jh5497

I was sleeved 8/31 by dr Garcia in TJ using A lighter Me and had a wonderful experience. Dr Garcia and his staff were friendly and compassionate. The hospital was nice and clean. The onsite coordinator eduardo and the driver abraham could not have been more accommodating. The hotel Marriott was very nice.
I traveled alone and felt at ease the whole time. I met some women at the hotel before surgery the next day and met more at the hospital. It was a wonderful experience.

He is a phenomenal surgeon! You will get treated just as great when you are in Tijuana by all the staff!

If it was me all I would say is my wife is having surgery and I needed time off to help while she heals.

Sometimes when you read posts, it does seem like everyone is doing so great. I know for me, I thought I was doing great in week 1, then week 2 it got even better, and now by week 6, I look back to week 1 and can't believe I thought I was doing good! Our mind is a powerful thing that way -- just thinking we're doing good makes us feel that way!
As long as you are staying hydrated right now -- that should be the goal and you sound like you are putting in every to do that -- so be proud of yourself!

I've been using tea tree oil on mine since I stopped putting polysporin and bandages on them and haven't had any itching. Remember though, itching means healing!

I had to self pay so Mexico became a great alternative! There is an entire board dedicated to Self Pay/Mexico Sleevers

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.

Transfer addiction is definitely real. There is an entire board on the site dedicated to this issue. As a clinician, I know with patients we can't expect them to stop using a coping mechanism such as eating, without replacing it with something else. It's important that if you have a relationship with food that is emotional and there is attachment to the current behaviors that have caused you to overeat/pick foods that lack nutritional value, you can develop new, healthy coping mechanisms since turning to food to feel better won't be an option post surgery.

When I was 19, I had stats similiar to yours and I wish I would have done. I went to Mexico alone and had surgery. I didn't tell my mom, who still doesn't know, but the rest of my family knew and were supportive. If this is what you want -- DO IT! This is your body, your choice! Neither of your parents have had your journey, walked in your shoes or dealt with your thoughts about your body image. I hope that when you are healthier and happier, they come around, but absolutely do NOT live your life to make someone else happy!

Hey guys,
I am 5 wks out this Friday and I am pretty much eating Breakfast, lunch and dinner with 1 maybe 2 Snacks through the day. Just wondering what you all pick up when you are a little hungry in between that is good, Protein rich and quick/easy? I have been having a slice of turkey lunchmeat or a reduced fat string cheese or babybell, etc. Pretty much feels almost like a meal to me because I get full, but I know it is not.
So, just curious what else do you have just during those in between....especially if you are busy out running around or something, you are hungry and frankly it is time to eat but you arent home and cant eat a real meal?
Ideas?

The moment I posted and saw "loosing", I was horrified. I knew it was losing, but there's no going back! I'm very ashamed and usually take pride in using proper spelling and grammar. Also, thanks, it's nice to hear that weight loss will happen and that I just need to have more patience!

The moment I posted and saw "loosing", I was horrified. I knew it was losing, but there's no going back! I'm very ashamed and usually take pride in using proper spelling and grammar. Also, thanks, it's nice to hear that weight loss will happen and that I just need to have more patience!

So I was sleeved August 9, 2012. 4 weeks ago today. Before I went into surgery I was weighed at 218lbs. Now, 4 weeks post op, I weighed in at 211.8 this morning. 7.2lbs in 4 weeks with an extremely restricted diet.
I'm disappointed in the results and have tried so many things to encourage myself (self talk, seeing slow losers board, reminders that it takes time, that its still a loss etc.), but I just feel like the reality has fallen short of my expectations for the sleeve. I had a stall around week 2 which was expected, but even considering that, I feel like my body isn't doing what it is supposed to.
So here's the details and suggestions are welcomed:
I walk for exercise -- about 20-30 minutes/day, plus chores like mowing grass where I work up a sweat. Sunday is my one month and I plan to start doing more like swimming and beginner work out dvds (biggest loser ones).
What I eat:
Breakfast is a 100cal EAS Carb Control Protein shake (17g Protein),
lunch is usually Soup or left over supper or super steamed veggies from the cafeteria (I work at a hospital)
Supper is chicken mushed with dressing/spices (about 2 oz solid food right now)) or Ground Turkey recipes.
Snacks (2/day usually, sometimes 1 depending on Fluid intake) cheese, greek yogurt, Protein pudding (80 cals, 15g protein).
Fluids: I drink 1 Water bottle while at work (it's just shy of 1L), I have for sure one 500ml glass of herbal caffeine free tea in the evening, usually 2, but sometimes I switch this up with ProtiDiet hot chocolate (80 cals, 15g protein) in 500ml Water instead of more tea ior a chai tea latte (80cal, 4 carbs, 5g protein).
I feel like I'm doing everything right but the results aren't telling me that! Any help would be appreciated!!

I would be discouraged too - but I guess one of the things i am learning through this journey is to just keep on keeping on. If you are doing the right things, the weight loss WILL happen.
I had a month long stall and wasn't discouraged exactly, but not too excited about it. Somehow, during that weight loss stall I dropped another clothing size and people who hadn't seen me thought i had lost alot of weight during that month. Go figure.
I am going to suggest that you try something really radical - just because i believe in changing things up when things aren't going as planned. What about not weighing for a month, but keep following the plan? How about during that month, change your exercise routine and possibly back away from the Soups (salt?). Sometimes something new and different causes the weight to start coming off for no explainable reason.
As far as food goes, check that you are getting enough Protein, but it sounds to me like you are eating pretty on target.

I was sleeved on 6/29/12 and stalled in weeks 2, 3, & 4. Then the weight started coming off. As long as I get my Protein and fluids I lose the weight. I have only stalled one other week and that was last week when I had my monthly TOM. Then got on the scales and had went down 3 lbs in one day. It will happen. Your body has been through a lot and is in shock!

When I was 19, I had stats similiar to yours and I wish I would have done. I went to Mexico alone and had surgery. I didn't tell my mom, who still doesn't know, but the rest of my family knew and were supportive. If this is what you want -- DO IT! This is your body, your choice! Neither of your parents have had your journey, walked in your shoes or dealt with your thoughts about your body image. I hope that when you are healthier and happier, they come around, but absolutely do NOT live your life to make someone else happy!

No, a low BMI doesn't mean you shouldn't do this. I went in have a BMI on the lower end of the spectrum after losing 50lbs on my own and when it came time to: do my post op diet, fly to Mexico, get in and out of the hospital bed, shower with a drain in, walk the gas off and recover, I was THRILLED to be a lower BMI. I think for me, my recovery was easier because I was smaller. If you want this -- do it!

Between my ribs, my collar bone and my pelvis -- I'm starting feel like a skeleton! Haha! It is AWESOME!!!!

I've been very concerned about these strange, hard lumpy things under my skin. Some are bumpy and growth-like. Some are long and more smooth. They've been appearing more and more as the days go by. They seem to have something to do with body structure....Oh wait........what?? My husband informs me that these are called "bones." Is anyone else finding weird stuff like this?

I've been using tea tree oil on mine since I stopped putting polysporin and bandages on them and haven't had any itching. Remember though, itching means healing!