NewLife2011

I had no pre-op diet and have managed the diet fine after surgery. It is way easier to diet with a tiny stomach and no hunger pangs. Just because you cannot do a pre-op diet does not mean you won't manage after surgery. I was fortunate in that my doctor did not think a per-op diet was necessary - you must follow your doctor's directions at all cost. But IMO 2 Cookies is not a big deal.

I was not required to do a pre-op diet and I'm really glad about that. you are going to have the rest of your life to learn how to eat properly, no reason to start early if your doc says it isn't necessary. It is way easier to stop eating after surgery because your stomach is tiny and you don't get hungry, why starve and suffer unnecessarily beforehand? (Just my opinion

BTW, my surgery was a breeze, no complications or ill effects due to the lack of a pre-op diet.

I love my sleeve and would do it all again in a heartbeat! Good luck to you on your amazing new adventure!

I had my surgery with Dr Aceves in Mexico and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. 4 months later I'm down 60 lbs and feeling fabulous. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner.

I had severe pain in my right knee prior to surgery and now it is feeling a lot better. I still feel a twinge sometimes when walking up hills or after a long walk but the bakers cyst I had behind the knee has not bothered me at all for a while. I am hoping that when I lose more weight I will be able to jog slowly and hike, but right now I'm taking it very carefully. I still do not climb steps - except for at home - as that is what causes the most pain, but I do feel that things are improving.

Thank goodness for this surgery...

Interesting article:

http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21459

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Citrate?

One form of citrate supplement, potassium citrate, was approved by the FDA in 1985 for the prevention of two kinds of kidney stones: Calcium stones (including calcium oxalate stones) and uric acid stones.

In a 3-year, double-blind study of 57 people with a history of calcium stones and low urinary citrate levels, those given potassium citrate developed fewer kidney stones than they had previously. In comparison, the group given placebo had no change in their rate of stone formation.¹²

Potassium-magnesium citrate was studied in a 3-year trial involving 64 participants with a history of calcium oxalate stones.¹³ During the study, new stones formed in only 12.9% of those taking the potassium-magnesium citrate supplement, compared to 63.6% of those taking placebo. Benefits have been seen in other small studies as well.^56,60

Citrate is available in the form of calcium citrate. Besides increasing citrate in the urine, this supplement has the advantage of being a readily absorbed form of calcium for those seeking to increase their calcium intake for other health reasons.¹⁴ However, calcium citrate has not yet been studied as a preventive for kidney stones.

Sorry to be a party pooper here but I did no pre-op diet and had no pain, nausea or exhaustion after my surgery. I had the surgery Saturday, drove back to LA on Monday - 6 hours, on my own - and went back to work on Thursday. I have felt great ever since and have had no issues whatsoever.

BTW, I had originally scheduled my surgery with an American surgeon who did require a 2 week pre-op diet to shrink the liver. Dr Aceves did not require it based on my BMI. I asked him about my liver after the surgery and he said it was absolutely fine, no issues.

Having said all that - it is imperative that you follow your doctor's instructions to a T, this is too important to cut corners on and put yourself at risk. I'm just glad that my Dr didn't require the ghastly pre-op diet, the post-op liquid diet was long enough as it is

I was sleeved on Saturday and returned to work on Thursday with no problems. I have a desk job.

My first original choice was Dr. Cirangle right here where I live. He works with LapSF...

However, it turns out he charges a bit more than I could afford, unfortunately. He's an amazing and gifted surgeon, I'd still go to him today if I had the money and hadn't already had my sleeve completed.

I ended up with Dr. Aceves. I'm glad I did!!

The reasons were simple:

-He is extremely skilled and gifted as a surgeon, his technique gets results of nearly 97% of his patients reaching their goal. I am amongst that stat!!! In fact, I passed my post goal, goal #1 and now working on goal #2 even... though I'm not really trying extra hard... LOL

-He is a member of the FACS (I did my research and verified this). You can't be a deadbeat surgeon to be in this prestigious club of surgeons.

-He had the best experience with my situation. I had my band removed and revised to the VSG.

-I had a LOT of friends who had him as a surgeon and received 100% positive feedback from all of them.

