920amy

11 months out, just fine!

what is float out flat bread? Is it a protein bread? Is it a special brand? I've never heard of it? Where do you get it? What is the nutrition info on it?

Mine fell out with a vengence, and I still drink protein everyday. Good theory, but a very small number of us sleevers seem to be lucky with no shedding. I wasn't upset about mine, I knew it would happen so I cut it and donated to locks of love before it fell out too bad.

Yes, I think we all did! Good luck tomorrow!

Self pay in Mexico is always an option too. I was insured by my husband, and then his insurance changed and excluded WLS, so I went to Mexico. I used ALighterMe, and their cost I believe is only $4,200 now. That includes a 3 night stay in the Marriott, 2 night hospital stay, and all of the broth/popsicles you'll need before and after the surgery at the hotel. Don't lose hope! I'm so glad you have a wonderful supportive family!

I think saying you had your gallbladder out isn't a bad 'excuse', but I wouldn't say that you're losing weight because of complications from the surgery. People will have a lot more questions then, and probably genuinely worry, especially once you lose 50-75-100+ lbs! If someone told me they had complications from surgery and then they started losing their hair, and lost 100 lbs I'd think it was cancer, fear for their lives and bug them constantly for fear they might die! Seriously. Your loss won't necessarily be noticable right away to many people, but once it is and the questions start rolling in, maybe just tell people that having your gall bladder out made you want to lose weight so you've been exercising more and eating less. Which won't be a lie! You really will be exercising more and eating less! That's what I've been telling everyone, I'm 10 months out now, and no one knows any better. I, personally, keep it that way. I have told a very select few people, it is a very personal choice and whatever you decide to tell people, I hope you don't tell them you're sick or had complications because they will genuinely be worried sick with concern. Just my two cents.

Yes, ALighterMe is only $4,200. I used them in November, the price was higher then, but they are working to keep the price down, which I think everyone can appreciate. There are many Dr.'s in Mexico, I would suggest you research all of them, of course price isn't always the ultimate deciding factor, but the surgery can be done for much less than 9k in Mexico. Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about being sleeved in Mexico, or ALighterMe. I did A LOT of research before deciding to go to Mexico, and I cannot tell you how happy I am that I did.

Yay for all of you starting this journey!! It's such a life changer!!

Italian curves, if you have a birth certificate, that will do fine, honestly, even a drivers license. A lot of people make a big stink 'you have to have your passport or a passport card', my father is CBP (customs and border protection) he works the border (with Mexico) everyday. If you don't have a passport or passport card, they can scan your drivers license, and they slap you on the wrist and tell you to have it next time. Don't freak out if you don't have it or can't get it in time, take your birth certificate, or drivers license instead and you'll be fine. Trust me, if immigration was holding US citizens at the border and not letting them cross back into the US, it would be a MUCH bigger news story than the government shut down.

For me, it would be what 'did' I hate about being overweight. I admit a lot of things that I hated I didn't even realize because they had become such a part of my life sadly, but I can look back and see and realize it now. Here is my list in no particular order: Not being able to crouch down and pet my dogs, pick things off the floor without enormous effort. Not being able to tie my shoes without sitting down, huffing and puffing to get my foot high enough to reach the laces. Not being able to 'wipe' certain areas very easily (if you know what I mean). Sweating after I ate. Not being able to wear high heels without feeling like I was going to topple over. Not being able to buy boots because I couldn't zip them past my ankles. Not being able to comfortably sit on certain chairs, or on an airplane in the seats. Not being able to walk up a flight of stairs without getting red in the face and feeling like my chest would explode. Having to ALWAYS shop in plus size stores, never being able to shop for cute clothes. Being embarrassed to go to public events that involved dressing up and/or eating. Those are the main things I can think of now. This surgery has changed my life!! It's not even been a year, and I already look and feel AMAZING!

I agree, boost is too high in carbs, calories and sugar, and not enough protein. Try Premier shakes, they are available at Costco and WalMart, also, I personally do Shamrock Rockin refuel muscle builder. It's 30g protein, 190 calories. Tastes great, comes in vanilla and chocolate. I hope you find something great that works! My preference is for premixed on the go protein drinks. A lot of people like the powders, it's all about what you like. I hope you find a good source of protein that you enjoy!

I agree, the more info you can put in your profile, the better!! I think we all profile stalk!! I've tried to keep mine as current as possible so people have a sense of where I've been. I know I really appreciated the people that kept their info current when I was first stalking this journey!! I still profile stalk sometimes too It give you inspiration!! Good luck!

