dropdeadweightdiva

October 2013
Sleeved at Mi hospital with Dr. Lopez through A lighter Me ($4750)
Day 1 - travel to Mexico (Ottawa-Washington-San Diego-Tijuana)
My companion and I arrived at the San Diego airport around 3:15 pm. Once we were outside we called our driver Abraham from A lighter me on his cell. He knows the airport extremely well. We told him the number of the nearest pick up station from us and he came to us. I was glad that my companion was wearing an orange top. It helped us stand out from the others around us making it easier for Abraham to identify us. He already had 2 passengers with him. Once we picked up two other passengers, we headed for the hospital. Crossing the border into Mexico was almost a joke. It was nothing like back home. We simply went in a lane, slowly driving forward past the customs agent standing on the side. They did not even stop us to ask questions. And that was it, we were in Mexico! Be prepared for an interesting driving experience! The driving in Mexico is kind of crazy. People just drive where they want on the road. Abraham, whose English is very good, told us to close our eyes if we were too nervous. He is extremely personable and really cares about giving A Lighter Me's clients a pleasant experience. Abraham's wife was sleeved about 5 months ago and is doing great. He showed us pictures. We first went to the Mi hospital where we filled out forms, got weighed, take our pulse and did blood tests and an EKG. It is a small hospital, only 4 stories high. I was happy to see they have Wifi at the hospital with free access for everyone. You also get a safe in your room and a TV. There are 2 places to eat at the Mi hospital. There is a coffee shop on the 1st floor and the hospital cafeteria on the 4th floor. I know people who ate at both places. Everyone said the food was really good. Once all 3 future sleevers were done, all 6 of us left for the Marriott. The Marriott Hotel is quite nice. My room was very spacious. There are restaurants walking distance from the Marriott Hotel, as well as a store like the 7 eleven. There is a bar fridge in the hotel room and a safe. You can also request a room with a microwave. You also get free wifi and TV. Most of the TV channels however are Spanish. So bring something to occupy yourself. It was a long day. I was glad to go to bed. The bed was sooooo comfortable!
Day 2 - day of surgery
My companion had Breakfast at the Marriot. She was very impressed with their brunch. Lots of selection and great food. It is served until noon. Since I was only being picked up by our driver at 2 pm and I was fasting, I slept in as long as I could (until noon). Eduardo, another driver, picked us up right on time to go to the hospital. I got a room within 20 minutes once we arrived.I met with the generalist doctor who told me about the results of my previous day's tests. He listened to my heart and lungs and I was cleared for surgery. I also met with the anesthesiologist Doctor Garcia and Doctor Lopez individually prior to the surgery. I was given the opportunity to ask as many questions as I wanted. I was also told what to expect. This was very much appreciated. The nurse, who also had been sleeved two months prior, also put in my iv and helped me to put on my compression socks to help prevent blood clots. My companion was very impressed with this as they do not do this back home. I had my surgery at 5 pm. About two hours after surgery, I was back in my room. Within a couple of hours after that I was up walking around. Everyone at the hospital (nurses and doctors) told me how important walking is to prevent pain from the anesthesia. It was a bit hard getting in and out of bed after surgery, but it was manageable. I was also given ice chips to sip on. This was very appreciated as my mouth was dry from the surgery. The beds at the hospital are very comfortable. They also gave me something to help me sleep that night. So, I had a pretty good first night at the hospital.
Day 3 - day after surgery - leak test
The nurse gave me this blue liquid to drink. The liquid would show up in my drain if I had a leak. Nothing. Good news! My companion went to the coffee shop on the 1st floor for Breakfast. She was very pleased with her meal. I took a shower before my leak test. The nurse then came by to change my bandages. The leak test was nothing like what I was expecting. It literally took about 3 minutes. They give you liquid. You take one sip and you can see the liquid going down in your body from the machine. In all I probably took 3 separate sips for the attendant to watch if any was leaking each time I took a sip. Again all good. Great news! I had heard so many horror stories about the taste that I was expecting something really bad. It is not something that I would order as a drink in a restaurant, but it was not that bad. Just bitter. After the leak test was over, I walked around talking to other patient sleevers comparing notes. It was nice to chat with the other two who I had been picked up with on the first day. One of the girls was doing extremely well. The other was not so lucky. She had been throwing up most of the night as a result of the anesthesia. I felt really bad for her. But by the afternoon, she was doing much much better. All of the nurses were very pleasant many calling me honey, sweetie, etc. It was a nice atmosphere. They even greet each other with kisses during the shift change. They checked my pulse several times that day and took my temperature. They also emptied my drain 3 or 4 times. Most of the nurses only know some basic English. So a conversation with them is difficult. However, there are a few who are pretty fluent. I walked again several times. I still had no pain (other than when getting in and out of bed). The TV here has mostly Spanish channels. Bring something to occupy yourself when in the hospital. In the afternoon, they gave me Gatorade to start my liquid diet. It tasted so good after having fasted for so long (almost 2 days - 10 pm the night before the surgery until today 1:45 pm). Janese, my patient coordinator, came by in the evening to introduce herself. It was so nice to meet her in person. The driver Abraham also came by to say hi.
