shelly420

On ‎5‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 6:47 AM, A.Edward said:

I'm glad your surgery went well. How are you doing now, any complications? Was it hard to find a doctor in the states that would see you after having the bypass in Mexico?

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I'm doing great now. I wasn't paying attention when my surgeon said to get my stitches removed, so I waited too long, so it was a bit difficult when they were finally removed. I didn't arrange for follow up prior to surgery, so it's my own fault on that. My surgeon kept asking me if I had someone to follow up & I just told him yes, although I didn't. I figured I would take out my own stitches, I've done it before. My PCP is doing his best to f/u now, and it's going fine. I have had my bloodwork done once since surgery, and all is fine with that. No pain anywhere from surgery. My PCP did try to get me to see a bariatric dr, which I did, but I couldn't stand the guy & have never went back to him, so the PCP is handling all of my follow up now. My insurance doesn't cover anything related to surgery, so since surgery on 01.04.18 I'm out about $750 cash in follow up visits/labwork. When I originally had a lap band done 10+ years ago, it was nearly impossible to find follow up care, but from what I hear that is no longer a problem for most. I haven't had any complications, other than one of my incisions had a hard time healing due to an abscess under it that kept draining, but as soon as I finally had the sutures removed, it healed right up. I've been very lucky, all is going very well. I was hoping to hit the 100lb loss mark by my bday the beginning of June, but I think I'm going to miss it by 5-10lbs. It's all good, the goal was unrealistic anyhow & I refuse to be upset about only losing 90 by that time. ONLY...lol It's amazing how fast the weight is coming off now. I highly recommend the surgery if you've been unable to lose weight the non-surgical way. I'm about 4.5 months post op and I feel like a completely different person. The best decision I've ever made was to have gastric bypass. The pain in my knees is gone, and I feel fantastic. Prior to surgery I was in constant pain and miserable. I can't recommend this procedure enough, it's truly lifechanging.

I have had strictly showers for the last 10 years simply because it hurt my knees too much getting in & out of the tub. I'm 4.5 months post op gastric bypass now, and am enjoying nice hot baths at least once a week. The knee pain is gone, and I can fit in the tub comfortably now. An unexpected bonus of having surgery.

11 minutes ago, kteminem said:

I appreciate it ... that is exactly what I need. I dont seem to have the will power .. plus I think that part of my problem is I am always hungry no matter what.

KT

I have zero will power as well, so this procedure was perfect for me. If you attempt to overeat (& you will...lol) you'll pay for it. You'll feel miserable. If I eat something I shouldn't I am forced to lay down for a good 30 minutes until it passes, after throwing up usually. You eventually just stop cheating because you have to. Plus the weight just starts falling off like crazy which really helps to make you feel like it's all totally worth it. You can do this!!

I have had surgery with Dr Armando Joya twice now, first a lap bad, then a gastric bypass in January 2018. Dr Joya is a wonderful surgeon, but if you have done in Mexico, make sure you have a local MD you can follow up with. Dr Joya's office hasn't even contacted me since surgery to see if I'm alive or dead. That part pisses me off, but otherwise he was wonderful and his assistant Nathalie is fantastic & will assist you with everything. As long as you have your follow up MD, you'll be fine down there.

I am desperate for vegan Protein sources (allergic to dairy and dont like meat). The best tasting one I have found is Soylent Meal Replacement drinks, in the coffee flavor ( the black and white bottle). If memory serves me correctly, 20mg protein per serving. I blend it with ice and two dates in my Vitamix. It is incredibly delicious. Seriously, if you need a vegan protein source this stuff is awesome. I do have to drink it slow due to sugar content (maltodextrin) but otherwise it's perfect. I put up with that sugar because I am that desperate to get some protein.

Oops just re read your post and see you want low sugar. Sorry. Maybe that post will assist someone else, so I will leave it.

Have you tried salad? I was surprised to find that is one food I can eat a decent amount of. I load it with seeds.

On 4/4/2018 at 9:12 AM, soccerkaty said:

Sw: 292
Cw: 249

I weigh less than what my drivers license says!

I never updated mine from when it said 160 20 years ago...lol

On 4/25/2018 at 12:53 PM, yes_anastasia said:

@MsTipps Thank you so much for checking on me! I lost 3 lbs this week... so I'm down 39 in 12 weeks. Still on the slower side, but it's progress!

Also getting mighty close to the big 100lbs down since I started this journey 8 months ago. Would love to see that happen soon!

Over the course of a year that would be over 100lbs. That's awesome!!

On 4/25/2018 at 12:53 PM, yes_anastasia said:

@MsTipps Thank you so much for checking on me! I lost 3 lbs this week... so I'm down 39 in 12 weeks. Still on the slower side, but it's progress!

Also getting mighty close to the big 100lbs down since I started this journey 8 months ago. Would love to see that happen soon!

Over the course of a year that would be over 100lbs. That's awesome!!

