onelessfatgirl

I just saw a Poise commercial and I realized that it's been 2 weeks since my surgery and since Spring has come to the Pacific North West my allergies are in full swing AND I am no longer wetting myself when I sneeze. Hehehe, sorry if it's TMI for some.

LOL!

I didn't have the problem you are having, but had a similar one. I wasn't able to fully empty my bladder. Was checked for kidney stones, none. Doctor said it was because of my weight and told me to sit "backwards" on the toilet. Um, yeah, right. Like I'm really going to do that! Anyway, since having the surgery, the problem went away. So nice to not have to worry about leakage after you get up from the toilet. =)

I just saw a Poise commercial and I realized that it's been 2 weeks since my surgery and since Spring has come to the Pacific North West my allergies are in full swing AND I am no longer wetting myself when I sneeze. Hehehe, sorry if it's TMI for some.

I just saw a Poise commercial and I realized that it's been 2 weeks since my surgery and since Spring has come to the Pacific North West my allergies are in full swing AND I am no longer wetting myself when I sneeze. Hehehe, sorry if it's TMI for some.

Holy Cow - It's been 7 months!
My weight has pretty much stayed the same this last month and I'm quite okay with it I started at 231 lbs. and 'm holding steady at 143 lbs. Ideally, I'd like to lose 10 more pounds and I am working towards it. It will happen!
I was just in my friend's wedding this past weekend and it was so nice not to dread a formal event!! Last time this year, I dreaded stuff like this for weeks due to knowing I wouldn't have anything to wear and that there would be tons of pictures. My friend looked beautiful and I was able to focus on her wonderful day rather than being insecure and concerned about how I looked.
As you will see in the pictures below, my friends are super tiny...like 95-100 pounds tiny! They have been my friends since I was 5 and I had always felt insecure taking pictures with them...no one wants to be the fat friend! With that said, they have been extremely supportive. They have never made me feel bad about myself and when I told them I was having the surgery they were 100% supportive. They are so proud of me and I love them for it. I didn't tell every person I know that I had surgery, but I did tell my close friends and it was one of the best things I could have done. To me, the surgery was something to Celebrate and something to be proud of. I'm proud of my decision and how hard I've worked to lose the weight....I hope everyone else feels that same sense of pride! You are taking control of your life and it should be celebrated.
Thank you to the people who read my posts every month. You guys leave the nicest comments and I'm thankful for the support this forum has provided me with. Wishing everyone happiness and success with their surgery!
Jordyn
The pictures of me in the black dress is from a wedding last May...the pictures with the purple dress is from the wedding this past weekend with my beautiful friends

