Suzannesh

What has changed in my life since I have lost 105 pounds? I was thinking as my husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in September 2011 how much my life has changed in the last 2 ½ years. 5 years ago I would not have considered going on this type of long vacation. If you are thinking about having Weight Loss Surgery, these things don’t even hit your radar screen right now, because I had NO clue that so many things would change in my life after losing weight. 1. I always liked myself; I just hated the body I was stuck in. WOW I had no idea how different I would feel about myself after my weight loss. 2. I know I walked with much more confidence after my weight loss and I look people in the eye. 3. I have no problem standing up for others that I feel are being picked on or bullied, or judged by how they looked—their weight, their clothing, the color of their skin. I hate bullies and adult bullies are 10 times worse. LET’S STOP THEM OK!!!!!!!! 4. I wanted to give back something to my community and let others know that they could do what I hadn’t been able to do with JUST diet and exercise. I needed to have WLS so that I had the tool to achieve my goal. My tool is the restriction I have with “sleeve surgery.” 5. I am retired and went back and started teaching at an Alternative High School. So many of my students were from dysfunctional homes. I know without a doubt I have made a difference in their lives (they certainly have changed mine.) I am giving 2 of them scholarships to college. Maybe more of us can give something back, big or small. It all makes a difference. Your time helping kids really can make a difference. 6. I am willing to try to educate others about what Weight Loss Surgery really is. 7. I am here to support and encourage others on their WLS journey and I thought that would be a short term thing…now I know I will always be willing to help them in the years ahead. Pay it forward; you may change someone’s life by helping them with words and encouragement. 8. Life is very short, none of us know how long we will be here, and the time is NOW to have your weight loss surgery. This has to be ALL about you and NO one else in your life. It is nice if your family supports you but don’t count on it. And don’t let them discourage you. 9. I get up every morning feeling 20 years younger. 10. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain my weight loss. Something I was never able to do before in my life. 11. Eating healthy is really fun. You can cook yummy healthy food that tastes great. 12. Exercise is something that I have always hated, now I want to exercise it actually feels good. 13. I have become a much better cook than I ever was before. The standard things that I am enjoying and they are all the things that you are thinking about if you are about to have WLS or have already had it: 1. Feeling and looking better. 2. Better health and I got off a lot of medications that you I taking. 3. New clothes, shoes, and shopping in places that I never could shop at before 4. Being comfortable and being able to move without my entire body hurting. 5. Wondering if you are the “one” person that WLS will not work on? I promise you it will work for you. 6. Having people notice that I have lost a ton of weight and being able to tell them how I did it. 7. Having someone call me SKINNY—what a GRAND feeling that was. 8. Going on vacations and walking every place I wanted to without having to stop and rest. 9. Giving away all my “fat people” clothes to a shelter where I know they will be need and use. 10. Getting hugs!:kiss: Please consider how YOUR life can or will change if you have WLS. When I was considering this, I want the best doctor I could find who had done numerous “Sleeves” surgeries with great success and after all my research I knew it was Dr. Aceves. If you are going to do this WHY not have the best there is?:messenger: Suzanne Sleeved by Dr. Aceves Oct 21, 2011 Starting Weight 225 lbs, Goal Weight 125 lbs Weight now 120 lbs

