MCM13

Ooooh yes, I always say how I would probably wear a couple sizes down if it wasn't there. My husband thinks its weird that I wear my pants so high but I have to tuck it in! I told him you don't know what it's like to start off with pants and undies over you're stomach, only to have them continuously roll down to the "lower level". I start off smooth and tucked in then look like I'm smuggling tubes of meat. Wow. It felt great to say that for some reason. Hahaha

I don't know how much of this is happening with you, but throughout the years of changing weight, one thing has been constant for me.
Men are attracted to me when I feel sexy and confident. They are less attracted to me when I hate my own body.
My actual weight at these points has varied, what matters in my case, is how I see myself, and how I project myself. Is it possible that the main attractant now is your more positive view of yourself?

When I was obese, I was ironically, invisible. Men looked right through me. And if there were men who may have still found me attractive, I still found fault with their attentions, reasoning that they must have a fat fetish which is every bit as objectifying as someone who only dates skinnies, and it is still someone being interested in a superficial aspect of you, not YOU. right?
So then I became not-obese, and then I got fit and almost trim (all the excess skin kept me from really looking buff) and suddenly I was visible. Men not only saw me, they pursued me, doggedly and I discoved that this kind of attention is just as saddening/depressing/disappointing as the invisibility was. Because of my armor of obesity, I never had to deal with men trying to get into my pants, and because I never had to deal, I never learned.
I know, even if they don't, their hypocrisy. I know they wouldn't be sniffing around so insistently if I were still obese. I want someone who would have wanted me when I was obese, but I didn't want myself when I was like that so, how can I ask that of someone else? It doesn't make sense, it's a psychological hang up I know, but it puts not only them but me in the position of damned if you do, damned if you don't.

You could always go with the G.I. Jane look and you won't have to worry about it.
Worked for me.
I mean face it....if you're dropping 100 plus pounds do you think anyone is going to really care that much if you shaved your head?

My husband and I got sleeved last Friday, August 2, 2013 by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez and I wanted to post a review for those of you who may be considering him. We would recommend him without reservation.
The whole process was extremely smooth from start to finish. From calling and emailing to get the surgery scheduled to actually having the surgery, and then leaving, there wasn't anything that rankled, or made me think twice about our decision. I found them to be highly responsive to all our requests (starting with the incomparable Susan who typically responds within the hour to emails), and found them to be extremely professional, without being distant and uninterested.
When looking for doctors in MX, I had a few criteria that mattered to me. I wanted someone very experienced, whose complication rate was low, who operated in a hospital with an ICU and ER in case of emergencies, who seemed approachable and believed in educating patients. Dr. Alvarez is very experienced, posts his complication rates on his website, operates in a hospital, and is very approachable. Dr. Alvarez's presence on youtube, Facebook etc. speaks well to his view that education is as important as the surgery.
While in the hospital, we received very attentive care. We probably saw Dr. Alvarez at least 3 times a day after surgery. We also saw Dr. Gabriel 2-3 times a day. The anesthesiologist visited us before the surgery and then stopped by to check on us after the surgery. Nurses were in an out all the time. I mean ALL the time. Whenever we asked for something, we were accommodated immediately.
From what we could tell, the nurses in the hospital are not fluent in English. Dr. Alvarez compensates for that by having coordinators available at all times. We dealt with three individuals during our stay who were fluent in English and were available to us as soon as we rang the bell. They translated for us and led us around the hospital.
While I understand that everyone recovers at a different pace, I do think the surgeon's expertise has something to do with an easier recovery. I will say we have had relatively easy recoveries so far, considering what was just done to our innards.
I cannot think of what else they could have done to make us more comfortable throughout the process. Please PM me if you have any questions I can answer for you.
And in case you're wondering, no I didn't get paid to write this review. In fact, we paid them for two surgeries and I'm still writing this review

I promise myself that I'd return a year after to the same spot in Hearst Castle...

