Kimmes

Diva - Well stated response. I too went to Mx and had a wonderful and successful surgery with no complications. My daughter is an RN @ U of M Amplatz Children's Hospital and another in medical school. They both stoke with my dr (Dr Ramos Kelly) prior to surgery and researched with me. The RN could not believe the attentive care that I received after surgery both at the hospital and hotel. Had I had the surgery here in the US the plan was - outpatient surgery with a follow up visit 1 week after and again 1 month after. I was in the hospital in MX for 3 nights after and at the hotel for 2 days after. I saw my surgeon at least 2 x per day for those 5 days.
There is good and bad anywhere in the world. People come here to research and learn from others. I can only comment on my own personal experience.

loved your blog and pics! you look great..so young & vibrant! im in month 3...3 more to go then surgery time! I must admit 'focus' is my word for this journey.

Its hard to believe that 365 days ago I flew to San Diego and then went to Mexico to be sleeved by Dr Ramos Kelly. Oh my; a lot has changed in the past year...
This was me as I left my husband in Minnesota and took off for Mx:
Size 16, 239.8 pounds. Not very happy actually pretty depressed and scared to death about the adventure I was about to undertake!

My initial goal was to reach 155 pounds which I was able to do in less than 10 months - November 1st, 2011: 155 pounds

My journey was not all that hard - actually it was pretty easy - I am a focused person and I stayed focused on Proteins first, low carbs and exersize - working out with a trainer 2-3 days a week.
Tomorrow is my one year anniversary of one of the best decisions I have ever made! I am currently 144.4 pounds (Have been this weight for about 3 weeks now - up or down only a few ounces). I am wearing a size 6 or some 4's. Here is a couple of pictures taken this week:

And one last one in my new size 27 Miss Me jeans!

My only regret is not doing this sooner and not taking more pictures of my journey! I am in a good place right now - do not want to lose any more weight - trying to maintain where I am currently or within 5 pounds. I am healthier than I have been in 15+ years. I have energy and finally like the person I see in the mirror.
I am pretty tall so lose skin is not so bad - I cannot complain - no rolls or hanging skin, no bat wings. OH and not BOOB - could wear a training bra again I think (may address that later this year!) This journey was so worth it - I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would recommend my surgeon to anyone - the entire experience was truly a blessing.
Thank you to all those who went before me and provided me with their insight and advice! Your support has made the journey so much easier and enjoyable. If anyone is considering VSG or just starting your journey - stay focused - stay the course! You can do this! I will be 50 years old this year and really feel under 40!
Have a health and happy new year everyone!
Kim

Diva - Well stated response. I too went to Mx and had a wonderful and successful surgery with no complications. My daughter is an RN @ U of M Amplatz Children's Hospital and another in medical school. They both stoke with my dr (Dr Ramos Kelly) prior to surgery and researched with me. The RN could not believe the attentive care that I received after surgery both at the hospital and hotel. Had I had the surgery here in the US the plan was - outpatient surgery with a follow up visit 1 week after and again 1 month after. I was in the hospital in MX for 3 nights after and at the hotel for 2 days after. I saw my surgeon at least 2 x per day for those 5 days.
There is good and bad anywhere in the world. People come here to research and learn from others. I can only comment on my own personal experience.

COOPS - You have inspired me on my journey! You went before me and I have read each of your posts and admired your determination and focus! Thank you for always sharing your story! I love being called a "Big Loser" - what a nice compliment - lol!

You look wonderful! Congratulations - you inspire me to get these last 10 pounds off. What an amazing job you have done.
Well done!

Kimmes, I've said it before and I'll say it again! You look amazing! You are soooo trim! What an amazing transformation. As you know I have been sleeved nearly 18mths now and I still love looking at goal pics and reading other people's journeys... when I see successes as brilliant as yours, it really does motivated me to get to my goal too!
Congratulations on being a motivator and a big loser! =]

MODEL I tell you, MODEL!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!! You have done an AMAZING JOB!!!!! The best is yet to come hugs!

I am almost a year out - Jan 6th. I cannot believe how far I have come. I am waiting to do a big one year update but wanted to share a few pics that might inspire a newbie or someone just starting their journey...
I was 239.8 when I started this journey:
My goal was 155 - I made it NOvember 1st - just under 10 months out.

Today I am 144.4. Here is a recent picture:

Its hard to believe how far I have come. I love the journey I have taken and where I am going. I have made some wonderful supportive friends on this site - God has blessed me in so many ways - amazing! I am looking forward to 2012 as I continue this journey and move on to maintaining. If you are thinking of VSG or on the fence....DO IT!
Kim

Can I join the 2 of you on your tummy tuck field trip?

First of all you have done amazing so please be proud of your accomplishments so far!
Second WTF - GRRRRRR - what an "nice' nurse. Let me just tell you I am a considered a "light weight" BMI was under 40 at surgery. I am still losing at 11 months out (in fact today is 11 months exactly. I made my goal in less than 10 months but this past month I lost 6 pounds which is more than I lost from June-August combined.
What I am trying to say is the weight loss can continue even after 6 months - so do not stress. I know they say that you lose the most in the first year - so stay focused on Protein and Water and keeping carbs low. Each of us loses at a different pace. THere are many people on these boards who can offer you better support than I can - but I want to reassure you that you are doing GREAT!
Do not self destruct because of the words of this one person. Continue your journey at your own comfortable pace. Protein, water and exercize are the 3 thinks that got me to where I am. I work out with a trainer 2 times per week now and work out with my hubby at least 3 x per week at the gym. His workouts are just as hard as my trainers!
Most important is that you are losing and are down almost 100 pounds! Amazing - I am sure you will hit the century mark by the new year! Enjoy your journey and the new you! Keep focused! I wish you much success!
Kim

