Bea Amaya

Hang in there Dawn...I have just moved out of my stall and am seeing the scale moving again. It's all very exciting, but now that I've seen these horrible stalls in action, I know to just take it easy when the next one comes and ride it out; I've learned from experience now that it's just a part of the process of becoming. Here's hoping you get your joy back (see regular scale victories) soon!

Awesome progress! Big congrats!

My surgery was July 30, so I'm very close to you. I've lost a total of 35 lbs now, but half of that was before surgery. I've also got a lot to lose, more than 130 lbs. Still, although I've had 4 weeks with losses at 1 lbs or less, I'm still losing so I'm not too upset by it all. Also, I have not really changed much in size (I have very large hips and haven't lost much there) and am wearing the same clothes as I did before. I'm guessing I should have been wearing a larger size than I was. Did I think it would be a faster transition? Yes. Am I still excited about the [slow] changes? Yes. Good luck to you...hope you'll check in again in another month or so.

Esmeralda...I must be your long lost sister! I too am a super slow loser (17 lbs. since surgery), am pursuing my eating and exercise seriously, and have had absolutely no problems with eating and drinking. I'm guessing you and I are both going to make steady progress, however. I don't feel nearly as alone now. :-)

Still waiting for a change in clothing size, but...this morning I put on a shirt that I don't wear a lot because it bunches above my [extensive] hips. Today the tail of the shirt slid right down over my hips/jeans and is hanging straight all the way down. Woo hoo! Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference!

Thanks for all the updates! I'll give it another day or two for more corrections to come in and then post the complete, updated list again. What a wonderful group of July Sleevers!

Following the lead of another poster I thought it would be cool to see who was sleeved in July. Here's a quick list (with some mistakes, I'm sure...feel free to correct!) Updated: 9/13/2013 1 jaycobsmom, Sylviam1974, Camella, Vixynne, JSCRIMPSHIRE 2 rural_louisianagal87, Chelle29212, shacole, Amanda318, KimberlyT, karritous, StarryNight 3 JessicaAnn, shannyd4, Jfiler, Nemesis, Brownrek, PhoenixTheDiva 4 43skinnydreamer 5 flownsamoan, tanya elizabeth 6 7 8 guinea pig, vegamommy, July8thsleever, Mayfly, dodgemom, tashman, andryah, babshire, Rachel, VSG23-LIFE, getting there, Slave to Senor Sleeve 9 sureaboutme2, Jiggly Puff, sheilsy, luvladyj, shay1030, jotate, tsscherm 10 teranwil, Sherry S., Amanda Moore, mmgraham102602, ChaoticBliss, Fitzright, blash67 11 Lizcalle, Jillette, KitKat40 12 dicoyte, rocilore33, moonlitestarbrite, summernicole79, lalilosa, ladyannalise, pattylo 13 devine.adon, Canary Diamond 14 15 Ms.Nya, bailletchris, aliekat55 16 Momof3JML, taingra, MaddieJ, genifer, frosty1224, Loopy 17 funnygurl, NellieBean, chapasmamita, Sherryp50 18 faifie, sosborne1999, ShayLeigh 19 flyme_places, Racinda, nmck, Roserie, ruth78 20 21 22 kw2walker, CorvetteGirl, Michele H., Corina__209, nicesmile28, jp143, IndieGirl, mnjwyman74 Sonia Singh, Rie, MWilliams42, Vickybli 23 ElaineB, smjuroska, gwenh, lanuzaanac, Donnalynn68, 4AHealthierMe, AmericanWoman, anniebunce, Self esteem, Marerz, alb224 24 Kieshart, penman53, one-day-soon, NoMoreDonuts, Rodrita, DianaPrince 25 MumtazG38, stephanie1678, katierebecca83, Annao79, Booth718, GoneRogue, Sleeved in Seattle, gillengal 26 cfbarre, Lorie77 27 butterfly984 28 29 nikkoal, m&m4ever, skinsluva, ceekay87, jennypoo1970, MandaPanda, breederb, ReneeJo, klerose, cindymarried, mirabelle, sundownunder, FRED1977, mirabelle 30 DeeWee, EddiesAngel, snochick2005, soprofound, Sweet_Mia, Dawnyellow, Justkeepswimming37, Bea Amaya, GoSkinny 31 Mrswynter22, Chellennunley, Patti K, Teachamy, justwant2bhealthy, Thinner1Day, grrwuff, nikkijane, Esmeralda75

I keep a blog, although it's really for my family more than anyone. I didn't blog much during the week of the surgery, but I did post a handful of photos of the hospital and hotel that you might want to take a look at. The blog is at http://beawlj.wordpress.com/ and most of the information about my trip is on the "surgery" page (http://beawlj.wordpress.com/about/). Here's wishing you the best of luck, but if your experience is like mine, you're going to do just fine. Can't wait to hear from you again on the back side of your surgery too! Best of luck!

You look great! I'm one month out as well (sleeved July 30) and am seeing some changes, but not yet in the places that need it most...hips and waist. I'm being patient, however, and feeling better about myself and my choices every day. Congrats on your progress!

I went there solo at the end of July to have mine done and did just fine. The only real reason I wish that hubby had gone with me was to help with the little things in the hospital room (2 days) that I didn't want to call a nurse for. Examples: I wanted to send out emails but couldn't handle getting my computer out; I dropped my hairbrush on the floor; my drain bag sprung a leak and made a mess of everything; etc. Although we decided together that I should go alone (we were on a very tight budget) since I've been home I've discovered that he was the one who suffered more while I was gone. I had no idea until recently how much he worried about me while I was gone. :-) If you need to go by yourself, then do...you can handle this! Sending good thoughts your way and wishing you good luck on your journey.

