mrsteacher

I have a BMI of 40 (I currently weigh 242.2 lbs). I started the preop diet a few days early. I was told 7 days full liquid with 3 days clear. I'm giving myself 10 days which meant I started yesterday. I'm glad I have been experimenting with Protein drinks and got rid of caffine in the form of soda at the beginning of the year. Yesterday was not bad at all. I am dreading Saturday because I am taking my neice to see the Hunger Games and you know she will be all over the popcorn! Just sent an email to Dr. Kelly's staff confirming all the details. I picked Dr. Kelly because I liked what I heard online about him, he was very responsive to my phone calls, and the price was right. I'm glad to hear (thank SexySlim!) about the pouch information for leaks that he does (looking forward to meeting you next week!).

Hi back....Good luck with your surgery on Monday. Mine is next week.

My surgery is at the end of this month.

My Pre-op Prep-work For anyone interested here is what I have done, or am doing, as far as pre-op prep-work: Stopped drinking carbonated beverages in January (procedure scheduled for March). I drank diet coke probably one to two times a day so I didn’t have a giant habit to overcome (although it seemed like it that first week because it had become so habitual at certain times of the day). I replaced my soda with crystal light and water. Bought the sample pack of protein powders from Unjury to see if I would like them. I liked the vanilla and chocolate. I wasn’t a huge fan of the chicken soup only because it mixed weirdly and I had to take the temperature of the water. I wouldn’t say I was a fan of the unflavored one but it truly did mix in well, and tasteless, with my yogurt and oatmeal and if it gives an extra protein boost then so be it. Presurgery I ordered 6 packets of the chicken soup, 6 packets of the vanilla, and 6 packets of the unflavored to take with me to Mexico. I also ordered a container of each for the house when I got back home. I wanted to be well prepared for my liquid phase. I also tried the high protein Slimfast chocolate and vanilla ready to drink mixes and shakes. Liked the chocolate but wasn’t a huge fan of the vanilla. I also tried the Atkins meal replacement bars and Go Lean meal replacement bars. I love the Atkins chocolate peanut better ones (all can be purchased at Walmart by the pharmacy diet stuff). I purchased 2 loose workout pants at Target to have when traveling. I love love love them and they have quickly become my go to pants when I am at home. They sit low on my waist, have boot cut legs, and a drawstring. The only drawback is no pockets. I bought full coverage underwear (I like thongs but thought that might be a bit inappropriate in the hospital new PJ’s and a cheap robe that I am unlikely to wear after this procedure HOWEVER I dye my own hair so I can use it as my hair dying robe so it is not a total waste! Bought a better bathroom scale. My old one needed replacing so it wasn’t an unneeded expense. Established the “I’m dieting and exercising” talk at work so that my weight loss is more believable and less shocking (I’m not telling anyone about the procedure). Started growing out my hair (since Jan.). It is really short and if I might lose some of it I figured I better start growing it. Joined the three gastric sleeve blogs and looked at posts so I know what to expect. The things I haven’t done and feel bad about…. Established a walking workout routine. Stopped chewing gum (although that is pretty high on my list to quit…I don’t like chewing gum in public but I do like to chew it in the car and it curbs my desire to stop at drive thru’s). Make the “just in case I die” list for my husband of things he will need to know (will be doing that this weekend) Stuck to a low carb eating plan (I did for a few weeks but Valentine’s Day at school did me in and I have been back sliding since). Things I am worried about…. Complications which will cost a million dollars to fix which won’t be covered by insurance causing a severe financial burden and a strain on my marrage resulting in me having to work until I am 90 years old (that is extreme worst case scenario so you bet it is the one that is worrying me the most). I won’t recognize the signs of a leak and I die The leak test fluid (taste) Getting all my money, passport, and ID stolen while traveling by myself. Gaining weight Dealing with my mother-in-law’s love of pushing food on anyone walking into her house (she means well but sometimes it is just easier to eat the food then it is to tell her “no, thank you” a million times). Things I am looking forward to… Fitting in airplane seats easily Buying clothes in the normal section of the store (not the womens or plus size section) Having more energy Feeling “pretty” Enjoying working out Things I still need to buy… Heating pad Travel sizes of shampoo, conditioner, etc. Another pair of the awesome Target pants. STATS: Height: 5’ 5” Weight: 244.6 lbs (as of 3/13) Pant Size: 20/22 Shirt Size: 2XL

Someone on another post said they went through Dr. Kelly for a dentist recommendation. She got her teeth cleaned and Zoom whitened for $200.

Who did you go through on the teeth whitening? Would like to avoid that person!

