MissE

This is such a relief! I'm not alone!! I was feeling like a food "creeper" and honestly felt I was not normal!! 10 days out from surgery now & I have been watching food porn just about everyday!! I have been craving DILL PICKLES of all things! But other than that.... all is good! Thank you for the food-porn still pics!! Love it!

It sounds like you've gotten some great advice here, but I wanted to add one thing. I was sleeved on Dec. 16th and found that mornings were especially difficult for me. I was advised to never let my pouch (tummy) get empty. Since being told that I sip (even if its water) all day and even wake up at night to sip. It has helped a LOT! I just moved on to mushy foods today so I'm hoping I will continue to improve! Best of luck to you and happy new year!

I am glad to read about supportive PCP's!! I go next Thursday to let my doctor know that I was sleeved on Dec 16th. I am not sure I want (or need?) to tell him that the procedure was done in Mexico. Regardless of how he is going to feel about my choice... there is no lecture in the world that can change what is already done. . . Or at least that is what I am telling myself prior to this dreaded appointment!
I have asked about WLS in the past and he was always saying no. He would harp on me that my BMI was not high enough.... (I am 5'4" and weighed in at 200 lbs. ... how high is "enough?) I would leave his office with a "Heart Healthy" diet plan and cry myself to the nearest gallon of ice cream. I TRIED every diet on the planet! I needed a doc to realize that some of this was simply the "fat gene" that I lovingly inherited from my family.... Now it's done.
I hope my PCP is as forgiving & understanding as those mentioned above!!
Best of luck to everyone on the weight loss journey!

I am glad to read about supportive PCP's!! I go next Thursday to let my doctor know that I was sleeved on Dec 16th. I am not sure I want (or need?) to tell him that the procedure was done in Mexico. Regardless of how he is going to feel about my choice... there is no lecture in the world that can change what is already done. . . Or at least that is what I am telling myself prior to this dreaded appointment!
I have asked about WLS in the past and he was always saying no. He would harp on me that my BMI was not high enough.... (I am 5'4" and weighed in at 200 lbs. ... how high is "enough?) I would leave his office with a "Heart Healthy" diet plan and cry myself to the nearest gallon of ice cream. I TRIED every diet on the planet! I needed a doc to realize that some of this was simply the "fat gene" that I lovingly inherited from my family.... Now it's done.
I hope my PCP is as forgiving & understanding as those mentioned above!!
Best of luck to everyone on the weight loss journey!

I LOVE hot wings and anything spicy. I am really hoping that my sleeve will tolerate spicy again. These days I am craving the weirdest thing: Dill pickles, the crunchy Claussen dill pickles. Someday.....

Saying a prayer for a smooth surgery & a quick recovery! My surgery is Friday!! Good luck!

Today is the last "pre-op" day for the rest of my life.
I am excited.... scared to death.... hopeful..... happy.... sad..... anxious. All of my emotions are on overload.
I am running into town to get my hair done (since it may be awhile before I feel up to going... and the holidays are here) my nails done... and to buy any last minute items needed for post-op.
High protien liquid drinks? Any suggestions? I have found a few that I can tolerate the taste of, but they're not "clear".... they are sort of colored depending on the flavor.... does that matter? I keep hearing "Clear liquids only" after surgery for a week.... can they have color? Just not more than Water consistency?
Please say a prayer for me as I take this final leap of faith on this journey. I am flying out tomorrow morning to San Diego then driving into Tijuana, Mexico. I will have my surgery tomorrow evening.
I hope to be posting updates soon thereafter.

I will say a prayer now. Clear Liquids means you can see through them. I used Protein Shakes mixed with Water not milk at first. I always recomend buying it from GNC or anywhere they let you return what you do not like. It is expensive and it can add up quickly when spend $35 dollars on Protein and hate it.

You truley are an inspiration!!!

This is my opinion only, but I think the main factor in how well skin snaps back is mostly luck. A few other factors may play a part too. However, I'll tell you what I did. I'm 5'7, I've lost over 160 Lbs at this point, going on 170 and my skin has shaped up quite nicely considering how large I was. The largest size I've ever worn was a tight 28W and 3-4X tops. The smallest Sizes I can wear now is XS and 0. Vanity sizing plays a lot into that but I digress...
I drink a whole lot of Water, I tone up when working out and I eat as healthy as I can. I also take Vitamin E 1,000 Mg 4x per week before bed (was every night). I do believe these have helped me a lot in my skin recovery. One last thing, it can take up to 2 years before you see full results of how well your skin will retract. So, patience plays its role in this too. It is also my belief that ethnicity, age and whether you're a smoker or not has some say too.
Good luck to you! One last thing... Plastic Surgery and compression garments has helped!

Trixie, I'm finishing up my 2nd week post-op and I'm feeling the exact same things as you.
I came to a startling realization that I actually had/have a problem with food. Holy cow! I can't believe I was almost to 300 lbs and I honestly thought I didn't. I made good food choices, I didn't snack on crap all the time... but I ate too much quantity. Consistently & frequently to the point of feeling ill. This surgery has made me face this fact head on. I'm still struggling with old habits, bargaining with self, pity parties and the like, and I went through a VERY black couple of days at the end of the first week when I realized what had happened and there wasn't any going back.
But I'm getting better. The whole reason why I wanted this surgery in the first place was to completely eliminate the cheating, the bargaining, and the fatalistic thinking (e.g. "I blew it at lunch, might as well blow it at dinner too... in fact, might as well blow the rest of the week..."). Knowing myself as I did, I wanted a "hard stop" to all that behavior. And boy, I sure got it.
In the last couple of days it's become very clear to me that I've been eating to soothe pain and to fight sleepiness (I have fibromyalgia, among other things). Being off work has been a godsend in this department -- I am sleeping 8-10 hours a night and even napping on occasion. Before I was lucky to get 6 hours.
Now when my inner voice says, "I'm hungry," I do this little check-in on my physical state, and my emotional state. About 8 times out 10 it's reacting to pain, tiredness, anger, thirst, frustration, or just good-old boredom.
I've realized that it's important to remember there is a non-food solution for every one of these. I think this what people mean when they say "eating your feelings".

