Sandi in FL

Today is my surgiversary - one year ago today I was in an operating room in Tijuana Mexico with Dr Cabrera (and his side-kick at the time Dr Carlos who said HE himself was the BEST surgeon) starting my weight loss journey to new health! I am so thankful for my 3 friends who went ahead of me and shared their experiences with me and now 7 friends who have gone after me to have the same surgery (3 went to MBC because, in part, of me and my journey!). This was a long and prayerful decision that I made together with God and I couldn’t be happier. Just before surgery I was at 312 lbs and now I am stuck at 200.4. Yep still haven’t hit onederland its been slow and steady – however…. I just stepped out of my comfort zone and joined a Boxing Gym and I have great expectations over the next few months of not only reaching my personal goal weight of 180 but going a long way to eliminate my bat wings and weak stomach muscles! LOL I only wish I had done years ago! At 312 lbs I was so sedentary, wouldnt and couldn’t do fun things with my family (bad back, bad ankles, bad knees and bad attitude) and I never allowed anyone to take my picture… I virtually wrote myself out of my family history as there are NO pictures of me for years! Now Im down front of all family pictures making up for lost time! Don’t wait – just do it! Its not easy but its so worth it! Thank you MBC for my new beginnings! And thank you to my husband for all his love and support no matter what my weight!

My Surgery was 8/26/14 - started at 312lbs and am now at 212... so I made it to 100lbs!!! Yay - but Ive only lost 3.5 lbs in 2.5 months! So its very slow. However I have dropped 2 sizes in those 2 months. So wierd that I only lost 3.5 lbs but I lost 2 sizes. Ive had no problems, except that I cant eat bread - but that is not a real problem. Bread hurts as it goes down... and keeps me from eating anything else. I have gone from a size 28 to now a snug size 14... My goal was always 180lbs and about 11/12... so Im not too far.

Thats awesome Mike098 - I was sleeve 8/26/14 - have lost 90 lbs and lost 13 inches off my HIPS! So Im right there with you! Enjoying my new lifestyle - my new clothes - my new everything. I keep running into people who dont even know who I am - thats awesome!

Hi Everyone!!! Just checking in.... Im down 88 lbs since July pre-op and August 26th surgery! Ive gone from a size 28 pants to a size 16 and they are getting loose. Im not having any problems except Im sooooo cold all the time. I cant digest bread or raw vegies very well - but all else is good. Im so happy I did this -cant even explain my joy!

so I went for my 2 months post op blood test a couple weeks ago - and went in for the results yesterday... I found out a LOT about myself... but I also found out that even tho I am taking my suggested vitamins - suggested by my surgeon - I am STILL deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and Omega 3's. So I have MORE vitamins to take now! I also found out that I am allergic to wheat, shrimp and peanuts - that I did NOT know. I also found out that my body doesnt break down folic acid - so I have to take folate. This blood test was amazing - they took 15 vials of blood out of me - but I learned about my susceptibility to cancers, my deficiencies and regular blood test stuff. Very cool. Except now I have like 12 suppliments and pills to take every day...

Hi All - I had my surgery Aug 26th... and I just found this post op sight for us - Thank you! I am for the most part doing good - except - mornings - I cant find ANYTHING to eat for breakfast! nothing works for me - morning is not a happy time for my tummy. And just this past week I am dealing with nausea - I havent had nausea at all the whole time until last wednesday. Now I am having a hard time getting in my vitamins - my protein drinks - anything. Lunch and Supper are ok - eating a vegie and a protein. But I guess I just havent found something that fits for breakfast. So please - tell me what your breakfast finds are?

I went to Tijuana - and used Dr Cabrera with MBC - loved the whole experience... Im doing very well.... However IF I had had the surgery here in Florida I would have gone to Dr Kim at Celebration - I have several friends that went with him. But for me it wasn't an option - I didn't have the health problems allowing it covered by insurance... I did it cause diets didn't work - and my knees were really bad. Im down over 60lbs now... and feeling better every day!

