StrangelyNormal

Oh... and just a FYI... there are folks that frequent the forums that are paid by Mexican surgeons.... Obviously, you don't know me from Adam BUT.... I am a patient and have the pics to prove it! LOL And as much as I would like to be paid for my testimonials I'm not. I am just so happy with my decision and my entire experience that I want to help as many people as I can. This is not a decision that anyone should take lightly. Being mentally prepared is key to a successful surgery and recovery! You will NEVER be able to eat like you did in the past. You will more than likely be able to eat a lot of the same foods but you will be full so quick and will not be able to overeat. If you do, you will puke... Plain and simple... But the thing is.. you will not want to overeat so puking really shouldn't happen. The sleeve surgery removes the portion of your stomach that produces "ghrelin" so there are days where I actually have to remind myself eat because I am just not hungry. There are some foods that I just can't tolerate anymore but it's a good thing and you will relearn how to eat and how to nourish yourself with good foods!! And you will be satisfied!! There is gonna come a time where you are probably going to want a cookie, or a piece of cake or some ice cream... If anything.. just for sheer curiosity.. just to see what happens or see how if goes down... Having a cookie is okay.... Having some ice cream is okay... But you are not going to want to eat 7-8 Cookies like you do now or a huge ice cream sundae with chocolate Syrup, nuts, whipped cream, etc.... LOL I don't even crave that crap anymore.... It's a great feeling because you will finally be IN CONTROL of your weight and let's face it.. That is the reason that we are even having the surgery to begin with right???!! I didn't have that control and now I do and it's so empowering!!
My advice is to just research research RESEARCH!!! I did my due diligence and found a lot of dirt on the other surgeons.. There is one surgeon inparticular that practices Bariatric Surgery yet also opened a Mortuary!! Now that is scary!!!!

I, too, am curious about the name of the surgeon. I also have been turned down by two surgeons because of prior surgery (my spleen was removed 30 years ago !). With that said, these two surgeons are ones who advertise on TV and/or Internet sites such as this. Once I started researching surgeons via their reputations with their peers, those who aren't so flush with "best case scenario" patients and advertising dollars, I found a very well regarded surgeon who said there is absolutely no reason other than "reputation concerns" that a surgeon would refuse to do my surgery because of my spleen was removed. In fact, he said that having no spleen would make the procedure easier for him since it offers a less crowded area in which to work. The surgeons who refused are more interested in the "easy money" patients who require the least amount of time and effort possible. Also, as a self pay person, they don't make as much money off me as they do an insurance company. It's one flat fee, no nickel and diming an insurance company to death for this and that... IMHO, surgeons who advertise on TV/Internet are kinda like lawyers who chase an ambulance to the hospital after they've seen a bad car accident.... No offense to anyone intended, just my personal opinion...

I'll be sleeved September 14th with Dr Francisco Gonzalez in Tijuana

OH EMM GEE.... I can't believe this !! Being in a support group doesn't mean being agreeable to everything someone says... It wouldn't be right for a group member to sit here and watch LT sabotage if we can help it- getting this weight off is hard, but it's the common denominator- we are all in this together !! Am I my brothers keeper ??? Yes I am!! And that means sometimes I'm gonna tell him something he does not want to hear- take it a grain of salt and keep kickin- of you don't agree, well agree to disagree. There is no need to insult one another - I'm
Disapponited.

Oh I'm also an astronaut ballerina with a PhD from the local clown college and when I smoke crack I always let it sit out for awhile and then mix it with egg whites. More Protein less carbs! Dammit I adore these threads.

I disagree. u can get a roundtrip flight from 200-500$. If u have a leak or something major Ur medical bills will be way more expensive than that. I'm fortunate that who I went thru includes it in the price automatically. I went thru mexicosurgerysolutions.com and u can bet if I have any major complications I'll be going back for them to take care of it

That is the most absurd quote I have ever read on any forum. There are some bad surgeons in Mexico just looking for a quick buck but trust me, there are some horrible surgeons in the U.S. as well. I can show you many world class surgeons in Mexico that practice at state of the art hospitals that have much more experience and a lower complication rate than many in the states.
The reason a lot of surgeons practice in Mexico is the ridiculous mal-practice premiums here in the states. Many of these surgeons in Mexico were actually educated in the states. I know two surgeons personally that teach and that have taught the VSG procedure to surgeons here in the states.
If you want to call out specific surgeons in a certain country based on facts, that is fine but to say that the whole country of Mexico have bad surgeons is just plain ignorant.

it's not the whole country, it's the doctor to blame. there are great talented doctors in every country, and perhaps they stay in their home country because it's their home! some of these statements are a bit xenophobic and offensive towards mexico.

