HoosierGirl

Good luck!

Paid in advance. Call them and they will walk you through the options.

Surgery Monday, traveled home Thursday. (Wish I would have added an extra day and scheduled my flights for Friday.) Anyway...arrived at the San Diego airport at 1pm for a 3pm flight. I had plenty of time to walk around, buy a big Water, drink it and walk some more. Flight from San Diego to Denver was about 2 hours - so that was nap time. Delay in Denver. Again, big bottle of water, lots of walking. Flight from Denver to Indy was about 2 hours. With travel from TJ, wait time, flying time, layovers - total "travel" time was about 9 hours. I didn't feel badly, but I was really tired. Didn't use a wheel chair anywhere, but I did use the pre-boarding time. Good luck!

All the best for safe travels and safe surgery!

Ok I can't stand it, have to jump on this thread! I chose the VSG because I was hungry all the time too. It was my understanding that hunger was greatly diminished after surgery for most people, so I had my sleeve done on Feb 4. Only 8 weeks out. Yes, I am still hungry a lot of the time. I can eat any type of chicken that hasn't been fried (so, boiled, baked, grilled, etc.) I have eaten steak tips in the Lean Cuisine Steak tips portabello entrée…it is super moist, in a wine sauce. Can’t eat much though. And after eating, I don’t feel “full” per se, maybe feel a “pressure” so I stop eating. If I don't slowly, I feel awful from eating too much. And the pressure is worse. My normal menu for a day has me eating every 2-3 hours. Today I had a scrambled egg, 3 oz tuna, one Boca veggie burger, Atkins bar, and dinner will be some type of meat with a little veggie. This keeps me "not starving". Totally different from pre-surgery where I was “not full”. For me, this is a mindset shift. My goal now is to be “not starving” vs. “full”. Since I am not starving, I have been able to stick with the program. I follow all the drinking timing guidelines and get my Protein and Water requirements every day. Am walking most days for exercise. This weekend, I had a Reese's peanut-butter egg. It was good. It didn't help me feel full. I will probably not eat another one as it is not getting me closer to my weight loss goal. Eating small portions and being conscious about my diet is my choice each day because I really want to make myself change. I am looking forward to getting my post-op EGD to see what is left of my stomach. I am trying different PPI's and they sometimes help. So I totally get the “hungry” thing. And I hate to hear you are struggling. Here is what I have to offer in support: 1. Save your pennies and get an EGD either in the states or Mexico. Buy yourself some piece of mind that your surgery is/isn't right. Knowledge is power and will answer your biggest question. (Last year I had an EGD and it was $2700 in the states. I know one in MX is under $400) 2. Call your surgeon and demand he/she check your left side pain. If it is too far, get the surgery notes and go to your PCP. 3. Try some pro-biotics. Started them last week and I feel a little less hunger after starting them. It might be mental, but worth trying to maybe re-balance the bacteria in the gut that maybe were making me hungry before surgery too. 4. Don't let the scale control you. Take your measurements to see if you are losing inches. This has helped me through 2 stalls. 5. Since you are a tall guy, you probably DO need more to eat. Maybe plan/pack tomorrow's meals after you eat dinner so you can decide what is a logical amount of food. That way you are in control and pro-actively planning vs. reacting when you are hungry? This has helped me. 6. If you are eating processed stuff, try to move away from that where it is the exception rather than the rule. Keep your chin up. Just asking for help like you are and seeking out a solution, you will find something to help. Good luck!

Surgery on 2/4/13....eating small portions of Protein first, then fruits, then veggies. Energy level is great. Working to be consistent in my exercise (walked 3 miles yesterday). sleeping well. Been through a couple stalls but continue to lose inches. Overall....would do it again! Very pleased with the results!

These are so great!

Yes, I used them last fall. I thought they were very knowledgable. Although the process wasn't fast and I was ultimately not approved due to a timing issue in the new healthcare law and how my plan is structured (it was nothing Lindstrom did or didn't do). I would use them again. I flet they were very knowledgable. Good luck!

I am not a Coordinator, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Bahahaaaa!!!