Just checking in. Surgery was 01.01.18 and as of this morning, down 85.4lbs. Unfreakinbelievable to me. Thats just crazy. I'm so happy I did this. I had to borrow from my 401k, but the way I see it I wont need my 401k if I'm dead from obesity, so totally worth it. Took out extra for a new wardrobe which I'm so glad I did because your old clothes become way too big way too quickly. I'm tempted to also sign up for Gwinnie Bee (clothing rental) but still deciding if that's too weird for me or not. Lol. My Bday is in approx 3 weeks so I am going to try to hit 100lbs by then. Possible but I will have to work hard for it.

Daily, and I'm 4.5 months out. I write it down every day so I can always see how much I've dropped in the last 30 days. I do admit to sometimes skipping if I know I ate garbage, but usually weigh in every morning.

I never had a sex drive so I cant answer that, but the bypass sent me into menopause so I'm fairly certain this surgery messes with your hormones. Just my experience, I have no proof to back that up but i have read many places that major surgery can start menopause.

The good thing about this procedure is that you will lose weight whether you want to or not. You will not be physically able to overeat or you will throw it up and feel horrible. Mentally I still want to overeat but my body says no. It's a total mindf*ck for lack of a better term getting past your psychological reasons for eating. You are forced to find another outlet. It was so hard in the beginning but at 4.5 months post OP it is getting easier. Dont give up! This surgery is soooooo worth it.

On 4/28/2018 at 4:04 PM, Seahawks Fan said:

Congrats! I’m down 80 pounds today at 3 1/2 months out!

That's so awesome!!!! Congrats to you. This was so hard the first couple of months, but now the rewards are happening & it feels great.

Go Hawks!

4 months out, and I still throw up every few days or so, but so much less than even just 30 days ago.

I stalled about two weeks right after surgery too, for almost 6 weeks. Crazy! I was certain I wasted my money on yet another weight loss surgery, but then the weight started falling off rapidly. 4 months out now, and down 79lbs. Hang in there, it will happen.

Hang in there! I felt like death warmed over for about two months. I could barely eat, barely drink, constipated, cranky, etc. Now I'm 3 months post op & am finally reaping the benefits. I still only can eat about 500 calories a day, and not even close to hitting my Protein numbers. I still throw up food quite a bit (I eat too fast & don't always chew it like I should), but I feel so much better now. I now have energy, it doesn't hurt to walk, and I've grown accustomed to only eating about 3 bites per meal. I don't even crave food hardly at all anymore. Don't give up.

WOW WOW WOW! You look fantastic!!!!!!!! Congrats on your success. I wish I could get my insurance to cover, and am seriously considering changing jobs so I can have insurance that will pay for the panniculectomy & breast lift. I hope to be in your shoes by the end of my first year or so. I'm almost 4 months post op, and down approx 78.someodd lbs (1/2 way there!), but weightloss has slowed down. I'm aiming for 2lbs a week which seems reasonable to me.

I only ever drank a few after surgery, for the first week post op. I couldnt stand them. Im allergic to dairy and the plant Protein Shakes were nasty. So far labwork showing enough Protein, but not sure how that was possible. Im looking for other sources right now because i know sooner or later the labs will show a deficiency. Im 90 days out from surgery give or take.

Arnando Joya. Excellent surgeon. I felt very secure with his skills. HOWEVER, havent received one call or email since surgery. I could be dead for all his office cares. I didnt expect much afterwards, but how freakin' horrible not to at least email and say "how are you doing?" I am seriously pissed about that, but i really am happy with him otherwise.

On 4/27/2015 at 8:02 PM, SuninVirgo said:

A patient died after surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz at A-Lighter-me. They won't tell me what happened except to say it was a couple hours after surgery. The woman went with a friend...

Thats awful, but considering their clientele is unhealthy, its not surprising. For me, the risk was worth it. I was slowly killing myself anyhow.

On 1/20/2018 at 5:35 AM, HamZam said:

Was thinking of cashing out some of my 401k as well. What’s the penalty and fees? And if you don’t mind, approximately how much did you cash out? We too have a pension for retirement.

I paid a $150.00 fee to borrow from my 401k, thats it. I pay interest but the interest pmts go right back in to my 401k, so back to myself.

A 401K loan. I know thats not the best thing to do, but the way i see it is that i wont need my 401K if im dead from obesity, so i did it. Best decision ever!

Also, many mds in Mexico offer short term insurance. I paid around $550 for $50000.00 of medical coverage in case of complications. Policy was good for the week i was in Mexico. But now that the week is up, i dont have covg for complications. Weight loss surgery is excluded on my regular health insurance policy. It sucks having to get that temp/complications policy, but I didnt want to risk something going wrong and having no money to pay.

Maybe think of it this way, she wont have to live her whole life being unhealthy. I waited until 52 for the surgery. I feel i wasted my best years. I wish i would have done at age 20. She needs to address that thyroid asap though. Best of luck to your niece.

Your dr doesnt seem to give a flying **** about your health, if thats her attitude. It sounds like its time for a new md. Your dr should suport your desire to get healthy. Dr needs to read their hypocratic oath again.