cajun

I like chocolate and enjoyed a little on Easter. Still lost a pound next morning. The sleeve is an awesome tool that lets us be NORMAL. Eat a little treat now and then, but follow the rules 99% of the time. It works and I don't feel deprived of ANYTHING.

Friends,

I'm with ya! At 62 years of age and 288 lbs I was huffin and puffin all the time, could no longer work in my garden because I'd get exhausted after one minute, could not paint my own toenails...the belly was in my way...I could see 300lbs on the horizon, and expected to have diabetes soon. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, early signs of fatty liver, arthritis in my knees and feet hurt all the time. I was MISERABLE and DESPERATE.

My doctor suggested bariatric surgery, and I started doing research on it, having tried everything else unsuccessfully. I satisfied my VERY PICKY self when I found Dr Aceves and this forum...he met my standards and the VSG seemed the safest of the surgeries. Although my insurance would not cover it, I was actually OK with being self-pay, because I did not like the thought of going through a 6 month period of jumping through the hoops that they require anyway. Once I decided to "go for it", I had an appointment very quickly, and a month later was sleeved by Dr Aceves on 9/23/09.

6 months later, I've lost 99lbs, no longer have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue, or pain in my legs/feet. I can work out in my garden ALL DAY LONG without a hint of a problem...and still have lots of energy left. I'm down to a size 14 top and 18 pants. I feel like a kid again. Words can't describe how exciting it is to feel "normal". I expect to be at goal (145) by September.

The discipline of following the eating plan is so worth the effort once you see results...just set your goals and if you fall off the wagon, just get right back on! The sleeve works if you do what you are advised to do. The weight just seems to fall right off...it is nothing short of a miracle. Congratulations on making a decision that will change your life as you never imagined!

I was not there yet. I live so close that I was going later tonight. I own a bar and a tv fell off and a lot of liquor bottles but no damage to the building. I live about 50 miles from the center. They canceled my surgery for tomorrow for now but told me to stay by the phone.

Kathy

Kathy,

I hope you stay safe. I read online that there were some landslides and some highways are impassable. Let us know what you are hearing about how things look in the area. Have you heard back about rescheduling your surgery? Almater was on generator power according to another poster...how scarey!

Thanks for all the support, yall.

Just heard from Nina again... She says to fly down as originally planned and if necessary they'll put the 3 or 4 of us flying into San Diego tomorrow morning up in a hotel in San Diego. The Hotel Lucerne where Dr. Aceve's patients stay has no power and the hospital is using its' generator...they are possibly thinking of moving the surgeries to another hospital. She said when necessary she would help us to make flight change reservations from down there...to not worry about that now. Power is out in the entire city and she's hopeful it will be back on overnight.

Going to bed...gotta get up at 4:00 a.m. This should be an adventure! Ruth

When I went for my surgery I was more worried about earthquakes than I was the surgery itself. The situation sounds grave from the online news...infrastructure (highways) blocked due to landslides, and a lot of damage around Mexicali. If I had surgery planned this week, I would postpone it...they are bound to be busy taking care of emergencies at the hospital, and it may be dangerous to travel on the roads. There are and will continue to be lots of after shocks in the area. It does not sound like a safe place to go right now to me. Just my opinion.

I would read look at those little Protein vials that you have I bought a bunch of them and returned them because the largest part of Protein they have in them is collagen protein. This is not a good form of protein it is one of the lowest forms of protein out there. And you don't even want to know how they make it. Look at your label and type it into google after this kind of surgery this is the last kind of protein you need.

I agree.

Try some Jay Robb whey Protein powder shakes. I like the chocolate myself. It has no aftertaste and no artificial sweeteners. It's the best kind of protein and also contains some Vitamins. GNC carries it.

The sleeve allows us to live more normally and I am loving it. I went to New Orleans with some of my family on vacation last week and had little tastes of a lot of great food...I was surprised that I could drink a cup of Cafe ole at Cafe Du Monde, and eat two beignets full of powdered sugar...first time I've had a "normal" amount of bread and it was great. A special treat! Now I'm back on my Protein etc. Still losing.

LIFE IS GOOD!

I've missed you Cajun! It seems you haven't been posting as much. I have really missed you in chat too.

I am glad to read those 18's are getting big. It's so much fun and I am so happy for you!

Thanks Daisy. I've been real busy...have had some company visiting and done some travelling so I've been off the web for a while.

I use both sites too, and have found lots of good info on both of them. There are some negatives on both sites too, such is life! I just try to focus on the good stuff.

Stick to mostly Protein, limit carbs to 30 grams a day. If you are eating sugar or white carbs that can make you crave more...

You'll get through this. Just keep on following the rules and it will pass.

Michelle.

That's normal.

Try to stick to healthy foods, Proteins mostly, as much as you can. You'll be sleeved before you know it.

MiniMe,

10 lbs a month is average, so you are ahead of the pack! Just keep on putting one foot in front of the other, and you will be at goal in no time!

Today I left the obese category for good. I am just overweight. My two pairs of borrowed size 18 jeans are getting loose. Whoopee!

It sure feels good. I still do a double take when I see myself in the mirror...it's like I am seeing some other person... It seems like just yesterday I was heading off to Mexicali for the surgery...

By the summer I'll be able to shop for a "permanent" wardrobe...that will be FUN.

Thanks for all the support, y'all.

Nikki,

That is AWESOME, you are doing such an incredible job with your sleeve. INCREDIBLE!!!!!

I've never tried the Jay Robb egg white. Always use the Whey, chocolate flavor. I sometimes add some banana extract for a different flavor. I think it tastes good, no aftertaste at all. I like that it has no aspartame...stevia is the sweetener and I think it is safer than the others...

