homersmomma

AWESOME!

Congratulations

Congrats, keep it up!

Great Keep up the good work!!!☆☆☆

homersmomma how terrific is that/you!!!!!
what an accomplishment!!!!
i know you feel terrific being in twoderland!!!!!
you have a lot of small day by day steps/goals!!!!(we all do)
next 250, 225, 200............
then onderland
thanx for sharing your wonderful news
keep up the good work
kathy
congrats

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

Okay I am going to try a post todays weight on my scale. I have not seen this number on the scale in such a long time! I simply cannot believe it.

i said i wont lie about it because im proud of the life changing decision i came to but i will warn you the Questions get boring quick!!
number one most asked question How Much Have You Lost?! and i just say idk What do you mean you dont know?
2.Are you goin to have loose skin?
3. DID it hurt?
4.HOw long til you can eat?
5.can you have sex?? like really i had weight loss surgery i wasnt castrated lol so just have a sense of humor when all these pop up because they will.
also the most annoying part is whe your close friends that know say it for you ¨Yea he just had surgery hes lookin thinner than ever¨and im just like DUDE! i dont even know this person lol if i was the one with surgery why the hell would u say anything about it and not me lol its like their personal achievement that i had surgery.But hey its all cool if this happens to you dont worry itll get more akward as we go.
Anyother questions that get you bored quick????
ohh almost forgot another one you know you have to get back in the gym quick so you can buff and tone up!!! NO $h&% SHERLOCK lol but its all love

