Shrinking_Lola

The doorman in the hotel had reduced wages like many of the states here in the US, so I always gave them a few dollars every time they came to my room, delivering broth and getting my bags. Dont worry about tipping for service, because they are so awesome, friendly and assertive. As for the walmart baggers, I gave her 5$ because she was so poor and had the worst teeth I've ever seen. I felt horrible for her and thats what I wanted to give, I probably would;ve given more but that was the only cash I had on me.

Advil and Ibuprofen help my cramps, but I don't really get them anymore. Also, I crave carbs like nobody's business before and two days into my period. I have to make myself drink lots of water (with crystal light) to stay "full" so I won't be as tempted to fill up on too much stuff.

If you have Kindle or anything like that, bring it, than you don't have to worry about the mostly Spanish channels :-)

I also had Dr Fernando Garcia, Everything VS-Fat-To-Fit-Girl said is true, except they do a leak test immediately after surgery (while your under) and two other leak tests while your recovering in the hospital. They give you a drink that tastes like liquid aspirin, followed by an immediate Catscan, than before you leave in the morning they have you drink a blue liquid that they look for in your drain bag. So a total of 3 leak tests. Amazing nurses, really caring and attentive, they speak english. My incisions healed up perfectly and quickly, I had them taken out my last day in the hospital before going back to the hotel. OH and also the Hotel has free wifi along with the hospital. I went by myself too, no support person and I was extremely comfortable and very well taken care of. I would recommend Dr. F. Garcia and his team to anyone and everyone!! Wonderful experience!!

I had sex with my hubby the day I got home from Mexico!!! Than he went back to work for a month and when he came home I was 30 lbs lighter and feeling a lot more confident in myself and YEAH!!! It was the best it's been in years!! Not that its been bad, but it went from good to great!! I can't wait for him to come home again!! With every pound I lose a little bit more confidence comes back, and I too can't wait till he can pick me up and try new positions!!!

For starters, I lost out on the 30lbs in 30 days goal... I was kind of bummed about it, but in the end, I'm still happy with my results. GOALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 199 by July 11th, 2013- I'm only 16lbs away from that right now!! 7-11 is my birthday and my husband will be home and I really want to make it as best as I can, even tho I know I'm doing really well on weight loss, I just want to make this goal!! 190 by August 15th, 2013- I'll finally just be OVERWEIGHT and not Obese!!! YAY!! It will put my BMI at 29.8 which is just over the cusp! I can't wait!! 180 or less by the last week of Sept, 2013- We're going down to California to let my grandparents meet their only great grand babies for the first time and I won't have seen them for 4 years, I did not tell them I got sleeved but I'd like my weight loss and size to be surprise for them when they see me, and depending on how that goes, I may or may not tell them about the surgery. 175 or less- I just want to weigh less than my husband!! LOL, I know it sounds cheesy, but I'm really looking forward to it!! 165 by Dec, 2013- I want to get family photos taken for Christmas cards and I would like to feel comfortable about myself in the pictures! 150-155- FINAL GOAL before Valentines day of 2014!!!! I have something special planned for my husband (wink, wink)

I was the last of 3 surgeries too!! My story is very similar to yours!! Except I have my gallbladder :-) I had such a positive experience! I'm glad to hear you did too and your recovering well!!!

For these reasons I didn't tell but 3 people and that doesn't include anyone in my family!! My husband was on board because he's wonderful!! Everyone else wasn't supportive when I was looking into the surgery a year ago and they must have forgot and I wasn't about to remind them. You can't convince people who don't want to see the truth!! For me, Mexico took way better care of me than any experience I've ever had in the states. They were extremely professional and clean. I would highly recommend my surgeon and hospital to ANYWAY considering getting sleeved, but when it comes to telling my family, I just didn't want the negativity and condescending remarks. Good luck with everything and remember, it's your life, and you decide who should know or not. You'll need support afterwards :-) Mexico is safe!!

