FabBy50

I was just in Tijuana in December and I don't have a passport. I had to have surgery quickly and did not have time. My coordinator assured me that they would be okay with it. If they gave me any grief just to show them my insisions!! Well going into Tijuana, they could care less, we did not even stop. Now on the way back it was a different story, the officer gave me a lecture!! I thought it was funny at the time. He kept going on and on about how I must have known that the rules changed. I said yes, yes, yes but that I had to have the surgery. Then he just waved us on like nothing happened. Long story short, don't worry about it. You will be just fine! And good luck!

I have a very busy job, a lot of walking, sitting, standing lifting etc!! I went back to work after one week, felt very puny but I made it. You might have to do half days for awhile, good luck!!

Chrissy Do yourself a favor and forget you ever heard about the band, it is an aweful contraption!! I had mine for only 9 months, the first 6 were okay, then my problems started!! I had my revision in December and could not be happier with the sleeve. So easy, you just eat smaller portions. As far as being afraid of the surgery, it really is a fairly easy one. They do it lap, so just 5 small insisions. I say go for it, and never look back!!

Heavens NO!! You are not too old! I had my sleeve in December, turned 50 in January. So happy I did it. My dad is almost 92 and I plan on living that long, if not longer!! Go for it, you will not be sorry!!

Congrats on your surgery!! Welcome to the losers bench!

Hi cwalker and welcome to the group!! I say GO for it!!! You have nothing to lose but pounds and inches! You will be so happy, when the weight starts coming off. Just keep after the insurance company and get a date as soon as you can!! Good luck to you!

Lizzie I heard so many negative comments before I left. Anything from you are going to die there to someone is going to kill you!!! Now it cracks me up! because I never felt scared at all. Good luck on your surgery, you will do great!!

Good luck on your upcoming surgery, you will love your sleeve!!

I have been to Tijuana twice in 2009, never saw anything other than bad roads!! I have ben to Puerto Vallarta twice and felt it was a lot scarier. They have police officers driving around with machine guns...scary. You will be fine, they drive you straight to where you need to go, and you are never left alone. Good luck!!!

Kara Good luck with your up coming surgery!! You have made your choice and you will not be sorry!! The sleeve is such an easy change in your life. I wish you a happy surgery, fast healing and even faster losing!!

Kara I don't in any way want to keep you from getting this surgery, because I along with many other people have done well with it. I just wonder why you are paying so much? $21,000 seems like a lot, not that it is any of my business. Dr. Aceves in Mexico is only $8700 and he has done 700 without any leaks. Just my 2 cents...please don't anyone yell at me for it!

I'm 2 1/2 months post op from a revision to the sleeve, and no complication what so ever!! I feel good, look good and can eat normally!! I was self pay, and I don't know if my insurance would cover any problems, and I hope I never have to find out! Good luck!

They also have the Oh Boy Oberto shop in Auburn, but I don't get up that way very often. I looked on their website after you posted this and they have great buys!! But only at their outlet store, I'm NOW on a mission!!! I don't have a costco membership, just hubby and me. We don't buy enough to make it worth the membership. Take care!!

I never thought to try jerky, I love that stuff!! I need to see if I can find turkey around here. It is my favorite anyway, I like the fact that it is not so hard. Great idea!! Tomorrow I'm on a mission, to find some jerky!

Jachut You are tall too right? And you run about every day too? My BMI is at 24 right now, but I would like to be at 21-22, if I lose 10 more lbs I will be there. I have seen pictures of you, and I think you look great!! It is difficult for us when we start this journey to imagine being thin again. I never thought I would be a size 10 again, but that is where I'm at right now, I was to end up at an 8. Just a few more pounds and I will be there. Congrats on doing so well!!

