Seannie

I was trying not to cry at reading your post! While I haven't experienced any type of complication that you speak of, please know, just like all the others, that I will be thinking of you and praying for a speedy, physical and emotional recovery. I am part of a women's group at my church and they take prayer requests... you will be on my list.. Please keep us updated as to your progress. Sending Guardian Angels and prayers your way..

Proud of you! You look fan-freakin'-tastic! Wow... and your arms!!! Good grief! You lost all that weight and your arms look great - did you do a lot of arm exercises? It sure looks like you did. Hating my arms right now. I've lost 22 pounds (or so) and I can already see/feel the hanging skin. It sucks!

I agree with the AP (Natural).. it's the head hunger thing that I have got to get over! I wish I had known this before. Not that it would've deterred me from surgery, but I might have been mentally prepared for it. I swear, I think my stomach divorced my head when I left part of it in Mexico The two - head and stomach - are like the Hatfields and the McCoys! I feel like I'm starving half the time, but the minute I eat ONE smidgin over, I'm toast! So half the time, I'm looking in the fridge wanting something to eat, only to close it because I'm afraid to eat.. Sounds crazy coming from someone whose still 80 pounds overweight.

Thinking about you girl!!!! You got this!! No worries - you'll be so glad when this piece is over and you can be on the losers bench with me!!! PLEASE keep in touch and let us know how your're doing! I'm so excited for you! This surgery has literally changed my life! I'm down 20 pounds and a gazillion inches and have more energy than I have had in years! Best, Best, Best thing I could've done..

congrats on surviving the first week! it's something isn't it? regarding the CPAP, I read on one of these boards about making adjustments to it because there is too much air going into the stomach?? You may want to talk to your surgeon about it - or the CPAP folks to see what can be done. what's not working with the pureed foods? Is it too filling?

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! You'll be just fine. I had mine 2.5 weeks ago in Tijuana, with no problems! Didn't bring much with me either - just the essentials.. one thing to remember is ... don't drink the water! They had bottled water in the hotel and I was assured that the broth in the hotel restaurant was made with bottled water as well. Let us know your progress - will be sending positive thoughts your way tomorrow.

I didn't have mine. I was told also by my coordinator that I could just use my birth certificate. I crossed the boarder with my driver's license and my birth certificate. (the BC was the official one - that was embossed). I had no problems crossing back into the US.

I definately feel your pain. I am/was an over eater myself. While I can say I made the occasional bad food choice - my issue was more volume than anything else. I could eat a double cheese burger and fries and I swear, a little while later, i could eat a bag of chips. I've experienced both head hunger and real hunger - but truth be told, it's the head hunger that makes me the most crazy. i want to eat - I want to overeat - It's weird that I kinda want my old life back. it's what I know, it's what I like... BUT, looking in the mirror today, I really like what I see. i see the "old" me from back in the day, and dammit, i feel good. i can FEEL the inches being lost, and see the results... I also like the fact that I can take 2 or 3 bites of something and I'm full. That is really what I needed - to be FULL.. Bottom line, that's what these boards are for - to encourage one another, and know that you are never alone. There's a least a few people on here that have experienced the same thing you have. I'm one of them.. Keep your head up, and stay in the game.. you can do it. Seannie

Hey DD ... I know the feeling! I snuck a few of my daughter's goldfish.. had about 10 of them.. and I swear on the 10th one - I actually Heard MY stomach gurgle - and it was like slow motion.... As I put the last one in my mouth, the others were making their way back up! Girl, I had the shakes, the sweats... I was in the bathroom, thinking I don't know whether to Sh*t or go blind!!! I mean I was in the bed for 30 minutes thinking.. did goldfish really just take me out????? well, I may end up extending my "liquid" phase even longer because the thought of something non-liquid gives me the willies! BTW, weighed myself today, and I'm down exactly 16 pounds since 3/9.. woo hoo!

