Earwood

I was scared as well to have surgery in Mexico not knowing what to expect but I had a great experience with Dr Almanza and have no regrets! Good luck!

Back for my update...I think I lost at least half of my hair in the front btwn 3-6 months. The back seems to not have taken such a hit but I can't wear my hair down anymore because it doesn't not have enough weight to lay down flat in the front. There are no Patches and if my hair is in a pontail like it is everyday now you can't really tell. Good news is, it's starting to grow back and I have all these baby hairs coming in making me look all fuzzy lol but hey it's growing back so that's all I care about. Praying my hair will be back to normal soon. I'm now 6 lbs under goal so can't complain there...the temporary Hair loss was worth it!!!

The first meal of the day always seems the hardest to get down. I feel I can only take a few bites the first time I eat in a day, but as the day goes on I can eat more and more. Does the stomach shrink back up in my sleep?

Just curious...

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy

Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

I'm almost 7mo post-op and I still eat a 1/3 of what my 3 yr old eats so I don't think this thing is going to stretch and it's not for a lack of trying lol. Even if it gives a little, you'll never be able to eat the way you used to before surgery.

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way this morning. It's an amazing journey...Congrats!!!

The best thing I can tell you is that what you are feeling is completely normal. I cried all the way to the operating room and was nervous about leaks for at least 6 weeks after surgery. I have high anxiety anyway so leading up to the surgery I contanstly focused on what my life was going to be like a year after surgery. I knew if I could tough out my anxiety and make it to a certain point my life would be changed forever and it has. 5 months later...no regrets I couldn't be happier with my decision and not chickening out. I'm now only 10 lbs to goal! Good luck and you'll do great!!

Thanks everyone I do feel great...

*UPDATE* I did finally weigh myself today and I lost another 10 lbs taking my total to 71 lbs lost in 5 months...only 12 lbs to goal I'm praying I can make it by my 6 month mark! Best thing I've ever done for myself...so happy

You look wonderful!! Thinking of using your doctor... Talked to them 2 dys ago.. Just in the process of figuring all this out!!

Dearliza - If you have any questions about Dr. Almanza or my experience there please let me know. Good luck to you! It's an crazy awesome nerve-racking but totally worth it journey!

Not sure how much I've lost because I haven't weighed in almost 6 weeks but I feel my clothes getting looser all the time...yay! No regrets and I know I'm getting closer everyday to my goal.

I think it does take time for the mental to tcatch up with the physical. I still feel fat too but what has helped or makes me notice are my side by side pictures before and after...those make me feel good

I paid $4,500 in TJ Mexico...most of it came from my tax free 125 flex spending account. No pre-visit hoops and no after care but I'm doing great almost 5 months out.

I believe being cold all the time is also a sign of Iron deficiency anemia. I'm going to set up an appt with my doctor to check my iron levels.

I have the same problem. I had pcos so my hair was already thin. Luckily my Hair loss stopped at 8 months. I do use a product called Xfusion, it is sold at Sally's. just for the record I have no financial relationship with the product or the store. It does not really help with regrowth, but it does help cover the scalp. It is very natural looking, and I've not gone without it since I've discovered it. Google the product and learn more no one has been able to tell my hair loss, because of this. Good luck to you.

Thanks chitowngirl...I'm going to Sally's tomorrow

Yes. I'm cold all the time now since the surgery. Kinda weird I know I don't have as much body fat as I used to but I'm still colder than the skinner girls around me.

I'm going thru the SAME THING! I started losing my hair about 3 months and it shows no signs of stopping. Chunks of hair falling out everyday in the shower ugh I'm so scared. I feel it was my fault because I did not keep up on my Protein and Vitamins in the beginning. Did you?

I felt the same in the beginning. Give yourself some time, this is a big adjustment and it does get better I promise!

Went to Sam's club the other day and was completely stuffed on a few of their samples...LOL. One of the perks of only being able to eat 4-5 bites of food. Might start going there for lunch everyday

You look beautiful! and HAPPY Happy for you...

Mine started falling out in clumps during the shower in the last couple of weeks...it's not noticeable yet but I'm a bit freaked out.

So how much did you way before? I was sleeved Aug 30th & have lost 56 lbs and can't believe the difference. The one thing I'm having a hard time with is shopping...i can't wrap my head around being in smaller sizes idk why, shopping should be the fun part. Anyway it is all a mental adjustment & that takes time. 86 lb loss is amazing in that amount of time & I can't imagine a # any higher being good or safe for your body...just relax & give yourself another 3-6 months. I know dropping that much weight your body has to at least feel better? Even if you don't see it right?

Thanks for the update and congrats to you on your success!

My starting weight was 233 and I'm 5'5 and also wore a size 16-18 and XL shirts. You must just have some heavy bones lol. I have sons like that though...they can be the same size but one is very lightweight (I tell him he has hollow bird bones) and the other one is much heavier weight wise (we say he is solid). 80 lbs might be too much to lose for you if you are only a size 12 now. 80 is my goal I'm hoping to be a size 8.

The thing I don't like about Almanza, is that at the hotel you get a room mate! I guess if u travel with a spouse that wouldn't occur. But for me traveling alone the last thing I want is a stranger in my room while I am trying to relax and rest!! No matter how nice they may be, you just don't feel free to let it all hang loose, know what I mean?? Lol

But that's just me

Agree with coolmamma73...I had a friend with me and we had to pay $55 a night to stay in the hotel but it was worth it. Very nice stay. There were people in the group, however, that came alone and while that got them the hotel room for FREE they did have a roomate. Some were paired well, but I remember there was this crazy plastic surgery patient that one of lapband revision girls got stuck with and it was not good. She was able to switch roomates after the first night but you just never know who you will get paired with.

I will also mention I've done everything wrong and you can still see my results. I hated protien shakes...I tried but I'm pretty much a single mom w/ 4 sons who works 60 hours a week so making them was too much of a hassle and I didn't like them. My same problem as before between my work schdule, taking care of the boys and all our activities (we have something 5 nights a week) we have always lived on fast food and I still do (bad girl I know). I'm really going to make a committment this new year to slow way down and focus on my health with this wonderful VSG gift I have been given, however, I only tell you this because look at my results with the still bad diet in such a short time! I was also the 3rd lowest BMI in my group of about 8 and I'm female so these should contribute to being a slower loser but it hasn't effected me at all. Never thought I'd be more than half way to goal in only 3 months. Truly amazing but everyone is different. I loved Dr Almanza but I've heard good things about the other Dr's you are considering. Best of luck to you!