cajun

I drink Sobe Lifewater. Love it. My taste for plain water has gone down the toilet. (grin)

Since you seem to like animals, perhaps a job with a veterinarian would be fun, as well as productive of some income.

AJW NICE photo! You really do look great and I can see why folks say you have lost enough...but I know what you mean...I've only lost 58 lbs, 85 to go and people frown when I say I have a lot more to lose. So now I just say I have "a little more" to lose so they don't harass me.

I agree with Vegas Angel. The high protein, low carb diet before surgery is very important, to shrink your liver. If it is big and slippery from eating carbs, you have a higher risk of it being nicked (which causes hemorhage) during surgery because the surgeon has to work very close to and under the liver. So fill up on meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, cheese, and other protein and stay away from all carbs as much as you can. This will shrink your liver and take away its' slippery coating, and give you the very best chance of having no complications post-operatively. You'll love Dr Aceves and Dr Campos. Let us know how you are doing post op!

Chancie, AWESOME!!!!!! Your success and all that you share helps me keep on following the program, so a big THANKS, and CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS THAT COMES YOUR WAY!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING YOU IN ONDERLAND IN A FEW MONTHS.

Tracy, You will sure be in my prayers for a successful revision. What resiliance! You are such a strong person, I know you will reach your goals.

Judy, sounds like you are doing great. Clear liquids will be done soon and you will be able to have a more satisfying variety. I loved cream Soups in the full liquid stage. You can put any Soup in a blender, and make it totally particle-free...lots of different tastes to enjoy. Congratulations on sticking to the program...you will be so glad you did this once you are through the hard part and see the pounds falling off.

I agree with that! A hospital, with an ICU and full service specialists in the event they are needed!

Tiff, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so thrilled for you, and like the other comments, am so grateful for your honest and "right on" posts that have helped us all to keep a perspective. It is great to have you as a sleeve sister.

I hate it when people lie to you just to get your money. GRRRRR. I hope you find a way to get the sleeve if that is what you want. I'm delighted with mine, and highly recommend Dr Aceves in Mexicali. "Summer" rate was 8700 all inclusive except for my airfare. He is president of mexican bariatric assoc., is a Fellow in American College of surgeons, has done over 700 sleeves and has an outstanding reputation. I'm a nurse myself, with 30 years experience, did extensive research on multiple surgeons before deciding, and I'd send my first born child to him...can't do better in my opinion.

I agree with other posters. Drink more Water. Write down your grams protein, calories, carbs daily and see if you are meeting goals. Measure. I lost two clothing sizes but very little weight the past month. Bet you are too. Keep on keeping on...let your body do the adjusting it needs to do and put away the scales...weigh once every two weeks.

Dr Aceves did my surgery, and I highly recommend him. I paid $8700 for mine, since it was a "summer special" even though I went in late September. One advantage with him is he operates in a new, very clean and beautiful, full service hospital, not a clinic. You stay in the hospital for four days, and receive all the medications you need to control your postop pain/nausea, etc. You are seen by him or his assistant about 4 times a day, which is unheard of in US hospitals. He takes every possible precaution to ensure a safe and successful outcome. I would even recommend him over the very best US sleeve surgeon group in California, who have lots more experience than anyone else. They cost about twice as much, and I hear from several sleevers that their bedside manner sometimes is not as user-friendly as Dr Aceves. You will be treated with the utmost respect and kindness by Dr Aceves and his staff, AND receive highly skilled care that is better than any I have ever seen. I am a nurse, with over 30 years of experience, and have had 5 surgeries. The only downside is the travel in my opinion. I love to fly, but wish Dr Aceves' office was in MY home town! Oh well, can't have everything! His office does stay in touch and he likes to see his patients for follow up if they can get there. But since I am a thousand miles away, I see my local internist for followup, and communicate via email with Dr Aceves' office because he wants to know how I'm doing. The response I get is rapid and always helpful when I have questions. Call 888-344-3916 to talk with Nina if you have any questions. She's great!

