@RealScoobyDoo

I understand that surgeons are hesitant to follow patients they didn't do surgery for. But any primary care provider, including nurse practitioners, can follow you for any labwork you need. I'm a nurse midwife and follow labs on many female patients that need frequent lab work (midwives are mid-level providers for women that do much more than deliver babies). There is no need to seek out a bariatric center. What about patients in areas of the US that are nowhere near a bariatric center?

Very nice that you have their support!

Actually, you do not need to give your employer the diagnosis (unless you want too). If your doctor has you on a lifting restriction of 10 lbs or less for 3 weeks, that what you need to disclose.

I think it sounds extremely twisted for anyone to think that someone would go through major abdominal surgery just to get opioids. Seems a lot easier to feign back pain! But seriously, Stephens Johnson is no joke. You would have better luck talking to an actual surgeon. Unlike in the US, the representatives very often have zero medical background. Problem is that they want to see if you are a good candidate and make you fill out a questionnaire. My advice is to find a surgeon in Mexico with excellent English, fill out the health questionnaire and arrange a Skype interview where you can discuss your concerns. Won't cost you a cent. I used Dr. Fernando Garcia, and I hear that his English is very good (I only spoke to him in Spanish), and I'm using Dr Illan for my revision, and he and his partner Dr Ponce de leon also have excellent spoken English. Good Luck!

Yes, it worked initially, I'm 3 1/2 years out and got down to 142 and stayed there until about a year ago. It was amazing!! I've since gained back almost 35 pounds and having terrible GERD. I have a history of esophageal strictures with dilations, and the sleeve has made it much worse. I got approved for the mini bypass as few days ago. BMI of 29 with comorbidities.

What a great question! Yes, the bypassed part of the stomach continues to secrete ghrelin, compared to the sleeve, so sleevers can lose weight really fast. Long term, though, bypass patients have a slightly higher percentage of excess weight lost. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18376181

The best, best, best thing I bought was an electric heating pad. Helped with belly and shoulder pain.

I used Dr Garcia 3/2013. We were the first day of surgery at Florence Oasis Hospital (I think they changed to a different one.) great experience 100%. But I'm going back for a revision to Mini Bypass, and Dr Garcia is a lot more than other surgeons. Anyone have any recommendations? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I agree with okiegirl. I had surgery in Mexico and just brought toiletries, underpants (very loose), and an extra teeshirt and yoga pants (also very loose). I brought $200 cash but only used $60-bought some ice pops, paid for some cabs, and a few souvenirs for my kids. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved March 2013. Got down to 142 at 5'5" and stayed there for over 2 years. Then I would gain 5 pounds, the take it off, then gain 10 pounds and take it off, but over the past year my weight has steadily crept back up again to 167. I was drinking iced lattes, but no juices, sodas, not eating sweets. But I have lost pretty much all the appetite suppression I enjoyed for such a long time. And now I'm having issues again with reflux, joint and back pain. I haven't discussed it yet with my surgeon, so I don't know if it will be a sleeve redo or a DS.

Not disclosing accurate health information to an insurance company is dishonest (and criminal), not disclosing it to your doctor is stupid, but not disclosing it to people who have no right to know it is neither dishonest or deceptive.

I've been searching the forums and can't see any posts about anybody having a revision of their sleeve. I had VSG 3/2013 and got down to 142 for 2 years, and then the weight has started creeping up again, and I'm now at 170. I've tried doing Protein shakes, but it's not slowing down. I had been drinking iced lattes, and I cut them out so I'm not drinking my calories. I still have some restriction, but my appetite is like before the surgery. It wasn't hungry pretty much ever for the first 2 1/2 years. I was sleeved my Dr Fernando Garcia (great experience), and because of my history of esophageal structure mine was done slightly bigger than most patients. If anyone could share their experiences I would really appreciate it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved 3 1/2 years ago, and I only told my daughter. I'm going to get a revision in a few months and I think I'll tell the rest of my family about it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved by Dr Garcia 3/29/2013. Wonderful experience. (It was at florence Oasis Hospital.) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't be afraid of staying on protein shakes for a while. Everyone has their own time frame for healing, and shakes are non-irritating and you get a big dose of protein, even if you can take only 2 oz at a time. I pretty much was all shakes and yogurt for 6 weeks postop. If you'll just be patient, you reach a time that you can eat a few spoonfuls or forkfuls of anything you want. Like a skinny person.