GACaldwell

Hi! We're almost the same with this..I had my surgery July 22nd and was around 226 when I started. I'm at 180 now and I'm struggling to break out of it. The holidays didn't help, of course! I was told I'd lose slower, but one thing I've noticed is the inches are still coming off even if the weight does not. I measure myself once a month and record it (I use Spark People) and I've been AMAZED at the changes. I do lift weights but I do small amounts (5lbs for now) and lots of reps. I try to do the elliptical but I have a hate/hate relationship with it. I get a lot of yoga and dancing in though. Keep at it!! You'll get there but it's going to take time and work. That's ok because anything that comes easy, goes easy (at least for me it does!)

I had surgery in Tijuana by Dr Lopez Corvala. Everything was included except for the flights & the experience was great! They picked us up in San Diego, drove us straight to the hospital & I met the concierge who walked me through all the tests until I met with the Drs team in my room. I was in the operating room in less than 2 hours upon arriving and I was totally happy with that as I had done a lot of emailing and questions before. They kept me there and my partner was able to go out and get food with very little issues (google translator was a big help, Im told!) Everything was incredibly clean and the staff was better than any experience Ive had here in the states. My price was $6500 but I did have to buy my meds to take back home...that was around $100. One draw back...you're on your own once you leave other than emails and phone calls. I don't have a gastric dr here so Ive been lucky to have my gen Practitioner check my vitamins and keep an eye on me. There are no after care visits and check ins and there are no in person support groups here. I've been lucky to find this and other websites with support groups to ask my 11ty billion questions and share frustrations with. I think for surgical tourism you have to be super self aware and committed to following your plans to make it work. If you need accountability, find a way to make it possible because there will be no dr check ins and nutritionist appointments as compared with most surgeries in the US.

How did your holidays go? Happy New Year! I struggle with very similar mh issues--high functioning but CRUSHING anxiety, depression, OCD, bi-polar 2. This & meds have definitely had an affect on my weight loss. I stalled for almost 12 months! Then I started running and doing good strength training with heavier weights and almost overnight it seems, I lost 25 lbs. now I'm 35 away from goal. It's taken me almost 2.5 years to lose 90 lbs but my doc says slow and steady. I use the 10% rule because I find it helps reset my base weight to lower pounds making it easier to keep off. Now if I could only get rid of my mh struggles......lol The holidays were oddly easy this year thanks to the right meds. I usually dread the time between Nov - Jan. ...I have three immediate family members with birthdays, Xmas, Hanukkah (my partner is Jewish so we celebrate both) & so many social engagements that I'm a wreck & financially wiped. This year the stress & freak outs were manageable & I was able to enjoy the season for the first time in probably decades! The worst of it was in the form of insomnia & night terrors but all things considered, I can handle those. I haven't stressed the stalls much. It moving slowly these days but still moving down, so I'll take that. I definitely need to get better at focusing on my exercise but between the madness of the Holly Daze & being sick, it hasn't been a focus this past month. New year, New Month, new week, new day....so refocusing is top priority today! Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

My partner had her pierced in two places before going in for surgery...she wasn't allowed to keep it in and like you, hers closes quickly. So I was in charge of making sure she got them back in as soon as possible. We practiced a few times before hand because it's not an easy task, but I was able to get them back through. There was a little resistance but lol she was still loopy so I don't think she noticed anyway. If you don't have anyone who can do it for you after surgery, see if one of the nurses will. They sometime have experince with things like this. Good luck! Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

I buy a rotisserie chicken at least once a week and use it for meals. I've also found that in a pinch, some places have grilled chicken (wendys, sonic Just ask for it without the wrap/bread) that you can buy while driving but it depends on the places you go to. Also there's a mini crockpot I saw recently for traveling and you could always buy an old fashioned thermos for soups!

That it will take your brain a little while to catch up to your body. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery with a different dr too but choosing to go to Mexico was absolutly the best choice for me financially. I was very satisfied with my dr & staff. The two hard things to note (for me anyway) was traveling home was harder than I thought & having only online/phone support can be challenging. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

I always sleep with pillows surrounding me but mostly on my stomach. I was doing the same thing by day 3 after surgery. Day 2 was HE'LL for me...but by day 3 I was fine. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

I drank TONS of Water before the surgery...but at almost 5 months out I'm struggling as well. Yesterday I put 5 red rubber bands on my cup & one blue one. Each time I filled the cup up, I moved the blue rubber band over one of the red ones to mark my progress. The cup I use holds 16 oz. ..and I THOUGHT I was drinking a lot more...but according to my bands not so much. Ad for the taste, I'm happy with lemon slices in mine. It's simple but it works to change the taste since I dislike it now. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

