pantala

You just had your surgery last Friday, right? Are you walking any? Walking around the block really helps (even if its at night when its cooler outside). You should be ok for your new job orientation on next Monday......that's still a week away. I went to work after taking off 2 weeks, but I have a very physical job. My friend went back to work after this surgery after 1 week. You will probably still feel a little tired. Just be sure to pack your own lunch and take your water bottle. If you don't get your Water in, you will definitely get fatigued. I know you can't get alot of water in now because it takes a couple of days, but still keep trying. Each day will get better and better. Your stomach is probably still swollen from the surgery now, so I know it's hard to get your water in. Just keep sipping, and sugar free ice pops are good too! Good luck on your new job!

Dave, thanks so much for the detailed story of your surgery and experience in TJ. I was sleeved on March 28 by Dr. Garcia and his team at florence Oasis and couldn't be happier with my surgery and the results.
I think you are right that some of the slip-ups at the hospital were due to coming in on the weekend. My husband always calls the weekend staff anywhere "the B team".
Also I think since Dr. Garcia is so busy he is relying more on Dr. Luna for patient interactions - great choice as everyone LOVES Dr. Luna! The surgeon's skill is what we want in the OR right?
Please keep us posted on your recovery and weight loss progress!

Grrr....those "your mama" jokes make me SO angry! I teach elementary school and I recently had to deal with one little girl's broken heart over those stupid jokes. And we had to talk to her mom about it. The little girl was devastated and there was no hiding it.
I actually called in the mom of one of the guilty party. She reassured me that she told her daughter not to make jokes about an area where someone might be sensitive. In other words, she wanted her kid to know that it would be OK to have made the joke to someone whose mom was thin.
I told her I disagreed, and that none of us had any business making jokes about anybody's body.
This is what I tell my kids:
Other people's bodies are not your business. We are all different. But just as you feel funny when people talk to you about some way that your body looks different, you make others feel uncomfortable when you talk about their bodies, too.
I take it a step further, and say that even if they want to pay a compliment, they shouldn't focus on the way a person looks. I want them to notice each other's talents or kind hearts or special interests, and stop focusing so much on appearances.

I know I may be accused of being in denial but I'm not addicted to food. I have always joked that I wish someone would invent people kibbles so I could just munch on a handful of something crunchy and move on. Moreover, anyone who has lived with me will confirm that I rarely overeat.
So how the H...LL did I put on so much weight and have so much trouble losing and keeping it off? Unrelenting hunger. I don't eat much at one time but I am famished in an hour or 90 minutes. Headache, nausea inducing hunger. And if I do not have healthy food when that hits, I will eat anything to make it quit. And in this obesegenic world that is a very risky place to be.
I did not have this problem until about 15 years ago after my daughter was born and I went into gestational diabetes for the second time. I have been told I have "borderline" hypoglycemia but I never bothered with testing as it is time-consuming, expensive, not covered by insurance, and inconclusive.
One way I kept weight gain under control was lots of physical activity. But bad feet run in my family and my activities gradually became more and more limited until I needed foot surgery and the forced inactivity really blew my weight up.
As my BMI approached 40, I decided screw it, I don't want to fight this battle anymore and with the blessing of my PCP, podiatrist, and Gyn, started looking at surgical solutions. So you could say that for me, the surgery was truly a metabolic surgical fix.
And I am already amazed at the difference. I feel so great it's almost unreal for me.
So that's how it feels from the standpoint of someone who is not a food addict. It does happen.

Well good morning VST! Another day another fight about Mexico...To the OP I'm sure you are real. And I'm glad you had a good experience.
Please try not to double post the same things in different forums here as it is annoying and against forum rules.
And you? Yeah you! You know who you are...whatcha doing? Didn't you have enough fighting the other day? Girl go get a cup of joe relax and have a good day

You've learned many things. Those lessons will not leave you with the fat. They are stored in your mind and heart. The real you is not the fat. Fat is excess storage. It contains no personality.
You may have relied on your big size to give you space in social circumstances. I used mine to intimidate at times. You will have to find your power in the force of your personality. Your empathy remains, your compassion as well. The fat did not give it to you. Your heart did. Now you will have a greater capacity to express your love with your new vibrancy. You can do more for more people because you are free from the drag down that fat was, you are stronger.
Your self image will change but your identity will remain the same. You will adjust to the sleek version.

