MCM13

I work in the recovery room and we've had a few nurses come in for the surgery. All info is confidential and all the nurses seem to get lots of support when they come back to work. Me, personally, I went to a different hospital because the nurses I work with are surprisingly very judgmental. Nice to the patients face then rolls their eyes behind their back.

You look fantastic!!

Hi,
The topic should read "last 20 pounds" not "pound".. ugghh.. I hate when I do that.
It has been awhile since I posted. Still no loss in 2 months. I'm 14 months out tomorrow. I really didn't know that the last 20 pounds were going to be so hard to get off. When I began this journey, I never thought I would make it into the 170's after starting out at 300. Well, nearly 300. CLOSE ENOUGH! I am so grateful for my loss and wonder why I'm not happy right where I am but I'm really not. MY BMI is 28 and I'm still considered "overweight". In order to be considered a "normal" weight, I need to be between 150-154. Losing lately has been so hard. I know my body is happy where it is. I'm in a size 10-12 but mostly 12's. I just wondered if any of you have any suggestions on how to get this weight loss started again. I've tried the pouch test but honestly when I start eating again, it comes back. Maybe just need to up my exercise a bit. I have to admit I'm not exercising enough.
Thanks for any advice from you sleevers that are at goal!! I really would like to join you! Below are some of my latest pics... still no difference than the last. :/

New pic.I am 8+ months out and thinking 22lb to goal but I will be happy with 12lbs
HW 234 SW 218 (11/06/12) CW 147

I am now offically 3 months post surgery. I am down 56 pounds and my BMI is now 48.7 down from 58. So far I am happy with my results. Like I have said before this surgery is serious and not for the faint of heart. It took me 3 years to comes to terms as to whether or not to have this surgery. I have been down the road with so many of the diet programs out there and have never had the results I needed and getting fatter each time I dropped off. This surgery has saved my life. Yes, I still have some bad days but I have been learning to cope with the changes that I still need to make. There is no going back just moving forward. There are so many foods that I miss and I am hoping to get them back over the next 2 years but I am where I am these days. Sipping my Water, getting my Protein in and now enjoying a few steamed veggies and that is OK with me. I feel sometimes like a new born baby who has to take it slow and graduate to the toddler foods before I can start back to regular diet. LIke anything else slow and easy is my montra these days. I still have a long road ahead of me and I just take it one day at a time. If I had'nt had this surgery I am not sure where I would be today so I am happy. Yes, food does taste different to me, I do not crave sweets but that is OK since that is what caused my weight to go up over the years. I feel like I am really in control for the first time in my life. This surgery like any surgery is a risk but one that I needed to take. My blood presure has gone down, I am no longer a borderline diabetic, my knees still hurt but not like they used to. I am still on a cpap machine and I hope by the end of the year I can say goodbye to it. My depression is going away and I am more optimistic about my life. I wish all of you well on your journey. Keep the posts coming folks.

I think this is probably the best thread for people considering the surgery. This is an elective procedure and it is scary. While it is important to know the possible negative consequences, I dont think anyone believes they will suffer from them, esp when the percentages of people that do are so low. After stalking these boards, I have decided that I am going to have the surgery, I know that a possible side effect is death, but I will be unhappy (if possible) if I die, I think people with regrets feel the same way. They knew the changes they would face, but dont like facing them, Im all about not liking to deal with the consequences of my actions, and being a defense attorney I know this is not at all uncommon, most people dont. Thanks to everybody that posted their opinions, good, bad, or indifferent, and even came back to modify opinions when they were a little farther out. This is a huge decision and I dont think anyone can have too much information.

Here's my before and "almost after" photo, still have 37 lbs to go. I have lost 120 lbs in 11 months!
Sent from Gaye's iPad Mini using VST

Caspinelli712 you are just tired of everyone being your scorekeeper, I am my own scorekeeper, and I just totally understand where you are coming from. Outsiders have no idea what we go through. Not just the weight struggle, but hey, how bad do you want to get the weight off and feel good again that you cut out 85% of your stomach! A lot of people I know just don't get it. They just don't see how we could "have such a problem losing the weight." Don't worry about the stalling. It will pass--if you don't eat the donuts. You probably will still see some inches come off as your body is adjusting. As for my friend, I offered to loan her my binder the doctor gave me for instruction, and I have given her this website, but she won't come here. I also offered to have her come to my support meetings as "my support" person, so she can learn, but she won't come. It's her ballgame. She said she has friends who say she doesn't need to lose any more weight. If someone tells me that when I get to 185, they aren't my friend...My real friends just say they can tell I am looking better and better. There is a BABE still in here, and she's on her way out!!!

So I think it's funny. Almost 2 weeks after I contacted LIMARP, I got a 2-line email yesterday saying hi, fill out this form. That's it. Meanwhile, Dr Alvarez's office responds within minutes. Reinforces my decision again.

