mariamitani

Dr.Guillermo Alvarez In mexico Im 5 wks out and lost 40Lbs already Very happy:) I love him

Start a new fresh slate go on a ten day full liquid diet then start back on the basics! You need to get 70-80 grams of Protein in daily and remain at 800 calories max per day!.In order to do that you must eat protein rich foods first at each meal. The protein should be 75% of your meal. Measure and weight what you it. 4 ounces at each meal only. If you follow these main rules you will definently loose weight. You also need to drink 64 ounces of Water a day. Take your multi Vitamin and calcium/vit-d daily. Keep your carbs around 40 grams a day. Use myfitnesspal.com to keep your self accountable.You should also exercise 5 days a week for 30-45 minutes. Everyone falls off the wagon the key to success is to get up dust your self off and try again! I tried to quite smoking for 3 years. I would stop then smoke then quite then smoke. finally quite and it stuck! Each time you go threw failing at something you learn and change in a certain way. Give up for a while but go right back to it when your ready. You can do this. The sleeve is a tool. If you use it the way it is meant to be used you will have amazing results. The way you use the sleeve will become your new way of life. By repeatedly following the rules it will eventually become a habit and will be like second nature to you. good luck and never give up

I think fat hides our actual body shape I'm still not sure what shape I am and i have 43 pounds to go

If it is causing rashes and boils i believe insurance does cover a pannilectomy which removes the excess skin only. you will have to go to your PCP(primary care physician) start there. Once you get to your goal weight and maintain for a while you can get a Tummy Tuck which isnt covered by insurance and they will tighten your abdominal muscles and remove access skin. good luck

I'm in. I'm up 3 lbs all from not following the rules. So now I'm 5 lbs from goal. WLS is such a head game! Learned I can put a serious hurt on a box of Cereal this week. Going to do lots of shakes, Protein, and veggies today, staying away from simple carbs (yeah, I'm talking about you, Cinnamon toast crunch).

I lost a friend that I was friends with for 7 years. Many times I thought about going back and talking to her but my final desision is that if I ment so much to her as she did to me she would have tried harder to keep the relationship going. Love your self and don't put up with anyone's crap we are worthy of a normal relationship. It hurts but you have to do what is right for you. It sucks how people are! It still hurts

ITA. Inexpensive sports bras that are not snug. A bit big. I used ice packs inside mine. My breasts gave me no problems. Nothing. Very easy. I think just about what you'd expect. Swelling and tender. I have sub muscular, silicone. I'm 3 weeks post op so I haven't been fitted for a bra.
My surgeon explained that once they get the breasts measured, they have like 3 implant size options. Too big and they look fake and push out into the arm pit; too small they look like tennis balls.

My augmentation implants were 475cc's in Betty (my right) and 450 cc's in Wilma( my left). Those implants put me at DD- DDD depending on which bra. I still think my husband slipped my PS some cash before surgery to add an extra D.
The best thing I purchased, besides my CHESTICLES, was a very cheap Wal Mart fruit of the Loom sports bra for post surgery. My surgeon suggested it because you are not supposed wear underwire for at least two months post surgery.
Post surgery use a lot of pillows to prop yourself up and to sleep.
Good luck, honey. You are going to look and feel fantastic.

Im 1 year and 2 months post op. Make a plan to eat 800 calories a day and no more! You can make a choice to fill those calories with healthy foods or junk foods. If you choose junk eventually you will feel like crap and be forced to eat better! I ate 800 calories a day the first year and no more than that. This is how I got to goal. If I had a bad day where I ate twinkies chips chocolate I felt sick and drained when I ate well I felt good. Another MAJOR reason for eat the wrong foods is it is there! dont bring it in the house! stock up on salads Soups nuts fish Beans whole grains. If it isnt there you wont think about it! good luck you are stronger than this feeling inside you, make sure you are taking your Multi Vitamins and drinking enough water.dehydration can give a sense of false hunger. Be strong!