Just remember...this too shall pass!

Sounds like normal post-op grumpies. You are doing well to walk away instead of burning bridges...things will get better. I promise!

Also one-month out; down 16 lbs. I'm not really having trouble eating anything - I just avoid bad carbs as it fills me up too fast - just healthy Proteins.

My Regular day is 1/2 banana w/morning chewable Vitamins. Wait 1 hour to have egg whites. lunch is usually Gorton's grilled fish filet with 1/2 can peas. I eat sooo slowly - lasts over 1 hour. By dinner, I'm eating a small slice of my oven-baked turkey loaf, shrimp & chicken bisque (blender), etc. Snacks during the day usually include a sneak of cottage cheese, or smooth Ricotta cheese. I seem to be doing OK - slow loss, but consistent and I'm never hungry or feel deprived. Just losing a lot of hair - had to buy Rogaine and still keeping warm compresses on my infiltrated veins from surgery.

Coco,, sounds like you are doing great! Just be aware that bananas and peas are concentrated carbs and could slow down your wt loss. Are you counting carbs? The usual recommendation is no more than 40 grams per day.

Playing devil's advocate: Accepting this statement as proof positive that he has had no leaks is akin to asking the fox, "are you the best one to guard the henhouse?". Not the perfect metaphor, but you hopefully you get my drift. In a US hospital, numerous statistics are kept, to include complication rates. These would be reported in some form of M&M (morbidity and mortality) report and retrievable for review at the departmental or hospital level. This is required at the hospital level as well as by the accrediting body, JCAHO. I don't believe the surgeons in Mexico are held to the JCAHO standard for reporting. That said, there's nothing that says they don't keep very good records. It's just not data that patients can obtain from an objective

source.

Personally, I've learned alot on these boards. The numerous testimonials of patients who have had successful, uncomplicated surgeries far outweigh any that have suffered complications. That's been enough for me to go ahead and schedule my surgery, in Mexico, for early April.

Of course I experience moments of sheer terror now and again, imagining all of the worst case scenarios.

Just my odd 2 cents

I read on their ad that they are in the process of applying for JCAHO certification, by the way!

I had the upper GI and blood work at 3 months as Dr Aceves recommended. My internist ordered them and is very supportive.

On the other hand, she recommended I see the nutritionist, who was totally opposed to the 600-800 calorie diet and tried to get me to increase to 1200 calories. Obviously she did not understand my program. I did learn a lot from her about some aspects of my nutrititoin (or lack thereof). I'm still on the diet prescribed by Dr Aceves but have added ground flax seed, and a few other healthy items suggested by the nutritionist. It just goes to show that what we are doing post-vsg is not understood by a lot of professionals...I think it is cutting edge and we are very lucky to have found it in its' early stages.

My opinion...follow your surgeon's orders.

I thought that it was not possible to sue a Mexican physician...they don't follow the laws of the US, and are not required to. I suppose someone could "serve them" papers on a suit, but that may not have any effect if they are not under US law and courts.

Tiff,

I noticed that even in your "fat" photos, you look like such a lively, jovial and happy person. That is beautiful to see...

Now as I lose weight and gradually become more happy with how I look I have been thinking about how different people look at me now than when I was fat. (I am still obese, but at the lower edge of that BMI classification, and I don't "feel" fat any more. ) I have become aware of my own feelings about obese people that I see now, compared to how I felt when I was obese myself. It is an interesting dynamic to ponder. I wish I were a multi billionare and could offer to pay for free VSG's to every obese person who wanted one...it is such a life changing gift.

This is an awesome post and I am glad that he is my surgeon as well. I am leaving next Thursday on my way and this post has also reconfirmed my research as well. I also like the honesty that he has not had one yet as we all know that things can happy. I am going to need your support and prayers while I embark upon this journey and I will do the same for each of you in return. @ Bona, please send me your email as I would love to stay in touch with you!..

Peace and Blessings to you all!

Brenda

Dr. Aceves

March 19, 2010 - The Real Journey Begins....

Brenda,

I will keep you in my prayers as you set out on this awesome journey. Yes, Dr Aceves is very down to earth, and honest...he tells it like it is, no sugarcoating. My impression is that he is a very spiritual man, who just loves his life's work. I'd like to think that all of us who are his patients will also pray for him that he is blessed for his compassion and dedication. There is a large painting in the hallway at the hospital that shows him in surgery, and I think it reveals a clue about his inspiration.

I'm so glad I stuck to my guns and went with him as my surgeon.

Im leaving for Mexicali on Sunday! Wish me great healing & losing!:001_smile:

Diva...

Best of luck to you. We will move over to make room for you on the loser's bench! Let us know how you are doing when you are able to...

A poster on the OH site asked me to prove that my surgeon, Dr Aceves, has had no leaks. I emailed Gaby at his office to ask if it is still true that he has done over 700 VSGs with no leaks...here is her reply:

"yes, you are correctthanks for recommending us

We are aware that Dr. Aceves is way ahead of the statistics right now and we know this situation of never having a leak will eventually change but right now this is the case, he has never had a leak with a sleeve surgery to date.

It is also important to mention that early on he did deal with a couple of leaks in bypass surgeries so he knows how to take care of them in case that it did happen.

Knowing that leaks are a possibility is the reason we do 3 leak tests and keep patients at the hospital for recovery. "

SO, there are the facts...those of you who are still researching, I highly recommend that you consider him. By the way, I have never received anything in exchange for recommending him. I just know a good thing when I see it. I don't know of any other program where you stay in the hospital for 4 days after surgery. The care is outstanding and Dr Aceves' credentials are impeccable.

Tiff, You are a WONDER WOMAN!!! Thanks for all you bring to this forum...it is inspirational to follow your progress!