Shape_Shifter

I came across a great list of suggested items to take for surgery, but since I'm travelling (7+ hours air) I was trying to slim my suitcase down. 1. did you carry on? 2. If you carried on what were the necessities? --I want to take my laptop because I want to be able to watch a movie or two but I haven't been in the air in 12 years so i don't know if that's really necessary. -- shampoo/cream rinse, etc. are the travel bottles acceptable for carry on or is it the total amount of liquid?

25 years ago I went to Cancun for my honeymoon....my mother was convinced I would be kidnapped and never seen again...and this was BEFORE the lovely internet, 24 hour news, "Nancy Grace" and even cable tv for our area. I am a mother. i would worry about my daughter (a solder) overseas no matter where she went (and she can kick butt). I believe the state department has travel advisories posted when there are things to truly watch out for, not just what the media portrays. Like anywhere you're not familiar with ... common sense. And even with all the media portrayal..when was the last time you heard of a "fat chick murdered in driveby in TJ?" You KNOW the media would LOVE that! (of course, now that I've said it I 'll probably be the next headline lol) Like others have said, you can get killed doing anything, including not to anything. I will be going to TJ alone. My biggest concern is the Water. (and not the media portrayal of shark attacks in the water lol)

thank you Tamtamz. BTW - adorable picture

Sounds like you are doing great! I am scared to workout for fear of hurting my feet again (plantar fasciatis). I know if I'm in pain from that I will never work out once sleeved. Maybe I'm just putting it off but everytime my feet start acting up I'm terrified I'll go back to not being able to walk more than a step or two every morning without pain. good luck and let me know how it goes

Whats really funny is he's already showing some more attention and wanting to know who Im talking to on the computer. I immediately turn it around and show him the forum. That and he is getting jealous over "Words with Friends" until I show it to him. I've been playing that damn game for 6 months but in the last 4 weeks, once I decided to have surgery, suddenly he's asking me who I'm talking to now. lol Nobody as usual, recluse here.

I'm not sleeved yet but I understand where you are coming from. I know my husband loves me, I know I have felt less desireable since gaining weight, etc. but I also KNOW he is not attracted to me at this weight because he has said so. I think he was trying to encourage me to stick to my diet at the time but 7 years later those words still HURT LIKE HELL (tearing up as typing that line). Honestly, I knew it before he admitted it. He is just not attracted to heavy women. His affections really never stopped, except what I managed to do. There were many times that I would be feeling good, confident, got dressed up, lost 20 lbs etc and he wouldn't even notice. I stopped wearing makeup (felt like a cow with lipstick), stopped dressing up (why bother when all you're doing is wasting money) and stopped wearing sexy lingere (NEVER ONCE GOT LUCK WHILE WEARING IT). I would drown my disappointment/sorrows in other ways, creating the cycle. You are not alone. I am doing this surgery for ME. All the clothes I didn't buy, all the makeup/pampering I didn't do, I am spending it in one lume sum for me. So I hope he treats me differently -- and I hope others do to. Not because I'm thinner but because I am happier and feeling healthier. Just go with it and enjoy it.

I'm going it alone just wondering if anybody else is going to Kelly on 8/3.

Thank you. I'm going to Dr. Kelly on 8/3. I'm getting nervous. I have almost 8 hours of flying with layover each way. That makes me really nervous. But not to sure I would have wanted a train ride (if i had the option). Please keep updated. Is there anything you wish you had taken with you and how much were you able to get out post-op? Good luck

What is Demitasse Spoon and Cocktail Fork for?

Glad to see it's not just me. I'm working on one thing at a time. So far limiting caffeine & diet coke. I went out to dinner alone last week and decided to try proper chewing. I'm glad I won't be eating alot because I will be at the table forever. It took quite a while to finish a portion of my small steak (granted it wasn't the most tender steak). Afterwards I realized that I drank alot less as well-only one glass of soda. Maybe because I had the food in my mouth so much. When out to dinner i have had up to 6 glasses of diet coke while waiting for food and eating etc. You'd think I would have no room for food. However, I never drink that much at home. I think it's because I'm spending so much more time at the table than I wouuld at home.

thats awsome. I desperately need new work clothes. still wearing "winter" with the typical basic black theme. Seams are stretched. Pins needed to wear daily. Down to one pair of acceptable pants and 4 dresses. Having surgery in 3 weeks and hoping I can make it stretch (pardon the pun) until the fall and hopefully get new clothes - or atleast to go the used clothing store.