Wow, is that ever the truth!! In some ways, the surgery does make it easier to succeed - I'm not quite as hungry, feel better eating less, etc. However, it is harder in some ways because you can't just change your mind anymore. We are forced to stick with it, we can't take a break, for the most part. We have invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears into having a major surgery and the subsequent recovery, and made a committment to ourselves, so it has a sense of "last chance" associated with it for many of us. Considering all that, there is pressure to not fail. For someone like me who has a lot to lose and does not lose it super fast, I have to be motivated because it's a long journey. And because I don't want to fail, I am practicing self restraint - the surgery did not give me that or motivation. It's a great tool, but success comes from within.

Yes! Yes! Yes! This surgery saved my life. At 50 years old I found myself with uncontrolled diabetes, (on 3 meds just for that alone). I'd had a heart attack at 46, and saw my life as being very short, with very little quality to it. At 6 months out, I'm not at goal yet, still have another 25-30 lbs. to go. But I'm off all diabetic meds now and getting healthier every day.

Of course, all our spouses were/are concerned for our well being in regards to the initial surgeries.. ABSOLUTELY! As it should be. My husband didn't want me to go through wls. He was scared...it's normal! I am over the surgery so why should he or any spouse be upset about what you went though to get where you are? It's history. I just can't imagine.. In my wildest thoughts, can't understand a spouse not being supportive. If, for whatever the reason he/she claims.. I call BS and I feel sorry their pathetic selfish asses and their marriage is in trouble with or without wls
IMO

I am just over 3 months post op and so far no regrets. Sure I wish I could eat more but that really isn't a regret, that would just be the fat guy in me talking...

Whoops. meant to upload the comparison shot

I think you might be better served by determining a list of doctors, then narrowing down that list based on your needs and wants.
For instance, when I first decided Mexico was the route for me, I made a spreadsheet of all the doctors. Then I made columns for other information, like did they operate in a hospital vs some sort of outpatient facility, cost, whether they used a coordinating company or an in-house coordinator, etc. This helped me narrow down to 3 or 4 doctors that I contacted personally and then was able to further narrow down from there.
The reason I say this is because those of us who are post-op almost inevitably think our doctors are great. I know for myself (and I'd venture to guess for most) this is based on our experiences both pre- and post-op...but what makes a good experience for me might not equate to a good experience for you. I had varying priorities in a doctor which may or may not be the same as your priorities. Also, my surgeon was a part of a life changing event for ME. By nature (and barring any serious complications) I would imagine that most people have positive opinions about a care provider who helped manage a life changing event.
Once you've got a list of doctors, and are working on narrowing down those that meet your needs, you can do a search on this forum for specific doctors or ask about experiences with specific doctors. People are usually happy to provide feedback on their own doctors; it's a little tougher to give doctor recommendations without knowing any of the basic information about what might meet your needs.
~Kat

Don't take this the wrong way but sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
No one risk factor alone will cause cancer. Not even smoking. As someone with a lot more than a layman's grasp of how it works and I have to disagree with your interpretation of studies that deal mostly with either total gastrectomy or peptic ulcer surgery (both for alleviation of peptic ulcers - a very nasty condition to live with).
I looked at that case report someone mentioned above and I think it's pretty clear VSG did NOT cause his cancer to develop. Pancreatic cancer is very, very slow growing and hard to detect until it has advanced. It does not develop 3 months after a surgery, which was when he was diagnosed.
Don't sweat the remote possibilities. Think about how you are taking steps [including this surgery] to not succumb to more real threats - heart disease, diabetes, and the rest of the horrid obesity related diseases.

I was there last August and the ice and Water are both purified. You have no need to worry about that. I will be there in August again, taking my daughter to have surgery with Dr. Alvarez. He is simply the best.

That's awesome to hear. I am getting sleeved on Monday! Feel better!

It was about 5 months out before I could tolerate romaine lettuce. I started iceberg lettuce at about 4 months slowly adding in romaine. After about a month, I cut out iceberg and started adding spinach. That took about a month to eat a spinach salad, then I started adding kale. At just over 6 months out I was able to eat any kind of salad/veggie.
Salads are one of the most difficult things to digest due to their fibrous nature. Of course, everyone is different. Soon, someone will be posting how they were able to eat crushed glass 2 days post-op, no problem. Just because someone can/can't eat something doesn't mean it applies to you. Introduce foods slowly taking single bites and evaluating how you feel after.

I cant wait to ride. my gift to myself when I reach goal will be a bike. I have wanted one for a long time, but didnt want to be the fat ass riding down the road. i'm scared i'll be put on youtube...lol.

Hey all. Just wanted to touch base. I'm closing in on the century club!!! 12 lbs shy of 100 lbs as of last Saturday.
Oh and my heart is staying in rhythm and I broke up with my cpap. I haven't used it for awhile but officially packed it away yesterday!!!!
Adjusting to the sleeved life is a worthwhile adventure! :-D

Hi Skrubabilen,
Can I know you secret too
thanks!