What has changed in my life since I have lost 105 pounds? I was thinking as my husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in September 2011 how much my life has changed in the last 2 ½ years. 5 years ago I would not have considered going on this type of long vacation. If you are thinking about having Weight Loss Surgery, these things don’t even hit your radar screen right now, because I had NO clue that so many things would change in my life after losing weight. 1. I always liked myself; I just hated the body I was stuck in. WOW I had no idea how different I would feel about myself after my weight loss. 2. I know I walked with much more confidence after my weight loss and I look people in the eye. 3. I have no problem standing up for others that I feel are being picked on or bullied, or judged by how they looked—their weight, their clothing, the color of their skin. I hate bullies and adult bullies are 10 times worse. LET’S STOP THEM OK!!!!!!!! 4. I wanted to give back something to my community and let others know that they could do what I hadn’t been able to do with JUST diet and exercise. I needed to have WLS so that I had the tool to achieve my goal. My tool is the restriction I have with “sleeve surgery.” 5. I am retired and went back and started teaching at an Alternative High School. So many of my students were from dysfunctional homes. I know without a doubt I have made a difference in their lives (they certainly have changed mine.) I am giving 2 of them scholarships to college. Maybe more of us can give something back, big or small. It all makes a difference. Your time helping kids really can make a difference. 6. I am willing to try to educate others about what Weight Loss Surgery really is. 7. I am here to support and encourage others on their WLS journey and I thought that would be a short term thing…now I know I will always be willing to help them in the years ahead. Pay it forward; you may change someone’s life by helping them with words and encouragement. 8. Life is very short, none of us know how long we will be here, and the time is NOW to have your weight loss surgery. This has to be ALL about you and NO one else in your life. It is nice if your family supports you but don’t count on it. And don’t let them discourage you. 9. I get up every morning feeling 20 years younger. 10. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain my weight loss. Something I was never able to do before in my life. 11. Eating healthy is really fun. You can cook yummy healthy food that tastes great. 12. Exercise is something that I have always hated, now I want to exercise it actually feels good. 13. I have become a much better cook than I ever was before. The standard things that I am enjoying and they are all the things that you are thinking about if you are about to have WLS or have already had it: 1. Feeling and looking better. 2. Better health and I got off a lot of medications that you I taking. 3. New clothes, shoes, and shopping in places that I never could shop at before 4. Being comfortable and being able to move without my entire body hurting. 5. Wondering if you are the “one” person that WLS will not work on? I promise you it will work for you. 6. Having people notice that I have lost a ton of weight and being able to tell them how I did it. 7. Having someone call me SKINNY—what a GRAND feeling that was. 8. Going on vacations and walking every place I wanted to without having to stop and rest. 9. Giving away all my “fat people” clothes to a shelter where I know they will be need and use. 10. Getting hugs!:happy: Please consider how YOUR life can or will change if you have WLS. When I was considering this, I want the best doctor I could find who had done numerous “Sleeves” surgeries with great success and after all my research I knew it was Dr. Aceves. If you are going to do this WHY not have the best there is? Suzanne Sleeved by Dr. Aceves Oct 21, 2011 Starting Weight 225 lbs, Goal Weight 125 lbs Weight now 120 lbs

What has changed in my life since I have lost 105 pounds? I was thinking as my husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in September 2011 how much my life has changed in the last 2 ½ years. 5 years ago I would not have considered going on this type of long vacation. If you are thinking about having Weight Loss Surgery, these things don’t even hit your radar screen right now, because I had NO clue that so many things would change in my life after losing weight. 1. I always liked myself; I just hated the body I was stuck in. WOW I had no idea how different I would feel about myself after my weight loss. 2. I know I walked with much more confidence after my weight loss and I look people in the eye. 3. I have no problem standing up for others that I feel are being picked on or bullied, or judged by how they looked—their weight, their clothing, the color of their skin. I hate bullies and adult bullies are 10 times worse. LET’S STOP THEM OK!!!!!!!! 4. I wanted to give back something to my community and let others know that they could do what I hadn’t been able to do with JUST diet and exercise. I needed to have WLS so that I had the tool to achieve my goal. My tool is the restriction I have with “sleeve surgery.” 5. I am retired and went back and started teaching at an Alternative High School. So many of my students were from dysfunctional homes. I know without a doubt I have made a difference in their lives (they certainly have changed mine.) I am giving 2 of them scholarships to college. Maybe more of us can give something back, big or small. It all makes a difference. Your time helping kids really can make a difference. 6. I am willing to try to educate others about what Weight Loss Surgery really is. 7. I am here to support and encourage others on their WLS journey and I thought that would be a short term thing…now I know I will always be willing to help them in the years ahead. Pay it forward; you may change someone’s life by helping them with words and encouragement. 8. Life is very short, none of us know how long we will be here, and the time is NOW to have your weight loss surgery. This has to be ALL about you and NO one else in your life. It is nice if your family supports you but don’t count on it. And don’t let them discourage you. 9. I get up every morning feeling 20 years younger. 10. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain my weight loss. Something I was never able to do before in my life. 11. Eating healthy is really fun. You can cook yummy healthy food that tastes great. 12. Exercise is something that I have always hated, now I want to exercise it actually feels good. 13. I have become a much better cook than I ever was before. The standard things that I am enjoying and they are all the things that you are thinking about if you are about to have WLS or have already had it: 1. Feeling and looking better. 2. Better health and I got off a lot of medications that you I taking. 3. New clothes, shoes, and shopping in places that I never could shop at before 4. Being comfortable and being able to move without my entire body hurting. 5. Wondering if you are the “one” person that WLS will not work on? I promise you it will work for you. 6. Having people notice that I have lost a ton of weight and being able to tell them how I did it. 7. Having someone call me SKINNY—what a GRAND feeling that was. 8. Going on vacations and walking every place I wanted to without having to stop and rest. 9. Giving away all my “fat people” clothes to a shelter where I know they will be need and use. 10. Getting hugs!:kiss: Please consider how YOUR life can or will change if you have WLS. When I was considering this, I want the best doctor I could find who had done numerous “Sleeves” surgeries with great success and after all my research I knew it was Dr. Aceves. If you are going to do this WHY not have the best there is? Suzanne Sleeved by Dr. Aceves Oct 21, 2011 Starting Weight 225 lbs, Goal Weight 125 lbs Weight now 120 lbs

