greenlora

I can't believe it guys! I really can't! I am seriously crying tears of joy.
When I started this process I was 540 pounds (I'm 5'10) and I wore a size 36/38.
As a lot of you know I had my panniculectomy on June 5th and they removed 15 pounds of skin.
Before my panniculectomy I wore a size 22 bottom and 14/16-18/20 top. I had bought smaller sized pants before my surgery because most of my pants were held up by my extra skin flap.
Guys...I fit into a size EIGHTEEN!!! And I look super good!! I'm attaching some before and after pictures for you guys to enjoy!
I can't believe this is real life!
My stomach is flat!!
(Please excuse my one drain in my one picture!)

Hey -- Important article here in the LA Times. The FDA is investigating the balloon after reports of deaths soon after the procedure:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gastric-balloon-20170810-story.html

Hey -- Important article here in the LA Times. The FDA is investigating the balloon after reports of deaths soon after the procedure:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gastric-balloon-20170810-story.html

Hey -- Important article here in the LA Times. The FDA is investigating the balloon after reports of deaths soon after the procedure:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gastric-balloon-20170810-story.html

Hey -- Important article here in the LA Times. The FDA is investigating the balloon after reports of deaths soon after the procedure:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gastric-balloon-20170810-story.html

Hey -- Important article here in the LA Times. The FDA is investigating the balloon after reports of deaths soon after the procedure:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gastric-balloon-20170810-story.html

Two purchases that were worth it so far: 1 -- I bought a Blender Bottle Protein shaker on Amazon. It's awesome. It's a water bottle with a little metal device inside so I can easily shake up a shake at work. 2 --I bought a bottle of 0 calorie, 0 carb, 0 everything mango Syrup. I'll put a splash into a shake once in a while for variety.

Two purchases that were worth it so far: 1 -- I bought a Blender Bottle Protein shaker on Amazon. It's awesome. It's a water bottle with a little metal device inside so I can easily shake up a shake at work. 2 --I bought a bottle of 0 calorie, 0 carb, 0 everything mango Syrup. I'll put a splash into a shake once in a while for variety.

Life for me at 7 years is pretty similar to life at 2, 4 or 5 years post op. It's still maintenance. For me, it's been pretty simple. Eat the program most of the time so you can be flexible when you want. Don't graze. Basically, you know what made you fat, Cheri, so don't do that. So I don't.
What will people ask? Loose skin, have it. Much less than I had early on. It rebounds enormously in years one and two post goal. I never wear Shapewear. Want plastics, don't need them. Have a little panni, but in anything but the sheerest leggings it's pretty flat. I'm not bothered anymore.
Restriction is still really strong, but many sleeved shorter times than me say they can eat more than me. Half a burger, I'm out. One slice of pizza, few ounces of Protein, or a cup of Soup or chili - that's it. My hunger never returned.
I'm 5'1" and 116 pounds but I solidly stick between 116-118. I had surgery at 242, started researching the sleeve in late 2009 weighing 286 pounds. I'm down 126 from my surgery date.
My diabetes resolved post op. No more high blood pressure or cholesterol.
I was a slow loser. Slow loss is still loss, I firmly disbelieve that one year nonsense as I took 17 months to reach my initial goal.
Keep pushing, no matter how long it takes you to get there. I had later loss, after a sleeve baby. Your sleeve will work however long you do.
Cheers, and here's to sleeve success. Mine's been amazing.
Cheri

I went to my pcp yesterday. At nearly 5 weeks post op I've lost 25 lbs and I am no longer diabetic! Woo hoo!



Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 198 GW 135

There have been some interesting side effects post op.
I care much more about myself.
I've cut my hair to my shoulders (I'm sure I kept it long to "hide").
I've had my nails and toes done.
I've bought new clothes, perfume, jewelry.
I've gone to the dentist and had some cosmetic work done along with a good cleaning.
All of this keeps compounding and helping my self esteem.
I laugh and smile more. I move more. I'm friendlier.
I wasn't expecting any of these side effects!