Beth, if you are interested, I put my whoe surgery experience in my blog. Thought it might be helpful for others to know what to expect. Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

Yup. I was there in February. Nothing but good to say. When is your surgery?

These were my criteria in selecting a surgeon in Mexico: 1. A surgeon who has performed a lot of weight loss surgery. 2. Member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery (i.e. need to be able to verify their credentials) 3. The doc should have a lot of positive internet “buzz”, or testimonials on weight loss surgery forums so I could contact those and get some independent feedback. 4. Would like to go to a part of Mexico WITH NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS from the US State Department (the state of Baja California where TJ is located does not have a travel warning) 5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the independent US Surgical Review Corporation – same body that designates US bariatric Centers of Excellence 6. Oh, and I wanted to contact the surgeon DIRECTLY, not through a surgery coordinating company GOOD LUCK!

Way to go! You will be so glad you rocked the pre-op diet....all those pounds count! Keep it going....the 8th will be here before you know it!

Bee - my folks FREAKED OUT too. It was awful as I am very close to them. The bottom line was this....they had not done the research I had done. They had no time time do anything other than freak out. Initially when I started looking at surgery in Mexcio, I too was uneducated and fearful. They found one person who worked with someone who had the VSG who WAS NOT FOLLOWING THE DIET and held up that person as the example of what everyone does after this surgery. The bottom line is this....are you comfortable with your decision about your body? Can you get your husband and your family to respectfully disagree with your choice while still loving YOU? In the end, my parents are proud of my weightloss and my taking charge of my health. Push back on them. Ask them to find the examples of REAL PEOPLE who had bad experiences with healthcare in Mexico. I am a real person who used Dr. Ortiz and I would be glad to share my phone number with you and talk with all of them. I've lost 32 lbs and am off all my blood pressure medication. Could have never done this on my own or paid for this in the States. I'm hoping if they can't be supportive they can at least avoid being negative. Hugs...Shelley

Oh yeah...POOPING! Haha!

Wow! Excellent post and so glad you did so much research before choosing a doctor. All the info is very helpful. Hate to hear about the SVT and Afib those are nothing to mess around with. Glad you are safely home (sipping, burping, farting and sharting!). Really looking forward to watching your weightless!

So far my only "issue" is constipation. Hoping that improves with time and strategic use of veggies! Seems like the only time I don't feel well is if I eat too fast or eat a higher fat food.

This is really interesting. Especially since this is your only post and very different than my experience with his staff. Do you have more information? When I was at the OCC there he was doing three band to sleeve revisions. One gentleman had flown from New Zealand specificly so Dr. Ortiz could do his revision.

I had some of the same from my Mom. Ultimately, we had a very direct discussion and it ended with 'I love you' and agreeing to disagree. I was also a Mexico Sleever and for her, that was added insult to the injury. Now, she tells me how nice I look and just wants to be sure I am feeling good. Hopefully, she will come around. Sometimes people who love you give well intentioned advice they don't know isn't very good. You have done your research. Maybe it's something you don't to talk with her further about? I know..it's your Mom, but maybe you could avoid the topic?

Very cool! Can't wait to hear all about your wife's experience and your perspective as a supportive spouse! Your support makes this whole process easier for your wife. (And congrats on your new baby!)

Hope all is well this morning! So glad you are receiving top notch care...even with the language barrier. Hope you are able to travel home today.

Everyone at the OCC was fantastic. Any of the post-op questions I have had were quickly answered. Good luck and enjoy your time there....great things await you post-surgery!

Welcome to the SLEEVED SIDE! All the best for a smooth recovery.

I was allergic to the steri-strip adhesives and my Water blisters pressed the strips right off my body. Who knew? Hope yours come off soon!

Your post was fantastic with good detail and examples. This is exactly the kind of information I was searching for before I had surgery in Mexcio. I think knowing what to expect is half the battle. I'm kind of with Laura-ven, you might share your experience with the doctor and coordinators. Then maybe they can address the issues so they aren't issues in the future? Glad you are home and feeling better now! Welcome to the sleeved side! LOL