October 2013
Sleeved at Mi hospital with Dr. Lopez through A lighter Me ($4750)
Day 1 - travel to Mexico (Ottawa-Washington-San Diego-Tijuana)
My companion and I arrived at the San Diego airport around 3:15 pm. Once we were outside we called our driver Abraham from A lighter me on his cell. He knows the airport extremely well. We told him the number of the nearest pick up station from us and he came to us. I was glad that my companion was wearing an orange top. It helped us stand out from the others around us making it easier for Abraham to identify us. He already had 2 passengers with him. Once we picked up two other passengers, we headed for the hospital. Crossing the border into Mexico was almost a joke. It was nothing like back home. We simply went in a lane, slowly driving forward past the customs agent standing on the side. They did not even stop us to ask questions. And that was it, we were in Mexico! Be prepared for an interesting driving experience! The driving in Mexico is kind of crazy. People just drive where they want on the road. Abraham, whose English is very good, told us to close our eyes if we were too nervous. He is extremely personable and really cares about giving A Lighter Me's clients a pleasant experience. Abraham's wife was sleeved about 5 months ago and is doing great. He showed us pictures. We first went to the Mi hospital where we filled out forms, got weighed, take our pulse and did blood tests and an EKG. It is a small hospital, only 4 stories high. I was happy to see they have Wifi at the hospital with free access for everyone. You also get a safe in your room and a TV. There are 2 places to eat at the Mi hospital. There is a coffee shop on the 1st floor and the hospital cafeteria on the 4th floor. I know people who ate at both places. Everyone said the food was really good. Once all 3 future sleevers were done, all 6 of us left for the Marriott. The Marriott Hotel is quite nice. My room was very spacious. There are restaurants walking distance from the Marriott Hotel, as well as a store like the 7 eleven. There is a bar fridge in the hotel room and a safe. You can also request a room with a microwave. You also get free wifi and TV. Most of the TV channels however are Spanish. So bring something to occupy yourself. It was a long day. I was glad to go to bed. The bed was sooooo comfortable!
Day 2 - day of surgery
My companion had Breakfast at the Marriot. She was very impressed with their brunch. Lots of selection and great food. It is served until noon. Since I was only being picked up by our driver at 2 pm and I was fasting, I slept in as long as I could (until noon). Eduardo, another driver, picked us up right on time to go to the hospital. I got a room within 20 minutes once we arrived.I met with the generalist doctor who told me about the results of my previous day's tests. He listened to my heart and lungs and I was cleared for surgery. I also met with the anesthesiologist Doctor Garcia and Doctor Lopez individually prior to the surgery. I was given the opportunity to ask as many questions as I wanted. I was also told what to expect. This was very much appreciated. The nurse, who also had been sleeved two months prior, also put in my iv and helped me to put on my compression socks to help prevent blood clots. My companion was very impressed with this as they do not do this back home. I had my surgery at 5 pm. About two hours after surgery, I was back in my room. Within a couple of hours after that I was up walking around. Everyone at the hospital (nurses and doctors) told me how important walking is to prevent pain from the anesthesia. It was a bit hard getting in and out of bed after surgery, but it was manageable. I was also given ice chips to sip on. This was very appreciated as my mouth was dry from the surgery. The beds at the hospital are very comfortable. They also gave me something to help me sleep that night. So, I had a pretty good first night at the hospital.
Day 3 - day after surgery - leak test
The nurse gave me this blue liquid to drink. The liquid would show up in my drain if I had a leak. Nothing. Good news! My companion went to the coffee shop on the 1st floor for Breakfast. She was very pleased with her meal. I took a shower before my leak test. The nurse then came by to change my bandages. The leak test was nothing like what I was expecting. It literally took about 3 minutes. They give you liquid. You take one sip and you can see the liquid going down in your body from the machine. In all I probably took 3 separate sips for the attendant to watch if any was leaking each time I took a sip. Again all good. Great news! I had heard so many horror stories about the taste that I was expecting something really bad. It is not something that I would order as a drink in a restaurant, but it was not that bad. Just bitter. After the leak test was over, I walked around talking to other patient sleevers comparing notes. It was nice to chat with the other two who I had been picked up with on the first day. One of the girls was doing extremely well. The other was not so lucky. She had been throwing up most of the night as a result of the anesthesia. I felt really bad for her. But by the afternoon, she was doing much much better. All of the nurses were very pleasant many calling me honey, sweetie, etc. It was a nice atmosphere. They even greet each other with kisses during the shift change. They checked my pulse several times that day and took my temperature. They also emptied my drain 3 or 4 times. Most of the nurses only know some basic English. So a conversation with them is difficult. However, there are a few who are pretty fluent. I walked again several times. I still had no pain (other than when getting in and out of bed). The TV here has mostly Spanish channels. Bring something to occupy yourself when in the hospital. In the afternoon, they gave me Gatorade to start my liquid diet. It tasted so good after having fasted for so long (almost 2 days - 10 pm the night before the surgery until today 1:45 pm). Janese, my patient coordinator, came by in the evening to introduce herself. It was so nice to meet her in person. The driver Abraham also came by to say hi.