I am scheduled for Dec 18th. Is anyone else going then?

I just woke up from mine. I went to the hospital at 7am, the paperwork was about 1 hr, then like 30 mins waiting for the anestheologist. The last thing I remember was the anestheologist asking what they were giving me. My dad tells me a gagged alot, but I dont remember a thing. I don't know how I got off the bed and onto the wheelchair. All I remember is getting on my dads truck to come home, and getting off at the house. It was kind of funny t my house cause he kept telling me open your eyes, open your eyes, if you fall I can't pick you up, and I kept saying they are open! Dad laid me on my bed and I woke up at 3pm. I have a slight throat ache, I imagine its cause of the tube. I am glad I don't even remember seeing it.

Hi Everyone,
I know it is such a big step to have Weight Loss Surgery. Then what kind and where are some of our next concerns you must be thinking about. I had WLS 3 years ago in Mexicali, Mexico. I did a lot of research for about 6 months before I made up my mind what doctor I was going to have do it.
I also went by myself. I had people who would go with me, but it really was easier and better that I went alone. Some people will want someone to go with them, and that is good too. Do what makes you feel comfortable. I am so pleased that I had this done in 2008. I lost 105 pounds and have kept it off.
I want you to know that I am out here to answer any questions that you might have when it comes to Weight Loss Surgery. I had a "sleeve" and honestly that was the best surgery I could have ever had.
So please feel free to send me any of your questions that you might have. That is how I educated myself, I asked a ton of questions from a lot of different people. There are no bad questions, and there isn't anything that we can't talk about?
Hugs,
Suzanne

sometimes, you need to be selfish! ppl have a misconception that being selfish is a bad thing. its not! we need to be selfish and take care of our selves! youre investing into your future, your marriage & your kids lives!

I'm heading down Jan. 3 to see Dr. Kelly. Sorry to miss you guys! Keep posting your journey!!!

I just got back on Tuesday. My surgery was with Dr. Kelly and it went great. I was shopping and walking all over the day I got out of the hospital. It was the best decision of my life. Good luck to you.

Hi. I go to Tijuana for my VSG with Dr. Lopez on Dec. 13th. My excitement level is through the roof... MissE, I as well am having those dreams. I can't wait for those dreams to become reality. I pray for you all the sucess in the world.. Congrats...

My surgery date is Dec 5 at Hospital MI with Dr Garcia. I am so excited and yet very nervous. No skinny dreams yet, I think my husband is have them though...about me, I mean, he is already skinny...lol.

Misse- dr rod is great!! My surgery was easy peezy- the only thing I didn't like was the bench thing my mom had to sleep on. If someone is going with you, be forewarned that their sleep at the hospital isn't great-
Oh! And when you go to the hotel ( if it's the same one) there is a street stand selling Mexican grub - the beef broth is great!! ( watered down a bit though- it was a little strong for my tummy but tasted fab!!!)
Good luck!!!!

I wish I was having skinny dreams! I am getting bigger it seems before surgery, so I am REALLY pre-occupied with that at the moment. I have been thin. not thin, thin and then not thin a million times over, and I don't think the reality of actually STAYING THIN has hit me yet! haha you're right, it is kinda exciting!!

Hey there, I am headed to TJ on Dec 4th, surgery booked for Dec 5th with Dr Ramos Kelly. I will be at the Oasis Hospital and then am moving to the Lucernia Hotel when discharged from hospital. I have heard from several people that his acommendations for his pts are great and being a Paramedic I have researched him and his practice followed his pts for several months now thru this blog as well as others. I had heard horror stories of the Mexico hospitals and alley way surgery rooms, but it seems almost everyone here has done their research, knows what to expect and once sleeved has been so good about posting what they are going thru and how their progress is going that it definitely has helped me to prepare both physically and mentally for the trip as well as the journey afterward.
I am sorry I will be going a different time but i hope to be as diligent posting as many of the others have been once sleeved. I wish you the best of luck !

Good luck with your surgery. There is nothing wrong with doing something good for YOU! You are worth it! The sleeve has been one of the best decisions of my life. I wish you the best!

I have paid my deposit & paid for my airline tickets... all that is left to do is to wait. Tick tock... tick tock.
I am worried about the recovery time. I am feeling guilty about spending that much money on myself. I am worried about the burden I will be on my family as I recover... and learn to eat again. I hate making my family worry about me... ugh. I am the one who is always the caregiver... now its their turn to care for me... I don't like that so much.
I have great support from my family. My husband (who loves me the way I am) is supporting my decision. My children support my decision, although they don't think I am "fat".... My mother is crazy worried about the fact I am going to Mexico to have it done, but says she supports me no matter what. I love my family so very much. I am doing this for ME. And honestly, that is the hardest part for me.
I know I am worth it. I know I deserve it. So why all this damn guilt?
5'2" 200 lbs. I need a change. I turn 39 on Dec. 8th and I REALLY want a "new me" for my 40th birthday present.... I just don't want to carry all the guilt for being so selfish.
:/

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I was sleeved yesterday afternoon. I feel ok now, just some gas discomfort. I have been able to walk the halls 3 time and I am using my incentive spirometer. I brought gas x strips with me and although I am a little uncomfortable with the gas I am not in any pain. Dr. Kelly said everything went well. I am getting sleepy now so I am going to take a nap.