I saved like crazy! No cable, no new clothes, no going out to eat, no gifts for people, no car... Now I'm saving like crazy for PLASTICS!
Also, I used the time I was saving to begin my journey... I lost 45 pounds between the day I decided to do the surgery and my surgery date and I addressed a lot of emotional issues that I had with food.

From someone's ***

I was sleeved by Dr Garcia on May 11th and here is my adventure: Firstly I was going to have my surgery in NZ for $17000 ... then I heard how all the North Americans head down to Mexico and have great results for 1/3 the cost. I also believe that the Drs like Garcia, do as many surgery's in a month as a Dr in NZ would do in a year. I felt like I was in very good hands and had made the best decision (I was right by the way) So I left for LA on Wednesday 8th and had 2.5 days seeing all the beautiful sights of Los Angeles, shopping and eating - I was on no carbs no fats for 5 days pre op (low BMI) I kept waiting for the nerves to kick in for the upcoming surgery ... I was sure once I got on the plane for LA to San Diego they would .. but they didn't. Samuel picked me up as scheduled and took me directly to the hospital for our tests -xray, EKG & blood work. you meet Anna there and she is LOVELY shes there to answer any questions and tell you what the plan is. there was heavy traffic that night so was waiting around for about 3 hours... however, I got to meet Dr Luna so that helped pass the time (you ladies will know what I mean) when I arrived at the Marriott I was very pleasantly surprised. As I can be a bit of a 'princess' I had plans to upgrade my room to the nicest they had - but there was no need. the room was spacious w a nice bathroom and bedding ... I could totally see myself recuperating here after surgery. (this is where you'll meet Irene - lovely lady) I went down and met the girls I knew (from our Facebook group - highly recommend doing that) we had broth and a laugh as everyone was in great spirits. SATURDAY morning we all met down in the lobby around 730am for the shuttle to pick us up to take us to Florence Hospital (still not nervous) its about a 25 min drive, and right down by the ocean. I went in to see another lady from my group who was the day before and before I knew it they were calling to get changed into the robe (commando BTW) and swallow a little white pill to help me relax (didn't even feel like I needed it) I was calm as a cucumber still!. Dr Garcia came in and introduced himself and ask if I had any questions - I didn't as id done so much research on here. Then off I went being wheeled into the OR. I remember the last thing I said was 'I was hoping to be out by this point' as they were taking my gown off me (dr Luna was right beside me) and I was totally starker's with a BIG unflattering spot light on me! Then I was out! I woke up with a nebulizer mask on my face as I had asthma but was so out of it I wasn't worried. I should note here I had the single incision for an extra 1000, you can hardly see the 3 week old scar in my belly button! for the next 2 days in the hospital it was pretty much ; sleep, walk, shower and sleep some more! I had rented a few movies on my ipad to watch and never watched any because I was so sleepy. Dr Luna came to check on me often (perks of the day) and the nurses were in felt like every hour giving me Iv pain and nausea meds, checked my blood pressure 5 x a day and I had a further 3 nebulizers even tho I didn't want them. BTW you can ask for them to take a photo of your stomach when its out - great photo to show people after and gross them out! MONDAY morning I was up and showered and we headed off back to the hotel - it was around midday and they had a room for us. I think I watched TV and slept the rest of the day- I was very lucky I had NO pain or nausea at all. TUESDAY I hit the ground running! I was up and off to lay by the pool in the sun. then I went down