Hi Kelly, Once you have the surgery and you start seeing how fast the weight is coming off that will motivate you a lot. You have to make the effort to make a life style changes, which means you will be eating and making healthy food choices--get rid of all the junk food. I eat very little red meat, and I was a red meat lover. I eat a lot of chicken and fish and turkey. It is just easier to chew. You have to chew and chew and chew your food the first few months--until it is almost like a liquid in your mouth before you swallow--I used to get tired of chewing and just push my plate away. Take tiny bites. You have a restriction and big bite and inhaling food like you used to will no longer work--you feel full so much faster now--learn to listen to that feeling. The one thing I know is that a milk chocolate diet or eating a lot of junk foods is something I am never going to do--it doesn't even sound good. I never feel deprived because just having a small taste of something is much better now--I can have 1 small cookie and not the entire bag of cookies--LOL. I eat small amounts of food and I think for the first time in my life my head and stomach are working together to make good choices. I also walk for exercise. If you have any questions along the way or you just want to talk, I am here for you. I got a lot of great support along my journey and it was very helpful. Hugs, Suzanne. You will be very successful, I know without a doubt. :rolleyes:

Hi Everyone, I just want to wish all of you a Happy Easter.:girl_hug: For so many of us, we are so thankful for all the great things we have in our life since we have become healthy and happy and have lost all our weight, or we are on our way of losing the weight.:heart: Each day for me is a day that I am so thrilled that I had "sleeve" surgery. We all had our reasons why we wanted to lose weight.:lightbulb: When I first started I was thinking after having sleeve surgery I thought "what if I am the one person this will not work on"?:first: I had so many failures at weight loss in my past. Now I know this is the "one" thing that will work for me forever. :happy: Enjoy Easter in a way that will make you happy. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Oh I loved it when you called the surgeon a "nutball" you are so right. I was really lucky because my primary care doctor was on board with me--I told her before I left what I was doing and she was all for it. She knew that I was having the surgery and she said she would do all my after care when I returned home. So she did and all I really needed was some blood panels run. See if your primary care doctor will do the same for you--you really don't need to see anyone other than your primary care doctor. Not that I wouldn't have liked to have seen Dr. Aceves, because he is everything that anyone ever says about him. I had the opportunity to go back about 6 months after I had surgery so he and I had some nice talks while I was there with my friend. I took a close friend down for the same surgery that I had and so it was really nice being a visitor and not the patient. I wish you great success and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me any time. Hugs,

Hi, I loved your comments--and we are not sissies at all. We are bright, intellighent, beautiful inside and out and we have NO fears. Congratulations to you and I wish you great success. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, You will have very little pain and it will be controled by pain meds. Yes you will be able to swallow--you won't have the problems that you had with the lapband. This will be like having a normal stomach and you will not have any of the problems or issues that you have had. I am sorry that you had to go through all these things. I have never had a lapband, but all the things I read about them, I knew that wasn't for me. You will need to learn to chew you food up really well the first month and that is about it. I have no idea if you will have acid reflux, not everyone has it, but it is a simple fix and I found that Prilosec was the medication that worked best for me. I didn't have good luck with Nexium and a lot of people don't. If you have any more questions just ask me. I will be here to help in any way I can. Oh yes please tell Dr. Aceves that we talked and tell him I said Hi. He is fabulous! Suzanne

