Earwood

When you need the help, the staff will be there. The first night and day after was pretty icky but by day 2 after surgery, I was up and out on the streets of TJ shopping and getting my nails done. Bumpy rides in the car, etc may be a lil painful too. The only point I would say if you are going alone is loading/unloading luggage at the airport. Call ahead of time and request a wheelchair. An airline employee will come get you load up your luggage whiz you thru airport security and take you all the way to the boarding gate. The airport is too big to walk that far with your luggage after surgery and no point in trying to over-do it. I have 5 kids and other than making sure my 3 yr old doesn't try to run and jump on my tummy I had no problems when I got home. Had my surgery on a Thursday and was back to work the following Tuesday. All the basic chores around the house I was ok with but very careful and mindful of what my body tells me and I made sure not to over do anything. I went to Dr Almanza in TJ Mexico...the surgery was $4500.00 (paid mostly with my Med Flex 125 card through my employer) Total hotel cost was about $200.00 and my round trip airline ticket was $260.00. We rented a car and did some sight seeing as well so that added a little to our expenses but for a trip to have surgery we actually had a great time

yay Chris! Good luck to you and keep us updated! See ya on the other side...

I was totally prepared to go alone to Mexico. I was lucky that I have a wonderful friend who wouldn't let me go alone and insisted on going with me at her own expense. I was very thankful to have her with me, however, now that's it's over I think I would have had no problem going alone if I'd had too. There was 7 in our surgery group that day and we all immediately bonded starting from the airport pickup location in SD. The staff was great also and there was complete access to call home etc so I never felt disconnected. If you have to go alone, it might suck while you're there if you're not used to being alone since everyone's experience but even if it does, I promise you it's still worth it to go!

I'm sure it's a little disappointing on some level but the rescheduled surgery will be here before you know it! Enjoy your favorite meals while you still can and STAY SAFE LADY! Prayers are being sent that way for the whole East Coast. Keep us posted!

I'm also here to say you are not alone! My husband was supportive at first when it was still just an idea out in space somewhere but as time crept closer and reality set in, he went through a very insecure phase that was extremely stressful when added to obvious stress of just having the surgery itself (and going across the border to do it). He set up road blocks and tried to sabotage my financial ability to have the surgery and when I pushed through it and the surgery was done he switched to being a jerk and telling me he knew I had plans to leave him after I lost the weight. All of this totally sucks when one of my main motivations to have the surgery was thinking about how much my husband would love the new me, I wanted to be the wife I felt he could stroll with in public and be proud to have me by his side. He was always good to me and never made me feel bad about my weight before and always told me he loved me no matter my size I was always beautiful but this is something I wanted to do for me and him. I think whoever made the comment before was right about having a fat partner is 'safe' for some people. Anyway, I'm down 43 lbs in 9 weeks and I have just continued to reassure him and love on him and things are really getting better on this issue. I think his mind is starting to relax as he realizes that I love him and our family and I had the surgery to improve the quality of life for me and my family. I can already do things with the kids I couldn't do before and it's a great feeling and he is really starting to 'enjoy' the new me Best of luck to you and your hubby!

CONGRATS!

Lucky you no gas pain...congrats and welcome to the 'other side'

I feel ya...eating has become a chore now vs a pleasure as it once was. If eating wasn't a requirement of existence I would probably just stop all together. My previously fav foods now have no taste or taste nasty to me. I still get head hunger, go to eat what I crave and then want to puke cuz it doesn't taste good anymore. I'm only 9 weeks out though so we'll see if I ever get back to some semblance of normal somewhere down the road.

I'm obviously not an expert but can I ask whether it is the time factor you mention or is it the fact you are really not mentally ready to give up food completely? I'm only 9 weeks out but I can tell you that the mental part of this journey is the hardest part, the phsyical (sp) part not being able to eat is pretty easy. Food was my best friend and my comfort when I'm sad, stressed, bored, lonely, to socialize, even cooking for family was a way I showed them love. To have all of that taken away in one 40 min procedure is a MAJOR life change. I can now literally eat 3 small bites of food and that's it until the next meal. I have no idea the difference in success rate long-term with the larger sleeve but this is your choice and what's best for you. This is an irreversible procedure so you need to do what makes you comfortable. My only other possible thought is the sleeve is eventually going to stretch out a little at some point down the road and the this initial honeymoon of only being able to eat 3 oz of food at a time will over. Discuss with your surgeon but if you start with a larger sleeve in a couple years down the road you may only be at a 1/3 reduction vs a 2/3 reduction. Things to think about but I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make...keep us posted!

