I_Sd8_em

Not asking your income, but to all you self pay folks, make sure you keep all receipts for gas, mileage, hotels, airfare, and procedure, meds etc... to file on your taxes for the year of your surgery. Well as long as your total medical expenses are 7% of your AGI or 10% of your gross if your surgery is next year.

I do this constantly. The closer the funds get, the more I convince myself its not right for me. I seem to be focusing totally on all the negatives posted. However, we will see soon as I just recv'd my passport!

Not asking your income, but to all you self pay folks, make sure you keep all receipts for gas, mileage, hotels, airfare, and procedure, meds etc... to file on your taxes for the year of your surgery. Well as long as your total medical expenses are 7% of your AGI or 10% of your gross if your surgery is next year.

I personally have not. He is one of the more popular mexico surgeons on more than one site according to my research.

Why not see what your husband thinks since he knows his family? That's going to be a more expert opinion than any you'll get here.

Wonderful post and very true! I can't wait to see you progress! God Bless and God Speed with your weight loss journey!

You really need to make sure you are included on each submittal, etc...make them scan rather than fax, and cc your email address - you have the right to be included in every step of your medical care. This assures you that your docs are doing what is supposed to be done.
You also take a bit of responsibility in that you also need to get, and confirm each email address personally, so you know whether or not it went where it was supposed to.

Yesterday food as anything more than nutrition. The opportunity cost, the trade-off of having my stomach reduced in order to lose weight, is that I can no longer satisfy the void(s) in my life with food.
I should rejoice, yes? This is what I wanted so desperately, right? Now I finally have a tool to help me lose weight. So why should I even consider a loss of anything other than pounds??
For anyone who does not struggle with food addiction and over-eating, this is probably incomprehensible. But to anyone who can relate, to anyone considering taking the so-called easy way out (i.e., weight loss surgery), this is definitely something to consider.Mexico for weight loss surgery, and counseling was not offered.
Psst!!! I didn't really think I needed it anyway.
But now, as the days go by and I continue to heal and get back to living life, I find that the thing that used to provide a source of comfort/peace/familiarity/companionship is gone. I mentioned before that it's kind of like mourning the loss of something or someone, and it is so true! I find that now I have a lot of free time, because what I used to do just doesn't work anymore. I can't watch TV and really plug into it like I used to. I didn't know the food I was eating while watching TV was such a huge factor.
Don't get me wrong. I am so glad I had the surgery. I don't regret it at all, because with it I can change my life. But that doesn't change the fact that, without food, I feel a little lost. I'm out here on my own now. My old friend Food, is gone. And while that is most certainly what I wanted, I didn't consider the opportunity cost of not having that scapegoat.
So what do I do now?? I ask myself. Living a Redux Life is about more than lip service. Now that I don't have my food crutch to lean on, I have to stand on my own two feet. And that's...scary. I now have to face my life, rather than be numb to it.
And I want to! Yet at the same time, I don't want to...
The opportunity cost of having weight loss surgery is that if food has meaning in your life other than nutrition--and let's face it, if we only used food for nutrition we wouldn't be in this situation--then you MUST do the work of evaluating how you will navigate your world once you don't have that source of comfort.
What will you do when you are uneasy with your surroundings? Eat slider foods? Start consuming more alcohol? Or will you finally get your head and heart in the game and do the work to resolve your issues?
If you can answer those questions BEFORE surgery, then perhaps the opportunity cost won't be so high. And maybe this "tool" won't feel so much like a hammer, but more like a massage.

I think it's a gimmick, it is not realistic for long term weight loss. I feel as a wls patient it is very important to maintain a healthy normal diet, it is important to get into the habit of eating as much of your Protein as possible, as opposed to drinking it via supplements. I may have one Protein Shake a day, but in no way do I drink it to replace a meal, I will usually have one between Breakfast and lunch. The whole point of wls it to stop with programs such as the one you listed. I say stick to your doctors recommendations and try to navigate your diet with wholesome nutritious foods, best of luck to you.

It has been 8 weeks and 5 days since my surgery. Today I found out that after being on vacation for the past nine days I lost a pound for every day I was gone. That means that my month long stall is OVER!!! Hip hip hooray!
Today I flew on a plane. Previous to surgery I was pretty sure I would need an extender - today I had about 7-8 extra inches of seat belt
And, I have lost 40% of my excess weight in a little under 9 weeks. I still have a ways to go - 65 more lbs, but I feel like it is going to happen.
Happy happy day to everyone!

Most of the mass killings are rival drug cartels killing each other off. You can die anywhere and anytime.

The good news: I'm down 2 sizes in my shirts and pants and 1 band size and 1 cup size in my bra and I'm only 5 1/2 weeks postop.
The bad news: all that money I've saved on food, went to clothes today I'll probably wear for a "minute".
Totally, 100% loving my sleeve. It is my favorite body part. :-)

Well 2 people can keep a secret only if one is dead and the dead still tell tales. Also you've already told several people so it won't be long before your sister knows!

I am not telling anyone. I am a "lightweight" and when I was throwing the idea around the negativity was unbelievable. I am really tired of advice from anyone and everyone. I had a uterine artery embolization 2 years ago (which was elective) and the comments and advice on how I should have handled things from everyone was almost too much to deal with. Whatever you decide - I will be here to let you be yourself!

Just tell people that you are doing everything humanly and legally possibleyou can to make healthful choices. that you are busy changing your life.

Not asking your income, but to all you self pay folks, make sure you keep all receipts for gas, mileage, hotels, airfare, and procedure, meds etc... to file on your taxes for the year of your surgery. Well as long as your total medical expenses are 7% of your AGI or 10% of your gross if your surgery is next year.

Make sure you always get a receipt. Whenever I pay in cash they pull out the book and hand write one.
Keep yelling because they should still have a record of you being there at that time and why. Medical professionals have to account for every patient they see and detail what was done. They must have something there. You just need to keep pushing them to find it.

Every time I see the word "bougie", I hear "Do the hustle!" I think I just dated myself horribly!

So you've never made a mistake? Really?

Both! Society judges us, andn we judge ourselves based on society's opinions and idea of ideals.

They may just be wanting to see if you have a fatty liver, which most overweight/obese patients have. When one does have a fatty liver, a diet, whether low carb low calorie, or liquid diet, may be in order.
Most doctors just put patients on diets, but again your doctor may be wanting to know for sure to eliminate diets if not necessary. I cannot speak for the doctor however, this is just an assumption.

WOW!, I hope you are well and you will heal and hopefully get you sleeve if you desire at that time.

you are correct in the size is close. it takes 25.4mm to make 2.54 cm which equals an inch. It is the staple line that matters and how close it is to the bougie.

My dr used to use a 34fr bougie, but then switched to using a 38fr bougie. Was seeing better results health wise. Paitents did better with a larger bougie.!

Honestly a 32 and 40 aren't that much different at all! We are talking small differences! See the image below.
I'm going to ask my Dr but It isn't a huge deal to me if he goes with a 32 or a 40. I know I will lose lots of weight and get to Goal within a year no matter which one he uses and as long as I eat slow and drink a lot I will be ok.
Johnathan