ausmith

Hi everyone I am 5 days post op , everything is going well, I'm so happy I did this.

Lisa,
It isn't the same but I had a horrible loss of my sister from breast cancer that spread to her bones at age 40. We were raised like twins, super close, lived near each other all our lives, talked daily - very bonded sisters and best friend. I thought we would grow old together but instead I saw her destroyed by the cancer and even the treatment at times. Horrifying and traumatic beyond the loss. We looked alike so seeing her turn into a 95 year old in front of my eyes hit me to the core. I did daily care too.
Anyway I am sharing my story so I can tell you what not to do... get depressed and anxious and lonely and gain a bunch of weight. I did that and it didn't work out for me I highly recommend some type if therapy for the trauma aspect... I did EMDR ..Google it..but also talk etc therapy if that's more your thing. I didn't do the grief therapy nor did I accept that I had anxiety. Apparently food works to bury anxiety and pain for me so I didn't feel it so much until I stopped over eating. I am suggesting that you get help with these overwhelming emotions rather than burying them.
I love coffee but reducing my caffeine was one aspect of improving my mood situation. Get decent sleep.
I went through a grieving recently (post sleeve goal) and had trouble eating like you are describing. I didn't turn to liquid calories like you have but lost unplanned weight. It was a little concerning and my docs were worried that my eating pattern was a downward spiral. I took it seriously and started forcing myself to eat small quantities of healthy food - dense Protein and veggies several times a day. I started noticing I ate better out with friends. ..so i did that a few times a week. Had a Premier Protein once a day.
Over time my eating returned to normal and I am maintaining a healthy weight. My anxiety is much improved. Your physical and emotional health is intertwined.

Lisa,
Please consider Protein drinks and Vitamins until you are able to eat more. They will help protect your body. Start small; drink three Protein Drinks a day and take a multi vitiamin with Iron, a D3, and once per week a B1 and a sublingual B12. Please consider Calcium too. Three citricals twice per day is what my program recommends.
Keep trying different Protein Drinks till you find one you like. For me, it was Optimum Nutrition whey Gold Standard in French vanilla. I mixed it with a packet of Starbucks Via Decaf french roast. I also liked powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken when I wanted something not sweet.
Greek Yogurt with sugar if you don't like artificial sweeteners is another good Protein choice.
My heart and thoughts are with you during your difficult days.
Lynda

Today is the day I got to ONEDERLAND!
Down87 pounds.
Next top 90 #.
On the road to -100#.
I was stalled at 202.2 for over a month, but, never lost faith.
I kept reminding my self of when I stalled at 262 #. I thought I would never lose another pound. That was 60 pound ago!

I loved to read your story, I am leaving next Wednesday to do the same thing!

Hi everyone I'm on the Gold Coast, I am having my sleeve tomorrow it has come around quickly. I am excited to have this op.

Well tomorrow starts the next year of my weight loss journey. It is hard to believe that in the last year I have lost almost 200 pounds. I rolled into that OR not knowing how well or how successful I would be. Little did I know how great a decision this gastric sleeve procedure would be for me. My quality of life has so drastically improved. My diabetes is in total remission, no more high cholesterol, high blood pressure gone, back problems history, knee problems non existent, my energy is back my zeal for life is back. I am able to care for my wife who is chronically ill from RA and obesity (I know ironic isn't it). Needless to say I am so very thankful to everyone who supported me over the last year and look forward to more years of continued success.
Mark, Edmond Oklahoma

You made me cry I can see the happiness in your eyes in your after pics. This journey has been so amazing from like you said being the person looking at everyone's pics and not believing it would happen to you too to being where we all are now. I'm so glad I get to share it with all of you here and see your triumphs and progress. So wonderful.
Please keep the updates coming everyone!! They make me sooo happy

Okay, I'm just going to say it as it is...
Dudes... and by that I mean those that are the fundamentalist supporters?
You're all Morons...
No, seriously, you are.
If you cannot grasp the basic tenets of what has been said.... and really absorb, understand and answer all the charges laid (which were not against you, initially), then frankly, I'm back to the 'moron' comparison.
You make me want to bash my head against a wall, because whether or not you realise it? You're behaving like a gaggle of witches.
What I'd like to know, is what, exactly, has this man got on you? Naked photos? Film footage? I cannot believe that rationally minded human beings would behave this way - unless, the accused, has something that would blow your lives apart.....
Wanna have a chat about that?

You're just trolling now. Grammar and proper use of language is important if you actually have something to say and want it heard. But by all means continue to throw your child-like tantrums and you will be treated much as any other toddler that behaves so poorly.

May you all (and by 'all', I mean the Cabal of individuals who would seem to be 'fundamentalists' when it comes to the Baja clinic and their coordinating staff), be THOROUGHLY ashamed of yourselves.

