SIZE SEVEN

Good Luck today...The next few weeks will be the toughest as you adjust to your "new life" but I can assure you, things get better every day! I am two months and two weeks from my surgery and feeling great! I am learning to eat new things and forget the old fried stuff (my sleeve doesn't like it therefore neither do I!). I am feeling better every day...Just remember, the first month will be the hardest...don't give up! Use this time to become a healthier eater and focus on your future! It's not easy the first month...your old self wants you to slip back into bad habits, but your "sleeve police" won't let you! Good luck today!!!! You're on your way to the rest of your great life!

I had my VSG surgery June 17th in Mexicali, Mexico (Dr. Aceves) and everything was every bit as nice and modern as a US hospital. Make sure to discuss your age with your doctor and be honest about all aches, pains, and problems. If the doc says it's ok at your age, then I would do it. Don't let people scare you into thinking all of Mexico is dangerous. The US has more murders, kidnappings, etc. each day than Mexico...(just watch our own news and that's enough to scare anybody). Be cautious anywhere you go but you will be safe and well cared for if your surgery is at Almater Hospital in Mexicali. Good luck and let us know when you have a surgery date.

You go for it! There are so many small victories out there for us after surgery! Ride with the wind and have fun on your cruise! Sounds like a blast! Send us all pictures of you two on horseback!

I am trying not to wash and blow dry every day...don't use any bands to tie your hair up...brush less often and shampoo with the Folicure...I found it at Sally's Beauty Supply. It smells pretty good and leaves your hair shiney. Try not to focus on the fact it's falling out...my hair always falls out more in the summer so I'm trying to remember that it comes back in the fall. I also take Biotin once a day.

Folicure is a shampoo that helps keep your hair from falling out. I am being extra careful not to over wash and blow dry at this time. My hair looks a little thinner but I know it may be because I'm not getting enough protien in my diet. I hit a plateau now and then and the scale won't budge...I just make sure I stay under 800 calories and ramp up with a little exercise. I have four more months to make exercise a staple in my life and I'm doing in 5 minutes at a time. On another note: We are in Colorado for a week and went white Water rafting (something I would never have been able to do two months ago before my surgery!) and the guide said, "Here, you need a small/medium life jacket." I almost kissed him right then and there!!! The rafting was fun, but the guide's comment made my day!!! I also went horseback riding in the mountains and was able to get in the saddle by myself without a shove from the entire staff!!

OK I think my fish is moving again! Thanks for the help! BTW, my friend Debbie looks gorgeous! She and her daughter are looking more like "sisters' everyday! The feeling of being "deprived" from the foods and the way we used to eat is being replaced with better habits. Both of us still do something wrong every now and then, but the "sleeve police" lets you know it! We are both taking Biotin and washing our hair with Folicure to prevent hair loss. Mine is falling out some, but it always does in the Summer. Anyone had luck using Biotin and Folicure? Any other suggestions?

Well it's been two months since my surgery and I'm 33 pounds lighter. Bought a size 12 pair of pants and a "petite" large shirt from a REAL clothing store. The sales associate asked me what size I was looking for and I said, "I have no idea!" I'm losing about 1 solid pound a week now...not quite as fast as the first two weeks, but I am eating what ever I want only in small (very small) portions. I have aquired a taste for different foods and some of my old "comfort" foods are no longer appealing. I never thought that would happen! I never realized what a poor relationship I had with food and eating until after the surgery. I am on 1/4 the diabetes meds I used to take. My pancreas is producing better insulin and my blood sugars is rarely over 110 (fasting) in the morning. I'm not the same person any more and still trying to figure out who the new me is. That just comes with time. I am not used to looking so slim in clothes. I just gave away all my big clothes because they looked HUGE on me. This surgery is life changing in so many ways. PS: Can't make the ticker fish move...maybe next time!

I need a good "routine" to get everything in on the same day...64oz of water, 70 grams of protien, meds, food....seems too much for my system. If I take metformin (for Type II Diabetes) and drink a protien shake shortly after that, I can't function for about 2 hours!. I don't know what reacts with what. Keeping 30 minutes in between eating and drinking is hard too. Does anyone have a "good routine" for getting everything in and products that help make this easier?