Hi, No, we just keep getting better as time goes on. It has been 2 1/12 years for me and I feel so GREAT each day. I am healthy, happy, not on all the medication I used to take. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain this weight loss and it is so easy to do. It did take making a life style change in how I ate. I evercise more now because it is easy and I feel good. NEVER give up on weight loss. This is the way to go. If you have any questions feel free to ask away. I am like an open book when it comes to WLS and Dr. Aceves--he is the best, Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Are you lurking out there reading all these posting by everyone trying to absorb as much information as you can about weight loss surgery. I used to be one of you too. I knew I need and wanted to do something about being fat. I had struggled for 25 or more years trying all the kinds of diets there were—yep you too—I knew it. I had my greatest success with Weight Watchers, and to this day I feel for so many people it is the healthiest way to lose weight. I saw over the year too many people including some of the Weight Watchers group leaders gain the weight back—and me too. I became interested more and more in Weight Loss Surgery the more I lurked around on these boards seeing what people had said. I even thought to myself are these people really real or is someone paying them to write all these stories about their success. I really was fortunate enough to have a very close friends who went to Mexicali, Mexico and had Dr. Aceves do her weight loss surgery. She was an RN and I worked with her, so I knew what integrity she had as a nurse and trusted her judgment. I wasn’t sure this was what I wanted to do yet. So after watching her drop the pounds and become more healthy each day, I started asking her a million different questions. She was great and pointed me in the right direction of making me do some research and see what I came up with and what kind of Weight Loss Surgery did I want for myself? I must have spent 6 months reading everything I could find about weight loss surgery. I knew that I wanted to have the sleeve surgery and I knew without a doubt that Dr. Aceves in Mexicali was the ONLY doctor that I was willing to put my trust in. I also called and talked to the people who worked for him and asked them all kinds of questions. I bet they started referring to me as the “Queen of Questions.” Not really they really are pleased to answer all your questions this is a life changing event that you are about to do. I talked with my husband about doing this and he was so very supportive. He answer to me was “I know you well enough to do that you have done all kinds of reading and research.” He said if this is want you want go for it. Not everyone was supportive of this and I know it was because they really had NO idea of what kind of surgery I wanted to have. I was also 63 when I made this choice. What I want to say for you “newbies, or those lurking out there with just the thought of having weight loss surgery.” It is OK to do just want you are doing. But, don’t wait forever to do something about it. Every day that you live your life unhealthy, fat, uncomfortable in your own body, is a day that you are giving away. STOP giving any more days of your life away. It is time to take control of your life instead of food controlling you. Take back your power, be the person that I know you can become. I know that if you are a “self pay” that is a lot of money to pay to have surgery. It will be the best money that you could ever spend. You are adding years back on your life. You will spend less on food, health care, medications and so many other things. If at 63 I could do this, I know that you can do this too and be very successful. I am very prejudice about Dr. Aveves. He is the best there is when it comes to this kind of surgery, and don’t you want the best you can have when it comes to your health and the rest of your life? I know I sure did. I went alone, I wasn’t scared to go to Mexicali, you are picked up at the airport in San Diego and driven by a very nice man in a van along with a lot of others who are about to change their lives just like you are going to do. They take excellent care of you in full blown hospital with everything that you would ever need. I am here to answer any questions that you may have about having this surgery and Dr. Aceves and his team of talented staff. The care you receive it top rated and better than anything you will ever have in the US. If you are waiting for your insurance to pay for it, they drag it out for 2 years or more and so many of them then tell you NO. So don’t give away another day of your life. Do something for the first time in your life and that is put yourself first! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Are you lurking out there reading all these posting by everyone trying to absorb as much information as you can about weight loss surgery. I used to be one of you too. I knew I need and wanted to do something about being fat. I had struggled for 25 or more years trying all the kinds of diets there were—yep you too—I knew it. I had my greatest success with Weight Watchers, and to this day I feel for so many people it is the healthiest way to lose weight. I saw over the year too many people including some of the Weight Watchers group leaders gain the weight back—and me too. I became interested more and more in Weight Loss Surgery the more I lurked around on these boards seeing what people had said. I even thought to myself are these people really real or is someone paying them to write all these stories about their success. I really was fortunate enough to have a very close friends who went to Mexicali, Mexico and had Dr. Aceves do her weight loss surgery. She was an RN and I worked with her, so I knew what integrity she had as a nurse and trusted her judgment. I wasn’t sure this was what I wanted to do yet. So after watching her drop the pounds and become more healthy each day, I started asking her a million different questions. She was great and pointed me in the right direction of making me do some research and see what I came up with and what kind of Weight Loss Surgery did I want for myself? I must have spent 6 months reading everything I could find about weight loss surgery. I knew that I wanted to have the sleeve surgery and I knew without a doubt that Dr. Aceves in Mexicali was the ONLY doctor that I was willing to put my trust in. I also called and talked to the people who worked for him and asked them all kinds of questions. I bet they started referring to me as the “Queen of Questions.” Not really they really are pleased to answer all your questions this is a life changing event that you are about to do. I talked with my husband about doing this and he was so very supportive. He answer to me was “I know you well enough to do that you have done all kinds of reading and research.” He said if this is want you want go for it. Not everyone was supportive of this and I know it was because they really had NO idea of what kind of surgery I wanted to have. I was also 63 when I made this choice. What I want to say for you “newbies, or those lurking out there with just the thought of having weight loss surgery.” It is OK to do just want you are doing. But, don’t wait forever to do something about it. Every day that you live your life unhealthy, fat, uncomfortable in your own body, is a day that you are giving away. STOP giving any more days of your life away. It is time to take control of your life instead of food controlling you. Take back your power, be the person that I know you can become. I know that if you are a “self pay” that is a lot of money to pay to have surgery. It will be the best money that you could ever spend. You are adding years back on your life. You will spend less on food, health care, medications and so many other things. If at 63 I could do this, I know that you can do this too and be very successful. I am very prejudice about Dr. Aveves. He is the best there is when it comes to this kind of surgery, and don’t you want the best you can have when it comes to your health and the rest of your life? I know I sure did. I went alone, I wasn’t scared to go to Mexicali, you are picked up at the airport in San Diego and driven by a very nice man in a van along with a lot of others who are about to change their lives just like you are going to do. They take excellent care of you in full blown hospital with everything that you would ever need. I am here to answer any questions that you may have about having this surgery and Dr. Aceves and his team of talented staff. The care you receive it top rated and better than anything you will ever have in the US. If you are waiting for your insurance to pay for it, they drag it out for 2 years or more and so many of them then tell you NO. So don’t give away another day of your life. Do something for the first time in your life and that is put yourself first! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Oh you are sooooo right about this. The last part of my life is some much better than the middle of my life was. I fell in love with a wonderful man, we lived together for 5 year (he loved me when I was fat) and he loves me just as much or more now. We got married a year ago. I am retired and I love life. I want others to know that this is possible for them too! If you want something bad enough you should NEVER give up until you get it. Hugs. :P

