SouthernSleever

Great job!

I dont like it either. The ONLY kind I use is the 1/2 stevia 1/2 sugar blend and even some of it is yucky. Try the brand name IDEAL. It's all I use!

If you have documented medical problems that would be resolved or helped I think they will wave the BMI requirement. I would suggest the sleeve to my Mother, if she brought it up, and she only has about 50lbs to lose but it's 50 that really gets her down and is hard on her body.

Isn't it fabulous? I didn't really get that many compliments until I had lost about 75% of the weight but even when I look crappy I get approving stares from guys and glares from girls ;P

It's not surgeons in Mexico it's THIS surgeon in Mexico. Gawd the stories just keep piling up. Thank you for your posting so people can weigh their options. For some people the risk of a crappy surgeon/treatment is worth the savings exp if you have no insurance. It's a bad situation to be in. I hope you heal well!

You can look at my signature for my loss. This month has only been 1lb but I expect to lose at least 2-3 more.

I'm in a women's size 8 jeans and a juniors size 9 but then again I like my stuff TIGHT so I can fit into it longer and ya know...cause I like mystuff tight!

I quit smoking to get the sleeve. I had previously quit to have my children for 5 years and had a relapse a couple months before surgery. I started again in June at Bonnaroo (a music festival). Now I'm not saying the smoking made me drop weight. Walking ALL day for 4 days in 100 degree weather and dancing my ass off had the majority to do with it but I lost 5lbs those days. I'm still smoking I plan to quit Nov 1st. The times I have tried to quit recently I have found myself munching like crazy BUT I would rather gain 5lbs or even 10 than do all this work only to get cancer and lose what I've worked so hard for, not to mention leaving my children Motherless which is devastating. Besides if you look at smokers they look tired and their skin wrinkled and ashy. As far as gaining and normal gains and then drops again I will lose about 8lbs a month recently gain 3 and then start losing again. That's my pattern every month since 3 months out. Edited to add I have had two 5lb gains a couple months but the weight came right back off.

I told my family and my close friends. If I see someone who needs to know (they are overweight too) I will also tell them. For the most part though I don't want everyone thinking of me as a previous fat person. Shoot when I was fat I didn't think of myself as fat and I don't want the stigma now. I don't want people looking at everything I eat which they tend to do or their stupid comments. I do not deny but if it is someone I see from just passing where I don't have time to explain when they say, "How have you lost so much weight?" I will say, "Long story but I eat low carb." If I have more than 2 minutes I will tell them the story unless I think they are just asking for gossip's sake.

Dang! You are looking great! That's a lot of weight to be lost in 6 months, congrats. *whistle*

I have read SO many posts about people regaining about 30lbs 3 years out. For me I want to go as low as I can. Now want and doing are two different things. I eat like I'm in maintenance now and the results are telling. I haven't lost a pound in almost a month. Where as a few months ago I could eat 1 taco now I can eat 1 1/2. I will never stop my weight loss intentionally however I do it plenty but that is not my motivation. I won't ever get to dangerously thin because I must keep up energy for two kids and a physical job. Keep eating good foods, don't add in bad and see where your body lands.

Thinking of you and your daughter!

Dr A doesn't do a spinal block for everyone. One girl with us requested one and he told her with her medical history she couldn't safely have one. He didn't give one to me either because I had a history of blood clots. I woke in IMMENSE pain but it was all in my back which i think i was in a weird position on the operating table or something. I'm not sure why but my back didn't even hurt that bad in labor.

Woah! Amazing transformation!

You are probably retaining fluids to cushion your injuries. Whenever your body swells it is putting padding on that area and also your body slows down on weight loss, lowering your metabolism incase you aren't able to access food while you recover. No worries, you will back to be being a loser soon!

When I eat carbs, I want more carbs. When I eat carbs I don't lose weight. It's as simple as that. If I look back at my ancestors they didn't eat a lot of carbs at all. If I want to eat carbs (this is my thoughts when I'm being good, I don't always do this) they should come from veggies or fruits.

I hope you are on the mend for good soon! Thoughts and hugs!

You will love Dr A and his team. I left behind a 6 and 3 year old so I feel your pain.

For me it wasn't about the money. Yes, I was self pay. But I have two small children and I HAD to come home and in good health for them. Dr Aceves is truly the best. You won't find bad reviews of him. People think because he charges less that you are settling for surgery in Mexico but truth be told I wouldn't send my family to anyone else regardless of where he practiced. If he were here in the states he would blow these US doctors up.

You look fantastic! Congrats!

Don't compare the band to sleeve. From everything I've read they are nothing alike NOTHING! The bad fails SO often and the sleeve, if you follow your guidelines, is cake to take off the weight. It's as if you are comparing riding a tricycle to riding Harley. You put a lot of effort into the peddling that trike but the Harley will get you there faster and easier. PS Dr A is amazing! You can't get better!

You will be recovering on my 1 year sleeveavsry with Dr Aceves. I'm down 111lbs and so picture yourself giving courage to someone when you are a year out. Sitting close to your goal, loving life. You can do this, it will be the most amazing ride of your life!

I wish wish wish I had done this in my 20s! You are in the best hands in the world IMO and will be sleeved just a few days after my year sleeveaversary. Imagine yourself this time next year at your goal and GO!

Blast away here are my thoughts. If I go out to dinner I will allow myself a coke. I never drink the whole thing. I do NOT buy it and bring it home though because I can drink my day's allotment in calories in just a matter of hours and I do NOT want to be fat again. I don't buy that it stretches your sleeve. It wouldn't even inflate a balloon and I don't believe that our stomach is as thin and stretchy as a balloon. It's a slippery slope, like ice cream. Your sleeve will not keep you from drinking too much and if you are in the losing phase you should choose your sweets wisely. That said if I want a coke I want a coke, not Water, not crystal light, a coke.