John I have to agree with you on the goal thing, it is something that changes a lot. My "goal" now is to get down just 10 more lbs and stay there. I will be at the size I want and will be at a healthy BMI, so that is all I want. Too bad you don't get to have a shopping spree when you have your weight off!! I have not enjoyed shopping for many years but love it again now!! Good luck, Bernadette

Ash CONGRATS!!!! That is so awesome! I'm addicted to weighing myself too, every morning like clock work!! The goal thing for me has changed many times, I just want to be healthy and give myself just a little regain room LOL. Can't wait to see your pictures, I need to get busy and post some too. Have a great rest of the weekend! Bernadette

Hi!! I can tell you a million stories about why NOT to get the band!!! I had mine for only 9 months, and had to have it removed. Do you know that the average life of a band is 3 years? The band does not take away the gherlin, only the sleeve can do that. They actually remove it. I'm 50 years old and I only wish I would have done this earlier in my life, I wish I would have known more about the sleeve before the band! I don't know how strongly I can recomend that you don't have the band...pleae do yourself a favor and get the sleeve. There is no aftercare, awesome!! I eat just like a normal person, just smaller portions. I have 4 family members with the band...that is truly why I did it in the first place. All of them are having trouble, my sister is going to have the revision, she has had it with the band. I can't tell you how many meals I have missed because I was in the bathroom being sick! Really that is all I can tell you, I love my sleeve!! I don't know long term stats because ther are not a lot, I can tell you the stats with the band are not good. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Barbara Yes I love the way the sleeve gently reminds us that we are changed people!! I Love the fact that when you are getting close you get a littl pain in your chest (well at least I do) That is my food thermometer! Pumpkin I have had trouble with a lot of different foods too, the things I used to like taste aweful now. I can't stand Protein drinks, never could. I try very hard to get my protein from other foods. I never plan what I will eat everyday, I have never been that organized. That is probably why I got fat in the first place! I would not plan, get hungry and then go to Taco Bell!! You are doing a great job!! Don't worry so much about the food, it will all come together for you. Mary You will love all the money you save on food, not to mention all the time we wasted thinking about food! I have been on a buying spree, lots and lots of new clothes, I used to hate shopping! I bought 12 new shirts in one day!! All in a size medium, it is wonderful to shop and enjoy it again. Good luck everyone!

Ash I know how you feel when it comes to setting a goal. I set mine at 150, then after I had my revision done I changed it to 140. With all that said now that I'm almost to 150 I think 140 will be too little. Give yourself some time and you will know when it is right to stop. Good luck and happy losing!

Barbara Isn't that just the greatest feeling! I never thought I would feel this way either. Now if hubby and I go out, I eat maybe 1/3 of my meal and bring the rest home. I don't sit around thinking about what to eat next, sure make life easier!! Take care!

Hi newfor2010 Just wanted to drop in and say congrats on your weight loss!! And for turning 50! My original goal was to be fab by 50, which of course is my screen name!! I wanted to have my entire 70lbs off by January 9th which was my 50th!! Well I missed it by 10lbs. I started my journey almost a year ago with the lap band, which I had removed in December. If I would have been sleeved to start with I would have made goal! That is awesome that you get so much excersize in, I have upped mine to a 3 mile jog/walk. I enjoy it and so do my dogs! No advice on the Water because I drink crystal light all day long, I like the teas too. Good luck on the rest of your journey! I forgot to add that I put an additional 10lbs on my goal, not sure if I will need it or not. I will see when I get the next 10 off.

PNW and bkind You both stated that you have had tummy tucks, but your surgery was recent?? I thought I was the only one who did it backwards! Actually mine was calle a tram flap, it is for breast cancer patients. They take skin from your stomach and for a new breast. I had that done, and then lost the weight. I'm so trilled with my flat tummy! I always had a ledge after having my kids. Sorry Brenda, did not mean to hijack your thread! Bernadette

Good luck tomorrow!!! You will do just fine, it really is a pretty easy surgery. Keep us posted!! Bernadette

Brenda I'm probably one of the unusual ones because I was not worried about it being a clinic. i have had MANY surgeries and some of them have been at surgery centers. As far as post op, they do a leak test in the operating room, and then again 2 days later. You have to drink this awful tasting stuff and they do an exray to watch it go down. I don't know how your health is, If I had been severly overweight or had medical issues I would have chosen a surgeon that operates in a hospital. I have no health issues, other than battling cancer twice! So it is up to you to decide what is best for you. I wish you the very best, the sleeve is so easy! No after care, except getting the stitches out. (most people do it themselves) I took mine out both times. The thing I like the best about the sleeve is that you can eat any and all foods, just less of them!! Bernadette