roxy.grissom

I really struggled with the decision whether or not to have the sleeve. I thought I should be able to lose the weight on my own, after all, what is more in my control than what I put in my mouth and how much I move my body, so I put it off, and put it off. But I resigned myself to the fact that my weight was becoming a health risk and I needed to do "something". I wish I had done this years ago. I had the surgery on May 7th, 2012 with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Mexico (awesome experience). My weight the day of surgery was 291 lbs. As of June 4th, 2012, my weight is 268 lbs. That is 40 pounds in 4 weeks. I have not had one moment of hunger since the day before surgery. Not one. I could easily just not eat and feel fine. I feel this has "cured" my food addiction, binging and I no longer feel that out of control then guilt cycle that has plagued me for years (binge, feel good in the moment, then feel guilty and frustrated with myself). If you are riding the line and trying to decide whether or not to do it....ask your self if you want to weigh what you weigh now in 10 years...that is how long it took me to make up my mind. I wasted so much time...don't waste yours.

I'm only a month out, but I have already stocked my drawer at work with these staples to be prepared: Tender beef Jerky Turkey sausage Smoked oysters (canned) Sardines (canned) Starkist ready packs (100 calories) tuna salad Canned shrimp Canned Chili Muscle Milk Lite ready drinks Also, I cook up a bunch of Tilapia and then measure out portions and freeze in snack bags. I cook a meatloaf, but instead of using a regular pan, I use a muffin pan, then freeze each meat muffin. When I have any meat left overs, I freeze them in small portions, too.

Here's a good crock pot recipe: 3 lbs chicken breasts 2 envelopes of Lipton Garlic and Herb Soup (dry powder) 1 envelope of Ranch Dressing seasoning (dry powder) 1 brick cream cheese (8 ounces) Put chicken in large crock pot, sprinkle all seasoning packets over it. Add enough Water to come about 2/3 way up the chicken sides. Cover and cook on high for about 5 hours. Remove the chicken and shred with a fork. Put enough juice from the crockpot in the shredded chicken to make it very moist. Add the brick of cream cheese and stir until mixed well. Then you can weigh out your portions and freeze if not serving a large crowd. Very tasty.

For a change, try mixing you protein powder with sugar free kool aid and ice in the blender. Some combinations I find tasty are: chocolate with raspberry ice, strawberry, and cherry vanilla with just about any flavor, but especially orange sunrise (tastes like a dreamsicle)

I had my sleeve on May 7th. I have not felt hungry one time since. I actually had my first non-liquid meal today, it was 1/4 cup of pureed vegetable beef stew (wonderful). After 1/4 cup of that, I felt as full as if I had eaten a double meat, double cheese Whataburger, large fries and large milk shake. I keep waiting to feel hungry, but it hasn't happened.

I want to share my experience with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico. First, let me say I am a registered nurse and have been for 12 years. I have had 9 abdominal surgeries in various hospitals. This has been the most positive experience I have ever had anywhere. Dr. Alvarez is amazingly intelligent, caring, and what a bedside manner! The hospital staff are wonderfully professional and pleasant, no fast rush in and out of my room, I don't here the sigh of impatience when I push the call button for assistance that I usually get in the states. This hospital is clean and the staff practice excellent standard precautions- I see lots of hand hygiene going on.Best of all, I am in no pain! I have had some nausea but they promptly medicate me when I ask and he medicine is very effective. I have been treated like a valued customer instead of a "gastic sleeve in room 101", if u know what I mean. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez and his crew without reservation to anyone looking for a surgeon in Mexico.

Just wanted to share a really good Apple Pie shake recipe: 1-2 scoops vanilla Protein powder (2 for richer taste) 4 ounces Water or apple juice (if you need carbs do the juice) 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 1/2 -1 tsp vanilla extract (to taste, start low and increase) 1-2 tsp cinnamon (to taste) dash nutmeg large glass of ice put it all in the blender and then enjoy--try tweaking the ingredients for different richness, flavor--all combinations taste good

Hang in there and just keep remembering why you did it in the first place. Keep all the "want tos" fresh in your mind and before you know it you will be doing them. I had the surgery 10 days ago and I refuse to be negative one minute because I want to ride my bike without my butt going numb, fit in the Super Man ride at Six Flags, buy a nice pair of pants that makes my butt look cute, go dancing.....and this is just what I have to do to get there. Write down some goals, read them when you feel discouraged and keep looking to the successful completion of some non-scale victories!

yes crystal light is the same, really what i meant...silly me

I am very glad I did this. Since my surgery, I have lost 11 pounds. My surgery date was May 7th. My highest weight this year was 333. I'm sitting at 280 right now. I feel better, have more energy and I have not had a lick of trouble with my sleeve. I feel like I am coasting along in this wonderful dream where the pounds are just melting off. I'm not hungry, I'm fine on liquids and I could not imagine being here without my sleeve. I can't wait to finish this ride and see where I end up!!!

You will do great!! Just keep a postive attitude.

