Bea Amaya

I just have two quick questions (and a brief discussion) about Protein drinks. 1. Do these count as a meal (I'm 3 weeks post-op) or simply as liquids? 2. Am I really getting all the protein in, or is this just washing through my stomach in the way other liquids do? Since before surgery I have been having a Protein Drink (20-25g) with 1-1/2 scoops of added protein (36g - 40g) to start my morning. While I don't necessarily find them tasty any more, I am also not bothered by drinking them...they're fine. Now that I'm at the stage where I need to schedule 3 meals every day I'm wondering if I get 3 meals in addition to the shake or counting the shake. The second question comes from a lot of discussion recently about why we don't drink Water with our meals. When I think of my drinks going down, however, I just don't see Protein Drinks as different than my water, tea, or juice going down. Am I really getting protein this way or is most of it washing on through my system and being wasted? [so sorry if this is an old topic that's been fully covered. I tried searching but couldn't find any related discussions.] Thanks so much, Bea

I seem to be a really slow loser as well, so thanks for such an upbeat post. I really wanted to be one of those who is so amazed at how fast the weight drops off and instead find myself calculating how many YEARS it will take me to reach my goal if I only lose 1-2 lbs per month. Here's hoping we BOTH hit a nice little slide soon to bolster confidence and give us a little push forward. Again, thanks for the post!

I took $120 in, part of it in 5s and 1s, and came home with $100. And I consider myself a good tipper. :-) Not bad!

Thanks for the advice, suggestions, and support!!! What a great group of "weak tie" friends here!!!

I haven't even reached week 2 yet and I've been stalled for a whole week. Very disheartening. Here's wising you the best in getting going on your journey once again! Good luck!

Surgery was on 7/31 so it will be 2 weeks tomorrow. I've done everything I was supposed to (and avoided those I'm NOT) and still have been at a stall for a whole week. Sheesh I hate this part. I'm just now getting ready to move from liquids to purees and I can hear some of you thinking, "how can she NOT be losing?"...it's the same thing I am thinking! Everything else has gone so well. Went back to work on Day 6 with no problems at all. No nausea. No impulse to vomit. After week 1, no pain. Energy almost back to normal. But dang it...I want to lose, not hold what I've got! So sorry for the venting!

Nice progress! Looking good! Way to go!!!

Sorry about this extra stress on your decision! If you are anywhere near the Houston area I'd be happy to chat with your dad in person! Actually, for me, when I found out another lady at work had done the same thing I was about to do I made arrangements to talk it over with her face-to-face...it was a BIG comfort to me and I had already decided to go ahead! If there is any way you could get in touch with someone in-person to sit down with you and your dad, that might be a great way to ease his fears just a bit. GOOD LUCK with this, as you really don't need the extra stress and worry!!! Disclaimer: I've lived overseas and travel a bit, so I'm not the typical American scared of "foreign" places and the things they have to offer. Also, my husband is Mexican-American and I've been to Mexico 50 times or so over my life.

Sure...no problem, Hope. 1. Sorry, but I don't know the answer to the first question. 2. It is a hospital (here's the link: http://www.hospitalmidoctor.com/) but a small one. 3. The hotel room is on the level of a Holiday Inn except my room is quite large. The lobby and restaurant areas are more like a Ramada or higher because this hotel caters to gamblers so they need the entrance and casino part to be impressive. 4. I took advantage of a "summer special" or something like that and my total bill was $4,200. There was a fee for using Paypal and paying early (3% I think) that would have been a lot more if I had waited to pay with a card until I got here. I think there may not be a fee if you come across with cash, something I didn't want to do. Anyway, with my flight included I am here at just under $5,000. The things you give up for doing it this way (my only option) are things like: 1. I had no prep work done, haven't yet met the surgeon performing my surgery tomorrow, and think the information I've received so far is a bit skimpy on details. I've supplemented that by doing as much research on my own as I can and now have a collection of alternative plans and surgery details (from other hospitals) so I'm okay with that. 2. Because I'm showing up ready to go tomorrow, I'm guessing there's a chance that something could cause the whole thing to fall through. I'm relatively healthy, in spite of my large size, so I'm not that worried about that. If it happens, I think my options are to give up or to go home and come back when whatever the problem is gets resolved. 3. The follow-up on the back end will be skimpy as well because I will never come all of this way for an actual Dr. visit. I've heard from others though that phone calls and emails are responded to quickly and efficiently by doctors, nurses, and staff here, so I'm hoping for the best there as well. Hope this helps!

Congrats Milly! I'm getting sleeved in the morning as well! Here's wishing us BOTH the best of luck for an excellent surgery and comfortable recovery!

Thanks Hope! My hospital is Mi Doctor and my surgeon is Dr. Ismael Cabrera Garcia. If you click on the "My Surgeon" link in my profile, you'll be taken to his profile.