SW 271
CW 157
Date of surgery 1/16/13

Here's me at my heaviest 251, me 51 pounds down and me a week ago at 145, 106 pounds down and so excited about it! 10 more pounds and it will be time to work on maintaining!

Close to 7 months out 109 down since surgery!

I woke up this morning came down stairs to find Protein Cookies wrappers in the living room!!!
Well there is only one person that stays up later than me in this house..It's a 17 year old girl child that I'm patiently waiting for to come down the stairs so I can pounce!!

So when I went to the surgeon I was 447 (6'1). When I went for my 2 week pre op visit I was 428. Started my 2 week pre op diet and was 409 the day of surgery (7/18/13). Today 3 weeks post op I am 378 pounds. First 50 pounds off from pre op diet till today.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my sleeve!!!!
I really wish I did this in my twenties, but at 33 I will be healthy by 35!!!

I am SO grateful for that! I am horrible at following instructions because I'm just that rebellious. He keeps me in line. It's led to some arguments because I won't take my pain pills, I want caffeine, but he loves me enough to argue me into what's good for me. And I don't take that for granted.
Nothing like doing it with a friend, and being there for each other. I feel blessed.

When pre-sleeved, I wondered what it was going to feel like right after the surgery. i read everything I could, but I still wanted more, more, more. I'm writing about my experiences to give back to the community that helped me prepare for this surgery. It's a very long post but hopefully it answers some questions about what we might go through, physically, mentally and emotionally.
I'm 5'6, HW 230, SW 222, CW 215.4 and I'm 47 years old.
Day of Surgery (Friday)
I find myself calm, not nervous and ready and prepared thanks to hours spent on this site. I move to a gurney where they inject me, and the next thing i know I'm waking up and there's an oxygen mask on my nose.I keep trying to take it off, and they tell me not to, that I need the oxygen. I fight it a little. Finally, I say I know I'm not supposed to take it off, but I need to breathe, I'll put it back. The doctor checks on me and sees me fighting it, and says it's okay to take it off. I tell them I'm nauseated and they give me something.
I feel so little pain that in my dream state, I keep waking up from a half-sleep thinking, Oh I have to go to surgery today. And then my brain reminds me it's already over. I can't believe it. My husband comes out of his surgery and once he is awake, I make him walk with me. We push our IVs along, marveling at how okay we feel.
I'm okay, he's not so great. He's nauseated his chest feels tight, but there's not too much pain. We walk all day in little bits. My mouth is dry but I rinse it several times, and use my chapstick. We're fine.
Night-time is not fun. Nurses in and out every two hours, injecting one or the other of us. R has really bad heartburn so I'm trying to take care of him. We get through the night.
First Day Post-Op (Saturday)
Cannot WAIT for the ice chips! such a gourmet treat! They arrive and we find we can't really eat them as we should. Two little ice chips and it feels like you have an elephant on your chest. R is worrying about shoulder and chest pain, and I assure him it's not a heart-attack, just gas pains, and keep walking. I nap a lot. He sneaks out and overdoes the walking and increases his pain. But the doc says his gut sounds better than mine, and to keep in mind that pain & symptoms don't mean a poor recovery.
I wonder how the heck we'll ever consume 64 oz of Fluid.< /p>
Second Day Post Op (Sunday)
Time to go home. We get a bottle of grape juice. Yum! but again, can't imagine how I will finish that little 8 oz bottle. We drive for 12 hours today. Well, I drive. R sleeps the whole time, which is how his body recovers from anything he ever has. I'm happy to be able to do this for him. We stop in Austin to see my son, try to drink some powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken. The warm Soup feels good. We sleep for an hour and I'm refreshed enough to drive home. Keep trying to drink, probably didn't even get in 16 oz this day.
That night, I force the fluids and I'm miserable. Walking up and down the hallways after a long day. I realize this is a lesson. If I ever overdo the food, this is what it's going to feel like. No bueno.
This is my "WTF did I just do?" day. Thanks to this forum, I know that's common and I let the emotions come.
Third Day Post Op (Monday)
Lots of sleeping going on but guess what? We can drink easier now! At least 38-40 oz today including a nectar Fuzzy Navel! I'm amazed at the progress in just three days. I stop the pain pills. R is cranky and depressed today.We're arguing about stupid sh*t. I tell him it's the hormones, the trauma, the lack of calories and carbs and that it will all be okay. I do 20 mins on a stationary cycle, R walks the dog a mile.