 

You leave me agog at your actions.

 

If anyone needs any legal counsel as to potential options (albeit I'm not American, don't specialise in the laws of the internet (but have friends that do) and am not state-specific - although it wouldn't take me long to work out your statutes and the laws of the internet are fairly transnational anyway), I would be happy to provide any help or assistance I can.

 

US Citizen? Whitney? Wow.. tread carefully now.. I do believe you have found the line and stepped WAY over it.

I had to share with my fellow veteran's that still have their wisdom teeth, having them removed is a fantastic weight loss plan! I had mine removed last Thursday and have lost 11 lbs since. I was on Protein shakes 3 times a day until Monday (600 calories) and then very soft food since.
I have to say I'm very thankful for my sleeve. I never really felt hunger (other then head hunger) and it really helped get me through the pain. I did have an issue with the Hydrocodone / Loratab that I was prescribed. I ended up fainting about an hour after I had taken it, hit something on the way down, and broke my two front teeth. The oral surgeon couldn't believe that happened and suggested I switch to the Motrin he prescribed (which I never had filled as it is a NSAID which I told him I couldn't take, DOH!) I suggest caution to anyone that has to take Hydrocodone. I have no clue if it is because of my sleeve or that I weight so much less now that pain meds affect me differently.
I do miss my front teeth! - Dentist can't fix them until Aug 4th.

Wow I have just read this thread and I am shocked that in this day and age victims are treated with such hate. I guess that's why they need advocates to speak on their behalf. I may be wrong but from what I have read it appears that this is a warning for those that have not yet had surgery and may be considering having it with this surgeon and coordinator also from what I have read most of the comments have come from past patients and they appear to be a delightful bunch ! All I have to say is if someone contemplating surgery there prepares themselves with this knowledge and decides to be 20% more careful and prevents themselves from becoming victim 7 or 8 then Susan's post was worth it. I'm not saying it did or did not happen but I am saying knowledge is POWER. To the 6 victims my heart goes out to you, hopefully you are getting the help you need and to the lady that spoke out about her situation. You are VERY brave and should be proud of yourself

Wow I have just read this thread and I am shocked that in this day and age victims are treated with such hate. I guess that's why they need advocates to speak on their behalf. I may be wrong but from what I have read it appears that this is a warning for those that have not yet had surgery and may be considering having it with this surgeon and coordinator also from what I have read most of the comments have come from past patients and they appear to be a delightful bunch ! All I have to say is if someone contemplating surgery there prepares themselves with this knowledge and decides to be 20% more careful and prevents themselves from becoming victim 7 or 8 then Susan's post was worth it. I'm not saying it did or did not happen but I am saying knowledge is POWER. To the 6 victims my heart goes out to you, hopefully you are getting the help you need and to the lady that spoke out about her situation. You are VERY brave and should be proud of yourself

Wow I have just read this thread and I am shocked that in this day and age victims are treated with such hate. I guess that's why they need advocates to speak on their behalf. I may be wrong but from what I have read it appears that this is a warning for those that have not yet had surgery and may be considering having it with this surgeon and coordinator also from what I have read most of the comments have come from past patients and they appear to be a delightful bunch ! All I have to say is if someone contemplating surgery there prepares themselves with this knowledge and decides to be 20% more careful and prevents themselves from becoming victim 7 or 8 then Susan's post was worth it. I'm not saying it did or did not happen but I am saying knowledge is POWER. To the 6 victims my heart goes out to you, hopefully you are getting the help you need and to the lady that spoke out about her situation. You are VERY brave and should be proud of yourself

I have done good so far I'm almost to Onederland! I have had a death of a best friend in March get to me I was really messed up. I knew she loved life and was happy with my journey and I came to far to give up. I got myself back in stride now hopefully I can get to Onederland soon.

Alex, as a 68 year old woman I applaud you for not shutting down this thread.  If it offends some one they should quit looking.  There is a story here that needs telling.  There is not a person here who is without bad judgment and mistakes in their lives.  Not ONE and certainly not me.   Those who go to Mexico must be warned about this man, there is too much smoke here.  If this man, God forbid, is HIV positive (and with his history God only knows what he can possibly be spreading), you might save one person from it by this thread.   I hope common sense overtakes the ridiculousness of some of these rants, that the point is to warn women that a predator is in Mexico in sheeps' clothing.  

Oh, do me a favour!

