HoosierGirl

Way to go!!! And way to find something else to do rather than sitting home feeling miserable! Distraction is the name of the game for the next 7 days. LOL! You are only 7 days away from your permanent solution. YOU CAN DO THIS! :-)

Yup - G2 was a favorite after surgery. Still enjoy it if it's all I can find at a convenience store or something. No protein in it, but a lower calorie option for sleevers.

You can do anything YOU decide you can do. Although I don't know you, I know you CAN do this!!! Really, if you decide, you could probably put up with a LOT for only a couple weeks? For me, the pre-op diet came down to a meal by meal decision. Be uncomfortable and stick with it or fail (again) only a short time before surgery? Decide you are going to KICK A$$ at this VSG thing! All the weight you lose now counts and is step closer to your goal weight. I've lost almost 70 lbs and there are still some days where it is a meal-by-meal decision to stick with it. You CAN do this! We are here rooting for you...keep us updated on how you are putting the beat down on the pre-op diet! If you need an accountability partner, you got one! Are you using myFitnessPal? If so, add me as a friend and I would even do just shakes for a couple weeks in solidarity with you! My ID there is Hoosier_Fatty. GOOD LUCK!

Yes - I had my VSG with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in February 2013. You are welcome to read my blog as I was looking for any and all info I could find before surgery www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com hopefully this is helpful to you. Had a good surgery and smooth recovery. The most difficult part of the whole process was BEFORE surgery. Crazy random thoughts, frequent inner-discussion about why I couldn't lose weight on my own, friends worried about my safety, etc. Bottom line is this: if you can get past the geography and keep yourself from a nervous breakdown, Dr. Ortiz and staff are very skilled at what they do. Good luck...

Frank - this made my day! Thanks for taking the time to post the photos....you look fantastic! Cannot wait for the update when you hit your goal....way to go!

My PCP was on board with weight loss surgery. Once I was denied by my insurance company, I figured out the whole Mexico thing, had surgery and sent my PCP the surgical notes. When I saw her next, she asked if I was pulling her leg. NOPE! Told her how it went down, she seemed pleased. Done deal. You are welcome to read my blog post about it http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/first-doctor-visit-after-surgery-in-mexico/ Of course your PCP will continue to treat you after the surgery. In reality, the only thing I needed help with was some follow up blood work after surgery. If your PCP doesn't come around, maybe it's time to look for a new doctor with an open mind? Good luck!

I'm doing T25 (the new version of Insanity that takes only 25 minutes). I wasn't prepared for how much jumping there is! Now, there is a modifier available - someone on the video doing low impact stuff. I like T25 and am getting results but wow - THE JUMPING! Get one of Jillian Michaels DVDs - like 30 day shred and start with that. I felt that T25 was more "advanced" for me than the Jillian stuff. Just my two cents. Good luck!

As I come to the end of my weight loss phase, I am beginning the process of "mentally preparing" myself for maintenance. Just like I did before surgery, I have to get my mind right. These days, I am spending considerable time in thought. How is maintenance going to work for me? What will each day look like? How will I Celebrate success? Rebound from failure? How will I address the emotional or physical changes? What is my support system? I'm viewing my VSG weight loss phase much like the time when I was engaged to be married. Lots going on, lots of planning, learning, stress, milestones, but always with a fixed end. All of us VSGer's dream about our "big day". The day we hit goal. In my mental prep, I have realized hitting goal is simply the "wedding day". A one day celebration. After that celebration, the next phase begins. Maintenance. We all know people who were caught up in the engagement & had a beautiful wedding, but weren't prepared to be successful at being married. I DO NOT want to be one of the VSG group that can lose the weight, but not keep it off. After all, you can't divorce your sleeve. For me, maintenance means the long term, real responsibility has started. Maintaining my weight is going to be like a marriage. This is the rest of my life. There are going to be the inevitable ups and downs. Sometimes maintaining will take work. Sometimes it won't. There are going to be days that maintenance is as fun as I make it. But, for better or worse, this was my choice and is now my reality. I will continue to get out of my sleeve - exactly what I put into it. (Pun intended.) Fail to plan = planning to fail

Thanks!

This is an impressive group of people! I am the Director of Procurement & Contacts for an energy company. (i.e. nerd)

It's been interesting to me that my taste hasn't changed per se, but my choices sure have because certain foods just don't sit that well anymore. For example, I love the taste and texture of potatoes fixed al most any way. However, they make me physically sick after I eat them. It's almost the sensation of a hangover - really weird. Would not say before surgery that I loved fish, it still tastes the same to me, but makes me FEEL good after I eat it. Post surgery, food is less enjoyment/satisfaction related and more of a "it's time to eat this food" like "it's time to get up". Eating is now just something that I do vs. something I enjoyed before. Hard to explain for sure.

Florida! And in a TANKINI! It was great to wear a real bathing suit for the first time in 10 years!