Wow! OK, that didn't help. I'm sorry you don't see the problems with your comments. That says a lot.
Good luck with your search. I've been sleeved, am happy with the doctor I chose and am losing weight.

I will have to agree with Shangefan....this is a very sensitive subject for a lot of us that have chosen different surgeons than your "top Mexican surgeons" list for various personal reasons. To point out those doctors by name and why they are inferior to your list is not really necessary to get feedback from those of us that have chosen Mexico. You are certainly NOT the only one that has done tons of research and saved up for this monumental decision.
It is a bit insulting to read a post that suggest our life is not as valuable to us as yours is to you, since we may have chosen different surgeons that those on your list. Also, your response to StrangelyNormal seemed a bit harsh when she was simply sharing her experience. She included her Vlog which may very well talk about in detail the surgeon she chose and why....
And oh yes, Ive heard of some surgeons operating in a "clinic" setting, small hospitals and large also....but a GARAGE...thats a new one on me.
Good luck in your search, I hope others can contribute more helpful insight than I.

OK, this is always a controversial topic, so I am going to say this as gingerly as possible. You definitely should make the decision that is best for you, but it would be helpful if you did not make disparaging remarks about the doctors whom you do not prefer. I and several other people have used one or the other of the doctors whom you subtly critique. Beyond that, most of us are happy with our experience. I find your comments a bit obnoxious.
That said, good luck with making your decision.

Have you ever heard of the word PUTZ ?

I researched for so long and finally decided to go with Baja med group.
Vlogging everything on YouTube too at shesstrangelynormal

Hello Everyone!
I just woke up and surprisingly I'm calmer than what I expected myself to be. Surgery was moved up to 7:30 AM. I'm overwhelmed with emotions. I keep asking myself if I'm sure that I want to do this. I've been looking forward to this day so idk why I feel like backing out at the last minute...? Anyway, I know I'm going to go through with it but I do feel kind of weird. Ok. I'm going to stop typing now Bc the tears are starting to flow. Aaaahhhhhhh!!!
Good luck to everyone scheduled for today! Say a prayer for me please. I can't wait to make it to onederland!!!
Ttyl~!

Have you had an open and frank conversation with him about how you feel?
This could stem from many things. If it is about the weight loss, perhaps he feels threatened that you are on a new, exciting journey, yet he flounders in feelings of being left behind. Perhaps he has some urilogical disorder which has gone undiagnosed. When was his last physical or trip to the urologist?
It could be a multitude of things and an open, frank talk needs to be the starting point. As a guy, I can tell you the quickest way to shut me up during one of these is to judge or threaten me, so, it will take a lot of listening for the first go around. You don't need to solve the problem during this first go-around. It's just like a brain-storming session getting everything out there.

No one said this ago I thought I would. Statistically only 3% of obese patients will maintain weight loss. Sure we can lose the weight , but maintain it? Only 3 of every 100 will.

Have you tried Truvia? It's the best and most natural tasting IMO. If you don't like that I would get some organic sugar/turbinado and just use a little bit. It's not gonna kill ya, just don't go overboard.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can lose the weight on my own. I know that I can start on a very low calorie diet and become a gym rat and eventually lose the weight. How do I know? Because I have done it many times.
However, I also know, without doubt, that I will also eventually gain each and every pound back and they are likely to bring their nasty little friends. How do I know this? Because I have done it many times.
I know the same behaviors and eating patterns will result in weight loss with or without the sleeve. What I am looking for is something permanent that I can keep with me that will help me keep weight off. I do not feel like I have failed but rather like I have taken control.

Certainly be conscious of what you eat, you don't want a leak, as Peacequeen states (I had one also, not caused by what I ate) they are not fun!! You know, rationalizing with the low calories you get in now will be ok NOW but when you are getting in higher calories and can't say no to that cake? Not good. I have an aunt who cheats her lapband, melts M&M's in the microwave, drinks sugary coffee drinks - guess what, she isn't losing, in fact she has gained back what she did lose. You can cheat your sleeve with all sorts of bad for you stuff. Some might make you feel sick like the cake but some might not. Just think of it this way - when you are at goal, you can have those things in moderation - and even when you are in the losing phase and ok'd for real food, on a special occasion I say go for a small piece. But don't do it now, when you are healing. And don't do it often later. These are the things that got us in trouble to begin with.

Hey y'all just send me an add request on Facebook and I'll add u. We'd still welcome u even if Ur a June sleever, silly. You will just be a bit ahead of us

Had my surgery on the 10th and I'm doing good. Everything went well. No issues.

Don't forget our July sleevers Facebook group. It's totally private and of you'd like to join just send me an add it's April Davis Gilley or april_gilley@yahoo.com on fb. It's an awesome group with lots of great people

http://youtu.be/PvDtmezH-8E