Lovergurl

I'm 45, 44 at surgery. I had my surgery a year ago tomorrow and yes wish I had done it 10 years ago. The change in my life is just simple amazing. I met my Dr's goal weight at the beginning of June (150lbs). I will admit I've done zero with following anything other than maintaining that goal for 3.5 months. Now I'm back at it because I've adjusted my own goal by 5 lbs. I'm applying all the things I've learned and the weight is falling off again. I have no doubt I'll meet my new goal. But health wise, I feel amazing, I feel 10 years younger. I love how I can buy cute cute clothes now and they fit like a dream. I have energy. Other than occasional heartburn, I have zero issues.

I highly recommend OCC Dr. Ortez. There is a Facebook group you can join. He uses a smaller tube then is typically used in the US. The stories are very inspiring on the group and he has a very high success rate. Absolutely professional, did an amazing job. You can email them and they will give you a price but it included everything but airfare and tips.

You should look into the sleeve. I did mine with Dr. A Ortiz and I couldn't be happier. Less risk from my research and yes it's very effective!!!

I get hiccups and burp from the first bite and runny nose. Also now everything is VERY flavorful (sweet is gross). Eating is a chore vs I used to think about food all the time. Now it's something I have to do.

I used OCC in Mexico. The process was flawless from the time I stepped off the plane till the time they took me back to airport. Very nice hospital and hotel. Excellent care. Just a really good experience. And Dr. Ortiz is accredited just like US hospitals. I was back on a plane 4 days later.

Hang in there, it does get better quickly. Try and walk. Laying in bed all the time isn't good for you. Walk around your house, then rest, then walk again. And sip on Water or vit min water. Just little sips.

I've wondered if the ability to eat a lot is based on the tube size used in surgery. My surgery was in Mexico, so the smallest tube is used. I'm 17 days out, still zero hunger pain. I had an egg and avocado last night. 1/4 of avocado and 1/2 the egg was all I could consume and that took 20 mins. Drinking Water is no problem. The shakes are because they just taste gross. My yogurt this morning was no problem, but it did take a while to finish.

Drink Water all day. I can get in 90 oz if I keep at it. You should be in the bathroom every couple of hours. I bet you will see the loss than!

If you are going to Mexico I highly recommend OCC. Slightly more than other Dr's there, but the quality of healthcare is second to none. It was a breeze for me. They took excellent care of us, transport, overnight stay, etc. The hotel was great. They just did a really good job. And considerably less than the states.

Thank you for the ideas, Berry. I like to keep my Protein high, and for me, I have found that when my protein is not 80-100 grams a day, then I don't drop the weight. While the Protein Shake helps me get my extra protein, it also adds some much-needed calories to my diet. For a period of 2 months, I was not losing any weight at all. Then I upped my protein and upped my calories by adding that second serving of high-calorie almonds along with the protein shake. If I don't follow the meal plan that I shared with you, then I drop way below 1000 calories and that results in no weight loss. My current meal plan really satisfies my hunger, to the point where I literally can't fit in anymore food.< br> I am explaining all of this because I am honestly finding myself in a bit of a dilemma, as I have in the recent past mulled over the idea of adding a veggie like spinach to my daily food intake. But as you can see, I would have to cut a higher calorie food out to fit a lower calorie food in. Again, that would mean my calories would be way too low.
I wonder how small my surgeon actually made my stomach. At 9 months out, sometimes I can't even get in 2 oz. Of dense protein at lunch and dinner.< br> I don't mean to sound unappreciative of your advice. I am very appreciative. I am going to see what I can do with the spinach idea.

Increase your water!

Why not have the avocado and crab will a little sauce and skip the rice? My plan says to add one food item at a time to test how my new stomach accepts it. Your head may say you want this but your stomach may have different plans!

Sleeved 09/27 and AWESOME!!! The weight is just falling off me. Hardly any pain at all. I do have a chest cold but I don't believe it's associated with the surgery and it's on the downhill. Which means my energy is increasing now. Still liquids but that will end soon. Biggest thing Zero hunger. Like NONE. It's so weird. But I'm diligent about my fluids and starting yesterday got to 69 g of Protein. But I'm sipping all day. So, I'm peeing like crazy, which I want to because I know that releases fat. I look forward to the "stomach emptying" LOL. Strangest sensation but I sip about 3 times and then I feel the pouch empty. I know it's the emptying because I saw it on the swallow test.

