Caradina

I'm down to 35 lbs from goal and getting pretty lean. I have extra skin on my upper arms, upper thighs, hips, bum, stomach, breasts.... I'm like a melted candle. I'm hoping it tightens up on its own, but al of the techniques I've tried have failed. I'm looking at plastics.

I actually have a DVD of mine, So I swallowed the barium and it shows it going in, in motion! It's pretty cool.

I plan to have ice cream (a small portion) every night once I hit goal.

You can do it. You still have your tool, you just have to get back on track.

I watched my barium swallow in the hospital. It is almost a < shape now. It is tiiiiiiiny...

Same as I was. I'm almost 5 months out now, and my capacity is still that small. I'm not complaining.

I'm saying the same as everyone else. Yes, the pre op diet was awful for me. I actually did faint, a couple of times. It was worth every moment of torture. Trust me. Try to hang in there, try not to cheat. Take it a minute at a time. If that is too long, take it a second at a time. You will get there. It's only food.

I look alot younger. I think I have less noticible wrinkles now too. I've also been psycho about skincare my whole life, especially since the sleeve. I can't reccommend it enough! Try a face cream that has Royal Jelly in it. It encourages natural collagen production. Burts Bees makes a good one and it's only about $18.00.

My stretch marks aren't different, but they are more noticeable. As I shrink, my stomach skin is getting loose, so to be graphic, I have a tire filled with goo around my middle right now. My entire body is fine, but my front is horrifying. It's frustrating. I'm getting a tummy tuck as soon as I hit goal, because I hate it so much. I have to wear Spanks to work out because there is so much. So try not to dwell. It's just part of the journey and it's fixable once you are done.

Oh man.. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I drink while or right after eating... it's urp city. No way.... LOL

Like INT hospital in Tijuanna? I went there end of March to see Dr. Rodriguez. It was a very good experience. The nurses don't speak much English there, but all of the doctors did and I saw a doctor several times a day. I went through Belite, and I almost always also had someone from there availible to me. The hospital was spotlessly clean. Like could eat off the floor, but no weird cleaning smells. My room was private and had its own bathroom with shower, a real bedspread, and a window that opened onto REAL air! The floor had a sunroom area with comfy couches and big windows, so mostly we all just sat and visited and watched the city. It was a very good experience. The hospital was alittle older tech wise than we are used to in the US, but I had no qualms at all and would go back in a heartbeat, as I recieved better care there than I ever have in the US.

This is an amazing post! I'm so happy for you and can't wait for my own similar post in the future! Thank you for sharing!

LOL I was ready to blow up this thread!

I'm 5 1/2 months out and still struggling with hydration in general, especially plain water. It just doesn't feel good, and I'm frustrated trying to stay hydrated. I do historical reinactments, and in the summer heat, and all those clothes.... yeah. Hydration is key. I literally am sipping constantly then, and it gets annoying. I find that unless water is ice cold, or has some sort of additive like MIO or Crystal Lite, I can't hack it. I'm hoping this gets better, but I think I'm just going to have to live with it. Small price to pay in the long run, every time I look in the mirror. Hang in there.

I was sleeved by Dr. Rod in March, but in Tijuanna. He is awesome. Very professional and a great surgeon. I have had no complications. His bedside manner is amazing, and he has a great support staff too. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I went through BeliteWeight.com, and the coordinators were also great.