TheNEWME!

I was sleeved on Oct. 30th in Tijuana, MX by Dr. Garcia. I paid $4,700 for everything. I only had to pay a $500 deposit and then the balance was due the day I arrived and checked in. I paid by CC for the deposit, then by cashier's check for the remaining balance.
Best thing I did for myself!!!

So tragic!!!! I just want to go home and hug my boys!!

You look FABULOUS!!!! If I may ask, what is your workout regime?

Lost 130 pounds
Height- 5'9
Pre op- 305
Right now- 170
Goal- 160
Age- 27
Wearing a size 10 pants and medium shirt
Weigh less then my husband
Wore high heels all night
I can wear sexy lingerie with out feeling like a pooped open biscuit can!
O yes all the cute cloths!
I can move around so much easier
No more pcos so when I'm ready to have a baby I won't worry about not getting pregant!
Getting my social life back
Feeling pretty again
Sex is so much more fun now that I can get in different positions ????
I'm sure there are tons more just can't think of them right now! I'm so glad I did this for myself best thing I have ever done!
Feel free to share your wonderful nsvs!!!

I complete understand where you are coming from. I am either sitting in front of the computer or on the couch in front of the TV. I was sleeved on Oct. 30th. What I did was I made myself on my lunch break or 15 minute break was go outside and walk. At first it was just around the block, now I'm up to 1.5 miles in less than 30 min. I live in WI, so it's pretty chilly here right now, but I just plan for it and do it. It actually feels great and I crave it.
I still find myself once I get home from work, wanting to just sit in front of the TV... it's so easy to do... but I am constantly talking to myself... quietly LOL!!! To do something, anything... and then later on in the night I allow myself to sit and watch TV.
not sure if this will help you.. but it's what I'm doing for myself. I'm so proud of myself for getting up to 1.5 miles... we haven't gotten any snow here yet, but when it comes... not sure what I'll do but I will get in my daily walk.
Good Luck!!!

Hello Sleevetobers!!!! I was sleeved 10/25 and weighed in at 349 day of surgery. My weekly weigh in last Thursday had me at 303 pounds. Doctor has moved me onto puréed and select soft foods. I did have another surgery to remove a large keloid and skin tags on 11/15 and I had a hard time with the recovery from the surgery because of the fasting required before surgery. When I got home I felt weak and was ready to pass out. Before my wife called 911 I urged her to wait til my food got into my system. Once that happened I felt much better.
This morning i was scheduled to have surgery to open my sinus passage ways so I can finally breathe through my nose again. It's gonna be nice to not be the 'fat heavy breathing' guy. So when I had surgery this morning I made sure to get my nutrition the previous two days before surgery and upped my calorie intake each day. It worked and my recovery today was fantastic. But when I stepped on the scale this morning I noticed my first weight gain since surgery of 1 pound. I just pray I didn't stunt my metabolism and will be able to continue with my weight loss. This is my last surgery that I will be having, I hope.
I haven't hit any stalls yet, but I have been sticking to a low calorie intake. However, food has been so boring for me and since I'm home on disability for probably the next month, I have been playing Mr Mom. The kids love it cause I get down in the kitchen and on the grill. They've been feasting like some kings. I have cheated here and there because the stuff I've been cooking is insane. I've taken a bite a couple times, but spit it out after chewing a little bit and getting the flavor. No beef or pork yet. Does anyone else do this? It's helped but I caught myself actually swallowing a piece of biscuit I made. And the fried Jalapeño with cheese poppers I fried, well I peeled the breading off and ate the jalapeño and cheese. I felt like I had to go to confession and say 10 hail Mary's and our fathers afterwards.
It's nice to read about others going through the same things that I'm going through because of the sleeve. It's tough especially since my wife is petite, skinny, and eats whatever she wants. She has a freaky metabolism. I just hope my kids have her metabolism cause they are all skinny and athletic. We don't allow them to drink soda or eat candy and have been raised like that because I didn't want obesity to become an issue in their life like it has mine.
My flexibility has increased and now I can finally bend over and tie my shoes without my stomach being in the way. That is amazing cause I had to loosely tie my shoes to slip them on and always had to tie my work boots on a step or curb. I never shared this with anyone because of the embarrassment. But I wanted to yell out kinda like the kid from Big Daddy when he wiped his own arse. It took me back to that simple joy.
Hope everyone else is finding these little things that are improving their quality of life like I have recently. Good luck on your journey in weight loss everyone!!!

My kids and me at the MLS Cup watching LA Galaxy win back to back titles! Also Beckham's last game with the LA Galaxy. Good times!!! And I didn't have to argue with security regarding the Protein Shakes and yogurt I took into the stadium for my special diet. Great day!!!

bbbslady i've heard that you "can" allow yourself a "cry period" of 5 minutes daily - thats it!!!!
a few tears can be therapeudic but wipe your pretty eyes with some kleenex
back to immediate issue of taking care of yourself, losing weight which more importantly will alleviate so many of your health problems
but....i can see the strength in your eyes
admitting you have a problem of weight is 1/2 the battle - how smart are you!!!!
your road is starting a little bumpy with the absense of support from family
you know how important WLS is to help your journey to health and happiness- thats why you made the big hard decision to have WLS - you are so smart!!!!
your hard work will be slowly but surely rewarded, and you will enter the wonderful world of Sleeveland - where health and happiness are waiting for you
ask all your questions here, hopefully you have a NUT too - and you can also confide in your surgeon
maybe you have a friend of two that you can share your situation with, and reach out for help - no time for pride to prevent you from asking for help
try and get plenty of rest, relax - drink as much as you can - slowly - immediately after surgery, and following days - liquids/water are the most important thing to concentrate on
Protein will come with your Protein shakes at first, but don't worry or rush it if they can't stay down
you just had major surgery - its be nice to your tummy week, or two
btw - can you feel me squeezing your hand with healing thoughts
HUGGS
take care of yourself
speedy recovery
good wishes being sent your way

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

I know this wasn't asked to me, but I was exactly 4 weeks out yesterday, and I am down 24 lbs.
Went to the doc yesterday for my 4 week post-op f/u appt. I asked about what to eat in stage 3. They said stage 3 is really only about a week and then it becomes trial and error. So she said I can try all soft fruits, soft/steamed veggies, soft cheeses, Beans, oatmeal, moistened ground turkey (like in chili), and a few other things. I'm SO excited about trying new foods. LOL! I think I'm most excited about scrambled eggs, pickles, and chili. Hoping at least ONE of those agrees with me! She also said my constant dry mouth and/or feelings of hunger are most definitely due to dehydration. She said the fact that I'm craving salt kinda confirms that. So I REALLY have to push the Water. All in all, it was a good appt.!

I eat a lot of this stuff. While many will argue they have too much stuff in them (too much salt, too many carbs etc.) I find that they are superb for Portion Control. I eat these and then make sure I eat little else, no piece of bread on the side, no seconds etc.
We also shop around and get the ones with the smallest portions and lowest calories and sugar.

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

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.

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.

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.

I'm 4.5 mths out and I don't see to be losing anymore than usual. Not taking any additional remedies just my daily Vitamins, B12, Calcium. Love my Wen products for keeping it looking shiny and healthy. Hoping I'm dodging the hairloss bullet.

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????

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.

Im down 127lbs from my highest weight, I still want to lose 73lbs.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

74 days until I start my forever journey.
Thank you all for posting about your journeys with Dr. Garcia. It has helped me more than you'll ever know.
Did anyone do anything before hand to prepare? Diet?

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!!!