Now my brain shifts to the big changes. Such as, if I'm not always thinking of food, what am I going to do with that spare time?
I kid you not. My existential crisis? What the hell am I going to pin on Pinterest now if not recipes? ? I realize front and center food has been in my life and am so grateful we were able to get this surgery.
Fourth Day Post Op (Tuesday)
Feeling like a pro today! I forget I've had surgery and gulp. Ouch. But a shake, an Unjury chicken soup, egg drop soup, 2 G-2s, and 2 popsicles! Yay me!
So of course, now that is good, I'm the weepy one today. There's nothing wrong, I just want to cry. But I don't cry easily so even though I try, I can't cry .
No pain, all good. R gets energy back. I'm not there yet and want to sleep. We go out to get something, I'm exhausted. But I do 2 ten minute sessions on the stationary bike. We try Chike with caffeine. Mistake. Feel sick.
Today I make an important decision. In the past, I've always focused on the outcome. Was I losing weight? No? Then let me change my diet AGAIN. How about now? No? So what if it's only been 4 days I better change again. This time, I will not do that. There's a plan here. 800 calories, 80 gms of Protein, less than 50 of carbs, 64 oz of Water, and walking/cycling. That's it. Until I hit goal, that's the plan. Focus on the plan and the results will follow. I know this from reading others' experiences. I decide to focus on my actions and let go of the outcome. Big move for a control freak
I tell R that now that I am not constantly searching for the best diet, the superfoods, the one ultimate way to lose weight, It has freed up so much psychic energy, that I'm shocked at how much of my time I had devoted to obsessing about my weight. I chose the best way for me. The time to stop looking is over. Time to start DOING.
Fifth Day Post Op (Wednesday)
liquids not a problem. Protein not a problem. Can you believe that? It's only day 5 but we're getting all liquids in. What a change. I can NOT stay awake and sleep from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm though.
Work intrudes and I take 3 meetings over the phone. Couldn't have done that without the nap. I feel energized. We go out to run and errand and go to the grocery store to buy ingredients for soup which we will start on Saturday while the kids are home. The grocery is full of sample ladies and although I rarely ate samples, it's a different feeling when you can't. I feel different to everyone around me. I realize that I'm different from the others around me in one more new way, but it's a way that doesn't show, unlike my skin, my weight, my ethnicity. It makes me feel like I'm harboring a secret. Weird feeling.
I am happy I'll be able to cook again. I make my son an omelet with cheese, and I find I'm a little tempted but not bad. But I've had food dreams all day today. I want a grilled cheese sandwich with the crisp outer crust and the gooey cheese, I want Tomato Soup, I want chicken kebabs, I want, I want. I drink my shake. I will do nothing to compromise my recovery.
Sixth Day Post Op (Thursday)
The day has just started who knows what awaits, but R has lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks, and I've lost 15 lbs. Last time I lost 15 lbs it took 6 months of clean eating and walking 4 miles a day. I'll take this!
I now believe that I will lose the weight. I was sure I was going to be that freak of nature that couldn't lose it because I only lost 6 lbs on 2 weeks of pre-op, but now I believe. Today we will do our liquids, our protein, our walk/cycle and tomorrow will be a better day.
My next goal? Visualize myself thin, and be able to see myself wearing cute clothes and start pinning those on Pinterest. Not there yet.
What a difference six days can make!

i am 14 months post op. if we are honest, i think that we all have that "what the hell did i do to myself" moment. i had it for a very brief time, and i am 'that sleever' that everyone hates. i had no complications, only 1 throw up (because i tried to do a whole serving of broth in 5 minutes 2 weeks out) and a pretty quick recovery. so, if someone like me had it, i can truly understand someone with any complications having it.
however, at 14 months out, my life is much better. i am 20 pounds away from what my surgeon told me was a 'lofty' goal. i am smaller than i was when i graduated high school, but i don't have that 'crack addict, sick' look. i am able to do all of the things that i couldn't but wanted to. and i eat like a normal person. i don't always make good food choices, but i always stay on track, because, i didn't do this for temporary weight loss. i did it to change me life. and it has helped me take control.
hopefully, you will learn what is causing your problem, and be able to use this to be a happier you. i truly hope that you come to love it as much as i have.
good luck in your journey.

