TheNEWME!

I was sleeved on 10/30 and this week for breakfast I have a Nectar Protein Drink followed by a Laughing Cow cheese. Then for lunch I just started recently rolling up turkey breast lunchmeat with RF cheese. Then for dinner it's some kind of high protein meal.

Congratulations!!!!!

So great to hear... may I ask what kind of protein bars you are trying?

Just be strong and know you are doing this for nobody else but yourself! I'm so sorry you have to go throug this alone... just know you are NOT alone, we are all thinking about you! Please let us know how everything went.

That's wonderful to hear!!! Congratultions!!!!

OMG I hope NOT! I was not... thank god.

I cannot wait either!!! 26 more lbs to go!!

Hi Krissy! I too kind of had those same thoughts... "what if I'm an exception to the rule". The weight WILL come off. At what rate, that is an entirely different question. Every one different. I think I'm one of the slow losers, I was sleeved Oct. 30th and as of Sunday, I've lost 30 pounds. Most of it was pre-op and in the first two weeks. But I'm not complaining at all!! Slow is fine for me, as hopefully it gives my skin time to catch up. Just have faith and try to get your Protein and Water in... I guarentee you'll see the weight come off.

I'm dealing with the "not having a bm". I actually called my doctor today about it... waiting for a response if I can take anything for it.

I was sleeved on Oct. 30th. My starting weight 256.8, Surgery day I weighed in at 247, as of Tuesday this week I weighed 228.2. I lost 8 pounds during pre-op diet a week before surgery, so all in all, I am down almost down 29lbs. I weight in on Saturday, tomorrow, so hopefully I've hit my 1st small goal of 30 lbs. How about you?

Dr. Garcia's post op instructions told me at one month and then at 3 months. I'm thinking this is mainly to how u r doing on nurishment/vitamins/minerals

We got just the passport card vs the book .. It was cheaper and faster. When I was there 4 weeks ago the boarder control did ask for our cards... But maybe u don't need them .. Not sure

I started walking during my breaks and lunch at work. I live in WI, so it's pretty chilly here now but I just bundle up and about half way through my 1.25 mile walk, I'm very comfortable. Walking is the BEST workout to start.

I'm 4 1/2 weeks out and am not getting all my requirements in. I sure do try but struggle as well. Here's what I've been eating for the last two weeks: String cheese RF Cottage Cheese SF Popsicles Tune w/Light mayo Sauteed Shrimp RF Cheese Sticks Greek yogurt w/fruit mixed in Protein Drinks/Soups

Personally speaking, I think weighing ourselves EVERYDAY is cruel to us. I promised myself to only weigh in once a week. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks out and no stall yet. Fingers crossed.. I'm sure it will happen, but hopefully it won't be so bad knowing I'm only weighing in 1 x week.

I too struggle with what to eat or at least the "variety" part of it. I am 4 weeks out... what I have stocked in my fridge is this: Greek Yogurt String cheese RF Colby Jack Cheese sticks Tuna ( usually mixed with mustart or LF Mayo) SF Popsicles eggs (usually scrambled w/cheese and bits of ham) Protein drinks unjury chicken Soup SF Jello I'm at the point where I'd like something different. Cheese is probably my most FAVORITE thing to eat right now... it's so easy to eat and sits really well in my stomach. BUT I believe this probably isn't the best thing for me to be eating. I would LOVE suggestions on variety and other things.....

Just curious.... has anyone NOT experience hair loss on their journey? Is it possible to NOT lose hair??

When I was in Tijuana from 10/30/12 to 11/3/12, we pretty much tipped everyone that serviced us... We tipped our driver Samuel $10 when he picked/dropped us up from airport to hotel... he took us on a little drive by tour of sites in San Diego... We tipped our bellman at the hotel a couple of dollars... We tipped our room service guy a couple of dollars... and then tipped our driver Samuel again when he dropped us off ( he took us to the ocean in San Diego and let us play for a while ) oh and if you eat in the resturants you'll need to tip as well I suppose.

amytug ~ Sorry... but I used my miles to purchase my plane ticket so not exactly sure. It is rather expensive I believe to get 1st class... unfortunately we couldn't really justify paying the extra for my husbands upgrade to 1st class so he sat back in coach... I'm thinking it may be like 100 or more for 1st class????

