Sleeve1stFitNext

Congratulations!!!! I will be there soon.

Like @blizair09 I would take this journey all over again. I am in the pre-op liquid stage on Day 6. This has been the hardest and yet most rewarding struggle. This is a tool, it is not the magic pill and it can only be used properly when you put your all into it.
I sought out the surgery, it was not offered to me. I did that because I had spent two years actively trying to lose weight and I was not succeeding. I have broken bones, spent thousands of dollars and this is my last hope. I think the more you read about it and look into it, the better you will feel.
I would not suggest getting the surgery if you are not ready to, have not actively tried losing weight and do not understand the tool and yourself.
As of now, I do not regret my decision. However, I will check in after the surgery lol. You never know with these things.

I would do it again any time in a heartbeat. I have lost 182 pounds (and counting) since I began my journey with my six month pre-op diet program on March 21, 2016 (a year from this coming Tuesday). I lost 99 pounds (from 397 to 298) by surgery day, and I have lost an additional 83 pounds (from 298 to 215 just this morning) since my surgery on September 28, 2016. It has completely changed my life -- personally, professionally, and health wise.
All that being said, I made a commitment before the first day to change my relationship with food, to fight my mental demons, and to get myself in a position to be successful. In my opinion, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to make that kind of commitment before you even get started. If you're not, you might lose a little weight while the tool does the work for you in the first few months, but ultimately you'll gain it back and not be successful.
WLS (the sleeve in my experience) is an amazing tool. But that is all that it is -- a tool. It is only as good as the hard work you put with it.
Good luck as you make your decision!

Like @blizair09 I would take this journey all over again. I am in the pre-op liquid stage on Day 6. This has been the hardest and yet most rewarding struggle. This is a tool, it is not the magic pill and it can only be used properly when you put your all into it.
I sought out the surgery, it was not offered to me. I did that because I had spent two years actively trying to lose weight and I was not succeeding. I have broken bones, spent thousands of dollars and this is my last hope. I think the more you read about it and look into it, the better you will feel.
I would not suggest getting the surgery if you are not ready to, have not actively tried losing weight and do not understand the tool and yourself.
As of now, I do not regret my decision. However, I will check in after the surgery lol. You never know with these things.

Like @blizair09 I would take this journey all over again. I am in the pre-op liquid stage on Day 6. This has been the hardest and yet most rewarding struggle. This is a tool, it is not the magic pill and it can only be used properly when you put your all into it.
I sought out the surgery, it was not offered to me. I did that because I had spent two years actively trying to lose weight and I was not succeeding. I have broken bones, spent thousands of dollars and this is my last hope. I think the more you read about it and look into it, the better you will feel.
I would not suggest getting the surgery if you are not ready to, have not actively tried losing weight and do not understand the tool and yourself.
As of now, I do not regret my decision. However, I will check in after the surgery lol. You never know with these things.

Like @blizair09 I would take this journey all over again. I am in the pre-op liquid stage on Day 6. This has been the hardest and yet most rewarding struggle. This is a tool, it is not the magic pill and it can only be used properly when you put your all into it.
I sought out the surgery, it was not offered to me. I did that because I had spent two years actively trying to lose weight and I was not succeeding. I have broken bones, spent thousands of dollars and this is my last hope. I think the more you read about it and look into it, the better you will feel.
I would not suggest getting the surgery if you are not ready to, have not actively tried losing weight and do not understand the tool and yourself.
As of now, I do not regret my decision. However, I will check in after the surgery lol. You never know with these things.

Let me begin by saying that I have been completely open about my entire weight loss journey , including the surgery, with anyone and everyone since I made the decision to do this and began my six month pre-op diet program almost a year ago.
At 5.5 months out, I have now lost 180 pounds. And, trust me, people notice, and it always is a topic of conversation. How could it not be? And you know what, the surgery is probably less than 10% of those conversations. People are more mesmerized at the transformation and the hard work it took to make these changes in my life. Not one single person has said one negative thing about the surgery because, surgery or not, losing 180 pounds is an incredible accomplishment.
Everyone has the right to privacy, and, in this case, the right to tell people or to not tell people, but it has been my experience that the surgery part of the equation is not the most prominent.
Am I a poster boy for WLS? No. But, to these people, am I a poster boy for weight loss and changing my life for the better? Yes, I am. And again, how could I not be? You don't come across people who lose this kind of weight every day.
To each his or her own on this one...

I do not think that anyone is the poster child for WLS.
I tend to not mind talking to people about it because I feel like just letting people know my story and where I am heading, will allow them to truly understand my decision. I also do not care what people think about it as well. When they start saying it is an easy way out, I hit them with this:
"Oh, so having to learn how to eat Protein first, then vegetables and then carbs sound easy. Better yet, being pain and having to heal your body sounds easy. Changing your mindset on how you view food sounds easy. Making mistakes of eating something too spicy, too sweet or just does not agree and having dumping syndrome sound easy? You would not tell a drug addict that it is easy to stop using, yet you will tell me that it is easy to take this path?"
Sorry, sometimes I go hardcore. This is a godsend to people like us that have tried everything in our power. From the failed fad diets to the large sums of money spent, this is the last option.
I believe that you can choose who you want to inspire and who you don't. To me, not everyone needs to know your business and whats going on in your life. I use this forum mostly, as people will be able to understand me more.
I could just be rambling at this point as well.