Sadly skin issues are going to happen. More to some of us than others. I started at 265, and have lost 98 lbs so far. I've lost slower than some. I think the key to sagging skin is number one youth, how young you are, and how much elastin is in your skin, and collogen production. Also, the length of time you've been over weight, i.e. skin is in some ways like a rubber band, it will bounce back to an extent, but if it's been stretched for a long time, it won't shrink back as quickly. Another factor is exercise and time. Exercise does help to tighten your skin, and time does also. That is why they say get to your goal weight and wait 2 years before having plastics, that way you will know how much skin/what procedures you will need done. Me personally, I am surprised at how well my thighs and knees have bounced back, because I have always had HUGE thighs. I am disappointed with how my belly looks. It's deflating, and sagging, and I now have what I refer to as a 'butt belly'. I have a crease from the top of my mons to my belly button that has turned my lower belly into a shapley 'baby butt' form. Also, my belly button is now wrinkly. Finally, I have 'bat wings', but these don't bother me so much, as they are only evident when I raise my arms which I don't do much of in public, and my breasts will have reconstruction for sure. They are slowly turning into money socks...now what I've described doesn't sounds great, I am far from having a super model body, but I didn't do this surgery to look like a super model. Yes, it's important for us all to look good and feel good in our skin as well, and actually, I do. I look fantastic in clothes, even a swimsuit. I think the sacrifice of some sagging skin is WAY more than worth the loss that I've already had and I'm not even a year out! Bottom line, spanx and maidenform make some EXCELLENT body shapers, and if the skin really bothers you, you can shape it in place until it firms up!

For me, the secret to eggs during the mushie stage was to 'soft' scramble them. Leave them loose and wet. I also added a bit of shredded cheese for flavor. If they were hard scrambled, or hard boiled they sat like a rock. Good luck!

Has anyone tried Raw Meal? The calories are high for a full 2 scoop serving, but the protein and cals are in balance with a 1/2 serving. Looks interesting, raw, vegan, soy free. I've seen great reviews but none from any sleevers. Looking for some sleever feedback.

So I've been photologging my weight loss journey and wasn't going to show my pics until I was finished, but this most recent set of pictures is SUCH a contrast from where I started. I am about 2/3 of the way to goal, and it's been almost 11 months. If these pictures don't show what the sleeve is capable of, I don't know what is. WOW! I feel incredible!

Thanks everyone! Carlotta, I am 5'3", I have set my goal weight so low because I've been there before in my adult life, so I don't think it will be unreasonable to get there again, and I actually have built myself in a 10 lb 'buffer', i.e. once I get to goal, I am pretty sure there will be some settling out of my body, I may go up a few pounds before it regulates, so I've set a 10 lb comfort zone for my weight to fluctuate once I'm at goal. where I feel that I will still be happy.

Self pay is always a tough way to go, but many of us have done it and made it through!! Congrats!! It's a big step, and I can't wait to see you on the losers bench!! You've just bought yourself one of the best gifts you could ever give JenJen, Self pay can range anywhere from 3,500 (Mexico, I paid 4,700) to upwards of 20k, just depends on the surgeon and location. If you're looking to self pay do TONS of research! Some surgeons give cash discounts, some offer care credit and other financing options, and of course, there is always Mexico (where I went), there's some great self pay forums, and the Mexico forum is wonderful too. Fon't give up fighting for this surgery!! It's WORTH IT!!

There is a huge Mexico forum here with plenty of us sleevers in it. Who is the best surgeon? Each of us will recommend our own, I'm sure. Costs vary. I paid $4,700. Some have paid as much as 10k. It's not all about cost, it's about how comfortable you are with your surgeon and coordinator. I used ALighterMe and Dr. Lopez, Dr. Elias Ortiz assisted in my surgery. I decided on them after A LOT of research. I suggest you and your sister check out the Mexico forums, and talk to some Mexico Sleevers there. I had great success, all of my follow up care is being provided by my PCP, not my surgeon. I felt safe, and I'd do it again a million times. I'd be happy to share my whole story with you, just PM me. Good luck on your research!! This is probably going to be the most difficult part!

The thing about coffee and caffeine in general is that they say caffeine can stimulate hunger, and also act as a diuretic. Both bad things when you are working your sleeve and losing weight. Some are effected by it in this way, others are not. Also, with coffee, it's easy to overload it with empty calories (cream, sugar etc.). Personally, I'm a tea drinker always have been always will be. I've been drinking cold black tea, like nobodies business since 2 days after surgery, and no ill effects. I also dose myself with the occasional coffee as well, if you drink it, don't have any ill effects, and your Dr is okay with it, drink it up!!

How funny! I just came on to rave about this exact site! Here is a link: http://www.thredup.com/ I am excited to buy some new duds, and to sell some also! Yay!

nomorecupcakes, plenty of sleevers have used Dr. Aceves. I am sure many of his patients will be able to give you the skinny Try useing the search option in the upper right hand corner, and you'll be able to search all of your questions, and get answers faster. I know being a Mexico sleever can be scary I used Dr. Lopez through ALighterMe. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about Mexico in general. Good luck!!

I went to Mexico. $4,700 out of pocket. With the cost so low, I didn't need to work with creative financing. That isn't always an option for everyone, but in case you want more info on Mexico Drs, there is a board here dedicated to Mexican Sleevers. I used ALighterMe. Good luck, I know that figuring out how to fund your surgery, whether it's 200 out of pocket, or 20k, it's still stressful. I hope to see you on the Losers bench soon!

I always buy my bodyware with over shoulder straps. That way it also smoothes any bulges you may have from bras, and cannot roll. They have shapers with built in bras, but I refer the shapers that allow you to wear your own bra. If you go to a high end department store, such as Nordstrom, Macys or Dillards, they usually have ones you can try on for fit, or an associate that can help you find the right one. It may be more expensive, but you can always get the right one at a store then order more online. It's always tough to order shapers online if you're not sure the correct sizing or how they fit first.

Self pay Mexico, $4,700.