Thank you everyone. This wss my 1st time posting anything. I felt it very impirtant sharing my experience. I truly wish everyone the best with ipcomibg surgery or those freshly post op. God bless. This site is informative.

What an incredible journey you have had. I am so sorry that it was such a difficult one. I truly hope and pray your journey turns a corner and you can finally heal and get well. I can truly relate to wanting to get healthy and for you to have such an unhealthy turn of events is such a bummer. Again, I hope it turns around for you.

Pretty nervous to post these, but part of my journey is to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone, so here it goes....(deep breath)

Big sleeve is a guy so he prolly thinks its 12 inches.

The issue isn't the sleeve - it's everything else. That's not a judgement. If anything, it should be reassuring.
Your sleeve is the same size, roughly, that it was around a year out.
So work it. Make that choice to do this. Get those trigger foods out of your life and do the hard work of detoxing so you can get back to basics.
You have a choice here. You can make it count, or not. I do not mean to be hard on you. I want to see you here in six months, having shed a great deal of your regain, reassuring newbies that it can be done.
Losing weight is hard. Eating a strict diet is hard. Forcing ourselves to give up comforting habits is hard. Learning to cope without using food as a crutch is hard. And yes, having emotional and hormonal changes that affect not only the way our bodies hang on to fat but also our desire to eat those foods is also challenging.
You did not slice out 85% of your stomach to be where you were a few years ago and I know that. So pick it up. shake this off and pretend tomorrow is your first day post sleeve on solids and eat accordingly. Track. Measure. Weigh your food. Get starting weight and measurements for yourself. And GET ON TRACK. You can do this. You aren't the only regain post. Do not slink off into the shadows to hide your shame. Get your butt out here, be real, and be a success. Be active here. Get support. Get motivation. And don't beat yourself up unnecessarily. What's done is done. Tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to change the way this story ends.
Good luck,
~Cheri

My sleeve: Oct. 22, 2010 - Lost -100 (but working off a 15lb regain)
His sleeve: March 7, 2011 - Lost - 70 (maintains a +/-5lb window...says he would like to lose -10 more)
Best thing we have ever done together!

Packing for vacation and usually I am a stress case because, being a short fat girl, it's almost impossible to walk into a store and find an outfit if you forget something, especially as our vacation home is in a small beach town with only one department store.
This go around, I know that I can walk into the stores and buy tops or PJs or a bathing suit or GASP!!! pants and not even be the biggest size in the store.
I AM SO EXCITED!

Hehe, bless you. If it would make you feel more comfortable, I could always adopt; txt spk wit no gramor & spelin mistaks so wot i am sayin can be underztood?
That's crazy. It actually took me time to be able to write that! Okay, better stop, else I'll be vilified for mocking the afflicted :|

Well my first thought on that is remembering a girl a couple of months ago, that came out and said she thought most people here looked better on their "before" pictures...
Yeah, she's not here anymore!
But really? Yes, if we lose a bunch of weight AND pretty fast as with this surgery, there may be a "sunken" look and thinning hair. But the hair will come back and some skin will shrink back over time.
The teeth? I suppose if they were jacked up before they will still be jacked up!
This surgery does not turn us into super models.
Well except for me. I went to Mexico and paid an extra thousand for that package

Mine was also clear liquids only. For 2.5 weeks. I did not cheat at all. I was to afraid to! I lost 29.7 lbs during mine. My surgeon was very proud of me. That was the best reward.