Yippee! Congrats!!!

MONDAY: 7/29/2013 I just arrived in Tiajuana and am thrilled to be here. I only came from Houston (3 hr flight) and do a lot of traveling so I'm rather adept at traveling on my own, but I did want to share my experiences for those of you who might be wondering what it's like. Arrival in San Diego was a breeze and I got a phone call from my driver, Eduardo, while I was waiting for my luggage. He spotted me through the crowd and came over, introduced himself, and helped me with my luggage. He was a very pleasant man and willing to answer questions that I asked. We then moved to another terminal to pick up a second passenger from Calgary, Canada. Her surgery is scheduled for today, so she is headed straight to the hospital. The border crossing was a non-event. We just drove past the border patrol, giving them a little wave, and went about our merry way. I was the first to get dropped off at my hotel, chicken, or anything else). When I headed down to the restaurant for my cup of Soup I was surprised to receive what looked like a steaming bowl of Water. However, desperate as I was, I dug in with fervor and discovered it was actually a very nice cuppa. If I time this right, I'll get one more cup in before I have to stop my intake altogether. When I got back to my room I got one more phone call from the coordinator here in Mexico. She apologized for not being here upon my arrival and explained that this is a VERY busy week for them. I told her I was doing fine and having no problems at all. She gave me a few instructions about preparing for my surgery tomorrow, answered a couple of questions I had, and promised to call back in the morning to let me know what time to head to the lobby for my trip (it must be very close) to the hospital. So far, everything seems to be going to plan and I am very pleased with the entire process. Just thought I might share in case anyone is wondering about the "details" of doing the Mexico thing. :-)

Congrats on your trip [back] into Onderland. Like you, I don't remember those days. I am so looking forward to the day my scale registers under to 200 lbs. mark. Again, CONGRATS!!!

Sleeve Guru...what an amazing post in response to the original, and one I was not expecting at all. Because of my large size (very round face and thick neck) I have been avoiding the one thing I've never had in my 53 years...a pixie cut. After reviewing your post and the cool link, I'm seriously thinking that this may be on my list for my 100 lbs. lost milestone or my surgiversary. Thanks for posting! Ms.K...I don't think there are many here who will judge you harshly. It actually sounds like you're struggling with issues a LOT of people deal with. And believe it or not, because I am still Pre-Op (I leave tomorrow morning for surgery on Tuesday), reading posts like yours that are not all over-the-rainbow and never-a-single-problem is so very helpful to others of us in keeping a really good perspective about the whole process. I truly think you have a wonderful chance at success and am so sorry you're struggling right now. Just know there are a lot of us that have you in our thoughts. Hang in there, sweetie!

I'm leaving for San Diego in the morning (from Houston). I am scheduled for surgery on Tuesday morning. Like you, my first impression of doing this in Mexico was negative but I have found so many positive comments I am REALLY looking forward to it all. Feel free to contact me directly, especially after I return next Friday, in case you have some specific questions about the journey that I might be able to answer. I am using a different doctor and hospital, but the process should be similar. Good luck!!!

Mine is Tuesday as well. Good luck to you both, Mirabelle and Aspire. Hopefully we'll all be comparing notes about our good experiences in another week or two and reporting our awesome losses in the weeks after that. :-)

July 30th for me. Not nervous...yet. Going by myself to Mexico, but I've traveled enough to be comfortable with it all. Can't wait to compare notes with you all in a few weeks. Now that we're down to the countdown phase, I am definitely starting to get excited. Good luck to all you July sleevers! Here we goooooo!

Oh, thanks so very much for this preview of what I will be experiencing on Tuesday (30th)!!! Same hospital, same doctor, same everything. Good luck with the rest of your stay and, again, thanks so much for sharing this!!!

This is the kind of feedback that gives us "newbies" the confidence to move forward. Thanks so much for sharing. P.S. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful person, both before and after. :-)

Oh cool. How nice of you to be the support. Hope you guys enjoy the trip. :-)

Hi mimi...I'm getting sleeved by Dr. Garcia (in Tiajuana) on Tuesday, July 30. If that's where you'll be, perhaps I'll see you before I leave. :-)

You look FABULOUS! Congrats on your progress!

Hi Patty...I'm traveling next Monday and having my surgery next Tuesday. This week I'm trying to work as if everything is normal and this huge change is not about to take place in my life. Although I'm not having any anxiety about the surgery I am full of anxiety about the days after. "What if I don't lose much [or anything]? What if I lose in all the wrong places? Is this going to make my face look even older and more wrinkly? Will I ever eat pizza or a burger again?" and so on. So...I'm with you on the "Holy Cwap!" sentiment. Here's wishing you the best of luck in the days to come. Have a lovely journey and BE WELL!