I FEEL your pain! I was just like you for 48 hours. I had the procedure on Friday March 9th, and it wasn't until Sunday morning march 11th, that I began to feel normal. The gas was better, but I still wasn't able to really sip anything. It took FOREVER.... BUT about the 4th or 5th day, a majority of the uncomfortable feeling went away. You may not want to walk, but truth me told, that moves that gas up or out! Also, just continue to take baby sips of Water, because you don't want to get dehydrated - that will make things even worse! I had buyers remorse to for several days - but now.. 13 days Post Op, I feel GREAT! it really does get better - trust me. WALK, WALK, WALK.. SIP, SIP, SIP

@DD that is great news!!! I'm going to weigh myself tomorrow! I hope I'm down that much like you!! How's Kristy doing (my sleeve sisters from another momther!!) Mom was just asking about you guys and was worried about Kristy?? @skinnymom.. you know what?? I DID forget all about it!!! I think it was okay after I went to the bathroom! Dang, after I read your post, I was like.. wait a minute??? what did happen to it??

LMAO DD! Girl, I wish that was my issue - rather, I had just started TOM, and had to wear a tampoon, and was thinking.. "please stay in.. please stay in"!!!

Hey Debby - I have another 9 days to go before I get to the mushies phase - but what about trying to puree the chicken and avocado? I'm not certain, but isn't the mushie phase supposed to be more like the consistency of mashed potaotes? I bought one of those long handled blenders for pureeing food from Target ($17) in anticipation of the mushie phase. Not sure about the calories piece of this - I think that as long as you get in enough Protein and Water, you should be okay with the exercise. Seannie