Day 4 - first day at hotel - shopping and ice cream day
Abraham picked up a small group of new sleevers at the hospital around 12:30 to go back to the hotel. When I got to the hotel, my companion was in the lobby talking with this woman who was a doctor from the U.S. She had been sleeved in TJ a few years ago and was back to accompany her sister in law who was having the same procedure done. When I got back to my room, I had a shower and a nap. Abraham came back to the hotel around 3:00 pm to bring a group of 9 (all sleevers and their companion) to go shopping. It was a fun experience to be with a bigger group and meet new people to compare stories and have a few laughs. I also though it was very clever of A Ligther Me to bring their customers shopping to ensure they get the walking they need! I did not do much shopping. I mostly went for the sightseeing, which I enjoyed tremendously. After shopping, Abraham took everyone for some ice cream. He also stopped at a store for a few of us to get Gatorade, Jello and other items. I was given a paper copy of the results of my blood and EKG tests and a CD showing my leak test. I was also provided with a care package to go back home with (liquid antacid (aka Malox), antibiotics, pain killers (to take if needed), gauss, chap stick and little travel pack). I thought that it was very thoughtful of A Lighter me to do so. A nice personal touch on their part. I emailed my husband to ask him to buy me some Malox since I knew I could not bring it accross security at the airport (I only had a carry on) and would need some when I got back home. Everyone raves about the broth at hotel. For me, it seemed to be different depending on the day. I thought it was just ok.
Day 5 - second day at hotel - when drain comes out
Dr. Sanchez came by my room and removed my drain in the morning. Coming out, it felt like a light pinch. Not painful, just weird. I was soooo glad it was out. I emailed my coordinator Janese for a doctor's note to get time off work. I received the document by email a few hours later. My that woman is efficient! That evening, Abraham called to let me know what time he would be picking us up tomorrow to go back home the next morning.
Day 6 - flight back home
My companion and I were lucky. We were the only ones picked up to go back to the airport at 10:30 that morning. The earlier group had left at 8:30. Our very own private chauffeur! Going accross the border to the U.S. was a different experience than when entering TJ. There were hundreds of cars lined up at the border (yikes). However, A Lighter Me had a medical pass for me. Abraham showed the pass to the border officer who then let us through the express lane. We were the only one in this lane! We by passed ALL of those cars. The next stop was the customs officer. We gave him our passports, he asked me if I had anything to declare. I said no. And that was it. We were on our way. In about 5-10 minutes we were in the U.S. Again ! I am not certain how long it took to get the the San Diego Airport (25 minutes?). We also got slowed down a bit because of an accident. It is mostly highway driving so the trip is pretty short. At the airport, the walk from the check-in counter, through security to our gate was very short since there are not many airlines to go back to Canada. I therefore did not need any assistance to board the plane at the San Diego airport. But, because it is such a long distance to travel in Toronto, I asked the airline for assistance. I had not booked ahead. We therefore had to wait a bit. If you are travelling through a large busy airport, you definitely would do well to pre-book for assistance right away when making your travel plans. I was SOOOO glad I listened to A Lighter Me and packed light! It made the trip back home so much easier. I gave both Eduardo and Abraham a tip.
What you will need to bring
- a little bit of cash (I brought just enough for tips and to buy other things like Gatorade, etc. Make certain you have small denominations for those smaller tips)
- house coat (came in handy when I had to walk around with that hospital gown...)
- a safety pin (to secure my drain)
- medical dressing and medical tape (if you don't need it travelling, you will definitely need some for when you get back home for the incision where the drain)
- slippers/shoes with hard sole and that are easy to put on/take off to walk around the hospital
- hot pad (in case you have pain in your shoulders due to the anesthesia)
- OXO bouillon (came in VERY handy for the trip back home)
- Gas X strips
- a small container to put a little liquid antacid if travelling by plane for more than 12 hours to take your meds while travelling
Final thoughts
I expected my surgery to go well and it did. What I did not expect though was meeting great people, laughing and making friends while I was there because of the extra outings that A Lighter Me organizes for its customers. I have been home one week now without complications or pain and feel good (20 lbs lost so far). I would not hesitate to do this again. It was a great experience. I should have done this a long time ago. Now the fun part starts, loosing the weight!
Hope this post has been helpful.

