LilMissDiva Irene

Wow everyone fantastic!!! As for me I'll just keep on keeping on!! Hey Mini, what a world you must live in to want to lose 0!!! In my world I'll just keep dreaming Thank you for being SUCH an INCREDIBLE INSPIRATION here!! You prove to all of us that it truly truly is possible. Cheers to ya sister!!

Spanx are my favorites.

I'm more along the lines to believe it's from the gas pressure. I had this with both of my bariatric surgeries. It does go away eventually, usually within a few weeks. Mini's suggestion of the heating pad is a very good one. As always, if you are more than slightly concerned don't hesitate to contact your surgeon. Good luck to you!

It certainly does take time, and I even had a head start being banded prior to my sleeve. Best thing you can do for yourself is to continue to sip slowly and have patience and confidence that you will soon get there. You're still a newborn when it comes to this. I'm not even teething yet... but we'll all get through this together.

That is fantastic!!!! Good job - and hopefully one day I'll be in Mediums too. Cheers!!!

@brandy - of all the emotions I was feeling pre-op, the "antsy" feeling was by far the best!! I just couldn't wait once I'd made that decision. You will soon see, you were right to be!! @julia - for your height I'd say to start with a 10 or 12. You can always lose more if it's you're just not feeling it. Good luck y'all!!

Please all, let's stay on topic. I'd hate to have to close a thread that can really provide support and information to many here. Thank you.

I love providing support here, this is a major decision and can be very intimidating before you have it. I just love that we are able to have a place we can all get together and do this, pre- and post-op. The anesthesiologist will talk with you the day before your surgery. He will answer any questions you have and will ask you some questions. You will also need to fill out a questionnaire (same as any normal hospital). My experience has always been that anesthesia makes me extremely tired and nauseated. This time was no different. Also, added on the type of surgery made me nauseated too - so I had a kinda rough time. However the nurses were so totally awesome and never left my side. If I pushed the call button I never had to wait for more than 60 seconds for a response. That is NO exaggeration. The drain was annoying and painful. No cover ups here, and I was very glad to have it taken out. It felt weird coming out, as I'd never had one before. Once it was out though, I felt so much better and seemed to bounce back immediately! LOL Dr. Aceves crew will give you a spinal block. You won't remember much, as they do it while you are already on your way to happy town. I remember being pushed to my side while they were doing this and it was pretty much lights out immediately after. No worries, that really wasn't all that bad. I didn't have any driving restrictions and drove many miles home. I was very tired when I got home though and rested for the rest of my time off. Just do what you can, but once you get home, I suggest you stay home and recuperate. You will need it. Don't let going alone keep you from anything. Lots do go there alone and you will be shuttled back and forth the whole time you are there. The Mexican people are extremely hospitable and really nice and caring. I've always known this as my family is Mexican and so is my husband's. They are even more so in their native country. You will also have co-surgeries, so you can keep up with them during and sometimes even after. Once you get there you will see, its really not that big a deal where you are - it's more who you're with, and you will be in very good hand. Promise. I'm always happy to help! Let me know! Good luck to you in your journey! Though you won't need luck so much as patience and positivity.

I went to Mexico to have my Lap Band removed the revise to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I don't regret it for a second, and as far as I know the only guts removed during my surgery is 85% of my stomach... I was VERY pleased with my service while I was there. From the moment we were picked up by Ernesto, they all went out of their way to explain everything to expect in detail. Sure enough that is how everything happened. I like the idea that Dr. A keeps you in the EXTREMELY clean Almater Hospital for 3 nights. I did need all that time it turns out as I had very severe nausea. The Nurses were world class and I told them I wish there were more of them where I'm from. Also it is a real Hospital, not a clinic and you are given a private room during your recovery. My original first choice was Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco - because whoever I chose was going to be the very best! I ultimately had to make a choice based on funds available and went with Dr. A. Zero regrets and I'm so thankful to them to this day. I still keep in contact with them, and I'm TRYING to get back to see him post op. I had an appt for this weekend but snowy roads and lots of fog have postponed it. Soon though!! One thing to keep in mind is how you plan your post op care. My PCP has agreed to keep an eye on my panels and record my weight, but I'd rather still see Dr. A for my barium swallows or Upper GI's. So... I have that covered.

Great job ladies!!! Yesterday I had my Protein shakes and my low carb dinner - and stuck with my workout routine. Yesterday was weigh day for me and (Maybe TMI) I should be starting TOM any day now. I feel bloated and crampy... so this is very hard for me right now!! But even though I should be up a pound or two due to Water weight I didn't gain an ounce - so awesome!! I only hope that means I'm due a good drop once I get over this "issue"... LOL - especially with me doing low carbs and keeping my schedule! I LOVE MY SLEEVE SOOO MUCH!!! :wub:

I'm glad to hear you are OK! Did the Dr. prescribe something for the reflux? Just Curious...

That is so awesome!!! Congratulations to you and all the best -- for you have taken your life back! I hope to hear more about your successes in the future.

Ok, big admission here... I just bid on the 6 Week Body Makeover DVD set by Michael Thurmond. Why? Because the darned infomercial looked interesting. Okay, it says you can lose 30 Lbs in 6 weeks. Do I think that's true? Not sure but the whole "metabolism" thing sounded like something I wanted to take a look at. I already know I won't ONLY do 15-18 minutes per day 2x per week of the workouts... I'll just add it into what I already do. That's just me - I've always been a person who liked to workout and that hasn't nor will it change. I bid on it on eBay for an open but unused box, and the gal has a 100% satisfaction rating so I didn't feel apprehensive about the purchase. I'll let you all know how it is if/when I get it. I don't want to buy it brand new - not for something like that.

