abetterme4.2

I am going to give a very detailed experience. It was the one thing I would search for and want to read when I began my search for my options of going to Mexico for my surgery. I am not going to give details of my surgeon, as we have all researched (or will) our Dr.'s and make the decision best for ourselves. I have only seen a couple of posts concerning who he is on these forums, and they were VERY vague and people having questions, no information. I am NOT a paid employee, nor do I work for free.
My surgery was on Friday, January 11.
I chose my surgery to be in Cancun. I opted to not to go to a border town, because I wanted scenery and beaches and a mini-vacation. I researched which physicians performed surgery in Cancun. There are several that practice in Puerta Vallarta, Monterrey, and Cancun. Easy enough.
I arrived Thursday, January 10 and was greeted at the airport with no waiting. Took me to my hotel. When I arrived, the hotel staff was extremely courteous and offered me a free upgrade to a villa. YAY!! (I have pics and should really post them at some time if you guys want to see them.)
Met in lobby on Friday at 8:30 a.m. There was someone else going, they were late and we did not leave until 9:30 because she over-slept.
Straight to the hospital. I arrive and greeted by a wonderful staff. I speak enough spanish to understand and to be understood. The best part? When in doubt...they have flash cards they bring to you to translate for themselves. My doctor comes to greet me (perfect english) and the labs/EKG and other stuff begins. Took about an hour, at the most. I had a room to myself. The floor was empty except for one other WLS patient. The hospital was great! My room had a shower, I sofa thatfolded out into a bed, working Wi-fi, and a tv with a blu-ray player.
Anesthesiologist comes in and she was great. I answered a few questions she had and she answered mine.
I changed into a gown and walked into the operating room and got on the table at 11:25 a.m. I remember singing "Proud Mary" and realized the anesthesiologist put something in my i.v.
Woke up in the recovery room, and I really needed to pee. lol the nurse asked me, in her way, if I felt ok to go. "si, si, si."
After that, I was in and out every for a couple of hours. Anesthesia wearing off. Then I was 'OFF!' I began with the laps. I had read about all kinds of major gas pain on here and to walk, walk, walk and that is what I did. Every hour (I timed by the TV shows: when it ended, I walked. repeat)
At one point I heaved a little and saliva/clear stuff came up. I was afraid because of my new tummy. The nurse came in later and I told her about and she came back and put something in my i.v. and I did NOT experience it again while in the hospital. The nurses knew of my one episode of 'nausea' and kept the anti-nausea meds in the i.v. I was checked on hourly, my drain was checked and/or emptied.
Was I not in pain because of the pain meds? I don't think so...I declined pain meds in my i.v. because I was not hurting. I have not taken NOT one bit of anything for pain since the surgery, nor since I left the hospital. Everyone's recovery is different. Walking helps.
Saturday: this is something I had NEVER read about on these forums, my mouth began to Water and knew I was about to heave something. It came up, but I will say it freaked the poo-poo out of me. It was dark. like something from a horror movie. And it came up 3 times total. LOL. I could taste the 'metallic' taste to it and knew it was blood. I WILL SAY THIS: as soon as I got that up, i swear I felt like I could run a marathon. I literally felt that much better. The nurse made her rounds and came in, I showed her and she assured me it was completely normal. My Doctor came by later that day and told me the same thing. I was given ice chips several times throughout the day and was allowed to take the best feeling shower I have ever had. walked, walked, walked. watched NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, etc.
Sunday: The inevitable blue dye is brought to me. OMG. It is horrible. Think of liquid Nyquil, the green one, and about 12 oz of it. Dr comes and gets me and we go to look. I get downstairs and I took a drink of some other clear liquid and watch it go down in to my new little bitty tummy. It's BEAUTIFUL!! lol. No leaks appeared. back to the room and he looks at the drain, no leaks or blue dye in there, either. YAY! He tells me he is going to pull it out and "It doesn't hurt. It just feels funny." Is it going to make me laugh? "No, but it just feels like it." He pulls it out and honestly, it did not hurt. just a quick 'zip' and its out. No stitches, he states. It is natures way of laughing at Dr's because it is going to heal and look the best out of all the little one's you have. I laugh. I "can then shower dress and get ready to go, the driver will be here at 11:30 to get you. We will call the hotel and pay for an extra day because check-in time is not until 4 pm." Great! and he tells me to walk and keep walking. We leave, get to the hotel, and we get upgraded again because they couldn't get a room ready quick enough. Leave my things and went walking on the beach for 1 1/2 hours, then went to the mall for 2 hours.
Monday: I am on soft/pureed foods and really can't hold much at all. I buy guacamole, but please put nothing in it. So basically, a smushed up avocado. Can I tell you guys.. I was scared to death. My tummy loved it. the entire baby spoonful I ate. I ate it for lunch and dinner. So, about a tbsp for the entire day. and only got in about 20 oz. of gatorade for the day. i ate a nibble of a piece of watermelon (it's on my approved list - and it came right back up. scared the poo out of me because i kept thinking i sprung a leak) It's just too much sugar for the new guy.
Tuesday: Leaving today. Pack, leave my stuff at the hotel desk, and went shopping. Drank 20 oz. of gatorade, 2 baby spoonfuls of yogurt and get on the plane with my bottle of Water.< /p>
Wednesday-Friday: Every day has got better and better. I don't eat much. 1/2 a boiled egg and 1/2 tbsp of light mayo blended, water, and a couple of Protein drinks, a couple of bites of yogurt, 1/4 c of blended Beans. nothing chunky, just smooth. I am not hungry and I set a timer on my phone to remind me. Right now, by the time it takes me to drink 12-16 ozs. of water, it's usually time for some kind of Protein. I have got more protein today than any other day. So, when everyone says it gets better and better, it really does!!
I have no pain, I have only heaved the once with the watermelon, and I am walking around and doing okay. (don't want to jinx myself!) I love my new sleeved tummy!!
I have lost 18 lbs total. 6 for the 7 day preop and 13.2 since surgery on Friday, 7 days ago. I am sure it will start to slow down very soon.
Good luck on your journeys and I wish every single one of you nothing but success! Thanks to every one who posts here telling their experiences - I knew what to expect, because of those.

