chickadee73

To whom it may concern:
Surgery is scary. Leaving the country can be scary. Leaving the country to have surgery?Terrifying.
Coordinators:
We don't need bogus reviews, paid reviews, vague reports of tragedy, and referral kickbacks out there amongst us muddying the waters. We need you to answer our questions... Honestly. We need you to hold our hands in spirit and in person whenever possible. We need you to represent your company and the surgeons who contract through said company with integrity and dignity. If you struggle defining those words or relating to them I suggest a career change.
Medical Tourists:
We need some solidarity. We are all, or have been, in the same boat. For whatever reason surgery at home isn't happening. We've made the bold decision to reclaim control over our obesity and we've kicked it up a notch.
All VST members:
We come from all walks of life. Various roads and life experiences have brought us all to this point. WLS. Many of us, if not all if us, have been criticized or teased regarding our weight issues. Many have felt "less than" because we are "more than". Why on earth are we attacking each other? What are we gaining from it?
Take a long look in the mirror. Tell yourself you are going to try and be the best *you* that you can be. And then... Live it. Own it.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have tried to assure him I will always be built like this no matter what the results of surgery -- I've always had T&A (a little more A than T to be honest), and no surgery will change my basic build, you know? To be clear, he is being nothing but supportive since I made the final decision. But he gave me his opinion when asked, and his opinion is that I am perfect just as I am and he prefers bigger gals. I just hope he doesn't miss the old body, and hoping the new attitude and feeling of accomplishment and self-esteem makes up for it. Anyone married to a chubby chaser? Did he do OK after you lost some of your curves?

Notlookinback -- I'm going to Mexico. Tijuana, with Dr. Garcia. This is so out of character for me my whole family is stymied, but I've made my decision. Here we go! We will have to keep an eye on each other!

Notlookinback -- I'm going to Mexico. Tijuana, with Dr. Garcia. This is so out of character for me my whole family is stymied, but I've made my decision. Here we go! We will have to keep an eye on each other!

Notlookinback -- I'm going to Mexico. Tijuana, with Dr. Garcia. This is so out of character for me my whole family is stymied, but I've made my decision. Here we go! We will have to keep an eye on each other!

That's fantastic news! I hope you are home and slurping down Protein Shakes in no time!

Hi Ladies,
I am getting my sleeve on August 15th. A little nervous but also excited. I just turned 40 on July 16th and I am looking to make my 40's+ way better than my 30's.
Good luck to us all and thanks for all the support!

That's fantastic news! I hope you are home and slurping down Protein Shakes in no time!

What a beautiful, hopeful story; and congratulations on everything. I so hope that's me 175 days after surgery!

Personally, I would not go alone, though I hear you about the "farm" lol and the worrying parents. I want someone to help me with my suitcase on the plane, make sure I get to bathroom, advocate for me if I am in pain, walk and talk with me in the halls. I need the support. It's a foreign country, this is major surgery. I want someone who loves me there beside me in case I need them or (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong.

Personally, I would not go alone, though I hear you about the "farm" lol and the worrying parents. I want someone to help me with my suitcase on the plane, make sure I get to bathroom, advocate for me if I am in pain, walk and talk with me in the halls. I need the support. It's a foreign country, this is major surgery. I want someone who loves me there beside me in case I need them or (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong.

Personally, I would not go alone, though I hear you about the "farm" lol and the worrying parents. I want someone to help me with my suitcase on the plane, make sure I get to bathroom, advocate for me if I am in pain, walk and talk with me in the halls. I need the support. It's a foreign country, this is major surgery. I want someone who loves me there beside me in case I need them or (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong.

I'm 8 weeks post op and had a wonderful experience with him and his team.

Very true and hopefully they listen to the other side of things. Its an important factor when researching VGS.
There are pros and cons in the gamble of having WLS. No one knows how things will work out regarding the surgery procedure .. Regardless of BMI. Life is full of difficult choices and people have a million reasons why they choose what they do.
All I know is fat is fat and unhealthy is unhealthy and unhappy is unhappy and we're all after the same goal.

linda305, also i forgot to mention that its more than just a couple of pets, besides the dogs and cats, I also have 20 chickens,8 guineas 3 geese w/ 3 baby goslings. Oh yea girlfriend we are down on the farm LOL

I haven't had surgery yet but why dont you get a sitter for the pets and have your husband accompany you. Just a suggestion

I'm an eroded gastric band survivor trying to be sleeved. I have been following sleeve forums for the past year and have compiled a list of folks and the complications they had.

Sandyd – infection from surgery (Reno) (VS Talk)
MeMeMEEE – leak (twice) (VS Talk)
Driver63 – leak
Tiffykins – leak (band revision)
Hansi – stomach ruptured
Dishdiva – leaks (Mexico)
YellowRose – infected incision (Mexico) & drain tube infection
DivaDee84 – Infected incision (Mexico) leak (still @ seven months)
Honeyrubybee – splenic infarction
TKDBlackbelt15 (fiancee) – leak
Rblessed – leak
Jen Jen – leak (Mexico)
Ladiesassie – nicked liver (didn’t follow pre-op diet)
Moore37042 – leak
Jagator88 – leak & esophagus was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from muscle (Mexico)
Jsfound – leak (VS Talk)
Leisa815 – leak (VS Talk)
Jasleeve – leak
Joesph – leak Kuwait
Peachqueen – leak
Jcarelle – leak
Jerseygirl74 – leak & spleen infarct
Happylife – stricture (had a stent like a leak)
Kookia – leak

Even with the complications, I think most of the above had said they would do it again.

Here is my list. The airport won't allow bottles over 3-3.5 oz i think.
Stuff for Mexico
Money
Cashiers check
Digital thermometer
laptop
Earbuds/Earphones
Chargers(phone & laptop)
Heating pad
Safety pins (for drain)
chapstick
toothpaste
Toothbrush
Biotene
Gas X strips
deodorant
brush
Visine
Q-tips
Band-aids
shampoo(travel size)
conditioner(travel size)
Bodywash(travel size)
Lotion(travel size)
Loose jammies
Loose clothes/sweats
Sweater
robe
Socks
slippers or flipflops
Hand sanatizer
Anti-bacterial wipes
Baby wipes
Tea Bags
Stevia/Truvia
Measuring tape
Pads

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.