Earwood

So cute!

I feel ya girl...I went to Mexico so there was no pre-op pysch counseling to prepare me for the emotional side of this journey but the first 2 weeks are the worst. If food was an emotional comfort then be prepared for some possible depression etc..as you have to learn to cope without your 'feel-good' friend by your side. The thing that is gong to snap you out of your funk is when you start seeing the results! Down 32 lbs in 5 weeks makes me want to yell, 'SCREW YOU CHEESEBURGERS HAHAHA' and it feels great when I put on my clothes now. Hang in there....I bet looking back in a year you will have NO REGRETS! God bless you in your journey

@coexist23 - I've never heard of a company that didn't allow Med Flex from the first date of employment and yes it is to cover uninsured medical expenses for your husband and dependents which includes you and your children. You can only enroll once a year during the open enrollment period at his job unless you have a 'qualifying reason' under IRS regs which are usually life changes: death, divorce, marriage, birth, or job change. He should contact his HR dept to get more info.

You brought it up and put it out there on a public forum and I have the right to respond. You have your opinion and I have mine. You either believe in the bible or you don't. My opinion is a bigoted Christian is an oxymoron. If you feel different maybe you should seek advice from your pastor.

Personally, I would never go to Mexico to have any procedure...Mexico and Hispanics are tearing our country apart, and I would never want to give them money to continue to do so, or whatever else...and those are my feelings and beliefs on the situation regarding Mexico...

God bless and keep you, and all of us, as you/we recover.

Well, I have to say that was not a very Christian statement. To redeem our sister in the faith let me offer some scriptures for guidance:

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 John 2:9

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

James 2:9

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Also, I have to say going to Mexico to get my sleeve was my first trip to that country and although I was nervous crossing the border, I had a great experience and found the Mexican people to be some of the nicest and friendliest I've ever met. I don't regret my decision and hope one day I can go back on leisure to enjoy the beauty of the land and the people.

God Bless all God's people

I went to Mexico so it only cost me $4500.00 which I put into my 125 Medical Flex account. They take it out of my paychecks but it's interest and tax free! You have to have the doctor complete a letter of medical nessecity (sp) form but the IRS does allow WLS under the plan. Unfortunately, the IRS is lowering the max amt to $2500.00 for 2013

First off congrats on your approval! I'm only 4 weeks out but can share what I've gone through so far and by your surgery in Dec I'll be almost 4 months out so feel free to message me anytime with questions as I get a little further down the road...

#1. I would think it safe to say food has had a hold on a good majority of us who have had the surgery and yes it is a BIG change. I had my surgery in Mexico so there was no physc evaulation or really any prep for the emotional side of the changes I'm going thru. In just 4 weeks I've experienced 'head hunger' (very beginning) and the just missed the sensation of chewing food. I've also attached food to so many things in my life that's been a hard adjustment. We use food to Celebrate, to go out to dinner and be social, to comfort me when I'm stressed or feeling down, and even me cooking big meals for my family was a way I showed them love. Certain foods were like a cigarette when I used to smoke...instant tension relief. Now that is all gone and so is 30 lbs! I've been fighting some depression now as I learn my new ways to live. Foods I used to love before (Baskin Robbins chocolate milkshakes) have no taste anymore. It's very weird. At this point I'm sick of Protein shakes...now that we have to eat to live there is no time for empty calories...everything has to be planned so you can make the most of what you can get down. And you can't just hit a drive thru to get the nutrition you need. It really is a chore to eat these days but I've been told all this gets better with time. That someday I will be able to somewhat eat as normal again just a lot less.

#2. Not sure yet about this question but there are a lot of mentions on this site about 'stalls' and it is recommended to increase your caloric and Protein intake when you hit a stall to get your metabolism moving again.

#3. I've also had my gallbladder out and although I haven't eaten a lot of fatty foods yet everything seems normal there. I still have to be close to a bathroom when I eat certain things but not anymore than before.

That's awesome...I was sleeved 8/30 at 233 & am down to 203. Can't wait until I hit under 200 it's been over 4 years!

Are your measurements moving at all? When I get stuck I always hear my mom in the back of my head say, 'Muscle weighs more than fat'.

When I was in TJ I could not get service on the streets or the clinic but the clinic had a vonage phone with a US # we could use and our family could use to call us. After we left the clinic the next day after surgery we stayed at the Hotel Ticuan for 2 nights and we could hit a US tower while up in our room on the 6th floor but we were only 2 miles from the border. I would also recommend you call Verizon. I had Tmobile pre-paid.

Good question shelly...I'm so tired of sipping and have been wondering the same. The thing I miss most is chugging some cold water!

The man made chemical sweetners are not good for you and yes many have problems with them. I also recommend stevia. I've also heard of agave nectar and raw honey. Sweet but natural not as bad as refined white sugar. Good luck.