How do I get and invite to the fb group?

Nov. 5th here start 2 week pre op diet tomorrow! ! Super excited

Well my November buddies, I start my 2 week liquid diet tomorrow (Monday) and I'm kinda scared! It's going to be hard and I'm going to be so cranky to be around! My poor husband and kids!
Just feel like I need a little love here...you all, better than anyone, know what I'm going through!
Thanks for reading. I just needed to vent.

Hi my name is Nikki and my surgery date is Nov. 20th which is also my 35th b-day!!! I can't wait, now all I need is for Horizon BCBS to approve me this week!

NOVEMBER 14TH..freaking out as I have to lose 10 pounds prior to - per KP dr - and so far down 4.....using Atkins! But thinking positive - let mre rephrase that...NOVEMBER 14TH WILL BE MY NEW BIRTHDAY!!!

I would not eat your way to a BMI of 40. Call your insurance. Get a letter from your PCP saying they recommend the surgery. See if you can start meds for your cholesterol and get a cpap. Gaining more weight is not the answer.

Call your insurance carrier in the morning. Find out what THEY require in order for them to approve you. Most often, the surgeon and insurance companies want different factors in order to qualify. Some surgeons are ok with no attempts of weight loss, while the insurance company will want documented 3 months of a dietician weight loss approved diet. Once you find out what the insurance company wants, file an appeal and start working on getting their requirements out of the way.

My date is the 4th. I'm so excited and scared!

I had yo of an I scheduled EGD last Sunday due to a food bolus! This was the 3rd one! I am do ready for my hernia to be repaired. My insurance says turn around on approval is 15 calendar days. So come the end of the week it will be 15 days! Eek! I am getting excited to see if I am approved! Hope to be in this Nov group of sleevers!

I'm scheduled for November 11 and I can't wait to get this started!

I'm already in it, if you don't get an invite by later tomorrow, in case she's absent over the weekend, message me your email and I'll make sure she gets it as she is very active there. :-) Or some groups allow members to invite so I could try that as well. :-)

Daydra I read your whole post and I can so relate. You don't know how hard I have been working to NOT do exactly what you are doing, which is exactly what I used to do before the surgery: try to find my own answers.
I'm a problem solver. I'm well-educated. I know more about my body than any doctor who doesn't take time to understand me. Only I can help myself.
And then I hit 230 lbs by trying to solve my own problems my own way.
When I decided to have the surgery, I didn't worry about food funerals, not being able to eat, social life, etc etc. I worried that I wouldn't follow the plan. That I would continue to to think I could educate myself and customize and tweak things for myself.
For me, getting mentally ready wasn't about food. It was about giving up control. About subjugating myself to a plan, not overthinking it, and just DOING it. Super hard for people like us! But there is a plan here.
In broad strokes, it's to eat between 600-800 calories, get at least 60 gms of Protein and drink at least 64 oz of Water. That's it. Don't question it. Try it.
Your doc is right, our metabolism isn't like that of people who have not yo yo'ed. Some studies suggest our metabolism is up to 40% slower! But there I go again--using my knowledge and science to justify something.
I don't need to. For once, I don't need to know. I don't need to be the expert. I just need to follow orders. As much as I HATE following orders, that's what I need to do. I don't even need to understand why, even though half my posts are all about why why why.
Your admission to the ER was due to a stricture and dehydration. Don't relate it to calories. Eat your Protein, drink your Water and keep your calories between 600-800 while losing. Just do it for a few months.
FYI, my husband is 6 tall, big burly man, was 298 at his highest, 278 DOS and is 225 now. Very muscular. And he follows the same plan as I do. Eat between 600-800 calories, get at least 60 gms of protein and drink at least 64 oz of water.
I hope I didn't sound harsh because I say this to you with love. Let go my dear, and let the plan take over.

