BeautyVGSJourney

Dr. Alvarez book is very good. Its often on the ads on this site. Its very informational.

can you all have liquids? I suggest having lots of them if you are allowed them. Even some of the clear protein drinks such as cytomax, isopure and such. I had sonic slushes (keep in mind they are full of sugar but if your doc did not restrict that, that is a good option). Keep yourself busy mentally, but don't over do it physically since you are not eating you might feel very weak. keep hydrated! that will help you tons post op.

I made a youtube video a few weeks ago about blood clots. One of the biggest risk factors for blood clots, is smoking, and you are in danger of a pulmonary embolism or other problems like it even months after the surgery. The best you can do for yourself is quit and don't look back (I heard of people who quit have surgery and then start again) those who do that are putting themselves at great risk of slowed healing and other issues such as embolisms that can kill them. Good luck in your journey!

I am two weeks out and I would say heck yeah!!! I wish I could had done it sooner. I have not yet had any regrets! and I don't expect to ever regret it!

I had my surgery with Dr. Ponce and loved my experience! He taught both Dr. Kelly and Dr. Almanza the sleeve. I saw you will have your surgery tomorrow Crystal and I wish you the best of luck!

Not crazy at all!!! I was very excited too, Dr. Leal the cardiologist even asked "aren't you nervous" and I said "no, should I be?".... I was so ready to change my life!!!!! I could not wait and I knew I had made the right decision in surgeons specially after talking to other doctors, nurses and even the van driver who drives patients for many surgeons!

yeah things there are different than here. some of them did some did not. It did not really bother me since their faces where not that close to my body and everything else was great. I enjoyed watching it! and loved the skills my surgeon showed in the inside surgery. I am doing great! My back still hurts but its less and here I have my muscle relaxants and such. Almost time for your surgery!

If you have your surgery at the INT they give you the video of the inside surgery. I asked Trish to record my surgery from the outside view they don't normally do that but I really wanted it. I am sure if you ask they might do it. They also give you a video of your swallow test. Good luck with your surgery you will love them!

My mexico videos have all been posted! Some if them include my whole surgery is anyone is interested.

I am sorry to hear you are having such pain! I had a lot of pain from my back injury, so bad that it made new very nauseous. But it was not from the surgery. Dr Ponce ordered me some muscle relaxants and that helped a bunch. The nurses changed my bed to a different bed and that also helped. I hope you feel better soon!

I used priceline for my tickets

I looked that up and it appears that some of those prices are special prices and are temporary. Or at least it says that in the website.

I agree with Sharon, I wish I had done it earlier!!! I was tired of the yo-yo dieting, I needed help loosing the weight and keeping it off. I am still in my liquid diet and is not too bad. I just think to myself that soon I will be able to eat whatever I want with moderation! I am hoping that having the sleeve will give me and my body time to learn to eat in a new way, so far so good! I was self pay, my insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, I went to Dr. Ponce in Tijuana Mexico and I loved my experience and am loving my sleeve! Good luck in your journey! Trust yourself, you will know if the sleeve is right for you!

I am always here for you!!!

One video is there now, I am hoping to have another posted tonight, if my computer cooperates!

Alex I don't think the surgeon info as been updated yet. Can I give you that website then? http://www.wls4betterlife.com/htmls/htmls/ponce_deleon.html Trish who is his coordinator her Phone:619 202-6011 Cell: (661)886-4617 his credentials and such are on the site. Thank you!

I had surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana, my PCP was supportive after I explained to her the amount of research I did in selecting my surgeon and my reasons for choosing him and going to Mexico to do it. She will do my blood work when needed. I go to free monthly support groups at local hospitals, they are often open to everyone. I also keep in touch with my coordinator in Mexico and my surgeon and his staff. I just had surgery last week and I have not had to see anyone yet. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! BellybeGone check your email....Candyman, awesome for you! I think you will be there with another man (she told me something about two men coming and having surgery the same time). IT was great having sleeve sisters/brother, makes your journey a little more fun! Its normal to be a little scared, just don't let it take over your emotions, you will be in the words of one of Tijuanas Dr. Dr Rosas (you will meet her she was awesome and had surgery with Dr. Ponce three years ago "the best surgeon in Tijuana" she said that when I asked her why she chose him instead of the many other surgeons available. You will love it!!! MyNewBegining and FatGirlSlim I will post again when I upload the new videos, thank you!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share that I just had surgery with dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico one week ago today! I am doing awesome!!! no pain, no vomiting, no anything! I had no gas pains after surgery and no pain on my surgical site or drain (the only pain I had was my lower back because of a back injury I had years ago and the laying down did not helped it any!) I am working on putting my surgery as well as other pre-op and post-op videos on youtube (BeautyVGSJourney) this weekend (there are three of them there already) if anyone is interested in watching them. I went by myself and Trish was my coordinator and I could not be happier with my experience. Feel free to comment and/or ask any questions! Good luck in your journeys!

I just got back from Mexico and had a wonderful experience! No gas pains (only pain due to my back injury but not the surgery). I had surgery with dr. Ponce de Leon and him and his team are amazing! I had no problem with money or anything g else disappearing at all. They also offered me a locked storage thing to use if I wanted to but I never felt the need. God luck everyone!

I am not from your area (I live in Texas). But I just returned from having surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana Mexico. I had a wonderful experience and could not be happier. Dr. Ponce is super experienced and is amazing at what he does. I would definetly go again. I went alone, to save money on air fair and I had a wonderful coordinator who was with me whenever I needed her, plus I had sleeve sisters/brothers who also where there for me (along with their companions). If you have any questions or concerns feel free to message me.

I just came back from Tijuana with Dr. Ponce de Leon. I loved my experience and am doing awesomely well! Make sure you are 100% comfortable with your surgeon and his staff, do your research, don't just go with someone because it's cheap or close by. There are wonderful surgeons in Mexico! Most are much more experienced than here in the USA.

I just had my surgery with Dr. Ponce de Leon, he was wonderful! He is extremely well known and loved in Tijuana Mexico, and has a great deal of experience. Best of luck with your search!

There is a difference between being brutally honest, not surgarcoating it and completely careless and untoughtful of their words. Many of us know the true reality of the sleeve, obesity and such, and it's super important that everyone knows but I think most of us benefit much more from kindness and empathy than from feeling like someone is judging us and does not understand us. I loved my surgeon (dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico) and he has more experience in the sleeve than most USA surgeons and not once did he made me feel anything but comfortable, yet he never sugarcoated anything. Good luck!