Scorpion11

I don't think it's that BariatricPal doesn't "support" him, just that they haven't partnered up to offer special pricing to BariatricPal members. Not all surgeons are going to pursue those sorts of partnerships.

We absolutely inspect every facility we use prior to sending our members there. Dr. Almanza and his staff made promises to make some major but very necessary changes and he didn't keep up to his end of the bargain. If we can't trust a surgeon to keep their word, we most definitely can't trust him with our members lives!

At BariatricPal, we are committed that our patients receive the most comprehensive and complete care for Pre-op and Post-Op follow-Up care.
All of our Bariatric surgeon partners have to follow BariatricPal's strict patient care and follow-up guidelines. We have these guidelines in place to ensure your safe and professional medical care.
It is our guarantee that you will receive personal care from your surgeon as well as all medical protocols required to assure your weight loss surgery and recovery before you return to the US or Canada.
Upon reinspection of the facilities and medical protocols with Dr. Mario Almanza and Hospital de La Mujer y el Nino we are not able to continue our Relationship with Dr Mario Almanza.

Im only 3 months out but am already starting to save up to get so "alterations" now that I am 81 lbs down and only 50 lbs to go. I was hoping someone would tell me not just their experience and what to prepare for, but also share how much to save up. If you have a price list even better

Everything I'm reading is the quality of the surgeons vary WIDELY. Choose the surgeon well, not the price point. You are going to be in compression garments for a while. It hurts worse than the sleeve and you are highly restricted in movement for 3 weeks or longer. Best tip was rent and adjustable hospital bed to aid recovery during those three weeks.
I don't know your age, but the more muscle you can add the better. Lots of Water and Protein to minimize lose skin. Moisturize, stay out of hot Water, and tanning beds. Give your skin the best chance you can to get its act together. If it doesn't, well you are at least in a better position to deal with plastics.

I had plastics in Mexico in 2011. I stayed in a recovery house in Tijuana for two full weeks after. They had 24/7 nursing staff, prepared and provided all my meals, had adjustable hospital beds that made it much easier for me to get up and down, raised toilet seats with handles, and walkers to help with getting around since you won't be able to stand upright for a while. The even provided zip-up robes and slippers, so I barely had to bring any clothing with me! I highly recommend this route if you are having plastics in Mexico. I can't IMAGINE being sent bake to a hotel just a day or two post-op and left to fend for myself.
I had an extended Tummy Tuck, breast lift with augmentation, fat grafting to my butt, and all-over Lipo. I was completely helpless. I needed the nurses for getting in and out of bed, using the toilet, showering... It is a MUCH MUCH MUCH more major surgery than WLS. You need to understand that when going into it. You will be in pain like you can't imagine. If you have a tummy tuck, you have to understand that there is extensive damage and trauma to your muscles and nerves and all of your lymphatic channels are severed. Those things take months to heal. Nerves take YEARS to heal. I would say it was a good 2+ years before my phantom itching and numbness went away.
Now with all of that said, 4+ years out, I am completely THRILLED with my results and so happy I did it. It is rough, but certainly worth it in the end.

I wish I had advice for better energy. I have been fortunate that as the pounds come off my energy goes up.
Wish I were so lucky with hair loss. I have been taking Biotin (1000mg, 2x per day). For the first ~4 months I really thought it was helping. My hair seemed to be getting thicker (?) than it had been before Biotin. Starting at ~5months post surgery my hair started coming out in handfuls. I have such thin hair now that my scalp shows through. I don't love it but feel like it may get better as my weight loss slows down and I get closer to my goal.

I am 7 months post op . I was losing my hair like crazy and often felt fatigued. To help, I make sure I am getting my Protein in( I still do a shake per day) and get all of my Vitamins. At 6 months the Hair loss slowed down majorly and over the last month my hair is starting to grow back. I have short hair sticking up all over my head. I was really concerned about the hair loss feeling like it was excessive, but now it is coming back nicely. My doctor told me at 6 months it would slow down and it did. Keep up the good work!!