Hi, Yes, I have acid reflux and I consider it a great trade off to being fat. I take Prilosec every morning and it is resolved that easy. Here is what I have to say about sitting on the fence. I hear what you are saying. However ever day you don't do something about being overweight is a day that you are giving away of your like. It is time to take control of the weight instead of the weight controlling you. I could never keep it off either. Then I hated myself because I couldn't keep it off and I was always blaming myself for being a failure. You are young and beautiful. Why are you willing to give days of your life away????? It does require a lifestyle change. That is pretty simple once you get going because you are going to love the way the fat comes off--it is pretty easy at first and it really motivates you. I know I will ALWAYS keep the weight off because of the lifestyle changes I have made. I am never deprived of foods--I just eat small amounts of them. It is more about being able to have it and the taste of it vs the amount you eat. Do it now, there is really nothing to fear. I know that is easy for me to say now, but I promise you it is true. You aren't the only person who has had these feeling & fears --trust me everyone of us have been down your road. I am here for you and I am always happy to answer your questions. Ask away. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, It sounds like you are doing a pretty good thing, just by being able to admit that you have baggage. If you continue to do what you are doing right now that is all you will ever have. It is time to let go of some things. You CAN NOT change the past, but you do have the opportunity to change your future. Don't give your power away to being fat. Claim your power back. If you don't name it you can't claim it. So already knowing that you have issues that relate to your eating are really helpful. The great thing about the sleeves is that you have surgery on your stomach, but it tends to make your brain let go of the past and the stomach and head seem to work well together. Don't get me wrong your "old thinking brain" sometimes tries to tell you that you are starving and not getting enough to eat. That is when you have to kick in and think--gosh my stomach feels full--do I need to eat or do I JUST WANT to eat. The sleeve gives you a restriction (your new tool for success) that gives you a good restriction that will NOT allow you to over eat. I highly suggest that you get rid of any foods that will temp you. If they are not in your house you mostly likely will not eat them. I threw out a lot of junk food before I had this surgery. Some times writing your feelings down in a journal really help. We want someone to hear our feelings and some times the person we want to direct this at are not around, so that is the next best thing. When I was getting a divorce after 22 years of marriage the journal really helped me a lot. I am here if you need someone to vent to or just talk. You are going to be very successful. Hugs to you. Suzanne