the street to the little mall. pleasantly surprised there too! Girls and Guys there is the most beautiful boot shop upstairs by the movie theatre - a must see. I figured I couldnt really buy clothes on the trip but my feet will be the same size! $700 later and I was a happy girl (bought 2 pairs) there's also a place called Iron WOK that does the yummiest won ton Soup ... the broth of it, will be the best you've tasted after 3 days of noting much in your mouth. I sat in the sun on the balcony and had a few spoons, they let me take the rest home to share w the other girls. There's a GNC there for ready made drinks, and an Applebees does a broccoli & cheese soup - I added Water and it went down fine (keep in mind Dr Luna says I am his worst patient ever as I miss behaved) there's also the famous WALLMART where you can waste away a few hours if your bored...I was at the mall for about 3 hours - walking is GOOD! took a cab back to the hotel (too many shopping bags) its about 5 bucks. Caught up with the girls and went back to laying in the sun. WEDNESDAY (i stayed an extra night as I was from so far away) I headed back to the mall again, I had a hair appointment to have my hair blow dried cost $11. did some more shopping around and stalked up on crest toothpaste (I was born in Toronto) and tried some frozen yogurt -yum. for dinner I went into Revolution st to a place called Caesars for chicken and spinach broth ... this restaurant is beautiful and will def have to go back there when I can eat properly - its where Caesar salad was invented...it smelled AMAZING! I also bought some little gifts while there - lots of little souvenir shops on the road - and I felt very safe. THURSDAY got up early and headed back to the hospital on our way to the airport. I needed blood thinning shots as I was on a 12 hr flight home. I remember getting an email from Dr Luna a few weeks before telling me I would be getting them. I liked that I was an individual case to them and not a number, they took the time to reassure me that they wanted me to be safe and took extra care. The boarder crossing took 10 min and we were so early Samuel gave me a little tour around San Diego ...it was very sweet of him. I was still 3 hours early so I checked my luggage through and took a cab to the water front. IT IS BEAUTIUL if you have some spare time head over- its 5/10 min away. There's a bunch of nice restaurants on the water and most places have soup. I took a little tuk tuk ride around and saw all the war attractions and learned some history. I had cream of Tomato Soup (again naughty I know) but It was fine and got me through till I landed back in LA. Spent the whole next day shopping around Manhatten beach (6 hours walking) and boarded the plane at 10 pm. I arrived safe and sound in NZ and since then I have been telling everyone what a fabulous holiday I had with a little bit if surgery. I realise this isnt as easy for everyone but I cannot express enough how much I loved my experience with Ready4Achange and the whole team - Dr Garcia, Dr Luna, Anna (coordinator at Florence) Irene (coordinator at the Marriott) Samuel the driver. I have even referred a friend who lives in OZ for her to go see the team as Im that confident to refer people. side note: one of the ladies in my group had complications (not to do with the surgery) and she was so happy with the care she received and felt very safe in they knew what they were doing. she had to be taken to SD hospital and spend a few days in ICU. she still raves about the Drs and care she received while there. So to end this very long note - if you are still researching who to go to the i can say without a doubt you wont be disappointed in Dr Garcia and the whole team. They are amazing and I cant sing their praises enough ... if this review gets someone to choose them, then I fell like I've made a dent in repaying them for everything they've done for me ... much love x

