sue

I looked AT ANGELES CENTER briefly, but after months of investigating I chose Obesity Control Center in Tijuana - Dr. Ortiz. Everyone speaks english there, so there are no barriers...Angeles is not so bilingual I heard.

Thanks 134and happy!!!!.....why should we set ourselves up with all these negative feelings/attitudes? Do we all not feel better with any kind of weight loss? dedication - like you said and patience!

OH YEAH....lots of sagging...It is amazing what you can hide in skinny jeans!!

That is a great idea, but I still think we all need to drink as much water as we can...very important..(I have a hard time with that one too)

HI to be thin...how are you doing? I havnt been on for a while..traveling...I'm doing pretty good..down 53 so far..looking forward to month four!! 20 - 30 more pounds to go I hope??

Everyone really needs to step back, and see this whole plication "tool" if you will for what it is....a tool...for future weight loss. We all want quick results, I did too. The fact of the matter is, the pounds WILL come off when your body is ready...I decided 2 months ago, that I am going to sit back and enjoy the diet ride....as long as this journey may take. I am planning on keeping my expectations real, focused and on sound ground. It took me years to put all this weight on...I now want to enjoy seeing it come off...in a healthier way...slow! June I took off 11 pounds, July I took off around 8 pounds....but it is coming off. First i loose a few pounds...then I go on a plateau (that we all know about)...but the amazing thing is that you will find your body is catching up..and it is loosing inches (I Promise!!). Bottom line is that none of us really know the magic number we will finally reach.....but one thing for sure...whatever that number is...we will all be a lot healthier for it! My surgery date was April 17th (at OCC) and I am down 52 pounds....was a size 18 now down to a 12. In my own mind I would someday like to be another 25-30 pounds lighter and in a size 10 or 8. I must say I feel pretty good right now and it wouldn't be the end of the world if I stayed where I am. We will see! You guys just hang in there....you are just beginning the ride!!

Not sure if this is similar, but i have been having sharp pains during certain twisting movements...near my scars. I play golf, and I wonder if I strained my incisions?? I had my surgery April 17, 2012...Just started having this pain for the last 2 weeks. It doesn't feel like a deep stomach pain..it feels more surface. Has anyone had similar issues?

ok I found that eating more protein is better..plus I upped my sublingual B12 vitamin!! much better thanks!!

I had my surgery in April...lost 53 pounds so far....I would like another 25...we will see. I chose to only tell a few family members, and swore them all to secrecy! I have several very close friends...but I knew they would be against this surgery...and be very concerned for me. They have watched me go up and down in weight... on so many different new fad diets...without any lasting success...so I wouldn't really blame them if they were to feel that way...I totally would understand. It has been almost 4 months now, and they are all shocked at my weight loss....and I think a bit suspicious !! They have watched me eat only a few bites of our meals when we are out together...and i hear them whisper to each other...wondering if Im ok, and what diet am I REALLY doing now. I just tell them that I am trying to eat like a skinny person...that my (pre-op) diet, with protein shakes & 1 meal...has shrunk my stomach...which in turn allows me to feel satisfied quicker..etc...They are accepting that for now..so ...so far so good!! I know that I will keep loosing...but it is slower now...so I think that they will not notice as much...hopefully. I was a size 18, and I am now a size 12. Last month I lost 8 pounds.

I remember the first week right after surgery, I thought i would lose so much weight...honestly i only had liquids...and very little of that!! I found that it took over 2 weeks to really see the scale lower! From what I understand, your body is still in shock from the trauma of surgery...you need to give it some time to heal, and your body to catch up with the new form of eating your are forcing upon it! Just hang in there...the pounds will come off!!

Pranjala, About every month I go thru the same thing...I think my body needs to catch up with the weight loss...If you measure yourself I think you will find that even though you are not losing weight that you will be losing inches! Don't get down on yourself. The fact of the matter is you are eating less...just try to make better choices..eat more protein that will help, and exercise (weight baring especially) to build muscle mass it key. Yes, I also have been losing 1 to 2 pounds per week...Think of that in a months perspective...wow that is close to 10 pounds! It is all good! (ps sometimes I need help for constipation..protein is a very powerful stopper if you know what I mean)

There are 2 (I believe) coordinators Carolyn was mine. She was excellent...answered all my questions whenever I had one. (She also had surgeries as well!) She is actually located in Florida. I have never heard of getting cheeper rates from other people within OCC. Also, I believe Dr. Otriz for the most part does all the operations. He is wonderful, as Is his whole staff. Hope that helps. Im here if you need me. good luck!! PS I love my restriction..It is my secret tool...my secret friend!! 41 pounds off since pre-op the first of April!