Same thing happened to me! I am trying to put some variety into my limited diet selections and got a little too over zealous! I immediately went from a resting heart beat of 80 to a racing 125 in 5 minutes! It was so uncomfortable and scary feeling. I wrote Gaby at Dr. A's office. This is what she sent back in case this happens to you! (Note: she wrote back at 10PM...not that's service!) Re: NEW SYMPTOM-RAPID HEART BEAT Patients usually report a rapid heart beat when they are too full or feeling like something is stuck the sensation usually last 30 min. they report that if they drink Water the pain feels worse Drink and eat slowly (most patients report being able to eat only small quantities of food 2 or 4 oz ) Try to recognize the feeling of fullness. Then stop eating at once. Indications of fullness may be: A feeling of pressure or fullness in the center of your abdomen just below the rib cage. Never eat and drink at the same time: This can cause you a lot of pain. The reduced capacity of the stomach will no longer permit to take in both: liquid and food at the same time. It could be this....or it could be something else The doctor suggest you have a check up with your local doctor just to make sure everything is fine please keep us updated Gaby

Hi SkinnyMom2B! Mexico has been getting a bum wrap lately about crime. We travel to Mexico all the time. We drive from Texas to Puerto Vallarta and stop in little towns all over the country. We have NEVER had the slightest problem and we've been lost in some pretty seedy neighborhoods! It is best to be careful about your surroundings in any town whether it's Mexico or the US. The border towns I'm more cautious about are Tiajuana and Juarez. Thousands of border people travel the main roads in the day with no problem. We walked all around the hospital in Mexicali and found it kind of sleepy...not much to do around there. If you chose Dr. Aceves, a driver picks you up at the airport and takes you to the hospital and hotel and gets you back to the airport...no muss...no fuss! You aren't in any danger safe and sound in the hospital with an IV pole...not a good candidate for abduction!

Dear Blue, My friend and I just returned from Mexicali and VSG surgery. Truly, the surgery will not be the hardest part. I am in the tour biz and travel lots of airports so I may be able to help you. I take an EMPTY plastic Water bottle in my check through. Once on the other side of security, I find a water fountain and fill it up with water & powdered packets of Special K protien H20. As long as you are not carrying an illegal substance, most airlines don't care what you carry (in powdered form) in baggies. PACK LIGHT. Anything over 3oz will be confiscated so put that in a zip lock bag in "check through" luggage or leave it at home. It will be very difficult to worry about airports, transfers, parking, protien, water, etc on your return home day so don't worry if you aren't "perfect" on travel home day. Do the best you can. Expect your first few days home to be the roughest. Not because of surgery, but mentally. It is common to complain about the "clear liqud phase" and you may feel like it will never end but each day you will begin to feel better and the stress and feeling of deprivation subsides with each passing day. Expect ups and downs. You are in a learning period and most of us muttle our way through it. The airport is where REALITY hit me like a ton of bricks and I wish I had known this before it happened to me so I could have prepared for it better: We had a layover (on our way back to Texas) in Las Vegas. Coming off the jetway, the first thing I saw was the CINNABON shop with the smell of warm cinnamon wafting in my face. Next was the pizza shop, Burger King, The warm pretzel stand and an endless line of food options. Every hunger pang and craving went racing through my head and all of a sudden the feeling of deprivation and "what have I done to myself?" flooded my thoughts! The lady sitting next to me asked if I would "watch her pretzel" while she went to the restroom! This was my first experience in the REAL WORLD after bariatric surgery. Life at the hospital was warm and fuzzy and I'm really on my own now! I've heard others talk about HEAD FOOD but I was unprepared for my reactions. MY ADVICE: Know that the airport my be your first encounter with "Head Food" issues. I chewed some sugar free Clorets gum, walked around, read, drank my Special K water and talked to myself about how I was feeling and dealing with this. Eating fast foods in airports has been a simple pleasure in my life for 18 years of travel. That's never going to be a "priority" ever again for me. Hope this helps! If you are going to Mexicali, you will LOVE Dr. Aceves and his team.

Hang in there! Debbie and I were one week after you. I found walking around as much as possible helps "move" things around inside and I can sip more than when I less mobile. I get up and walk around about every 30 minutes and my breathing has improved greatly too. I don't know if you are able to do that, but it might help. Don't push it if you can't. We're thinking about you and keep us posted.

I've lost 9 pounds since surgery LAST WEEK (6/17/09) and I am looking at a number on the scale I haven't seen in 15 years! Starting to see the magic work!