You are worth it!
Many of us have put everyone else in our lives first for so long that we feel so much guilt for actually doing something for ourselves. The truth is you are worth it, your health is worth it, spending quality time with your daughter and husband is worth it!

I kept telling my husband i was sorry but i needed this he told.me if i needed the surgery i needed it. I definately felt guilty however now 2.5 months later i am thankful and love my husband even more for not making me feel even worse...you are not alone

ARTZ137 you are the winner. In order to get to the stomach the surgeon has to lift the liver. Anytime a laparoscopy is done they use the instruments to lift and move the,liver out of the way for a better view in that small space. The smaller the liver is the less force has to be put on it to retract it, which greatly reduces the chance of there being a tear or lasceration. Truly it is in everyone's best interest to do a pre op diet, not only to get your body used to relying on fewer calories and less food (reduces caloric/fat distress which can lead to hair loss) but also shrinks the liver which reduces the likelihood of a secondary complication.
When it comes to a leak test...some docs do it, some don't do it right away. The rationale is that very very rarely do we leak immediately post stapling. It is usually within the 1st 24 hrs after we have been moving and what not. Your surgeon should most definitely do a barium swallow/upper GI the day after your surgery to check then for leakage, and to make sure the liquid will pass through your GI junction. Neverthelesss, you should wake up from surgery with a drain (hemovac) as a precautionary measure. If you do leak this drain will collect the infectious Fluid and drastically reduce the complications of getting a leak and becoming septic.

First of all I want to commend your bravery for posting this very real, and probably very common, fear out there, good for you. Also, there is a thread in the lounge that I started called "attention, I thought that's what I wanted", it addresses some of your fears.
Perhaps I'm an odd duck but, when I was a kid "popular" meant nothing to me. I simply didn't understand that you were *supposed* to want to hang out with people because they were "popular". This concept puzzled me - why would I want to hang out with someone if they weren't my friend? Why was I supposed to want something because someone else wanted it? This was highly illogical to me. I wanted french fries because I liked french fries, not because somebody I didn't know wanted french fries.
the point of my random story is that I apply the same principles to men now. Why would I want someone who doesn't want me? The men who didn't want me when I was obese - it is beside the point of whether or not they would want me now, because fat or thin, I would never want to be with someone that shallow. And it goes in reverse too, there really are men out there who are derogatory to thin women and will only date fat - again, here is a person that is categorizing people based on appearances and not substance and why on earth would I want to be with a person like that?
Now, lets forget the boys for a moment, I was deeply unhappy in my my body mind and heart over the state of my body, I was miserable. I felt trapped, like I was drowning in a sea of fat and couldn't participate in the things I love most about a physical life. How could I expect someone to love me, when I didn't love myself? So, I hold no grudge or animosity toward the hypothetical man who may find this current shell attractive, but who wouldn't have found the other one attractive. THAT is not who I am, THIS is, and I don't want to get obsessed with spilled milk.
Good luck and welcome!

YES it is overwhelming... That's why it's a good thing you have a while to practice before surgery. I liked to practice mentally what it would feel like to have small portions.. what the small portions would look like on a plate. I practiced chewing and eating slower.. I practiced not eating and drinking... I started my Vitamins, I logged all my food, I tried out Protein Shakes etc. I didn't just roll out of bed one day and do all these things natrually, I just started slow and worked on a little at a time. by the time I got my sleeve I had already adjusted my habits quite a bit so the transition wasn't such a shock.

Mine was April 2012 and I still take a daily heartburn med.. It's the only issue that I have had.. I can usually skip a day or two but more than that and I will feel it.

My wife saved a short and halter top outfit that she wore when we were honeymooners. She brought it out on occasion with the picture of her in it during her many failed diets to motivate herself. She never lost enough.
40 years later, she is finally back into it, thanks to weight loss surgery and her own discipline.
She be lookin fine!
Edit: Here's the pictures:
Age 22:
Age 58:
Age: 62

This over-confidence from your doctor would scare me. Janice, I would go ahead and do a pre-op hi protein/lo carb diet anyway for your own peace of mind.
There are also doctors who are so confident they don't think they need to do a leak test and guess what? Two of those patients have been in our Complications forum.

kailie, after surgery you will have to walk. And walk and walk and walk some more to feel better and heal. This will get you on the road to movement and all you have to do is stay on that road. Walking is the best exercise for us anyway with minimal strain on knees and hips.
You are lucky you have young kids, they will keep you active and you will FEEL like being active with them.
All the above advice is good. I think you will be fine!

Congratulations on both your son and your awareness!
My son is graduating from college today and yes, it's very emotional. Lots of the family will be gathering and having food together is part of the deal.
I was sleeved a little over eight weeks ago and although I LOVE my new tiny appetite, I am still adjusting to this new way of coping and celebrating.