Day 4 - first day at hotel - shopping and ice cream day
Abraham picked up a small group of new sleevers at the hospital around 12:30 to go back to the hotel. When I got to the hotel, my companion was in the lobby talking with this woman who was a doctor from the U.S. She had been sleeved in TJ a few years ago and was back to accompany her sister in law who was having the same procedure done. When I got back to my room, I had a shower and a nap. Abraham came back to the hotel around 3:00 pm to bring a group of 9 (all sleevers and their companion) to go shopping. It was a fun experience to be with a bigger group and meet new people to compare stories and have a few laughs. I also though it was very clever of A Ligther Me to bring their customers shopping to ensure they get the walking they need! I did not do much shopping. I mostly went for the sightseeing, which I enjoyed tremendously. After shopping, Abraham took everyone for some ice cream. He also stopped at a store for a few of us to get Gatorade, Jello and other items. I was given a paper copy of the results of my blood and EKG tests and a CD showing my leak test. I was also provided with a care package to go back home with (liquid antacid (aka Malox), antibiotics, pain killers (to take if needed), gauss, chap stick and little travel pack). I thought that it was very thoughtful of A Lighter me to do so. A nice personal touch on their part. I emailed my husband to ask him to buy me some Malox since I knew I could not bring it accross security at the airport (I only had a carry on) and would need some when I got back home. Everyone raves about the broth at hotel. For me, it seemed to be different depending on the day. I thought it was just ok.
Day 5 - second day at hotel - when drain comes out
Dr. Sanchez came by my room and removed my drain in the morning. Coming out, it felt like a light pinch. Not painful, just weird. I was soooo glad it was out. I emailed my coordinator Janese for a doctor's note to get time off work. I received the document by email a few hours later. My that woman is efficient! That evening, Abraham called to let me know what time he would be picking us up tomorrow to go back home the next morning.
Day 6 - flight back home
My companion and I were lucky. We were the only ones picked up to go back to the airport at 10:30 that morning. The earlier group had left at 8:30. Our very own private chauffeur! Going accross the border to the U.S. was a different experience than when entering TJ. There were hundreds of cars lined up at the border (yikes). However, A Lighter Me had a medical pass for me. Abraham showed the pass to the border officer who then let us through the express lane. We were the only one in this lane! We by passed ALL of those cars. The next stop was the customs officer. We gave him our passports, he asked me if I had anything to declare. I said no. And that was it. We were on our way. In about 5-10 minutes we were in the U.S. Again ! I am not certain how long it took to get the the San Diego Airport (25 minutes?). We also got slowed down a bit because of an accident. It is mostly highway driving so the trip is pretty short. At the airport, the walk from the check-in counter, through security to our gate was very short since there are not many airlines to go back to Canada. I therefore did not need any assistance to board the plane at the San Diego airport. But, because it is such a long distance to travel in Toronto, I asked the airline for assistance. I had not booked ahead. We therefore had to wait a bit. If you are travelling through a large busy airport, you definitely would do well to pre-book for assistance right away when making your travel plans. I was SOOOO glad I listened to A Lighter Me and packed light! It made the trip back home so much easier. I gave both Eduardo and Abraham a tip.
What you will need to bring
- a little bit of cash (I brought just enough for tips and to buy other things like Gatorade, etc. Make certain you have small denominations for those smaller tips)
- house coat (came in handy when I had to walk around with that hospital gown...)
- a safety pin (to secure my drain)
- medical dressing and medical tape (if you don't need it travelling, you will definitely need some for when you get back home for the incision where the drain)
- slippers/shoes with hard sole and that are easy to put on/take off to walk around the hospital
- hot pad (in case you have pain in your shoulders due to the anesthesia)
- OXO bouillon (came in VERY handy for the trip back home)
- Gas X strips
- a small container to put a little liquid antacid if travelling by plane for more than 12 hours to take your meds while travelling
Final thoughts
I expected my surgery to go well and it did. What I did not expect though was meeting great people, laughing and making friends while I was there because of the extra outings that A Lighter Me organizes for its customers. I have been home one week now without complications or pain and feel good (20 lbs lost so far). I would not hesitate to do this again. It was a great experience. I should have done this a long time ago. Now the fun part starts, loosing the weight!
Hope this post has been helpful.