I had a lower body lift, and a inner groin thigh lift and a Brazilian butt lift almost 3 months ago. I did this all on the sly since I decided to have the surgery after taking a month long cruise, so I only could take a couple of weeks PTO time that I had. So after two weeks I was back to work, sitting mostly, it wasn't bad for me at all as I had no complications and I felt great, not too bad for being 60 years old...Everyone is different I guess...

My random thought:
I am overwhelmed when it comes to shopping. It took me 4 hours and 20 mins to buy a single pair of jeans this morning. Im sure it will happen once i get the hang of it, but i really thought i would enjoy shopping. There are plenty of choices and 'cuts' to choose from. Aargh.

Thank you:) I have 295 high profile Smooth Round Mentor under muscle and no I haven't had any if those problems. They look very natural, unless I tell people I got them done, they don't know. I am really happy with Dr G and my body.

Just know that this surgery has a long recovery. I am feeling better, but I am not myself yet. I am hoping to feel like myself in the next couple weeks. I am super happy with my Surgeon and my results. Have a Bless Day!!!

My random thought:
I am overwhelmed when it comes to shopping. It took me 4 hours and 20 mins to buy a single pair of jeans this morning. Im sure it will happen once i get the hang of it, but i really thought i would enjoy shopping. There are plenty of choices and 'cuts' to choose from. Aargh.

My random thought:
I am overwhelmed when it comes to shopping. It took me 4 hours and 20 mins to buy a single pair of jeans this morning. Im sure it will happen once i get the hang of it, but i really thought i would enjoy shopping. There are plenty of choices and 'cuts' to choose from. Aargh.

First, I would definitely say "no" to the weights on arms and legs. I feel it may cause injury.
When I wasn't conditioned, plyo and kenpo seemed difficult. Now that my fitness level has improved, it doesn't seem as challenging. If it's not challenging and that is what you are wanting, then yes, substitute it. BUT remember, all of the workouts are designed to go to together, for a specific end result including (not limited to): sports performance. I would say to continue to give all of them a chance, to see if you like the end result. I did get a quicker time for running.
On the last round of p90x, I would go cycling outdoors or go for a run to get my burn on and get my heart rate up on cardio days. But that is definitely part of my conditioning and my specific needs.
MFP is what I have used from day 1 because I am detail oriented and need to see that. I have also had to increase my carbs recently to account for all of this exercise. I am currently doing 2-a-days and if I didn't have those carbs, I'd probably not be able to go to work. Lol
Keep the pace!