It is scary traveling to another country...especially for surgery! I Had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the obesity control center on April 17th! It is a smaller hospital/clinic setting...and at night it was really quiet...but I slept most of the night. There was a nurse there but I really didn't need her. My sister was with me until after the operation, then she had some facial plasma injections done there by the plastic surgeon. I saw her the next morning, then we both went back to the hotel..where we both rested. Went on a Cabo vacation for 10 days after! Actually a very good experience.

I was told that juices will slow down your weight loss. Just like any diet (which I have been on just about all!!), you are never allowed juices because of high sugar content. I drink tea now...I was soooo hooked on diet coke...we can never do sodas again..;( but that is ok, I have gotten used to it. I think that I would stay away from any fruit juices just in case.

Hi gang...I'm just over 2 months out from surgery, and I am down 40 pounds! Down 2 sizes! Starting weight 230....now 189. I was told to expect to get down to 165 range, but I would really like to be 145-150...I am 5'9 and larger boned. I think that maybe I might be happy once I reach a loose size 10...we will see. I am also getting more comfortable with knowing my limits in food portions...I literally find myself stopping mid bite and realizing that i am full then i have to spit out that bite and quit. It is really hard to get use to. In the am I feel a tightness in my stomach which makes me feel like not eating! I have to force myself. Were any of you told that you need to really be religious about protein, water and exercise especially in the FIRST SIX MONTHS? I now wonder and wish i would have asked why only the first 6 months. Is it because your stomach stretches out or what? I plan on asking Dr ortiz at my mid year checkup. Also why did they tell me to no longer have protein shakes..I was told on plication talk by a member that it goes right thru you and that it doesn't fill you up. That is probably right. The shakes are so good to grab and run if you are in a hurry..I miss them.

Hi Alex, In your newsletter you stated that "Sue" won the iPod touch. I just wanted to make sure that wasn't me? I wish...just checking!! Hope all is well with you. I'm doing great! Sue

OMG you guys are the best...I feel sooo much for confident that eventually everything will be ok...It is such my personality to get anal about things....I do need to up my exercise I know..and I plan on getting a check up in october or november providing nothing goes seriously wrong.

Thanks Bedrukz...I will try drinking water before I eat. I wish I was loosing a little quicker...It has been a month and a half...only down 30 pounds..which I know is good, but most of it was pre-op and the 2 weeks after op. I am loosing a little patience! Do you find it hard to drink (gulp) water I can only sip a few ...then my stomach feels full...so as a consequence, I do not get nearly enough water in! Any suggestions?

Great Job Kika79!! keep up the good work..you sound like you have a good plan.! Drinking during meals is the hardest thing for me too...It is such a habbit! I find myself watching the clock constantly for that hour to pass. I too have had those pains...not fun! I am afraid that my stomach will stretch...and that is even scarier

I will definately try more protein...I will let you know!

It has been so hard to burn extra calories....i feel sluggish a lot of the time..how can I stay upbeat about losing when it is soooo slow? How can I help it along?

one month out!!!!stuck this past week....almost 30 pounds off since op on april 17th...im getting a little frustrated..but i am going to pump up my exercise..plus it has been impossible to get a lot of water in..Can you count tea, gator ade etc as your liquid, or does it have to be water?

absolutely...we need support and these forums are sooo helpful. I usually wait approx 25-30 minutes...i just cant make myself wait an hour...and ice cubes just dont do the job...so far so good. You really have to concetrate on not chugging....especially if you were a (water) drinker prior to plication! I still have issues with stamina, but I played 18 holes of golf saturday and did just fine ...to my suprise!

Same here, I take just 3 or 4 bites of something, and I have to stop! (Isn't it great?) But I really miss drinking with my meal...it is sooo hard! I literally cannot have any glasses of water etc. in front of my plate, or I will (not thinking) out of habbit grab the water and drink....but that being said, you just need to do it once or twice, and you will not do it again! your stomach hurts sooo bad!!

Wow!!! great job 134 and happy. You give us all incentive to hope for the same!! It is so nice to hear that there are people out there who have been successful! I had my plication April 17 and have almost 30 pounds off....and I cant wait to do some closet cleaning too!! I hope I can do as well as you! Are you going back to Dr. Ortiz for your 6mo - 1 year check up?? I am planning on it because I want to have him check my restriction etc...