My dr cleared.me to go back to gentle yoga (I'm a teacher) at 2 weeks but that was it. I still get tired easy but I'm getting less calories so I do what I can as I can. Listen to your body (& dr) and do what's best for you! Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

I went to my parents for the big meal & ate a little bit of everything I wanted without over doing it. Plus I planned ahead and had my favorite things spread out over a few days so I didn't feel like I was missing out. I was also sick over the holiday so comfort foods & less eating were helpful in making me feel better. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

Without reading through 11 pages..Yes..but only because of the financial burden. I feel guilty for having spent that much money on myself. But also there was not really any way of knowing my hubs would get cut back on pay...so now with the holidays and two kids with birthdays next month too, I'm feeling regret because we could have used that money for other things. Hindsights 20/20

Hi all! I wanted to give a quick update since you were all so supportive and helpful. First, My dr was able to get me in early and prescribe my meds. Woohoo!! Even better, she was previously an OBGYN and has experience with gastric patients. I really like her and I think it's going to be great. Granted, I have to drive an hour to see her..but that's ok. Secondly, I broke my 2.5month stall! Woohoo! Upping the calories has definitely helped. I still need to get a scale but, well, times is hard and I'm a broke chick till after the holidays and the upteen Birthdays I have between now and then. Anyway...I'm better than I was. Still battling but that's a life long journey. Thank you for your support!

The drs offices im working with are aware. Unfortunately, it's a veritable wasteland here for mental health care. There are three offices..one that the dr nearly killed me, one office that treats you like a drug seeking addict and one that you can never get into because they are not taking new patients..that's the one I'm waiting on an appt with for the end of the month but until they see me, they won't prescribe. I've even gone so far as to travel to two neighboring cities to seek help...one dr went 5 months without seeing me/canceling appts etc even though I begged the nurses telling them I needed a med change (He's also the one who likely misdiagnosed me) and the other drs don't have an opening until January. Needless to say, it's frustrating. There is the option of checking myself into the hospital and I've debated it but so far, I don't think I'm there. Yet. Going to the ER here initiates a 48 hour psych eval and being a single parent of two kids...well..you can imagine how difficult that becomes. You are right, this is more important than the weight loss and that's the main reason I posted it here tbh. but it all ties in unfortunately. Thank you for the kind words about the eating habits. Sometimes it helps to have an outside eye look at it.

Thanks James. Unfortunately there are no bariatric support groups anywhere near me. I've looked into it and the closest one is over an hour away.

Yikes!~ Apparently it did paste it but not in any readable format! sORRY ABOUT THAT!

About 800 calories per day. I track it through spark people so I cant copy and paste it here. Calories for yesterday were 817, grams of protein were 103, Carbs 28, fats 33, Fiber 10 CALORIES CARBS FAT PROTEIN FIBER Breakfast Create group Copy foods Add a food + Premier Protein: High Protein chocolate shake, 1 serving ⊗ 160 5 3 30 3 Pepper Jack, Kroger Monterey Jack Cheese w/ Jalapeno (1 slice=21g), 21 gram(s) ⊗ 80 0 6 5 0 All Whites liquid Egg White (3 Tbsp=1 large egg's white), 9 tbsp ⊗ 75 0 0 15 0 BREAKFAST TOTALS: 315 5 9 50 3 lunch Create group Copy foods Add a food + Chicken Breast (cooked), no skin, roasted, 0.5 unit (yield from 1 lb ready-to-cook chicken) ⊗ 43 0 1 8 0 Dole Chopped salad Kit - Sunflower Crunch 3.5 oz./100g/about 1-1/2 cups, 1 serving ⊗ 180 14 13 4 2 LUNCH TOTALS: 223 14 14 12 2 dinner Create group Copy foods Add a food + Chicken Breast (cooked), no skin, roasted, 0.5 unit (yield from 1 lb ready-to-cook chicken) ⊗ 43 0 1 8 0 Zucchini, 0.25 cup, sliced ⊗ 7 2 0 0 1 DINNER TOTALS: 50 2 1 8 1 Snack Create group Copy foods Add a food + Almonds, 10 almond ⊗ 69 3 6 3 1 Premier Protein: High Protein Chocolate Shake, 1 serving ⊗ 160 5 3 30 3 SNACK TOTALS: 229 8 9 33 4 CALORIES CARBS FAT PROTEIN FIBER Totals: 817 28 33 103 10

I track my food and exercise as well which is why I know I'm eating within the guidelines of my plan. This is what i typically eat: Typical day (and I eat a lot of the same things day after day) Breakfast Premier Protein shake 2 Egg whites w 1 Laughing cow cheese Lunch: 1/2 Grilled chicken breast with salad (no dressing or croutons, just greens and veggies) Snack: 8-10 almonds, or 2 slices of Low cal deli turkey with 1 wedge of laughing cow dinner 1/2 grilled or baked chicken breast with 1 veggie..usually 1/4 grilled zucchini Snack: String cheese, almonds or another protein shake Daily: Water intake is over 64 oz per day. I only drink water, green tea (no calorie sweetener) or zero calorie drinks but water is my go-to

