AStephenson

Great plan and excellent change of perspective!

I am going to Mexico as well for my surgery. Wondering if before you scheduled you fill out a patient health questionnaire?? If you have already disclosed your health problems I'm guessing it's a non-issue to your surgeon.

I'm surprised OP is still posting at all...just looked at her profile and her banner says, "I hate the people on this forum"...Okay then, why still here??

PB2...I got mine from Amazon. On my first try I just dumped some in my greek yogurt and stirred. I didn't enjoy it at all and I thought to myself, well..this was a waste! It was waaayy gritty and not sweet. Turns out I should have read the directions, you're supposed to mix it with water first! I tried it again in a blended protein smoothie and it was much better

Glad to hear you are doing well, Mary! Keep us posted

I do believe the pain meds you are sent home with from Mexico are considered non-narcotic..I've heard it's suprador (Tramadol)

LOL@ms. antiband...yes, the term is "invaginated". Sounds kinky to me, I prefer "folded" But yes, folded into itself then sutured so it can't come unfolded. The final result looks the same as the sleeve, albeit larger due to the entire stomach still being there. In answer to OP's question...Bos123 had plication done and is doing well

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Thanks for sharing!

I agree...my surgeon even said something along the lines of that in a youtube video he has promoting gastric plication. For him to dismiss them when I called to talk about my concerns (and whether to have sleeve or plication done) took me back a bit. I wavered for a while over sleeve vs. plication and decided to stick with the sleeve because plication is an even newer procedure. Just wishing there were more studies available on this, as one poster wrote..."gastrectomies (full or partial) have been done for decades with cancer patients".

yes, I've learned that it is also secreted by the pancreas and hypothalamus, but these will never produce enough of the hormone to gain pre-surgery levels. Member Feedyoureye posted several studies (5 years out) that prove this. Reading studies is one thing....hearing from people actually living with and experiencing any undesired impacts is another. If being colder is the only major drawback of decreased ghrelin that folks notice, I'll just throw on more clothes and go with it! LOL

Hi there! I may see you in passing... arrive in San Diego Sunday, Feb. 17th Surgery at OCC in Tijuana Monday, Feb. 18th Hanging at the Marriott until Thursday, Feb. 21st Home on Thurs, 21st My daughter is traveling with me. It's coming up fast, isnt it!

Hello everyone! My surgery is fast approaching, February 18th! I'm still preoccupied with removing such a large part of ghrelin. I know most people are thrilled with the idea of not being hungry after surgery...but I am concerned about the effects of long term deficiency. Ghrelin has so many roles in our bodies, stimulating hunger..yes, but also apparently in sleep patterns, body temp regulation, memory and cognitive function, dealing with anxieties, and stimulating GH (very important in my opinion!) I realize being overweight is unhealthy, I already have several co-morbidities. I'm looking for input from veteran sleevers on whether or not they have noticed any differences in the aforementioned areas....especially whether or not they have noticed increased illnesses or longer healing times since being sleeved. I want to feel 100% confidant that I am doing what is best for my long term health and well being, not just trading one set of problems for another. I asked my surgeon about this...and well, to put it bluntly, he told me "That's bu**sh*t". His exact words! I laughed and felt appeased at that moment..but doubts are creeping back in. Thoughts, please? "Ghrelin is considered the main hunger hormone. It is secreted by the cells that line the stomach when the stomach is empty and also by the pancreas when it detects low blood sugar. Also, the liver secretes ghrelin when its glycogen storage runs low (and glucagon is high). When ghrelin is released into the circulation, it directly activates NPY neurons to stimulate appetite. Increased levels of ghrelin are directly associated with the sensation of hunger. It is considered the counterpart of the hormone leptin. Importantly, ghrelin is a potent stimulator of growth hormone (GH) secretion and regulates nutrient storage, thereby linking nutrient partitioning with growth and repair processes. Ghrelin activates several anti-inflammatory pathways in the body and promotes cell regeneration thereby promoting healing, especially within the gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin regulates glucose homeostasis through a direct action on the pancreatic islet cells (the cells that secrete insulin). It is also important for memory function and gastrointestinal motility." From www.thepaleomom.com

Hoping everything is going well Mary

Last fall I watched a few "facial toning" videos on youtube and started them along with increasing my workouts on my total gym. Can't say how good they worked because I injured my trap muscle and had to stop darn near everything for over a month while my chiro tried to get me straightened back up. I've been self conscious over my chins ( I call them waddles) since forever and have found that they lesson when I cut out most carbs, and moisturize faithfully. I HOPE my skin "get's the message" after my upcoming surgery and weight loss, otherwise I think I'll try one of those saran body wraps around my head/neck. Can't hurt, right?

I started my pre-op early (WHAT was I THINKING?!?) and the first week was a breeze, now in coming up on week two I'm ready to walk 4 miles in to town for a cheeseburger and some fries, with a nice sugary doughnut to chase it down!! OH MAN!! I've been in the kitchen so many times, open the fridge...stare. Close the fridge...frown. Open the cabinet...stare. Slam the cabinet! Open the pantry....stare......groan out loud!! I've been a basket case today with cravings!! Got.....to.....hold......out!!

I saw no pics for her either Ms. Skinny...

Oh no girl! I got those too! LMBO! We are just too easy to pick on, it seems

YOU ARE BEAMING!!! Great pics, great job! Love it!

Won't be sweet if you eat it plain (Ricotta). It reminds me of cottage cheese, only dryer. How bout plain or vanilla greek yogurt, mix in Tblsp. of lowfat/low sugar Peanut butter then swirl in SF Jelly of your choice and viola! PB + J!

Thanks for the link...wish they had pictures of the "diet" products though

"When I met the surgeon today he told me that since i'm bottom heavy it's going to be even easier to do this laproscopically......................thanks..." This made me chuckle Juny! I'm bottom heavy too Wow...8 weeks of liquids?? I feel for ya..I'm doing pre-op diet right now (2 shakes and 1 low cal meal) and my tummy is already protesting. I hope that time flies by for ya!

(GROANS) I've never eaten here before...wish I wouldn't have looked at the menu, especially being on my pre-op! DANG! Everything looks so scrumptious

Yay! Just an FYI..I got mine at my local post office and they charged me $70 total..30+25..then $15 for taking my photo :/

I've read that once we lose our extra weight we will still have basically the same body shape, just smaller. Can't beat genetics I guess. Have you ever done any body shaping exercises?? For me, when I do strengthening and toning (weights, resistance bands, pilates) I notice more changes in my shape than at any time I've lost weight.

Hi Misty! You'd do fine with whatever brand you get. I've got scads of these things from all different makers and they all seem to be the same quality and length (I'm short too) so depending on what muscles I'm targeting sometimes I have to shorten it up by holding onto the tube instead of the handles. The different colors mean different levels of resistance and I think any person with even moderate or less strength could start out with a medium resistance band and get good results. Just pay attention to your form and don't over extend joints. Get one that has the little dohinky so you can anchor it in a door to get a more varied workout, and make sure the door is closed FIRMLY before you start your moves or it can whip out and darn near kill you! LOL Good luck!