First, sorry for the cross post. I am lame and accidentally posted this in the pre-op questions board.

Well, I thought I'd do a quick update on my progress at 2 months and one day out. I had a lap band installed in January of this year. I was 200 lbs and 5' 3" and went to Mexico to have Dr. Ortiz placed my band. I never had much luck at all with the darn thing and "only" lost 15 lbs, but suffered from PBing and overeating all the time. It was a mess and I hated having the darn thing.

In June I started researching other options and found more info on the sleeve and started to consider it. It took me several months, but in October, I headed back to Mexico (on my own this time) - this time to see Dr. Rodriguez - and had most of my stomach removed. I will tell you that the first night was hell, but it has gotten better ever since. The first month of recovery was horrible. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and returned to work the following Monday - probably a bit too soon as I was making mistakes in my new job - something I definitely could have done without.

Anyway, during the past few months I've suffered from hot flashes when I eat too much sugar or fat (not that I'm eating much at all, but I have become extremely sensitive to them both), massive constipation that has thankfully cleared up this past month, but best of all, I have lost weight!!!

The sleeve is everything I was hoping for in the band. I wish I had done this first, but my journey is what it is. I don't think there is any way that I would have had the sleeve done had I not done the band first. That would have just seemed way too radical for me. I'm just glad that the choices I've made have gotten me to where I am today.

Today I am weighing in at 157. I am wearing a size 8, can run without any pain in my hips, feet or knees, get compliments by friends about my progress (98% of my friends and family do NOT know what I've done). I am looking forward to what the next 2 months will bring.

I had to deal with a nasty 2 week stall at 3 weeks which was no fun at all, but I am learning to trust my sleeve and know that this is going to work! That ol band left me feeling very unsure as to whether this would work for me at all and thankfully it is doing its thing quite well! here are a few pics to show off where I'm at. I have so many awful before pics, but I'll save the bikini ones for a few more months down the road.

Best of luck to you all.

PS: I'm the one in the gray dress in the holiday photo below. I've also lost another 5 lbs since that pic (9 days ago). Truly love my sleeve!

Congratulations on such a great story. I am a little confused...you were sleeved 2 months ago and have lost 30+lbs already with a 2 week stall? Are you kidding? Great stats. Thanks for sharing pics. Your smile says it all.

Thanks for sharing. You look GREAT!!!

Deb

Great job You look awesome!

Congratulations on your success!

Renee

Thanks everyone. I feel so much better and know it will just get better.

For clarification, I think i've actually lost 27 lbs (not 30) in the past 2 months. . . I don't keep crazy-accurate stats, but I do hop on the scale daily - especially when I'm losing - so right now I am at 157. On Sleeve day i was 185.

Congratulations on your success so far!! You look really great, and most of all HAPPY!!!!

Congratulations on your success so far!! You look really great, and most of all HAPPY!!!!

May I ask why you didnt go back to Ortiz to do your sleeve?

You look like enjoying life. Congrats to you!

May I ask why you didnt go back to Ortiz to do your sleeve?

I've never seen Dr. Ortiz.

I didn't mean you, I was asking the OP. Forgive me. I'm new and am just learning how to do replies.

I've never seen Dr. Ortiz.

You look awesome! Congrats to the new YOU!

Congrats I'm going to Dr Rod in April to have my sleeve done, how long do you think you need to take off before going back to work . What location did u go to I'm a little nervous.

Tell me all about Dr. Rod. He is doing my surgery 1 month from today. 2/19/11. I am so excited but not wanting to tell my parents. That's right. Im 40 and afraid to tell my parents.

Tell me all about Dr. Rod. He is doing my surgery 1 month from today. 2/19/11. I am so excited but not wanting to tell my parents. That's right. Im 40 and afraid to tell my parents.

Don't feel like a lone ranger about "not" telling your parents. I didn't tell my Dad because he's always had this belief that you don't go to doctors unless it's life and death. He didn't feel like this weight issue was life and death, though it was/is life and death for me. After it was done and he realized that I survived and was O.K., he was alright with it. He may not approve, but I think he realizes that I'm smart, I did my homework, and I found a great doctor who did a wonderful job. So, don't sweat it, your folks will come around, especially as they watch your body shrink and your smile grow!!!

P.S. I had my sleeve surgery done on December 20th and I'm already rid of 32 pounds....I couldn't be happier if I was twins!!!

I'm so happy for you! I'm glad you are doing so well. I almost went for the lap band and I'm so grateful that I went with the super sleeve.