First, the alphabet soup: Extremely high functioning Anxiety disorder, Depression (usually Seasonal) OCD (The kind that impacts my life), I was diagnosed as Bipolar 2 but my very new Dr thinks that's a misdiagnosis as I am "high functioning" not showing classic symptoms of mania. I've dealt with this all my life but really only got diagnosed in 2007. Now, surgery...July 2016 I had VSG in Mexico, self pay. Not the best thing since I dont "see" my team of drs after but I did all the research, have a support team here of GP's etc so thats good. The psych eval I did have cleared me for surgery because I have a fabulous support system in place and coping mechanisms on the ready. (and before you suggest it, yes, I've contacted them, waiting on a reply) But..here I am in the middle of my possibly worst seasonal depression in years. I'm off most of my meds due to a quack dr nearly killing me at the beginning of the year and searching for a new dr/therapist (In a WASTELAND of mental health care providers) to get me back on track. It will be the end of the month before I see the dr who prescribes my meds and frankly...that's terrifying, but my ONLY option short of committing myself for a few days which is HIGHLY unlikely but not entirely off the options table. Meanwhile, I've hit a stall..for nearly 2 months and THIS is where I need help. I know everyone hits stall but for 2 freaking months!!?!?! I know part of it is that I have cheated some (As in 1 piece of dark chocolate or 1/4 cup of ice cream) but for the most part I am really really good. I get in all my Protein, I drink more than the Water required, I eat small meals/protein first and avoid starchy/carb foods. I try to get in exercise..I at least do yoga 2x per week sometimes more, I belly dance, I have an elliptical and occasionally get on it but with the depression it's so damn hard. I feel like I've failed. I feel like I've wasted $10k & put us in dept to have only lost 30lbs. Every time I step on the scale and see that I'm still gaining/losing the SAME FREAKING POUND I want to cry. This is absolutely impacting my depression and anxiety and my mental health in general. I don't know how in the HELL i will survive until I get to see the dr and then we all know how long it takes for the meds to kick in. I yoga. I meditate. I journal. I'm trying. I don't know what else to do though. I don't know what I'm asking here...advice? Anyone who had a month+ stall? Encouragement? Regardless...thanks for listening.

Find reminders that work for you....set alarms on your phone, or your fit bit, put post it notes on your mirror or your fridge. I keep Protein Snacks with me always and usually have a lunch bag full of stuff no matter if I'm at work or running errands in the car. I use sundays to prep meals so I have grab and go stuff (Boiled peeled eggs, baked chicken breast, cheese sticks)

I HATE shopping for clothes! I've altered a few of my favorite tops and pants..mostly the easy ones that I could see where to take them in at. My palazzo pants were the easiest to alter...just replaced the elastic with a tighter one! Other than that, i'm getting rid of things on yardsale sights on facebook and using the Letgo app for selling clothes that I can't take in

It's hard when you're dealing with kids. Try sitting down with them and a Low carb/healthy cook book or pinterest and have them help you pick out meals. One thing I've learned is that cooking smaller portions (I make sliders instead of burgers, mini lasagnas-mine with zucchini, theirs with pasta- in muffin tins etc) they can eat more if they need/want it but I'm not overwhelmed. Also, if I cook chicken, I cook theirs in whatever and cook mine on the side...same meal, im just avoiding the sauces. Worse case if there is something planned for them that I cant/wont eat, I keep a rotisserie chicken from the deli around as a go to meal for me.

AS others have said, I felt like crap for about the first month after surgery. Day 2 & week 3 kicked my butt. Now I'm at 3 months out and I feel...fine. But be aware, i felt fine BEFORE surgery too, even at a higher weight. My brain is still processing being smaller and I'm having to prove to myself with Non-scale victories that there are changes happening. My energy level is back up and I'm back to doing the things I did before (yoga 2-3 times per week, belly dancing 1-2 times per week) but like I said..I did all that before too. If you feel going in that there will be little support after, perhaps finding a therapist or counselor to help you through the process after is a good idea.

I ate a lot of scrambled egg whites with laughing cow cheeses (still do!). Mashed potatoes were good but I added a lot of chicken broth to mine to help with the taste & to add Protein.

Hi all..I'm 3 months out from surgery and I've lost a lot of weight in my face! I admit to not being very savvy on make up and face care. But I've noticed lines and wrinkles that were not really there before moatly around my eyes, mouth & neck. So I'm wondering is anyone has a face cream they like and use for firming? Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App