Soooo I just got my confirmation e-mail from my surgeon's office. Kinda freaking out right now, in an extremely good way. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, I have hope again. I had been so depressed for the past year, I had given up on myself; everytime I attempted a new diet, I'd lose 20 pounds and gain back 30-40. Since January 2015, I ballooned up from 2220-230lbs to nearly 275lbs. I stopped going out (except to work), gave up on my appearance (except for makeup; I used to be a makeup artist, so it's my creative outlet).

Anyway... I got approved for the surgery date I picked, guys! I asked for April 4th. Since 4 is my lucky number, I thought 4/4/16 was pretty much a sign from above that it's meant to be!

I picked Dr Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana as my surgeon. I had a phone consultation with him last week, seems like a great guy. Excited to meet him in 3 weeks!

I could bounce off the walls right now! STOKED!!!!!!

Bon voyage and good luck!!! Soft waisted pants are a must!!! Hugs and best wishes from rainy Chicago!

Bon voyage and good luck!!! Soft waisted pants are a must!!! Hugs and best wishes from rainy Chicago!

Already packed! Borrowed my sister's old maternity pants! Thanks for the good wishes!

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Good luck! Be sure to post back here letting us know how everything is going as soon as you can. It's tough saying goodbye to loved ones. Even when you rationally know that everything will be fine, there's that little emotional part of your brain thinking crazy stuff like "this might be the last time we ever see each other". But you got through it and when you come back safe and sound, hopefully your dad will eventually come around on the whole surgery thing the way my husband did.

Well, folks, it's too bad I can't change the title of this thread, because it's happened! I'm sleeved!

Sorry it took me a while to update, but posting from my phone while abroad was a hassle, and to be honest I was too lazy to type out a wall of text on it... haha!

I just got back home today. Trip went AMAZINGLY. Everything was perfect. The clinic, staff, and Dr Ortiz were all stellar; I can genuinely say I got better care with them than I would've gotten in Canada at my local hospital. I highly, highly recommend them to any lurkers that might be reading this.

On the day of surgery, I got a bit nervous. The fact that it's a permanent procedure was a bit daunting, to say the least. The worst was when I was wheeled into the OR and layed on the operating table. I couldn't help but think "What the eff am I doing, this is crazy...". But then, Dr Ortiz walked in, and made me feel a whole lot more comfortable. His good mood really eased up the tension. Then, one of the anesthesists did his thing, and before I could realize it, I was out. When I woke up in recovery, I remember actually being annoyed by all the noise around me; I had 'forgotten' what had happened, and felt like I had been woken up from a nap! I thought "Man, why is everyone being so loud? I'm trying to sleep, here!" haha. Then, when I slightly moved and felt the tightness in my stomach, I realized "Oh sh*t, it's done! I'm sleeved! No going back now...!"

Recovery went well, had some nausea and gas pain (I was so incredibly thankful you guys suggested so strongly to bring Gas-X! I brought the strips and they were GODSENDS). Everytime I went to the restroom while in the hospital, I tried to walk around the clinic 3-5 times before heading back to bed.

Fast-forward to today, 6 days post-op... I feel fine, except my stomach still feels quite tight (that "pulling" feeling whenever you get up from bed or from a chair, ugh) and a bit swollen. But I think it's normal for the first week or two. Oh, and the acid reflux. Not fun. Never had it before. Guess I'm one of the unlucky ones.

Overall, things are going smoothly... I'm in this weird phase where I'm like "Are you sure this was a good idea? You just completely altered your life forever, no going back.", but I also know it's for the best, so I think it's just about getting used to it.

Can't wait to actually CHEW on food, though. I'm sick of Soups and broths! haha

So glad you posted back and everything went well! It's a lot of adjustment in the early weeks and some doubt and regret can creep in, but just focus on the moment. Get your water, get your protein, walk as much as possible. You'll get the hang of things. Did the give you omeprazlle to take for the reflux?

So glad you posted back and everything went well! It's a lot of adjustment in the early weeks and some doubt and regret can creep in, but just focus on the moment. Get your Water, get your Protein, walk as much as possible. You'll get the hang of things. Did the give you omeprazlle to take for the reflux?

Not sure what the "scientific name" is for it, but I believe they did. (Prescription is super far, and I'm too lazy to get up and go get it! haha) They told me to take Inhibitron twice daily instead of once to help with the reflux.