I have watched them before. I especially liked Henry's story.

I'm a year out and have lost 200 hundred pounds, sounds insane when I think about it but its a fact. I have another 100 or so to lose but am so happy with how far I have over come to be here now. plz share your stories, pics with me I would love to help if I can good luck!!

Almost 50 lbs down and I'm still struggling to Celebrate as I'm still wearing the same clothes and comments about my losses are rare. But I noticed something this morning, something I can do now that I could not before, and now I'm feeling upbeat again. After I started thinking about it, SEVERAL things came to mind.
1. I can trim my toenails easily!
2. I can put my blue jeans on while standing up, and without leaning against anything!
3. I can reach, and dry, EVERY BODY PART after showering!
4. I can lace up my shoes now (as opposed to leaving them loosely laced up and slipping them on and off)!
Woo Hoo! Here's hoping you'll share what you can do now as well!

I finally got to see my doctor on yesterday. Down 26lbs including pre-op. Surgery was on 9/25. He told me that the excercise dvd's I do are fine, and the treadmill also. He doesn't want heavy weight lifting until 4 weeks. But I can add in what I feel comfortable doing. Hope all is well my fellow sleevers!

Had my surgery yesterday around 5. Did my leak test this morning. All is fine. I was given Gatorade this afternoon. It tasted sooo good after having fasted for so long for the surgery. Looking forward to starting the rest of my journey. Next post will be a long one detailing my experience here in Mexico for those who have not yet been through this.

I am sorry that anyone has a bad experience anywhere whether here in the States or in Mexico. It's always good to have your PCP back home to cover you when you return home.

One month down. Sometimes I ask myself what took me so long.

I tried some from Walmart too. My favorite is the watermelon flavor.

I agree with you there. I keep Zantac on the side for more immediate relief.

When the Doctor's office submits the paperwork for the procedures they use a specific code for that particular procedure.

Okay, I'm a fairy patient kind of girl. If i see someone in need, I will duly assist in any way possible. That is my nature.
However, there are limits to this...
Something is really getting on my proverbial mammary glands and I just have to put it out there... Before I 'go to town' on someone....
What am I referring to?
The indomitable, self-indulgent, totally out of proportion whinging on this website.
What kind of whinging, I hear you cry?! Well, it's not the general and often valid complaints, concerns and outpourings of confusion related to WLS. Which, lets face, it, we all have for time to time... Or even the posts that deviate from being WLS related and are either observations on life or genuine cries for help.
It's the 'OMG, I ate some fresh air!!!!! <swing your head back whilst placing your wrist on your forehead in a swooning fashion>
'I am going to have to flagellate myself for the rest of my natural born life because I ate a cracker with cheese spread on it!'
'I ate a mouthful of cream-cheese frosting, I hate myself' - then cue the over-exaggerated 'depression' and attention-seeking mewing because someone, in a 'moment of madness' <raises an eyebrow> didn't reach for a Protein shake or Quest bar.
Now, before I get lambasted for not being 'sympathetic' and being told in a lofty and self-righteous way that 'not everyone is as strong as other people and they just need some gentle encouragement'.. What I am going to say to that right now and up front is 'BALLS!'
So someone ate something with 15g of carbs, 11g of sugar and little Protein. SO WHAT?!!! If you're clever enough to work out that these aren't good nutritional ratios, then you're smart enough to know that you shouldn't be eating it. So get some perspective, be objective, dust yourself off and carry on. Don't take up my visual space with your whinges that do no more than to advertise your bordering on infantile attention seeking ways...
If you make a habit of making bad food choices when you know the nutritional values - then frankly, you're an idiot. If you're having serious addiction issues - then that's a WHOLE different ball game and there's not a person on the planet that won't do all they can (within the limits of this medium and geography) to help.
Just to those who want to curry sympathy and 'collect' platitudinous pats on the back for being self-indulgent whinge-bags - over very little - all I have to say is just hope I don't come across those particular posts. The response won't be pretty.....
And for the smug ones who are undoubtedly going to say 'Well, you don't have to read them.. You can just skip past them..tra-la-la-la' I say BALLS to that too. Attention seekers have a habit of making their topic titles sound very 'life or death'. Having the concept of 'duty of care' bashed into my head for years, I feel obliged to read them. But no sooner do I get to the second sentence, I discover its been written by 'one of those types' and the rage subsequently builds...
So my rant to 'those types' and in summary is;
Do, please, and before I turn green, shut up!!!
<and relax...>

Was sleeved August 8 th by dr Garcia via ready4change I can't be more happy began my journey at 325 lbs now 262.8 , yes I did the research . I've been on the tread mill. And I'm lucky I didn't have any issues following surgery.
Thank you to all of the people involved in my surgery from alma from ready4change to the hospital staff and the dr's ...oh and no I have no connection with this group other than they did my surgery Thanks again Pat williams