You know for so many years I was always in search of that miracle weight loss cure--you know the magic pill, to just melt the fat off of me. And of course I wanted to be able to eat anything I loved and as much as I want and have the fat just melt off of me-I sure wasn't thinking straight . I wonder how many of you have had those same thoughts, I bet a whole lot of you . Well, in Oct 2008 I found part of what I was looking for. An excellent Doctor names Dr. Aceves from Mexicali Mexico--I know what you are thinking Mexico. He is a very skilled surgeon, who was honest and treated me with such great respect. He said he could help me with WLS by giving me a sleeve, BUT this was NOT any miracle cure--Tee Hee, I told you he was honest. He said it would take a lot of work and effort on my part to make this happen for me and for me to become successful I had to have my head in the right place. I had to eat healthy and exercise would also help me lose faster--he was so right. It is awful that it took me to be 63 years old to finally get my head in the right place. I want some of you younger people to PLEASE learn from my experience and if you are sitting out there on the fence trying to make up your mind about weight loss surgery, this is the time to do it NOW! I was very successful and have lost 105 pounds and have been sleeved for 2 1/2 years now and kept it off. I never feel deprived when it comes to eating, I am NOT on a diet. I have a lifestyle change and WOW if feels good. If you are struggling with your feeling and emotions, and weight I am telling you that Dr. Aceves and his staff are the people to help you through this. I wouldn't think twice about picking up the phone and just talk with he staff. It doesn't cost you any to get the information from them about WLS--I suggest the sleeve and NOT a lapband. Nina his patient coordinator is great to work with--give her a call. I am also here to answer any question you don't want to ask--there are NO wrong questions only the ones you don't ask. It is time for you to put yourself first for the first time in many years and become healthy. You will benefit so much by this. I feel like have have added 20 years on to my life. I feel physically and mentally healthy. How about you, isn't it about time you felt this way too???? I want you to have the best you can in life and the time is now. Hugs, to you. Suzanne

Hi, I always get excited when I hear that someone else is going to be sleeved. This is the tool that so many of us have looked for our entire life or the life when we were fat. It isn't a miracle cure, but it sure gets things going. I am here for you if you have any questions after being sleeved. Remember the 1st month is the hardest to do. Right now you are excited, you will have all kinds of emotional feels when you get home, just contact me and I will help you in any way I can. Hugs, :lol: :rolleyes:

I am so happy that everything was a wonderful as I posted it was. I am sorry you missed Ernesto, he is a nice man and makes the ride very enjoyable. I hope that you are doing well., Remember I am here if you have any questions or you are having a difficult time. I will remind you again this 1st month will be the hardest month that you will ever have to do. You can do this it is only 20 some days left to do it. After the first month life gets a lot easier and you will adventure out and eat some different and healthy foods. Don't forget your Protein. The first month it really is difficult to get in all the Water they want you to drink and the protein. I was always just sipping on something then I was up and awake. Take care and congratulations on your new life change adventure you are about to embark on. Suzanne

Hi Ashley, I am excited for you. This is going to be a life changing event in your life. You will never have one regret. You are right you can not educate everyone, but if people see you are dropping the pounds, they will ask you "how" are you doing this. This is your opportunity to start educating them. Some will listen, some will be turned off by your choice. But, those who are turned off at first sometimes come around. The will do what I call the Yo Yo--lose the weight regain the weight. After a little while they will start asking you AGAIN how did you lose the weight? So it take patients to educate our family and friends. But, I feel it is my opportunity to always be willing to tell people what I have done. You are going to be really healthy. Congratulations to your for taking control over your weight and not letting it control you. Hugs, :rolleyes:

