it too, but you really have done the right thing. Hugs, Suzanne

Hey, you are going to love your life changing journey that you are about to take. I want you to know that this is very normal to have all kinds of feelings and emotions about the surgery--so many of us did so do not panic OK. You are going to sail right through this surgery, and when you get home, if you need any help or want to talk, I am just an E-mail away. Hugs, and I am sending you all kinds of good things and thoughts!

HI, I wrote it because I have heard all the reasons and excuses why they are scared to have WLS or don't think it is for them. You can do it and honestly , and I NEVER feel deprived. I can eat small amount of food. Sometimes the urge to eat something is NO more than just a small taste or bite of something--then the craving goes away. It is OK to toss out food, not clean your plate and eat small amounts of things. I want you to be successful and always know I am out here if you want to talk or just need advise or need to talk and ask questions. Hugs, you can DO this. Suzanne

I won’t be able to eat like I used to eat. Hi Everyone, Believe it or not, this is one of the main explanations I hear from people as to why they don’t think they want to have weight loss surgery. Come on, that is how you got FAT and remained FAT—eating all that food. I never feel deprived at all—I promise you. I have a restrictions now of a “VSG aka Sleeve.” I am the first one who will tell you that the 1st month after WLS is the toughest months that you will ever have to do. That is the month that you have to reprogram your head(big job) to do and reprogram your stomach that it is OK to eat small amounts of food. It takes quite a while to learn how to eat small amounts of food without your ridiculous brain trying to convenience you that you should be eating more. Our brains love to play tricks on us. So many of us call this brain thing a “head game.” Because; honestly we DO NOT NEED all the food we used to eat—that is how you got fat eating all that food. It also takes time to learn to eat small tiny bites and to chew, and chew, and chew (about 30 chews) to each bite, until the food almost feels like liquid in our mouth before we swallow it. In my past, I inhaled my food before I had weight loss surgery. Stop and see how many times you chew your food now before you swallow it—I bet 2 or 3 times and you are talking and shoveling more food in all the time you are eating. So, I want you know that it is possible to NOT feel deprived. It is possible to learn to eat healthy and yummy foods and occasional have a small amount of desert too. You need to have your head in the right place and want to have your WLS more than anything you have ever wanted to in your life. It does require work on your part, the fat will NOT just melt off of you without work on your part –making healthy food choices for me I ate about 800 calories per day and felt very satisfied. Also some exercise really does help. I know most of us have really never exercised much—I was one of those—I hated it because it was difficult to do when I was FAT. Find some form of exercise that works for you and that you like and will keep doing it. For me, I LOVE to walk, and I have been walking more than I used to. It doesn’t require a gym fee or fancy clothes. You already know how to walk. Just get a good pair of shoes, socks and away you go. I am now walking 4 miles a day 7 days a week. I don’t want you to give up on yourself. Come on make the pledge to put yourself FIRST and be the thin and healthy person that is screaming inside of you to come out! I am always here if you have any questions or need help or support. I have a favorite doctor and like a lot of you, he helped me change my entire life. It is never too late to make that change. Hugs, and take care of YOU! Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds and have kept it OFF

Hi Everyone, The thing I like about this board is that we all have our favorite doctor who did our "Sleeve" surgery. I know I have mine and I feel he is the best. But, if you asked other's they would say the very same thing. There are a lot of good doctors out there and a few not so good. Take your time educated yourself, ask a lot of questions and look at the doctors names that keep coming up as you ask your questions. I want you to feel safe and get a quality doctor who is very qualified. Ask about where you will be having the surgery and where you will do your recovery? Make sure you know all you can find out. Take the time to educate yourself about WLS. I wish you great success in your weight loss journey. I am always out here to ask any kind of questions that you might have. I had WLS 3 1/2 years ago and lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. :wub: Take care, Suzanne

Hi, Like so many people have said this really is a personal thing. This is ALL about you and I personally would NOT tell my boss. Pick a few close people who you think will be supportive. As time goes on and you feel comfortable then you can share this information with other. I wish you great success. Do NOT be shocked if some of the people you think will be supportive are not. Take care, Suzanne

Hi, I know they do and for me and I can only speak for myself this is not something I would do. I am older than you, and for me I wanted to make sure that I was going to receive after care from the doctors who did my surgery, which I did. They were amazing. Everyone has their standards of care and I knew what I wanted. I do want people to know that NOT all clinic are created equal. Check out infection rates, doctors and make your choice after you have educated yourself.There are some excellent doctors out there and I just want you to find the one that is best for you. I can only speak about what I did and not what others are doing. It is a pretty serious surgery and the local hospital where I live keeps them for 2 days after there surgery. It is NOT a day surgery for this hospital and then they send you home on the 3rd day. I wish all of you great success in your weight loss journey! Hugs, Suzanne

It’s the Rule! Did you ever stop to think about all the rules and restrictions we face every day of our lives? We set rules at home, at work, in the car and even when we eat—well at least we try to set rules when we eat, but for many of us we didn’t and we got fat and can’t seem to lose the weight and keep it off! Your answer is Weight Loss Surgery. Most of the rules are written and obvious! Those are easy rules. The difficult rules are those we use to stifle our creativity and also remain fat and unhealthy. We pretend that we can’t do things we actually can do. Like lose the weight once we want to do it bad enough. There are many reasons why we should have WLS, and just as many excuses for why we can’t or won’t. Who can help you? There are all kinds of us who will support you and cheer you on as you head towards your life changing journey. What strengths can you apply? Make a new rule with yourself that you won’t let the “I can’t’s” stand in the way of your dreams. For the FIRST time in a long time, put YOURSELF FIRST. This has to be all about you and NO one else. You can do this and you will be successful. I have a favorite doctor and I feel he is the best there is out there. Many of the people will tell you that they feel that way about their doctors too. Start asking us all kinds of questions. Check things out before you make the choice of who you are going to have do your WLS. Be safe and ask all kind a questions about the hospital—NEVER a clinic. Where you do your recovery after WLS? This is about your health and the quality of your life for the rest of your life. I had a sleeve 3 ½ years ago and lost 105 pounds and have kept the weight off. I want you to be safe, healthy, and happy and successful. NEVER give up on your dreams. Hugs, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

Hi Everyone, I found this recipe for these Cookies this weekend, when I was reading a magazine. Smart Cookie Heat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat all ingredients in a large bowl until everything is completely mixed together. Drop a teaspoon full of cookie dough about 1 ½ inches apart on the cookie sheet. Bake until the cookies are puffed and starting to lightly brown around the edges. Bake the cookies 8 to 10 minutes. Let them cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 1 Cup Chunky or Creamy Peanut Butter—I used JIF Extra Crunch ¾ cup Splenda Brown Sugar 1 large egg ¾ tsp baking power Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 cookie Amount per Serving Calories 64 Calories from Fat 33.2 % Daily Value * Total Fat 3.69g 5% Saturated Fat 0.71g 3% Cholesterol 5.97mg 1% Sodium 55.69mg 2% Total Carbohydrate 5.56g 1% Dietary Fiber 0.44g 1% Sugars 4.67g Protein 1.94g 3% Est. Percent of Calories from: Fat 46% Carbs 34% Protein 12% I figured out the Nutrition Facts on "Our Daily Plate." Both my husband and I loved them. Now remember ONLY 1 or 2 cookies. They are 64 calories per cookie. Remember we eat SMALL amounts of food. It is always nice to find something like this and to be able to share it with you. You could also find a Peanut Butter that has NO SUGAR and that would cut out some calories too. They do make Peanut Butter that does not have sugar in it. Hugs, and enjoy them Suzanne Lost 105 pounds