Earwood

Of course, check with your doctor, but I don't remember being told to avoid any medications in my post-op instructions. I would avoid aspirin or anything that thins the blood since your tummy is healing but don't think there should be a problem with anything else. I had a caffiene headache for a few days after surgery but the medication they gave me for pain took care of that with no problem.

WOWZERS...118 lbs in 4 months! That's amazing and inspiring...thanks for sharing.

Yes this too shall pass! I promise! Just get plenty of rest and do your best to get your protein and fluids in (this is hard I know)...and you will be feeling much better before you know it.

WOW...can't wait until this is ME! Thanks for sharing...it is an inspiration to keep moving forward. You look GREAT!

Fitjen - just wanted to tell you how much I admire your strength and courage to deal with all of that, all at once. You are an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing with us.

I've always been a coffee/espresso drinker and had to give it up obviously for a short time after surgery. I started a 3rd shift job the week after surgery and have been gradually falling back to the caffeine boost. The difference now is I only drink 1 small latte or coffee vs. the Large and or multiple cups I drank previously, however, the effects seem to be amplified now which is weird to me. Trouble sleeping, feeling jittery, etc... I've heard that the absorption with alcohol is different after surgery (feeling tipsy faster) so I'm wondering if it's the same as caffeine. Anyone heard or experienced something similar?

Thurs 8/30: Sugery in Mexico (horrible night felt like I was going to die, threw up blood for hours after surgery) Fri 8/31: Rested all day @ the Hotel Ticuan; walked around to get out the gas Sat 9/1: Woke up feeling 100% better, up and out shopping, walking and getting my nails done in the streets of TJ Sun 9/2: Taken back to San Diego, went to church, beach, & rented a car to drive to LA to visit family Mon 9/3 (Labor Day): Flew back home to KS (car broke down in the HOT HOT heat had to walk to a gas station) Cleaned up the house and did all my laundry from the trip. Tues 9/4: Went back to work, drove myself, no problems Still tired and weak from lack of food/water...I'm trying to do better but I work 60 hrs a week and have 5 kids so forgetting to eat and drink some days.

Umm 3 bites of whatever I try to eat period....please tell me it will get better? Hard getting my protein and nutrition cuz I'm sick of shakes.

I'm 9 weeks out and no hair loss yet but I'm sure it's coming. I have been slacking on my Vitamins so thinking about going to get a pre-natal at GNC that has Biotin in it. Just remember how awesome my hair and nails were when pregnant taking those prenatals. I'm not eating very well either so I need my vitamins for sure. Anyway, good luck. My experience is Mexico was good so I don't have too much pre-op advice other than get your stitches taken out when they tell you too.

Sorry to hear of the problems you are having and hope you are feeling better soon. FYI...you had to send your birth certificate in with your passport card application and then the state department sends it back in a separate mailing from that of your card. I got my birth certificate back a couple days after I got my card. Keep us posted on your recovery and good luck on the rest of your journey...

I have heard of cross over addictions also and feel it is a legitimate concern. I'm 9 weeks out and have gone thru many emotions over the loss of my comfort buddy food but I've been determined from the beginning to kick this addiction in the butt. I've kicked so many other addictions from my past, it's freeing to have this as one of the last on my list (only next to caffiene). For whatever reason, I feel very protective over my new stomach and couldn't imagine drinking or smoking now (I used to enjoy both very much) and possibly hurting it. If you are concerned my best advice is to be proactive. I find the rough spots in the road much easier to deal with preparation. Get a good therapist and continue through until you get to a good place comfortable with the adjustment (bcuz it is a BIG adjustment) I went to Mexico so there was no kind of psych eval or any mental preparation for what I've gone thru and I was a little surprised at some of the emotions I experienced. How can I feel depressed when I finally got what I've been dreaming of for 14 years???? I'm pushing past it and am excited to live a life not controlled by food! My faith has also been a huge rock to help along this journey so I'm thankful for that. Guess I could say I have a Jesus addiction but hey it's nothing but positive energy and no negative side effects so I'll probably keep this one. Caffiene, however, I'm putting you on notice, cuz your butt is getting kicked next! haha Good luck and congrats on your upcoming surgery!

