Cody's mom

@gibson_girl did you have surgery to remove skin, where did your tummy go?? It's gone.. I can't even see any scars, how did you do such an amazing job? You look spectacular in a two peice, congrats over and over again!

@gibson_girl could you please give me the information so I can speak with Cecy. I'm heading to Tijuana next month for a sleeve with Dr. E. Ortiz and was suggested to go to Cosmed for laser and injectables, but I've heard a few unflattering comments abut them causing red flags. Would she offer advice even if I haven't used her husband as my surgeon?

@@Jenny L jealousy is a horrible thing.

There's an old saying, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels". Now maybe at this stage some of us don't feel the desire to be "thin" as much as able to live again. There are small things in life that are important: tying your shoes with out a major effort, walking without huffing and puffing, looking and feeling proud in clothes and who you are, enjoying life as those around you do. So you have to decide if your love for food out ranks your love for life. I know my relationship with food is so strong that it ahs turned me into an unhealthy couch potato that is in fear of missing food more than missing life, so it's time for a change. I want to be happy, healthy and enjoy life, this doesn't mean I won't ever be able to enjoy real food again, I just have now the tools to control it. I WILL at somepoint intend to enjoy my favorite ribs, my favorite pizza and my favorite chinese food, but hopefully I won't be eating enough for two or three!I'm going for my sleeve in Tijuana on Sept 14, 2014 and I can't wait, I so wish I hadn't waited till now, and missed out on so much life.

Are you having it September 12? I'm having mine Sept 14 in Tijuana, but don't start my pre-op diet till the 1st of September. Why are they making you start your so soon?

Lipsticklady, did you write these, they are wonderful! Lessons my Sleevilla has taught me: 1) Eat the best bite first or you may not get to it. 2) Never trust a fart. 3) My eyes are bigger than my stomach. Literally. 4) Wear pretty underwear at all times because its highly likely your pants will fall down at some point. In public. Somewhere like kickboxing class. 5) Let the family eat under seasoned food, because tasting while cooking means no dinner for my tiny tummy!

I'm western, gelding reg. Paint (QH), 15.2, love the mountains and Cowboy up challenge (barrels). He's 11, I'm not! Can't wait to be able to ride properly again!

I'm western, gelding reg. Paint (QH), 15.2, love the mountains and Cowboy up challenge (barrels). He's 11, I'm not! Can't wait to be able to ride properly again!

Any and all advice from those coming back from Mexico would be greatly appreciated!

Shastasmom, I understand, it's a rollarcoster ride, the ups and downs. I'm more worried about the pre-op diet than the surgery I think. Barngirl is going down this Saturday for surgery on Sunday with him, so watch for her posts as well. How exciting it will be in six months or a year to see how well we've all done, and to think how worth it it all was! I think JawaGal42 is heading there for Sept 4 as well.

You have to also decide whether having a mom that's able to enjoy life with her children is important. Being over weight makes life extremely difficult. A healthy mom is important. If your weight is holding you back from enjoying your children, or will shorten your life expectancy, well, to me the decission would be an easy one. I would want to have a fullfilling and joyful life with my children, and I would take what ever measures are needed. Just my opinion!

That is probably the one thing I can't wait for, is to have my balance back to ride and race, and not needing a mounting block. I have been wearing stretchy yoga pants with boot and spurs, and it's embarrising and humiliating. I live in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and haven't even ventured out because I hate being seen. I huff and puff when I even go out to catch my horses, and I've had enough. I wish I would have doen this surgery last year, but now's as good a time as any.. Looking at your pictures makes me excited to have the ability to enjoy life again instead of hiding from it.. Enjoy every minute, cherish every second!

Shastasmom: Who is your surgeon? I'll be going down on the 13th of September to have mine done as well. Good luck!

Baby steps, five minutes at a time if that's all you can do. Don't overwhelm yourself, just get moving.

I have to do this, as I've already stopped living, so there is no choice for me. I'm excited to be able to do things without the underlying thought "how far will I have to walk, and will everyone hear me panting for air", how did I get this far gone? I am scared, but if I could go tomorrow I would. I have found others that have done it alone and made it, so will I.

Thank you so much!

Hollym 123: I feel the same way, I don't need someone to tell me what I already know and then have to beg for the treatment that will enhance my life. I don't want to gain more weight so I could be what they think I should be to have the surgery. Everyday lost is too long. I want to live again, not hide from everyone. How many weddings, funerals and special events do I need to miss and how long do I need to hide before I'm worthy of having this surgery in the eyes of Alberta Healthcare! No thanks I'm a better judge than they of what I need for my health and there are no hoops to jump threw.. And not sure but in my eye's $4,400 is not a lot compared to what I've missed and will miss if I wait for them, and beleive me, myself esteem can't handle gaining more weight so I'm a good candidate in their eyes. I'm a great candidate in mine, so off to Mexico I go, I wish I would have done this long ago.

It's a medical expense, most medical expenses are deductable (this will be forsure), all of it should be, including your flight.. Please keep me posted on how it's going, if I'd met you sooner I would have gone with you, but please, I need a play by play.. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

I'm going to a lighter me Sept 13, anyone else going that week??? Surgery is on the 14th with Dr. E Ortiz, and I'm going alone.

I'm going to TJ Sept 14 to have surgery with Dr. E. Ortiz. I wasn't looking at different prices, I just kind of came across him, looked at his reputation and decided to go with him.. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I paid $4,400 and that includes two nights in the hospital and two nights at the hotel. I'm from Calgary.

I'm 53 (tomorrow), going Sept 13 to TJ, and scared spitless, and excited at the same time. I stepped on a scale for the first time last night in over a year and hid in the shower and cried for half an hour. They say exercise, hell I can barely walk, I hope this won't hinder things, if I could lose the first 20 I'm sure I can walk again easier and get moving..

Barn Girl, when are you going, I'm going the 13 of Sept, Dr. E. Ortiz - $4,400 (plus airfair with westjet, hospital and hotel included) (shopping not included).

Barngirl, did you go yet, I'm going with Dr. E Ortiz next month!

Yea, thanks I can write mine off as well (great little peice of info).. Mexico surgery is not expensive, I decided four months ago I was going to do this (wish I'd have gone sooner) and called and booked an appointment with a fantastic surgeon asap and it cost $4,400. To me that's NOT expensive, waiting 2-4 years for someone to tell me what I need to do with my body costs way to much the Canadian way. I'm off to TJ next month for the sleeve and really wish I would have given this gift to myself last Christmas (I live in Calgary)

So these unflavored protein, are they actually unflavored? What kind did you get?