mocanitanj

I've been contacted by a few concerned members about this patients death. I have no information and can't substantiate these rumors at this time.
There seems to have been some confusion amongst the individuals that reached out to me. I'd like to clarify that these rumors are referring to Mexico Bariatric Center (MBC) and not Mexicali Bariatric Center (Dr. Aceves.)

Hello Sleever People!
I had my surgery January 25, 2010 with Dr. Aceves in Mexico and have never once looked back. I was on this board pretty much 24/7 pre-op and for a long time post op and one of the things that I desperately wished for more of was feedback from people that were "long term" sleevers. We seem to be few and far between and I swore I would provide regular updates... fail!!! And I apologize to any of you that, like me, wish for more of the "big picture" - no pun intended! It's true that we simply get on with life after surgery and before we know it, life has been blowing by and suddenly it's been some fantastic years gone by - you'll see, trust me!
So, the long and short of my sleeve experience has been incredible – there truly are no words to describe one of the absolute best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. I started at 254 and lost exactly 100 pounds well before the end of the year. I ate low carb and drank Protein Shakes forever it seemed. About a year and change after surgery, after maintaining a size 4/6 154# for months, I started gaining – eeekk!!! – I attributed this primarily to nursing school (which I started the same week of my vsg and have since finished and am now working in an ER – whole nuther story!) and grazing all day. Cashews are the devils work, btw!! I was scared and worried but stopped gaining after slowly putting back on 20 pounds. I’ve lost five of that since, am now in a size 8/10 and have been holding there for some time. I truly eat what I want within reason. I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I have been at this weight for over a year now.
I 100% BELIEVE THAT EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS LONG TERM!!!!! So commit to it, the sleeve, while a fantastic tool, WILL NOT solve all of your problems if you aren’t prepared to take care of yourself and having the sleeve makes it easy!! Like any “diet” or whatever, the long term is the trick; you will be able to eat A LOT more as time goes on yet nothing like before. You WILL be able to eat enough and often enough to gain weight if you are not aware. But it’s different. I would have easily gained that 100# back by now, that I know.
So, for me, to compensate for eating so-so, I bicycle competitively and long-distance; average 50 miles every other day at about 19mph. I have a group that I ride with but do it often on my own too. Burns a gajillion calories.
I guess the bottom line is that your life is going to be absolutely incredible post-op BUT, you will always have to be aware of what’s going in and out. The story about the woman who gained all her weight back cuz she would order an xl pizza and work on it all day? I can see that!! Yikes! But, you know what? Don’t buy the stupid pizza!! Easy!!
I wish you all the very best and please feel free to contact me to vent, ask questions, whatever, I’m happy to help and happy to be here for you.
Carol

It’s been 18 months since my surgery, and I am a work in progress. I recently posted about the decision to have the sleeve. See, “Down Over 140…The Decision: Fears and Tears” Now I want to write a bit about the emotional changes that I personally had to go through. Maybe some of this will ring true for you, too.
As I contemplated this entry, I struggled with what to tell you, a complete stranger, about my process. Finally, I decided to be honest, so that you could know in your heart that if it’s possible for me to change, it is also possible for you.
I still think about food all day, every day. I so wish I didn’t, but I have come to know that I am a food addict, and I have to treat it like an addiction.
I grew up the oldest of 6 in a poor family. When I was 12, my dad left and my childhood instantly ended. Alcoholism, mental illness, chaos. That was to become my family life. At 18, my stepdad committed suicide. When I was 20 I was raped. When I was 21, I joined the Army. When I was 22, my brother committed suicide. When I was 28, my two-month old baby girl died. I struggled with anxiety attacks. I developed a life-altering auto-immune disease.
There were good things, too. Love. My other beautiful daughter. My sister—who was my best friend, my soul mate, my rock--we went through everything together. Getting my college degree over a period of 20 years! Getting promoted. Writing. Photography. My home. Friends.
But always, there was food…my constant companion. It never failed to nicely anesthetize me.
One night, just before my surgery, I was watching a weight loss show where they were talking about how you MUST deal with the issues from your past if you are going to succeed. I don’t know why this struck such a chord this time, but I really began to think about the girl I used to be and all the fear I still carried inside me.
It hit me like a tidal wave! I cried for the girl whose childhood abruptly ended at the age of 12. I cried for all that had been done to me. I cried because I had been so powerless. But then I realized with real clarity that I am no longer that powerless child! I had succeeded at everything I had truly worked for! I had a great job, and would never be dependent on anyone financially again! I had even learned to be assertive.
That night, I spoke to that little girl inside me. I made a promise to her. I told her that she would never be a victim again. That she was no longer powerless. That I was going to take care of her forever.
But could I do it without food?

