solymarmivida

I am not saying this for pity or to be confrontational. This is just MY truth. I can (and have) eat slider foods easily. Not to the extreme quantity I once was able, but much easier than I can eat Protein. I have struggled with stopping now that I started. There may be people who can limit their self to just one, I am not that type person. As the poster said above, be careful. I am just over two months out and already find slider food easy to eat, so I am very worried about 4, 6, 8 months out! This is my addiction. I have fought it and have been able to lose 62lbs since August. ( both before and after surgery) But I am still morbidly obese. I still need to lose about 118lbs. If I don't get a grip on my addiction again, it will win. I didn't have major surgery for that to happen. I would never beat anyone up for doing something I have done. I just say remember how we all got to this point to begin with. If control was easy for us would we really had needed the surgery?

I agree with you pjackson. I was craving a choc chip cookie yesterday and I had one. It was delicious and I'm glad I ate it. I didn't die and I am fine this morning. Like my husband said "for your sanity, you should eat the cookie". Cindy

Lots of physicians & surgeons pay for the advertisement in Newsweek and advertise it. There are big cities with magazines that do the same. For instance, it's a big deal for a physician to be listed in "7" magazine (Las Vegas), but they can pay for a larger "article" about them instead of just the small paragraph. I would need a lot more than a mention in a magazine to help me make my choice of any surgeon. I was really glad to have the feedback from the forum to help me.

Many surgeons claim this stuff. Featured on Oprah? Now that is funny.
That's why I don't believe their near 0% complication rate and 0% death rate either. Statistics tell the truth.
And yes, do your homework! Like you said its not saying they are bad surgeons, but the sleeve biz in Mexico is cut throat with the advertising and coordinators. One of the reasons I chose someone who is busy through word of mouth, not by making astronomical claims. US magazines don't feature Mexican Drs for free

He did my surgery just fine. Still has legit medical certifications at a Center of Excellence that you can verify.
I knew going in the Newsweek thing is advertising tool. There are a lot of docs that use the Newsweek thing for advertising...why not shame on Newsweek?. You have to do your due diligence selecting a surgeon in Mexico or anywhere for that matter.
It's like showing up in Mexico for surgery only to find out that the "hospital" isn't what we would consider a hospital at all. Got to do the homework up front to be sure what you are getting.

9 years ago when I approached my PCP about gastric bypass he talked me out of it - he told me so many negative things and said he just couldn't see me doing it since besides having a BMI of 38 at the time, I was otherwise healthy. I as well have been on the weight yo yo most of my life but I listened to him, joined WW and did lose 50 lbs - however here I am 9 years later and have put on all that lost weight and more, my BMI is at 40, I have hypertension, high cholesterol, borderline diabetes, joint pain and can't do so many things I want to do. It just frustrates me that PCP's don't really listen to or evaluate their patients properly. Now they just want to throw medications at me and say "you need to lose weight". I just feel like I lost 9 years of a good life I could have had. At any rate now I am taking control of my own life and I feel it is the best decision for ME that I am making.

I know most people are looking for the best prices but some other important questions to ask when you are searching for a surgeon would be to ask them if you were to have complications...
1. Would your surgeon be able to handle it. ie. - does your surgeon have some emergency or critical care experience
2. Would the facility where you are having your surgery done be able to handle emergent situations or complications
3. Would your surgeon pick up all costs related to any post op care needed if there were complications

Knowing me, even if I had read more stuff I would have had the 'can't happen to me' attitude And thanks too for the well wishes!

I am in the exact situation you are in I have a abscess and a leak towards the top of my sleeve. My surgeon is just letting my leak heal on its own and it is slowly but surely working. I also have a JP drain placed as well

Hey lady,
I am a leak survivor and I has stents for two months.
I am more than happy to message with you. I in NO way want to scare you from treatment, because we do what we have to when it's life or death. I am only writing my honest experience. Things may be different for you.
I had severe pain with any movement, no swallowing, vomiting, nausea and much more and I am still dealing with the damage of the stents. Sneezing, coughing, breathing and most tasks that require movement of the chest were unbearable.
I had two stents.I had one inserted and it migrated south and then the next day a second one was inserted. Both stents covered my esophagus and entire sleeve.
I have two months of food under my belt. I have an ulcer and these weird masses. These masses have developed from the stents. I also have misplaced bile coming into my sleeve from my intestines, this is from trauma of stents. My stomach is inflamed from the constant friction metal mesh running on it.
I was given no option. Stents and several heavy duty antibiotics to treats the infection.
I am wishing you nothing but the best. Leaks are very scary. I am here for you!!
Best,
Sannah