I think you need to reread my comment so you can realize that I was not speaking to you. YOUR opinion is your opinion, if you do not feel like Mexico is a good choice that is your opinion. However, do not come at me because I told her to look up topics regarding the surgery in another country (not at all mentioning you). Now I am not going to do a back and forth with a person of your level. Have a good day and next time read carefully before you post negatively.

UMMMM.... Maybe you need to bring your attitude down to a Zero because my comment was not directed to you. You should read that I offered her an option. I did not Quote you nor read your Quote. The world does not revolve around you and what you have posted. To make sure I am talking to you, I have now Quoted you.

I do not think that anyone is the poster child for WLS.
I tend to not mind talking to people about it because I feel like just letting people know my story and where I am heading, will allow them to truly understand my decision. I also do not care what people think about it as well. When they start saying it is an easy way out, I hit them with this:
"Oh, so having to learn how to eat Protein first, then vegetables and then carbs sound easy. Better yet, being pain and having to heal your body sounds easy. Changing your mindset on how you view food sounds easy. Making mistakes of eating something too spicy, too sweet or just does not agree and having dumping syndrome sound easy? You would not tell a drug addict that it is easy to stop using, yet you will tell me that it is easy to take this path?"
Sorry, sometimes I go hardcore. This is a godsend to people like us that have tried everything in our power. From the failed fad diets to the large sums of money spent, this is the last option.
I believe that you can choose who you want to inspire and who you don't. To me, not everyone needs to know your business and whats going on in your life. I use this forum mostly, as people will be able to understand me more.
I could just be rambling at this point as well.

My surgeon told me the same thing, I have horrible GERD now and he said it may get worst. He also said that you never know because everyone is different.

I think you need to reread my comment so you can realize that I was not speaking to you. YOUR opinion is your opinion, if you do not feel like Mexico is a good choice that is your opinion. However, do not come at me because I told her to look up topics regarding the surgery in another country (not at all mentioning you). Now I am not going to do a back and forth with a person of your level. Have a good day and next time read carefully before you post negatively.

UMMMM.... Maybe you need to bring your attitude down to a Zero because my comment was not directed to you. You should read that I offered her an option. I did not Quote you nor read your Quote. The world does not revolve around you and what you have posted. To make sure I am talking to you, I have now Quoted you.

Please do not be embarrassed. No one is going to judge you. I would say speak with your physician, they would be able to tell you if your medication will need to change.
Good luck on this journey!!!😸

I started my liquid diet on Sunday and I broke that same day. I have the option of cucumbers and those are the highlight of my day. I am not missing food now but when someone is eating, I remove myself from them. If a commercial comes on, I just look at my phone and drink Water. Have you tried sugar free popsicles? I have some and they aren't that bad.

To change your city and state. Do the following:
1) Click your username on the top right hand side (Then Click Account Settings)
2) On the right hand side, you will see edit profile.
3) Scroll down and input the information you would like people to know.
I hope that helps.
Now, there are many people on here whom have gone to Mexico for surgery. Search some of the topics, as they also refer great surgeons that would help you.

I have not had my surgery as of yet but if it is anything like my ankle, I should be fine. I am returning back to work after 7 days for now. If I need the additional time, my job is aware and have the FML forms ready just in case. I do not think I will need to use them as I got board after the first 4 days. I will keep you posted as my Surgery is March 26th.

I have not had my surgery as of yet but if it is anything like my ankle, I should be fine. I am returning back to work after 7 days for now. If I need the additional time, my job is aware and have the FML forms ready just in case. I do not think I will need to use them as I got board after the first 4 days. I will keep you posted as my Surgery is March 26th.

Good luck to you as well. I was a little agitated by the end of the day.

The thing about the early days and weeks post-op is that your stomach is healing. And since we can't see inside of our body, we really don't know the condition of the stomach like we would an external injury like a cut or a scrape.
You didn't cheat; you made a choice. This isn't a diet; it is a prescription from the doctor for a patient with a healing stomach. What you have done is very, very dangerous, and, in fact, could be deadly. You are 3 days post-op. I can't imagine that you are off liquids yet, maybe not even Clear Liquids. Physical danger aside, if you can't follow your food stages for 3 days, how are you going to make the good decisions required to be successful on this journey long term? I'm not trying to be unkind, but you don't want to put yourself through all of this to lose minimal weight, or to lose while you can lose with minimal effort only to gain it all back and more.
You have to change your relationship with food to be successful, which, in part, means not letting it have such control over you. I'd recommend that you talk to your surgeon about what you have done, and I also recommend that you get in touch with a psychologist with bariatric experience to work through your issues with food.
Good luck, and please take care of yourself and your stomach.

You may have to cut the bottoms.

I am looking forward to Virginia Beach and a much needed vacation.

I am looking forward to Virginia Beach and a much needed vacation.

I am looking forward to Virginia Beach and a much needed vacation.