SwanRose

Bandista, I get the sleeve on 4th August.

Just for fun What's the stupidest bit of weight loss advice you've been given by somebody who 'just doesn't understand'? A few years ago a guy I knew told me I should learn to play chess because it would teach me the mental discipline I needed to lose weight. He was an odd guy. He used the word discipline a lot in conversation - I never wanted to know why! Anyway, I told him chess is the most boring game in creation and I'd rather watch paint dry. (Apologies to any avid chess players out there.)

Candypants81, Why is it that so many people think it's never occurred to us to try to eat less or exercise? I've never understood this. The world is full of diet books, magazine articles and TV shows - and they think we haven't noticed?

Has anyone read Dr David Perlmutter's 'Grain Brain' book? I haven't read it yet, but saw his info show on PBS last weekend and he had some interesting things to say. The basic message is that we need healthy fats so shouldn't go for the extreme low fat diets, but that gluten is very harmful. My experience is that although I feel much better when I don't eat bread, it's the food that I crave the most - which could be a sign of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

It's a good idea to be as healthy and strong as possible before any kind of surgery, so I thought I'd look at ways to boost the immune system pre-op. I came across a Kindle ebook that free on Amazon right now, here's link http://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Antibiotics-Antivirals-Treatments-Restorative-ebook/dp/B00KXDLDX2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402936671&sr=1-2&keywords=herbal+antibiotics+and+antivirals It's about ways to boost immunity and fight infection using herbs. Not extremely well written, and possibly translated from another language, but there is some interesting information.

Thank you very much, everybody, for the encouraging words. You're all completely right - I should just go for it! I'm going to enter, and I'll run if I can, or walk, or a bit of both. They're not going to send me home in disgrace if I slow to a walk at times! I do swim and ride the stationary bike regularly, so hopefully I'll be able to build up enough stamina to see me through. One more quick question for you experienced runners/walkers - are you able to stay hydrated during exercise? Do you carry a bottle of Water around a course with you? (That seems like such an awkward thing to do.) We keep being advised to sip water all day, but it must be difficult when you're taking part in some event.

Hi, I'm getting my sleeve in Tijuana on 4th August. Only two people know about it - my husband and my best friend in the UK who I emailed about it. Both are 100% supportive, and I think I'm fortunate that I don't I don't need to tell anyone else. Feeling more excited than nervous - so far, anyway - and I'm making lots of plans for all the activities I'll be able to do later.

Hi All, I'm fairly new here, my sleeve surgery is booked for 4th August, my current weight is 270lbs and I need some opinions on whether I could possibly be fit enough to run a 5k by Thanksgiving? I'd love to have a fitness goal to work towards and there is a Turkey Trot in my town that includes a 5k run or walk. I'd love to enter but am not sure if I could be ready in the just over 16 weeks between surgery and run day. (I could walk but would rather run if possible.) Right now I can't even walk the dog for 20 minutes round the block without having to rest half-way. I don't get winded but I get such severe pain in my lower back I have to stop. Knees are okay though. Do you think I could lose enough and get fit enough for a 5k (either running or walking) in the time available? And would I be able to do enough in the first few weeks post-op to get ready for more demanding training? Thanks - all advice gratefully received. PS I just turned 60 and apart from the weight and back pain I'm in very good health.

Sparklingbeauty53, I can relate to this. I've been blessed with good health and no serious co-morbidities (though I realize without WLS they could be waiting for me around the next corner), but any time I've (temporarily) lost a bit of weight before on a conventional diet I've had people say things like "Oh you must feel so much better now." I always found remarks like this extremely patronizing. Who were they to assume that I felt bad before? Even worse are those who will say "Oh you must feel so much better about yourself now." Because, of course, I must have really loathed and despised myself before losing those pounds! Some people just have to talk down to you, it's in their nature, and even if they mean well it's very, very annoying. I used to join a group of ladies in our community pool for Water aerobics sessions but every single time I got in the water one woman would come over to me, pat me on the arm and say "You just do whatever you can, dear." I never had any trouble doing the exercises, but she assumed I'd be incapable. Needless to say, I prefer going to the pool by myself now. We have to put up with so much when we carry excess weight - being insulted by strangers, being misjudged as not very bright, even being misjudged as not very clean - but the thing I hate most is being condescended to.

