circa

I have health insurance. The health insurance that my husband's company offers does not cover WLS. Kaiser Permanente isn't always the best insurance in the world, even though people rave about it. They have AMAZING plans, but that's not the one that my husband's employer chose...Anyway, I could have paid cash here in the states, but I didn't want to spend more money than I had to for quality care. Just because something is more expensive doesn't mean its better. I found exactly what I needed in Mexico.

yup. I was. I've had such a pain free, easy recovery. I'm just so blessed! Can't wait till incisions are fully healed. I miss my hot tub!

I wouldn't consider the sleeve to be cosmetic at all. The only way it would is if you were at a normal bmi, not had any problems with weight but wanted the procedure, or just did not want to work at losing their excess weight. There have been people that have had the sleeve at a normal weight after getting there with a problematic band and have done it to maintain.

I'm now 2 weeks out and I've lost 14 lbs since surgery, 36 since i started my pre-op. I'm feeling pretty good about it. I wish it was more, but we all wish that, don't we? I also have my time of month, so I know that's probably good for about 3-5 lbs. I have noticed, as my endo said I would that the adrenaline issues from the tumors on my adrenal glands is significantly LESS. The adrenaline created is partly in response to the grehlin created in the stomach. Hormones cause other hormones to do other hormonal things. When a person feels hungry, they have a survival instinct that kicks in brought about by adrenaline. Huh. makes sense. Happy with my progress thus far. Happy with my choice. Happy with my recovery. Just getting very happy these days I know I'm about ready for the 3 week stall, which I'm okay with. Its not like I can eat a cheesecake over it

protein shakes help and I found the progresso soups -especially in full liquid stage are great - they actually have quite a bit of protein - I just pureed them and was good to go I was honestly surprised that I was meeting my protein for the day. I get about 80 grams a day. Kinda shocked me. Yogurt Higher Protein Soups add a little shredded cheese too and let it melt then puree Protein Drinks It starts to add up

I would defnitely look into an acid reducer. You don't need heartburn to have acid. That's just silly Secondly, try drinking water - a good amount if your stomach growls. You could seriously just be thirsty. I've found that to be the case for me. I haven't had any issues with acid, I had some reflux occassionaly before surgery, but NOTHING after - so it was probably food reaction related. But I have often found that the body is just thirsty, not hungry

I'm concerned that people automatically blame the surgeon. My mother in law had a bypass and lost her weight and has gained it back - not because the surgeon failed, but she refuses to eat correctly. I am NOT saying that this is the case with this person, however, once again, the sleeve is not a guarantee There was weightloss, which means there was restriction. Is there no longer restriction? Have you had an xray to see if your stomach is stretched? Have you followed a low calorie diet? Have you been exercising? This is not necessarily the surgeon's fault or the patients. Sometimes the body chemistry is such that this procedure does not work - just like other procedures. But this does not mean that any person is at fault. I know that the person that's in this situation is upset, I would be too. However, just blaming someone whose work was basically done when you left the hospital and you did have weight loss isn't a good idea in my opinion. You don't have to like my opinion, but I think its worth listening to. Again, I never said it was the poster's fault - but its something to reflect on - are you following a proper diet? If you are, then you might want to see an endocrinologist to find out if there's something else going on - you might have a severe thyroid issue going on that is affecting you. It might not be a problem with the sleeve at all.

congrats!!!! While you were in the hospital, they put a lot of fluids in you by IV - your body is still carrying all of that, plus the swelling from the surgery. Throw the scale away. Don't weigh yourself often - save it for once a week or once every two weeks.

I know right?! This drove me CRAZY! It was all I could do to not stand up and say "gee, I wonder how in the hell you got here! Maybe it was that dozen cookies you ate day after day!"

You're pretty close to your goal weight - the closer you get, the slower the weight usually comes off. You're not doing anything wrong - and zumba is a great option.

she said she was still waiting for the results. Let's not be condescending, please.

He said through the largest incision or the bellybutton

The sleeve is not a guarantee. You did lose weight and that is great. I know you may not have lost everything you hoped for, but there is no guarantee. There are options and every doctor has had patients where the sleeve has not worked with them. There are options to be resleeved, have a mini bypass, a ds, Hope you find an option that works for you.

try ramen noodle packets in water - just the spice packets - it seems a bit easier on the tummy while it is still healing. Hope that helps!

absolutely take the meds - there's no trophy for being in pain. I was one of the fortunate people that didn't have hardly any pain. Just because you have pain, doesn't make you a wuss - everyone's body reacts differently - I have an extremely high threshold for pain - which in itself can be dangerous - I can hurt myself pretty bad and not realize it. NOT a good thing. Listen to your body - its telling you something!

I would totally go into the restricted area in the Library of Congress! I wanna know what's redacted in the Warren Commission Report and a few other things! If you could get a fashion designer to listen to you about the clothing that they make, what would you say?

If they were unopened, I don't think there's a problem, but if they've been open, I would worry about moisture getting in and mold growing. I had some individual packets of protein powders that were expired and I tried one and the flavor was just bad. It goes....stale...I guess.

I personally wouldn't want that. If there's really no immediate benefit or proven need for it, I don't think I would want it. My first thought was "you put that thing in me and I'll band you like I band calves"

I think your video was great! Not scripted and definitely genuine!

This does not sound normal at all! Please consult your doctor!

Only in stages for the food limitations while your tummy heals. Every surgeon's post-op diet is different. For example, mine was a week of Clear liquids, a week of full liquids, mushy foods, then adding in regular foods. Not too bad Some people have way different post op diets - be sure to discuss a post op plan with your surgeon thoroughly.

I think a big thing that people don't seem to realize is the stall. You're going to stall. Weightloss isn't going to be steady and even every single day, every single week, every single month Your body needs time to adjust to changes. First the surgery, then the substantial weight loss and diet change, then your body will go through different phases of adjustment - and it compensates with the "stalls".

Your sleeve will decide what you can and can't eat, really. Some people have zero issues with any foods, some people find that they can't tolerate certain foods after surgery. It really just depends on your tummy

a few days sick will not cause you to go bald. I know that it feels like an eternity when you ARE sick, but it won't have that effect. You may want to contact your doctor or your surgeon for something that can help with the nausea though - needing to get in your protein and not being able to isn't good

This procedure was just recently approved (in the last 5 or so years) in the US as a single stage weight loss surgery. Previously, this was part 1 of the 2-part duodenal switch procedure. Doctors began to find out that the weightloss in the first stage was substantial enough to not perform stage 2 - the rerouting of the intestines, much like the RNY. The surgery itself has been done for other reasons for decades here in the US. Its been done all over the world for weight loss for lots of years.