Holla everyone! Just wanted to give a status of my experience with getting sleeved - and in Mexico to boot! Arrived in Tijuana on Thursday March 8th, was met by a driver and driven across the boarder to the Hotel Lucerna. The drive was actually quite nice. I've been to TJ before, and I'm from LA, so I knew what to expect. The hotel was actually just 15 to 20 minutes from the boarder in a pretty nice area of town. Made small talk with the driver, met my coordinator Trish - and was taken to my room. The hotel was nice - modern - kind of like a "Ramada Inn", or maybe a "Marriott Suites" (kind of sort of). The rooms are nice, clean, nice sized TV, bottled Water, pretty tile in the bathroom, etc..... Really like any decent hotel that you stay in here in the states. After check in I was driven across the street (literally) to the INT Hospital. It's also relatively modern, only 4 stories with about 13 rooms on the floor that I stayed on. When I say the hospital is CLEAN.. I mean.. CLEAN. You could dang near EAT off the floor. I do have to admit however, that after a while, the smell of "Fabulosa" cleaner, nearly made me sick.. but I digress... I met with one of the doctors, who did the EKG and my blood pressure. I just KNEW that I was not going to pass the BP because I hadn't taken my medication in a couple of days, hadn't eaten, was STRESSED out with all that I was going through.. BUT, he took it and said it was really good.. like 142/80.. huh?? Had to ask my coordinator if they had a different numbering system in Mexico because surely that couldn't be right.. (being sarcastic of course!) The EKG took like 5 minutes and I passed with flying colors?? what?? So I cross the boarder and am in better health than when I left Atlanta?? Oh well, that was great news for me. I left the hospital, went back to the hotel for the night - met my mom - who flew in separately and went to sleep. My surgery was the first one that next morning at 7. Got to the hospital around 6:30, they put an IV in my hand (first try!), got some fluids in and I was taken to the OR. I walked in myself, holding my IV bag with one hand, the back of my gown in the other hand (yep,they were about to see ALL of me - but dang it - can a sistah's arse be hidden for a minute??) Ok.. let me focus here... It looked just like any other OR, they were playing what I consider to be "Mexican" smooth Jazz ... yes baby!! The operating table itself was skinny as I don't know what.. I told the 2 doctors/nurse in my best - trying to be cool in spanish... "delgado??" meaning skinny?? They laughed and said it's ok, hop on... The first doctor, named Dr. FRIDAY . um, I said to him, did you say FRIDAY? is that in English or is your last name Viernes, that means Friday in English (He said "you are a comedian")... um, no, just delirious and nervous, and when that happens, I turn into Richard Pryor, I don't know why!!!) So, the next doctor comes in and I say "Dr. Ponce??"... he says no, I'm the anesthesiologist.. Alright I said, now the party starts (they probably can't stand American sense of humor ). I told him I was talkative because I was nervous and he says Don't Be.. well, that was all I remember... You know how you watch movies, and they do really quick flash backs?? Well, waking up in the recovery room was like that for me. I don't remember much except briefly waking up and swinging. I mean SWINGING like I was Muhammad Ali! I remember telling the young nurse next to me that I had to go - because I was going to be sick, and she kept saying relax, relax! I was busy trying to escape. Next thing I know, I'm back in my room and my mom and Trish walk in and my mother is yelling at me.. Sean, Sean.. OMG what are you doing??? I was not in the hospital bed - I was on the floor! I know this sounds crazy, but I was so freakin sick from the anesthesia that I couldn't get LOW, enough.. FLAT enough, and COLD enough! I had to get to the floor STAT!! The nurses are rushing in, my mother is screaming SEAN IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO BE ON THE FLOOR IN A HOSPITAL... really Mom? really?? well, if you were sick with what feels like the ebola virus - you would care less! Anyway... the first 24 hours were like a nightmare. I was alternatively nauseous and in pain from the dry heaves. Between my mother barking orders at the nurses, then back at me..SEAN you are going to ruin your new stomach if you can't control those dry heaves!.. Um... lady, do you think I want to do this???? You think I want people walking in here with my arse out, on my tip toes, throwing up air in the trash can??? I was crazy the first 24 hours... I refused to sleep in the hospital bed, because it wasn't firm enough and was hard to get in and out of. So, yours truly slept on the firm, narrow couch and my mom in the hospital bed! Good Grief, they probably thought these ladies are nuts!! I kept telling my mother we needed to get back across the boarder to an American hospital because they don't understand my pain level here! See... when you spell DRAMA.. it's really spelled S-E-A-N! They finally realized that I was having a reaction to one of the pain medications that they gave me. So after 24 - 48 hours - any many different medications, they found the one that basically knocked me out! I slept for 7 hours and on Sunday morning - I woke up and smiled at my mom. She said she had gotten up in the middle of the night to check on me because I hadn't been thrashing in my sleep, whimpering, etc.. she said I was so still that she thought they had given me an overdose! I have to say that I have a low tolerance for pain, BUT a high tolerance for pain medication... Not trying to scare anyone but thank goodness my mom was there to help guide me through this. The nurses did later say that it's the first 24 hours that are the hardest and most folks get through just fine. I had a tremendous amount of gas..they kept telling me to get up and walk, and when I did, I had to walk the halls with my eyes closed to keep from being sick. Can you imagine how I looked?? I had my yoga pants on, bra and an open back hospital gown. My hair was all over my head, and I was walking with my mother holding one arm, me holding the the IV, and my damn eyes closed! round and round the floor.. alternatively opening one eye and then immediately shutting it.. They'd be talking about me to my mother in Spanish (she has a functional level of Spanish), telling her she was great, because I was so spoiled! .. Yeah, whatever ladies... just keep the dang meds coming so I can get better! I left the hospital Sunday night, back to the hotel, and have been recovering nicely ever since. My scars are okay, still a little sore - but overall I'm feeling pretty good. Especially when I got on the scale and was down 10 pounds from the day of surgery. WOW!! I met with Dr. Ponce and we reviewed my diet for the next 40 days. It's very similar to what allot of you are doing.. 10 days of Clear liquids and water, followed by another 10 days of water, broth, yogurt and "creamed" Soups, then another 10 days of similar foods, but can add small amounts of Protein... I was okay without food the first couple of days. I stayed full on all the water/broth. I just started feeling "head" hungry this weekend, and made the pivotal mistake of thinking I could eat a few "goldfish"... ummm, no, no Sean you can't! I felt sick within 5 minutes and vowed to NEVER do that again. It's like being one of Pavlov's dogs... you only got to show me once or twice, then I'm okay with following strict directions. Would I do it again? Yes - in a heartbeat. The first 2 days were hell for me - but that's because of my own intolerance to pain (gas) and anesthesia (nausea) . Sorry, just have to keep it truthful. That was my personal experience, not that it would be yours. Bottom line, If I can get off my high bp medications, lower my already heading toward high cholesterol, and lower my pre-diabetic numbers.. then what do I care that I was in pain for a few days? Oh, I forgot to mention that when they took my BP, right before I left the hospital, it was 125/80........... and THAT'S with all of my drama AND no high BP medication... I'm on my way... and thank God I did this... Seannie