-I did hours and hours and hours and weeks of research on all WLS forums and never once read a negative comment from any of his patients.

-I'd seen photos of and read about him working out of a REAL hospital and how clean they kept it. Every single comment was spot on. That has to be the cleanest hospital I've ever been to. My Mom joined me on my journey and she worked in a Hospital for 35 years and said the same thing.

-His coordination staff was above and beyond. Nina is an absolute sweetheart and when I met she and her husband in the hospital she gave me a big hug and wished me well. She's adorable in real life too!!!

Those are the main reasons, and I have zero regrets. I won't tell you anymore than give you my own personal experiences. Good luck to you and in all your endeavors.

Ditto to all of the above. I verified the FACS also. I would do it all over again with Dr Aceves in a heartbeat.

We may be making a trip for another matter; however, I'm not positive - I'll let you know though if it's around 12/4 and definitely we'll meet!

I could meet up with you guys also - that's around my 3 month mark too...

"bingerella" - Love it ) I ate too fast on 2 occasions and also had horrible chest pain so I forced myself to throw up. Now I eat very slowly and chew everything to death!

He told me he'd fix it if I had one as part of the surgery but turns out I didn't have one after all. It's included in the price, no extra charge..

I was often hungry on the 2 week liquid phase too. Now I almost never get hungry and when I do a few spoons of mushies fills me right up. I love my sleeve!

I also ran Water in the basin and that enabled me to pee right away. Hope you have a smooth recovery!

I chose Dr Aceves because of all the positive postings I read about him and after doing research on his medical experience and the hospital he operates at. I had an extremely smooth recovery, very little pain, no nausea, no loss of energy - this has been an amazing experience for me and I've never had a moment's regret.

I had originally scheduled my surgery with a doctor in the USA, but after doing a lot of reading on these forums I switched to Dr Aceves. I felt when I made that decision that it was the right one and went into the surgery with confidence and high expectations. Up until now I have not been disappointed.

I went alone also. It was such a smooth experience with so few after effects that it usually felt like I hadn't had any surgery at all. The medical staff and hospital are excellent, you will be in the best hands, and this will be the best gift you ever gave yourself. Good luck!

I had some tofu and did OK on it. The next day I tried some again it got stuck in my throat and I had the worst pain ever! Since then I've been back to full liquids and mushies again!

You look amazing, congrats!!

In a heartbeat. I was lucky and suffered no post-surgery pain, nausea or tiredness. I feel better and better every day. My only regret is not having done this years ago. The liquid and mushy stages are tedious but it's such a small price to pay. I can honestly say I have never thought that this was not a good decision for me.

No wigs or hairpieces and I'm not bald, but I had really thick hair and now it's thin. I had a hat that used to sit mid-forehead and now it sits on my eyebrows because my head circumference is smaller due to hairloss. No one has said anything, so I think it's unnoticeable to anyone but me and my hair stylist. It's growing back in now, but I still get a good handful out of the shower strainer each week. Lost my hair but kept my boobs! That's a fair trade, I'd say.

You had thick hair AND boobs to start with?? OK, time for me to unfriend you then!

Thanks everyone! I have a lot of hair but it is extremely fine and very straight - so no body at all. I guess I'll have to weather this one like everyone else, it will definitely have been worth it in any event!

I'm 3 weeks out and wondering how bad my Hair loss is going to be. Am I going to be slightly bald, very bald or totally bald?? Did anyone wear hair-pieces or wigs? Any other tips for getting through this phase?

I was really praying about this....and God has confirmed my prayers.....I am going with Dr. Aceves. I wish others well who decide to go with Dr. Almanza. Be safe and prayerful. I know that this is a surgery that is needed..but I don't even want to go to the recovery house..thinking what is going to happen? I desire success and peace!

You won't have any regrets about choosing Dr Aceves, you'll be in excellent hands (and safe) ..

I have a little but not as severe as yours..

I don't think you could have done any damage with pudding, if the pain continues then contact the doc next week...

Congrats you guys, I am so excited for you! I am so happy with the surgery and so glad I chose Dr Aceves, you have definitely made an excellent choice!