My experience with my Dr was excellent.

Back off the exercise some or slow it down. Then up your Water, get your Protein. I have a high school friend that at age 44 is a size zero fitness guru. She told me weight loss is stressful on the body and putting it into starvation mode is the worst thing you can do. The key is lowering calories (done thanks to WLS) low key exercise to keep your metabolize up without stressing it out. She told me if you stress your body by weightlifting a lot or overdoing the exercise, things just shut down. So change it it up!

@srayon

I don't know if it's set in stone for you but I highly recommend Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC in Mexico. He has the same accreditation as the hospitals do in the US. I'm familiar with it because I'm in the medical industry and the number one reason I chose him. It's the international version, but JCAHO has very high standards. They take excellent care of you!!!! Their follow up is excellent, preparing you, etc etc. My husband was really nervous about Mexico but I showed him Dr Ortiz' credentials and he said that's the place. We went there, the place is spotless, equipment is fairly new, rooms are large. The staff all talked very good English. Yes, a bit more, but confidence is everything.

Edited to add: Also I'm following their plan and the weight is just falling off me!!

19 hours ago, Sophia Duran said:

Yessss I’m with you on this. I got nothing. Not even a return check appointment to have the stitches removed. Absolutely no return appt after I left.

That's scary!!!! I chose Dr. A Ortiz @ OCC because he's actually accredited by the same people as US hospitals . Yes he's a little more expensive but you are going under the KNIFE!!! I have zero stitches. Barely any pain. They took excellent care of me and everyone spoke excellent English. Plus they made it a breeze going from hotel to hospital etc. I was walking a few hours afterwards.

I'm a week out and my interest in food is almost nonexistent. I made my husband and son french onion grilled cheese sandwiches with potato salad last night. Very wonderful smells. My husband asked if I was tempted and I told him not in the least. I could have cared less. I was more enjoying the prepping of the food. What a concept!!! I got finished and sat down and had a cold Vitamin Water and THAT hit the spot. Right now, Tomato Soup is heavenlyLOL

Its the first thing I did. I'm communicating with them. Being cautious that something else isn't going on. And it hasn't stopped my Fluid intake. Just tired of coughing!!

I heard alcohol will hit you very quickly because our stomachs empty so much faster. But seriously, your taste buds go through some major change. Mine started before I even got sleeved. Now sweet is overpowering sweet. I think cake or ice cream would make me sick. I have to say last night my husband had pepperoni pizza. I snagged one and put it in my mouth to try the flavor. Heavenly but WOW the flavor was intense. My dog then got a treatLOL! But it told me flavors are more powerful to us it seems. Right now a chicken breast and veggies sound like heaven but I've got another 30 days. Oh and I have zero hunger. This is nothing but mental at this point and honestly barely there.

Excited about the beginning of my new life!!! I think I could have easily gotten caught up with "what the heck did I just do?!" So I made a point of heavily focusing on the positives that are coming my way.

I used OCC and I have TONS of papers, very detailed. Even gave me a graph to check the days off. You should email them. One of the things I liked about them was their follow through, excellent history with patients, etc. We had a Dr with us all night. Bedside checks all night. And came home to another email letting me know they would be following my progress.

We went to Mexico and it went great. Wonderful care! I have no discomfort really at this point. Getting all my liquid but only about 50 g Protein at this point. Woke up day after I got back and now I have a nasty chest cold. So I do feel crappy. I felt great from the day after till Sunday, plenty of energy, etc. But I'm afraid to take anything. I have essential oil going to help me breath better, but that's it.

Anyone experience this? Should I be concerned?

@OutsideMatchInside

Can you tell me the brands. I currently get Stitchfix monthly which I've already adjusted the sizing for. Absolutely love them because it's something everyone doesn't have. We have very few shopping places here. Fred Meyer and Old Navy, etc.

Sexy bras and panties!! Of course my boobs are slowly disappearing LOL And the cute clothes in the under size 10 section!!

Well I have 7 more days to go. On the liquid with veggies. I'm having some serious weakness. Did anyone else deal with this. I don't even know what I'd feel like if I wasn't taking vits, Iron and B12!!! Not having hunger pains, but dang getting out of bed is hard in the morning.