Getting the Weight off Once and for All... - Tijuana, MX

I've been reading about everyone else's experience on Real Self and it has helped me decide to have my surgery at the obesity control center in Tijuana MX. I can say that I was curious about going out of country from the start because I am privately paying for the procedure and the local hospital wants almost 3X as much money. My husband finally got on board with the idea and now I am doing all my pre-op work to get ready! My surgery is scheduled for August 21st 2015! (eek!)

I have the same story you've heard a thousand times. Overweight since I was a kid -- got it under control a couple times in my late teens and again in my middle twenties. Only to completely lose a grip and end up at an all time high in my late 30's. My husband and I really want to start a family, we've been married for 10 years this fall. We weren't even trying for a long time because I always thought I'd get my weight down and unfortunately time is not on my side anymore. My last straw was the miscarriage I had almost a year ago. After which I was so incredibly depressed I put on another 30lbs. This spring I decided that it was either figure out a way to get it together or start the process of adopting a child. I decided to give myself another shot at getting this weight off.

I always thought losing weight via WLS was a short cut for people with no will power. I've since learned that it takes just as much work! The benefit is I won't be able to bail on the process because my anatomy will have changed. I can lose 30-40lbs on my own now but then when life happens (vacation, sickness, busy at work) I fall off ... gain some back plus more and repeat! So this is my story and hopefully some of you will be here for support as I will be for you!

I haven't decided yet whether I want to have pics with my face or without but either way I'll upload before pics at some point.

HW 331
CW 305 (25 to go before my surgery so I am in hard core lose mode)

Soooooo yeah this pre-op diet is no joke. It's not the full liquid diet yet but at this time it is 2 shakes, all the veggies I can eat and a few ounces of lean protein for dinner. Sugar free popsicles, water, air ... It's wild over here! The nut is talking about switching me to all liquids early to make sure I make it to the goal before surgery. Not sure how I feel about it bc I'll be on the liquid diet after surgery too. Seems like an awful long time to be drinking my meals. But I've read others who went to the Obesity Control Center and had to pay extra for not getting their weight down so I definitely do NOT want to go that route. I have been absolutely faithful but my goal is aggressive and my surgery is coming faster than I thought. I was optimistic when I scheduled so I will continue to kick butt and make this goal. I feel like it's a little challenge to myself to do what I can to make this work. I'm afraid if I let myself off the hook it'll stretch out forever.

I have been walking like it's my job getting at least 4 miles a day. This is huge for me. I was the queen of sedentary lifestyle! Trying to stay positive and not worry because it won't help.

HW 331
CW 298
GW(pre-surgery) 280

I don't especially feel like I want to fall off course but I do feel tired this week. I think it's the lack of carbs and all of the exercise. I am making good progress though, so there's that. As August 1st looms I am starting to feel nervous about my surgery! I haven't told anyone but my husband and my business partner but I don't see myself lying if people ask about the weight loss. I know some of the people in my life are going to be crazy judgmental and negative and I don't need that right now. I can see the look on my dad, sisters, brother, all the in- laws, and my friend's faces and hear the judgy-ness in their voice ... I just can't imagine many being on board and I am struggling staying positive with this drastic diet as it is. (I haven't gotten hungry +anger = hangry-- so that's a plus) I do have a few people who would cheer me on if I told them but both mine and my husband's families are tight knit so I can't imagine them keeping their mouth shut and not blabbing to the ones who aren't going to be supportive. They'd only tell because they would be excited for me and not think about how some of the others would not be. I know my family, even when you say "don't tell anyone" they can't help themselves. I don't need people telling me I'm being insane for getting it done AND going to Mexico for the surgery. As I read other people's point of view I do realize I will need the support, so I am trying to decide whether I will wait to tell them after the surgery or tell some of them now. I especially think my mom would be hurt to know I went all the way to Mexico AND had surgery without telling her so that's where this whole rant is coming from.

In other news, I lost another few pounds this week so I think I'll make my goal. I just keep plugging away. The place I'm having it done gave me a tall order; almost 40 pounds before the surgery-- I had already lost 11 from when I started the first program at the hospital which I thought would count towards the new place but no such luck. So a total of 51 pounds seemed absolutely nuts to me. I've never made it past 38 pounds in all of my weight loss attempts throughout the years. The local hospital that I originally signed up for only wanted me to lose 20 which seemed so much more reasonable, but they also wanted another $20,000 to do the surgery. I was considering spending the extra money because 51 pounds seems insane and if I was able to lose that kind of weight what the heck would I need surgery for? But my husband thought that was a silly reason (easy for him to say) to spend $24,000 which we'd have to scrape together because I'm private pay. After all my intimidation, regarding getting all of that weight off before hand, I realized 1. even when I do lose the 51 I'll still need surgery to help me stay on track to get the other 100+ pounds off and 2. I want the chance to tackle this so badly that I will put in the work to get to my goal AND I believe in myself that I can do it, because I'm worth it. Remind me I said that if I start to waiver lol. After losing 36 of the 51, I'm feeling a little more confident! I have 15 more pounds to go!

HW 331
CW 295
GW (pre-surgery) 280