rhw94123

Garvey, to answer your question about getting complications from bariatric surgery covered in 2014. My husband and I own a small business and we buy individual health insurance policies for ourselves. To be compliant with Obamacare, our individual policy can no longer fail to cover pre-existing conditions starting next month (Jan 14). Before getting sleeved last month, I wanted to research the Obama-compliant policy I would be getting January 2014 and make sure that it couldn't/wouldn't disallow taking care of me if my ailment was a result of voluntary/elective/bariatric/cosmetic surgery. I persisted until I found the fine print and what my 2014 policies reads is something like "bariatric weight loss surgery of any kind is not covered, but revisions to and care of complications from such surgeries are covered to the extent necessary to remove the patient from peril." (or something jargon-y and long like that). I knew that 2014 policies couldn't "not" take care of you because of a pre-existing condition and--though jargon-y-- I was satisfied by the language that I read that they would now bail you out if you had a problem after self-pay bariatric surgery. SORRY SO LONG -- I was trying to be detailed and I probably just confused you more, lol ! (An analagous situation that I read in my new policy was that if you had breast implants that ruptured, they would not help you out for cosmetic reasons... but if the rupture was causing an ailment they would care for you/remove/revise just enough to get you out of peril [which I took to mean they would take the old ones out surgically, but not cover to add new ones in the vacant spot ].)

Oh dear, prettybrwneyes- sorry you're frustrated:( we have similar stats (11/11 surgery - 206 SW, now 189, but I'm pleased cause I'm 50 & my blood pressure & cholesterol are down, etc. hope you get a big happiness - creating drop here any day !

Congrats, feedyoureye!!

What an ignorant unprofessional attitude. How can all of us on here know so much more than he does? Does he even know what your resting metabolic rate was/is? What were your stats the day he sleeved you? Most of us sleeved-in-Mexico folks just use our own research & email with our practices as follow-up for NUT & other.

I first bought these shots in the hospital pharmacy in Mexico -- now I get them at a similar price per injection (about $2.50) from a Mexican pharmacy site. It may be placebo effect, but I *think* I fell better on them There are a lot of good YouTube videos on giving yourself a B-12 shot - I can't feel a thing when I inject the upper/outer quadrant of my buttocks - I just stand in front of a full length mirror and twist to get a good view

Wow, OP, your surgeon's goal weight for you is a BMI of 21.5 ... I have heard of some aggressive surgeons setting their patients' goal weights at whatever comes out to a BMI of 22 (only the rare, aggressive surgeon, mind you), but I have NEVER heard of one setting a goal below that. I bet you will be feeling lean & hip-boney long before that weight ! Best wishes!!

OMG - my heart just broke for you. I hope you find a good attorney to-- if nothing else -- make this guy accountable. I HATE people that are so afraid of litigation that they wash their hands of you -- it sounds like in addition to being an offensive human, that's what he is.

What a difference! And how especially fashionable & Hawt you look in that last one !

I even pick at these meals 4 weeks post-op (I edit out the really chunky stuff). Only eat few bites with a little fork, but they're a nice addition to my Greek yogurt & tuna:).

I was 206 day of surgery 4 weeks ago today. I am almost 5'8" . I have lost 16 lbs since surgery day (190 today). That is over 33% of my excess weight - I don't really want super dramatic loss (for health's sake) and because I've only told my husband, sis and mother about my surgery & don't want anyone asking me what's up (want to avoid the conversations altogether since I don't want to fib to anyone!). I am also hyper focused on body fat percentage-- I am at 39% now & seek to have that go down significantly along with my weight. Good luck to everyone !!

OMG, thank you, Kpat! That is the first morsel of information that makes sense of the experience I am having! A couple of times now I have eaten 600-650 cals of high protein/very low carb for 3-5 days and not even seen a loss of 1/2 pound... Then I eat 900-1000 of the same good nutrition for a single day and the scale goes down 2-3 lbs (as if my body is saying "oops, storage committee, that was a false alarm-- there's no famine & you can go ahead & release that weight." . (I should also note that the couple of times that I've deliberately done a nutritious- but-higher-calorie day, I have felt FANTASTIC the next day (sharp, rested, energetic).) If your NUT has a web page or anything where she articulates that approach I'd sure appreciate being directed to it!