Im doing well - I still have a bit of nausea if I eat to fast or specific things... mostly beef or eggs mess me up. But I feel good, Im walking about 2 miles a day... I just hit 6 weeks - so now Im cleared to use my eliptical and my stationary bike... gonna start them today. Im down 60lbs from the start of the preop - and 25 since surgery. I too went thru about 2.5 weeks of losing nothing at about 2 weeks out from surgery - but I didnt get upset - cause i expected it - my Dr told me it was gonna happen. I still get cold easy - and I live in FL - LOL - but I just keep sweaters in my car and blankets on my sofa. I can eat about 6 bites of food before Im done... but I think thats about average right? I went to a OUR WEIGHT MATTERS convention in Orlando last week - and learned a lot about my future with the surgery... AND there were about 50 vendors there peddling bariatric Vitamins, shakes, supplements, etc... I was so happy to be able to taste all different vitamins...and they gave me samples to take home... cause the ones that i ordered from unjury before the surgery are GROSS! I cant stomach them... after trying all the different ones... the 3 favorite are Celebrate, BariMelts and Bariatric Advantage. It was nice to know that bariatric vitamins dont have to taste aweful.

Ok - Im doing much better - I talked to my NUT for about half an hour this week - and she evaluated my diet.... she said I wasnt eating food enuf - but I was eating too much at one time. Even drinking too much at one time - Like I would sip on my Protein shake until it was gone - took me about 45 min to an hour. BUT she said a whole premier shake at one time was too much - she wanted me to half that - drink half in the mid morning and half in the mid afternoon. She still wanted me to eat an egg for breakfast... but she said - maybe chop up turkey ham small and a bit of cheese and make an omelet. so I did that and it was much better yesterday. She wants me to eat real food at each meal and wants me to add more vegies - even if its only a bite or two to each meal. So all of this and now I drink a cup of Smooth Move Tea every other night - and it keeps the constipation away. I went to a Your Weight Matters convention in Orlando yesterday - if this comes in your area ever - go! I got so much information - took classes - and got LOTS of Vitamin samples and found out that Vitamins dont have to taste as bad as

Today - is my first day of being depressed... I stepped on the scale today after several days of not weighing in - and not only have I not lost any weight in almost 3 weeks - but Ive gained 6 ounces... I was trying to keep a good attitude... but I dont have a good attitude today at all.... So I would like to do a diet comparison here on this page.... any of you with surgeries right around mine on the 26th of August.... what are you eating each day? This is my typical day.... Breakfast – decaf coffee, 1 scrambled egg Mid morning – premier Protein drink lunch – 6 boiled peanuts – ¼ cup tuna salad with light mayo Mid afternoon – premier Protein Drink dinner – ½ cup homemade cream of chicken Soup – made light 5 ounce plain yogurt

@@amorga My dr gave me a perscription of basically prilosec and a bottle of malox. The prilosec I am to take every day for 90 days.... and the Malox I use when needed.

well - Im thinking I need to go to my acupuncturist and have him treat the wound sites.... Im concerned about the redness.

Hey yall - tell me about your incisions.... one of mine is healed completely.... but the others still have dark scabs on them and are red rimmed... they do not hurt - more so they itch... but I would have thot they would have healed by now. Im a bit concerned. What do yours look like?

@@Karen Scott - Karen - my doctor and his assistant both told me the day after my surgery to NOT expect weight loss the first month... they suggested that I stay off the scale for at least the first 3 weeks. They explained that the surgery backs up the water in your system and you will retain water from the swelling. And your job for the first 3 weeks is to get in what ever kind of liquid and protein that you can get in... that you should try to limit the carbs and sugars - but dehydration should be my only concern for the first 3-4 weeks. They told me that once I progress to chewing chewing chewing my solids - then I will start to see the weight loss come off... they said that most sleeve patients will see the majority of their weight come off between the 2nd and the 6th months.... and that depends on the amount of exercise you do verses the proper foods that you eat. So I wish your doctor had shared that with you... I have gone against his wishes and weighed myself out of curiosity - but I know in the back of my mind that the stagnant scale is only temporary. I have a friend that had this surgery in May of 2013... and she started near my same starting weight - she said she didnt lose much at all until about her 3rd month... when she could start working out in a gym... but to date she says she has lost nearly 160 lbs!!! And my doctor said its MUCH better to lose slower - he suggested 2-3lbs a week ONLY so that your skin can try to keep up. So please dont get discouraged - you gave your body the jump start it needed... now wait and let your body figure out how to live the rest of its life on what you have done.