One of the best things I did for myself was to line up an appointment with a therapist for one month after my surgery. Although that person did not work out and I ultimately found a therapist who specializes in addiction, it was such a comfort to me to have a support system in place. I haven’t gone to her more than a few times, but she is an anchor for me, and I know she’s there.
As I said in my previous post, my beloved sister died in my arms on December 28th. I had postponed having my knee replaced to take care of her, and I foolishly thought I’d be doing well enough by the end of February to get through it ok. Well, I wasn’t. March was one of the bleakest months of my entire life between the physical pain, drugs, bad weather, isolation, and grief.
So how did I get through it? How else? I ate. Ice cream. candy. Cookies. Let me tell you right now, you can put down a lot of calories every day in 100-calorie increments. That is why you need to know beyond a doubt that what they say is true: They operate on your stomach, not your brain.
So I spent March crying and eating. And then one day, as I was sobbing to my husband about my out-of-control eating, I wailed, “The worst part is, I’m letting myself down!”
“I’m letting myself down.” I could not back away from this statement.
I called my therapist to discuss the grief/eating cycle. She let me off the hook, saying, “Sometimes you just have to be in survival mode.” I got off the phone and thought about that a lot and realized even though I had been given permission to eat badly, eating badly no longer felt like my authentic self. For the first time, I knew that I had truly changed.
The old me believed that self care meant whatever felt good. The new me knows that self care can never equate to self destruction. The next day, all the junk food left the house.
I’m still sad. But I am empowered. I am not a victim, even of myself.
If you've hung in there through this long post I hope you'll leave me feedback and share your own story. In posting this, I sort of feel like I'm running down the street naked!
Soon, I plan to post on some of the logistical things I've found to work for me since my surgery. More practical! Less emotional!!

MAKING THE DECISION…
So far, I’m down 142 pounds. This website was so important to me that I swore I would regularly post. Well, last August my beloved sister began to die, and I spent almost every moment with her from then until she died in my arms on December 28th. She was the most beautiful, vibrant, inspiring person I’ve ever known, and someday I will just write about her journey, because it is a story definitely worth sharing. If you are curious, you can read about her at dinner, and honestly, even that had become more difficult. I was at a place where eating was interfering with my ability to eat!
For months, I ate every meal like it was my last meal. I went through the motions of getting approved for the surgery, all the while believing that I would back out in the end. I searched the internet for stories that would convince me I was better off in a wheel chair. Instead, I learned about the sleeve, and found this website. Rather than tales of regret and woe, it was full of stories of success, determination, and victory. For every fear, there was a reassurance.
I searched you-tube for videos of miserable people. I found happy people instead. People on a journey.
But while I believed it could work for them, I didn’t think it would work for me. Nothing had EVER worked for me.
I was convinced that sugar was the glue that held me together during the hard times. I worried that I would just go flat-out crazy without food to sustain me.
I was terrified I would die in the surgery.
I was terrified I would fail, just like I always had.
I was terrified I would resent everyone around me.
I was terrified I would feel left out at celebrations, and that I’d never want to entertain again.
No one—I PROMISE YOU—no one, ever wanted to have this surgery less than me.
On September 12, 2011, I went to see the weight loss surgeon. It took me 20 minutes to walk approximately 80 yards into the doctor’s office. I had to stop and rest twice. And then, the stats: My weight at 5’3” was 367.8. My blood pressure was 168/95. My blood sugar was 395. On all accounts, the highest numbers ever. It wasn’t the sickest I’ve ever felt, but it was what I consider to be the unhealthiest day of my life. The surgeon just looked at me and shook his head sadly. The guy who saw fat people every single day was looking at me like I was a hopeless case!!!! It was one of my worst moments ever.
It took months to get approval and to be scheduled, taking me through the holidays. The night before my surgery, I was alone in the house. Without warning, I burst into tears, and I howled with fear, regret, and resolve. I cried like someone had died. The next day, I went to the hospital still uncertain as to whether or not I’d go through with it. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it, right up until the moment they gave me happy juice. But the day after that? That day, I woke up knowing that the time for fear and regret was gone. The time for hope had arrived. That day, my new life began.
Look for my next post, “The Process” in the next few days. Here's a self-portrait, taken in despair in a dressing room, before I embarked on the "farewell food tour," about 20 pounds below highest wt.

