IowaAndy

I am down 30 pounds since my surgery on Dec 11. I have been sort of stuck for the past 2 weeks. I am still doing some protein shakes and eating lots of protein. I have had a lot of stress lately as I have been applying for a job but hear nothing after the interviews. This has caused me to feel a bit down and I seem not to be getting as much exercise as I was previously. I know that this is my fault as I just have a hard time getting up and off to the gym. I seem to make excuses to myself....I know. I also seem to get the urge to eat just as when I was depressed in the years past. It is not that I am eating candy, cake or sweets but I find myself getting up in the evening after supper getting something to eat....string cheese etc. I know that these are calories that I do not eat but can not seem to get myself out of this funk.

I am not sure where you get your information about Dr Kelly but he did have a death. It was a patient that bleed to death as an artery was nicked during the surgery and was not discovered until too late. I have not heard of many of the other doctors that have been mentioned on this blog. I personally had my lapband revision to the sleeve with Dr F Garcia in Tijuana. I also had a friend that used Dr Almanza and was very happy with him. The choice is yours and not the coordinators. If you want to go with Dr Almanza or Dr Garcia there are doordinators out there that would be glad to schedule for you. If you need info for these coordinators I can provide contact info for you. This is your life and your choice and you as well of the rest of us who have already had surgery made a choice and were comfortable with our choice. I for one do not have an regrets with my choice.

I used to attend the support meetings that were held in West Des Moines. The support group was part of the surgeons group that did my lapband. There were about 50 people that would attend and there was a cross section of lapbands, sleeves and bypass. Since my insurance would not cover me to have the lapband removed and the sleeve done I went to Mexico and had my surgery with Dr Garcia. After I returned I call De Eibes office and was told that he would no longer see me as he did not do the surgery. This upset me as there was no way that I could have afforded the surgery here in Des Moines IA as BCBS denied approval. I do not feel comfortable going to that support group anymore as they terminated me as a patient of Dr Eibes. That is why listening to others on the chat and being able to get some support is so important to some of us.

So happy that you are on your way home and feeling great. Also glad that you had a great experience with Dr Garcia, the staff and Hospital Mi.

Try couponsuzy.com. It allows you to select from several coupons and then print them out.....It has more food items than protein shake which I still use but not as much now that I am eating more regular food. Also I belong to a support group in the area for those who have had bariatric surgery and the MAX MUSCLE gives you a discount on protein that you purchase through them since you go to this group. They have even come to some of the meetings when they have new products come out and give free samples. They are always willing to give free samples in store on anything that you are looking at possibly buying. The stuff is not cheap and I know I want to make sure that it is good before I take home a huge bottle.

I am 6 weeks out and I go out on Friday nights with my singles group. I find out where they are going to eat and look at the menu online in advance. If nothing else I will just have a bowl of soup and take the left over home with me for another meal. After dinner I would excuse myself and thank them for the company at dinner but since you can not drink much and that soon after eating I would let them go ahead and have a good time. Just because you can not eat that much does not mean that you can not have a social life......give it a try and if not then explain that it is too difficult.

Just curious....did you ask for the video of your new stomach? Is this a video of the entire surgery? Just curious as I never got a video. I got pictures of my new stomach when I had xrays and drank that awful tasting white liquid......just curious.

Best of luck with your new doctor.

I understand your fears but I too asked about the ICU and Hospital Mi does have one. It was located right next to the room that I was in close to the nurses station. I asked to see the room and they opened it and it was completely equiped. I have worked in the medical profession for the past 33 years and I had no fear. Also wondering who told you that they did not have an ICU?? Best of luck with your new doctor and hospital. Which hospital are you going to be at.

So glad that things went well for you with Dr Garcia. His entire surgical team were the best. Also the hospital nurses, drivers etc were so great. I would recommend him to anyone out there. Keep me posted on your surgery and your progress. Oh and congratulations on your new life.

I bought 2 at MaxMuscle when I had my lapband 2 years ago and I still use them today after I had the band removed and the sleeve done on Dec 11, 2011. They also came with a metal wire ball that helps to mix the powder. They have a lid that is attached and does not come open when shaking. They were a little pricey compared to walmart shaker bottle but they have held up very well.

