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I am yet another "satisfied customer" of Dr. Aceves. My care was fantastic and I am so happy that they keep you in the hospital for recovery and any aftercare needed. I have two friends who had WLS within a month of my surgery date. One had bypass in the U.S. and one had Lap-band with another doctor in Mexico. My friend who had bypass was released the SAME DAY as her surgery!!! Just to clarify, she wanted to go home, but the fact that they let her amazes me. My friend with lap-band also was released to her hotel the same day. While they both returned for leak tests afterward, I just cannot imagine having to spend that first night away from qualified hospital staff. I have also had two other surgeries in the US, with both I was sent home the same day and with both I ended up with infections that kept me laid up longer than expected. Based on my previous experiences and those of my friends, I feel the research that I put into choosing my surgeon paid off.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race! I never thought I was losing all that much, just a pound or two here and there. At some points I just stop. Then, all of a sudden, I will lose 5 lbs. I just keep eating right, getting in my exercise, and taking my vitamins and protein. When I was 2 months out, I had only lost a little more than 40 lbs (I started at 302!). At 8 1/2 months out, I have now lost 100 lbs. I know people who have lost faster and slower, but I am extremely happy that I am where I am. Keep up the great work, your body will work in its own way and you will soon be at your goal!

I was 302 on the day of my surgery and so far I've done great. I'm glad I didn't go with the bypass.

Spaz, I went through a similar journey for about 8 years. I actually had everything ready to go and my insurance denied me the first time around (I was 25 then). Appeals did no good, so I gave up. Then I lost weight with a hospital liquid weight loss plan - 115 lbs! I gained it all back and more as the story usually goes . Finally, I started researching WLS again but did nothing for 3 more years. Then one day, my friend told me she was having bypass and I thought - that's it, I'm not living like this anymore (age 32)! I cashed out my IRA, went to Mexico, got the sleeve, and I haven't had a regret in the 8+ months since my surgery. For me, the sleeve was the best option - less "rearranging", fewer complications, and less long-term maintenance. Keep your focus, do your research, and go with what you think will be best for you. Don't let fear or other's opinions steer you away from enjoying the rest of your life as a healthy person! You are worth it! Good luck with your journey and keep us posted on how things are going.

One question my husband asked before my surgery was if I could drink. Dr. Aceves said the occaisional glass is fine, just count it into my calories. I do not feel the desire to drink nearly as much as I used to. I have had wine, vodka mixed drinks, and a margherita since surgery (6 months ago). It takes me much longer to drink and I found that the margherita was just too strong for me now - my husband drank most of that one. My friend also had some hard cider, that was a bit bubbly and made me burp a lot. I have felt fine with the wine and vodka mixed drink. I find that I do tolerate less (I used to be able to keep up with the big boys). But now, one glass of wine lasts me all night! Wine seemed to affect me a little more than the vodka drinks, that went down a little smoother and didn't make me feel tipsy. To lower my calorie intake, I have made some adjustments - I use crystal light cranberry or orange and a shot of vodka. This keeps the drink around 70-100 calories (depending on what kind/how much vodka you use). If you're going out, take the crystal light singles, order vodka and Water, and just add your own flavoring. Wine is about 100 calories for 5 oz. (depending on kind/alcohol content) or about 500ish calories per bottle to put it into perspective.

It's the fall bug hitting - I've been cleaning out my closet too. I put down a laundry basket on the floor and every time I put on something that is too big, I just throw it in the basket. The basket is overflowing onto the floor and I still have a ton of clothes to go through - wooho! I'm going to let my mom go through everything when she comes for a visit. Recycling amongst friends has been a savior to me. I was in a 26 and had plenty of 24s and only a few 22s. Luckily, a friend of mine has been getting rid of her 20s and that is carrying me right now. I did have to buy a pair of jeans now that it's getting cooler. I get so many more comments on my weight loss when I wear clothes that fit. Some of you with more professional clothes may also consider donating to Dress for Success. It provides interview appropriate clothes for women in need that are trying to enter the work force. If you find someone to swap with - great! But if not, maybe consider checking out the DFS option Dress for Success : Locations : DFS Affiliates.

I was constipated really bad while I was visiting Lebanon. The pharmacist there gave me glycerin suppositories. Worked like a charm! I had e-mailed Dr. Aceves' office and they said very thin Benefiber and plenty of liquids should keep things moving.

I didn't get to meet Eyfura while I was there. And once Vegas and Ruthi left, it was a lonely last day! I need to get down for my 3 month check-up before my passport expires, but work has just been sooooooooooo crazy. Those of your traveling down, Dr. Aceves and his staff are fantastic! Good luck with the beginning of your journey.

I always watch the show! This time I will be losing along with them. I love watching the different personalities and how they change throughout the show. And while diet changes aren't the main focus of the show (that just isn't very entertaining) they do spend more time teaching the contestants healthier food options than they showed the first few seasons. They also wear that bug thing now and dowload their calories expended along with their daily food log into the computer each day. This season they are also having the contestants participate in obesity research to see the before, during, and after effects on the body, brain, hormones, etc... I do think it is difficult for the average person to not feel inadequate watching people lose 20 lbs in a week. But we just have to remember that their full-time job on that show is working out and eating right. If I were working out 6 hours a day, I'd be skinny in no time! Maybe Jillian needs to come visit me for a few weeks.

Yeah for the moving scale! I stalled when I hit solids. I didn't lose for around 2-2 1/2 weeks and yes, just like everyone else, the weight started dropping off again. It's nice that we all know we're normal and didn't throw away a bunch of money to lose 20 pounds. :biggrin0: Eleven weeks out, I still fluctuate a lot and have better weeks than others. Also daily weighing can be very deceiving. I sometimes fluctuate a few pounds in a day. I try to only document weigh-ins about once a week, always in the morning, and always wearing the same thing so it's more consistent. Keep up the great work everyone!