@chilo, congrats girlie!!! How awesome that must be!! I'm going to do the same. I bought some size 8 Levi's as my goal size. Even if I'm 170 in them... oh well. I'll see how I feel then if I want to keep going or not... @DJackson, cheers!! You will see the 8/10's soon

I pretty much walked a 5k at 2 months out, but I don't run too much - still too heavy and my knees are bad. I haven't since and more stick to walking 2.25 miles 5 days per week which I'm working on my 4th month out now. I really don't see this should be a really big problem if you train for it. Give it a try...

Great job littler steve!! You look very fit and healthy - great job you!

Your numbers look almost exactly like mine!!! LOL!!! The thing for me tho is that I still have to lose 80 Lbs. Oh well... I just keep on fighting - not weighing every day. I weigh once or twice per week, that way I don't see a whole lot of the ups and downs. Also there have been times I didn't weigh at all knowing I'd see a minor gain (TOM). It would be a false gain so why stress over it? @Denise, that is the best thing... don't stress! It WILL come off, even if slowly. The Holidays are over now (TG!!) and now we can just go back to business as usual. @Coops - there is a "like" button. They are the little green (+) to the bottom right. hee!! Let's keep rockin it no matter how long it takes! We are ALL winners!!!

I hope you are ok!!! Please check back in and let us know... Hugs!!

I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Sept 2010. You WILL absolutely love him and his staff. ...and you WILL be successful. I don't think I've seen one sleever yet who hasn't been (especially his patients), including me. I can be really terrible when it comes to losing weight - and I'm losing quite well. All the best to you and all who will be sleeved by Dr. A. soon.

Sounds like you and I lose the same way! I totally agree with the clothes thing. I only saved pants and not so many shirts, so as I go down in sizes I have to buy new tops that go along with the seasons. I had NO sweaters to wear or long sleeves (only a few left over from when I was banded). I'm glad that I can at least get my sizes to last the season. My XL's are too big now... but my large's are still working. They should be fine throughout Winter. I do have some Mediums in my closet for spring time waiting and I am very close to fitting them nicely now. Yay!! Blessed be the slow losers!! I just want to add one thing. I guess I'm especially happy to just be losing since I battled my weight so much with the band for years. I suppose that may have a lot to do with my patience and simply just being glad to be losing weight at all.

Everyone, please double check to make sure you're copying/pasting from the very last post. Thank you!!

SN................Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.....Lbs to Goal Avilda...................275.................187..............177..............10 Cherice95405.......248...............177............164...............13 Coops ...............238................191.............177................14 Cwalker...............250.................180..............170..............10 Daisy....................237...................138.............130...............8 DJackson.............229.................229..............215.............14 HollyW.................259..................233............215..............18 Ibejjo...................249..................249............229................20 Juliarh...................230..................230..............215...........15 Kimmes................239..................222..............200............22 Kgremmy.............225.................210..............199..............11 Laylasmojo.........242.................180...............170..............10 LeslieH..................212..................212.............199..............13 LilMissDiva...........235..................234.............220..............14 Meriteri...................240...................187.............170...............17 MichelleLee..........252..................225................199..............26 Mommy2Girls.......275.................240..............228..............12 Moniluv.................190.................190..............178..............12 MRSKOUBIK........317..................283.............267..............16 pattimomof3nj......203.4..............167.1..........155...........12.1 Sailorgirl.................240.................220..............200..........20 Secret Surgery34..........205.........179............165...........14 Sleeve 4 me.........166..................166.............156..............10 Sweatinitout..........245................170..............160...............10 Yolanda240...........236.................203..............170..............33

SN................Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.....Lbs to Goal Avilda...................275.................187..............177..............10 Coops ...............238................191.............177................14 Cwalker...............250.................180..............170..............10 Daisy....................237...................138.............130...............8 DJackson.............229.................229..............215.............14 Ibejjo...................249..................249............229................20 Juliarh...................230..................230..............215...........15 Kimmes................239..................222..............200............22 Kgremmy.............225.................210..............199..............11 Laylasmojo.........242.................180...............170..............10 LeslieH..................212..................212.............199..............13 LilMissDiva...........235..................234.............220..............14 Meriteri...................240...................187.............170...............17 MichelleLee..........252..................225................199..............26 Mommy2Girls.......275.................240..............228..............12 Moniluv.................190.................190..............178..............12 MRSKOUBIK........317..................283.............267..............16 pattimomof3nj......203.4..............167.1..........155...........12.1 Sailorgirl.................240.................220..............200..........20 Secret Surgery34..........205.........179............165...........14 Sleeve 4 me.........166..................166.............156..............10 Sweatinitout..........245................170..............160...............10 Yolanda240...........236.................203..............170..............33

Yayyyy CONGRATS educationrulz!!!!!!!!!! You blew right past it!!!! C'mon Dawn you are so close!

Hi Becca! I had severe port pain from the day they placed my band in me. It was so chronic and I complained all the time. My surgeon never said anything more than, oh that's normal - etc. etc. Once it was removed during my revision the pain was instantly gone. I cannot tell you how amazing that was. It was almost like it was a part of me! However in the last few weeks I've been getting (maybe?) little phantom pains here and there. I'm 3.5 months out so right around the 3rd month it showed back up. It's only from time to time - or if I stretch. It's very bizarre. It's not too bad though where I'm too concerned, and nothing like when the band was still there. I say if it gets to the point where you're doubling over, definitely get it checked. You know your body and if it's not normal. I hope you feel better soon!!!