WOW!! You look amazing!!! That's really fantastic that you have no restrictions on what types of food you can eat!!! I also believe and agree that for Sleeve patients, due to our tiny stomachs that a modified version of Atkins is the best way for us to eat!! I went with Dr. Garcia on April 29th, and I'm doing fantastic on my recovery as well!! A little concerned for hair loss, but I have a lot of hair and it's thick too, so they have to thin it out anyway, I'm sure it won't be that bad. As for the people who think the sleeve is a solution for being overweight, they have a lot to learn!! There will always be restriction in portion but that in no way is going to effect the choices they make. I can eat 3-4 oz at a time and mostly anything I want without complication but am I going to stuff my face with Oreo's?? NO! Absolutely not!! Sleeve is a tool, not a solution. A lot of us have to learn how to eat again, and that includes a high protein diet, and if you don't want to stall for very long or gain weight, common sense, stay away from empty carbs, if you want to poop regularly, eat more fiber!! Hence Atkins, low carb, high protein and high fiber. Sure its not for everyone, but for me it makes sense. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. I applaud you for realizing you've been slipping up and adjusting your diet to suit!! That's quite an accomplishment in itself!! Keep up the good work girl! You looking amazing and inspiring us!!

I used my Tax refund.

WOW Girl!! Your results are amazing!! You look beautiful!! I'm post op just over a month and have lost 27 lbs, I hope I can lose over 60 lbs in 6 months!! That would just be incredible!! Thanks for being an inspiration!

Along with the HUGE list of numbers they give you like Marmir said, Dr. Garcia's team is extremely quick about getting back to you, or answering the phone!! I've had a couple questions once I got home and my emails were answered within hours!! They are amazing!!

Ahh Dr. Luna!! How I miss him! He's so gorgeous and takes very good care of his patients! I'm glad to hear your doing so well. I will be 3 weeks out on Friday. Good advice, taking it easy :-) HUGS TO YOU SISTER!!

bellhops are awesome in the Marriott!! I even facebook friended one of them!! Such nice guys, please, tip them!! Their income depends on it! As a former server, I completely understand that.

For sure you do look GREAT!!! I thought about tracking my food on myfitness pal but how do you track like 2 bites of cottage cheese?? Maybe I should look into it more?? It would be beneficial to me in the long run. Thanks for the inspiration!! Your doing awesome!!

I also have Mirena, and had no problems. I told the Dr about it and he wasn't the least concerned. I finally got my period just over 2 weeks post op, but I can't tell you how long it last because I'm still on it. lol. Just walk a lot after surgery, which everyone should anyway :-)

They have a round pillow that honestly looks like it's made for people with hemroids, and my great granny had one, and it's SUPER comfy!!! She used to be a big lady and towards the end she lost a lot of weight and would sit on that thing all the time!! Its so cool it flexes so you can use it in any which way. I know it's cheesy but here's the link. http://www.asseenontv.com/detail.php?p=293219&SESSID=44e19e2a14637bcebd9c81ffd30397e2 Hope that helps.

So a stall has to be a month long?? Is that what the doctors say?? I've never heard that before, but I'm pretty new so, who knows!! I certainly didn't :-)

Thank you so much for replying to my question. I was really starting to wonder if I was the only one. I'm so crampy and blah feeling, I've been reading other period posts and it sounds like my carb cravings are pretty normal too. I haven't been hungry at all until 3 days ago when I started. Blah!! This sucks!!

I have Mirena in, but we just had our second baby... because like your concerns, I did get pregnant last year before my surgery and it had to be postponed for a year!! So far no concerns, or complications.

I was sleeved April 26th but the second I started my period, I stalled. I'm wondering if there is a connection?? Maybe retaining water or something?? I also had Mirena put in March 10th so I know that spotting and what not are normal for the first 3-6 months, but this is an actual period and I've stopped losing weight for the last few days. Anybody have similarities or know anything about this??

I agree with everyone else, find a new PCP. That's just crazy she isn't supportive. How discouraging, but than you have to remember You PAY for these people to help you, so YOU have the final say if you want their support or not. You'll be okay :-) don't let this tiny thing get in your way from a better version of yourself!!

Gettingsleeved- what did you do to break the stall or did it just happen on it's own??

I also was sleeved 7 days ago with Dr. Garcia and I'm having a rough time fighting head hunger!! I had the best experience ever with his team, and I'm extremely happy I went with them, but like I said, head hunger is rough. I know I'm not physically hungry, in fact I never feel hungry, but I know when my stomach grumbles that I need to consume something. Head hunger is a killer!! It's hard for me to fix meals for my girls and husband and not want to pick at everything but it's all part of the process. I have been finding new hobbies to keep my mind from constantly thinking about food.

I have the fear I will have a hard time knowing when I'm full and be throwing up a lot, or somehow stretch my stomach back and gain everything back :-/