Why do virtually all the bariatric surgeons have people do 600-800 calories a day while they reduce? If I have a low (33 pre-surgery) BMI and have lost 33% of my excess weight 4 weeks post surgery, then wouldn't I be likely to reduce more healthfully and preserve more muscle to have 800-1000 cals/day ? I know that surgeons want us to lose as much as possible in the first 6 months and I understand why calories need to be so low for many, but since I only have 45 to goal 4 weeks out, I'm thinking perhaps I shouldn't go so close to starvation levels (?). If I have 5 more months of the sleeve's significant weight loss window to get rid of 45 lbs, i am inclined to go a little higher on calories (in ADDITION) to getting my 90 grams of Protein in. I did out of area surgery & don't have easy access to my NUT, so I'd really appreciate any of you wise folks chiming in ! Thanks so much to all!

TexasFire , I thought I'd replied to your post (thanks for responding, btw!). There is a weird dish that I found I liked right after surgery... 2oz of plain no- fat Greek yogurt with a scoop of EAS vanilla shake powder - probably not to the taste of many, but to me it tastes like a sort of cake batter my grandma used to make and it goes down easily;)! I also really like EAS carb- control ready-to-drink shakes (17g protein, 100 cals & 3carbs each &) & I've even been known to add an extra scoop of unflavored protein powder to those. I know I'm not losing at any miraculous rate, but I'm plugging along & feel really well . Thx again!

I am trying to read up on metabolism (and muscle preservation), too. I had surgery out of area and it's not easy to be in touch with a NUT. I did the sleeve mostly to get my blood sugar, Blood Pressure and cholesterol down and (after 5 weeks) that goal is materializing nicely (yay!). BUT-- I'm thinking that since I only have 40-45 pounds till goal and I'm not in a super vain era of my life (50 years old and not goin' anywhere special anytime soon ), I am trying to explore whether I will keep my Resting Metabolic Rate a little higher (and possibly preserve more muscle) if I eat, say, 800 calories a day rather than 650. In case anyone wants to chime in , I consume 80-95 g Protein each day and I have under 45 carbs a day. I am averaging about 600-650 cals daily and I am not going to deviate from the plan I was given unless my research gives me conviction that I should. I am not hungry at all and am living mostly on Greek yogurt with vanilla Protein powder added, an egg here and there, tuna moistened with avocado and EAS low-carb 100 cal shakes. I am getting 64-80 oz of Fluid daily. I exercise what MyFitnessPal says is about 250 cals worth most days, and I eat back 100 of these calories most days. The whole preserving muscle and RMR areas really fascinate me ! (Edited to say that I just realized I inadvertently posted in a Bypass area of the site --I am going to leave this post here, though, because I really do want to follow and learn more about RMR, etc.- thanks!)

NMJG, I haven't been eating that much to this point (about 650 cals/day), although my doc said from very early on that I seemed to have very little inflammation & he definitely moved me to soft foods (if I wanted to) quickly. I think I have had mostly slider-ish food up to this point, though--It's consisted of a lot of Plain Greek yogurt with low carb vanilla Protein powder added & low-carb Soups with unflavored protein added. A scrambled egg here & there & a little bit of tuna w avocado definitely made me feel my restriction. I have been to a few holiday parties where I've had a teaspoon of warm (high calorie-but-low-carb) artichoke dip a couple of times. I did the sleeve mostly to get my blood pressure, cholesterol & blood sugar down and they have all already improved a GREAT deal (yay), so (now that my main gal of better health is materializing I want to be extra careful to reduce in the most healthful way possible even if it takes me longer to get to goal. I just wasn't sure if a little higher calorie pan was more healthful if a person was willing to be a slow loser, but it's seeming like the 600-800 calorie approach is the gold standard . Thanks much for replying !

Hi! My impression is that very few Mexican surgeons use epidurals or catheters. I base this on my own experience with the much-revered Dr. Illan and on reading many ladies' blogs of their Mexican Sleeve experiences. I know Dr. Illan is taking a short time off for Christmas, but my impression is that he has good availability thru the 20th or so and again in January. Good luck!!

