healthbound1

My date is also Dec 4!! I'm excited and nervous. I'm terrified about the pre op diet and have been eating more lately (and gained a few lbs) in anticipation of it. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yay - we can PM each other to replace "drug-food" with venting

I love all this awesome support!!!! It's empowering me too Soooooooo..... I now have a confirmed date of Dec.4 with Dr Oritz!!!!! SO excited!!!!

It's official - I'm scheduled for Dec 4th. Yahooooo!!!!!

Hey ringo. I don't think you should cancel either, but what about postponing? Even just until January? I think the pre-op diet is meant to shrink your liver so the surgery can be performed. It sounds like you have enough time to get back on track but if you don't, I worry that you are putting yourself at risk I identify with food being your drug of choice. I am in the same boat. Just before I logged on, I was reading the 12x12 for OA. I am choosing to use this (along with my other supports) to help deal with the emotional, psychological and behavioral changes I will experience during this process. I also identify with sudden loss and having a lot of responsibilities. The surgery could be a welcome distraction but on the other hand if you haven't given yourself enough time to grieve, it might be extremely difficult to do that as well as cope with losing your "drug". I don't know how strong your addiction is but I assume we will go through some sort of grieving process since we won't be able to "use" food after surgery. Only you know for sure whether now is the right time or not. But just know that you have support here I was being considered for surgery here (in Canada - which means 100% covered) a couple years ago and about a month before my date, my surgeon pulled the plug. He said I wasn't ready. He didn't say I couldn't have it...he just said I wasn't ready at that time. I was devastated but he was right. I wanted to be ready, but I just wasn't. Looking back, I'm grateful for what he did, but at the time I was crushed. Now I am 100% ready now and feel much different. I know it is time. And it sounds like it's time for you too but...if it's not, it's ok to postpone for a few weeks or months. Long ramble...just wanted you to know that I related to what you wrote, and am here to support Respectfully, A surgery sistah.

Hi Everyone! How does the cost of your post-op supplements, food, shakes, bars etc. compare to the cost of food pre-op? I'm just looking at my long term budget and at first, I assumed I would save money on food because I wouldn't be eating as much. But then I realized how many shakes, bars and supplements I'd be consuming. Those are expensive. What is your experience? Thanks!

Thanks MBF and HG! I started reading your blog, Hoosier and it's great...thanks I'm still confused about which surgeon to go with. Every time I think I've settled on one, I change my mind! I am on a budget otherwise I would chose Dr Ortiz. Knowing this, I need to decide whether I should wait until I can afford Dr Ortiz or determine whether I feel comfortable going with one of the more affordable surgeons. My criteria for choosing is a combination of their assistant/coordinators, certifications/fellowships/designations, information available about them, feedback/reviews and price. Obviously, I want the best surgeon for the best price, lol. Anyhoooooo....I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Hello Fellow December Sleevers! Is everyone here going through insurance or are there any self-paying sleevers? I will be in MX during the first week of December (still finalizing my choice of surgeon and therefore date).

Awesome and inspiring! Thank you so much for posting!!!

Help :z I have been researching surgeons and facilities for a while now and am going cross-eyed, lol. I think I have finally narrowed it down to these 3: Dr Alejandro Lopez-Ortega Dr Ramos Kelly Dr Ariel Ortiz (I also really liked what I read about Dr. Ismael Cabrera Garcia but he isn't ASMBS certified) I'm looking for ANY feedback, information or experience you have regarding any of the above surgeons or the facilities they use (positive or negative). I'm hoping to book the surgery for the first week of December, so I need to make a decision soon and am hoping your replies will help me Thank you very much!!!

Awesome!!! Thanks for posting all the pics !

I'm so glad I found this thread! Thank you all for sharing your experiences I am very excited and nervous about finally deciding to get sleeve surgery. I and am almost certain I will go with Dr Ortiz. I am waiting to hear back about whether I can get in at the end of November or beginning of December. I will keep you all posted - and please let me know if anyone else is scheduled around that time!