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@@giant46man46 Congrat's on your victories Kenneth.... We all must feel inspired and encouraged by those goals/successes we have, no matter the size. Thanks for sharing your story!

@@bobbyy you can do this!!! Congrats great success...

@@lynneanne Good luck tomorrow... looks like you are well on your way to success!!!

@@LauriTX75 Yes it is still active with occasional post of nurses with updates and questions and concerns or like yourself, new to the group and wanting to increase their network of support...

@Salonboi.. Good luck to you!!! Please let us know how things go on your successful journey to a new healthier you!!!

Yes just a few... I had my band on March 2, 2015... it is a good thing!!!

I just passed my 6 weeks post op. I have been walking a lot more, as I feel so much more energy.

Good evening fellow travelers. Since I haven't seen a group posting for February/March 2015 I thought I'd start one. I am interested in who you chose and where you're having your surgery. I have not set a date yet, but I will be talking with Katy Floyd (from A Lighter Me) on Monday to discuss setting a date and answering some of my questions. I am 49 years old (going to be a healthier 50's and beyond) man. I am a nurse,working in an ICU, and have been working nights for the majority of the past 27 years. I have decided on Dr Elias Ortiz, with A Lighter Me, in Tijuana, Mexico. I hope to share more of my story in the future.

@@katyh2015 Thanks!...

I took 2 weeks off... to be safe. I did come down with strep throat a week after surgery... So it was a minor set back... I was ready to go back to work when I did...

@@cmhueto I took off a total of 18 days, but that only ended up being 2 weeks of vacation time, as I work 3 12 hour shifts a week. Good luck with your sleeve and wish you all the success!!!

Good morning. 6 weeks ago tomorrow, I started a journey that would change my life... I would like to thank everyone for their support, the wonderful staff at A Lighter Me, (for which I can not say enough and highly recommend them for anyone who struggles with their weight), my friends, neighbors, co-workers and my family. Well today I am glad to announce that I have passed my first goal... As of today, I have passed my 50 pound weight loss, the half way point to my ultimate goal. I know 6 weeks is a short time to have lost so much and know that the next 50 pounds will not be as fast or easy, but I didn't decide to go through all I have been through to give up now. So thank you all.

I haven't tried ham yet... I think it might be too salty.... I have tried ground chuck and it seemed to agree with me, as has grilled chicken breast and canned chicken breast meat. Oddly turkey does not agree with me... stomach cramping and feeling like I would rather die, laying on the couch... I did have roasted lamb for Easter and that went down well... I have also tried pulled pork... mild stomach cramps, but GI distress... Oh yeah... a bowel cleaner... LOL... I can say that goes for just 3 slices of beef sausage too... maybe to high in fat??? I am sorry you haven't found something that works for you, but I believe these forums are great places to vent and hope to get some good advice... Just remember... you are not the only one going through this... stay strong!

I stayed a total of 2 nights/3 days in the Hospital. The hospital I work for in the DFW area, specifically does not cover bariatric surgery, so paying cash was my only choice and with airfare, spending money in Mexico, my surgery cost 1/3 what it would have cost here in the DFW area. Best of luck!

@@dwhitt19 I was sleeved on March 2, 2015 in Tijuana, Mexico, through A Lighter Me and Dr Ortiz. I felt the care I received was as good, if not better than what I would have gotten here in the States (patient/nurse ratio 4:1)... I felt very safe and had no problems, while there.... I did fly home on a pack Southwest plane, with several screaming kids... 3 days after I came back, I came down with strep throat. Luckily, while in Mexico, I bought several z packs, pain medication and generic prilosec... I am just over 5 weeks post op and am nearly down 50#'s... Good luck and let us know how things go!

@@skor514 when I had to make my deposit, my patient coordinator sent me a link to make a payment. The $500 deposit had to me made for me to get my date... I had the option of direct payment, sending money from my back to their bank account. The remainder payment had to be made prior to my surgery... Through the previous link or a cashiers check given the day prior to surgery. I had my surgery March 2 and am 1.8 pounds away from loosing 50 pounds... my half way point. Hope this helps!

@@Hertsukfem31 Have you tried something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Designer-Whey-Protein-Lemonade-5-Packets/dp/B0075JS754/ref=pd_ys_sf_s_rp_a2_4_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R0E643WAQ6JXMH6NQNZ It is like crystal light but with protein... I am sure there are others like it... might make getting some Protein in you a little easier...

Great results Kenneth.. I starting my post op week 5... down 45 pounds... thanks for sharing your success story!!!

Let me first state, I am a nurse, for 27 years, I have worked in various intensive care units, around the county. So my opinion on who I chose is based on my experiences with surgeons throughout my career. I have seen butcher jobs, failures and great success stories, of various patients, including bariatric patients. So my list started with relatively just a few doctors, as I quickly ruled many out. My next step was the interview with the patient coordinator. Again, the list of doctors became very short (some never returned e-mails or calls, and some answered my questions and concerns, and some, appeared to give generalities verses specifics - appeared to skirt the question). In the end I choose Dr Elias Ortiz, with A Lighter Me. I did not choose the program, I choose the doctor and to date, I feel I made an excellent choice. I felt the the care I received in Mexico was as good, if not better than the care I received in the States (I have previously had my gall bladder removed). My nurses all spoke English. The floor I was on, had only 8 beds and there was 2 nurses at all times (patient ratio 4:1 - which is probably unmatched for a regular Medical Surgical Unit, here in the States). I had scheduled pain medication, anti-nausea medication, IV antibiotics and IV stomach acid reducer. I was given lovenox, a blood thinner, to prevent clots post operation. I was also compression stockings (although I brought my own) to prevent blood clots post operation. I hope this helps and you make a choice that is best for you and anyone searching for the right doctor.

I has given ice chips... They were delicious

@@stacy458 Good luck today!!!

@@Msnursekrystal weigh to go!!! I was up walking 15 minutes after I got back to my room!!! It certainly is what helped!!! Keep up the great work!!

@@heav85 Good luck tomorrow!!!!

@@sassycas45 Good luck on your re-Birthday!!! Because today you are starting a whole new life!!! Wishing you all the best!!!

I am still taking an adult 'gummy' Vitamin (recommended by my MD for the first month or so). He recommends just a regular adult vitamin, no Iron - unless you are anemic pre-op. I take a Vitamin D, as I was deficient prior to surgery, Vitamin B-12, Biotin (to prevent hair loss and brittle nails), calcium and fish oil (to help tighten, prevent loose saggy skin - again recommended by my MD). I also take a Vitamin C gummy every once in a while, as I don't want to get sick again and drinking orange or grapefruit juice is out of the question.