lulublu

I felt the same way, and I went to Mexico which was even more scary for me. My husband wasn't supportive at first and kept telling me that I have 3 kids... what would happen if there were complications? He kept telling me that I just needed to exercise more and go on a diet. I had tried that for years and the best I could get down to was in the range of overweight instead of obese. I just didn't want to spend the rest of my life being unhappy with my weight. I decided to go for the surgery and told him that I loved him, but he wasn't going to stop me. He ended up going with me for the surgery and has been very supportive ever since. I know, now, that he was just scared and didn't know how to handle his emotions. I was scared, too, but I knew that I had to do it. As many others have said on this site, having the sleeve has been the BEST thing I have ever done for myself!! It will be great for you, too. In fact, I find myself wanting every over weight person I know to go down to Mexico and have this procedure. I feel great, I want to play with my kids because I have so much more energy, my sex life is much more fulfilling, I'm much happier and my kids and husband are happier, too. It's been great for all of us. I had some comorbidities, and they are much better controlled as well. This is something that will change your life for the better... don't let guilt or worry get in the way.

Oh, yeah... same with the bra sizes... I started at a 38DDD and now im a 34DD. I've probably wasted about $300 on bras because I assumed I would never get smaller than my smallest bra size (36DD) before I gained weight. My boobs are much saggier now than before, so my bra size is different. I would suggest trying to wear sports bras or something that you can move down in size in without much trouble.

I started out at a very tight size 18 and now I'm into a size 10, but it's pretty loose (almost 9 months out). I was dead set about not buying any clothes until I really needed them, and I was disappointed at first because I didn't need a smaller size for about 2 months. I had some size 16 and 14 at home and moved into those between 2 1/2 to 5 months out. I bought my first size 12 at about 6 months out and then the weight loss really slowed down, so I bought a bunch of stuff in size 12 from 6-8 months out. Now I've dropped from a 12 to a 10 and will probably be in a size 8 in the next month or so. I'm not upset that I'm still losing (not at all!!!), but I've wasted a bunch of money on clothes that don't fit anymore! My advice is to buy second hand clothes, really cheap stuff on sale, or ask friends for old stuff. If not, it sure is fun to buy small sizes, but just understand that the weight will keep coming off... even if you're not really trying anymore!

It feels horrible, especially with a new sleeve. It made me feel like I was going to throw up, but couldn't. Now at around 9 months out, I take a small (very, very small) sip now and then while I'm eating and it's not too bad, but still uncomfortable. It's best to follow the rules on this one:)

@Lisa's hope, Having the sleeve has changed my life dramatically and so many others... it is scary, but hang in because you will be so happy! I went home after surgery and thought to myself "OMG what did I do!??" It is so incredibly hard the first month out (I was on Clear liquids for a month, and I know that not everyone is told to do that, but I was and was too scared not to follow the docs orders). You will feel crappy and want nothing more than to eat anything. I missed chewing so much I thought I would die! The thing is, it is only a month or two until you can start eating again and then it's all good from there. I am 9 months out and am 5 lbs from goal. I haven't restriced my eating at all and couldn't be happier with my decision to have the surgery. I feel great, look great and haven't been this weight since around high school. I feel so much more energetic and actually want to go out and play with my kids... I'm also actually excited for the pool to open this summer! Good luck to you and if you start to feel down after the surgery, just remember that it's going to get way better!

I was on a liquid diet for the first 4 weeks and it was definately the hardest part of the whole procedure. Just hang in... it does get better... sooooo much better! I couldn't eat "real" food that you have to chew until 2 months post op, but just getting into the mushies was way better than liquids. Since 2 months out, I have gradually moved to eating anything I want. I suppose my weight loss has been a bit slower than some (down 80 lbs in 9 months), but other than the first few months I haven't restricted my diet at all. As others have said, if you eat a few bites of pizza at around 2-3 months out, you can probably do it, but it won't necessarily feel good. I have eaten brownies, but they aren't one of my favorite foods so I don't do it very often and can only get a few bites in before I don't want anymore. I love pizza, on the other hand, and have a slice once a week. I have just been able to eat a whole (small, thin crust) slice for the last month... before then I was only able to eat maybe half a small slice. Popcorn has been my go-to for wanting to munch since about 3 months out and it's really easy to eat. Good luck and hang in... it's the best thing I've ever done for myself and I have absolutely no regrets!

That's awsome! Imagine how much better it is going to keep getting as the weight comes off:)

Hang in there... it DOES get better!!! I remember feeling the same way. The first month was terrible, then it (very slowly) started to improve. I couldn't eat anything for about two months. The worst part of that was the fatigue I experienced. As time goes by, you will notice that it gets easier to eat and you dont have that super bloated feeling with every bite. I am now 6 1/2 months post op, and have just started noticing I am able to eat much more than I used to. Still tiny servings of food on a small plate, but it is larger portions. I also notice that the type of food makes a difference. I can eat cheese sticks, lunch meats and fruit every couple of hours, but if I eat a roll or pasta, I feel terribly full for hours.

I had some issues with a couple of friends, but the real reason behind the neg. comments was that they were fearful that something bad would come from the surgery. I think LilMissDiva is right, communication is the key. Talk to your Grandmother, but be prepared to explain all the technical stuff and the probability of a good outcome. Let her know about the statistics of having a serious complication from obesity, itself. And... prepare yourself to be OK with it if she still doesn't approve. You are making a life changing decision, and it's a good one. As long as YOU believe that, it is really all that matters.