My friend came to visit me early on in my 5 month stay at the hospital....She brought with her a bag of 3 shirts that she thought I would like to wear in the near future....2 things went through my muffled brain....first...that is not even nice...At my lowest I will never be that small....second...Wow she thinks I will get that small that I will be able to wear these tiny clothes someday....Remember I just got out of a coma so I was not thinking to straight...
My friend is small..She is a size 2...she brought me her clothes to wear in the future...I had been a tight size 6x up to this point....
Yesterday she asked me if I had ever tried on the clothes she brought to the hospital that day...I laughed and replied are you kidding it is going to take me a long time before I can wear those little shirts....She told me to go home and try them on....
This morning as a lark I took them out of the bag and had NO faith that they would even fit one arm let alone my size....Holy macaroni..
they fit...Even have a little room in them...
Could this person really be me.....Have I gotten to the size that I can wear some of my friends clothes....I am gob smacked!!!!!!!!!!

I remember being 2 weeks post op last October, still feeling sick, barely able to get Water down. Feeling weak and not sure if I made the right choice. Here we are, a year later and 104lbs lighter. My goal was to lose 60-80lbs because I'm not the overachiever type. I couldn't be happier with my results! I feel great! Have lots I energy and can pretty much handle all foods (except for steak, rice and potatoes) but, I'm fine with it. So before you think that you are having regrets, made the wrong decision or feeling like it won't work, understand that if I can do it, you can too

I would be demanding the paperwork she signed for the surgery, going through it with a fine tooth comb to see what they have to cover post-operatively. They have already determined there was a stricture - else they wouldn't have attempted to stretch her stomach. However, these are often repeated as it takes time to achieve it. Have they done a leak test? Have they x-rayed her to see if her stomach has twisted (become volvulus)? Personally and if it was me and based on the paperwork and symptoms? I'd be parked on their doorsteps until they did something. If they still resisted, I'd be seeking legal representation.
A simple blood test will tell them how malnourished she is.. which is not acceptable for as far out as she is... This smells a bit like palming you off until the 'cover' for the procedure has expired...
I'm sorry for your troubles, but get your legal eggs in order and then get some representation....
I wish your wife a very speedy recovery.

Well honestly, your regret seems to be based on the false assumption that most of the world has....that anyone can lose the weight if they just eat less and exercise more. And yet the statistics do not bare that out. Less than 10% of obese people are able to lose the weight and keep it off. It's not from a lack of trying by those people. Indeed most if not all of us tried and failed many many times.
There are many factors both psychological and physiological that make it improbable for most of us to lose the weight and keep it off. The surgery is not the easy way out. It's not a short cut and it's not cheating. It's a tool to help you overcome those obstacles unfairly put in our way....those obstacles that most non obese people know nothing about. Do not feel guilty and do not regret your decision. I am almost 18 months post op. I've lost my weight, started a new life and found many reasons for living that I never dreamed existed. Those things would not be any sweeter had I lost the weight without surgery.

Just joined this group!!! I'm getting sleeved in November, self pay.

Surgery went great. I fainted before tho.. But no talk of reduction of anesthesia fees!
now the hard part... Recovery.

My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 20th & this is also my 35th b-day!!!

I am November 26th. From Albuquerque, having surgery in El Paso at Las Palmas.

Hi,
My date is Noveber 20, 2013...I'm excited and nervous...how did your's go?

Hi . I'm Jan. Getting sleeved in TJ at the OCC Nov 25th. My starting weight was 345, got it down to 331 as of yesterday. I start the liquid diet on nov 7th, I am worried about the diet but know it is for the best. I am heading to TJ with 2 friends, we are all getting sleeved. We all play roller derby in northern Alberta, I can't wait to get this weight off so I can fly around the track!

Hi, November Sleevers.
Phillygal64 created a PRIVATE Facebook page if you're interested.
You can search: NOVEMBER SLEEVERS SUPPORT GROUP
or
you can private message Phillygal64 with your e-mail and she will add you to the group.
Hope to see you guys there!

So I am 12 days post op and feeling pretty good. This morning I had my first small victory. I passed my most recent lowest weight. My weight has gone up and down a lot over the years with different diet failures, but in the past few years the lowest I had ever gotten was 233 while doing a physician weight loss with phentermine last year. This morning I weighed in at 231.8! It's just one of those things that lets me know this is really happening. I have been feeling like I will never lose the weight I want to lose because I have failed so many times. I am now feeling like maybe I can really do this. Gonna rock this sleeve!
BTW- My stats are- Highest weight-270, Starting weight- 250.2, Surgery day weight- 242.9, Current weight-231.8