JenC

I said to my husband at about day 4 or 5 post-op that if I had to return to work right now, I definately could. I know its different for everyone but I got over that foggy weak feeling pretty quickly. So my experience was that returning to work in 6-7 days was possible. Take the weekend to rest up if you're getting your fluids in and some protein you could be well on your way back to work next week! ...Unless of course you have a physically demanding job ; ) I didn't ask what you do. Good luck to you!

I'm not very far in this journey (17 days post op) but so far my only regret is that I didn't do this 2 years ago, or 5 yrs ago or...you get the point. I'm a big foodie, I love to entertain, what I'm looking forward to now is enjoying and being satisfied with a "portion" that will not contribute to my early death. Cooking and experimenting with food that will fuel me and my husband for our future rather than weigh us down. I've had a real love affair with food, indulging myself comforting myself. I regret not changing that relationship earlier...I tried, believe me...for years. I wish I had this tool a long time ago...anyway, probably not what you where looking for but that's my only regret...not having done this sooner

Oh my gosh, you're funny. If insurance doesn't cover you, you could do stand up to earn the extra cash for surgery. Funny aside, I know where you're coming from with the " you're not that big and you're healthy " comments. I went to information seminars and first consultation appointments 2 years ago where they basically told me gain 40lbs to qualify or book a ticket to Mexico and self pay. I had a BMI of 35 with no co-morbities. I went away discouraged and put it on the back burner. In June I had, had enough... thinking about it time, and picked up the phone and booked a July 14 surgery date with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali Mexico. So far I'm thinking it's the best $8750 I've ever spent. And by the way, if I had to do it again, I would'nt choose to do it anywhere else after the outstanding care and experience that I had. I'm Jennifer I'm 5'8" / 17 days post op / down 17 pounds. Good luck with the insurance battle, hope you win but if you don't there are excellent alternatives. I look forward to hearing more about your journey.

Good luck tomorrow. Advice...keep that positive excited attitude and get up and walk, walk, walk as soon as you can when you get out of recovery.

My doc suggested turning water acidic makes it easier to drink after surgery, so adding lemon or a squeeze of citris of some sort. Vitamin water has been my go to drink. For some reason I can drink that but G2 or Propel is a no go.

I'm adding Unjury Unflavored to my soups for the protein...kinda tired of all the sweet protein drinks. I don't taste or smell the unflavored stuff at all when I add it.

Congratulations! Great way to start your day! Enjoy the feeling!

if you live by a mall with air conditioning you could walk there

Only 56 lbs?...you go girl, give yourself a nice pat on the back size 20 to 14 is big deal. Woohoo for you!

I told my husband, who accompanied me and is totally supportive and my sister in law...so someone had our travel itenarary to Mexico, and no one else. Like you I don't want to be anyone's poster child. Nor do I want to have to spend time and energy explaining, defending or discussing the merits or risks with anyone else. I've done my research and I've made my own decision. I decided this time and this journey was for me and I'm keeping it personal...only sharing it with a few thousand people going through the same thing here on these boards...lol. When people ask what I'm doing (re: my eating habits or right now lack thereof) I just say I'm eating less and moving more which is all true. Once I'm further in my journey if someone I know is looking for support or advice and asks my opinion I will gladly share my support and experience but until then for me....mums the word.

I'm 11 days and 14lbs post op and feeling great! I can't believe how fast and what a breeze the surgery was! I did not do a revision so a litte different situation in that respect but any of the questions or anxiety I may have felt before is behind me and I'm so excited for my future! You came to the decision for many reasons and with a clear head I'm sure, before the anxiety of the "moments" before set in. You can do this! Get your desk cleared and your stuff done so you can focus on YOU during the time you've taken off for recovery. Luck to you!! :)

P90X. Requires very few props, very little space and produces big results! Check out www.Beachbody.com It's very intense but if you start out just doing what you can eventually you'll get there : )

You will be your outgoing and fun self in no time!! I'm counting on the same for me too! I know how you feel about the "fitting" stuff. Love your comebacks and answers to the comments and questions people have. Sounds like you have a pretty confident attitude about the whole thing already! Enjoy your Saturday!