I just need a moment to express my supreme elation!
Last week, I went to a conference with my parents. Turns out I needed a nice dress for a dinner one night. My dad took me to the local mall and kindly served and an audience for a mini fashion show. Before surgery, I wore a size 24; all the dresses I tried on were a size 20. We loved the last dress, but it was too big. The only only other size they had was a 16. My dad convinced me to try it on... IT FIT!!! I was so excited!!!
Yesterday, my mom and I went to some stores for a little experiment. For the first time since college, I fit in pants off the rack! I also fit into an XL shirt. Again, I was ecstatic!
Finally, I had my 6 week follow-up with my surgeon today. I'm 5'7 3/4. When I started my pre-op liquid diet, I weighed 277 pounds. On surgery day, I weighed 264 pounds. Today, at 46 days post-surgery, I weighed 234 pounds. That's 43 pounds overall and 30 pounds since surgery!!!
I feel wonderful! My skin is glowing. I have loads of energy. I'm happier and more optimistic. I feel like I'm becoming more myself than ever before. I'm so glad I did this for myself. My health is improving so dramatically. It's wonderful!
Anyway, thanks for letting me share! Blessings to you all!

My name is Adrianna, and I am 16 years old and I'm from New Jersey. As of the 5th grade (I am now a Junior in high school), I hit puberty which had caused me to gain weight. I had been bullied because of my height (I'm 5'10) and my weight. The bullying stoped once I became a freshman in high school. Everyday a student OR teacher/staff would pass a fat comment, or a remark about my weight. I begged my parents to homeschool me so I wouldn't have to deal with this. The day I came home crying because I was threatened, my mom knew it was time for me to seek help. My parents took me to my pediatrician, and he made me get blood-work done for EVERYTHING. The blood results always came back clear, and there was nothing wrong with me. My parents took me to St. Barnabas to see an endocrinologist since my parents didn't believe that I was okay. I was 14 at the time. She tested me for CPOS and Diabetes. It turns out I was positive for Type 2 Diabetes (my father has it), and I also tested positive for CPOS. The endocrinologist was very upset with my doctor since he kept testing me for the wrong stuff all my life, and she was mad when we told her he doesn't treat kids with diabetes and CPOS. At this point, she suggested that I join to a gym and see if that will help me lose weight on my own. I went to the HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Powered by the Giants in New Jersey for about 8 months, and I had a personal trainer 5 days a week who made sure I would lose weight. He worked me out to the fullest. I weighed 350 pounds at that time, and I would go there almost every single day and work out but my numbers would NOT move, so we decided to see the endocrinologist again. She said that it's finally time for surgery. She recommended us to Dr. Sadek in Somerville, New Jersey who specializes in adolescents to adults. I met with him in February, and I told him my story. He said that he would do it since I had no other choice. I dieted, I exercised, I did everything to lose weight and he knew I was struggling. I had to go see many doctors just to get approved. My original surgery date was April 5th, 2017. The insurance had denied it because it was not a "medical emergency" and I was not 100% skeletal. We appealed the surgery, and a month later I had gotten approved. My surgery was on May 24th, 2017. It was hard for me to learn new eating habits from a sippy cup to a baby utensil. I am now 6 weeks out. I had lost 35 pounds. My CPOS facial hair is almost gone. It's very light hairs. Before the surgery, I kept to myself and didn't talk as much because of the bullying. Since I got the surgery, I am WAY more confident in myself and I have my new friends to support me throughout this journey. I'm glad I got this surgery done because I feel great.