This is really tasty: 3 lbs chicken breasts 1 envelope lipton garlic and herb soup 1 envelope ranch seasoning dressing mix 1 brick cream cheese put chicken in crock pot, sprinke soup seasoning and ranch seasoning and cover with Water, cook on low for about 5 hours. remove chicken and cut up. Add some juice from the crockpot until it is very moist. add the cream cheese and mix well. very moist and tasty

Try mixing your Protein powder with various flavors of sugar free kool aide--makes it more interesting without increasing your calories. Some combinations that taste really good are: Raspberry Ice + chocolate strawberry + chocolate Cherry + chocolate any flavor + vanilla, but especially the orange sunrise + vanilla (tastes like a dreamsicle)

I want to share my experience with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico. First, let me say I am a registered nurse and have been for 12 years. I have had 9 abdominal surgeries in various hospitals. This has been the most positive experience I have ever had anywhere. Dr. Alvarez is amazingly intelligent, caring, and what a bedside manner! The hospital staff are wonderfully professional and pleasant, no fast rush in and out of my room, I don't here the sigh of impatience when I push the call button for assistance that I usually get in the states. This hospital is clean and the staff practice excellent standard precautions- I see lots of hand hygiene going on.Best of all, I am in no pain! I have had some nausea but they promptly medicate me when I ask and he medicine is very effective. I have been treated like a valued customer instead of a "gastic sleeve in room 101", if u know what I mean. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez and his crew without reservation to anyone looking for a surgeon in Mexico.

Wow!thirty two pounds! Jump for joy!

I lost 10 ponds on the preop. Was on liquids for two weeks and it was really hard. He seemed pleased with the weight loss. I have hd no complications whatsoever ever and neither have any of the others here now. The first night they kept me medicated for pain an nausea around the clock, second day u have to ask when u need it. Jessica and Jesus are his personal staff that attend u in addition to the regular hospital nurses. I dont know about blood thinner and didnt ask. The care I have received has been excellent. The is a computer in ur room, plus they give u an iPad to use in bed. There is a phone available for u to use to call home (my cell doesn't work here). Just bring clothes, personal hygiene items etc. the towels are fantastic here-big and plush. U both will be very comfortable. My friend that came with me took her meals a the restaurant near here, Jessica took her over to it. She has felt like she is on vacation lol, don't worry, u will be in good hands. I was so nervous before, now I am so glad I chose to come here!

Try rolling from side to side in ur bed, then get on ur hands and knees a gently press ur tummy on ur thighs. Might expell from both ends, so clear the room....hour this helps...worked for me

I want to share my experience with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico. First, let me say I am a registered nurse and have been for 12 years. I have had 9 abdominal surgeries in various hospitals. This has been the most positive experience I have ever had anywhere. Dr. Alvarez is amazingly intelligent, caring, and what a bedside manner! The hospital staff are wonderfully professional and pleasant, no fast rush in and out of my room, I don't here the sigh of impatience when I push the call button for assistance that I usually get in the states. This hospital is clean and the staff practice excellent standard precautions- I see lots of hand hygiene going on.Best of all, I am in no pain! I have had some nausea but they promptly medicate me when I ask and he medicine is very effective. I have been treated like a valued customer instead of a "gastic sleeve in room 101", if u know what I mean. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez and his crew without reservation to anyone looking for a surgeon in Mexico.

Yum. Sleeved two days ago, just had some grape juice, whimper, shrimp sounds amazin....

Could u be pregnant? If not its could be nasal drainage overnight, empty stomach from sleeping longer.

Wow! Thirty pounds in seven weeks? That's amazing! Get off the scale, go for a walk and keep up the good work. That .7 could be a heavier shirt, time of month sneakin up, constipation.....

I just had surgery with Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras mexico yesterday. Totally fabulous experience. See my post under the post sleeve forum. My cost was 8700. He only does two sleeves daily and I don't know about u! But that makes a huge difference - I don't want to be the 8th one that day.

Don't let yourself talk you out of a life saving surgery. If you had heart disease and your doctor told u u needed coronary artery bypass surgery, u wouldn't hesitate! U wouldn't second guess or drag ur feet. And if u don't get he sleeve now, you could very likely be hearing that from your doctor a few years down the line..... I just had my sleeve yesterday. Going to sleep is no big deal and my pain is not bad at all...like very sore after doin too many sit ups. But u will get pain meds for that. Talk to yourself about all the reasons u need this surgery and sTand firm in your decision....you can do this!

I am being sleeved by Dr. Alvarez on Monday. Could you tell me more about your experience there? About the hospital, staff and him? How did the process go, etc, etc, etc.

I am so excited, nervous and nauseated.....my surgery is on Monday and I am second guessing everything. I haven't done well with the pre-op liquid diet---so hard not to eat anything at all--does this mean I won't be able to make it after the sleeve? I lost 8 pounds, then binged on the weekend and gained 4 of those pounds back. Very disgusted with myself. Am I fooling myself to think I will be successful with the sleeve. Any advice?