Awww... you guys are such sweethearts! <<hugs>> Thanks for your responses... it is like a death in the family.. but like a death, we have to think about food with fondness for "what was".. not what will be... so goodbye double Mickey D's double cheeseburgers... hello... uh.. yeah, well I'm not there yet.. I'll let you know when that happens ...

@Debly - nothing too crazy, just too much to deal with between him, the coordinator, his staff, etc... I have no doubt that he's a great surgeon, just didn't want the hastle of the goings on between him and everybody else.

You rock Girl! As one of my favorite aunt's used to say.. "Go on with your bad self!"

I've been writing on everyone else's threads - trying to give encouraging words about their upcoming surgery and I feel like a complete fraud. it's always been so easy for me to comfort and give kindness to others, but when it comes to me .. well... I don't even take my own advice. I'm flying out tomorrow morning at 8:15 to San Diego, and then traveling across the boarder to Tijuana Mexico for surgery on Friday 3/9. I was scheduled with Dr. Kelly - but ended up switching at the last minute to have the surgery performed by Dr. Ponce at INT Hospital. I've been on a 3 day pre op liquid diet, started my period (sorry fellas!) and have been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last couple of days. I'm just not myself. While I'm excited to finally do something for myself (besides eat!!), there's a nagging feeling that my life won't be the same. Weird.. huh? I mean, I love food, I loved to smoke (don't judge), I loved the ocassional "nite cap", hanging out with my sisters and friends.. you know having a good time. My social life revolved around all of those.. and suddenly.. they are gone. How do I say this without sounding like a complete idiot?? But, I feel like I'm bored.. like I'm going to have to find a healty hobby (envision me rolling my eyes! ) I'm married with 4 great kids.. how the hell I can be bored I don't know. You see, for YEARS, I waited until they went to bed, before indulging in all of my bad habits. It was like a dirty little secret... mmmmmm, gonna get a slice of pizza, or the left over cheeseburger they didn't eat... pour a glass of merlot, and then go outside on the patio and smoke a cigarette... This was my nightime routine for YEARS... and now.. poof! it's gone. I went to Target tonight to get some last minute things, and looked in the dressing room mirror and was just disgusted with the 100+ pounds I've ammassed in the 18 years I've been married. Yep, you heard me. I am officially 100 pounds heavier than on my wedding day. Gained most of it after my oldest son was born - almost 15 years ago.. I have no one to blame but myself. But you know what, as I sit here and write this - (maybe this is what I was supposed to do...) I'm suddenly encouraged to pull my big girl panties up - woman up - and get on that plane with my head held high, grab my luggage, find the guy with my name on his sign, cross that boarder, get on that surgical table and make it happen.. I can, and I will do this... without crying, without fear, and most importantly with as much courage as I can muster... Welcome to the looser's bench Seannie... you got this babe... Thanks for letting me vent you guys... I love this board - it's been a life saver.. literally..

I'm trying not to cry as I write this! I'm leaving for Mexico tomorrow morning at 5;30 am!! I have a thousand and one things to do, but for the life of me, I just feel nauseous.. I'm married with 4 kids a full time job, large family,... you name it.. While I have the support of my family, they aren't crazy about me going to Mexico.. My surgery is on Friday morning at 7, bought the tickets... no turning back now... I guess... Peace to you my dear.. I'll send some Angels to comfort you your way! Seannie

How ya doing Ms. Debi? Hope the surgery went well! Drop us a line when you feel up to it.. I have my surgery on Friday, so I'm on this boards all the time now, gleaning as much information as I can!!