I wish that I could have found a surgeon with as much experience as Dr Aceves, as good a reputation, and as inexpensive, here in my area, because I would have certainly chosen to stay closer to home for many reasons. Easier, safer in terms of getting follow up in the event of any complications, no language barrier with nurses or any other staff, no travel time or expense etc, etc. However I could not find anyone nearby who met those qualifications. There are more US physicians who are getting experience with the sleeve as time goes on, and eventually there will be lots of them across the country that will be excellent choices, I'm sure. For now, they are few and far between from what I've been able to determine. I'm glad you found one near your home. It will be easier on you than travelling. My internist had referred me to a bariatric surgeon 1 1/2 hours from my home town of 200,000 people. No one locally was qualified. But when I did my research, I found that he had not done even 100 sleeves, so I was not willing to risk using him either. (research says after 300, the complication rate falls dramatically). She was surprised when I saw her next after getting back from Mexicali, but she was also impressed with the credentials of Dr Aceves. I'm impressed with the results! I've lost over 1/3 of my excess weight in just two months, and am feeling great. I look forward to the day when any US citizen can find a well qualified, affordable Sleeve surgeon with a good program in their own home town. That will be the very best option. Welcome to the board!

GREAT! You will be at your goal in no time!

The only caveat for me would be if you are on a PPI or other acid reducer after surgery, such as nexium, prilosec, etc, you are not making enough stomach acid to kill any bacteria that might be in the honey you consume. So I'd wait until you are off the PPI. That goes for other unpasteurized dairy products as well. I'm also careful about not eating foods that have been sitting out all day such as at holiday gatherings because they are more likely to be contaminated. A "normal" stomach with plenty of hydrochoric acid will kill off most bacteria we consume, but even a normal stomach will get "sick" if we eat a large enough portion of contaminated food. Ever had the "runs" after munching on an all day Christmas buffet? Not fun. An e coli infection from contaminated ground beef or poorly washed spinach could even be lethal, and has been for some people with normally functioning stomachs, as we have seen in the news. I just try to be conscious of avoiding high risk situations until I'm "back to normal" and off the nexium that I take.

I stopped my blood pressure medicine one week ago after reducing it by half for a month. My BP has been 120/60 for the past week. I NO LONGER HAVE HYPERTENSION!!!!! i also have not taken my antidepressant since before the surgery and do not feel like I need it. YIPPEE again. NO MORE DEPRESSION. WHAT A MIRACLE, NOT TO MENTION A MONEY-SAVER. The Sleeve is worth every penny no matter what it costs!

Today may be a bump in the road but you'll soon be feeling better and the weight will fall off magically! Let us know how things are going!

Research has shown that after a surgeon has performed 300 VSG surgeries, the complication rate is very low. That's the benchmark I used when choosing my surgeon.

Wearing a N5 mask is a good idea, and keeping your hands away from your face also. I wore a mask on the plane, coming and going from Mexicali, because a plane is a great enclosed place to pick up the flu. I did not want to get that post operatively. Avoid crowds as much as possible. When someone sneezed near me at work, I'd move away for a few minutes to let the sneeze spray dissipate...some people don't cover their mouths when they sneeze and you can see the spray ...yuck. Luckily, I did not contract any cold or flu and still don't, 2 1/2 months after surgery. Got my flu shot too...prevention works!

BE CAREFUL with Zinc. Google "zinc overdose" and you will find some information. There are serious side effects from overuse, and studies still in progress on using it to prevent or treat colds. The nasal spray causes permanent loss of sense of smell in some people and lawsuits are starting. I'd check with your health care provider before using Zinc, in my opinion.

Shanda, Congratulations!!! You are going to be an incredibly beautiful bride! Your new husband will be so happy for you and so proud! But most important is how deeply happy YOU will be for YOURSELF! All the hard work you are doing is paying off. Keep up the good work! We were sleeved at about the same time and I have lost 30 lbs since surgery, 48 lbs since starting my pre-surgery diet, but 56 lbs since my highest weight. I seem to be in a stall these past 2 1/2 weeks. I'm not discouraged though...I am losing inches...need to go buy some new underwear because it is starting to fall off me! I've gone from a 4X to a 2X and am feeling so great. What a blessing! This is the BEST Christmas present I have ever given myself. It's great to be your sleeve sister. Thanks to you and to all the other sleeve sisters and brothers who have helped me on this forum! Y'ALL ARE THE BEST!:lol0::thumbup::lol0:

Lan, did you ever start the voluteer work with the animal shelter? I am wondering if it would help you to focus on something else and take care of someone/something else...needy pets is a great way to do this, as they love everyone unconditionally. I hope you have been able to get involved with this as you had previously said.

What a great winning night for all! Congratulations!

Welcome Katrina. Keep up the great work!

Dalite, I hope today was a great day for you, and your recovery is smooth. Let us hear from you when you are able...