Now I am feeling better about my situation I wanted to tell my story in the hope that it will help other people. Like most others I have a long history of struggling with my weight and when I found out about the sleeve I thought I had found the solution.
I went through a company called Weight Loss Forever in Canada and had my sleeve in Tijuana with Dr Pompa. I was impressed with the doctors and the facility and was well taken care of. I had hardly any pain and was able to drink without many of the problems I read about on this forum.
When I got home I followed the plan strictly and was losing weight. However I was so hungry all the time and I didn't feel I had any restriction at all. It got worse after a few weeks of recovery. When I questioned this with the support from Weight Loss Forever I was told I had to learn to work my sleeve. I didn't know what I was doing wrong. I did lose weight by eating the 800 calories I was told to eat by support. But it was so hard, I felt I was starving and still no restriction with any kind of food. This went on for months and I felt such a failure and that it was all my fault. I just couldn't relate to anything I read on line. I remember being asked what my favourite foods were by somebody at WLF. I mentioned pizza and was told that that was the great thing about the sleeve - no foods are off limit and I would be satisfied and unable to eat more than the toppings off one slice. Five months out I could eat several slices! No restriction at all, I could eat the same as my friends if I let myself.
Then a friend was sleeved by a different surgeon. I couldn't believe the difference. As she recovered we continued to compare and she lost weight easily, due to the food restriction she had from her sleeve. We started off at a similar weight but she passed me, continued to lose weight and is now 70lbs lighter than me and close to her goal weight. I have been able to lose some weight in the past but could not keep it off and that's what I was doing. I asked advice at Weight Loss Forever several times and was brushed off and ignored.
Then my friend persuaded me I should do something about this. I contacted another group in Canada, (Thanks Adele!) and they asked me to have an Upper GI series of XRays, which I did. The doctor said everything looked healthy. The images and report were sent to Dr Aceves in Mexicali and a day later I was told I had a huge stomach. I asked if I had stretched my stomach because I knew I had been overeating. I was told no, it was a surgical failure. The doctor had only removed a small part of my stomach and simply left too much. I asked a couple of times if it was my fault and was told absolutely not. I cried. I knew I had done what was asked of me initially but for somebody at last not to blame me was awesome.
I was told that I could be sleeved, no problem, because there was so much stomach left, it would be like an operation on somebody that hadn't had surgery. My friend wanted me to show the results to Weight Loss Forever and Dr Pompa but I wouldn't want to be operated there again, so I paid again.
I was sleeved by Dr Aceves on 19th March, just 8 days ago. It was a good experience, very little pain and I was lucky enough not to be nauseous either. I have photos of my actual surgery and Dr Aceves actually took photos to show me how much he removed.
I was lucky enough to meet some very cool people in the hospital, including AmandaRaeLeo. I am home and there is a huge difference in how I feel. I am able to get in the liquids required, but I really do need to sip, sip, sip. A sip to many and I feel like I have a brick in my chest! I am not hungry, not finding liquids difficult to stick with (apart from finding Protein I like) and 11 lbs downs already! My friend keeps saying I told you so!
There is always going to be a negative comment or two about a surgeon and I am not writing to push my surgeon. There are lots of good ones out there. I just wish I had googled a bit more, not only before my surgery, but when I was made to feel such a failure. I am finding that the hardest to forgive. When somebody told me to google Dr Pompa too large sleeve, there were lots of hits for people with similar problems. Then I started to think and realised that of the few people I met through Weight Loss Forever, I knew two that had been back - one was at the hospital when I was sleeved the first time and the second is actually a WLF member of staff.
I admit to being quite bitter, I think anybody would in my situation, but I tell my story to encourage people to do lots of reasearch before choosing a surgeon. But also if you go through a company as many Canadians do, to make sure that you have one that will go to bat for you if you have a problem, rather than blaming the patient. It's easy to appear to be supportive when everything is going well, but a sign of a good company that takes your side when there are problems.
Sorry for the long post, but it's been a long road! I feel better for writing it and hope it helps a few others.

I'm in federal way/auburn. I'd be interested in joining a western WA group. Where's it at?

I was sleeved Tuesday 3/12/2013 @ St.Francis by Dr. Houseworth. Everything went excellent! Each day gets a bit better, a bit easier.
Anyone go to any local support groups?

OK hold on, i know that you may find the topic title weird/odd, but i promise you am not a *****/freak.
but it is true, i kissed myself today, and i find this to be a NSV that is worth sharing.
First, before i go into the subject, let me tell you a little about myself.
I HATE MYSELF!

I HATE MYSELF!

I HATE MYSELF!

I HAVE ALWAYS HATED MYSELF!

DID I SAY, I HATE MYSELF?

IN CASE I FORGOT, I HATE MYSELF.

This has all changed today as i was washing the dishes. This past valentine, my husband has gave me a mirror as a gift, this mirror is heart shaped and my husband decided to glue it on the wall that i face when i am at the sink, when he glued it, he said and i quote: " this is for you to always remember how beautiful you have became and have always been". well, it was a sweet thing from him to gift and say BUT i have always ignored mirrors, because i have always seen a reflection of someone who i never thought i was, i acted different than what i see in the mirror, i act as if i am small but the mirror has always showed a big reflection which i hated!

Well to make this long story short. Today, as i was washing the dishes, i take take a look at the mirror and look back down BUT i looked back at myself right away because what i saw has pleased me!! I saw a beautiful 20 year old woman who is the exact reflection of my soul, i thought i looked beautiful, and i questioned myself: is this really me? I teared up and all of the sudden without paying attention to what i am doing, I kissed the mirror and stood up and smiled (but whats wrong with complimenting myself) UGH, i confess it felt weird but for the first time i love myself.