Why yes, as a matter of fact I am doing EVERYTHING I can to bring him down! Why is that? because he is a manipulative amorous narcissist who preys on women who have reached a most dangerous level of low sense of self are vulnerable and lonely and I have NEVER once claimed that he is a rapist! Yes we did have what I thought was a relationship and I did think it was real just like many others just like bonita_angel, but you are singling me out for personal reasons and frankly that ok too, go ahead, NEWS FLASH FOR YA ......I DONT CARE! You think this is about revenge because I was "dumped" or however you want to put it but you are missing the whole point! He is using his position as a patient care coordinator to take advantage of and hurt people. I am getting messages from women telling me all about how he has used them and lied to them and what he is doing is wrong! NO IF'S ANDS OR BUTS ABOUT IT! It's embarrassing to admit that I believed his lies and feel for his charm, but if it saves someone else from going through this hurt then I will shout it from the mountain tops! This is the cyber world, coexist123, the social networking world, and I will probably never come face to face with you or anyone else from this site, Team Illan, or any other online forum or group. If I passed you on the street, you wouldn't realize who I even was. You Ms coexist123 are not a part of my real world, so what ever you or anyone else wants to say about me does not even touch me. He played a terrible terrible game on what is becoming obvious as A LOT of us and he made a terrible terrible mistake because I will not let what he did to me destroy me.... I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY YOU, HIM OR ANYONE ELSE ......I KNOW HOW TO WIN THE HARD WAY!

Wow I have just read this thread and I am shocked that in this day and age victims are treated with such hate. I guess that's why they need advocates to speak on their behalf. I may be wrong but from what I have read it appears that this is a warning for those that have not yet had surgery and may be considering having it with this surgeon and coordinator also from what I have read most of the comments have come from past patients and they appear to be a delightful bunch ! All I have to say is if someone contemplating surgery there prepares themselves with this knowledge and decides to be 20% more careful and prevents themselves from becoming victim 7 or 8 then Susan's post was worth it. I'm not saying it did or did not happen but I am saying knowledge is POWER. To the 6 victims my heart goes out to you, hopefully you are getting the help you need and to the lady that spoke out about her situation. You are VERY brave and should be proud of yourself

23 kg today

Wow, now I'm being threatened via Facebook by "Whitney Uberdriver":
 
"Do not act like I am attacking this woman! She has been coming at me for the last 48 hours! I have extreme experience in SEO and building very powerful websites. You have no chance when it comes to attempting to ruin my name. You are running a company that can be run into the ground. This is not how you should be doing business."
 
Then I get this threat:

 
Followed by another threat:
 
"I see you just released another book too on Amazon. I and several others have read it. I think we are all entitled to a review.... right?"
 
I think Uber should know how abusive one of their drivers is behaving online.....

I am sorry this happened to you
You're very courageous to share that.

Sorry Ms. Antiband. I promised a potential Rev-splat. It's about to land!
Apart from this becoming waaaaaaaay out of hand.
Just a couple of splat-like objective observations from the verbose one;
Should this topic be broached on this website? Well, yes. Potentially ‘sanitised’, it should. It's about protecting others against a risk factor present when anyone goes overseas, in a country that is not their own (with associated afforded protections) and there is a credible threat to those in a vulnerable position being taking advantage of by those in a position of authority. Should it have been tabled as it has been? Possibly not. There are always ways in which to couch things and as Susan is not the directly aggrieved (although always with the utmost best intentions), the message can (and has) been perceived as disingenuous. In my humble opinion (and as Susan later revised into a concise paragraph-which I’m about to make bigger), a wider and possibly more inclusive and less ‘explosive’ overall message could have been: 'If you are traveling to Mexico, please be advised there are (potentially [my inclusion]) people who are willing to take advantage of you for their own personal needs – (as there are predatory, licentious and opportunistic people in any walk of life [my inclusion]). They understand you are in a very vulnerable state. Don't become a victim, protect yourself. And don't allow a handful of people to make you feel like you have done something wrong, when you haven't (if you have been unwarrantedly preyed upon and speak out [my inclusion]). (If any of you experience behaviours of this nature, please report them immediately to the police or any person in a position of authority at the hospital concerned as quickly as practicably possible [my inclusion]).
(Most people know that ‘fraternising’ (sexually or otherwise) with hospital employees–no matter how remarkable the situation, or how bowled over by the temporary care and compassion shown, is not advised [my inclusion]). No matter what anyone else says, it is unprofessional and unethical (as it contravenes well established patient/care-provider boundaries and should not be entered into, it is suggested, during the period of the contract or after-care term. Not only does this lessen the potential for the primary care of the patient to be compromised, but also protects the employee themselves [my inclusion]).'

