Time2Lose

I have only told 3 good friends, my mum and my siblings. One of the friends had the procedure done last year so no fear of judgment there; one asked a lot of questions but was supportive and the other is totally with me on it. I think it is no one's business how I achieve my weight loss and that's just my personal view on the matter. They would notice the weight loss and all I would say is "thanks" to compliments and "well it was about time I took my health seriously and eat right" to the question "how are you doing it?" See people can be very judgmental and this is a very emotional decision and given that they have not lived our lives I think they need to mind their business and I'll mind mine. I am happy with my choice and I am not going to allow anyone to dampen that.

2BThinAlways: they do not take your height and weight a second time unfortunately; they go based on your intake form. Jaime: I just sent you a text a few minutes ago. The flight back was soooo long, ugh! I was able to sip on some hot Water though. I've discovered swallow and quick breathing helps with that choking/chest pain. I am taking today off just to have a day back to get use to things before getting back to work. Ref meds: it's actually called Novaxen (Naproxeno). Funny thing is I have not needed pain meds since my final injection at the recovery house around noon on Saturday. The pain I feel from gas is way more than the incision sites...but then I have extremely painful periods so this is a walk in the park.

Thx guys! @Atkinsoncl: I am going to look up a bariatric doctor once I get home. I gather they are not too elated about taking on patients who've gone to other countries but I hope to find a kind enough one. Sipping hurts...it seems to create gas regardless of how slowly I do it

Well I am finally post-op! I opted for Dr Almanza in Tijuana Mexico. Was picked up with about 6 other patients at San Diego airport and driven to the hospital which is in a strip mall. It was relatively small but very clean. They had us register (passports, green cards etc.) then did our blood work. The nurse (Lupita) was pretty darn good. I have never in all of my annual exams had blood drawn at the first try and certainly not after having zero liquids in 12 hours. Lupita got it in a single shot; needless to say to was impressed. I was anticipating a minimum of 3-4 tries. We then went through an intake process; personal history (illnesses, alcohol and drug usage; family history, pregnancies etc.). We were then prepped (i.e. got into hospital gowns, got IV drips attached for hydration and then waited). The cardiologist Dr. Diego came by and did his tests to ensure no redflags with the heart. Dr. Almanza dropped by to introduce himself and took a pre-op pic with me. They operate in order of BMI, with the lowest going first. I was 4th, which meant I waited for approximately 4-5 hours; however I was comfortable and slept for a good portion of it. They came by to get me and all I can remember is getting on the table, stretching my arms out and then the next thing I know I was being taken into my room. The night nurse was kind, came by with little bowls to spit up into thanks to the nausea; rubbed our backs (I had a roommate) when we had too much gas pain and kept up the meds for pain, antibiotics and nausea. I spent most of the night making trips to the bathroom - too hydrated - which given the intake restriction post op isn't a bad idea. The next morning, we received medicine packs to take home with us. Naproxen, Cipro, Maalox and antibacterial spray for the incision sites. The issue at this point was gas!! It hurt my chest and the center of my back. There was little pain related to the incisions except when getting up or switching positions. I can tolerate popsicles, but drinking liquids no matter how slowly just hurts going down. We did our leakage test yesterday and had to drink some of the most vile tasting liquids to ever cross my lips!! But thankfully no leaks. I opted to come back stateside once the drainage tube was removed (ouch!) and good decision because it took 3.5hrs to get back into the US vs the 30 minutes it took to get into Mexico. I fly back to the East Coast today. My only concern now is getting enough liquids and Protein in. The hospital, doctors, and nurses were competent and kind and I'm so far glad I did this.

Meljp: good luck with your surgery. It is a decision we do not come to lightly, so ignore the nay sayers. I have only told 3 friends (one of whom had a sleeve last March); my mum and siblings. The way I see it, this is a decision for me and no one else. I'll be looking out for your post-op posts. I'm right on your heels...March 1st!

You are a good writer! Congratulations on your new life; it's always good to read the stories of those who have gone before...I just put super-duper sanitary pads on my list of things to pack...no gambling and losing here! :-) Happy 2nd week post-op!