I had surgery in December and was out in the open with everyone. I totally understand why it's something you would hide, but my thought was that people are going to notice and I wanted to share my experience as well as the struggles. This was a difficult decision for me, but a necessary one. I post updates regularly on Facebook and instagram. I think that's my way of making it less of a stigma. It isn't easy at all. The sleeve works based on what YOU do to help it along. Anyone who says it's an easy way out is plain wrong. You struggle every day. There are foods you just can't eat. There are days when you wonder why you aren't losing faster. There are moments when you know that your entire mindset has had to change. That isn't easy at all. Being extra picky about what you eat isn't easy. Working out and toning isn't easy. But, it's all worth it. Just my experience. Goodluck to all of you!

I'll try to be as detailed as I can to help others about to go through this.
My surgery was scheduled for this past Wednesday 12/21, I was told to go to the hospital at 7:30 AM. My wife had to take the kids to school so my mother brought me. No waiting, immediately they took me into the back to start getting ready, and my mom was able to come. They filled out some forms, put the IV in, gave me a shot of Heparin (blood-thinner) in my stomach (didn't hurt) and told me I'd get an additional shot every 8 hours until I got discharged.
They gave me a few pills and some horrifically nasty stuff to drink (everything I had to drink in the hospital was terrible). Some of the nurses came by to introduce themselves, the anesthesiologist came by to chat. I had been concerned because I had been coming down with a cold but all I had left was a slight cough so it was fine. My doctor came by to let me know I would be going in soon. He had a busy day, at least 6 surgeries! I think I was number 3.
So about 9:45 or so they wheeled me in. My mom was given a tracking number, and there was a monitor in the waiting room where you could find a patient's tracking number, and it would light up green when they were in surgery, and blue when they were in recovery. They said they'd call when I was out of surgery (they didn't).
I went into the room and laid down on a very narrow table and got strapped in. My doctor wasn't in there yet, but they needed to prep me anyway. They put a mask on face and told me to breath deeply, and bam I was out. My next recollection was waking up in recovery with an oxygen mask (they give everyone oxygen via mask for two hours post-surgery) feeling very woozy and nauseous . I told them I was feeling sick and they gave me something that helped. Soon after, they brought my mom and wife back to spend some time with me, but I was really in and out.
Shortly after, they had me stand up and walk around a bit, and then they sat me in a lazy-boy type chair for a while, then I walked around a little more. Walking felt OK, felt some tightness in my stomach around the incisions but it wasn't unbearable. Then they put me in a wheelchair and brought me to my room which I was sharing with another guy who got the same surgery from the same doctor that day (he arrived later).
They put me in the bed and asked me a bunch of questions to get me admitted. After that it was mostly just sleeping as much as I could. Every two hours I had to get up and walk for several minutes. They got all the bariatric patients up together so every two hours it was like the world's worst conga line and we shambled down the hospital hallway. I made sure to go to the bathroom after every single walk so I wouldn't have to get up unnecessarily. They let me have ice chips and thank god for that. I didn't have a sore throat from the surgery although I'd heard some do.
It was a long night, people kept coming in to check blood pressure, give me heparin shots, take blood once I think, maybe twice. The next morning some folks from the hospital came in to give me and my roommate a holiday gift of a poinsettia which was nice but I would have rather kept sleeping.
In the morning they brought me down for a GI check. I had to drink some absolutely foul liquid four times while they took x-rays of my stomach (standing) to check for leaks. No leaks! So I was cleared for Breakfast. Breakfast was some Water, some orange Jello, and some Protein things to drink, they tasted completely disgusting and I couldn't finish them. When they saw I tolerated it well, they brought lunch, which was scrambled eggs, Powerade zero, and more horrible Protein drinks including one marked Prostat that I think I was supposed to drink but it was so awful I couldn't take more than a sip.
I had noticed over the night that was having pains in my back and shoulder, I was told it was gas pains and they would go away, I just needed to keep walking. The surgeon stopped in at some point to check in, told me my surgery lasted just 26 minutes, amazing. He said I did a good job with the liver shrinking diet.
About 2:30 or so I was discharged. I was able to dress myself which was nice. I had an appendectomy and umbilical hernia repair last December, and felt much worse after that, and couldn't dress myself when I left the hospital.
The drive home was uneventful, when I got back I took a little nap, but I got up to walk every hour or so. For the first day or two I noticed some ankle and calf pain when I got up but that went away and today it's almost all gone.
For dinner my wife made me some pureed tuna with low-fat mayo. I ate two ounces and could barely finish it. I drank about 2/3 of a bottle of Protein shake (the Premier Protein, same thing I drank on my two week liver shrinking diet), took me a looong time to drink it. Then drank some water, not that much, I was being very cautious. When I swallowed it felt very weird, like I could feel it settling into my stomach. Didn't hurt, but just weird. I didn't have any real unbearable pain. When I stood up it hurt where my incisions were. If I coughed it hurt a lot but that went away.
Spent that day (thursday) just relaxing and walking and trying to get down some fluids.
Sleeping was uneventful, I took some of the percoset they prescribed and that helped. I slept on my back the entire night which is rare for me. Friday I felt a little better. Ankles still hurt, and my neck was killing me, I assumed it was the gas pain. Breakfast was two scrambled eggs which took over an hour to eat but I finished almost all of them. I finished the Protein Drink and tried some powerade zero which was delicious. Lunch was the rest of the tuna (3.4 oz, ate the whole thing), and dinner was egg salad with low fat mayo, and a little bit or paprika and mustard for taste. I ate 3 oz and it went down pretty quick. At some point during the day I took a shower which was great. No problem at all standing for several minutes.
Sleeping was again uneventful. Today I woke up late, so no breakfast. I had more egg salad for lunch and it went down fairly quickly with no adverse effect. Drank a Protein Shake (11 oz) and 16 oz of powerade zero, no problem at all going down. Before the surgery, the doctor said it should easier and less painful day after day, week after week, and that's been true so far.
I had read about "sleever's remorse" and yes I've felt it too, starting with when I first woke up in the hospital, and it comes back several times a day. I think once I reach the point where there's no pain, and I can eat solid foods again, and get back into my regular routine and see the effects of the surgery it will go away. I know that this was the right thing for me to do, and even though maybe right this second I feel like I wouldn't do it again if given another chance, I'm pretty confident that I'll be happy with my decision in the coming weeks, months, years, etc.
So that's the journey so far. I'l be happy to answer any questions anyone has, and good luck to anyone who is still pending surgery!