– Or something like that.
This could have then been followed up with earnest and compassionate discussion about the prevalence of such events, personal experience (if people felt comfortable enough to do so). There could even have been a caveat included to state that if anyone has been affected by the issues presented, please contact one of the hosts or even Alex himself, whereby those in charge will endeavour to point you in the right direction of counselling, legal advice, etc. etc. Not, as it has become; character assassination and non-sensical, barely relevant claim and counter-claim. (Which, incidentally, I found utterly yawn-worthy) and has served no purpose but to obfuscate the core message intended – which when you get down to it, is about concern over patients’ well-being.
Should those involved (those in the medical profession or those representing it), have been named and ‘shamed’? Now, this is where it gets tricky. The 'no smoke without fire' saying is indeed a very powerful one - as has already been mentioned. Should the core message about women being ‘aware of the risks’ and given appropriate and official ‘avenues for recourse and reparation’ as far as international laws and norms for ‘offences committed overseas’ are concerned - yes, it should have been. None of us are judge and jury and as in a court of law; individuals are ‘innocent until proven guilty’. However, despite how the message has been delivered, the owner of this site has chosen to uphold the posting of this message, by one of his staff. It is for he, and he alone, to determine the veracity of the ‘information’ supplied and whether the message is appropriate or not. Conversely, it is for the representatives of the clinic concerned to determine whether they or their employees have been defamed. Not, as it appears to have become, for those who have taken personal umbrage (for whether they find the post, or the supporting contributors statements ‘offensive’, or they, themselves, had received outstanding care from the persons mentioned and have felt the need to become ‘defensive’) to ‘shoot the messenger’, who in fairness, has acted in good faith and is supported by the owner of the website. For the reason above and in relation to those of you seeking 'concrete evidence' as to what took place? There have already been individuals who have bravely stated they have been subjected to inappropriate advances, licentious discussion and the most concerning, personally, having a representative of the hospital situated in their hotel room when they returned, accessed through an official key-card; without alleged invitation and prior discussion or approval. That is harassment. Whether or not the ‘fors’ and ‘againsts’ choose to ‘believe’ or ‘disbelieve’, it is shocking enough that these situations are surfacing and not just by one isolated person – but a number of potentially unconnected people. For those of you asking for ‘evidence’ to support this? May I remind everyone, that the UK and US went into Iraq, losing thousands of lives, on the basis of a ‘credible’ ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ threat. Although unrelated, did anyone ask for the ‘hard evidence’ before this happened? No. Nor, as individuals would we have been provided it. If there is evidence of wrongdoing at the clinic concerned or by its personnel, it is for Law Enforcement agencies, medical licensing authorities or companies advocating the services of the clinic to establish whether what took place was inappropriate. Consequently, to ask for this is ludicrous. If those in a position of authority at this website have been entrusted with such information, then they would severely abuse the trust and privacy of those who came to them if they divulged it freely. Consequently, I refer back to point 1 about the post in its form requiring to potentially be sanitised before posting. Points of view. This is an open forum where all points of view and experience (given in a measured, balanced, personally-founded, non-attacking way) should be appreciated and valued. However, the one thing I can’t seem to get my head around (outside of the playground level bickering), is that as human beings, if one of you said ‘Oh, I have an ingrowing toenail and that cream I was given by this chemist has caused my toe to wither up and fall off’, would we all be screaming for evidence of it? No, of course we wouldn’t. But conversely and to this, I acknowledge, would we be up in arms and asking for the Chemists head on a platter? No, we wouldn’t. Because, fundamentally, the wider audience would not have the emotional investment the aggrieved has, because their interaction is vicarious and has not been as a result of them entrusting their life in the hands of the ‘accused’ and thus their original ‘judgement’ about who they selected to operate on them being perceived to have been brought into question – which it hasn’t. However, it is not the surgeon (latterly acknowledged), who is the primary object of concern – although, he could be, if the subject was aware of the ‘alleged offences’ and turned a ‘blind eye’ to it. So is anyone right here? No.

Most importantly for me; someone (some people), have taken the step to name an individual associated with an act(s)/behaviours they found deeply offensive. Whatever the circumstances, should we not show them some compassion? Take away from the fact that the OP is a member of this website, former employee, formerly involved with bariatric referrals (which give a lot of credibility to what has been said, but also brings into question the intent); two people are here stating that they have been ‘hurt’. Surely that’s enough to show some form of understanding and compassion – even if you think some of the claims to be spurious?

Please, let’s stop taking this as an attack of our personal decision making skills and a slight on those we have chosen to befriend and let’s keep it to what it should have been; a general warning to women to be on their guard, a safe place to express concerns by those who feel they have been ‘wronged’ and for people who have been utterly satisfied, to state just that. The rest of it is just conjecture, hair-splitting, ego-centric posturing and more importantly, toe-witheringly unreasonable.
Now… where’s the contact number for that pesky Chemist…..

Please just STOP ! You have made your point very very clear. Make the change let the rest of this thread be a positive place for victims or alleged victims as you have said for them to feel safe to express what they have been through. Let them HELP the next woman that may learn from this and prevent themselves from becoming PREY to those despicable individuals that do the most harm when women are at their most vulnerable. Please DON'T let this thread be wasted anymore on this constant bickering of he said she said. PLEASE