I know that I am a little late to this discussion and early to the VSG experience, but thought that if you are still struggling, this might help you. There are two books that have helped me SO much. These are both about how to change attitude and behavior when basically addicted to food/carbs, etc. The first is "Love to Eat, Hate to Eat" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. Very inexpensive in paperback. It is my favorite and I return to it often. It is filled with biblical truth that speaks into my heart and mind and my actions aren't far behind. The other is secular in nature, but also helpful, "The Beck Diet Solution" by Judith Beck. I am only four weeks post op but certainly already find myself having to fight against cravings and the desire to be able to eat the foods and amounts that I used to. That would sabotage all that I have worked for! One last thing: I have found that Protein Shakes help fight against craving sweets. Especially true when I bought a higher quality whey Protein Powder mix (Syntrax Matrix). I also bought MHP Power Pack pudding. (found it at The Vitamin Shoppe.) One can has 30 grams of Protein. I can only eat 1/3 of a can so lasts longer therefore costs less per serving. I am going to look into the protein hot chocolate myself! So grateful for this community! Best wishes to all of you!

This might be a powerful self-help for you! If you have to stop to track everything--and I recommend that you do that rather than waiting till the end of the day to track what you eat and drink, less chance of forgetting what you might have grazed on--it will really make you stop and think about whether you really WANT to eat or drink it.
Do you have a phone that can use the My Fitness Pal app? Don't wait, grab that app!
And remember, the only true failure would be to stop trying. This is an uphill battle for all of us, but there's no reason to think you've failed or that you can't dust yourself off and keep going.

I wasn't working out either which I was told to start 2 post op ;-( but for the past two weeks I've been walking 2 miles up and down a hill maybe thats a start for me but I just have this sweet tooth I'm going to have to find something sweet with no calories and thats hard ;'( I feel like if I was addicted to sweets I wish they had some type of medication for that lol

Thanks for the advice its so hard just don't know how I got back here again and then I have my mom and my friends telling by surgery was a waste of time :-/ I did start going to a nutritionist but she really doesn't give me like any good tips basically all she does is weight me on this scale that says how much have I gained or lost on Water weight and fat weight and then asks me what did I eat, she doesn't really help so I guess I'll be looking for a new nutritionist soon thanks for ur help

Hello, I was sleeved 12-11-12 it's sad to say but I'm back at my old eating habits. My start weight was 296 , my current weight is 248. I started by trying a little bit of this and that I still eat small portions but eating wrong foods. I'm 5 months post op is it to late for me to start over again? Do you think my sleeve was a waste of time? Help me ;-(

I drink so I won't eat. I drink mostly Water with a splash of g2, if I am drinking I can't eat! My treat in the evening and takes me a long time to eat is 2 T of p b 2, it's 45 calories and 5 g p and it satisfies my urge to snack.< /p>

Can you think back and remember why you wanted the surgery! What were your goals, dreams, plans? What are your NSVs so far? How do you reward yourself? Maybe think really short term and each time you eat on plan or exercise, give yourself a small reward like buy an app for your phone or a track on iTunes.
Also maybe you can make a list of pros and cons about eating back on track vs staying the same. I find that if I write it down, it is more powerful for me.
You took an awesome first step by coming here to get support! Bravo!