I'm scheduled for August 14th! Things are really starting to feel 'real' now that there is a date.

Thank you for all these comments. I've decided to enjoy my trip and not risk it.

Thank you for all these comments. I've decided to enjoy my trip and not risk it.

Apologies in advance for my "brain dump" but there is a LOT to consider as you research surgeons in Mexico. Everyone who has posted on this thread have very specific and valid personal reasons they have selected their surgeon. Based on their high level of research, I have every confidence they will have a great experience because they know what to expect before they arrive. And that is what I hope for ALL of us, we do the research so we can have a good experience.
When I began to consider Mexico as an option for weight loss surgery, I learned a lot. There were several factors important to me in selecting a surgeon:
1. A surgeon who has performed a lot of weight loss surgery.
2. Member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery (i.e. I wanted to be able to verify their credentials)
3. The doc should have a lot of positive internet “buzz”, or testimonials on weight loss surgery forums so I could contact those and get some independent feedback.
4. Would like to go to a part of Mexico WITH NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS from the US State Department
5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the Surgical Review Corporation – same body that designates US bariatric Centers of Excellence
6. Oh, and I wanted to contact the surgeon DIRECTLY, not through a surgery coordinating company
THE SHORT LIST
1. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras http://www.endobariatric.com/doctor.htm
2. Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali http://gastricsleevesurgeon.com
3. Dr. Pompa in Tijuana http://www.limarp.com/en/dr_liza.php
4. Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com
I checked prices. I spent a great deal of time on each website to understand the process, review photos, verify
credentials, etc. Both Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are practicing at International Centers of Excellence. And I liked the fact Tijuana does not have a travel warning from the US State department.
Dr. Alvarez wrote a book about the sleeve. I purchased his e-Book. It’s an easy read and provides a great deal of information about the sleeve procedure, how he performs it, and what you need to do pre-surgery and post-surgery for diet.
Ultimately, I selected Dr. Ortiz. Why?
• He has a TON of YouTube videos available. I watched many of them and learned a lot about the surgery, recovery, diet, his philosophy, got to see the surgical team working together, pictures of the facility, etc. Also, he has a great video about the difference between healthcare in the US vs. Mexico and was spot on. This video actually made my decision for me. (He even addressed the sombrero issue. I’m in! Ha ha!) Check the video
• Confirmed they are a International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/cmcoem/
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American College of Surgeons http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/public/DetailMember.cfm?CHKDGTS=88010816878
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery http://asmbs.org/member-search/ (search for last name Lagardere, as in Ariel A. Ortiz Lagardere)
• Tijuana is in Baja California, the only Mexican border state that does not have a travel warning from the US State Department. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html All other border states have a “defer non-essential travel” warning
My hope is that you find a surgeon and location that are right for YOU! Just by being on these forums and becoming educated on your options - I have a feeling you will have GREAT results.

