Cyant

Just posting to keep tabs on this conversation. Even though I have decided to go to MX with Dr. F. Garcia and get the SVSG if I have it done ...I'm just still on the fence. 1)Wondering how far in the future i should schedule? 2) Amy posted that she is hospitalized because she has blood clots? I'm sure this is rare but i'm wondering what the follow up is after surgery in MX? and if my insurance will cover me if there are any complications. 3) Can anyone share Dr. F. Garcias - pre op & post op plan/recommendations (diet, exercise). My plan lose 20 lbs before surgery Start at 1600-1800 calories and reduce 200 calories per week then alternate between 1000-1200 Eat 4-6 small meals with 2 oz protien & 2 oz complex carb 3 times a day, one protein drink, 1 fruit snack & 1 green snack (to total 6) using smaller utensils & plates Stop drinking while I'm eating, Weight training/calisthenics 3 times a week and yoga, barre, biking, walking Reduce/eliminate no sugar, sodium, soy, gluten, msg, gmo No soda Coffee? tea okay?

Men suck! LOL just kidding. I see your loss everywhere even in your arms. Keep up the good effort you are doing absolutely amazing and its noticeable

I'm in Oceanside/Carlsbad, San Diego. Still in the pre sleeve category. Will probably do a single incision VSG self pay with Dr. F. Garcia in Tijuana,

Looks like this is an old thread...so did you all lose your fupas or are you in for some vajayjay lipo (I know its a substitute word for vagina - vajayjay sounds like summers eve fresh - vagina doesn't sound fun - sorry)

I"m considering the spider VSG with Dr. Fernando Garcia. This is one incision through the belly button procedure. now for my rant...you can see I'm rather conflicted LOL I'm glad I found this thread - I'm a bit taller 5/6 (I was 5'7) but oh well maybe I'll get that inch back later about 207 lbs. I'm a self pay not even going to bother with insurance. I stay active but not as consistent as I need to. I don't eat junk food but i snack on nuts and stuff - consuming too many calories. I've cut out or greatly reduced gluten, soy,sugar, processed foods With VSG: I'm afraid of not being able to eat salads and fresh food. How do you get good Fiber? Would it work if I juiced them or does something make sleevers react poorly to them. Cooking them really well until they are mushie? I'm not a big meat eater mostly fish and chicken. But just curious when could you eat ground beef? steak? I'm afraid the pouch will be too small and I'll not be able to get enough protein/calories and I'll lose hair - Since I'm a light weight and will likely lose weight slower did you have hair loss or not? I'm afraid I'll lose weight too fast and my skin will sag. How much weight did you lose every month? Are there any resources that I can access that tell more about the pre-op process. post op lifestyle. What is the eating plan when you are post op in detail? where do you find that out? I have heard that people have a rough couple of days right after the surgery - what do they mean exactly? pain, discomfort, gas, bloating, edema, vomiting Sorry to blast you all with questions but I've been popping around the forums to get answers for my questions - maybe I'll look to see if there is a local seminar - that might work

Not sleeved but considering it. I like to run (5ks) and would like to run 1/2 marathons. I'm afraid that if the pouch is too small then I wont be able to consume/drink enough to sustain energy & glucose levels. I would like to avoid flabby skin and hair loss. I see people dropping 10 lbs a week. Thats way too much for me do you know if there is a way to slow that down. I like veggies and salads (all the good ones like kale, brussels sprouts, spinach) when were you able to start eating them again. what is an average size meal look like - say oz of fish, oz of salad, oz of veggies Do you eat frozen yogurt? toppings? sugar sensitivity? , have you experienced acid reflux - if yes, under what conditions I drink wine, tequila, etc very occasionally - how many oz could you drink before you "felt" a little buzz. I like Water a lot! do you have to drink through a straw and if so why? what is sliming? when did you feel ready to go back to exercise? work? If I had the procedure - i would be 5 days there. How much time would I want off in addition to that before I start getting back to normal? Did you have a lot of pain?

I actually requested the information last night about the spider VSG and Alma said the same thing. @Kristina - yeah the said they won't do it on revisions. I felt pretty silly filling out the 6 page medical history. Any health problems? huh besides being fat...No. Any medications. No. I thought I'm going to submit this and they are going to think I'm off. Made me feel a little bit off for considering it. One of my biggest habits is snacking - grazing through the day not on bad stuff just a handful of nuts here an apple there plus B/L/D - ugh! Feel very uncertain after the questionaire

So Kristina & Rollargirl - are you both getting the spider VSG? The more I look into it I think that is the way I would wan to go but i cant find anything anywhere that says Dr. Garcia performs this procedure using the spider surgical method. @arthritis_me - thanks for the info I have a progesterone cream and I'll be sure to start using it since I do have a symptom or two on the list.

I'm 46 so slowing metabolism etc - I already exercise and eat fairly healthy - just too much I guess LOL I don't eat a lot of processed foods and rarely fast food - cant even remember when the last time was it was so long ago. Okay starbucks...but really...does anyone really count starbucks What is estrogen dominance? I'll want to avoid that !!! Is it just lose the fat and lose the estrogen dominance?