I was sleeved 12-20-2013. I lost 135 pounds in a year and have maintained a range of 152-159 for three months now. I scheduled my breast lift with augmentation on april-29-14. I wanted to get tips from you all out there that have been through it already. How did you prepare for it ? what helped you stay comfortable? what do you wish you knew before you went threw the surgery? any tips are appreciated. Im planning on getting a full anchor lift and 400 cc moderate plus implant.(im not sure about the size yet I might go smaller) thank you

My one year post op was this past week, December 19. What a year it's been! I look and feel so much better, and I'm so happy I did this for myself. I still have a way to go, and I'll keep plugging along. My weight loss has really slowed the past 2 months.but a body can only lose so fast. I have diligently tracked my intake and calories every day since surgery. I'm looking forward to another great year, and I plan to finish what I started. Congratulations to all of us - regardless of how much we've lost, we all have the power to succeed!
I attached my graph, and a few before and current pics.

Sandisleeve
I'm 5'5". My original goal was 150 but the weight still came off at a 1/2 to 1 lb per week. I've been stable for about a month and this weight feels good.
My doctor said that most lose 60 to 80% of their excess weight. I'm one if the few that has lost it all.
I was a slow but consistent loser. I lost 2 lbs per week for the first 9 months without really stalling. Sometimes it was frustrating to see others losing more quickly. So try to make it your own journey.
I'm a good rule follower and am blessed with a small sleeve. The keys for me are:
Eat 70 to 100 grams of Protein per day
Drink 64 oz
Less than 50 grams of fat
Carbs less than Protein. Almost no bread, potatoes or Pasta. I use sandwhich thins for lunch.
I still use myfitnesspal daily.
Good luck.

Ouch. Yes they told me that happens all the time. Apparently I'm the only one who ever had a cat bite a hole in it, rendering it useless.
I thought you were gonna try to top that with a story a about a king cobra or something.

Yesterday 1 year ago I was sleeved with Dr.Alvarez in Mexico! Best decision I have ever made My highest weight ever was 301 My current weight 153-158. I was 288 before my surgery so a 135 pound loss! that's a whole other person! I was a 3x in tops and size 22-24 pants Im now a small top and 6 pants yipeeee. Its all about maintaining now. Congrats to everyone else on their surgerversary.

Yesterday 1 year ago I was sleeved with Dr.Alvarez in Mexico! Best decision I have ever made My highest weight ever was 301 My current weight 153-158. I was 288 before my surgery so a 135 pound loss! that's a whole other person! I was a 3x in tops and size 22-24 pants Im now a small top and 6 pants yipeeee. Its all about maintaining now. Congrats to everyone else on their surgerversary.

One year......whoop whoop.... Happy Surgerversary!!!!!!!!
I was sleeved 12/21/2012 by Dr Alvarez in Pedras Negros Mexico. My sleeve buddy was Thecurvyones. Having the sleeve was the best desision I ever made and it has been an awesome journey. .......
Surgery weight 209
12/21 weight 141
Total post surgery loss ..... 68 pounds..... clothes sizes pants 6/8 and shirt small/ medium dependong on brand. I can't remeber the last time I have worn a small.....I have not had any issues with food tolerance. This website and thread has been amazing in helping with encouragement and information. Special thanks to Endobariatrics and thecurvyjones for all the YouTube videos.... AWESOME....my ultimate weight goal is 135 and I hope to make that by February 14. I loose very slowly and there have been times that was discouraging but reading others posts always helped me to realize I was not the only one battling that issue. Thanks and congratulations to all December sleevers. Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014.

1 year post op today. Down -105lbs. I'm currently hovering around 160lbs. I was able to get down to 155lbs, but it was hard to maintain. I'd like to lose another 10-15lbs....but we'll see.

Okay, I had ALOT of plastics done two months ago so I can give a little logistical advice. You can shower with drains - get a lanyard to wear around your neck and hook the drains to it. My surgeon considered a daily shower as very important and he had us doing it the very day after surgery. I was instructed to gently wash with antibiotic soap and I had no wound issues. Follow your surgeons instructions, but if you are permitted to shower, the lanyard deal works!
I HATED the drains and the last one had to come out while I still had alot of output, well, it basically fell out. anyway, drains are so helpful at keeping swelling down and preventing seronomas (spelling?) so look on the bright side. A lady who had plastics 2 weeks after me - her drains came out sooner and she had much worse swelling then I did.
I am 2 months post op and still have twinges, tingles, numbness near the LBL incision and the latest feature is a bit of numbness down my left forearm from the arm lift. Surgeon said nerve weirdness can take 8-12 months to resolve. sigh. It isn't bad, don't get me wrong, but now i really understand when people say recovery from plastics is a LONG journey.
Good thing I look so dang good or I would be unhappy...haha