I've lost so much, pony tails are just not viable. I look bald to the temples...
It sucks... and no lotions or potions are helping. Before anyone else messages me with the 'are you taking' question? Yes, I'm taking the works. It HASN'T worked.
On that basis, no more suggestions please. I know you mean well - but I'm an intelligent (sometimes) girl and I have done significant research of which, NOTHING has worked. It is, what it is.
My hair is still falling. It is genetics and my physical reaction to the surgery. There ain't nothing that can be done about it.
Any questions in this regard are getting on my mammories. I really don't need any 'helpful' reminders that the hair, 'potentially', could not have fallen so much if I'd been taking x, y, z...shoving my head up a camels backside, or given **** to a horse!
Know what I'm saying?
I have tried it all. I'm bright enough to know that each individual has a different fall rate. No one knows until they spin the barrel for themselves. Come talk to me when you're bald and you've been doing xyz in endless quantities and its still not worked. 50, 60, 70, 150 grm of Protein? It's all balderdash!
You fall at the rate that the surgery impacts upon you. Everything you ingest/apply just helps with the re-growth.
I'm losing hair like nothing anyone has seen and frankly; I'm tired of it.
I'm trying my best to minimise it.
Its not working.
I'm doing my best to disguise it in the meantime.
Best I can do.
Now.. Please, a little less of the shoulda, woulda, coulda? I have, I did, and it DIDN'T work! I'm still going bald with another (at least) 3 months to go.
'Nuff said?
<sanitised appropriately>

My random thought:
I am overwhelmed when it comes to shopping. It took me 4 hours and 20 mins to buy a single pair of jeans this morning. Im sure it will happen once i get the hang of it, but i really thought i would enjoy shopping. There are plenty of choices and 'cuts' to choose from. Aargh.

I made it to day 49 of Insanity, and finally got bored. No, not because the exercise gotten easier, on the contrary it was challenging as heck, but i got so bored of shaun T and his monotonous music and huffings and puffings. I'm more motivated doing workouts with energetic music and not so repetitive motions. I have yet to try P90X so its on my list. As far as MMA goes, i been trying Les Mills Combat recently and loved it! and i also tried T25 recently, it's challenging for something so short.

Yes. Definitely 1-3. I just started T25 and i have to say, it's a definite butt kicker. Now, if you want to save on time, you can definitely get X3 and be okay. It is NOT continuation of the original or the next. It is for the 30 mins or less individuals. BUT, to get to the hybrid, where all the good times roll , do the order you mentioned. It's the way to have the programs.
I saw some pretty great results with P90X, during the holiday time when I couldn't make it to my box due to schedules with clients. When I did the hybrid, I saw definition come through. And for a woman, THIS particular woman, my obliques came through. .
Do you gain anything by steps 6 or 7? X3 is slightly technically different. It's condensed. You may or may not like it. Considering you have crossfit background, you may like the pace of it and multi-tasking that comes with it. Me? I enjoy the heck out of X2. It seems harder for me. But, it pushes me in areas I am weaker so it's going to seem harder.
AND I'm 43, since you put a number on it. Lol
Hope this helps

Omg that's hilarious!! Singing Tina Turner! Ha ha! Love it!
Well I was awake when they rolled me into the room but what killed me is when I woke up I was in a different gown. About an hour or two after I was out of recovery that dawned on me and for a moment I was mildly horrified that I had been completely naked in the operating room! Well DUH....LOL!

Ha! I had my surgery in Mexico and that is exactly what happened. Walked right in there, climbed on the table, the anesthesiologist said here comes the relax (lol) and I started singing Tina Turner.
I was more mortified they wanted me to take my panties off. Lol my husband kept laughing at that one.

Ha! I had my surgery in Mexico and that is exactly what happened. Walked right in there, climbed on the table, the anesthesiologist said here comes the relax (lol) and I started singing Tina Turner.
I was more mortified they wanted me to take my panties off. Lol my husband kept laughing at that one.

Ha! I had my surgery in Mexico and that is exactly what happened. Walked right in there, climbed on the table, the anesthesiologist said here comes the relax (lol) and I started singing Tina Turner.
I was more mortified they wanted me to take my panties off. Lol my husband kept laughing at that one.

Ha! I had my surgery in Mexico and that is exactly what happened. Walked right in there, climbed on the table, the anesthesiologist said here comes the relax (lol) and I started singing Tina Turner.
I was more mortified they wanted me to take my panties off. Lol my husband kept laughing at that one.