Hi, I had weight loss surgery when I was 63 and I am now 65 . I have been sleeved of 2 1/2 years. I lost 105 pounds on my journey. So I do know a little about what I am going to say. I have done what you want to do or have already done. So I have been thinking about this. WHY do so many of our friends not say Yay! or I am happy for you? :angry: 1. They know NOTHING about weight loss surgery let alone when we say we are have the "sleeve" done? 2. They have not heard of any positive things about WLS. 3. They are scared for us because we are having some kind of surgery they no nothing about. 4. They think we are having gastric bypass (we know it isn't but they don't) and they have heard nothing but bad thing when it comes to this surgery. Dumping, malnutrition, people gaining weight back again, because they have stretched out their pouch. 5. The are sure we are going to die during the surgery.:thumbs_down: 6. They have never had a weight problem in their life.:censored: 7. They view this as the easy way out--it take more courage to have this surgery than to do nothing at all, but they beleive it is the easy way out. 8. How will you stop losing weight. 9. Is this healthy--they are sure it isn't.:hurt: 10. It cost too much money and you will never keep the weight off and WHY if you are over 60 would you want to do this to yourself? So those are the top ten reason I can think of that the people are thinking all these things. I think if we are willing to talk more about it to them "AFTER" we have had the surgery and explain things to them--I say educate the uneducated friends that we have, they may be more willing to listen. There are so many people that just can't image that we would have surgery to lose weight, so they really have to see with their own eyes that you are OK and healthy and this is working for you. I know you want their support, but honestly sometimes it is just not going to happen. This isn't something that we just woke up one morning and said hey I think I will have someone remove 80% of my stomach and then I will solve all my weight issues. We thought about this for a long time, we did some research, we checked with other people and joined web sites to educated ourselves. So, don't let the uneducated people in your life stop you from doing what you know is right for you. If you had a tooth ache you would go see a dentist to get it fixed--and they would think that is the right thing to do. We have an addiction to food and an emotional connection to food. What is wrong with going and getting the help we need to stop our addiction. This is our tool that we are going to use to accomplish the weight loss with. It isn't a magical cure by any means. It takes time, work and effort on our part to become successful. A little support along the way also helps a heap! Finding the right doctor to trust our life with and one who is highly skilled in the field of WLS is the next step. For me that was Dr. Aceves, and I can't say enough kind words about him and his skills and he GREAT staff and wonderful hospital. I knew at 63 if I was going to take this giant step, it had to be with someone that I trusted and that had done a lot of these with no complications and was a skilled surgeon. So when the next person you talk to rolls their eyes around because you are over 60 and going to have weight loss surgery, please just have some patients with them. The are very UNEDUCATED. We will work at educating them and letting them know that this really isn't about them at all. It is ALL about you and you have earned and deserved the right to have this surgery. You will be making a lifestyle change and not be on a diet any more. You are going to put yourself first, for the first time in a long time. I want you to feel good about what you are doing because it is going to be a life changing event that is going to be so fabulous. Someone is going to call your "skinny" for the first time and you are going to smile and say "yes" I did it. I am here every step of the way to assist, you and help you. I will answer your million questions you may have and help you deal with the emotions that you are feeling. I want you to know that you are doing the right thing by wanting to become healthy and add years to your life. Hugs to you and you go for what you want in life. If not now then WHEN???? Suzanne

Hi I I have always been posting on Dr. Aceves Yahoo site, but thought I could help others by posting here. I have a little experience with the sleeve and would like to be able answering others questions. You know pay it forward, because I had such great help and support from so many others. I hope you are doing well with your sleeve. I was at Costco today--went to get my Premier Protein--I still drink it every morning. Stay in touch.

Thanks, so much. I just don't want people to give up on life. There is always a way to find your way. I had failed at so many other diets, that I wasn't sure if I wouldn't be "the one that the sleeve wouldn't work on." Boy, I wonder how many of us have said this. We also let our families and friends keep us fat, it is a comfortable world around them and they accept us. It takes more courage to have the WLS than to just stay fat. I hope that if there is someone sitting out there on the fence and they aren't sure what to do that they will see they too can be successful no matter what your age is. It is always about having good health. Hugs :D