Thanks Ruthi...I posted some pictures of me and Deb and our BIG FAT BARIATRIC ADVENTURE in my ALBUMS. Take a look! Pam

Hi All, Surgery: June 17 2009 Didn't mean to make you worry...I just needed a few days to figure out what to do AFTER surgery! So many of you had gung-ho post surgery comments...I have been wrestling with who I am now. I have not been one for deprivation and certainly food has been available and plentiful all my life. This liquid phase has been hard for me and Debbie. I know it's only a few days, but it feels like a lifetime. I'm Type II Diabetic and "no sugar" has me feeling really weird. We call each other a couple of times a day because we feel HUNGRY. I know it's not "real" hunger, but gosh darn, it sure feels like hunger! Someone asked me to watch her fresh hot pretzel at the airport when we were departing. I wanted to tell her, "Lady, you don't know it, but I'm homicidal right now, and I'll take you out for that pretzel!!!!" Only kidding-but not really. My surgery went well and my experience with Mexicali, Almater Hosptital, Dr. Aceves and team were wonderful. I can't believe the care and attention to patient needs they have. I have never experienced so many kind and compassionate people in one hospital. I'm glad Debbie and I did this together. We have great pictures of us walking the halls with our IV poles and back sides flapping in the breeze! Our last meal at the Lucerna Hotel was one for the books. I had SEVEN pieces of garlic bread, a Soup bowl of French onion soup with a giant puff pastry on top, beef medallions of tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and did I mention TWO supersized Sangrias? No wonder I didn't care that I was having surgery the next day!!! Surgery day, they gave me two "happy pills" and all I remember was being wheeled out of my room and telling the nurse she had a nice plant on her desk and the next thing I knew I was back in the room...surgery over! Now THAT'S they way to have surgery!:frown1: Day Two was rougher for me because I found out I had a hernia repaired, and some scar tissue remove from an old gall bladder surgery as well as the sleeve so I took it easy all day. Debbie was standing in the doorway with her IV pole asking me if I wanted to go shopping with her!!! Now where do two old broads go shopping while attached to IV poles??? She definitely has more stamina than I do! My sense of humor is returning so that's a good sign. I am learning that I'm a new person now...one who has to adopt some better habits. The old me is resisting (big time!) so with time I'm sure I'll be on the gung ho list like most of you! Thanks for caring about us and we're glad you are all out there. It's very helpful to write down feelings and fears and know others understand what you're going through. If you're reading this and considering surgery and need a doctor, Dr. Aceves is THE MAN!

Don't leave me out! Not with this gaggle! Count me in!

My husband bought me ART LESSONS! I have always wanted to take art lessons, but have been too busy working. He felt since I am making lifestyle changes with eating food, I should indulge in even more lifestyle changes. I love that he chose something I would look forward to doing (rather than eating and thinking about bariatric surgery). We will be splitting one meal when we go out in the future. He has learned to make several lo cal sugar free Desserts in tiny portions. We both plan to take walk in the mornings. He often asks me how I'm feeling (physically and mentally about the surgery) with true compassion. Sounds sappy I know, but I'm glad he's supportive in these small but encouraging ways!

Buena Suerte with your decision Peri77. It is not an easy one. My surgery is coming up (June 17) so I can't speak from experience. I commend you for considering making healthy choices for yourself. It's the first step in the process. Keep your focus on your health and the right decision will come to you. It is amazing how even the smallest effort at exercise has shown results for me. I cut out sugar, caffiene and high carbs for the past two weeks and just "moved around" alot more by 20 minutes and have lost 8 pounds pre op. I'm still doing the surgery because I need the life change. Your English is muy buena!

JUNE 8: EARLY MORNING WORRIES! I woke up about 5AM this morning thinking about my upcoming surgery! I'm part scared and part excited. I'm excited for surgery day because I have confidence in my doctor and hospital. I have had surgeries before so I know what to expect. What I'm scared about is the rest of my life AFTER surgery. I live in a small tourist resort town in Texas (www.visitwimberley.com) where life revolves around dinner clubs, lunch groups, social picnics, church pot lucks, bake sales, and FOOD at every occassion. Social eating is my life. I worry about being the one drinking a protien shake at the Mexican restaurant instead of a jumbo plate of enchiladas! I am so used to caving in the minute I smell sizzling fajitas or feast my eyes on a table full of pot luck casseroles! Here it is almost 6AM and I've been pondering about all the upcoming summer trips where family and friends will be cooking and gathering around a bountiful table! What do I do without my usual cooking, serving and refilling plates? This old habit has been with me a long time and I'm not sure how to replace it. :001_rolleyes: What is my "new" role? What does it look like and how does it feel? :huh0: When I visualize all my caloric choices in the future, how do I know, in that split second, what to choose instead? :thumbup: Will I have the "new" ability to make the right choice?:thumbup1: I've made a decision to do this surgery for my health and a new lease on life so it has to work. With support from friends and forums like VSTalk.com, I feel I am not alone. There's always someone with an encouraging word! They all seemed to have transitioned well after surgery, so the sleeve must have helped their mind as well as their state of hunger and will power issues. I know when the weight starts coming off and I begin to feel better, the "new" habits will begin to take over. I am lucky to have my friend (Debbie811) who is having surgery the same day and will be in the room next door. Our wild and crazy husbands will also be with us for support during surgery and BEYOND. Pot Lucks won't go away so I need to mentally deal with them now and forever!