Be sure to check the quality. It's very important for us. Anything with a butt-load of -oses is not that great. It breaks down to sucralose, cellulose, etc. those are fillers and jeopardize the quality of the Protein.
Yes, taste buds change after surgery so definitely stick with sample packets to find the flavor and which one works for you.
You got this! Stay motivated and stay the course.

If you are currently taking the BCAA's and other supplements you listed, you should be good. The R&R drink you mention is more for convenience and for people who don't really know what to drink and when. It's all in that specific drink to take the guesswork out.
That being said, I do drink it. I like it. I don't have to buy different supplements, just the one and I'm ready to go. It's more portable with my lifestyle.

There is actually a calendar that Beachbody has created that mixes up the discs on different days in a specific pattern for you to get the most gain from them. It's not double a day.

Ok. So I've done all of the above and here is my 2 cents:
If you want to invest 45 mins per day - cross p90x off of the list. If you were to do p90x3, that is more do-able. A lot of the workouts in p90x is well over 1 hour and as long as 1 hour & 20 mins. BUT, the results are awesome and well worth it.
Insanity is definitely more cardio based if you want to strengthen that area. It is made to shed fat with some muscle building. I did enjoy the program and it was definitely a challenge for me.
Now...here is a tried and true method: A hybrid of the two. Yes, that's an ass kicker. LOVED it. I LOVE crossfit and love the challenge that the hybrid schedule of both of those 2 offered me.
Hope this helps. ????

I think this is going to be a good year for the vets forum. Hopefully more and more of us will be sticking around. As the sleeve surgery gets older and more prominent, there should be veteran sleevers in greater numbers each year.

Just reading and reflecting on how things have gone over the 2 plus years since having my surgery and the people who really influenced, encouraged and offered their story when I was seeking information about the sleeve surgery. I posted, tell me "the good, the bad and the ugly", I read and read. I prayed, I got to really understand that things can go wrong and do with people and this surgery. I never thought it would happen to me, because I follow the directions to the letter, and now maybe that was a fault. I ended up with an abscess that was caused by my JP Drain being left in for 10 days. Now, my doctor gives antibiotics before surgery and only leaves the drain in for a day (last time I saw him). So, folks even though I am posting in the Vets forum, for now I know others are reading this section.
Just curious if we have heard from Irene...LittleMissDiva (aka Diva, and will always be the Diva to me), Tiffikins (first one to help me), Libby aka, Me...Me...Me, (who bravely shared her leak story) or Lissa (aka Melissa, who was featured in the spot light), I know Cheri has been on the boards (hope you and your family are doing well), what about Sleeve of Steel; I know Kim is now a host Feed Your Eye (so cool), PDXman (also featured and always brilliant), Coops (showing dedication can get you there and I have seen her around recently ), umm BlackBerry (remember she had a body building picture)' remember when it was just Avitars on the site, no pictures...(digressed sorry), Sleeve For Me (new name, but always, i mean always recognizing others), Peg in the Woods (made a list of those with complications so you could read about it) and others during the 2011/2012 early time frame? I hope these folks know they forged the way and helped many of us, and even the NEW vets. Folks just know, all your contributions are/were appreciated. For me, I have been on and off this forum. I find when I am active, listening/reading and in some cases helping others, I feel successful, I tend to do better for myself and I sometimes feel I have contributed in a small way.
Make way for the new wave of big contributors, Laura Van (hostess with the mostess), Susan (you have been such a solid staple for the board, certainly a real person), ButtertheBean (host with clear and direct suggestions and advice, you pull no punches)...and more. Seems we have more hosts than before and thank you for your time. I know I have missed many and as soon as I post this, I will think of more, but for now, I am just "remembering", if you have or were offering advice.... Just know you are appreciated!
Thanks for reading this from a professional woman, mom and wife; who, thanks to her sleeve and incredible stories, direction, advice and input from folks like you all on this forum, has changed her outlook in life and the way She can now see herself growing old with her husband and enjoying life.
Make the most of everyday, eat healthy, exercise and make sure the people in your life know how much they mean to you.
Take care.
I will always be ONE HAPPY CAMPER :-)

I've lost a red-necked wallaby, (23 pounds), and Lady Gaga, (107 pounds).
I really miss the wallaby.

My option is not included in the poll...the ACA doesn't apply to me, I am on Medicare...we have our OWN problems.