This made my day, and i sure could not leave it at that.

I walked swiftly to my husband in the living room and told him that he is a very lucky man to have me. HAHAHAHA he was weak. BUT i was very happy, and in a very good mood all of the sudden.

I am sure this has happened to someone else, kissing the mirror/liking what you see... it happens right?

I find it okay to compliment myself, because what i went through was not easy, what i gave away to be at this state of body was not easy, it is okay to like what i see even for a moment right?

Sorry for this long post, i thought i had to share, please give yourself credit, you deserve it.

My procedure was conducted with the Da Vinci robotic assist. You can see it here:

Well, today my kids came back from their visitation with their dad. Heres some background info, i was 21 and stupid (sounds like a taylor swift song) and fell in love with my self centered narcissistic ex husband. He verbally and physically abused me about my weight (i was 145 lbs during my marriage, my weight at surgery was 212, gained from depression after divorce, plus binge eating disorder) Anyway, today he gets outta his car, looks me up and down and says, wow you look amazing. i said, hey arent you married. He said yeah so what, i can have you if i want you.
Lesson number 1: tigers never change their stripes.
Lesson number 2: I am still 13 lbs above the weight i was when i was married, so he never appreciated me for who i was.
My response: "Well you cant have me, I am not a homewrecker like your wife is"
Best.NSV.Ever

Hey all! I've lurked and liked a lot but haven't posted in a while. I was successfully sleeved Tues 3/12.
I went home the next day. I have been doing great! The first few days was pretty routine : wake up, use my "breathing game" as my boys call it, walk around my house at least 15 minutes (I worked in loads more to include light chores and lifting 3lb weights), sip on my Water the whole while, take more psin meds, sleep for a few hours, repete. By the weekend I was awake more, moving more, and drinking more including my Protein.
Yesterday I went a full day with out pain meds. And today I drove! I took myself to the store so I could buy some things for the pureed stage. I also met my friend for "lunch" and got a few things for Easter. I'm having my one week follow up now (in the waiting room). And boy am I glad because the incision sites are getting itchy! No other symptoms though so I think I may be allergic to the strips.
Anyhow, I know there's a lot of anxiety and excitement that goes along with this surgery. Especially in light of the tragic passing of lifesaveremt. But let me just say this, we all know there are risks. Shoot one could die from a blood clot that broke free while flying. Everyday we live there is risk. Everyday we are dying. For me, it's a matter of how can I live the fullest life possible in whatever time I have. Despite my best efforts there were lots of things that my "fat self" prohibited me from doing. I have been on a mission to break away from the chains that hold/held me back.
I started my pre op liquid diet at 258.6. Today I weigh 235.1.
This will take work and it involves risks but to have much you must risk much...nothing ventured nothing gained. There so much I want to gain....
My health back
The ability to run, jump, bend, etc without knee pain
Confidence in myself and so I mo longer feel ashamed for looking this way
The ability and desire to go dancing, shopping, traveling, etc with my friends and family
What's in it for you? What are you going to gain?

Water is my biggest issue right now. I'm always fighting to get enough in. What helps for me is to keep a couple of 24oz insulated Polar bottles in the fridge and carry one around wherever I go. Cold water just seems to go down easier so having a ready supply on hand is a big help.

I was sleeved on the 11th. I am craving all kinds of good foods. I think this is the funeral process. We can have it in due time but in smaller portions I ate baked potato Soup from McCalisters and had a tiny bite of meatloaf. So delicious. I'm down 21 pounds.

Vascular intervention for spider veins is pretty simple. Do you have vericose veins? Insurance will pay for most of that it is a Same day procedure. Find a place that specializes. Hope you find what you need. Go for it!!!

LOVE cauliflower rice!! It's one of the few carb replacements that actually feels like carbs to me!! YUM!!
Here's the link to where I learned how to make it! OP may even have a better one!!
http://www.everydaymaven.com/2013/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice/

It will Holly, especially as you get more Protein and thicker, more filling foods.

