back2barb78

I'm 5'9"

HAF how are you doing postop? Hopefully we can get an update. Most likely I will be doing a lower body lift in late June.

@@toohot74akaelh2 The weight came off quickly but honestly very gradually- I would have weeks where I would lose nothing then randomly lose 6lbs but most of the time it was 2-3lbs weekly which is about what you're supposed to lose anyway regularly. I do work out a lot now (I didn't work out a lot during the losing phase though). I have sooo much energy to burn. I have an update pic I took with my doc on 5/5/15. He was amazed. He's so awesome. The before pic was day 2 postop on 10/9/13.

OMG Rence that is amazing!!! You look like you could be your own brother or even son!! Awesome transformation.

Dede that's exactly why I chose not to go through my insurance because I felt like that would/could possibly happen and I figured by the time I jumped through all the hoops they wanted me to with all of the testing they wanted Preop all of the copays would add up to just a bit less than I would be spending going out of the country. And I would be well into the weight loss process too when I would have still been waiting. It just didn't make any sense to me. I'm happy I chose my choice. It worked for me.

He was Jamie! I think I'm going to do a testimonial for the occ. I sent lots of pics too. @@rhoste I will PM you.

I got to see Dr Ortiz yesterday when I went to see Dr Medina. So happy to be able to thank him in person. He's so awesome. Dr Medina is awesome too. I had my consultation for plastics for upper body work and lower body work. I haven't made my final decision (I had another consultation today which gave me a few things to think about) but I will very soon. Anyway here are a couple pics ????

???????? I'm hoping to get the pic too. Just got picked up by the driver.

Hthr are you at the hotel tonight? I will be there in the morning to see Dr Medina for my second attempt at my plastics consult ????????. Maybe our paths will cross. If you see me say hi!! I'm going to try to get an after pic with Dr Ortiz (I'm going to be so sad if I don't). I'm not staying at the hotel. I'm just coming for the appointment at the Ariel Center and going back. If I don't see you good luck!!

Lady VSG I wouldn't go buy any water. I bought water and Gatorade and took most of it home including hotel waters I wasn't able to drink. If you need more the hotels got it. They actually gave me and my parents extra bottles anyway. You don't want to waste money or take anything heavy home when you leave. I overpacked and my mom had to drag my heavy luggage while I handled her small one which was fine for me.

OMG Kindle you posted that postop plan and it brought back memories. I would say the last days of the full liquid diet are a beast to get through!! I never was able to get my water in because the restriction is no joke. It took at least a year my sleeve is so tight. But I'm thankful and would do it 10 times over to be where I am now wearing these clothes and people who don't know that I had WLS calling me teensy. Congrats to the new sleevers and the new ones to come!! I'm 18 months post, down 173lbs, and an official gym rat!! Awesome

Celebrating 18 months post and 173lbs gone!! Hope all of you are doing well with Preop prep/jitters, postop recovery and veteran maintenance!

I was headed down for 2 scheduled plastic surgery consultations and to meet @ufjireh. Key word being WAS- early on Sunday morning I had the 4th episode of excruciating right abdominal pain I had had in about a week and a half (don't ask me what I thought the first 3 times it happened was) so I finally went to the hospital because obviously something was wrong and I ended up getting admitted to the hospital Sunday night to have my gallbladder taken out on Monday. It was infected, full of stones, and all shriveled up (the ultrasounds techs description of what she saw. No one who looks at organs regularly should be looking at an image of something inside you and have a confused look on their face). I figured at some point I would have issues with it because that just seems to happen with most of us after weight loss surgery but this was just horrible horrible timing. Anyway now I'm home recovering instead of in Mexico for my consults. So sad, disappointed, and upset!! Although it's a minor setback in trying not to get too down about it. I was on major roll hitting the gym and working out and seeing great changes so I'm hoping this won't be a long recovery. I'm so sorry ufjireh. I hope you got my message ????. I know all will go well for you tomorrow because you are in amazing hands!!

Been MIA for awhile (when did the thread come back ????) so I wanted to say to all the OCCers old and new. Hope all are doing well. I'll be at the Marriott in the 19th for my consultation at the Ariel Center on the 20th. Hopefully some of our paths will cross!!

