HoosierGirl

I used Dr Ortiz and blogged about my research and surgery experience hoping it might help someone else. (Now the blog is like free therapy for me! Lol) You are welcome to read the blog or message me. Good luck and good job doing your research! Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

I'm still after it - and was successful at losing 3.9lbs last week and weighed 189.1 yesterday morning! Not sure if it is the clean eating or focused exercise, but my goodness it is sure working! Happy happy happy!

I am sure he knows logically that you will benefit from weight loss via the sleeve. And he may not really understand how the sleeve is different than the band. Still, he is probably scared that your new reality is going to change HIS reality too. Talk about it now. Don't let it continue. Even if he agrees to disagree with your decision, you need to clearly tell him that this is happening and things will change. You don't need his support, but don't need negativity either. Glad you are hearing about it now instead of after surgery. Good luck!

Love this!!! You keep the "moving on" attitude and you are going to rock your sleeve!!! Please be sure to re-post to this thread so we can all follow your progress!!!

Shoot, I just wanted to wear normal sized underwear. No more 'granny-panties'!

Congratulations!!!!! So happy for your success and what a fantastic reward! Looks like you had a great trip too!

Oh yeah...the worst part is getting started! Hope you are feeling better tomorrow. Getting off the crap food is no fun. Day 3 is usually better.

Today, I am half way to my weight loss goal of 92 pounds! Yes - I am eating well and exercising, but I've never lost 46lbs just eating well and exercising. And NEVER could have lost 46 pounds in less than 4 months! Feeling so blessed and free from past demons. I am re-writing my future and it feels so wonderful!

You should be able to get some guidance from your bariatric doctor about that. I believe if you ask your doctor how to document that, you should be able to tell the doctor what you have been doing so he/she can put it in your medical chart. Good luck!

In the weeks following surgery, I really enjoyed the Isopure drinks you can get at GNC or online. They have a lot of protein and the grape, orange and apple melon flavors weren't bad. Could be worth a try?

OMG - this made me laugh out loud! Hilarious!

Your attitude will get you thru...what is it they say 'weight loss is mathematical, not magical'....you keep it up and it will come off. This is super fun to share all this with you guys!

YET! You keep trying and you will be able to! A few weeks ago, I could barely finish the workout....now I am able to do the whole thing! You don't have to be perfect, just a little better than yesterday (new mantra...smile)!

THIS IS AWESOME....weighed in at 193 this morning!!! Lost 1.5 last week. This weekend I managed to eat well despite a big family get together and make time for exercise. Still doing the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution - Still on Phase 1: Monday workout 1, Tuesday workout 2, Wednesday cardio, Thursday workout 1, Friday workout 2, Saturday - cardio, Sunday rest day from Jillian but went for a walk with my family. ALSO, I purchased a fitness monitor (a Polar FT7) that calculates calories burned based on your heart rate and weight. It's wonderful to know what you are actually burning through exercise to be able to track it. The worst part about this whole thing is just getting started, after that, easy easy (and pretty fun!)

Thanks Lauraven...I still cannot see them. What the heck?!

[url=http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/19705-jan-to-may-2013/][img=http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/uploads/gallery/album_5275/gallery_44780_5275_148822.jpg][/url] UGGGHHHH! This makes me want to say bad words...how in the world to you post a picture from the gallery here???!!!! GGRRRR

http://www.verticals...an-to-may-2013/ I am not sure this is how you post a picture....but hope this works....if so, it's for TheCurvyJ....

OK - here we go...have taken measurements, weight and the like. My goal is to lose inches and weight during these 12 weeks. I've been focusing a lot on my diet and "clean" eating. So this is just going to give me the motivation to keep at it for 12 complete weeks. Just received my heart rate monitor yesterday, so it will be another tool to help me track my activity. How often are we checking in?

I AM IN!!!! Would be fantastic to have others on the 12-week journey too! I am 3 months post op and have been doing HIIT training using Jillian Michael's Body Revolution - a 12 week program that gets increasingly difficult. What do I need to get in on this Fiddleman???

Your pictures are AWESOME! I know it feels like it is coming off slow, but at least it is coming off! The proof are these pictures. Your butt/arms/legs all look fantastic. At times, I too feel it's coming off slowly. When I get discouraged, I try to remind myself that during no time of my 20 years of fatness have I ever lost 43 lbs (let alone 43 lbs in 3 months). When I look at it that way, I feel pretty excited. AND I am completely motivated by your pictures....thank you for posting! You are almost half way to your weight loss goal in less than 6 months....it is inspirational/motivating for me to see.

Way to go!!!! Congratulations!

WOW...you look fantastic. Thank you for sharing the pictures - VERY motivating! Congratulations on your weight loss.

Wow! That is a great story! (And a great son!)

At last year’s annual physical, I asked my primary care physician (PCP) if I would benefit from weight loss surgery. She said, “Yes, weight loss surgery would benefit you. But, not something as drastic as the by-pass due to absorption issues.” Great – that is all I needed to hear. Last summer, I completed the program at my local bariatric center – even though I met insurance criteria, I was immediately denied – both insurance appeals were denied – I got determined – started researching all options - then chose my surgeon in Mexico. (My BMI was 36 and I had a co-morbidity and met the insurance requirement for surgery, but was denied because my hypertension was controlled with two medications.) It never occurred to me to ask my doctor for her “permission” to go to Mexico for surgery nor did I check to see if she would treat me after surgery. She said I would benefit from weight loss surgery, so I was doing it! After surgery in Mexico, I faxed her the surgery notes and she helped me get off all my blood pressure medication. Fast forward to today and this year’s annual exam. This was my first visit to the doctor since surgery in February. Of course my weight is down, my resting heart rate was great, and my blood pressure NORMAL with a normal sized cuff. YES! The appointment started out like normal, she was asking how I was feeling, etc. Told her I felt great, was eating well, exercising, and losing weight after bariatric surgery in February. She said, “Oh yes! I got the surgical notes you sent me…did you REALLY go to Tijuana and have surgery?! I thought you might have been kidding!” It was sort of comical. As I started with the story – here eyes were huge! But, once she understood my surgeon’s credentials, facility certification, what procedure I had, post-surgery follow up, she had a big smile. My PCP said, “You did good! Our medical system is such a mess and everyone watches the doctors & hospitals, but who is watching the insurance companies? Oh, and I would be really interested in talking to your surgeon about how to practice out of the country. We love the Caribbean and I would love to take care of the ex-patriots living there.” She looks at my incisions and said they looked great. For anyone considering Mexico and concerned about what your doctor might think, don’t be. If your doc is on board with weight loss surgery for you, they might be really interested in learning more about medical care outside the US too.

Yup - was there in February. I had a good experience there and am losing weight. You are welcome to read about the whole thing on my blog - tried to provide a lot of detail in hopes of helping others. Good luck! www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com