Courtney

First of all, congrats! When you're in the hospital, get up and start walking as soon as you can after surgery. It will help immensely with the gas pains. Everyone says you should bring gas-x strips, but to be honest, I had them with me and only used one (which didn't seem to help)...my mouth was much too dry for it to even dissolve on my tongue! If you tend to get nauseous from anesthesia and/or pain meds, let the nurses know prior to your surgery so they can start pumping in the anti-nausea meds as needed. I was never nauseous after surgery and didnt have a single vomiting incident...I'm sure the meds are what helped. Other than that, just try to relax and recover and follow all your doctor's orders! I hope all goes well for you...you must be so excited!

Hi Mel! I am doing well...down 32 pounds so far and still "enjoying" my puréed foods phase. Overall I feel good, and happy, and excited about my new life. I still need to write about my experience in Mexico and share it on here...but I had a great one, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Knock on wood, I am six days out of surgery and was lucky not to experience the nausea or throwing up blood. I think it is because the nurses kept the anti-nausea meds coming since I tend to have bad reactions to anesthesia/pain meds. The only near-vomit episode I had came when I was attempting to drink the blue dye, which tasted just like a cup full of blue ink. So wretched.

Definitely helps...thanks again!

Abetterme, thanks for the detailed post! It gives me a great idea of what to expect when I travel to Cancun for my sleeve in just over two weeks. One thing I was wondering about was whether you traveled with a companion - if so, you may be able to help. My mom will be coming with me, and while I will obviously not be eating in the hospital, she will need to! Did you notice any type of cafeteria in the hospital? She's extremely hesitant at the idea of having to venture out on her own, so I'd like to be able to let her know what to expect. Again, thank you so much, and congrats on your amazing loss so far!

Day one of my pre-op diet has gone smoothly, which is hard to believe considering the amount of leftover Valentine's Day candy and cookies I've been surrounded by! I bought a tub of Body Fortress Whey Protein tonight at Publix and it's actually not bad at all!

My passport arrived yesterday...ahhh! Just 30 days to go! My pre-op diet starts next Friday...it seems like everything is happening so fast. How is everything going with your planning, Evelyn? I hope you're doing well!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I look forward to reading it in full. I'm always glad to hear positive stories from patients of Dr. Perez...they reassure me that I have made the right choice. Surgery is coming up soon...five weeks to the day! Getting more and more nervous and excited now.

Congrats Jennifer! I'm scheduled for 3/8 but I begin my protein shakes on 2/15. You can do it! Just keep reminding yourself of what a hugely positive thing you're doing for yourself...these two weeks pre-op are just the beginning of a new life for you! A lot of us are going to be prepping right alongside you - we're here for support!

Yay!!! So excited for you! I sent out my passport paperwork today, and I'm still having such a hard time believing this is all actually happening! I hope you find a decent deal on airfare...JetBlue practically robbed me blind, but hey, nothing's gonna stop me now!

Hi Evelyn! I am using R4AC also, and yes, Alma is great! She is so quick to respond to all of my silly questions, which is very nice.

I know what you mean about the frustration...I was going absolutely crazy waiting on a response from my boss, and she took her sweet time! I bought our plane tickets this afternoon, and wow - what a rush of emotions I felt when I clicked "purchase"! A combination of nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of "holy crap, is this really happening?!" Right now I am pretty much floating. I hope you get your answer soon so you can feel this way too! What's your name, by the way? I guess I should have asked that before!

Congrats on nearing your goal, Slo! If you don't mind my asking, how much have you lost since you were sleeved? I am so excited I can't stand it. I am really looking forward to be able to live a more active lifestyle and just be more healthy all-around. Of course, I'm not gonna lie, it's also going to be an amazing feeling going into a clothing store and being able to buy whatever the heck I want instead of settling for whatever happens to fit. I know it's going to be a tough road, but a fun one too.

I just booked my flight for my March 8th surgery in Cancun. I am literally shaking because I am so excited and overwhelmed right now. It's so crazy to think that in only six weeks, the one thing I've struggled with my entire life will no longer rule me...I'm finally going to have the tool I need to rule it. I have a long way to go...but I'm ready for this journey.

I just got my time off approval from work this morning! We are headed to the courthouse tomorrow afternoon to apply for expedited passports...it's all starting to feel so much more real now. Only six more weeks until our lives change for the better...and only three more until I start my pre-op diet! Gulp. I hope things are coming along as planned for you!

Ahhh, can't wait until I reach that milestone! Congrats...keep it up!!

Congrats Jennifer! I am in Kissimmee and wanted to go with Dr. Kim but my insurance coverage through my employer excludes any type of WLS and I couldn't afford the $18K self-pay price tag. However, I am being sleeved in Cancun on March 8th - very excited! Looking forward to hearing about your journey...best of luck to you and your husband!

Hi everyone! I'm 28 and from Florida, and I'm being sleeved on March 8th in Cancun. My insurance doesn't cover VSG so I'm going the self-pay route. I'm feeling a combination of insane nerves and excitement, which I'm sure you can all relate to. It's been so encouraging to see all of your posts sharing your success after having the surgery, and I'm looking forward to being ale to share posts like that too. If anyone wants to chat, feel free to message me!

It's great that you have someone to travel with! My mom will be joining me, and we will fly out on March 7th. I am still waiting on final approval of my time off from work, but that should be coming any time now...at least, it better be - I'm getting impatient! Do you know which airline you'll be using? The only decent airline I know of that offers nonstop flights out of Orlando is JetBlue. I'm hoping they still have some availability in the coming days, because flights were looking pretty full when I checked yesterday! I guess it IS right around Spring Break time...oh joy.

Congratulations! I see you're from Florida too - I'm in Kissimmee! Will you be doing any sort of pre-op diet? If so, we can support each other throughout...not sure about you, but goodness knows I'll be needing it.

Welcome! I'm new to posting also, but like you, I've been a longtime lurker. After years of consideration, I'm finally taking the plunge and having my surgery done on March 8th in Cancun with Dr. Perez. I wish you the best of luck as you begin your journey! I think we can all be a great support system for one another.

Hi everyone! I am having surgery with Dr. Perez in Cancun on March 8th. I am so very excited and nervous, and I'd love to find someone else who will be going at the same time so we can be excited and nervous together! Any takers?

Hi everyone! I'm a longtime member of VST but after a couple years of on-and-off lurking, this is my first actual post. I'm excited to share that I'm tentatively scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Perez in Cancun on March 8th. Just need to make sure I can expedite my passport delivery and such! It's something I've waited a long time for, and it's been extremely frustrating because my insurance coverage specifically excludes weight loss surgery or treatment of any type. I finally realized I could just take a loan from my 401K to pay for the surgery in Mexico, and honestly, I am floating on Cloud Nine with the realization that I'm finally going to have the tool I need to change my life forever. I've been struggling with my weight from an extremely early age (let's just say I was always embarrassed of my school photos from second grade onward), and I never thought I'd see the day where reaching my ideal weight actually seemed like a realistic goal. I'm excited to be here with you guys to share our experiences and thoughts as we make this journey, and I'd love to make some sleeve buddies! If anyone else is planning to be in Cancun on March 8th, please send me a message - let's chat!