LexFl

Dr jawad was my doctor

Great! Thanks! I am in New York for a family emergency. I will be back on Sunday of this week and will get in contact with you all

I had my surgery in July of 2012 here in Orlando

Hi. I'm interested in documenting my sleeve journey. I got sleeved in January.

Great! Where are you located?

Hey Ya'll! I'm Allie. I'm 23 years old and a photographer in the Orlando area. I was sleeved in July of 2012 and I could not be happier with that decision. Over the course of the last year and a half I began looking at pictures of myself old and new. What a difference! Of course my physical appearance has changed greatly but what I found is that even more so my confidence began shining through me, so much so that my personality emerged in photos of me and you could tell I was no longer afraid of the world. So I began looking into the before and afters of some friends in my support groups and began to see that as a trend. After seeing the beauty of the transformations for each and every one of them I've decided to start a project. For this project I would like to follow some people on their journey from as early as possible until a year or maybe even further out. I would set up a time every few months to maybe come take a few snapshots and really try to capture them as a person and their journey through the images. I understand its a vulnerable position to be in but I believe this series really has a place in this world. To give us a voice. I don't think shows like my 600 lb life give a good perspective on what its like to undergo these transformations. Its hard emotionally and physically and there is nothing easy about what everyone seems to call the easy way out. I'd like to start locally in florida with this project if i can get any volunteers and then maybe branch out to other states. So i turned to this board to see if maybe anyone was interested in taking part. I'm really looking to tell our story from OUR perspective. I wish I had thought to do this from the beginning of my journey so I could have self portraits and lead by example in this series but unfortunately since I did not and am always behind the camera all i have are a few iPhone snapshots that won't really get me anywhere. So if anyone is interested or has any commentary to add please feel free to reply to this post!! hope to hear from you soon! and thanks for taking the time to read my mini novel

I'm thinking of going with Dr. Jawad... Can you give a little heads up on how his process works (preop diet, insurance issues, wait periods, etc)? Any/all info will help! Thanks in advance

Yes I will send you a message! Sorry for the late response I was out of town with little internet access.

Or up north! I used to hate Florida but I like it more and more lately lol

I used to live there...now in Savannah...don't know anyone sleeved there...yeah...so I'm a big help, right? LOL ... but you can always talk to us here

Haha thanks! Savannah isn't too far . I love it there. I can't brave Georgia in the winter anymore though. My sleeve makes me freeze constantly!

Hey! I'm looking for Orlando sleeve buddies. I've made many sleeve buddies but none that live close by. I'd love to meet some that are in the area.

Passed security you can buy Water bottles in the airport that you're allowed to take on the plane. As well as filling an empty bottle with water from a fountain after making your way through security. As far as food packing little Snacks for flight time is great, Protein bars, almonds, or high Fiber snacks usually are my go to. I've never been to India so I don't know what it will be like to be eating there but I can tell you that on my trips to Europe post sleeve I've found I'm higher energy after eating there than here. I have also lost weight on every trip I've been on, even when starting off in a stall. Probably due to all the walking and activity that comes with sight seeing. Usually I try to just stay mindful of my protein intake and allow myself a few indulgences in the delicacies of the country I am in. Enjoy your trip!!!

Thank you all for your kind and honest words, they really encourage me! I am hoping with all my heart that I will feel the same as you all do post-op. The scary thing is the unknown, even though you try to prepare yourself, it's impossible to know what is "on the other side". A couple of questions: Why is it we can't drink through a straw? How much alchohol can you drink and how does it effect you after being sleeved? Thank you so much

We can't drink through a straw at first because it creates air pockets in the stomach that are uncomfortable, also you drink faster through a straw. Eventually I found I was able to. I get drunk way faster now but for me it's gone as quick as it came. So I drink a little and slowly.

In another thread, someone 16 days post-op were having big regrets, for example regarding not being able to drink with meals, gulp Water, ect. Those are also the kind of worries I have about the surgery. It is really hard to imagine having to eat diffently for the rest of your life. Once it's done it's done! You can never go back. That really shocks my nerves to think about. Did anyone else think like me, and how is it for you now, after surgery?

I am a year and a half out at this point. The first few weeks I kept saying what did I do to myself?! It's a huge and scary change and most if not all of us experience "buyers remorse" in the first couple of weeks. But it becomes the new normal and an even better normal than you've ever experienced. I went in for an annual check up the other day and my doctor asked if I had complaints or regrets and I was able to look him in the eye and say 100% honestly I didn't have a single one. In those first couple weeks when I would think "what did I do?!" I'd repeat a mantra of "I made a life change to become healthier and happier this is just a small part it will be over soon" that got me through the rough patch and since then I've been the happiest I've ever been thanks to my sleeve. Some things change but it's worth the trade off!

Hi everyone! I have been approved by my insurance and I am waiting for my surgery date. Maybe the end of February, hoping sooner though. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life. I am going to Dr. Jawad in Orlando.

I am in Orlando and was sleeved by dr jawad in July of 2012. He is awesome! And I adore his staff as well. They run a great program. Good luck!!

So how funny is this? I was reading the thread(from frozen CT) and was going to post a quippy reply along the lines of " yea ,yea but try to get a decent italian meal or restaurant in FL)" Then it hit me like a brick....... How much my life will change on 2/24..... The idea that food or a decent italian restaurant has been some weird barometer for me shows how much food and eating has become so central my life. . My life and lifestyle is going to change drastically and that food and eating shouldn't be such a focus for me. Eat to live , don't live to eat, right?

It's true that it is hard to find a decent Italian restaurant down here! But your outlook will definitely change! I still enjoy food and all it has to offer but now, 18 months out of surgery, I am much more conscious of what it can give to me and my health rather than just it's taste! Good luck with your journey!

Hii I get surgery in March and I'm looking to talk to people close to home! I'm from Orlando FL but I'm getting my surgery in Fort Myers due to finding an amazing doctor

Hey! I'm in Orlando. I'm about a year and a half out now. I had my surgery at ormc with dr jawad.

I used to hate living in Florida being from New York. I was always hot. But since surgery I couldn't imagine living any where cold. Orlando is definitely home now.

103 lbs down 3 months out (10-22-13)

Congrats. You look awesome!

LexFl, you have done amazing with your sleeve. So happy you are able to enjoy and do things you weren't able to do before AND rock those legs! Just booked my first cruise and I'm going to do it ALL! Congrats on your success

Thank you!!! I hope you have an amazing time!!

I did! It was wonderful! Although, I'm still shy about wearing anything that shows my scars around the pool. I just had to find something else to feel self conscious about. Ugh! Here comes those one pieces

I'm still very self conscious and hard on myself. I just try to push myself out of my comfort zone as much as possible. Hoping it'll help me realize I'm not who I used to be!

Beautiful! Congrats! You look like a complete different person. Btw, I recognize this bridge :-P you were on royal Caribbean cruise I was just there for New Years! How amazing it was for me to stop hiding from pictures!

Thank you!

Haha yes I was! And it was a blast. I was comfortable laying out and tanning, I loved getting in pictures and I did all sorts of things I wouldn't have been able to do before bc of weight limits. Pretty great. Hope you enjoyed!

Wow! Look at those skinny legs and that figure!

Wow great job

You look awesome! Congratulations!

Thanks!

When you no longer have to hold the camera from a high angle to get a picture you're comfortable with but can take one dead on and be happy.

And when you can fit both legs into one leg of your highest sizes jeans.

Whoops sorry for the double post! Phone wasn't working correctly!