QUICK UPDATE:
10 Days post op and doing well, I had one of the four drains removed today. Not really that big of a deal but it was clearly towards the rear because the tube was REALLY long. Did not hurt at all, just a very weird sensation. One of the many I have been feeling lately.
BigHappy, I hope you read this because I owe you an apology! I kinda snickered at your idea that your "junk" could swell after the procedure well on Saturday night it happened to me!!! I was VERY freaked out but by the time I woke up on Sunday morning it "all" was back to normal. During my procedure they did make a cut straight down toward my genitals to remove the excess skin in that area and the Dr. said that leaking into or swelling is absolutely normal……."normal" ??? Not when you were not expecting it. I jokingly said, might be a good idea to give people a heads up on that one!! LOL
Still have 4 drains so being 1 down does not feel like a victory at all. I can tell I feel very good! Everyday I get more range of motion and less pain. No longer taking pain meds just Motrin if I feel a little ache
TO BE CONTINUED!

Had the binder off for only the second time just a few mins ago to take a "shower". With the drains "shower" means cleaning up with a bar of soap in the sink!
It feels very weird……the sensation along and around the incision is tingly and numb. Standing up is not an option, there is a strange tightening. The visual is still hard to get used to, it almost is like looking at someone else in the mirror. All in all, I am thrilled with the results and am anxious for the healing to continue for a couple of reasons. 1, to get back to normal, and 2, so I can get used to the "new" me!!!
The above is a physical but also a mental update because don't kid yourself…..this procedure is both a physical and mental one!!!

Surgery Update!
Looks like 2 of my 4 drains are really slowing and if all goes the same for the next day the will be at the parameters they need to be at to be removed!! That is very exciting!!!
For those of you contemplating the surgery….they need to produce less than 30cc's of drainage for 3 straight days before they can be taken out. There is an asterix!! Even if that happens in the first week they won't take them out….it has to be after 7 days!

Drumroll please......

Had my surgery on Friday! Feeling pretty good but I am still relying on the drugs! I had an Exparel shot that supposedly lasts 3 days so that should be wearing off and then I will just have the hydrocodon they gave me to take by mouth. I have my first follow up appointment on Tuesday so that will be the first time I get a chance to see anything. I was able to see that my backside is much tighter, no sag!
Quick Thoughts:
1- Drains. Kind of a pain but not as bad as I thought they would be. That doesn't mean I don't want them gone now but they are tolerable
2- Pain. I think it is way to early to say considering the meds
3- Mobility- Toughest part is getting in an out of bed
4- Results- Can't say yet
5- Nausea- I am fortunate, I have had non
6- Eating- Not very hungry but I am just doing Protein Shakes and yogurt
7- Restroom- Dreading having to sit for the first time, that is going to be painful
8- Would I do it again?? NO QUESTION!!! Absolutely!!!!!!

2.5 years out, 119 pounds lost and I finally feel like me again. A different person? Not sure but I know I'm the person I had been wanting to be for a long time.
No, I honestly do not discriminate against big people. I remember where I came from and I remember how I felt and I don't plan to forget it. I do look at big people and feel bad because I remember how I felt. I feel compassion for them. I've been in their shoes.
I don't eat only healthy but I do eat healthy a lot of the time. I don't look down on those who don't. They will change their life when they are ready. I don't let how other people eat bother me. I choose not to let it bother me. Instead, I am thankful that I was given this chance in life and that I can't eat like that anymore.
Some things that are different are the usual things you hear...I'm happier, more confident. I can do more, I feel like I am living life now instead of sitting on the side line.
Now, I can say these things as someone who is far out from surgery. Right after surgery, my emotions were going crazy and I'm sure I felt a lot of different things. It takes quite a while to settle into a "normal" life and figure things out.

I went thru a lot of food funerals before I started my 2 week pre-op diet. I had Italian dinners. I made my homemade chili. I ate ice cream. You name it, I ate it.
Then it got old. It consumed me. I ended up starting my 2 week pre-op diet a day early because I was done eating this or that one last time.
With 4 weeks to go before surgery, I'd like to make a couple of suggestions...practice eating slowly (set your fork down between bites), chew your food (chew 20-25 times), and start incorporating a shake into your day. These are things that helped me with the pre-op diet and really help post-op.
From my perspective, you're normal or at least like me in some respects! :-)
Best of luck to you!