i still have enteral feedings (j tube) and i can sympathize with the back pack thing. i keep my kangaroo joey and formula plus stuff for flushing on me. this is better than the tpn in the hospital (about 7 weeks not that i have counted correctly). i do not care about what people say or stare, it is just a b++ch to lug around. i am on for 14 hours but working up to 90ml/hour so it will decrease my time down to 10hours. hoping to go back to work (nurse at san quentin state prison) but looking for a new job. will have to run my pump at night so i am practicing nowadays. cannot think i can do my duties with a mic-key feeding tube in place but i will see if my doctor will clear me in july for august work. as for Hair loss, my surgery was 7-24-12 and i am still losing...but got a super cute short hair cut that i love...and it is less dramatic seeing the shorter pieces go down the drain!!!! good luck to all!!! with the high calories of tube feedings like tpn...i am still 10-15lb away from goal weight but wear a 6 or 8 and i am 5/5 ( I NEEDED TO LOSE ABOUT 65LBS OR SO) . moRE important is the nutrition. I AM SO TIRED OF BEING TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hang in there everyone!

I had diarrhea for about 2 weeks post op. dr assured me it was normal.

I know most people are looking for the best prices but some other important questions to ask when you are searching for a surgeon would be to ask them if you were to have complications...
1. Would your surgeon be able to handle it. ie. - does your surgeon have some emergency or critical care experience
2. Would the facility where you are having your surgery done be able to handle emergent situations or complications
3. Would your surgeon pick up all costs related to any post op care needed if there were complications

No I had no health issues except....a lot of weight.....Throughout this year I have posted my story for people to read as an example oh how it might not be a hop, skip and a jump for us.....Some have really appreciated it when things went bad for them....
It was the darkest time in my life....And I changed so much because of it in so many ways....I really think that part of me did die at that time .....
But I Celebrate the changes that are positive and go forward as a new healthier me!!!!!

They told me that the tissue died around the incision and then abscesses formed...This led to a lot of pain and agony. I had a temperature of 104 and I was squirting brown liquid out of my staples....I was pale as a ghost and kept going in and out, passing out! At first it was not painful..I just felt stuffed all the time and off....As it progressed I got worse...I almost died...And my legs and feet started to really swell up...That was the first sign of a problem.

The first few weeks were very unpredictable and I learned to never trust a fart at that point. My tummy finally calmed down after a month or so.

Well today is my surgery date with Dr Alvarez. I will post back as soon as I am able.

Well today is my surgery date with Dr Alvarez. I will post back as soon as I am able.

I did it! Just got back from my one year post op appointment! Here are the facts:
Day of surgery 299 pounds and a 44 BMI
Today 172 pounds and a 28 BMI.
Was a tight size 24, now I wear a comfortable size 10!
I am 5'9''
Best thing I have ever done for myself.
I do watch what I eat, but I have no regimented exercise. I have bad knees, but stay busy with my 3 daughters...getting ready to go horseback riding in a few hours -
If you are unsure, I am telling you - it is fantastic!
I LOVE to go shopping now.
I have never been sick - not once. No puking for me...but I am a wussy and never "pushed" it,....when I am full, I stop eating.
I do have some loose skin on my upper underside of my arms, my lower belly and inner thighs...but only hubby really sees that, and he doesn't mind:) I have been pregnant 3 times, and I do not know why I was worried about how my stomach would look...it's not like 3 fat rolls were that much more attractive!
I look cute in my tankini
There is nothing I CAN'T eat, but a lot of stuff I shouldn't - so I try to still stay away from most carby things....unless it's an occasional treat. I like to stay around 40g of carbs a day....
If the kids want ice cream at Marble Slab - I don't order any for myself, but I take a bite or two of theirs and feel satisfied:)
My hair is getting nice and thick again - thankk GOD!
My levels all looked good - but I do need to start ub the sublingual B12 again....I am terrible about taking a pill!!
My doctor would like to see me go down to 160 because I like the weight I am at now....he says I will regain some of my muscle mass that I have inevitably lost, and if the lower 170's is were I want to be for maintenance, getting to 160 will assure that!
As always, feel free to contact me if you have specific questions. I don't get on here much anymore - but my personal email is ssmonte72@yahoo.com I WILL respond to you!
God Bless!
Shannon