I'm scheduled for March 1st. Only have a 3-day liquid diet. Went shopping on Monday: I got a sippy cup (lol) I felt so weird buying one, but I read that it helps regulate/minimize gulping. I got chapstick, gauze and tape, gas-x strips, unsweetened juices, Jello, Isopure Isolate 28 from GNC (vanilla and Unflavored). I've tried both and I like them. The unflavored one does taste a tiny bit vanilla-like but not enough to drown out of the original taste of the drink I mix it with (peach-mango iced tea). I also got applesauce. My sister (a nurse) has recommended Hibiclean Cleanser for ...I have to go find that (CVS, Walgreens or RiteAid...in a turquoise bottle); also picked up a heating pad and a firm travel pillow. Good luck to all of us!!!

Hey: I have a few sayings that I found and saved in preparation to succeed. I'll just type them out here and you can copy them into Word and print them out and maybe stick them on your fridge or the cabinet with the bad foods :-) PATIENCE. Let's be realistic here. You won't drop two jean sizes in one day. You won't lose fifty pounds in a month. You're going to binge (or be tempted to) every now and then. You will go a day or two without working out. Your weight is going to fluctuate here and there. You're going to try new techniques, and they're not going to work. You're a human being. You're going to fail (sometimes). But nothing GREAT is ever accomplished without a FEW obstacles. JUST KEEP GOING!! Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs, the burning in your legs and the voice inside you that yells "I CAN'T!" But you do not listen. You just push harder. Then your hear that voice fade away and start to whisper "I CAN". That's the moment you discover that the person you thought you were is not match for the one you really are!! RISE ABOVE IT! NO EXCUSES! You've had a long day at work Your legs are a little sore from yesterday's workout It's raining outside It's cold outside It's hot outside The drive is too far You don't have time Your alarm clock didn't go off These are all excuses made by common folk You are not common You are not a quitter You are not the person you may have been in the past You are a ferocious, unyielding competitor You will succeed You will UNDENIABLY...Rise Above It!! Rise Above It Wondering1. Good luck!

Thank goodness you are ok. I pray you recovery quickly.

Oh Lilu, I am so sorry you are feeling down. I am very familiar with the frustration of having to shop for an outfit when nothing seems to fit. Please try to focus on the fact that you have made the biggest step towards being healthy, slim and fit. May is right around the corner and soon it would be upon you...and it will be all smiles from then on. Until then try to Celebrate the beauty that is within you and those features about yourself that you love... It helps to know how to cheer yourself up...find your happy place. When I feel down (and this might be silly) I listen to the classical world of disney...it always takes me back to happy childhood memories and cheers me up. Hang in there

Glad it all went smoothly! I pray mine goes the same way.

Hey All: As I count down to my surgery, I have tried to calm my jitters by continuing to be more informed about the surgery, the effects, the complications. I have found some very informative videos on youtube posted by a Dr. G. Alvarez. Search "Endobariatric" within www.youtube.com. 11 days to go!

Hey Andrea: Just saw your videos, good luck with your surgery! I will keep up with your progress through your videos.

I will echo some of what has already been said...please find another job. I know in this economy it may seem like a Herculean task, but if it is sabotaging your progress then it has to go. It would be unfortunate to have taken this giant step only to lose the benefits. I have my surgery in about 2 weeks, and I am not disillusioned into thinking this is going to be easy, but we have to give it our best, obesity is our common enemy here. I don't know how much you've stretched your stomach by now, but hopefully it's not too much. You may want to look into stress managing techniques...maybe working out at the gym or dancing to your favorite music...versus emotional eating. If possible, engage your friends and family to help you. Good luck!

I agree with Circa. If he likes you for you then the weight should be a secondary issue. I say a secondary issue because it is very deceptive to believe that the outer appearance does or should not matter. Everyone has what they are attracted to. I have guy friends who like their women with some meat on their bones and skinny women do nothing for them; while I have guys who are totally the opposite. However, this is about you. It would obviously be weird if you start dating him pre-surgery and your dates include eating at restaurants and at the movies...and then suddenly you can only drink 2 oz of liquid...but then I guess if it's just a casual thing at this point you can tell him you've already eaten and have activity based dates vs. those that may revolve around food. Once it gets more serious or the weight begins to drop rapidly...you should consider having the VLS conversation.

Good luck!!!

Congratulations!!! Reading your post gives me courage. My surgery is scheduled for March 1st. Looking forward to a healthy life!

This has been helpful. I am having surgery on March 1st (Thursday) and hoping to return to work on the 5th (Monday). I have desk job but do carry a laptop bag around. I will have to ensure it's pretty light weight.