Hey all! I've lurked and liked a lot but haven't posted in a while. I was successfully sleeved Tues 3/12.
I went home the next day. I have been doing great! The first few days was pretty routine : wake up, use my "breathing game" as my boys call it, walk around my house at least 15 minutes (I worked in loads more to include light chores and lifting 3lb weights), sip on my Water the whole while, take more psin meds, sleep for a few hours, repete. By the weekend I was awake more, moving more, and drinking more including my Protein.
Yesterday I went a full day with out pain meds. And today I drove! I took myself to the store so I could buy some things for the pureed stage. I also met my friend for "lunch" and got a few things for Easter. I'm having my one week follow up now (in the waiting room). And boy am I glad because the incision sites are getting itchy! No other symptoms though so I think I may be allergic to the strips.
Anyhow, I know there's a lot of anxiety and excitement that goes along with this surgery. Especially in light of the tragic passing of lifesaveremt. But let me just say this, we all know there are risks. Shoot one could die from a blood clot that broke free while flying. Everyday we live there is risk. Everyday we are dying. For me, it's a matter of how can I live the fullest life possible in whatever time I have. Despite my best efforts there were lots of things that my "fat self" prohibited me from doing. I have been on a mission to break away from the chains that hold/held me back.
I started my pre op liquid diet at 258.6. Today I weigh 235.1.
This will take work and it involves risks but to have much you must risk much...nothing ventured nothing gained. There so much I want to gain....
My health back
The ability to run, jump, bend, etc without knee pain
Confidence in myself and so I mo longer feel ashamed for looking this way
The ability and desire to go dancing, shopping, traveling, etc with my friends and family
What's in it for you? What are you going to gain?

Hey all! I've lurked and liked a lot but haven't posted in a while. I was successfully sleeved Tues 3/12.
I went home the next day. I have been doing great! The first few days was pretty routine : wake up, use my "breathing game" as my boys call it, walk around my house at least 15 minutes (I worked in loads more to include light chores and lifting 3lb weights), sip on my Water the whole while, take more psin meds, sleep for a few hours, repete. By the weekend I was awake more, moving more, and drinking more including my Protein.
Yesterday I went a full day with out pain meds. And today I drove! I took myself to the store so I could buy some things for the pureed stage. I also met my friend for "lunch" and got a few things for Easter. I'm having my one week follow up now (in the waiting room). And boy am I glad because the incision sites are getting itchy! No other symptoms though so I think I may be allergic to the strips.
Anyhow, I know there's a lot of anxiety and excitement that goes along with this surgery. Especially in light of the tragic passing of lifesaveremt. But let me just say this, we all know there are risks. Shoot one could die from a blood clot that broke free while flying. Everyday we live there is risk. Everyday we are dying. For me, it's a matter of how can I live the fullest life possible in whatever time I have. Despite my best efforts there were lots of things that my "fat self" prohibited me from doing. I have been on a mission to break away from the chains that hold/held me back.
I started my pre op liquid diet at 258.6. Today I weigh 235.1.
This will take work and it involves risks but to have much you must risk much...nothing ventured nothing gained. There so much I want to gain....
My health back
The ability to run, jump, bend, etc without knee pain
Confidence in myself and so I mo longer feel ashamed for looking this way
The ability and desire to go dancing, shopping, traveling, etc with my friends and family
What's in it for you? What are you going to gain?

I'm the member of the month on vst! I will be signing autographs outside cvs on the corner of 1st and amistad. Please be courteous to others while in line. No need to push you may be there for a few hours. Also please don't shake my hand unless your wearing gloves! Thank you so much and hope to see you there!

Starting the 4th day after surgery, I was the EXACT same weight (to the 10th of a pound) for 4 straight days. I got frustrated. Then the next morning I got on the scale and I was 5 lbs lighter! That's when I decided to stop weighing every day, because it is counterproductive. I'm going to weigh myself once a week, on Sunday mornings. Weight loss isn't a linear process, there are peaks and valleys.

thin sliced turkey breast in a muffin tin to make a cup. crack egg into cup. add bell pepper and onion. top with cheddar. 17g Protein 3 carb. very filling.