I am always glad when what I say helps just one person. That was exactly what I wanted. I wanted to let you know that you are going to have all kinds of feelings and emotions about going ahead with this surgery. This was the best and nicest thing I have ever done for myself. I want you to understand that this had NOTHING to do with anyone in your life. For the first time in your life is should be ALL about you. You have earned and deserve to have what is going to make you healthy and happy and SKINNY! I just love that word. The first time someone called me skinny I looked around and thought are they really talking to me? Yes they were, what a nice feeling. And you will be able to maintain it too because you will make lifestyle changes. You will no longer be on a diet, but you will make the lifestyle changes of eating small amounts of good and 95% of the time they will be healthy. Every now and then you can have something if you want it. I always wanted a cheeseburger :D , and found out that just about 1/4 one was just what I needed, so that is how I eat something, I get what I want just not the whole thing. I share a lot of food with my husband and he has lost weight too. Hang in there and know that I am here for anything you may need or want to talk about. Take care

I can't begin to tell you what a fabulous choice you have made. You will the the best care you could ever find. This is going to be a life changing event for you--all good. I was so scared and heard a lot of things about going to Mexico for surgery--they were all wrong trust me. Then I did my research, and found out Dr. Aceves was listed in the top 5 doctors around the world who did this surgery. He is not only a skilled surgeon, but the most caring, kind, thoughtful and a great sense of humor I have ever encountered. When you see him make sure you tell him that Suzanne said to say Hi. We have become good friends. I am always excited when I know someone is going to him, because I know what a great experience you are going to have. I am here every step of the way with you to answer your question, help you deal with any emotional up's and downs you may have. You will second guess yourself and ask yourself if you are doing the right thing, you will be excited and scared all in the same breath. You will think I am the one person this is not going to work on--that is so wrong. This is the last thing you will ever have to do. It is your tool to allow you to achieve your goal of getting that awful fat off you and becoming healthy and happy and really liking who your are. So hang in there keep me posted OK. Hugs

Hi Everyone, You are NEVER too old to have WLS. I had it when I was 63 and I am now 65. It has changed my entire life. I lost 105 pounds in 14 months. I feel like have have added 20 years on to my life. My poor old body no longer hurts and aches--my back feels great, I no longer have a pain in my leg, and I can do anything I want in life. You have earned the right to do what you want in life when you get to be this age. You took care of everyone else for years, not it is time you put yourself first and took care of you. I remember when I was thinking about having sleeve surgery, I sat back and read all these posts, until I felt comfortable enough to join in and ask my million questions. I had such great support and wonderful people who helped me along my weight loss journey. I always promised I would pay it forward. So I am here 2 1/2 years after my "sleeve" surgery. I had the most amazing experience. I am now 65 years old and thought that maybe I was too old to do this. Boy, was I wrong. I picked Dr. Aceves to do my surgery. That was the best choice I could have ever made. I happend to work with a good friend who had Dr. Aceves for her doctor and had WLS with him. She made me do lots of research and take some time to make up my mind. It took me 6 months to make this choice. What an amazing journey I have had. I started out at 225 pounds and lost a total of 105 pounds. I now weight 120 lbs and have maintained that weight loss. I now know I will always be able to maintain it. I am never on a diet, but made a life style change that will last forever. My goal is to help and support people who are just not qutie sure if they want this surgery, or if they have questions and are scared to ask anyone. I am here to listen to you, talk about your fears and help and support you in any way I can help you. You deserve to have it ALL, and there really is a way. If diet and exercise were all it took, and it worked then some of us would not need to have WLS. Most of us have lost it and gained it back many time in our lives. I believe it took more strength to have this surgery than anything I had ever done. But, I knew it had to be ALL about me and NO one else. I had earned the right to do this for myself. Life is wonderful, and I have NO regrets what so ever. My husband fell in love with me when I was fat and so now he loves me just as much when I am healthy and thin. He has even lost weight because of how we both eat--healthy. I have had great support from him all the way though my weight loss journey. So if you are just sitting there and reading this and not sure what you want to do talk to me. I will be honest and tell you the good and the bad side of all this. It takes work on your part and effort. This is NO mircle cure and you have to have your head in the right place and want this more than you want anything else in life. This is your tool to get to the goal you want. It takes making good food choices, and some exercise on your part too. I used to be the person who "hated" exercise....now I honestly look forward to it 5 or 6 days a week. My choice of exercise is pretty easy, I walk. So please feel free to ask questions, say what you are thinking. There isn't anything that we can't talk about. Take care, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Dr. Aceves :D

Hi Jeri, Well, thanks we all lose weight in different rates. You will get there, NEVER give up on it. One day at a time. I am proud of you too. Life is great and I enjoy each and everyday. Hugs,