You story is amazing. I am so glad that you recovered enough from being dehydrated to be able to procede with your surgery. Mag citrate is some nasty stuff and I am amazed that they did not have you do liquids for at least a couple of days. I know that every surgeon is different and I was on the liquids for 2 weeks like many on the forums. I certainly hope that things start to improve for you and that soon all that happened will be a bad memory that fades fast. Best wishes on your success and new life.

I have found that when going out with friends most restuarants have something that will fit into your meal plan. What I do is find out where I will be having dinner and then going online and looking at their menu. This allows me to plan ahead so that I am not tempted to order something that sounds good and that I should not be eating. You can even find something to eat at fast food restuarants which I very seldom eat at any more but sometimes a quick meal is all you have time for when on the road or busy and short on time. I have some receipes that I have made and if you would like me to send them to you just drop me a line.

I agree Tenshi.......stay with me Kathy as your surgery date was close to mine and I need your support also.

I do not think that you will have any problem with your 6 month diet as long as it was supervised and documented by your PCP. I would wait until you get approval from your insurance for your psychologist. Mine made me see a psychiatrist so this may save you a trip and added expense. Also why are you having the blood work? Has you doctor done blood work on you lately? Do you have high cholesterol? When you are approved for your surgery you will have to have a pre-op by your PCP and probably have to see a cardiologist for clearance. These have to be done withing a certain time frame of your surgery. Just trying to save you some time and money and having these test done twice.

I had Dr Garcia and was very happy....just curious as to why you switched and which doctor you are going with? I know there are several good doctors in Tijuana

Interesting.....never heard of that one but keep me posted. I had my band removed and the sleeve done. Happy with the results so far.

I just got jumped on by Captain something or other because I expressed my opinion about having my surgery at a clinic vs at a hospital.....that was my opinion and if you do not like it then tuff.....Just like likesulema I feel the same way. I am staying so get over yourself......Captain

I take the gummy bear multivitamins and take enough to get an adult dosage. I also buy the Citrical Petites at Walmart and have a pill cutter and cut them in half. I take each half with some applesauce. I have been doing this since my surgery and I have not had any problems. I also take Vitamin B12 sublingual tablets. Hope this helps.

I agree....if you need some that bad open it and let it go flat. It is the carbonation that causes problems with the sleeve. I have found that the Diet cranberry juice over ice had taken away my cravings for soda completely. I know that it can be hard but I thinnk that once you drink some diet coke flat that will be the end of your diet coke. Best of luck

It has happened to me before as it seems like you are being ganged up on just because you have an opinion.....do not let it get you down and keep on posting. Your opinion is just as important as others on this board. Just because some think their opinions or words are superior do not let it scare you away......please stay.

Congratulations.......So glad that you choose Dr Garcia. I can not say enough good things about him and his surgical staff. Also the staff at Hospital Mi was excellent and I have to agree with you that it is small but they had everything that I needed in a hospital. I also agree with your comment on the clean, clean, clean. I have worked at several hospitals in my career in the medical field and this beat any of the hospitals that I worked at in the US. I am glad that you are feeling better and agree that the liquid was bad. Especially that last blue stuff that I had to drink. I stayed at Hotel Pueblo Amigo and was also very satisfied. Also the driver to and from the airport was excellent. I look forward to hearing about your progress......best to you.

If you like most people who support the Girl Scouts you could always buy the cookies from friends or family and then take them to your local food pantry and donate them. That way you are helping the Girl Scouts, those less fortunate and yourself as they will not be sitting in your kitchen calling our your name in the evenings.

I would call the RedCross of whomever does the collection process in your area. I know that they have specific guidelines and I know that your hemoglobin had to be at a certain level or they will reject you from donations. It would be good to ask them about having the sleeve and their thoughts on donating. Please share your information when you find out.

Sorry to hear that you are having problems and back in the hospital.....but that is the best place for you at this time even though none of us want to go back there. Sorry they had such a rough time getting the IV but that was due to the fact that you were so dehydrated. As you become dehydrated that means less fluid in your blood system and thus a harder time to get an IV in a vein. That is why it is so important for all of us to get our daily fluids especially immediately after surgery. I hope that they can figur womething out for your medication issue. Maybe there is a different med they can try or maybe split your dosage in half and take part in the morning and then again in the evening. I take all my meds with applesauce as I think it helps it progress through the sleeve and helps to expand the sleeve a little as the pills go in. Knock on wood I have not had any trouble with my meds and I am taking less with each pound that I lose. Thought and prayers are with you and hope that you are home soon and feeling much better.