PhatGurl80

So happy for your Barbie! As long as you do your research and feel comfortable about your decision that's all that counts. I think the most important thing is to establish a relationship with the surgeon/staff that will be taken care of you. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!

Going back to the original question...... I had surgery with Dr. Garcia in Sept. Ive lost 58 lbs to date and had a very quick recovery. Very little pain after the first two days. I had surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work on the following Wednesday. Carebat the hospital was good and my documented germaphobe fiance even had good things to say. You can read more of my experience in my blogs. Good luck to you.

211.6 today. Goal for Feb.14th is to be 210...I'm on my way down Pre-surgery weight - 270 Current weight - 211.6 V-Day Goal - 210.00 Final Goal - 175

I don't thinl there's a right or wrong answers to this. It uncomfortable to some people and doesn't effect others. Some docs say no some say its ok. I really think it all depends in what school of thought they were taught. Plus VSG is relatively new so I'm sure there were a lot of restrictions from other WLS's carried over. I would say try it. If it hurts you don't use straws.

I don't thinl there's a right or wrong answers to this. It uncomfortable to some people and doesn't effect others. Some docs say no some say its ok. I really think it all depends in what school of thought they were taught. Plus VSG is relatively new so I'm sure there were a lot of restrictions from other WLS's carried over. I would say try it. If it hurts you don't use straws.

I had surgery in TJ with Dr. Garcia in September. Hospital me was small but very sterile and comfortable. I don't think I could've been any more comfortable in a U.S. facility. We walked around TJ before and after my surgery and felt very safe.

This is a topic that I think most of us struggle with. I too was alwasy told that I better finish what's on my plate or else. I grew up eating every single last morsel. To make things worse, I was NOT a picky eater so there was almost nothing left on my plate. The only exception was lima beans lol. But it took quite a while for my mind to ease into the thought of eating less. Even after I was sleeved and was done with my liquid phase, easing my way back into solids, I still didn't know how to just back off and caused a lot of unnecessary pain to myself. I am 4 months out now and what has helped me was to use the smaller saucers for my meals or smaller condiment bowls, and I also pre-measure my food. I know now that my tummy can't hold any more than 4 maybe 5 oz of anything at one time. So, I start out with that. If I'm having more than one item in a meal, I measure it so that the total on my plate is no more than that 4 or 5 ounces. I loathe the feeling of being overstuffed so once I start getting to the point where the next bite might be uncomfortable, I stop eating. I still don't just throw the food away, I simply put it in a small container for my next meal. It's an every day struggle and you contsantly have to think about it, but you'll get better. I just really had to ask my self, "is this last bite going to bring me more joy or pain..." and also if the decision will be condusive to my overall goal.

Hey All! My goal starting after Thanksgiving was to get to 210lbs by Valentine's Day. Thanksgiving I was about 221 and today I am 214. So, it's taken me several weeks to lose 7lbs, but I am very happy at losing at this rate. I've been working out pretty extensively and lost about 4 inches off my waist and another two off my thighs and hips! I'm so loving this journey. I plan on hitting my goal of 210 within the next two weeks. Good luck everyone!

Hey there! Height: 5'6" Highest weight: 270 Weight day of surgery: 263 Current Weight: 214 Surgery Date: 9/14/2011

You can do it, girl. How long is your pre-op dieting?

My insurance doesn't cover anything weight loss related either. Not even a nutritionist. I wa referred to A Lighter Me by a friend who had surgery in Tijuana the year prior. My cost was $5000 and had surgery with Dr. Garcia. It was a great experience and I wrote about it in my blog. Good luck to you.

I too was a little taken aback with hunger. I really thought it would just go away. But if you think about it, its your body's way of telling you that you need fuel. You are living on a fraction of the calories that u took in before your surgery. And trying to go back to the same activity in a day no doubt. So your body needs fuel. The way I got rid of the problem of hunger when I felt it was to eat something. I think its ok to do that. But keep in mind that you need to put healthy foods into your body. You only have a little room in there so theres really not enough room to put anything in there but foods that will help you. I hope it all works out for you, just hang in there, I promise you will become a pro in no time!

I completely understand how you feel. I got an abnormal EKG as well and flipped out about it. I was able to get in to see the Cardiologist the very next day that I was told about the EKG reading. When all was said and done the cardiologist said that my heart was normal and they probably got an inaccurate reading due to all the fat that the signals had to go through. lol. He then proceeded to advise that I lose weight.... go figure.

Ha ha. It was the opposite. I paid THEM!

I went to Dr. Garcia in TJ back in Sept. Can't say enough good things about him, all the staff and Mi Doctor Hospital. I also coordinated through A Lighter Me.

Whichever way you go (paying in the U.S. or in Mexico) the money spent is definitely worth it. I'm 15 weeks out and am down about 50lbs. If I had not done the surgery I would still be struggling to lose weight. Don't get me wrong, it's no cake walk to have WLS, but when you think about all the time and money spent on all those diet get-skinny-quick programs, then Vertical sleeve is the way better choice. I'm over 30yrs old and I couldn't picture myself spending the next 30 (or maybe not even get to see another 30) making the same mistakes with over eating and yo-yo dieting. When does it stop? Good luck to you and whether you decide to go to Mexico or stay in the U.S., do what's best for you. Also just fyi, i had my surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana and i paid $5000, airfare was an additional $300. Good luck to you!

Hmmm... I guess everyone is different when it comes to that. I started at a 42 DD and now 3 months post-op I'm a 40 C

Show of hands....how many folks only eat special foods marketed to Bariatric Patients? For example, Bariatric Choice, Bariatric Advantage, ProtiDiet.... I'm just wondering if it's worth the investment or is it just as good as picking and choosing foods from the local grocers. I do use a protein powder, but I it from WholeFoods and it has 4g of carbs, 32g of protein and 80 cals and it's usually around $22 per container. Lasts about 6-8 weeks.

I told my PCP about a month before going to Mexioco and she said "oh great!" . Then she proceeded to tell me how insurance companies screw everyone over lol. She offered to do all of my pre-op tests and stayed discreet about why I needed them. She is great.