circa

I'm headed to Mexico at the end of this month. I feel very confident in my decision, not just because of the money, but because of the research I've done on the doctor, the facility, my personal medical needs and the education of the doctor. I have an aversion to US doctors because of being misdiagnosed by so many doctors for so long. Fearmongering of some is to be taken with a grain of salt, so is the absolute GUSHING over a doctor or experience that was considered to be so perfect that birds were singing to them every morning. If its too good to be true, it probably is. If its too horrible to be true, it probably is. Take the middle ground and DO YOUR RESEARCH! I'm going at the end of this month, I'll give you a full account of everything that I see and go through.

staple removal doesn't hurt at all - its significantly less of an ordeal than suture removal. Don't worry!

The pain could very well be from your gall bladder if you still have that. The other option could be an internal hernia. I'm glad you're being accountable and getting back on track! Hang in there!

Great idea thanks!

So, last night I had an adrenal attack. Basically, I have a panic attack, but without the mental aspect of it. It lasted about 12 hours. Its extremely painful and the only thing that seems to ease the pain is extremely hot water. Even the hot tub wasn't hot enough. I'm extremely exhausted now because of the lack of sleep. Its amazing how much pain something so small as an adrenal tumor can cause. After I have my sleeve, I'll be scheduled for additional treatment for the tumors. I cannot wait for that to happen. This surgery has more of an effect on things than my weight. My doctor is hoping that it will help to restore my thyroid function as well as help with the PCOS and allow better treatment for my insomnia and endometriosis - most of which was caused by the steroid treatments I was on for years. So here's to getting all of this started and solved!

perhaps see if your doctor will give you codeine to supress your cough.

I think that other people have a *view* of what everyone else should be. If you're comfortable where you are, then you're at your goal. I think basing your goal on a number that something you stand on tells you isn't the way to go. You said yourself you needed to tone up. That's not going to be rated by the scale - that will be rated on how your clothes fit and how you feel. I don't think you need to worry about the scale, but rather how you feel in your own body. You've done a lot of the hard work, but I think the hardest part is being okay with where you are sometimes. Forget what other people say, its about how you feel.

Never, EVER be embarrassed to ask a doctor ANYTHING. They've heard, seen, thought of anything and more that you could possibly ask them. Wouldn't it be MORE embarrassing for the doctor to think you DON'T have sex with your significant other???

wow - hope you are all cleared up very soon! I was starting to wonder because my husband broke out in his face after drinking a sobe life water that had mango in it - he's HORRIBLY allergic to poison ivy and the skin of a mango has an oil in it similar to the oil on poison ivy and it totally made him break out!

I'm just a little over 3 weeks away from surgery. I'm nervous/excited. I started stocking up on soups and whatnot for my "clear liquids" portion of the process. I'm not a very good broth-eater, but I'll do it! Still waiting on my passport to get here - I have to renew my drivers license because that expires at the same time - UGH! What a pain!

My shoes! I have an extensive collection of shoes - most are 3-6 inch heels. I used to wear heels every day until I got sick - I can't wait to wear them again!

Have you looked for other employment opportunities? Do you work for a temp service that offers insurance perhaps? Its hard to save money, I get that. Financing with bad credit is going to be nearly impossible. Take the time now to get your credit in order, perhaps look for a position that will provide health insurance. A lot of places depending on where you live give health insurance to part time employees - Starbucks being one of them.

Oh I was so glad to see this! I swear I lose half my body's blood every time I get my period! This will be a nice "side effect"

awesome! It feels so good to finally have a ball rolling and a direction to go in! Congrats!!!

glad you're home and starting to feel better! Everyone I know that's had surgery has had the "remorse" period - but that ends VERY fast.

You look fantabulous! Congrats!

I've got about 200 to lose myself - I thought about that whole "big girl" confidence and ya know what? I had a damn good sense of humor before I was this big, so I know that while I tend to deflect with the happy go-lucky on the outside, I'm quite certain I'll have the same ole funny me back when I'm comfortable in my own skin. Just make sure you check in with your heart, mind and soul along the way to make sure you're transforming them when you're transforming your body.

Your body is probably used to stopping there - I have those stopping points too - but your body will learn that it needs to get over it! You're not doing it wrong! Hang in there!

I kept all my clothes on the way up - when my whole "weight gain" thing started, it was supposed to be temporary. I was only supposed to gain weight when I was on the huge steroid treatments. Unfortunately, they caused tumors and now that I'm getting those treated and having the sleeve, I'll be all set. But its only been 4 years, so I have lots of basics that are still relevant in every size for the trip back down

Maybe you can schedule your sleeve in Mexico with someone else here? I'm going at the end of January to Dr. Almanza - maybe you can find someone going when you want to have yours done and to the same doctor? Then you won't be alone!

In 30 days I will be giving myself the best tool I can find to get my life back. I have tried for a couple of years now to work with insurance companies and it just didn't work out. Either they didn't cover the procedure, didn't deem it medically necessary, or I lost my insurance as soon as I got approval, or my employer didn't pay my insurance premiums - its just been one thing after another. I tried 5 times with insurance companies. Not always their fault, certainly not mine. This time, I've got the power in my own hands. I have the funds to do it myself (pay for the surgery, not perform the surgery - although I would if they would let me! haha) I'll be heading to Mexico the day after my birthday to have the surgery. Dr. Almanza will be performing it. I have done a TON of research. I know that this is the best option for me. I probably won't stay in the recovery house, but at the hotel with my husband. I can't stand being around people when I don't feel well - especially if they don't feel well too. I would like to have my husband be comfortable and he won't be unless he's WITH me. I understand that I will be in a surgical clinic - I'm fine with that - in fact, I prefer it. Hospitals are the biggest source of infections there is - why? because there's SICK people there! I don't feel I need an ICU on hand. I don't have any comorbidities to worry about. I'm actually in relatively good health now that I'm past the heavy metal poisoning and unfortunately I'm left with about 200 lbs extra of me from the aftermath of the treatment of chelation and steroids. I of course didn't help matters - I was weak and couldn't exercise. I was pumped full of steroids and was unsatiably hungry at all times. I made poor food choices a lot of the time. Would I still be in this situation if I had made the best food choices? Yes. But probably not as bad. In conjunction with my surgery, I'll have additional treatment for all the steroid damage. I'm looking forward to getting my life back. It hasn't been all that long that I've been without it. This all started in late 2007. So its been 4 years. 4 years since I've been a size 10. 4 years since I ran 5 miles a day. 4 years since my husband looked at me like I was absolutely the only person on the planet besides him. 4 years since I've had the confidence to be who I am. I can't wait to have that back. Just recently, I've realized my actual size. Wow did that hit me hard. Before, and sometimes still, I feel myself to be a "normal" sized person. Hopefully that will help with body image issues. My body was never perfect, but I was comfortable with it. That's all I want to be - healthy, active, and comfortable. Here's to that goal.

oh that is WAY cool!

Have you tried the Naked brand protein drinks?

You've mentioned your calorie intake, but you haven't said anything about calorie expendature. What are you doing to burn calories? Have you changed what you eat at all? The sleeve won't do it all for you, especially those last pounds to get you to that "perfect" spot. I would definitely up the exercise.

Everything I've read is 3 weeks. I would just call your doctor and ask. Can't hurt