Hi everybody!!! I'm home and doing well. I planned on posted from Mexico but forgot my iPad on the charging dock (smh). Anyway, I wanted to share my experience here because I learned soooo much here from others..... I wanna do my part. Sorry if this is too long..
I had surgery on May 17th in PVR with Dr. Jose Castaneda and I couldn't be happier. I arrived in PVR on May 16th and was picked up by a CMQ Premiere hospital rep (Jackie, super sweet lady). I checked in to a clean, bright, and friendly new hospital with a room that was more look a suite. From that moment on, every 3 to 4 hours a nurse would enter to check on me...........And bring in my last meal at 8pm. Lol
Surgery morning. Dr. Castaneda came in to explain everything again (very very nice doctor), my IV was started, fluids given, compression stockings, etc.
after surgery: back in my suite... I experienced a lot of pain. Within minutes of pressing my nurse call button, I was given IV Morphine and a IM shot. every 4 to 5 hours, while still on a continuous IV drip of Normal Saline, I was given antibiotics, pain meds, zofran, and omeprazol. And was checked on by the on duty doctor. I was up an walking 7 hours after surgery.
Discharged to Marriott Casa Magna( OMG, beautiful). With 2 drains. No problem getting fluids in. Sore muscle pain on my right side and the drains were annoying. ( but I understand why I had them).
My doctor called me several nights to check on me at the hotel and a cmq rep took me shopping not once but twice.
2 days post op. the drains came out and I was given a different pain med due to my discomfort on the lower right side. (Tramadol drops). Thanks Doc!!!
Home bound: walking thur the PVR and super huge DFW airport fixed an gas I may have had, but it wore me out. Pain on right side when I get up from a sitter position but its manageable. Best part is although I had surgery in Mexico..... My doctor is reachable by email and even his cell(no middle man).
Thank you all for your support and good luck to you all.

Good topic! I was just wondering about this question myself. When I finally made the decision to go ahead and pursue this surgery, I was shocked to find out how much it cost here in Denver, CO. My insurance won't cover this at all. I was quoted $17,500 for the sleeve. The doctor came highly recommended by my best friend and her sister. And when I went to his free seminar I found out he had only done 163 sleeve's. Are you kidding me?! I knew there was no way I could pay that price. And I was so heartbroken. Then I started doing research and found out that I could have 2 very qualified and very experienced surgeons in Mexico do my surgery for $4,700 all inclusive with hotel and transportation, food, etc. Not including airfare. Each surgeon has over 2,000 sleeve surgeries under their belts. Now tell me that's a no brainer. I will be sleeved on July 9, 2013.

Tampa, scroll down to the Mexico and Self-Pay forum and you will get a ton of answers to your questions! I did not use A Lighter Me but there are plenty who have. I believe you will spend 2 nights in the hospital post-op and 2 nights in a hotel post-op. That will give you enough time to recover and feel pretty good on your trip home.
As for your other questions, those who have used Dr. Lopez can give you more details, every dr is slightly different.
Welcome to your Mexico sleeve adventure!

I've not been sleeved yet, but when I lost 80 pounds on WWs, I brushed my teeth and gargled with something strong like Listerene. Nothing tastes good after that. For a loooooooong time.

I'm sorry, I have never heard of this before and it sounds unethical to the point of reporting it/making a complaint to your insurance company or medical board. Can you see a different nut?
That being said, the suggestions above are good. I use unjury Protein powder and bariatric Vitamins (found on the 'net) mostly because they do not source any ingredients from China and I think their vanilla and choc. splendor flavors are yummy. And not a bad price.

After following my wife on her journey, I have decided to become a sleever myself! July 23rd, dr Garcia at florence. I am really excited. My wife has done so well and I am looking at it As a lifestyle change for both of us! Now we can both eat the same the rest of our lives! Not to mention being so much healthier and not overweight! July can't come soon enough!