Finding Myself

Would really like to hear back from anybody who has found a doctor in So Ca who is willing to work with patients who had the surgery in Mexico? I went to my GP yesterday and she was dead set against any wls. I didn't even tell her I was planning to go to Mexico. What is everybody doing with regards to this? Dr. Kelly told me he'd consider me local and I could do follow ups there but haven't outlined any details yet because this is so new and I'm scheduled a few months from now. Would really like to hear from others on this...

Did anybody ever ask the question (I'm sure we all have) of the Mexico places - if you have a complication post op, will they handle it? What happens if you need to be readmitted for any reason? Would they do it in Mexico? I live in So CA so TJ is considered "local" so I could go back for any problems, but just wondering what answers anybody else has gotten? My insurance won't cover me here in the U.S. if I have a complication and I want it spelled out for me what to do if I have one from a mexico surgery...

rdoactv, I totally hear you. A little voice in my head keeps saying, "why does it cost $20-$25K in the states and $5-$10K in Mexico?" I'm a doctor myself, so I understand where you are coming from. I've seen good and bad things said about ALL of the doctors on here, both from the US and Mexico. In fact, *anybody* who thinks their doctor has never had a complication or who thinks ANY surgeon has never had a patient die... then they are only fooling themselves. Surgery in and of itself is dangerous; everything done is to try to make it safer. I am sure you know what I am saying. I've called a few places here in the U.S. and was considering just paying the much larger amount because - let's face it - we are taught that medical care here in the states is "the best in the world" and that we'd be safer here!!! But that's just not true any more. In fact, in calling around, I only spoke with receptionists who had very little to say. All of the places want you to come down for their "free patient seminars" which is all fine and dandy, but just another marketing tactic, too. No matter how you look at it, this is still an elective procedure for MANY people and thus money is going to be made doing it. What hub bub have you read about Dr. Kelly? I've read there was a falling out with his coordinator, then that he lost a patient last year, etc etc. Well also let me tell you... I went to my GP yesterday who told me that one of her patients had a lap band placed here locally, and had complications, and DIED. She was 35 years old, and DIED because she had weight loss surgery. The risks are VERY real no matter how much "good stuff" we read here on these boards. I'm not 100% certain I want to do this - but that really has nothing to do with where I'm having it done. I could just as easily die here in the US after having this surgery. I also could have gone blind when I had LASIK done on my eyes, or died under anesthesia when I had sinus surgery, or worse yet, NOT died and had permanant facial paralysis from the sinus surgery! Everything has turned out great for me so far, and that's how I'm trying to look at this. So please express your concerns so we can talk them out and help you make a decision one way or another! It will help me, too. I, for one, would LOVE it if one of these coordinators would take the time to stop in here and explain to us why there is such a huge difference in cost. It does NOT make me feel better for there to be price wars, either.

You should contact Dr Kelly. He will talk to you and answer questions. . He told me he uses a special instrument that cuts and staples and then he oversews and incorporates omentum which helps healing. I don't think the Mexican surgeons are any different than US surgeons, and there have probably been just as many complications in the US! Staples are titanium, btw, so they won't rust and fall out.

I went to my GP today and she totally discouraged me. Is NOT a fan of weight loss surgery at all. I got the same ol, same ol', "diet and exercise and let's send you to a nutritionist". I didn't even WANT to tell her that I was considering going to Mexico. Good god I can only imagine the lecture I would have gotten. I emailed Dr. Kelly to ask how they handle this. I would obviously have to go back to Dr. Kelly if I had any complications. Anybody else deal with their GP being dead against it? meanwhile another friend of mine who had a bypass said her bariatric team here in the US feels that the sleeve surgery is showing a LOT of promise. I feel so let down.

I haven't been sleeved yet. LOL But I do have a friend who was sleeved in 2008 and lost 100 lbs. She has gained back 15 and still considers herself a huge success and also admits that when she doesn't put effort into taking care of herself, she gains weight. But she LOVES it. She is probably one of my biggest motivators.

Does anyone know if certain conditions predispose people to a higher rate of complications from a sleeve? Such as BMI, previous lap band, etc? I've read some of the complications and it's freaking me out.

Where are you having sx? Mine is in June!

I decided too!! I picked Dr Kelly but Dr Garcia was my second choice! I am set for June 18! I wish it was sooner but that fits with my busy schedule when I can take some time off! I'm excited too!!

Ooh that's good advice!!! I ordered a sample pack of injury today just to try. I like the vanilla in orange idea!!!! Awesome! What soups do you eat? Because I'm picturing plain broth or Campbell's cream of mushroom!!! Do you have to strain or blenderize them?

Can't wait to hear from you!!!!

And, everyone says your tastes will change a lot so I don't want to buy a lot of stuff, rather I'd like to have different options in case one thing make me barf after surgery even though I liked it before.