LOL!! I saved a pair of pants for the purpose exactly!!!! Can't wait!

To be honest, I'm not sure.... they only thing I can think of is I did get a shot, with a very tiny needle, in the stomach each day I was there... so maybe that was what that was. I remember them telling me what it was for but I didn't quite understand the nurse doing it... was probably sleeping LOL!! I did have the compression socks on during the duration of my hospital stay.. but then did not wear them at all afterwards once in the Hotel or on the 4 hour plane ride home. Speaking of plane ride home.... on the way to San Diego I sat in coach... BUT on the way home I opted for 1st class!! I'm so glad I did.. it was way more comfortable and I'm really happy I did. The only downside was that 1st class got served a meal and I couldn't eat anything.... i SOOOO wanted to eat something! LOL So if you can afford it, definitely fly back home first class.

Personally speaking.. I went with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana and I felt very safe. Like others in this forum have posted... use your common sense while there. Even here in almost every town in the US there are "bad or shady" parts. So just use your best judgement while there. Not once did I feel unsafe at all. I was just there on Oct. 30th through 11/2.

Alma told me that, us SLEEVE patients, didn't need to do the laxative... I would verify with her about that. I did NOT do the laxative. I think that is mostly for BYPASS patients.

tami88 ~ I started my pre-op diet 7 days prior to surgery date. In that time I lost about 8 pounds. Dr. Garcia requires a protein drink for breakfast and lunch and then a light dinner of a lean protein and a salad. I was happy to learn this because some doctors require a 2 week pre-op diet of straight liquids only... AHHH that would've killed me I think. LOL Do make sure you have your passport ready.... my husband and I didn't have one so we ordered the passport card for land and sea travel only. It arrived in 3 weeks and was half the cost of the typical passport book. We did not need the passport crossing over into Mexico, but we did need it for coming back into the United States. It's CRAZY the amount of people and cars at the boarder!! Definitely a site to see! Don't worry if you don't exchange US currency for Mexican $$... most took US currency. When at the hotel recovering, walk the hallways as much as you can.... definitely helps with recovery and keeps the blood pumping! It was much nicer walking the hallways at the hotel compared to the hospital. Bring a camera! I'm a photographer so of course I'll suggest this!! LOL But seriously, you never know what experiences you'll have. Samuel took us to the Coronado and the ocean in San Diego on a drive back to the airport... such a beautiful place! Of course if you haven't been to Tijuana before, lots of things to take pictures of. I am glad to have had my picture taken in front of the ocean as a reminder of just how I looked... before this amazing journey.

I was sleeved by Dr. Garcia on Oct. 30th. As of yesterday, 11/27, I am down 29lbs! I am VERY happy with my results! Dr. Garcia and his staff were wonderful to me. Not sure if it was a "normal" time for me at the hospital, but day one of surgery there was only 1 other patient on the floor and she left the next morning. Then I was there all by myself with my husband for the next day. The hospital was very quiet. Samuel, our driver, on the way back to the airport said that the next day he was picking up 5 more patients... so I'm sure the hospital floor is going to MUCH busier. An eye mask is a GREAT idea!! They do give you a little care package with mouth swabs, ear plugs and chapstick when you arrive. When I sent to the hotel after surgery, they give you another care package with all your medicaitons, gauze, tape, more mouth swabs, water, gatorade and an instructions folder for post-op. Yes, bring neosporin! They will ask you to shower everyday and clean the incision sites. I tired the GasX strips and I can't honestly say they helped me at all... thankfully I had my husband around and he patted me on the back like a baby... LOL!! The first day was the worst with gas pains, then by day 2 it was pretty much gone. I just wore the hospital gown they gave me for my stay there. They give you two, one for the front and one for the back. I was really worried about them taking out the drain, but to my delight it did NOT hurt at all!!! They have you take a deep breath and then they pull it out. It felt very weird, but not painful at all. Then they remove the staples from your incisions... I thought that might hurt too, but it did NOT as well. All in all, it was a pretty PAIN FREE experience, except of course the gas and just general aches from surgery. Samuel the driver that picks you up is a VERY NICE GUY!!!