AWSOME !!!! I use to love the sun, etc. With my previous car I couldn't stand the sunroof because of the heat and I'm in Maryland. I always assumed it was only the layer of blubber keeping me warm. lol this surgery will be well worth it just for the heat factor alone.

I thought atkins was too high fat - since he doesn't limit fat. Don't get me wrong - Atkins is the only diet that ever really worked for me so if this is true I would be much happier.

Oh I so hope this happens to me. I am SO TIRED of being overheated and can't enjoy the summer. Please, please please. I love the summer but I can no longer enjoy it.

yeah, that's another issue entirely. May have to search for another PCP as I'm pretty sure mine will not be supportive since I'm low BMI (he weighs all of 110 lbs. soaking wet). Great guy but would probably encourage me to try low cal, low fat, exercise, yadda yadda when just that alone has not worked. But I will find out soon enough.

I'm having a hard time giving up soda. Sitting here craving one and Water, flavored, is not touching it. Wondering if i should just wait until surgery to give it up when i know there is no choice soda = pain/discomfort. I thought it was the caffeine but I'm not having any issues switching to caffeine free .. a little dragged but no headaches like previously. I think its more how people crave cigarettes or coffee, of which I do neither. Had anybody else waited until surgery to give sodas up?

I am heading to Dr. Kelly/mexico for my surgery. Too low BMI and no pre-existings (yet). Not willing to wait until my health goes downhill. Question....do you need a NUT? I see so many people posting about nutritionists. Is this highly suggested/required? I do not have insurance that would cover this. I do not have the time (2 jobs & 1 long commute) to do this. If so, how do you go about searching for one that is WLS accepting without being critical of my decision?

I went to my local seminar before I decided to head south. That is what the doctor said (leading doctor in our area). While I'm not entirely sure I understood it correctly my impression was that the total lack of hunger due to Ghrelin would wear off as it started to return. If I understood it correctly not all of it returns. Would love to find out this is not true I wish they had a taste-bud altering surgery. If none of it tasted good i probably would never eat again

My understanding is that ghrelin "grows" back eventually (somtimes 2 years). Am I misunderstanding?

I'm not looking forward to the first month at all. Thinking about starting to walk daily but not sure. My knees and feet hurt and I don't want to aggrivate anything and make it worse before surgery - especially my feet. I'd rather be lighter before I start anything (plus it's so damn hot out. ) Good luck!

I just came across your before/after pics. you look awsome. I am similar stats so you give me great hope. I have to say when I saw your before picture I thought it was your after picture because you looked good to begin with. Then you went from good to good-God. Enjoy!

I haven't gone in yet and was told by another that had gone to Mexico..go with your gut. I had to be conscious of the bottom line due to exhausted finances. But I spoke with people, spoke with the doctors offices, emailed, asked questions and blogged. Then one day it just clicked and I had made my choice. I have never had any surgery before and I'm tackling this on my own and I feel at ease. I also read a couple of blogs posted for the doctor I chose where the blogger gave a blow-by-blow account of their experience from arriving to surgery and returning. While everybody has different levels of pain, gas, etc. nobody complained about the surgeon, staff, hospital/hotel, etc. How often do you hear that in the US? And the level of service they give surpasses the US. Just do your research and follow your gut.

I agree. Schedule an appointment....only have him fill-out the forms during your appointment instead of checking you out for an illness. Apparently he has no time for paperwork and you are kind enough to help on your dime! If this is the attitude his staff has I would also let him know (after you get approval) and then switch PCP. You have serious medical issues not a damn runny nose and it needs to be taken more seriously than "well get to it when we get to it." Whats going to happen if you have a complication or concern afterwards -- leave a message?

That's why i'm going to Dr Kelly. I'm borderline bmi and if I jump thru all their hoops I will be too low and they will deny. Going into debt for this but for once i'm putting me first ahead of visa, mastercard car payments, hubby hobbies etc. good luck

Does anybody know if Kelly does cath? I too would really hate that!