When you need the help, the staff will be there. The first night and day after was pretty icky but by day 2 after surgery, I was up and out on the streets of TJ shopping and getting my nails done. Bumpy rides in the car, etc may be a lil painful too. The only point I would say if you are going alone is loading/unloading luggage at the airport. Call ahead of time and request a wheelchair. An airline employee will come get you load up your luggage whiz you thru airport security and take you all the way to the boarding gate. The airport is too big to walk that far with your luggage after surgery and no point in trying to over-do it. I have 5 kids and other than making sure my 3 yr old doesn't try to run and jump on my tummy I had no problems when I got home. Had my surgery on a Thursday and was back to work the following Tuesday. All the basic chores around the house I was ok with but very careful and mindful of what my body tells me and I made sure not to over do anything. I went to Dr Almanza in TJ Mexico...the surgery was $4500.00 (paid mostly with my Med Flex 125 card through my employer) Total hotel cost was about $200.00 and my round trip airline ticket was $260.00. We rented a car and did some sight seeing as well so that added a little to our expenses but for a trip to have surgery we actually had a great time

yay Chris! Good luck to you and keep us updated! See ya on the other side...

I was totally prepared to go alone to Mexico. I was lucky that I have a wonderful friend who wouldn't let me go alone and insisted on going with me at her own expense. I was very thankful to have her with me, however, now that's it's over I think I would have had no problem going alone if I'd had too. There was 7 in our surgery group that day and we all immediately bonded starting from the airport pickup location in SD. The staff was great also and there was complete access to call home etc so I never felt disconnected. If you have to go alone, it might suck while you're there if you're not used to being alone since everyone's experience but even if it does, I promise you it's still worth it to go!

I'm sure it's a little disappointing on some level but the rescheduled surgery will be here before you know it! Enjoy your favorite meals while you still can and STAY SAFE LADY! Prayers are being sent that way for the whole East Coast. Keep us posted!

I'm also here to say you are not alone! My husband was supportive at first when it was still just an idea out in space somewhere but as time crept closer and reality set in, he went through a very insecure phase that was extremely stressful when added to obvious stress of just having the surgery itself (and going across the border to do it). He set up road blocks and tried to sabotage my financial ability to have the surgery and when I pushed through it and the surgery was done he switched to being a jerk and telling me he knew I had plans to leave him after I lost the weight. All of this totally sucks when one of my main motivations to have the surgery was thinking about how much my husband would love the new me, I wanted to be the wife I felt he could stroll with in public and be proud to have me by his side. He was always good to me and never made me feel bad about my weight before and always told me he loved me no matter my size I was always beautiful but this is something I wanted to do for me and him. I think whoever made the comment before was right about having a fat partner is 'safe' for some people. Anyway, I'm down 43 lbs in 9 weeks and I have just continued to reassure him and love on him and things are really getting better on this issue. I think his mind is starting to relax as he realizes that I love him and our family and I had the surgery to improve the quality of life for me and my family. I can already do things with the kids I couldn't do before and it's a great feeling and he is really starting to 'enjoy' the new me Best of luck to you and your hubby!

CONGRATS!

Lucky you no gas pain...congrats and welcome to the 'other side'

I feel ya...eating has become a chore now vs a pleasure as it once was. If eating wasn't a requirement of existence I would probably just stop all together. My previously fav foods now have no taste or taste nasty to me. I still get head hunger, go to eat what I crave and then want to puke cuz it doesn't taste good anymore. I'm only 9 weeks out though so we'll see if I ever get back to some semblance of normal somewhere down the road.

I'm obviously not an expert but can I ask whether it is the time factor you mention or is it the fact you are really not mentally ready to give up food completely? I'm only 9 weeks out but I can tell you that the mental part of this journey is the hardest part, the phsyical (sp) part not being able to eat is pretty easy. Food was my best friend and my comfort when I'm sad, stressed, bored, lonely, to socialize, even cooking for family was a way I showed them love. To have all of that taken away in one 40 min procedure is a MAJOR life change. I can now literally eat 3 small bites of food and that's it until the next meal. I have no idea the difference in success rate long-term with the larger sleeve but this is your choice and what's best for you. This is an irreversible procedure so you need to do what makes you comfortable. My only other possible thought is the sleeve is eventually going to stretch out a little at some point down the road and the this initial honeymoon of only being able to eat 3 oz of food at a time will over. Discuss with your surgeon but if you start with a larger sleeve in a couple years down the road you may only be at a 1/3 reduction vs a 2/3 reduction. Things to think about but I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make...keep us posted!

OK I'm learning how to take these side by side photos. I need to do full body, hopefully this weekend. I've always hated taking pictures so willingly remembering to take photos of myself hasn't got into my brain yet Anyways this is me...6 weeks out and down 38 lbs!

It's been 3 1/2 years since I've been under 200 lbs so it's finally my turn to post, "I'm in ONEderland!' That is all

HAHA that's funny I'm wearing that T-shirt right now but yes it is big now....love how my clothes that used to be tight feel so loose now. What an awesome feeling. I love you SLEEVE <3 We must hook you up with one though if you want one!