Ditto Am1e post. I get heartburn as well if I eat late especially if it's something that may be overspiced. Those girls are also just 3 weeks out though too so there is a hump that needs to be gotten over. No one said this is easy!!! I didn't start feeling "normal" (and that's a "new normal" because nothing is the same) for a year! She may be trying to take too much in at one time as well. At three weeks out, literally I could only eat a few spoons of food and I was full and got nowhere near the amount of water I was supposed to get in. It was too much and remember the OCC does a VERY tight sleeve. That constriction is a beast. I would do what I could and just reheat my food over and over again for hours, eating the tiniest amounts and made SURE take that pill they gave for acid. Also I noticed that if something agreed with me I stuck with eating that, but then randomly it wouldn't agree with me and I moved on to something else and just tried it again a few weeks or a month later. It's a learning process as well. Hopefully Dr. So will be able to give some insight because a doc here is going to want to do a work up on her if you go in saying she's having acid reflux and don't tell them she's almost 4 weeks post gastric surgery not to mention possibly prescribe something she doesn't need or shouldn't take. We're all so different and heal different it takes time to figure out what works. 3 weeks is very very very early out. Did I say very enough????? Are your girls members on BariatricPal? Maybe I missed a post on them posting themselves too I'm not here as much☺️

Wow!! So happy for you!! I'm glad your dad is supportive and hopefully mom will come around. I know some people have had their family come on here and read this thread to become more comfortable. And seriously if you had a surgeon near you do it there would be NO WAY to have direct word of mouth access to this many of their patients who are all at different stages in the process. You know what? I have to come down there because I want to get an in person consult with Dr Medina for plastics. I sent them pictures but I want to go in person too and I wanted to make sure Dr Ortiz was going to be there because I HAVE to get an "after" pic with him ???? I'm going to email Ora to see if I can do it on that day or after! It would be perfect because I can plan it with my schedule now it will give me a couple of months to get in the gym and tighten up a bit!! I'll email her and let you know. I keep seeing everyone's surgery dates but they don't work with my schedule. I would like to meet some of you to ease your fears because I was so terrified too when I was in your position.

Hey Oct people!! Wanted to update and give the new Oct peeps some encouragement! Down 160lbs from my high weight (don't know if you can see my ticker or not) HW-333lbs SW-299lbs CW-173lbs. Loving this sleeve! New Oct peeps- start buying smaller clothes NOW or at least saving for them. Replacing your wardrobe is a major undertaking especially if your a person in a budget. Seriously if you see something cute, it's near your goal weight size, and it's a good deal-buy it! It seriously will fit you before you know it. Don't buy too many sizes during the losing phase unless your going to a discount store to where you won't care if you only get to wear it once or not at all. Good luck to you all and wishing all of you what I know FOR SURE (from experience ????) will be an ah-MAZING new year????????

Gtmikki glad everything went well. Covatila I'm glad to hear you're okay and so sorry to hear about your cancer. I would definitely not be hard on yourself- that is major and a priority and you can get back on track. 95lbs is amazing!! There's nothing you can't handle girl!!! I'm in the market now for plastics. Changing slowly but surely! Got a quote from Dr Medina at the Ariel center for lower body work and am strongly considering going back to the OCC. They are so wonderful. I'm not sure though because I would consider going by myself but the communication says they want you to bring someone with you and it's a whole week. I need to see if I could pay a private nurse to stay with me there!

@"Kindle" Just wanted to say I just saw your after pic in the B&A thread and WOW WOW WOWWWW!! You look amazing!!! Like you're lifting weights all day (you could lie and say you do if you wanted)!! Great great! Congrats ????????????????????

My personal choice was to be open about it and in most cases I have been happy about my decision. People do treat me very different though. I definitely have been in a bit of a struggle with this on occasion though. I can't help but be what I feel is a bit negative because inside my head I say "you wouldn't have said that a year ago" or "I would've been invisible to you a year ago." It's hard not to think that way but I know it's the truth. I don't want to be the poster child for weight loss surgery, but I also want people to know it's a great option and not to be so afraid of it. I heard many positive things preop but also negative things which I took with a grain of salt. Nobody can hold me down!! If I had it to do over again, I would still choose to share it as I have. I also wouldn't want something serious to come up with me and the people around me not know my medical history and have my sleeve damaged.

I got a quote from the Ariel Center for a lower body lift (belt lipectomy) last week. Thinking of going in June but I'm going to go to the OCC for an in person consult with Dr. Medina in person before making a final decision. I would love to wait until I have children to do this work but because my skin is not that bad but I'm going on a vacation later next year to the Dominican Republic and those women are beautiful! I can't go there like this! So I decided to do lower body next year and wait until I have children to do the boobs even though they are a hot mess as well. Any updates from those of you who have had plastics there?

@@gtmikki Well wishes for Friday and safe travels for tomorrow. You will be just fine!!

@@laurenella82 Thank you so much and I'm so happy to have inspired you. I love love LOVE Halloween too and had not dressed up in a long time because of how big I was. It truly felt great and everyone loved it even though you all here on BP are the main people who know the true story behind me picking it. I loved my costume so much I have to wear it again next year!!