ANuMe2014

The scale can be grueling to say the least as we all know. During those times when the scale is not moving, I suggest breaking out the tape measure. Trust me when I say those inches are melting away! I am a VERY slow looser and yet I went from a size 22 down to a size 10 in less than 11 months.
By the way... Day of surgery 265, current day 180!

The scale FINALLY moved... 178!!!

The scale FINALLY moved... 178!!!

The scale FINALLY moved... 178!!!

STILL at 180! Grrrr...

BAWWWLING!!! My scale must be broke!!! 180 AGAIN...

STALLED OUT AT 180!!!

Checking in at 180 STILL... Grrr!!!

The scale can be grueling to say the least as we all know. During those times when the scale is not moving, I suggest breaking out the tape measure. Trust me when I say those inches are melting away! I am a VERY slow looser and yet I went from a size 22 down to a size 10 in less than 11 months.
By the way... Day of surgery 265, current day 180!

Started out in VERY tight 20 pants and 2X tops. Now easily slide into a size 10 jean and large top!

The scale can be grueling to say the least as we all know. During those times when the scale is not moving, I suggest breaking out the tape measure. Trust me when I say those inches are melting away! I am a VERY slow looser and yet I went from a size 22 down to a size 10 in less than 11 months.
By the way... Day of surgery 265, current day 180!

I posted this advise in another post... Hope this helps!
The scale can be grueling to say the least as we all know. During those times when the scale is not moving, I suggest breaking out the tape measure. Trust me when I say those inches are melting away! I am a VERY slow looser and yet I went from a size 22 down to a size 10 in less than 11 months.

By the way... Day of surgery 265, current day 180!

The scale can be grueling to say the least as we all know. During those times when the scale is not moving, I suggest breaking out the tape measure. Trust me when I say those inches are melting away! I am a VERY slow looser and yet I went from a size 22 down to a size 10 in less than 11 months.
By the way... Day of surgery 265, current day 180!

I want to join in on the action if I'm not too late! Current weight 180. My goal is 170...I'm a VERY slow looser!

I have had surgery in Mexico twice. The first time was in August 2011, when I had a multiple cosmetic procedures all done at one time after having lost 90 pounds "on my own". I had an extended Tummy Tuck with muscle repair, breast lift (donut lift) with augmentation, body sculpting via Lipo ALL over, and fat grafting to my upper buttocks. I was very active on a plastic surgery web site and forums back then, which is unfortunately no longer an active site. That is how I originally heard about the surgeon I ultimately chose. I had originally looked into pastics in Costa Rica with a Medical Tourism company, but ultimately chose to go to Tijuana. As I am sure you know, there are many experienced and qualified surgeons there. Multiple factors contributed to my decision of surgeon. I liked that she was a woman (I was very self-conscious about using a male surgeon back then). She didn't have a TON of name recognition in the US, but those who had used her had great reviews. Her before/after pics were excellent. I loved talking with her. She contacted me personally and we had many conversations via phone and email and I genuinely felt she had my best interests at heart. And I liked that the package I got was an all inclusive sort of deal where I stayed in the recovery house she is affiliated with, with 24-hour nursing staff, hospital beds, all my meals prepared, etc. She came to visit me EVERY single day I was there and I felt exceptionally well taken care of. I stayed for two full weeks.
My second surgery in Tijuana was my gastric sleeve, which I had on Sept. 1, 2014. I had ZERO qualms about having surgery in Mexico again, since my first experience had been so positive. I received less personal attention this time around, only staying in the clinic one night and spending the rest of my time in a hotel, but this was a much more "minor" surgery, so I don't think I would have needed, nor wanted the intensive level of care I'd received after my plastics.
As for the area where these surgical centers are located, most of them are in an area called Zona Rio, which is a more "upscale" part of town. I never felt unsafe at any time on either trip. In fact, I joked a lot that it was pretty much exactly like being in the US. All the same stores and restaurants I was used to seeing at home. I did see some street peddlers on my way into and out of Zona Rio, when traveling to/from the border. I also remember seeing someone selling puppies out of the bed of a truck on the side of the road one day on my first trip and the driver who was with me explained that that specific street/area was where people went to buy dogs. So, apparently that's pretty common practice for that spot?
I didn't go out walking on my own on my first trip (mostly because walking more than about 12 steps after my tummy tuck wasn't happening), but towards the end of that trip, two of my nurses took me to the beach to walk around some. There was definitely a mix of classes on that trip. On the way out to the beach, we drove through some VERY ritzy shopping areas with fancy restaurants. But, at the beach itself, there were some run down little hole-in-the-wall restaurants/bars and I saw some pretty raggedy looking houses and apartment buildings. Still, nothing I felt unsafe around. There were lots of clearly less well-to-do families enjoying themselves at the beach. It was actually a great experience!
On my second trip, I did more walking outside on my own, since we are supposed to walk, walk, walk immediately after VSG. I walked in the area of the Marriott (the hotel I stayed in), and felt perfectly safe and comfortable. There was a Walmart in a plaza up the hill from me. I think there was an Applebees in there... it was all very normal and a lot like any middle-class, suburban, US neighborhood.
There are wonderful, skilled, experienced, and caring surgeons in Mexico. Just do your research the same way you would when making any large life decision. Don't go for the lowest price. Find the right balance for you that will make you and your husband comfortable and confident. "You get what you pay for" applies in any country, it's just that your dollar goes a little further in Mexico.

