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This is the one I got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006GPPV0C

There is a forum on here called Self Pay & Mexico Vertical Sleeve Surgery. If you search there, you will find lots of info about Dr. Garcia.

Thank you so much for posting this! If I may, can I please stress some more that people don't use the search function enough before posting? As you said, threads that are 4 years old can still be relevant today. I have started very few threads compared to my total number of posts because I always search for my answers before posting. I try to be understanding that not everyone is computer/online forum literate, but it's so widespread that I don't think that's entirely the reason. It should be a requirement, IMO. Okay, *steps off soapbox*.

I've seen so many people on this forum who have reached their goal weight that I know it is possible to lose it all if you put in the hard work of making a complete lifestyle change of proper diet and exercise. I think the doctors tell us figures like 60-70% maybe partly based on averages (since a lot of people don't put in the effort to fully succeed) and maybe partly so that we don't hold them accountable if we don't lose 100% of the excess weight--just a guess.

Thanks icon! I am so excited for you!!! I feel like we've kindof travelled this road together and seeing you get so close to your date just amps me up!!!! 6 weeks!

Thanks Amy! We're definitely sleeve buddies, even if our surgeries are a few weeks apart

Well. This isn't as much about the need to chew or not being done with junk. I'm already eating fairly healthy, exercising lightly and trying to lose before my surgery date. It's more about that "I might pass out" feeling that I'm afraid of. I need my energy. I suppose though, I'll have to get used to what it feels like to have less calories anyway, since that's probably more calories than ill he gettin post op.

Icon, that's right!! salad with Protein. We're both going to mi doctor. I'm going to Garcia though. So would you say you mentally and physically just kindof adjust after a couple days on the shakes?

Yeah, I definitely missed being able to eat whatever I chose the first few days (oh, the food commercials killed me on day 3!) and it wasn't even a craving for junk food, just to be able to chew, but ultimately my body and mind adjusted. I went grocery shopping with my bf last night--regular groceries for him and post-op stuff for me--and I was not even bothered by all of the junk food in the aisles or the delicious smells coming from the deli, so it's definitely gotten easier.

I just had one of those dreams (just woke up from a nap) and my surgery is a week from today. I am not sure if it's because I've been on the pre-op diet faithfully for a week and I'm subconsciously missing food or if it's pre-surgery anxiety. I didn't spit the food out in my dream and, in fact, I kept eating more. The part of my brain that was trying to wake up was horrified, but I was incredibly calm about it in my dream (although I did have a thought that I had basically undone a lot of hard work). Now that I am awake, I would classify this as a nightmare!

I know exactly how you feel. My surgery is 6 weeks away and I dread the day that I have to start the preop diet. I don't know if I'll make it. Like you I love chocolate, cake, and ice cream, Burgers and fries, and milkshakes. How am I gonna say no when I pass by Burger King on my way home. I just hope I find the strength

I'm currently on the pre-op diet and I can tell you honestly that I had my share of food funerals up until maybe a couple of days before I had to start the pre-op diet. So much so that I had gained weight and my BMI was getting really close to 50, which would have meant that I had to pay $500 more for surgery. That has been a big motivator in helping me to stick to the pre-op diet and I have lost 6 pounds already in the week since I started it. It really has not been that hard to stick to it, but I think I was ready--I had honestly gotten sick of eating junk in the days before I started it. I'm committed to doing the work before and after surgery that it takes to be successful. The only slight modification that I made to the diet that I was given is that I allow myself broth and other sugar-free liquids if I feel the need (saw this in other pre-op diets that are otherwise identical to mine), but I haven't much. My pre-op diet looks like this:

B: Protein shake

L: Protein Shake

D: salad with Protein (I was not given the 4 oz limit, so I have not limited myself to 4 oz. of meat necessarily)

Snack: another Protein Shake if needed

I relied on that additional protein shake (160 cal) the first few days, but after that, I chose broth (30 cal) instead. Last night, I did neither, but if I feel hungry later after dinner, I am comfortable with either of these choices.

I am not a doctor, but my ultimate advice to anyone who feels that they want to decide on their own about the pre-op diet is to make the decision based on your BMI. The closer it is to 50, the more likely that you have a fatty liver (although I do have 2 relatively skinny friends who were diagnosed with fatty liver disease because they eat fast food ALL the time), so I would suggest doing the full 2-week diet. If your BMI is lower, maybe you have more leeway. Good luck!

Stevia is all natural--comes from a plant.

Very interesting.

Congrats!

Thanks for taking the time to do this--very helpful.

Great! I look forward to meeting you both.

Anyone else?

I know from some of the other threads that there are others here having surgery at Mi Doctor on Jan. 17. I was just hoping to start one thread for all of the people flying in on the 16th to have surgery on the 17th so that it would be easier for us to buddy up since it is my understanding that we will all be on the same floor at the hotel and even at the hospital, I think. Who else will be arriving that day?

Who is everyone's surgeon? Any idea what size bougie they used??

I'm having my surgery done next week by Dr. Elias Ortiz in MX. He uses a size 32 bougie.

I'm in Seattle, but I'm having surgery in MX in 10 days.

I haven't gone yet, but I plan to keep everything of value locked in my carry-on bag (it's a hard case roll-on with a built-in lock) while I'm in the hospital. From an older thread, I seem to remember that buying additional meds is pretty cheap and to bring cash for them. For tipping, shopping, and everything else, I'll probably take $100 cash and 1 card.

It's probably best to be careful regardless, but as best as I can tell, these pregnancies happened with the copper IUD (no hormones) not the Mirena (uses hormones). Does anyone know if any post-VSG pregnancies have happened with Mirena?

Thanks for sharing--very inspiring. You look great! Wishing you continued success.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is reassuring to hear from people who are recovering smoothly. Wishing you continued success!

Thank you for your very inspiring story. We don't often hear from people who are so far out, so thank you for proving that it is possible to keep the weight off long-term. My surgery is in 11 days and I cannot wait for this very important life change.

My surgery is also Jan. 17, but my pre-op diet is 2 weeks, so I'm on day 4. I know what you mean about a bad breakup, but it does get easier. The other things that I am doing to get ready are making sure that I have supplies for post-op, like Gas-X strips, Protein powders, stretch pants, Mio, broths, breath freshener, etc, and making a Pinterest board of food/recipes that it will be good for me to eat once I can eat solids again. I waited until today to start with the recipes--it might have been hard to look at all those pictures of food on the first few days of this pre-op diet.

Off-topic, but I love your haircut, Pinky!

Have you tried drinking broth or any other sugar-free beverages in between your Protein Shakes to take the edge off?

I see a new tattoo in my future also