What a great thread! Thanks to all of you. I had surgery 11/11/13 at a low BMI (33) and have lost 33% of my excess weight in 5 weeks. I am wrestling with (researching) how fast to try to go in my weight loss because my electronic scale w body fat measurement says I weigh 192 with 39% BF. I don't like how I look at 39%, so I want to do everything I can (including losing weight slowly) to get that down & not be a "skinny fat" girl (of age 50). Based on the photos (adjusted for age, stretch marks & deflated boobs, of course), I think I'll be happy in the 25-30 range. I amI mentally prepared to treat myself to a TT & breast lift down the road if need be, but I am spooked about implants because I don't want anything getting in the way of good mammograms (but that's just me ).

I live in the high desert and this is a problem year round here- especially when wearing flip flops to do yard work around our chalky, water- leaching dust & soil.., A product on "drugstore.com" called CRACK CREME (spray form) is the only thing that works for me... It starts to heal & close them up after 2 nights of dowsing my damp, just- showered feet & then quickly sealing/covering with socks (I also smear a little bit on my lower lip or finger tips if I get cracks there). Good luck - maybe this regime would work for you (I notice I get more of them when I've been at my heaviest, btw).

OP here (several weeks later:))- I'm sleeved now (11/11/13) and I have lost 33% of my excess weight in the last five weeks... But.... My body fat percentage is 39 and THAT is now what I'm determined to work on. I am looking in to getting the okay to up my daily calories to 900 with an eye towards (possibly? Maybe?) going slower & conserving more muscle (?). Thanks to everyone for the great input! -Rhw PS- I've looked at several docs' web sites and there are a few who say that "excess weight" is described at whatever stands between you & a BMI of 22 (which I take with a big grain of salt !).

I keep meaning to write my own account of Dr. Illan and Baja Bariatrics in Tijuana (points and areas that others haven't necessarily covered, that is). I will probably come back and edit, but here is a quick subjective account just to get something online: I had a rough reservation with the very excellent Dr. Aceves for $8750 and a firmer reservation with Dr. Ilan for earlier this month. I promised myself that--with my own research--I would drop the booking with Dr. Illan and just go with Aceves if I could not honestly get comfortable with Illan (after researching him). Some of these things I learned beforehand (and some while I was in Mexico), but these are some points that I discovered about him (and used to make myself and my spouse comfortable): * FACS -- he is very close to becoming a full Fellow in the American Academy of Surgeons. He should soon be listed there as a "candidate" and soon again as a "Fellow." To be only 35/36 years old and to nearly have this accomplished is impressive. (A certain amount of signatures from surgeons who have supervised or trained a candidate surgeon are required.) * His main position in life is as Chief of Surgery at Mexico's national/Social Security type hospital (Numer Uno) in Tijuana. * My driver (from a Medical Tourism company) as I went back over the border is acquainted with many of the bariatric physicians in Baja and he was sleeved by Illan several months ago. He chose Illan after a medical writer (or someone else working in a professional/review capacity) recommended him. This driver had taken her to visit several of the surgeons' OR's in the greater Tijuana area. He was in the OR with her a few times and --while none of the surgeons were terrible or anything-- she told him that (hands down) she would be sleeved by Dr. Illan if she had to choose. The writer told him that Illan was confident, speedy, polite and kept an immaculate OR... she was impressed with how in- command he was and how well his team worked together. She was impressed that the SECOND there might be a bit of blood or mess of any kind in the OR, it was IMMEDIATELY taken care of & cleaned up by the team. Patients have to enter the OR naked under their gowns and she was impressed that he was so respectful of the anesthetized patient at all times, always keeping privates covered with drapes (not that other surgeons were deliberately disrespectful, but she just thought he was affirmatively careful). * When I was in florence Hospital after surgery by Dr. Illan, I met the families of a couple of Mexican patients and they told me that he had an EXCELLENT reputation locally (I had explained that many Americans struggle to distill the qualifications of Mexican health professionals and that other more senior surgeons are easier to feel secure with, etc.). This woman's husband was a physician and she told me they would not go with anyone else--they KNEW him to be excellent , precise, intelligent, top of his game, etc. All of that is still obviously subjective, but it is information that I took in while home researching and away in Mexico just a few weeks ago. I don't believe the driver or the patient's family I chatted with had any reason to exaggerate or pull my leg. PERSONALITY OF DR. ILLAN -- I dont mind if a surgeon I have selected is less-than-polite or even a jerk if I am satisfied with his credentials and reputation. But I know some people are highly concerned with doctors' bedside manners, so here is my quick description of Dr. Illan's personality/ aura: He is 35 and very quiet in a dignified, gentlemanly way. He radiates a kind of quiet confidence and sincerity and (I believe) shakes hands firmly and looks most people right in the eye when speaking. My mother is a fussy about men's appearance/grooming and she would say he is "immaculate" (clean, perfectly well-fitting, pressed clothes, etc.). He makes the effort to tell people he is so glad to meet them, thank you for placing confidence in him, etc. I guess the shortest description would be kind, classy, quietly-dignified and confident "gentleman." Many things have been written about his amazingly helpful and knowedgeable practice-manager/coordinator Omar Acosta and Florence Hospital (both excellent!), but I thought I would post these other subjective-but-detailed points for the benefit of folks who are shopping and researching!

