ATLSara

Date sleeved: 8/31/12 Start weight: 220 Weight today: 188 What you eating and how much daily: I eat about 500 calories and 45-50 grams of protein. Daily work out: no way, I am completely totally exhausted ALL THE TIME. How hungry are you?: Not at all most of the time. How you feel physically: So very very tired. How you feel emotionally: Okay, just want rest. Are you glad you chose the sleeve?: Yes, I could never have lost 32 pounds like this without it. Anything extra to say?: I feel like I am searching for the magic combination of things that will perk me up. I've never been this tired, as the past week. I think once I work this out it will be easier to be happier. I am searching for more energy. I am amazed that people are exercising at this stage. I walked around the block once, I picked up the lawn once. both times I was so tired I had to sit down for awhile.

Congratulations! I am so jealous you are done! Good luck, please get on the FB august sleevers board and update us!

This also sounds a lot like c-diff. I've heard it's a possibility after this surgery if you had any anti-biotics along with the procedure. It usually takes 5-10 days after you finish the course of meds, and then you'll notice. The meds basically wipe out ANY good stuff in your intestinal tract and you will have diarrhea non-stop. It's awful, and exhausting. I've been there. If your doctor doesn't think it's based on the sleeve diet maybe add in some pro-biotics and see if you can get tested. It took me a round of $300 (with insurance!) anti-biotics and five days in the hospital to get it cleared up. However I was nursing a baby at the time and they had to prescribe something specific so I could keep that up. Good LUCK!

Hi Klyn, I would like to be added to the FB group also. My name is Sara Hawker, and I believe this is the link to my page: http://www.facebook.com/sara.hawker.31 Thanks! Sara

Ladybuglv I am planning on arriving on the 31st morning and leaving the afternoon of the 4th. That's what Omar suggested. BTW, ladybug has been my typical online name, ever since college when every apartment I had seemed to have ladybug infestations!

I cannot warn you away from Mirena fast enough. Great for 18 months, no period at all, just 30 lbs of weight gain IMMEDIATELY. Nothing else changed. Then the spotting started and continued constantly for two years. Yes ladies years. And to top it off even though insurance covered putting it in I had to pay $300 to get it out. I realized within minutes of having it removed that the horrible abdominal pressure i had been living with was gone. It is great birth control though because you sure never want to have sex!

Melinda Marie I would LOVE that. I profess to be brave and I will still be a mass of nerves before this trip! My clients at least don't cut me open on work trips!

I am also going alone to Dr. Kelly on Aug. 31st. I travel quite a bit for work to all parts of the world, so I am not nervous. I have been assured that the Dr's offices are so well prepared for those of us doing this that there is never a hitch in the plans. Now for all the other worries.....I can't even begin to tell you what is on my mind!

I can't wait for my mother to see me at goal weight. When I lost 90 lbs. with WW the first comment she made was "99% of people gain all the weight back." Never a congratulations. I won't get it this time, but I am going to show her I can do it again, and this time be prepared - her favorite response to ANY good news is to snort, roll her eyes and turn around (yes I know, this is what I really need to get OVER!) And my next goal is to be too small for my wedding dress by next April 5th for my 10 year wedding anniversary. I got pregnant with my first child within months of the wedding and gained so much weight I wouldn't even pull the dress out and have it properly cleaned. It was just too depressing. I would love to have a portrait done with my husband in that dress. Of course he looks better than he did the first time! (And then post it to Facebook - not only because a college ex recently friended me!)

Hi! My surgery is for the same day, 8/31 with Dr. Kelly! I had heard at one time they were in the same hospital, but I don't think they are now. I would love to keep track of us all!

" I saw a lot of the sleeve prices at 4400 and such, what are the prices? does your doctor do financing? How much is your TOTAL cost??? AND, non Mexico sleevers......are you insurance or self pay? I am self-pay so am having my surgery with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana on August 31st. My total cost is $5500. Dr. Kelly does not do financing but sends links to financing options. I am going to be financing it myself with my HELOC. I've run that by my financial adviser! Because I am freaking out about how a complication could affect our family so much I am also spending $720 on a supplemental insurance plan. I would with any doctor, so it's not just Mexico, it's the fact that my insurance covers no complications from elective surgery. My flight is "free" using frequent flyer miles. So my total cost with freak-out factor is $6220! BTW, yesterday I met a woman who's sister had the surgery in Mexico SIX years ago! She promptly showed me tons of photos on facebook and the woman looks awesome! That made me feel so good!

HI all, hoping you can answer if you know if insurance is available to help in case there ARE complications? I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Kelly on Aug 31 and my biggest concern is getting back to my home and then having a problem. I do not want to bankrupt my family and I am not sure how much risk I can take. Thanks!

I have found a couple of on-line sources that may help those of us, like me who are most worried about complications! I do not know how legit they are, anyone else look into this? Please let me know! http://www.medicaltourisminsurance.com/ or http://www.sevencorners.com/insuranceplans/medicaltourism/Default.cfm

Thank you all, I think I will contact Omar and ask if this has ever come up and what they would suggest. I do have insurance, and though my HR department assures me it's "fantastic coverage", I find that it doesn't cover a whole heck of a lot! I contacted them and they were very clear that they would cover nothing related to a complication of elective surgery. So I have made sure my PCP has made no record of the Mexican Surgery. I may have to trust this is going to work out and follow Dr. Kelly's directions to a T. And somehow allay my husbands fears also. He owns his own business and we really need to protect what we have in this economy! Best Wishes!

It will be good to see you! Do you have someone going with you?

Hi all! I am the very last of the month I see! August 31 with Dr. Kelly in MX. Not a friendly office environment so time off work is difficult - I have to use the labor day holiday for one of my days. Sure hope I'm up to returning ASAP because I don't have a choice. I feel so behind reading all of your posts, I am truly not thinking about it nearly so much and had not planned to be ordering the protein or packing until a week or so out! Or in my case ordering online as I sit in my bed post-op! Not sure yet if my husband will be joining me, I waiver on wether or not I even want him to, just that I want him to want to! I'm glad to meet you all!

I'm In Atlanta and just starting this process. I am looking into Mexico options now that I've found my insurance doesn't cover. Love to know about local groups also!

Hi! I am new to this also, but my PCP recommended me to. Dr mcGill @ Piedmont. They required I attend a seminar before they would schedule a consultation. It was less than two hours, and worth it as it answered so many questions. They followed up with me and checked my insurance. Turns out I am NOT covered....so I am now looking into Mexican surgery options. Good luck!