I truly believe that the BMI calculators should be recalibrated. A normal BMI for someone my height would truly make me look anorexic. I'm not sure who came up with these calculations, but geez!

Sex lately has been very....jiggily. Especially the loose skin on my belly. I secretly decided to avoid a certain position because I just couldn't stand the jiggling. I'm sure my husband didn't even notice, as we've been married for almost 26 years and is just excited to be getting some
How's that to start it off??

Folks who elect to have surgery in the US have bad experiences too, they just don't make the news. Just sayin'

I hate that stories like this reflect badly on ALL Mexican surgeons. The headline doesn't call out a specific surgeon, it says "Mexico Surgery Warning" as if the "mistake" this patient made was traveling to Mexico for her surgery and not her choice of surgeon. It's stories like this that make friends and family members freak out when they find out we're going/have gone to Mexico for surgery. There are complications and malpractice all over the US too, but if for instance, a Wisconsin surgeon has a complication or a death, the news media doesn't warn everyone against going to Wisconsin for surgery.
Hundreds of us on these boards have had very successful, complication-free surgeries in Mexico. But you don't hear about those in the news. You hear about cases like this that are framed in such a way that they reflect badly on all Mexican surgeons, no matter what their level of expertise and success.

You look awesome! Thanks for the idea... I was just ditching my oversized clothes! Will be keeping one pair of my largest size paints now.

As a mid-morning snack, I drop a teaspoon in my Nutribullet. Makes for a thicker fruit smoothie shake. Goes down like a charm! And, tastes AWESOME...

Upper Marlboro, MD

I'm all ears on this one... Started loosing mine 20lbs ago!

Your last line tells it all....that you really don't know what she thinks. It's about time you find a neutral time and place and just ask her where the passion has gone. It may be something as simple as a medication. Lyrica, for example calms down nerve endings for relief from neuropathies, but it can't pick and choose. Therefore, it calms down nerve endings everywhere.
Is sex painful? If she is similar in age, then guaranteed she is going through menopause and experiencing changes in estrogen causing vaginal dryness, emotional upheaval, and hot flashes. Maybe she just doesn't legitimately feel good for other reasons like arthritis or reflux. That's a lot of maybes to clear out of the way before assuming that she has no interest at all.
My guess is that if you come to the table (well, the bed first) with lube and soft words, and a couple of hours to take your time for her pleasure, you might see a turnaround. When she is doing dishes, kiss her on the nape of her neck and offer to help. I am telling you that there is no man any sexier than the one who helps with the house work. get some lotion, or Ben-Gay if she needs it, and offer to rub her back. Stroke the inside of her arm. See......arms, backs, necks, these are all areas that are accessable without being intrusive.
Put on some Barry White or Al Green music. Few women can resist that move. Does she like flowers? If you can, bring home something (with bulbs) that you can plant this fall so that she can be reminded every summer that her man cares about her.
Is the bedroom an office and tool room with stuff and clothes all over? That is not a very inviting love nest. Tell her that you love her like no other, as much as the day you were wed, and then ask her what happened that interrupted the sexy happiness at your house. I bet if you are gentle, and patient when you would rather be upset about something, she will be refreshed as to why she loved you enough to marry you in the first place. She needs to feel like she is the Queen of your Universe.
In case you haven't picked up on it, these are the same things you would do to court a mistress. So.....go help with the dishes, and good luck.

A little on the side does not fill the big hole that is missing . It only puts a blanket over it and you will step on it and fall into that big hole. And it will be much bigger than you expected and you will not be able to get out