@Kristina, I'm in Carlsbad about 30 minutes north of downtown...near Legoland :-) You have had quite a weight loss roller coaster I bet its a relief to find an option that will be more permanent. Maybe i'll schedule surgery around that time and we can hang out. I'm running in the color run on 5/11 and have school the next weekend but might be able to do it on 5/18. LOL @arthritis_me Thank you for posting. I'm a size 16 so even though I'm struggling to lose weight permanently I have been wondering if surgery is right for me. As I get older, i just dont want to spend anymore time regretting being overweigh so it was calming to see someone closer to my own situation @rollargirl I have been looking online to see if Dr. Garcia has any reviews on the scarless VSG and I don't see anything. I wouldn't want to be his first LOL - where did you see that he performs this? I think it is a better way to go because they don't need to mess with your abdominals which has a longer, harder and more painful recovery. $1000 extra is a lot but might be worth it. I havent even looked into price...what is it approximately for self pays?

Very cool. I'm not that close to making a decision so I'll be excited to follow your progress. Let me know if you do end up having your surgery with Dr. Garcia - I live in San Diego and can meet you for broth post op :-)

Yeah thats an expensive flight for you best to be prepared. The weather in may is grey (may grey / june gloom) - the coast is going to have a thick marine layer from the ocean to about 1 mile inland. Further than it is generally sunny. I still need a hoodie to stay warm but its probably 68-70 degrees. I think I saw you are planning on going to LA - it is generally warmer there but the smog can be a bit thick some days. I like my belly button - i had my appendix removed and the scar at my belly button is about the length/width of a dime (3 incisions) - I will want to make sure that if I do have the procedure that my belly button will be worth showing off later on because I have a pretty strong core that w/o fat is going to look hot! LOL I had my belly button pierced years ago maybe I'll have it re-pierced if things work out. How are you getting your information about Dr. Garcia? over the internet or talking to his office? Have you attended any informational seminars? I see you are very active in the forums for just joining - impressive. Who else have you considered having the surgery performed with?

You just had your surgery right? Who did your surgery - Dr. Garcia?

There is a doctor, Dr. Quebbemann in Orange County that does the scarless spider VSG I'm going to fill out the form. I'm likely a self-pay unless there is an insurance miracle so I doubt that I can afford him but I can check it out. Looks promising.

Good to know there are some really good doctors in Mexico for self-pay and I live in San Diego so not far to travel. You all are so brave you inspire me

@rebeca ROTFL

If a doctor told me I was going on be on a 10 week milk diet I would be grumpy as hell, question his qualifications and probably find a new doctor. So, 8 weeks is so amazing! You should really be proud of yourself for doing what few would be able to do. Thumb's up

Thanks for the info I think I'll check out local seminars and see a nutritionist with Cigna to start the process even if eventually get denied, have to self-pay, or decide against it. I don't have any medical conditions or anything LOL a good thing most days. But, at 46 with a slowing metabolism and numerous unsuccessful attempts over the last 20 years to loss it alone permanently I'm feeling like I'm running out of get er' done options. Cutting out simple carbs wheat, sugar, soy, gluten, dairy I lose weight easily...But, its just very difficult to stick to as a long term lifestyle change without ever backsliding. Its one compromise and another until I find myself slipping down the slope I'm so thankful that a few of you responded with positive input. I like being active and the weight does slow me down. I drink so much Water that it seems like a huge sacrifice to give it up - more so than my occasional soda or glass of wine. I would be bummed to give up wine and coffee but water *gasp* Nooooo LOL I have rosacea and I shouldn't drink coffee or have spicy foods - so maybe no being able to eat them would actually be a benefit. @kylifalcon Can they tell if you have a long or short stomach before surgery? *crossing fingers for a long one*

I have a relatively low 33 BMI 5/6 209 lbs (size 16) - I will probably have to self pay (I'm in san Diego so I'll likely have to go to Mexico) I don't diet and have had some success losing weight but my track record in keeping it off...not so good. I enjoy drinking a lot of Water - close to 150oz a day I like running 5k, riding my beach cruiser & hot yoga, Barre - I'm just wondering if those that have VSG are active before hand. How soon can you resume activities? I'm afraid of: The stomach being too small - Do you have any say of the size of your stomach Losing weight too quickly and having a lot of excess skin Of course I want to be in a smaller body for looks but more than that I would like to have long term health - my mom died of medical conditions caused by a lifetime of morbid obesity. (this terrifies me) So, since I have not been fully and long term successful at maintaining a healthy BMI I have started to look into other options. I try to eat right but tend to graze on nuts and fruit (too much). I limit gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, processed foods I drink coffee Occasionally, drink red wine. I have seen a lot of complaints about Protein shakes. I like and drink Protein Shakes. So I guess my question if you dont like them after surgery ...did you like them before? If I do have VSG I want to make it the easiest on my body as possible and trying to weigh the benefits of lowering BMI and getting to a healthier weight vs acid reflux, sugar intolerance, water intolerance and a couple of the other things i have read in the forums. I can't even imagine how running a 75-100 lbs lighter would feel. that alone would be amazing! Any positive or informative feedback you have is appreciate.