Thanks to all of you that are trying to help me out I really need all of this to get back on track I will try my best today

Walk more
Drink more Water
Shop better
Eat better
& find a better support group
Sounds like there is no support at home and that's where it all starts...at home. Don't worry though , We are all in this together!

Just review the materials that you were given in the beginning and get back to basics...if you ever need to chat just add me as a friend and in box me and together we can get through the rough Patches....Keep me posted!

Just do not give up get back to your doctor and let them help.

Thanks girl for your tips they are very helpful I was forgetting that my sleeve is just a tool and wasn't going to do everything for me. I pray to god I can do this;-) I have to drink more Water and I have to start drinking my Protein Shakes

Think about the struggle of having the surgery, the pain and discomfort. Think about the way your clothes fitted in the past. How miserable you were hanging with smaller friends. Think about trying to find a stronger chair to sit in and pray it doesn't break. Think about the plane and bus rides the tightness. Think about the quality of life.
I was sleeved on 5/14/13. I will not allow the pain I'm going through go in vain. I am determine to live. Just remember why u had it done and you will get back on track. We will fall down, now it's time to stand up and continue.

Just remember that you are not alone. We want you to be healthy and happy.

mocanitanj OMG - its NEVER too late
get back on the horse, start following the rules - the sleeve was NOT a waste of time/mistake!!!
we all/most have messed up a bit "once or twcie"
you've done well - really!!!!
just shy of losing 50 lbs in 5 months - do the #'s - thats NOT a bad monthly average
sure you can/will do better
as OP said - start to force the fluids - Water, Water, water, and then more water
at least 64 oz - you might have to push/force yourself to drink - improve daily
it is very important!!!!
and i'm sure you know to stop drinking before you eat by about 15-30 minutes
never ever ever drink with your meals (people have been shot for less )
very very important - do not drink anything for about 45 minutes after you eat!!!
i agree to go through pantry and chuck stuff like chips, Cookies et al
when you see something "good" to eat.........sweets et al...........
remember all of us are shaking their fingers at you saying - I don't think so!!!!
we're scary enough to make you drop those goodies!!!
tell your nutritionalist you need some more assistance from her - you are having problems
maybe you need to assert yourself more - and say help, don't let her just aske the basic questions - you need to say more - you want help
if she still doesn't do any good - get another NUT
good for you that you are eating small portions - but sounds like you might be grazing
eating a bunch of different times those small portions?? - sorry bud, gotta stop that
these past 5 months have not been a waste!!!
i can/will get back to basics - and continue doing well
after all you know this is a llifetime journey
but the results are great!!!!!
i can see in your lovely smiling face - that you have what it takes to succeed
i know it, i know it
come back here for more support anythime
think positive!!!!
good luck
kathy

Thanks to all of you that are trying to help me out I really need all of this to get back on track I will try my best today

Thanks for the advice its so hard just don't know how I got back here again and then I have my mom and my friends telling by surgery was a waste of time :-/ I did start going to a nutritionist but she really doesn't give me like any good tips basically all she does is weight me on this scale that says how much have I gained or lost on Water weight and fat weight and then asks me what did I eat, she doesn't really help so I guess I'll be looking for a new nutritionist soon thanks for ur help

Thanks I have to start find alternatives I have to do something to my life I know I didn't come this far going through surgery to fail at this too