The only thing I qualified for is the balloon as my
Bmi was 30. I'm three mo post op and have lost 36 pounds. Couldn't be happier. Fist few days are rough but not bad beyond that. Orbera website has lists of approved doctors who are skilled in and supportive of the procedure. I hope to lose another 15 lbs these remaining three months.

I am having my balloon removed TODAY, after 6 3/4 months. It DID work for me. Not as great as I wanted. I lost 31 pounds, 2 pant sizes, brought my cholesterol and blood pressure down to normal and got my sleep apnea under control. My BMI went from 35 to 30. The balloon was challenging from Day 1. Lots of nausea, acid reflux, and gas the first 2-3 months. AND yes, the weight loss stalled, big time month 4-5 - no weight loss at all. But then I dropped 5 pounds in month 6 for some reason. Its not perfect. Its not the magic pill. But if you need a kick start and/or have medical issues that you need to get under control it does work...but you have to really want it, because you still have to work for the weight loss. I keep my calories under 1200 most days and worked out several times a week. But the balloon kept me feeling full the first few months, then just satisfied the rest of the time (my stomach adjusted, I think, to having the balloon in and I stopped having the full feeling after a few months, but I never really felt very hungry.) Could I have lost 30 pounds on my own? Yes, but I didn't have that motivation and my medical issues were building up. Now, I have the motivation, because I have had success. I am more than half way to my ultimate goal. I look good and feel great. So, hopefully, I can keep this momentum going on my own. Good luck with your decision.

Thete will be soo many Americans there going through the same thing. Your driver will pick you up at airport, most likely other patients too. Get to know this group. You will meet others at the hotel too. These people will be your support network while there. You will be ok. Make sure you walk the halls, as instructed post op. I still keep im touch with some in the group I met. I had surgery in Mexico Oct 3. My dr. was Dr. Cabrera. Awesome! You might find a,slight language barrier with some nurses. Just a few. The staff are awesome. Good luck and keep me posted. Whos your dr.
Sent from my SM-J700T1 using the BariatricPal App

I had a low BMI starting out of like 30 so I expected weight loss to be slow but it's not its rocketing off!!! I'm 5'9
HW 207
SW 200
CW 163!!!!
That's 44 pounds in just under 11 weeks ????
I'm working out super hard and counting carbs! I do cardio 3-4 times a week and lift weights 5-6 times a week. The hard work is paying off the weight is melting off!!! I tried on jeans at a store yesterday and was in a size 6 again!!! I can't believe it!!!
I follow the rules to a T! I have not had a single cheat or carb that is not from fruits and veggies! I eat super clean and it's working!!! Good luck everyone. What a awesome tool this has been for me and can be for you as well!!!