My Story I am 42 years old, 5’5” and weigh 243 lbs. I wear size 20/22 pants and 2X tops. I never really thought about my weight one way or another until I wanted to join the military (18 years old). When I went to check out all the branches I actually choose the Navy because I had to lose the least amount of weight – 30 lbs (I was 180 at the time). I put myself on a crazy crash diet and exercise program to lose the weight as fast as possible. I could only get to 25 lbs down and the day before I had to weigh in I took a bunch of laxatives (NEVER AGAIN!). I was over my weigh in by 2 lbs but they gave me a waiver and I joined the Navy for 5 years. The good thing about the military is that they give you a PT test and weigh in every six months so I kept myself within my weight range (not easily but I did it for five years). The moment I left the military and restrictions of weighing in and exercising came off I started a progression of gaining weight. Getting married, moving, new job, college, graduate school, and an uncertain future helped add more weight on. I work very hard to not let my weight interfere with my life. We live in a coastal region so summer clothes and swimsuits are a staple. My husband (not overweight) loves the water and I love my husband so I am good about not letting my weight become an issue in our marriage (which means even if I feel uncomfortable in my 22 size bathing suit I fake my enthusiasm for spending the day on the water). I never thought about WLS until my sister had lapband surgery a few years in Mexico. She actually had a bad situation with her band slipping and had to go into emergency surgery and now she is battling the insurance company to cover the emergency surgery. Up until then I hadn’t know about medical tourism or about the many WLS options. This past fall I started to research different WLS surgeries. I have to lose 100 lbs and that is beyond overwhelming to me. The most I lost was 30 lbs on WW but gained that back and more. I liked the sleeve option better then gastic bypass. My insurance does not cover it so I knew I was going to be self pay. My husband isn’t very chatty and I he said if that is something I wanted to do then fine but he is fine either way (I married an easy going guy). He won’t be going with me….no sense in both of us going if he’ll be bored. I am not telling anyone about the surgery. I don’t want to be talked out of it (it is enough to keep myself from talking myself out of it!). I think I am a good candidate for surgery. My health is very good (minus the 100 excess pounds). My weight related ailments include – lack of energy, knees that bother me, and snoring. Our only son is married and serving in the military (so no small children). I am on temporary assignment outside of the classroom this year so I don’t have the crazy and stressful teacher schedule (which will make recovery easier for me). I am mentally preparing for a rough few months after surgery (I am not a complainer and can tough out a lot). I am worried about the normal things – complications, insurance not covering complications, dying, long term ramifications, dealing with my eat out friends. However I am looking forward to buying clothes in normal sizes, fitting into airplane seats, crossing my legs, having more energy, enjoying being outdoors. My surgery is on March 28th.

Thank you everyone for your posts and stories. I'm sorry I haven't posted back sooner but I am just getting the hang of how the blogging on this forum works. I thought I would be emailed notification of responses to the blog so I never checked back to see if I had any reponses! I thought the blog would be the better way of recording my journey then regular forum posting. Kathy and nreah - Thank you so much for the pep talk! I love hearing how everything turned out fine despite all the worries going into it. I know I am just being overly mental about the whole thing but I made my decision and I am sticking to it and I try to squelch the Whatifs as soon as they pop into my head. 17 days left to go!

I would like to get some brown spots removed on my face from sun damage. Hoping to cost that out while I am in Mexico getting sleeved. No sure the price though. I am definitely going to get my teeth whitened while I am there.

Thank you for all the responses. I was thinking the no makeup and no hairdrier thing as well to save space and avoid problems with a carry on. That is going to leave me pretty rough looking Hoping the hotel has a hair drier. Don't think I am going to do any shopping. I am trying to declutter like crazy at my house and one of my rules is not to bring anything new into the house! I like the rolling clothes idea. I was in the Navy so I remember those days well. If anyone thinks of anything else let me know! So far I have ordered a bunch of unjury Protein powders and a few single serving sizes to take with me.

I would love to hear your experience. I am going to get sleeved by Dr. Kelly on March 28th. Thanks!

March 28th with Dr. Kelly

I am scheduled for end of March. Will be looking to you guys to tell me how it went and what I need to know!

I am not starting the diet plan now (my date is March 29). I am going back on the South Beach diet (modified low carb) until I have to go on the diet plan (7 days before surgery). I am also getting back into walking on a regular basis between now and then. Those are about the only two things I am doing before surgery to help prepare myself. Good luck!

I am currently in the planning stages of getting my sleeve. I am hoping to get it done by Dr. Kelly early spring. Has anyone here also combined the trip with other procedures? I am thinking about getting some brown sun spots lasered off my face and getting my teeth whitened while in Mexico (so much cheaper then the states!). Thoughts?

Thank you for all the recipes!

Definitely give us an update. I am shooting for a late March/early April sleeve date with Dr. Kelly and I will be traveling by myself as well so I have many of your same concerns.

I am going to Mexico to have my sleeve done (self-pay) and decided on Dr. Kelly. My question is how much lead time is needed before setting up a date? I want to get it done the later part of March to coincide with our Spring break. How far out do I call to make the appointment? Thanks!

Decided to have weight loss surgery and have started the research phase. I have definitely decided on the sleeve and I am happy I found this site. I will have to have the surgery overseas due to costs and lack of insurance coverage for any type of weight loss services. That is actually proving more difficult then I thought! Most people seem to have had the procedure down in Mexico. I was looking at Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic but can't find any posters who have had it done in either of those countries. I was happy to see some posts about Medical Tourism services...as I was going to look into that. My game plan is to have it done sometime this spring (I teach so that would be over spring break). I was wondering what are some things I can do to prepare myself physically between now and then? I am 42 years old. I am 5 feet 5 inches and weight 240 lbs. I would like to weigh between 140 and 150 lbs. Any advice would be helpful!