I had never had acid reflux problems before surgery. I started my nexium right after surgery like a good girl, but I still had terrible reflux and then I started to get really weird side effects from the nexium (dizziness, double vision, nausea, etc...). I went to the store and just grabbed some Pepcid AC (the chewable ones) and talked with the pharmacist about my situation and she said to take them 2x a day instead of once. I know it's not the exact same type of acid blocker, but I tried it anyway (I was so sick of melting and drinking yucky pills). Anyway, my point is, 2 months later I am down to 1x a day, I have not had one problem with acid since I switched, all the funny side effects are gone, and the chewables taste much better!

I stalled for about 2-2 1/2 weeks when I moved to solids. However, I remained very active during that time and then about 5 lbs fell off all at once! I notice every week or two, I stay the same for a few days or even gain a pound. This happened this week and then today I was 3 lbs less than my last "official" weigh-in. Just keep doing the right things, get your protein, drink your water, and make sure to get your body moving and it will start coming off again. Congrats on your current weight loss!

I researched for a very long time (years) and had pretty much decided on the band when I found information on the sleeve popping up. I know I am not very good with maintenance (like oil changes, haircuts, etc..) so I figured fills would be a pain. Once I started reading about all of the people switching from the band to the sleeve and how much happier they were, I knew the sleeve would be best for me. I was sleeved 6/13/09 and have lost 45 lbs. so far. The only issue I had was some heartburn the first few weeks and some nausea now and then (usually if I eat that extra bite). I will go back for my 3 month check up next month - but so far so good!

It is back-to-school time - no rest or free time right now! I'm trying to figure out when I can go back down for my 3 mo check up! We went to Lebanon for 3 weeks. It was hot, humid, and CROWDED since everyone was there on vacation. I loved the sea and the mountains - but I'm glad to be home. How are you?

I've had the same experience. In fact, the other night I had to go like 4 times in about 4 hours and I was SHOCKED! I also usually have very little volume. I wish I had been like this when I was standing in a classroom all day!

Yeah, he needs a little a$$kicking now and then. Don't get me wrong, he's been very supportive of this journey. Even when I was thinner, I don't really think he thought I was beautiful - at least, he never said so. I think he just thought I'd be a good wife. Little did he know - haha. :biggrin0:

Hmm, the subject kind of digressed, so I'm back to goals :-). I want: *To have a baby *To go skydiving *To be able to fly without the seatbelt extender (goal reached on 5 out of 6 planes this last vacation) *To not be the hottest, sweatiest person in every physical activity *To stand out in a room and not stand out in a room all at the same time *To not be offered the front seat because I am the fattest person in the car *To not be told "you have such a pretty face" *To have my husband tell me I am beautiful *To be the person I feel I am inside

I was on vacation for 3 weeks (weeks 4-6 after surgery). We walked, climbed, sweated, swam, etc... for 3 straight weeks. When I got home, I was shocked to see I had only lost 7 pounds (all the 1st week, based on how my clothes fit). The stall seemed to start the first week of solids. The good news is, since I've been home, I've started losing again, so hopefully your stall will end quickly! :ohmy:

I started taking my Nexium at night after I was home about 2 days. I was having really bad reflux at night and changing from morning to night has helped a lot. However, I'm still waking up with some nausea each morning. I'm hoping this goes away soon!

I leave for Lebanon in 10 days. I'm just trying to make it through some crazy work stuff. I have to fly up to Reno on Monday, then drive to Carson City, work all day and fly back home. I am NOT looking forward to our 16+ hour day, the 8 hour ones are exhausting me as it is. I am ready for some vacation relaxation!!!

Hi Ruthi! How are you doing? Hopefully you're making a speedy recovery. I'm just starting to feel a little more normal, but getting better every day!

Awesome, we could go out and order 1 bowl of soup for all three of us - haha!

Hi there! Thanks to VegasAngel for introducing me to this site. We met while we were both being sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and found out we actually only live a few miles from each other! I was sleeved 6/13 and have been doing very well. I'm still a little sore and working hard to get all my Protein in, but each day gets a little bit better. Unfortunately, I've had to return to a more hectic schedule than planned, but it's working out ok. So, here is the part where I tell my story. I'm sure it is very similar to most of yours. I am 32 years old. I have been overweight my entire life (age 6 is the first time I remember kids calling me fat) and of course I have done the up and down diets since I was a teenager. I frequently lost weight and my most successful attempts were 50 lbs and 120 lbs. And just like I read so frequently, I gained it all back plus some. My family is all overweight and we often equate food with love. We Celebrate with food, we mourn with food, we talk about food when we're not eating... you get the idea. I have been looking into surgery for about 6 years. A few years back, I went through all of the pre-surgery stuff here in the US and had it denied by my insurance. My newest insurance has it as a written exclusion, so I didn't even bother. I have been looking into surgery with Dr. Aceves for a couple of years, watching the message boards, etc... With my research, I felt very comfortable that he was the right surgeon. Of course my family and friends that are in the know were a bit worried about me going to Mexico, but the hospital was great, the staff was great, and Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were wonderful. I felt that they actually had my long term interest in mind everytime they spoke with me. I look forward to this opportunity to get my health under control before it goes bad, and hopefully increase my success at having children. I know this journey will take me through the rest of my life and that it will be hard work along the way. But I knew it was time to change and get myself to the person I want to be. I've lost that in the past few years and I know feeling better will help me find myself again. I appreciate the chance to get to know those of you who are going through the same things as me. I know I will need support in order to be successful in reaching my goals. Hopefully, I will be able to provide that needed support to someone else as well.