I took vinegar once, before surgery and ended up with the worst heartburn of my life... I felt like I was going to throw up, but couldn't. I think that is pretty normal response to drinking vinegar and not necessarily related to surgery. I'm sure it made things worse than on a uninjured stomach, though. Probably dilute it as much as possible and wait it out. Mine lasted a few hours and then started feeling better after I took some maalox. Milk of mag worked well for my constipation after surgery.

Same thing happened to me and it lasted for weeks... just wouldn't come off. I tried everything from alcohol pads to acetone (nail polish remover) to goo gone! In the end, the only way for me to get it off was to keep scrubbing it in the shower and as soon as I got out (and was still warm) tried rolling it into a clump and picking it off slowly. Good luck! I know it really sucks:(

You have a beautiful family and you have made a wonderful transformation this far. Keep up the good work!

You look totally fabulous!!!! Congrats and good luck on getting to goal and beyond:)

I'm almost 2 months past you operatively, but I totally remember feeling the same way. Right about 3 weeks I started feeling horrible. I couldn't eat much and was only tolerating oatmeal and pudding. I think it is your body going through some sort of starvation thing. Your headaches could be from dehydration, so be careful to drink enough. Also, make sure you are taking a B-12 supplement. This made a big difference for me. I still have a hard time getting in enough fluid, but I am able to eat much more (although still very little) just in the past two weeks. It will get better. For me I started feeling more back to normal around 51/2 weeks post op. Good luck and remember to call your surgeon if you are concerned with your symptoms!

I don't work in a hospital anymore, but I went back to work after 7 days. I work 9 hour shifts with very little sitting (like in the hospital setting) and I did ok. It wasn't great and I was very tired. The 2nd to 3rd week was definitely the worst time for me just because I was still having trouble getting enough Protein in. I was allowed to have my drink with me which was good, but you probably won't be able to do that, so you will really need to concentrate on getting enough fluids down. By the 5th week I was really feeling fine and my energy level has continued to improve ever since. Good luck!

Gosh, I totally understand. I thought both of these doctors seemed to be the best in Mexico and I spoke with the reps from both for a month before making my decision. I still don't know how it would've been had I gone to Dr. Alvarez, but I am happy with my decision to go to Dr. Aceves. The one and only reason I chose Dr. Aceves over Dr. Alvarez was the hospital. Although Dr. Alvarez claims he works out of a full fledged hospital, I couldn't find any information about it on the internet. With Almater hospital (where Dr. Aceves does the surgery) I found a website and could verify that it was a true hospital. That was the only reason I chose Dr Aceves. In fact, with all of the videos on you tube, Dr. Alvarez seems to have such a good personality and also so good with teaching, that I really worried about my decision... until the surgery was over. I had my surgery at the end of July and have lost 28 lbs, haven't had any problems, no infection, no trouble with leaks, etc. I am completely satisfied with my surgery and my choice of doctor. Good luck deciding between the two. I feel that either way, you are probably in good hands:)

Sorry I can't answer your question, but I can tell you that you are not alone! I am in my 4th week post op and I've only lost 1 pound in the past 8 days. I, too, am on my period so hoping that it's just some weird water retention thing. Good luck, I'm sure it will pass for both of us... hopefully with a big drop on the scale when it's over

Thanks guys... it's good to know this feeling is normal!

I am just over 3 weeks post op and feel like I am doing really well. This week, though, I've noticed I'm sooooo tired all the time. I'm on mushies, but still mostly drinking full liquids... at least 70 grams of protein. Any suggestions? Is this normal? Thanks.

I have had constipation since my surgery at the end of July. I have only gone 2 times in 20 days! I don't really feel like I have to go but I'm taking miralax every day. Haven't taken any Milk of magnesia... maybe I'll try that. Any suggestions for a newbie who is only on mushies?? Thanks in advance:)

had surgery with Dr. Aceves last week and I also have a 2 year old boy who is 30lbs. I asked the Dr. specifically when I could pick him up and he told me 8 weeks. Really hard since my boy would live on my hip if I let him:) He told me it was fine to sit down and hold him, but absolutely no lifting him for 2 months. Today was my first real experience where I wasn't sure what to do. I picked him up at daycare and had him climb into the car and then into his seat (the stool is a good idea, but he did fine without it however he is really tall for his age). At home I almost lifted him from the car to the ground, but then remembered not to and he just stood there looking at me. I held his hand and told him to jump and he thought that was fantastic... now he wants to jump down off of everything I also showed him my "boo boo" on my belly and explained that I couldn't pick him up because of that. Surprisingly, he seems to understand. Today I moved the wrong way and said ouch... he heard me and said "your belly hurt, mommy?" He really doesn't give me too much of a hard time when he wants me to pick him up if I remind him about the boo boo. As for the Nexium: when I was at the boarder, the agent asked me if I was bringing back any meds. The only one I had in my purse was the supradol (pain reliever) so I gave it to him. He said it was fine and waved us in. I don't think it would be a problem if I would have remembered to tell him about the nexium, but not positive.

I had surgery with Dr. Aceves today and they didn't even take a clothed picture of me. There may be docs that ask for nude before/after pics, but without written consent from the patient it is illegal (at least in the US). No worries! You have made a great choice!