Well, after reading this post - I must've missed the message because this past weekend was my last "full" stomach weekend as well, and I didn't do nearly as much damage as I wanted too! LOL.. I was so busy organizing my husband's b'day party, cooking, prepping, etc.. I really wasn't hungry. But wouldn't you know - today is my first day of the 3 day pre op diet .. and I'm about to chew my arms off! I'm ridiculously starving! I'm really trying to keep my head in the game, but I'm too light headed to think straight! What I worry about the most after surgery (which is Friday 3/9.. yikes!!) is the head hunger. I don't want to have that - it's like being caught between a rock and a hard place... wanting to eat, feeling the need to eat - but not bein physically able to do so... Also, I feel like a part of me is changing before my very eyes... Isn't that crazy?? Like I am losing some of my personality because it's so wrapped up in food... what the heck is wrong with me?? LOL.. sorry, just had a temporary lapse in sanity! Good luck to all of us with our upcoming surgeries! Seannie

Hey Optima! My surgery is on friday - and today i started my 3 day pre op "clear' liquid diet and I am a wreck!! I'm starving and feel weak (I'm such a baby!!!!).... I also stopped smoking about a week ago and just started on the "electronic' cigarette... it's only menthol, but hey it keeps me from smoking! It's funny, I'm trying to keep from being depressed because I've giving up two things that I LOVE!! food and cigarettes.. good grief I have issues! So, I wish I could help you - all I can say is that I'm right there with you.. struggling, but we both know that it will be worth it... hang in there dear! we'll get through this together. Keep coming back to the boards - there's so much emotional support here! << hugs >> Seannie

Hi - you story is very similar to mine! I'm schedule for surgery with Dr. Kelly on 3/9. The question I have is, what was the pre-op diet that Dr. Kelly prescribed to you. They are going to email it to me, but was wondering what it all entails. By the way, I booked through Trish, but she is no loner working for him. She said she'd still honor my committment to him, but I'm kind of bummed that they aren'yt working together. Did you have your surgery at Florence Hopsital? what was that like? DId you have all your blood work done the day you got there?

@ Circa... Not sure what you are leading towards Circa... but i can tell you that with most insurance companies in the states, there is many more than "1" patient adovcate, in fact it's usually a team of people... and truth be told, having a good attorney is really what you want in case something goes wrong. An attorney that can get beyond the "you can't sue us" clause... But that is not the point... the point is that there is a sudden change in direction with no real explanation of what happened - from either side. it's scheduling a surgery that I wasn't all that happy about doing in the first place.. All i needed was an excuse not to do it, and lo and behold this happens.. while I care about what happens with other folks.. bottom line, my arse is up there on the table. I want a skilled physician and treats me like "I was one of his own".. it's the exact same expectation that i'd have from a surgeon here in Georgia..

@Spirits... yep, my hubby and I fought over this too. He is having a FIT.. he wasn't keen on me doing this in the first place.. you know.. the usual.. blah, blah, blah.. just get up and go to the gym with me.. stop eating late.. get up in the morning and go walk... whatever! Yes dear... sure thing.. yep, it's that easy! (insert rolling of the eyes and sarcasm here) Once i convinced him that this "drastic" surgery (his words) was warranted, he seemed to be ok.. except when I mentioned Mexico.. then he really tripped! After many calls with Trish AND a call from Dr. Kelly (I mean what US surgeon does that???) he was okay... Now this... I've taken 3 steps forward, and now 3 steps back... I NEED this.. I WANT this... but damn, what's a woman to do??? There are a lot of competent doctors in Mexico, but if you dig deep enough , don't they all have issues?? Hell, if this were covered by my insurance, I might not care as much because I'd have a patient advocate, and truth be told, a mighty good lawyer if something went askew.. but since it's not covered and I don't have legal resources.. if something happens.. I'm **** out of luck... (pardon my french)