NJsharon

My largest one is about an inch long, the one between my boobs is only about 1/4" if that.

Tia, you are welcome! I know when I was getting ready to go I was trying to find everything I could on Dr Kelly. So was hoping it would help others going that route! cabral76 - You are doing this for you & it is a great thing. I was scared myself that I would not wake up from surgery! But I got through fine. I also went alone to Dr Kelly & did fine & so will you! You are not being selfish, you are doing this for you, but also for your kids too, so they can have a healthy fit mom to be able to keep up with them! Good luck to you & you will be fine!

My Dr offered me wine when he took me out for a meal (chicken broth) at 2 days post op, when I was in Mexico! So I think you can, of course in moderation, just have a little.

A friend saw this bread online. Once I can eat some real food I plan to try it. It sounds great! http://www.julianbakery.com/bread-product/carbzero-regular/

My dr's wife gave me a bunch of splendas after my surgery, to use with the herbal teas she gave me. So I am allowed splenda.

I have one inbetween my boobs, very tiny one, that is just above my bra line. Then 4 in a row, horizontally, just above my waist. No drain, so no incision from that.

Tia, you can contact Omar (he is like the coordinator there) at wls-surgery@hotmail.com or call them at 619-395-5347. Did you read my blog Tia? Check it out, it has pics of the Dr, his wife & Omar on there & my experience! http://njsharonjourney.blogspot.com/ I had a brilliant time though, still miss the team... they looked after me so well!

Well I came out & told everyone on facebook yesterday & man, it feels so good to have that out there! Have only had posititve responses so far! It is great!

My Vitamin D was low pre-op & used to take one 5000 IU gel cap every day. Post op I take a chewable multi-vitamin plus a chewable Vitamin D (again 5000 IU). Only 9 days out, so haven't had my Vitamin D levels checked. Hoping the chewables work vs. using the gel caps. I also take a B12 vitamin daily & a calcium citrate chewable.

Mine was super easy. I was laying on the operating room table, told to put my arms out to my side, then he said I would go to sleep soon. Next thing I knew I was waking up in my hospital room! No dreams, no headache, no pain. Just a tiny bit of nausea that first 24hrs. But it was sooooo easy!

Good luck, hope you get that letter! Otherwise, consider Mexico for surgery. They have some very experienced drs there, much lower self-pay cost & my personal dr (Dr Kelly) made it a fun vacation too! I didn't need any pre-approval for Dr Kelly either or any letters.

Just lots of drinks! You should be fine. The gatorade will be good, maybe even another gatorade in case. But have fun!!!

Okay, added some pics from the Saturday night meal with the team!

Yes, I will post some pictures soon. I have a lovely picture of Dr Kelly & his wife Cecy.

Oh, you are in for a treat. Dr Kelly & his team are awesome! Omar is a saint dealing with all my e-mails pre-op & post-op too! lol If you want to read my review of Dr Kelly, I have a blog too: http://njsharonjourney.blogspot.com/

Oh & I was sleeved the same day as you! My Dr allowed me to drink gatorade, said he wanted me to have at least 1 1/2 cups of that a day. So mostly been drinking that, some crystal light, and the chicken stock. I am probably around 50oz, but know I am not at 64oz yet. It is hard to get all the liquids in. Oh & now I am allowed milk, so made myself a banana milk with sugar free Da Vinci syrup. It is made with splenda & has zero calories & zero carbs, zero everything actually. Had that yesterday for the first time & it was so good.

What about chicken stock. I drink low sodium chicken stock & that is pretty good.

Well you might like it. My friend likes it. But I thought the vanilla was nasty. LOL

I tried the nectar ones & wasn't keen on them. Premier choc was just okay, premier vanilla was nasty! I LOVE the chike strawberry & chike banana. You can get a sample pack of 5 flavors for $6.95 to try! http://www.chikenutrition.com/free-sample.html

I was allowed cream soups pre-op, so that meant things like cream of mushroom, cream of brocolli etc. Post op I am not allowed them yet.

No medical insurance will not pay for surgery out of the states. But it is cheaper than having it done in the states. Mine cost $5500 plus airfare.

I was given a 2 week diet & just told to eat healthy. To reduce my carbs, heavier on the protein, lower sodium etc. I did start drinking a protein drink for breakfast every day & often had one for lunch as well. Just to get into the habit of getting more protein in. Then 3 days pre-op I did have a liquid diet.

Definitely talk with your regular dr to see he/she will see you when you get back. You will need routine follow ups, like bloodwork done. I told my regular Dr & she freaked out putting MX down & saying she could not offter me the support needed when I got back. So I changed Drs! I am now very happy with my regular Dr & she will do my bloodwork, check my incisions at the same time etc. I was sleeved by Dr Kelly & had nothing but a fantastic time with my surgery itself & my experience in Mexico. Dr Garcia is very good too, he was my 2nd choice.

No, the support meetings are open to anyone that has had sleeve, bypass or band. I actually had my surgery in Mexico, but attend the meetings. If you wanted to come you are welcome, just probably a drive for you! Next one is on Wed May 23rd at 7pm. If you are interested then let me know (you can send me a PM) & I will give you the address. I have been drinking G2 also. My Dr just told me Gatorade, did not tell me a specific kind though. Today by accident I picked up some regular Gatorade, so will use those 2 bottles up (just small bottles) then back to G2 again. I didn't want that much sugar either, as they are carbs!

I was told caffeine was allowed for me after 1 week post op. Personally I was addicted to caffeine though... either diet coke or coffee. So not going to go back to that & stick to de-caf coffee from now on. Also was told no soda post-op, so sticking to that!