5DoxieMom

I did not have mine done in Mexico, but I was a cash pay in Oregon. My surgeon's cash price was 12,000. (plus a couple hundred for little things). I thought this was reasonable, although more than going to Mexico. Dr. Tersigni is Coos Bay, OR., I researched him a lot. I had surgery 3/12/12 and am doing great. Just do your research. I don't necessarily think price equals quality. Oregon's not as far as MX for you. I live 45 min from the surgery center, and would be willing to drive you to and from....and that goes for anyone that reads this. Dr. Tersigni does it in outpatient setting.

Thank you M2G for getting us back on track.....That recipe sounds great.

Well I found one, that's OK for me at this stage. Its frapacino, so if you don't like coffee, it's not going to be for you. Take 1/2 vanilla shake, 1/2 choco shake, 3 tsp of instant coffee, (maybe it was 2 tsp), and 3 drops of sugar free kalua flavoring, blend together with ice. I guess the theory behind it is that the coffee and kalua flavoring will mask the shake flavor. (I really doubt it, but will try it). Recipe calls for premier brand shakes, when I'm at Costco next week, I'm going to get some. Everyone says they're the best.

Did they use surgical glue? I'm 5 days out and I have glue on 5 lap sites and one suture in my drain site. If the rash is around your incision, then it is probably just irritation from the surgical glue, or from tape, or from betadine. If the reddness is actually on the incision it could be something different. I would just keep it clean and dry and watch it over the weekend. Signs of a problem would be fever, increasing redness, increase of swelling at the site, oozing or foul odor. If it doesn't lessen in severity over the weekend, I would call the doc.

Niahri you are a genious. Too bad there's no one cookin' around here. If you have other ideas, please share. I'm heading over to the recipe forum right now, you guys are making me hungry.

It depends on what your surgeon allows, and since I'm only 5 days out, I can't have much. But at 3 to 4 weeks some people are allowed to have cream of wheat really thinned with milk. Right now, that sounds DEVINE to me. How about refried beans made really thin? Unfortunately, I'm still gaggin' down the shakes. Have you added plain protein powder to broth? I'm going to do that tomorrow,

Yeah, probably too much too soon. My surgeon has me on liquid proteins for 4 weeks. I'm 5 days out, and have the pain you describe it I take one too many sips....

valleygirl- I'm 5 days post op, things get better. Right now your job is to get in your fluids and protein in, and it will be in tiny amounts. Take a deep breath and relax, you are overwhelmed, and rightfully so. The first few days its impossible to get everything in, but just keep working toward the numbers that your surgeon has given you. Of course you will eat again. Be really careful to follow the diet right now, though. You want your sleeve to heal nicely. Remember there are lots of us out here, taking it day by day, right there with you, and we're all here for each other.

I haven't bought it yet, it was just in the literature from my surgeon. I just had surgery the 12th...so I'm reading everything again. I don't have enough hair to begin with, yikes. I am west coast, don't know if location makes a difference (just thinking of the Hellman's mayo thing LOL!)

My surgeon has suggested flaxseed oil and selenium along with nioxin scalp treatment and shampoo.

I came real close to pureeing a sausage mcmuffin.....but I didn't.

Great to hear that you guys are doing well. So, what are we, 5 days out, huh? I feel good, sore and swollen, but pretty good. Last time I had to take pain meds was Tues night. My biggest problem has not been the surgery, it was having my sister here to "help" me and the power being out from Monday night until just about 15 min ago! No power means no water, too! My sister left yesterday, thank goodness, now I can concentrate on getting my protein and fluids in, instead of my sister, oh, she is sooooo high maintenence. I should have hired a care giver for my animals and a taxi driver. I would have been so much better off. Enough about that. Today I am finding myself salivating for the taste of food. One of my weaknesses is the sausage McMuffin. But I just mix up another protein shake and force it down. I find that I cannot handle any of the choco or vanilla powders. So the syntrax nectar is tolerable. My doctor also gave some samples of 'proti' brand soup, hot coco, and drinks. I mixed up a little capacino mix with warm milk and it was pretty good. Any other tasty ideas out there?

Don't really know how to use my phone for posts....ooops . I am POD 3. Drain came out today. Surgery was on the 12th. Was released around 2:30. Came home, that night huge snowstorm. No power, no water. No computer. I'm a little sore but doing well. Hopefully power back in by weekend

I go in at 745 in the morning, March 12. A little trouble sleeping tonight.

I'm ready too. I wonder how we'll all be feeling 48 hours form now?

LaceyD, I ordered 2 different fruit punch flavors and one plain. You're right, there are sooooo many protein products out there....soy, casein, whey, hemp,egg,etc... From what I've read and heard, and I could be wrong. But, whey isolate is supposed to be superior to whey concentrate...not sure why. I've done so much research it'll make your head spin. So, before you order, make sure its the kind of protein that you want. Double check the grams of protein per serving...I know that sometimes I get so caught up in looking for flavors, I forget the protein content. Also, what I've noticed is that sometimes a serving is 2 scoops, instead of 1. So, make sure and look at the labels. The syntrax nectar is a little more expensive, but if its easier to get down, that's what matters.

Me too, but I'm also thinking a lot about what to have on hand to eat after surgery. I have a pretty good supply of protein drinks, some are really hard to tolerate. Today I'm home from work, so I think I'll make up some veg soup, blend it up so there are no chunks, put it into ice cube trays, freeze it. Then when I want veg soup, I can take one cube out at a time, and heat it up. Then stir in some plain protein powder. I also ordered some fruity flavored protein powder (the choco and vanilla are so gross). You can order samples of Syntrax nectar 13 samples for $13.00 no shipping by calling 866-333-7403 x801. If the gal doesn't answer, leave a msg and she'll call you back. I think its a great way to try the flavors. I also ordered some syntrax nectar (because people swear its the best). The best price I found is supplementwarehouse.com if you order from them, you also get free stuff. With my order this time, I'm getting a free shaker cup, a protein bar, a vitamin storage container and something else, I forget. Free is fun. LaceyD and Meli1234, are you guys staying inpatient for your surgery? Just curious. Did your surgeon order any meds for before surgery? My surgeon ordered a scopalamine patch (for nausea) to put on the night before, and celebrex (inflammation) for the morning of. Just curious what other docs order.

I'm in Oregon, surgery in Coos Bay, OR.

Thanks for the well wishes. How many days did you have pain, nausea, fatigue? I'm really worried about how many days I'm going to be out of commission....I've got an extremely busy life with lots of critters and no one to help.

jhansen71, where are you having your surgery? I have to be on liquid protein for 4 weeks post op, yikes. This site is great, so much advice. One really cool thing is I met a gal who had her sleeve done a few weeks ago and she lives not too far from me AND she is a nurse at the surgery center where I'm going AND she will be there when I have my surgery. I feel like I will have a friend with me! I am having mine done in an outpatient surgery center.

Me too. I started my liquid protein diet today, uh, didn't do so well. I'm trying to find protein drinks that taste good. How long do you have to stay on liquids after?

I'm looking forward to trying the syntrax nectar. I ordered the 13 samples for $13 today.

LaceyD, I have mine the 12th. Coos Bay, OR

At Costco starting on Mar. 8 is an $8.00 off coupon on Muscle Milk powder (not sure if they have light). Also, the ready to drink stuff they have is decent. At Vitamin World they have a tropical mango flavor that is pretty good. 2 lb tub $33 or $34. They will mix you up some to try. The whey isolate is supposed to be superior to whey concentrate, so that's one thing I look for. Although I don't have surgery until March 12, I'm trying out lots of kinds. I start my liquid protein diet on Monday.