You are describing my exact build! I have a photo of me at 2 years old with the under the belly button stomach "pooch" as I call it. Like you, was never comfortable tucking in or wearing a belt, even when I was thin in HS/college because of that damned "pooch"! Two pregnancies, two C-sections and many pounds lost have made that area even worse. (Insert huge sigh here.) I have been exercising a lot so I am not flabby as I lose, but the "pooch" area is not rebounding as I hoped. It is certainly smaller, but is now hanging down and just looks ridiculous. My upper abs are fine and I would feel comfortable showing them off, but the lower, WOW - not good! I think after a year or so at my goal weight, if it still looks like a disaster, I am going to "reward" myself with some plastic surgery so that area no longer looks like a deflated, hanging down beach ball. I’d like to feel like I have a “normal” shape after the weight is gone. Good luck to you as you lose your weight and keep us updated on your “pooch” as the weight comes off! Hugs - Shelley

Loved your blog post! Wait until after you are sleeved and you sit down, excited about a meal you really want to eat, but just cannot do it for whatever reason. Some of my old favorites don’t sit well at all and I’ve developed an aversion to them (any type of potato makes me really sick….who knew?) Haven't shed tears, but have been really ticked-off and frustrated about not being able to eat with abandon! food just isn’t the entertainment or social outlet it was before. However, I will admit to crying in the fitting room when I slid into a size 12 jeans over the weekend. The feeling of gratitude/miracle/amazement was simply overwhelming. Here is to wishing you tears of joy AFTER your sleeve! Hugs and safe surgery next week!!! PS - you are welcome to check out my blog as I was sleeved in Tijuana earlier this year too! www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

Amen my friend! Keep us straight!!!

If you can keep your mind together in the pre-op phases, you are on your way to success! I was all over the place mentally before surgery. Figured if I could have lost the weight on my own in my many attempts over the past 20 years, I probably would not need surgery. My advice is to stay out of your own head - it can be a dangerous place to be! Hugs and good luck!

Thanks! I am viewing the cost as an investment to help me get to goal. With the 60 day program, it ends up being about $2 per day and I can afford that. If you wait a few months, it will probably for sale cheap on eBay or Craigslist! Lol...

As far as being easy to follow, I would suggest watching before doing so you don't have to stop and figure out what is going on. I really started heavy exercise about 3 months after surgery and just walked before that. So, i think the three month mark would be a good place to start. Also, when you start may depend on your weight. Obviously if you have a lot of weight to lose, all the jumping might be uncomfortable on joints. But if you can stand 25 minutes of going full blast, this is wonderful. I started the exercise and eating plan Monday and have lost 5.7 lbs and it is only Wednesday! Crazy but wonderful!

So far, I really like it. It's a lot of jumping and I wouldn't recommend if you have knee or ankle problems. Using my heart rate monitor, I am burning about 350 calories in 25 minutes, so it is really a good calorie burn! Will post some more info after I complete this week. The eating plan is very VSG friendly too! So far so good..

Just to be clear.......they mean hair loss from your head. Just back from a beach vacation and the old bikini line was - uh - not affected by VSG hair loss.

Yes, I had surgery in February with Dr Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. You are welcome to read my blog about surgery, travel, recovery, etc. Good luck...this surgery will change your life. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

I was alone after surgery....my best friend was there for surgery Monday, made sure I was back at the hotel Tuesday and then flew home. I used Dr. Ortiz at the OCC as well and their driver took us in groups back and forth to the hotel/office. Was never alone with him and felt safe the whole time at the hotel and traveling in TJ. I saw several people sharing taxis to sight-seeing or shop. If you get to TJ the day before, get a taxi to Costco or WalMart, pay them to wait for you while you go buy Vitamin Water or Gatorade. Ask the hotel to keep it for you while you have surgery and bring it to your room after you check in again. Bottom line is if you aren't out partying and wandering alone, you will be fine.

I promise it gets better! If you just focus on sip wait a couple minutes, sip & wait, you will get your fluids in. Keep on walking. You are doing all the right things! And I will be thinking of you back at work on Monday. I did the same thing and wish I would have had another week to recoup. It wasn't ideal, but it can be done. WAY TO GO! You are going to ROCK your sleeve!

WOW! You look fantastic! And congrats getting off all your medications! Thank you for sharing.

I am 5.5 months post-op. Only took a week off work thinking I would be fine one week after surgery. Boy, was I surprised how tired I was for a full two weeks after surgery. My surgery was easy, no complications, felt great after, very minimal pain, but SO TIRED. Even after the two weeks when I could finally function all day without requiring a nap, I was still ready to go to bed early (like 7:30 or 8:00 pm). During the first 6 weeks, I wasn't trying to walk or anything, was just needing a lot of sleep. The tiredness was a big surprise to me. Today, 5.5 months out, I am full of energy, down 62lbs and off all medications. I can exercise until my hearts content and don't get run down. Be sure you are getting all your fluids in and give in to your need for sleep. It will help the healing. Good luck to you all!!!