So i had posted a few weeks ago that i was wondering if my arms would go down or if i would have these bat wings hanging well i was looking thru old pics and i was comparing the pics and amazingly hey have been going down. I couldnt notice with just looking but once i saw the difference i was amazed!!!! I havent weighed myswlf just yet this third week. The second week i was in somewhat of a stall and i think its broken now since my pants are fitting much looser than even yesterday! Im feeling great. I can sleep either way i want with no pain. Ummm idk what else to say im just waiting it out doing what im supposed to do. Good luck everyone. Just keep positive and be patient and you shall reap the benefits soon enough :-)

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And this picture was taken today and the differences are only 10days apart

I was just there, left today. The Water goes through a purify system inside the hospital. The ice is made from the same water. However I'm not giving a 100% guarantee, this was what my husband told me that one of the nurses told him!!
The ice was very good, and I'm not sick from it... I really wouldn't worry about that at all bc I'm sure the water is clean. On another note, everyone there is absolutely wonderful and you will have excellent care! Good luck!

I'm back... I had to call Susan to get the fax number. My Doc was great !!! She's behind me 100% and I scheduled a follow up appointment with her 6 weeks after my surgery just to touch base and make sure everything's OK. She doesn't anticipate any problems as I'm going into this without many of the co-morbidities that many people have. I gave her Dr. Alvarez's web site information and she's going to check it out. I'm so relieved. It's good to know my Primary Care Dr. is behind me 100%.

Well I am sitting in my Hospital bed as I type!! I had the sleeve at around 10:30 am today with my Dr here in Mexico and I want to just say how truly great of an experience I have had here...
First the trip acroos the boarder was get and the hospital was maybe 10 mins across.
Very clean, they are renovating but it's still very clean.
The lab work went great, I am a Medical laboratory technician and I started out as a Phlebotomist so I know all about drawing blood the lady here gets a A++++!!!! Didn't even feel the needle go in!!
The nurse, gave me the IV and hit it perfect the first try, every time I've had an IV in the states it's been hell and they took 4-5 times poking me, but not this lady!!
The Dr himself.... Wonderful does not even start to describe him, he is amazing and so is his assistant Dr! Great Great Great!!! Still not enough but it'll have to do.
The procedure, must have went great bc I was up and walking ASAP!! I was ready to walk but they wouldn't let me at first, but buddy it didn't take long and I've been making laps around the halls! Dr said I was doing super well and beyond his expectations!!
The assistant we started out with this morning is totally the best!!!! She will be back in the am and I glad bc she has literally been wonderful!!!!
No pain, no hunger, nothing but energy!!!!! This describes my feelings best! Seriously proud and extremely happy!!! I would do this 1000 times over!!!! And nope, I'm not asking for pain mess!!!
Can't wait to get home to see my kiddos and start my new wonderful journey in life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today marks one year since I had my first appointment with my surgeon. Not knowing what to expect, afraid that I would not get approved, afraid of complications and death, afraid of being stuck in my 215 4'10 frame, and not being able to change.
On July 13th was my first appt, and on November 19th, my life totally changed. I went from 215 to now 146. I need to be 120 for my height. I have not been able to follow up with my surgeon because I lost my health insurance. But, VSG has changed my life. Now, mind you, almost a year out I can eat alot more, and if I want to cheat I can. I workout, use my fitness pal, and hold my self accountable. I am by no means perfect. And I dont ever want to be perfect. But I love my new healthy lifestyle.
As someone who is a diagnosed binge eater, (I have not binged since October), I like to say that my VSg is my tool. A tool that helps shape my life. I am no longer on a diet. I have created a new way of life. Clean eating, working out and fighting the demon of addiction. I am so thankful for that day one year ago. I am so thankful for having been given a second chance. I still fear weight regain. But I am diligent on keeping track of calories and my activity levels and of course my clean eating. Anyway hope everyone is well and good luck on your journey's

I guess this would count as a scale victory but for the first time in over 8 years, I can see the backs of my knees. I no longer have to dig in the fat connecting them to my calves when lotioning up my legs!

This is the start of wonderful things to come!
Preop weight - 348
DOS 6/17 - 336
Current weight - 316
So happy! Yay