Hi Nikki, I'm day 8 post op and feeling great. Just got home from my morning walk with my dog we did 1.25 mile this morning and moving around is really helping me feel good and on track. Down 9 lbs as of this morning. I self payed with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali MX and had the best care and experience there. The 3 days came and went so fast I can't believe I'm on this path already!! I am still on clears and am having no trouble sticking with it as I really have no hunger as of now so just drinking my Isopure and chicken broth. I believe the very best thing I did was go into it with a positive confident attitude about my future, only wish I would have done it sooner so I wouldn't have waisted another summer beating myself up about my weight. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery except my husband, whose support I had 100%. As much as I love my friends and family I really didn't want to have to "nurse" all of their questions, concerns or judgements since this was really about me and my immediate family. Hope things are as seamless for you and they have been so far for me. I'd say don't worry too much about making your friends understand what you're going through as much as preparing yourself for the life changing experience that you will go through.

Woohoo!! Love those losses!

Walk, walk, walk and when you're done walking...walk. I'm six days post op and my husband was a task master making me walk and I really believe it was the best thing for minimizing and taking away the pain when it came. I also used a heating pad behind my shoulder when it was really bad. I don't think there is really anything you can take to address the surgical gas you have. They pump us full of gas and it has to work its way out. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Chia seeds are a wonderful thing

I am having my surgery in MX and I really hadn't planned for any 3 mth follow up. I don't think my insurance at home will cover the tests since they would not qualify me for the surgery. Is the 3mth upper GI and xray essential? Did people return to MX for the follow up? What are your experiences? Feeling a little silly and unprepared.

My surgeon said pre-opt diet was optional with a bmi of 35. I'm having surgery Saturday. Good luck and best wishes to you! Exciting!

$8750 Self Pay Dr. Aceves in Mexico

Saturday the 14th for me

I am scheduled for surgery next Saturday July 14. I've got a BMI of 35 and so my doc said the pre-op diet was optional. The diet he sent was a low carb/high protien diet for his patients. I decided instead to do liquid for the week before, so the weeks after would not be such a difficult transition... but I'm feeling like I'm starving! I know that my stomach will be smaller after surgery so I'm hoping there will be no hunger pains. I ordered my products for the phases after surgery and wanted to get acquinted with them to make sure they where the right ones for me, going in...I know tastes and reactions change but I thought being familiar with the tastes and textures would be good. Any way long story short, should I stay on the liquids or go to the low carb for the next 4 days and relieve myself of the stress, or just eat normally...cause I already feel alittle stress scooting off to MX for surgery. I know I can stick to the liquids after, I've done Optifast in the past for 6mths, and recently did a 21 day reset cleanse with very strict food and water guidelines. Ugg, maybe I'm just making excuses to eat something. Which I shouldn't be doing at this stage.

Thank you! Thank you all for your responses today. I have booked our tickets (my husband was able to get the time away from work) and I am 21 days away from departure!! I appreciate your support and will without doubt take you up on your advise and best bets as I go along. I have Butterflies tonight! Good ones. Jennifer

Thank you "Foxbins" for the reply. As soon as they call me back I'm booking it!!. I'm 5'8 and starting at 232 too! I've been just "thinking" about this far too long.

Hello, I am glad to find this stream with patients of Dr. Aceves. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat wanting to book it! Maybe just looking for a little reassurance from some of his patients. I'm a little concerned about traveling and having surgery by myself. I worry a little about not having an advocate along in a situation where I will be put under. Also can anyone give me any insight about your experience dealing with any health care follow up issues once you return home. My GP is less than supportive of WLS and I will have to find a new doc, wondering if I end up with any complication how my insurance will cover it. With a BMI of 36 they won't cover the surgery so I'm self paying in MX.