Are you weening or going cold turkey? I would suggest weening if you are pre-surgery. I didn't withdrawal prior to my surgery and lucky the pain meds after surgery were so strong after they got me past the caffeine withdrawal headaches.

Who is doing your surgery?

In my own strength, I could have never embarked on this journey. It was my absolute trust in God that moved me past any fear, doubt, anxiety, etc. that would have most def held me back prior to my 're-birth'. To non-believers this may sound crazy and take it how you want it but I've been pursing WLS for over 10 years and the financing and/or insurance approval was a mountain way too high to climb. It def seemed impossible to me. Finally, one day in prayer I asked the Lord to 'show me the way' after have given up on this idea for several years and literally within 10 min I had my answer! I found a lady on the internet who went to Mexico (cheap and no insurance hoops) and used her Med Flex 125 card to pay for her surgery...wow I could do that except one problem...I only put $1700.00 in my flex for the year which could not be changed without a qualifying reason. Within 2 months my husband changed jobs unexpectedly and BAM my qualifying reason so I upped my flex to $4500.00 (good thing too the IRS is lowering the max amount to $2500 next year), scheduled my surgery and now am 4 weeks on the other side. After 10 years I can hardly believe this actually happened for me. All I can do is give Glory to God for the amazing life he has in front of me...the strength of the Lord is my complete faith that I serve a God of the IMPOSSIBLE.

Born again Christians are not religious and cringe at the word. Our personal relationship with Jesus is a very spiritual journey that is different and unique for every believer. I def don't have the answers but I can tell you that my life was completely transformed for the better the day I accepted the Lord as my personal savior. To each their own but I have to share the JOY I've found in the Lord...there is NOTHING he can not do for you if you call on his name and ask.

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable.

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:18)

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

"... my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.. (Phil. 2:13)

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him.

"... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23**)

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40)

Admitted to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character.

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah 1:19)

Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)

Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24**)

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38**)

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Col. 3:16)

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs.

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)

**The words of Christ

I had my surgery by Dr Almanza and my deposit was fully refundable if I decided not to have the surgery. I also changed my surgery date due to scheduling with work without a problem. Check with your coordinator but you shouldn't have any problem.

My usual Protein Shake is almond milk, banana, blueberry, whey Protein Powder, flax seeds, cinnamon & nutmeg

Topeka KS

I threw up blood every 30 min the first night & felt like i couldnt breathe i was so scared...finally got the nurse to put something on my IV to knock me out...the gas pains were still bad the next day which I think was the culprit of the nausea & heavy chest so I walked A Lot & took gas x strips & slept...by the 3rd day I was out shopping...4th day sight seeing at the beach & 5th day back to work so yes it gets better just got to push through it...see if they have any sleepy meds for you

Is it 10,0000$ to get the procedure done?

I also had a BMI under 40 AND insurance that does not cover WLS period. I also opted for a trip across the border. My surgery cost $4500.00 which I paid most of out of my Medical Flex 125 account through my employer so that is tax free and interest free to me I just pay back through payroll deductions over the course of the year. Unfortunately, the IRS guidelines are changing next year lowering the max contribution amount to $2,500.00.

I didn't tell a lot of people but for those I did, I prepared for the negativity upfront so when it happened, it didn't seem to bother me so much. They don't have to live in my body and have not been thru my 14 year struggle with weight so I could care less. I decided to do something for myself for really the first time in my life and made up my mind NOTHING or NO ONE would stop me. 3 weeks post-op and I'm already down 28 lbs. Good luck Alenr!

Thank you for your post. Can you share what your eating habits are now? Does the sleeve stretch over time where you feel you can eat more than in the beginning? I"m only 3 weeks out but feel like I may never be able to eat 'real food' again. When I try and eat or even drink a Protein Shake sometimes I get a 'stuck' feeling in my lower esphogus.

When were you sleeved? In all my research I've never heard of the straw theory. I have heard the carbonation in sodas can stretch you out over time. My surgeon used a 32 bougie so I can't get down anything more than 3 oz at a time.

Earwood, I just missed you in Tj. I was sleeved on Aug 28th with Dr. Almanza! I stayed at the clinic where the surgery took place and left on the 30th. Just missed meeting you. I hope your experience was as good as mine was. I was disappointed I didn't get to stay at the recovery house, but everything was clean and I was very well attended to there at the clinca. Keep in touch...

Very cool...yes I had a good experience. We stayed in the clinic upstairs the first night and then moved to the Hotel Ticuan the following day. They had just shut down the recovery house that week is what Melissa told me so we had no choice but to stay in the Hotel. It was relaxing and peaceful and had some good local shopping right around the corner and a nail shop next door Feeling pretty good almost ready to move on to some soft foods I think. So what's up with the pictures they come take before surgery w the Dr? Do they keep or do we ever get a copy?