Great post ! I had surgery 3 weeks ago. I have a home BP monitor because for the last few years I almost always got a borderline high or high reading in medical offices. And it was only normal about 35% of the time that I took it at home (lots of readings in the high 130's over 80 or 85). Anyway--I haven't lost a ton of weight in the last month (since starting pre-op diet), but I constantly take my BP now because it's so UPLIFTING to get 100% normal readings all the time ! Also--for years my total cholesterol has come back around 215... a recent lab had total cholesterol at 180 with HDL of 62 (yay!). I don't know where my BMI will settle and --having only been able to drop 10 pounds or so no matter what I did the last 3 years-- I am heartened by my VSG HEALTH results already!

I hit a stall 3 weeks after starting pre-op diet (2 weeks after surgery). I lost 9 pounds pre-op and then post-op I lost 10 more pounds in the first 2 weeks after surgery. But at 2 weeks post surgery (last week) I hit 196 and stayed there for 6-7 days till I dropped to 194 yesterday. I was a Thanksgiving houseguest during that stall week and picked (lightly, but it was still picking!) at a lot of sweet, high-calorie soft foods (pie filling, lobster ravioli, cheese & toppings off the top of a pizza). I think the carbs knocked me out of ketosis and my liver stored a bunch of glycogen all over again. I went strictly low-to-no-carb the last few days and drank a pooh-load of Water. I also picked up some Relion (Walmart) keto-stix for $6 so that I could make sure that I'm staying in light ketosis. The scale finally budged yesterday and today and I'm down 2 pounds. (I find that I am not hungry or carb-craving if I get in to light ketosis--it may not be for everyone.) I ALSO took time a couple of days ago to load all my usual post-sleeve food items into MyFitnessPal on my desktop so that I could easily keep it updated with the phone app. It's good to be able to look down and realize that some high-carb Soup that I just ate just used up a bunch of my day's calories or that I'm behind on Protein for the day [in which case I just add a scoop of unflavored Protein powder to whatever I'm having to get back on track].) I have not had any nausea and have kept things down well from the beginning, so my big focus has been to get 80 grams of protein each day to try to lose what I hope is mostly fat (and not muscle). I sometimes get troubled that others have lost so much in the first month, but I choose to tell myself that slow is okay for me and I give myself hope that I am losing less muscle this way. We'll see if I am truly out of my stall by taking these steps-- maybe I will be 194 for a week or two, who knows ?! I will try to keep you posted. I send you support and a stalls-are-a-bummer hand squeeze! P.S. - I know the popular wisdom is to not weigh every day, but I am in the process of educating myself about how my food choices affect me, so I am going to keep weighing every day for a while (just a personal preference !).

How have your dealings with Dr. Illan and Baja Bariatrics been, Leslie? Good to see you back on here .

Six here ! Surgeon told me it would've been 5, but I had my gallbladder out, too, for which he likes to use a drain. So-- I have what he calls an "extra" incision on my far right to accommodate that. My sites don't hurt any more, but are a bit itchy with tiny ridges.

I am aware of quite a few self pay set- ups in the states that are about $11,500.