I know lots of these are answered elsewhere, but I would like to keep the answers in one place for my own prep!!! Hoping to get sleeved June 18. Starting to make small changes so that I can maximize my success! Working on changing how I drink Water, to thinking about recipes for making tastier clear Soups. Questions: I've seen some say the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury soups are gross and some say they are good. Opinions again, please. Cream soups: does that mean you eat cream of chicken or cream of mushroom, for example, but either strain out the solids or blenderize them? Does anybody have any good recipes for making your own tasty clear soups for the first few weeks? As in, making an actual Soup with chicken or beef and veggies and straining out the solids? Is this permissable? I'm just thinking that plain ol chicken broth from the can is gonna get old, and they also said to limit salt intake. I am getting excited and I love this message board! It's been SO helpful!

You're having surgery on a Saturday??? I didn't know he even did them on Saturdays!

I'm happy to have found this thread - I consider myself a lightweight with a BMI of 34.9 and about 60-70 lbs to lose. Dieting over and over again and sometimes successful in the short term but always gain it back. My body likes weighing 190 lbs! But I'm only 5'2 and this cannot be good for me in the long run. I've basically been a size 16 for about 12 years now, and I'm just *waiting* until I develop problems secondary to carrying around this extra weight! I also have a weird self image problem. I know I'm overweight, but I "feel" normal. I don't "see" myself as overweight as I am, then I'll have my picture taken, look at it and go, "WHOA! Who is THAT?" I think that if this surgery ends up being so successful for a lot of people, that it should be considered a preventative measure in the U.S. But of course the U.S. healthcare system doesn't do prevention. Blah.

I'm about 3 months from surgery. When you start a low carb diet, some people will feel nauseous as well - my husband does, for sure. He gets the infamous "flu" from it, so I was wondering if that might simply make things a little worse in the beginning. I've never taken Zofran, but part of the reason I am concerned is because I am really prone to nausea and want to do anything I can to avoid it post-op!! Is Zofran really effective?

What are "slider foods"?

Was wondering if some of the nausea people are feeling post op is caused by the sudden change in diet? My husband gets low carb flu, and it makes me think this is related, and if going really low carb a few weeks before sx would help? Not to say that the sx itself doesn't induce some, but wondering if it would be improved quicker by preparing your body better before sx?

Cissie when in June is your sx?

I am hoping to have mine done by Dr Kelly in June. Hearing your experience is great! Please keep us informed! When do you leave the Lucerne hotel? How is it? How was the hospital??? I am excited for you!

Been following these threads! Not sleeved yet but read a rec somewhere about isopure protein drinks. 40 g of protein per bottle! Couldn't you water those down and sip it and cover two bases at once? Or am I not understanding? Trying to prepare myself for this as well!

Lynda, thank you for your post. I'm scared but what you said about complications instantly made me feel better. My insurance will not cover me so my concern about complications bankrupting me is real. But I'm starting to see small problems come up... Knee probs, foot problems, etc and I'm not morbidly obese! I wish healthcare in America was more progressive and saw this sx as preventative care instead of such an ordeal for approval.

I should have been more clear... I know not to take ibuprofen before sx and during the healing phase. I am talking about later. Tylenol does nothing for me. Wondering about after healing.

One more question... I don't take many drugs, but when I do, it's Advil. It's the ONLY thing that works for mentrual cramps and headaches in me. I know I have to stop taking it before surgery, but what about after - after I'm healed? Can you eventually go back to taking some of these things once your stomach has healed?

Thank you for all of your input. I am 5'2 and weigh 190 lbs. I'm not morbidly obese. But I have been this size for about 12 years. I"ve lost 40 lbs twice and gained it all back both times. I admit it : I do not have will power, I am hungry a LOT and I gorge myself. I overeat. It's not even that I eat the wrong stuff - I love high quality food - but I am never, ever satisfied with a half cup of anything. I've battled this for years and that's what made me start thinking about the sleeve. Then I go back to telling myself that I'm crazy, I'm *only* 60 lbs overweight and I should stop being lazy and just find some stupid willpower and stop thinking about cutting my stomach out. Then I think that I've tried this before and if I just watsn't hungry all of the time, I could do it... So is it nuts to think about this with only 60lbs to lose? Yes I am grieving the thought of not going to a buffet and gorging myself. Or a steak house and eating and entire ribeye. Or fried shrimp. I would hope that I would again be able to eat those things BUT with the tool of the sleeve - stop at a few bites instead of a dozen fried shrimp. Is this accurate? My husband thought I'd be off food and on Protein shakes for the rest of my life. We are going on a cruise in Sept. and I'm looking to get sleeve in June. Do you think I could enjoy ANY delectable goodness at that time? What about a sip or two of wine? These are the questions I have that are holding me back. HELP!