To add a username to myfitnesspal.com... sign in to your account click on the "Community" menu command click on the "Find Members" menu command type in user name to "Username or Email" field press "Search" click "Add As Friend" Worked for me anyway.

beaamaya2 Would love some "friends" in MFP as I have none there yet.

Thanks for the feedback folks! Will take [all] your advice about breaking up my protein intake and report back in a couple of weeks. LOVE THESE FORUMS!

Thank goodness I'm still doing okay with the shakes, but I really feel for you that just can't seem to stomach them. I take an EAS protein shake in the morning (14oz., 30g protein) and mix 1-1/2 scoops of ON 100% Whey (36g protein) and 2 tablespoons crushed flaxseed (for fiber, 3g protein). The good news is this breakfast gets me 64g of protein in and I don't mind a bit. The bad news is it is more calories than I want (460) so I will be looking for ways to reduce this over the next few days. But again, so sorry for you folks that struggle with the shakes!

Houston during the week (edge of Pearland) and at home in Port Lavaca on the weekends. Sleeved in Tijuana Mexico on July 30.

As I did the budget Mexican surgery thing (out-of-pocket limitations) I actually don't have a NUT. So thanks for asking the question here. I'm trying to do my own thing with the best information I have on hand. :-)

I have to say I've always hated exercise of any kind. A big part of it is I keep thinking I hear people's thoughts like, "Wow, check out that fat lady trying to work out!" I've recently started walking at a pretty decent pace and use my fitbit to ensure I get in at least 30 minutes of "very active minutes" each day. I'm planning on upping this next week. Part of the problem for me is that I'm a big workaholic and often feel like an hour of exercise is an hour that I could have been doing something more productive (ha ha). Now that I'm learning to appreciate my body a bit more, I don't seem to struggle with the time requirements nearly as much. In other words, I totally understand where you are coming from and am glad you brought the topic up here. Love all the feedback provided so far! Good luck!!!

Congrats! You do look great! Love the look of that lacy white top and black skirt, btw...thinking you have a new problem now...having people stare at you because you're so darn cute. :-)

Congrats! The photos are AWESOME and especially helpful to someone like me still early on in the journey...it's encouraging to see what can be accomplished. At 2 years out I'm guessing your focus is on other things these days, so thanks so much for taking the time to stop back in here and encourage the rest of us. Good luck with your next surgeries!

I knew when I signed up for a discounted surgery in Mexico I would be giving up some things that the $10K US patients would get. For me, choosing Mexico was the difference between having and not having the surgery as I have no insurance and it was 100% out-of-pocket. The entire cost of my trip was less than $4,400 (air fare included) and I went there on my own. My preparation involved a lot of research, a lot of planning (especially prepping for meals when I got home), and a lot of discussions about the pros and cons of the surgery with my hubby before I went. I'm only a few weeks out now but am very pleased with everything so far. The hotel I was booked in was very nice and very close to the hospital. My stay in the hospital was fine although in retrospect I would advise taking someone along just for the "little things" (dropping my hairbrush on the floor, having a leak in my drain bag, etc.). The doctors took time to introduce themselves to me and tell me what part they were playing in the surgery and/or recovery process, the nursing staff was available at all times, and the entire process went off without a hitch. But I do have to say that Mexico surgery might not be right for someone that needs a lot of hand-holding and reassurances. Do I wish I was rich and could afford the surgery on this side of the border? Maybe, but I don't think so. Although I occasionally wish I had someone I could check in with, someone that I could ask questions of, I've been on this forum long enough to understand that different doctors and different NUTs often give different [sometimes VERY different] answers to the same questions. I am overly independent, however, and probably would have done just what I do now...look it up online, compare notes, and make decisions. I, for one, don't know how the "end game" is going to turn out, but I feel comfortable recommending the procedure, the location, the medical team, and the hospital to others. Good luck with your decision and follow-up!

I'm feeling fine. Back to work full time (started back on day 6) and only one day of struggles when I just went home and slept all day. No nausea, no pain, no discomfort, unless I take OBTM (one bite too many). I've eaten out several times now and thoroughly enjoyed the broth, some chicken bites, and some very soft avocado in a lovely cup of chicken tortilla soup. I avoided the tortillas, rice, corn, etc. but got all the flavor in just by what I did take in. Although I'm not having trouble getting my protein or water in, I am losing slower than I expected. But then again...today is only the end of week 3. Still have high hopes for some good 1 month measures soon. Glad to hear everyone seems to be doing relatively well!

Jana...I had the exact same thing happen to me. 1st week 9.5 lbs, 2nd week 1.0 lbs, 3rd week .8 lbs. Let's you and I take everyone else's advice and relax and be patient together. I'm counting on you and I making nice progress again soon!

Thanks for this comment, notime! I have plans to visit a nutritionist next week (she's the kind that will draw blood and make recommendations based on my numbers) and I'll be sure to ask her about this. You've definitely pointed out something I didn't think of before. Thanks!

I feel like I've been lucky. No nausea (at all), very little pain, and I went back to work full-time on day 6. However, last week (about day 15) I had one weird day of weakness. I slept well the night before, went to work and put in 2 hours, then went home and back to bed (about 4 hours). Like you, I ate a bit, drank a bit, but mostly I was wobbly-legged and just wanted to sleep. Surprisingly I slept through the night even after all that sleeping as well. It was just a one-day thing for me. Hope yours is a small event as well. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback, TwinsMama. I forgot to mention that because I had my surgery in Mexico (a wonderful experience!) the benefits are the much lower costs while the drawbacks include having to seek out a NUT on my own. Still working on this. Again, thanks for the input!