Scorpion11,
I completely understand. I have to REALLY push myself to get out of bed and go to work. I'm tired most of the time. I had more energy a few weeks after surgery than I do now. I do work out--have to really push myself to do that too. I go to the pool for exercise, since I pay a pretty penny every month for a gym membership. I go 3 days a week in the pool--30 minutes of aerobic activity in the pool and about 15 minutes of toning and stretching. I think I'm so tired all of the time because I'm only getting in a few hundred calories a day, I'm getting all of the 60 g. of Protein required and the 64 oz. of Water. I just CANNOT fit any more food. I'm 6' tall and I really think the fatigue is because I can only eat a few hundred calories a day. I take all the required vitamins/supplements as well. Can't wait until the weekend when I'll be able to sleep in.
I haven't had hair loss YET. I'm dreading that. I only wash my hair every other day, when I work out in the pool. I wet my hair and apply conditioner before I get in the pool. I've tried various swim caps but none are large enough for my long hair and big head.
I wish you luck. I'm hoping eventually I'll be able to consume me calories and my energy level will come back up.
Blessings,
Kathleen

I had surgery 11/19/13 I am 42 and 5'4. I started at hw282 in July. I lost 30 pounds before my preop diet, 13 pounds on the diet, I have lost 36 pounds since surgery sw 239 cw 203. Our stats are very similar. I have not had any noticeable Hair loss yet. I am working out like crazy that is our one big difference. I am in the gym 3-4 days a week for 1-2 hours. I would be there more but life intervenes. I am averaging 900-1000 calories but working most of them off in the gym. I was in a 22-24 and in a 16 probably would fit a 14 now . No fatigue issues here but I do sleep than I probably ever have.

Oh geez I am sorry I forgot to add maybe adding some kind of exercise that you can manage with your knee. Chair aerobics or swimming believe it or not may help you develop more energy than you have now.

@@BitterSweet* that's all excellent to know! I definitely can point to the paint with one finger (and on a scale of 1-10, the pain is only like a 1, it's just that when we think of our chests, it's easy to freak out!). Anyway, I've been fine the past few days, and I see my surgeon on Friday. I will indeed bring it up, but I don't think I need to see anyone asap.

I have to say, I've actually been feeling a lot better since I've been working out this week. I'm still having weird fleeting pains in odd places, but since I can survive a workout, I'm not so worried about dropping dead all of a sudden. I'll mention it to my surgeon when I see him next week though, along with the weird headaches I've been having.

It's always better to be cautious and seek help if you are really concerned......that being said, if you can point to where it hurts on your chest with one finger, it's not your heart. True chest pain is very difficult to ignore. As we get older, everyone gets premature ventricle contractions (PVCs) and some people can actually feel them when they occur; that may explain your feeling. If you are dehydrated and change your position (sitting to standing etc), your heart rate will speed up to sort of catch up and compensate for a low blood pressure (due to dehydration). That can also cause a weird or funny feeling. Lastly, reflux will create a funny feeling that can be misconstrued as chest discomfort. Trust your instincts when you really feel like something is wrong.

My wife and I have set our sites on having Dr. Quilici do both of our VSG procedures in November and January respectively. Anyone have any further insight or experience with the good Doctor. So far, I'm pretty comfortable with the process.

This is who I'm going to, and I really like his office. He's really straight forward, and IMO you don't get to spend much time with him. That's fine, I need a good surgeon, not a friend. Everyone in his office has been extremely nice and helpful, this far. My surgery is scheduled September 5th with him.

Friday 10.17.14
214

Friday, 9/26
Weighed in at 217

Friday, 9/19/14
Weighed in at 217

Friday, 9/12/14
Weighed in at 218

Friday, 9/5/14
CW 219
Goal 206

Monday, 8/25/14
Weighed in at 220 today!!! : )

Congratulations Alex!!! 11 years kept off and maintaining!! That's outstanding!! Great job!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for others as much as for yourself and creating this website and app! It's truly helped me from the beginning to this day on my sleeve journey.
Your truly inspiring and motivating to so many of us!
Thank you again for all you've done for our WLS community!!
Best wishes and keep up the fabulous and successful journey you started 11 years ago!!

Gomekast, thank you for all your time and creating another new challenge for us, it really keeps me motivated!!! Much appreciated!!! Please add me to this challenge!!

Am 57. No wrinkles, no droopy neck YET. (Too fat!) I am wondering what will become of my face and neck after surgery. I am 265; my doctor said he wants me to get to 160. (I am 5'4".) Anyone with similar stats, age? I am wondering if I might have to get a small facelift later and if anyone knows what that costs. I know it sounds vain but in the workplace, women are judged so harshly...