@@Sleeve2bFree~Tlea - so sorry for your pain issues - I am praising God that I didnt have that problem. But the few that I know that had your pain at surgery - its resolves a couple weeks later. Just be patient and yes - walk. It seems to help with everything... walking it out. Get a music headset with your type of music to walk by - keeps your mind off the pain.

ok - having my first complication after surgery - constipation. I really have to go and cant... I either cant or am afraid to bare down... but Ive had to go for 24 hours now and it feels urgent now. I just drank some decaf coffee - always worked in the past - and then as soon as the sun comes up Im gonna go for a long walk... but oh my goodness this doesnt feel good.

well - I talked to a friend of mine who had the surgery two years ago and she said she still gets cold easy but not as bad as in the first 3 months. I actually accidentally (surgery brain) drank lipton tea liquid additive yesterday after dinner.... NO sleep! I didnt fall asleep until after 2:30 am!!! I guess I just assumed cause it was a mio type addittive that it wouldnt have caffeine... will NOT make that mistake again. Today I added a Protein shake this morning and began my Vitamin regime... now I sit here trying to rest - but my heart is racing! and I have the shakes. So was it the protein or the Vitamins? I have no idea. Yes - I have been trying the plain greek fage yogurt - which I really do not mind its taste at all - but I have only been able to take 4 small bites of it... I can manage a 1/2 of a cup of tomato soup at a time - takes me about 15 minutes one small spoon at a time... but it goes down easy and I like the flavor. I have been measuring my liquid intake and have NOT yet made it to 64 ounces - Im so afraid of getting dehydrated. Is that why my heart is racing?

I have been feeling great... no regrets, except the chicken broth... I hate chicken broth now. I have replaced the broth with tomato soup - and am really enjoying it. I too have not had Protein until tomorrow. Tomorrow I will add Protein shakes and I cant wait for thin mashed potatoes!!!! The only side effect Im having is having periods of extreme cold for about an hour or two every night. No pain anywhere but my two IV points. I havent had any regrets - Im just looking forward to the future stages.

Well I just walked for half an hour... Drinking my Apple juice... Breathing into my lung excersisor. A little pain around the drain site.... But otherwise good. By the way.... Barngirl is headed to the casino!!! Lol. She is doing great.

Hi all... I had my surgery in Tijuana yesterday about noon... I wasn't nervous at all, and really have had very little pain. A little in my shoulder but a heating pad worked great. No nausea, no gas pains, a little pain where the drain is... But more discomfort than pain. I passed my leak test and was given Gatorade... I think it was the best tasting Gatorade I have ever had !!! Lol. So far I have no complaints... Everyone here at the hospital has been awesome .... So nice and welcoming... I met barngirl and Erica maceda from this site at the hospital... All in all a really good experience

I'm doing really good... Had a little shoulder pain right afterwards, Heating pad worked well... Walked several times before now. Nurse came to the minute when she said she would for pain meds. Ice chips are my best friend. Just very groggy.

I'm in the hospital bed, iv in,pushed myself into my compression stockings, lovely hospital gown, I'm not nervous at all. I'm not hungry, am thirsty. I'm ready!!!

@@DownPat Hey sleeve buddy - one thing that I have learned on this blog is that every doctor and every hospital is different... everyones pre-diet is different... its crazy! This is my 3 day before diet: Then 3 full days before your surgery date, you need to take one laxative, only one time (any brand) and start on a clear liquid diet only. Consisting of; Water, decaf teas, broths, lite fruit juices, sugar free jellos and popsicles plus one plain white Greek yogurt daily with no pieces of fruit in it. It is totally fine to drink all of the zero calorie flavored waters like zero calorie Gatorade or Propel from the beginning of the diet preparations. So that is what I am going with.... I am only confused with - I thought that I needed to keep doing Protein - so I bought clear protien Isopures and did one yesterday - but now another friend on here who is having surgery today at my same hospital said that NO we are not to do protein on these three days leading up to surgery because of potential ulcers caused by the protein. So not doing it from here on out. LOL - Ive been very careful - started my preop 3 weeks early - just cause I wanted my liver as small as possible. So Ive lost quite a bit more than I needed to - they asked me to lose 12-15 to lower my BMI - now I think Im down like 32. Im going to Mexico for my surgery - and my plane leaves tomorrow morning - was a nervous wreck early this week - but now Im pretty calm and resolved. Best of luck - and keep in touch on here!

Yes Chris - that was a concern of mine too- but they told me to get compression stockings... and Im instructed to move my feet and legs while I sit and walk every 30-45 minutes on the plane. I have 3 friends that went to this hospital - same treatment - and they are all giving me advice too... so I feel comfy with the planning.