Elizabeth, Thanks for this information and the time you took to look this up. I couldn't find a benifit for them (stockings) either. I think doing the walking and plane exercises will be enough. I'm not good at staying in bed. What did you do during the two days after surgery in the hospital? Was walking around hard after surgery? Does everyone get acid reflux? I don't usually get that so I'm wondering why so many people seem to have trouble with it. How long will that last after surgery? Sound like some people have it all the time.

Thanks for your replies. Both are very helpful. I plan to get an isle seat on the plane and walk around some. It's a three hour flight so I'm not too worried. I wore those compression stockings around the house for about three hours to try them out and they did make my legs feel better, but you should have seen me try to take them off! They are so tight I danced around the bedroom for 10 minutes trying to get just one of them off! I think I might skip wearing them as you have suggested. The instructions say they "help" prevent thrombosis, but I still don't see how.

Not to change the subject, but I bought some compression knee high stockings for the plane ride home (for my upcoming surgery 6/17). I bought the size that fits my ankle/calf measurment. I struggled to put them on and they feel really tight. Once I got them on, they feel pretty good (except where I bend my knees. Is this the way they are supposed to feel? Is this helping or cutting off cirrculation? Did anyone else buy these? I tend to swell up with fluids (when flying) and am worried the restriction will cause more swelling. Advice, please?

June 2 2009: My first entry. My best friend and I are having VSG surgery in Mexico on June 17th in Mexicali with Dr. Aceves. We fly from two Texas cities and meet up in San Diego on June 16. We'll have tests that day and get ready for surgery the following day. We stay in a nice hotel the night of the 16th and three nights at the hospital and depart for home June 20th. Our husbands are traveling with us so this should provide quite a support group! (They think the end result will be that they married two "hot chicks" so dear Lord, let the fantasy become reality!):001_rolleyes: I know everyone talks about "the last supper" the night before surgery, but I have to get past thinking my life is over with this "last meal". I want my experience to be successful. I have cleaned out the pantry of all "last supper" type foods and restocked with "first supper" foods for the rest of my life. I am embracing "protien" and smaller portions and can't wait for the day I can go to a restaurant and order with control instead of wild abandonment!:thumbup: I can't wait to give away my old baggy clothes and stand in the front row instead of hiding on the back row when people take pictures. I want to buy a belt; a flashy belt people will notice and wear it with confidence. Did I mention I am a Type II Diabetic? This is the real reason I am going for this surgery. I am sick of Diabetes...shots, pills, A1C tests, doctors, more tests...and the expense is horrendous. We spend $13,000 a year (out of pocket) for Diabetes upkeep; money we don't have. If there is a remote chance I can reverse this Diabetes then I'm going for it. (The new flashy belt doesn't hurt either!) I know the surgery and the sleeve is not a panacea but a mentor; something designed to help my success. It's up to me from Day 1 to work with it and not look for ways to deceive it. This will be hard because I have a thousand excuses why I haven't followed a healthy lifestyle over the years. I must be truthful with myself and face the hard facts that I got this way on my own volition, one excuse at a time. It's time to break that cycle once and for all. Failure is not an option. A NOTE ABOUT THE DOCTOR WE CHOSE: Due to sites like this, and the unbelievable attentative nature of Dr. Aceves' staff, my friend and I both have few worries. You all have been through it and made it to the other side, and we feel sure we know what to expect, with many thanks to your input. If you are considering this surgery and haven't chosen a surgeon yet, you should consider Dr. Aceves. Even though we are pre op, his staff has painstakingly answered EVERY single question with prompt caring responses. If all docs ran their business this way, there would be less apprehension involved in making this kind of life changing decision. It's also a testament to the way he performs surgery by managing the smallest details with compassion and knowledge. I will keep you posted on our progressions like others before us. I never thought I would look forward to surgery! :thumbup1:

We're flying. My best friend and I are having the surgery the same day! Our husbands are coming too (although I think mine will be at the hotel pool as much as possible!). Our flight back to Texas isn't too bad, but we have another hour & a half drive home to Wimberley. Were you able to go outside during your hospital stay? What did you do during the days you were recouping? TV, walking, computer? I don't know how to sit still so this will be different for me to "rest". Did they send you home with any other instructions or exercises, etc.?