I did it - I went to Mexico on Jan 6, 2011 and was sleeved by Dr Kelly - WHY? Insurance would not cover me.
BUt I think going to Mexico was a blessing for me.... why>
My surgeon at the University of Minnesota had done 150 VSG surgeries - Dr Kelly had done over 1500 - who do you think has more experience?
Here in Minnesota my VSG would have been done as an out patient procedure I would have been discharged the same day and not seen my surgeon again for over a month- my cost IF insurance would have paid -after with deductible/coinsurance would have been $4000 of the $21,000 billed to insurance. Oh and I would have paid additional for pain pills etc
In MEXIO - I was in the hospital for 3 nights was at a hotel 2 nights saw Dr Kelly daily - my cost was $4500 (almost the same as it would have been in US - but inpatient care and saw the Dr for 5 days straight) - was sent home with a weeks supply of pain pills, antibiotics and ointment - no additional charge.
I have talked to my coordinator monthly (Trish) since surgery and consider her a friend now. She was on the ground in Mexico and I saw her daily as well.
I would do the exact same thing over again now that I know the treatment I received - and i would send family and friends without hesitation. The care and attention I got at florence Hospital was amazing (my daugher is an RN her at the University of MN Childrens Amplatz Hospital and she was amazed at the care and follow-up I received)
So that is why I did it. My personal choice and opinion - my true experience. I get angry when people post "opinions" about treatment and care in Mexico when they do not have any personal experience to base their opinions on - it is all hearsay - unless you personally have been there and experienced it. Again this is just my personal experience - maybe not the experience of every - but it worked for me - Met goal in under 10 months, currently 6 pounds below goal 11 months out today!
Kim

Hey Angel86......you might have read about TRish, who coordinates for Dr. Kelly. Well, she is also coordinating for Dr. Ponce too. She is an on-site coordinator, which is so nice. I had my surgery with Dr. Kelly and Trish took such good care of me. She will arrange your surgery, make arrangements for you to be picked up at the airport (going back too), take you to the hotel, etc. For me, it was sort of scary going to a foreign country all be myself, but I didn't feel like I was alone with Trish. She has a website, which is wls4betterlife.com.....check it out. If you need to get in touch with her, her cell number is 661-886-4617 ( you can text to that number too) or her office number which is 619-202-6011. You can just tell her that Noel told you about her services with Dr. Ponce. She is a wonderful person and will take good care of you. I hear from Trish that Dr. Ponce is a very good surgeon too. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Interesting and disturbing all at once! I used Dr Kelly 11 months ago today Love him. I also had Trish as my coordinator and she was amazing... sad the things that are going one with her, Dr Kelly and Sandy
Here is Trish's website: http://www.wls4betterlife.com/index.html she is still coordinating for Dr Kelly and several surgeons. I spoke to her personally last week. There are several hospitals that they are working with.
Best advise find the surgeon you want to use... then pick the coordinator you want to work with, then schedule. Having Trish on the ground right at the hospital was important to me. Dr Kelly did his magic with the surgery and Trish helped me have a smooth worry free recovery. I am blessed to have found them both!
Kim

Irene - You are amazing! LOVE LOVE LOVE you girl - you inspire me - and always say it as it is! Your journey has been so fun to follow - and you will never know how much you helped me through your honest posts. I admire your determination - and am so proud of you!
I wish you continued happiness and satisfaction you have worked so hard to earn it! Hugs
Kim

OH MY LORD! I just got home and got a coupon card from Beverly Hills Physicians...coincidence or not??? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG thanks for sharing - you constantly challenge me to keep going! I must say I am so thankful this Thanksgiving that I found you Irene and all my friends here on VST. You are amazing and I cannot wait to see you in those "0"'s! You will do it - no doubt!
Kim

What is with these reputation points? I see the box over there showing who has the most points, but I don't get where these points even come from. I don't see anywhere on here where points are given.

Hello, the reputation points are earned when someone clicks to "Like This" button. Each "Like This" click by a single user earns 1 reputation point. This can be for posts in topics, photo comments, blogs, etc.

Good luck Irene on the lipo sending best wishes and prayers your way!

Sending prayers and cyber hugs to you! The journey is amazing - rest well and take care of yourself - soon you will be on the loser bench. Please say hi to Trish and Dr Kelly for me - Kim from Minnesota. I was sleeved there on Jan 6th - I am one pound away from my final goal - truly a blessing!
God bless!

I started this journey at 239.8

And today I am 159.9 I have gone from a size 16 to an 8. I am NOT done yet - I have 4.9 pounds left until I meet my goal of 155 and then we will see where I go from there!

I feel so blessed! Dr Kelly changed my life forever! I love my sleeve!!!

I think you will be just fine! You will have Trish there for you and it gives you personal time to heal and prepare for the journey ahead. Contact Trish and see if she can provide you with names of anyone who will be there the same time. I did that and found my sleeve sister Davida that way! We are now both 7 months out and both less than 10 pounds to our final goals!

WHOOT! Congrats! I am stuck at 165 - my final destination is 155 - hoping to see the scale move in the right direction soon!

I made my 4th of July goal yesterday so looking forward to the Labor Day challenge!
Sn.............start weight.................current weight..........labor day goal
Kimmes..........239.8......................169.8......................159.......................10.8 to go!