HoosierGirl

Your blog is a riot!

January 2013: 237.6 lbs Surgery Feb. 4, 2013: 223.5 lbs Sept. 15, 2013: 163.5 lbs Drs goal: 155lbs My goal: 145lbs Height: 5'8.5" Loss is 74 lbs in 9 months. Been very obedient on the diet and exercising. Feel fantastic and able to wear "normal" sized underwear. Priceless.

My insurance DOES cover the sleeve. My BMI was 37 and I had well controlled hypertension And I was DENIED surgery. Would have been OK if I were fatter (over 40 BMI), but since my BP was controlled with two meds, surgery denied. I had paid all our $5,000 annual deductible to go through all the insurance company's requirements at my local bariatric center. So so so mad! Insurance companies don't care about their patients. They actually need us to be sick so they can make money. So, I got mad & determined. Figured I needed to take the lead on what is best for me. Started doing research on VerticalSleeveTalk and learned about Mexico. Picked a surgeon, got my passport, and 7 months later am down 75 lbs. You are welcome to read through my blog. Talks about pre-surgery, selecting a surgeon, surgery day, recovery, and milestones after surgery. Right now, I am about 18 lbs from my goal. I am so greatful we have the option of so many surgeons in Mexico to help us. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

I told my parents and they freaked! My hubs was good with it and that is all I cared about. Now, it's a great story based on SHOCK VALUE and I love to share what I did! Plus, it does sound totally nuts if you aren't educated on the topic. I remember when I found out Tijuana was a destination for weight loss surgery. My first thought was, "Oh man....I hope I am never desperate enough to go to Mexico!" Ha ha....lesson learned!

Frank - you look awesome and have already been incredibly successful with your sleeve! But, I totally get it...when you have goals that aren't being met, it's very frustrating. It makes sense to me that your weight loss would slow down as you get closer to goal. I have had several weeks where I lost NOTHING despite eating 900-1200 calories a day with vigorous exercise, watching carbs, lots of Water. (I'm no Fiddleman, but I have ambition!) What would happen if you changed things up a bit....walked for an hour vs. running or swam or lifted at the gym? Went back on liquids for several days or tried the 5:2 plan or other dietary changes? Maybe that would be the change your body is looking for? My younger brother is 6'2" and dieted down to 189lbs. recently and he looked like a P.O.W. The weight was too little for his frame. Try to keep these past two weeks in perspective...you DID lose weight....just not like before. The pounds may come off more slowly as you get closer to your goal weight. Good luck - you look fantastic and I can only imagine how great you feel too. Anything that is worthwhile is rarely easy. And you are in the right place for a "vent"!

Batman....I like it! As long as you get Dr. Martinez (and not the Joker) you are in good shape!! LOL! Stick to your guns and talk to the man. You will feel better if you do. And I didn't meet Dr. Martinez at OCC, only Dr. Ortiz. Interesting! But with my pre-op and post-op questions, Dr. Martinez answered those emails.

I got my surgical report about 2 weeks after surgery.

I am the whitest shade of white and mine started fading a lot around month 6. Before that, they were really noticeable. They are light pink now and I would imagine they are going to fade away to nothing like my other abdominal surgeries.

Oh yeah...my Mom was completely nuts before my surgery in Tijuana. Now, she wants to go there for a VSG too! Stay strong in your decision. Smile politely at those who 'just don't get it' yet. You know what they don't.

February to September.....goodbye 71 lbs!!!

Wanted to update the folks planning to go to Tijuana for VSG surgery. If you are lurking, considering, researching - get serious, make a decision and give yourself this gift. Wish everyone could feel as good as I do. Wish everyone was off all their weight related medications. Wish everyone could be rid of back pain...knee pain...foot pain. I want everyone to be able to buy regular sized underpants for crying out loud! It's been 7 months since my surgery...has it been easy? Not every day. But I don't feel hungry all the time like I did before surgery. Even when I have a "bad" eating day now, it's nothing compared to what I was eating on a "good" day before surgery. Yes, I have 21 pounds to goal and will lose it before the end of the year. But I wanted to tell anyone who is scared of the cost...travel...safety...results...failure...it is possible to succeed beyond your wildest dreams. I wish everyone the success I continue to experience. Hugs!

If you are still feeling weak and tired, I would not exercise. Give your self some time to heal up. Then start exercising gradually as you feel you can. I began walking about 6 weeks post op when I didn't feel tired all the time. Then started more strenuous workouts at about 3.5 months post op. My suggestion is to ease into more activity as you fully recover from surgery.

JessicaAnn...my tummy below the navel is going down. However it is not "tight" and hangs down somewhat. Add some pregnancy stretch marks. (Nice visual, right!?). If it still looks weird in a year or so, I will probably do a tummy tuck. It is what it is. I am 42 years old with two kids. I am not a super model, so it is ok. And it is the only place I have had an issue so far. Plus, I can dress around it as needed.

How does one post photos?

Early on, I was only walking a few days per week. But, at about 3 months, I started much more intense and frequent workouts. I notice that I do lose better if I am exercising. My main objective in exercising was to end up looking fit, not flabby. My arms and shoulders have nice curves, my legs are getting toned. My lower abs have a lot of excess skin due to weight loss after 2 pregnancies, 2 C-sections. Overall, I think the exercise is helping me look toned and fit. Also, I committed myself before surgery to doing EVERYTHING the doctors told me to do. My sole purpose with this surgery is to end up healthy. If they said eat Protein dense foods, drink minimum 64 oz. and exercise, I committed to make it happen. Surgery was 2/4/13 and I started the process at 237.6 and today weighed 169.6 (exactly 68 lbs). Only 24 lbs to go. Feeling amazing.

OK - I must confess - I think I have bitten off a little more than I can chew with T25! Not sure the workouts are for rookies like me! Yes, there are modifiers for beginners, but one big thing in T25 is FORM. Shaun T. keeps telling you to do things like "tighten your core" - "focus on the movement" but what does that mean exactly? I had to finally Google what it meant to "tighten your core" because I just wasn't getting it. And I know I am not doing some of the burpee type exercises right because my wrist is killing me. Perhaps I am too old for this? I don't know. Love the calorie burn, but all the jumping is not helping my knee. I think it would be great for someone who is a little younger and maybe doesn't have so much weight yet to lose? Think I am going to have to step back to what was working for me this summer....need a little more instruction vs. 'just do it'...lol....

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