HAHA that's funny I'm wearing that T-shirt right now but yes it is big now....love how my clothes that used to be tight feel so loose now. What an awesome feeling. I love you SLEEVE <3 We must hook you up with one though if you want one!

That's great...looking forward to seeing your pics!

Agree...my 2 days with that gas was killer but it does get better! I was up and out in the streets of Tijuana MX shopping by day 3 and getting my nails did lol. My only advise is walk walk walk and gas X strips. Keep us posted on your recovery and congrats!

Sending prayers your way...keep us posted

Just remember you are motivation for us newbies too! Do it for us who are newly sleeved or getting ready for surgery! 92 lbs lost is great motivation for us We are moving forward in this together... btw you look fab! My biggest motivator for me right now is walking into clothes stores and imagining what I will be looking like and wearing in the coming spring/summer...saving my $$$ for a big clothes shopping spree.

OK I'm learning how to take these side by side photos. I need to do full body, hopefully this weekend. I've always hated taking pictures so willingly remembering to take photos of myself hasn't got into my brain yet Anyways this is me...6 weeks out and down 38 lbs!

Looking good girl! Thanks for posting

I tried to keep it as private as possible prior to my surgery although many found out thru the grapevine so be careful who you tell...I could care less what ppl think of my surgery but I didn't want to hear the 'omg your having surgery in a foreign country where you can't even drink the water you're going to die' comments...all made by people who haven't researched this for one second of course after I'd been researching for months. Now I'm past it I'll wait till I'm at goal & when ppl inevitably ask 'how did you lose the weight ?' I will tell them all about it. Personal choice though I completely understand why you don't want to tell anyone.

K I'm 6 weeks out so you know I'm experimenting here and there with foods to see what I can tolerate and the weirdest thing I don't like what I used to love. I couldn't wait to get a chocolate fudge shake from Baskin Robbins...took 3 sips and trashed it. Tasted just bland. Everything I used to love don't taste right anymore. But then I get off the wall cravings for things I've NEVER LIKED like balonge (sp) I don't eat balongne ever and still haven't...just think this whole process is crazy in so many ways. I feel prego half the time between nausea and odd cravings.

I had surgery the same day same doctor as Precious79707 and also no regrets. If you're hubby thinks it's a scam or if you just want to actually 'talk' to someone to ask questions, etc...send me a private message and I'll send you my phone #. I remember how nervous I was at first to cross the border so maybe talking to someone would help...who is your surgeon?

Sorry, I know I'm dumb but what does 'NSV' stand for?

How great to have each other to go through this process...what a blessing! You both look GREAT! Thanks for the motivation.

I haven't done the gummy's...just been stealing my kids chewable flintstones. Might have to try me some gummy's Or I was thinking about going on a pre-natal with biotin so I don't lost my hair. IDK going to Mexico, I have no after care support so I'm winging most of my post-op so far.

Thank God you are ok! I'm only 6 weeks out and haven't experienced any type of trauma post surgery but you do bring up a very scary potential situation. I've wondered how long it takes until the stomach is completely healed. How far are you post-op?

It's been 3 1/2 years since I've been under 200 lbs so it's finally my turn to post, "I'm in ONEderland!' That is all

The great thing for you is you already know of possible issues that may arise so you can prepare for them in advance. I'm thankful now my food addiction is gone out of my life that held me in bondage for so many years but breaking thru that barrier as with any addiction is not easy. The long-term health benefits are well worth the short-term emotional distress you will probably experience. It's your decision but if you go thru with it make sure you get into counseling or a great support group pre-op through post-op until you get over the rough Patches. And you know we are always here for you on these forums. Good luck and God Bless!