Dredging the very depths of my 40+ year old schoolgirl Latin, I'd say: Haec et olim meminisse juvabit One day we shall laugh to remember even this.

I'm just seeing this at 11.32am Pacific - so you're underway right now! Sending positive vibes to you, and look forward to hearing how well it all went.

Congratulations, and what a fantastic idea! (Thinks: Wedding Anniversary just 3 weeks before surgery date ..... )

These are my babies. Sadie is a lab/water spaniel mix, adopted when she was 8 and she just turned 11 (but everyone says she still looks like a puppy!) She's the sweetest natured dog I've ever known, despite being abandoned as a puppy then having three adoptive homes before she came to us. She's NEVER going anywhere else. Seraphina just turned 12; we adopted her just before her 11th birthday. We were told she's a Ragdoll but her coloring doesn't seem to fit. She was handed in to the Rescue after 10 years in the same home. Understandably bemused at first, but she's very contented now. Our condo rules don't allow any more pets, but I long for a little Pug, even if it means moving house.

I'll be going to Tijuana alone for surgery on August 4th. I think there will be advantages to going solo - like being able to rest and have some quiet post-op time without my husband fussing round me. (He's super supportive, but I know he'll be nervous and I'd rather he wasn't being nervous in the same room!) I'd be happy to meet up with you if our surgery date/doctor/hotel co-incide.

Yes, I'm booked for August 4 with Dr Garcia in Tijuana. Can't come soon enough!

It's sad, but sounds to me like she's not so much your best friend as your best 'frenemy'. So long as you do nothing about your weight, she can feel okay for doing nothing about hers. Your surgery is upsetting her applecart and threatening her status quo. And if your surgery is the 'easy way out', why did she make enquiries about having it herself? Shouldn't she practice what she preaches and lose her weight the 'right' way? My guess is that once your weight loss is underway, she will find herself a new, overweight friend to eat with.

A family member of my husband's - someone of whom I was very fond - died recently, and I didn't attend the memorial service. I made some convincing excuses - it would mean leaving our pets unattended for too long, it was a hot day and I might get car sick on the long drive, etc- but the truth was I didn't want to be seen. Even in my smartest clothes I knew I'd look like a bag lady next to all the family and friends there. While my husband was gone for the day I had plenty of time to think about how my life was getting smaller and smaller as I got bigger and bigger. If I carried on like that, I realised I'd soon become a virtual recluse and I don't want a shut-in life! I started researching surgery the same day.

Here's link to an interesting article about preventing infection - http://www.rense.com/general78/hosp.htm In particular, #6 - a pre-surgery MRSA test. Maybe something to ask a PCP about.

Here's a link to a page that gives quick comparison of surgeons - http://www.mexicoweightlosssurgeons.com/ It doesn't give a great deal of information, but you can get a rough idea of price and surgeon experience.

I'm sure I've seen the sum of $8900 associated with Dr Alvarez, but can't remember where I've seen it. His website is http://www.endobariatric.com and it has some good information and a very thorough FAQ section, but no prices that I've found.

I saw a really useful tip on YouTube recently: Buy a set of collapsible silicone measuring cups and take the appropriate sized one (according to where you are in your post-op diet) to a restaurant with you in a baggie. Then you can measure out the food you want and put it on a smaller plate. The measuring cup gets collapsed, wrapped in a paper napkin and goes back in the baggie. I thought that was a very neat idea, so I'll be buying a set.

Naked on the table? Crikey! Well, that's a point against Garcia in my book. I assumed that in any operation only the part of the body being worked on is exposed, and the rest covered with sterile sheets. I agree that the nose covering is an issue too. There doesn't seem to be a single surgeon who ticks every box, at least not in my price range. If I had more money I think I might go with Dr Alvarez, because he sleeved his own mother and she seemed very happy about it. There's a thread on YouTube all about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvHS3YbRRUo One thing I like about Dr Quinones is that his website gives you the cost of the procedure. Not that it costs "from" this much, or 'contact us first then we'll tell you how much', but the actual cost, so you know where you stand. Thanks, I'll try contacting Santa Fe and/or Bill again.

Travelmego, Thanks for sharing this document, it's very helpful. I'm looking at the same price level as you - so far it's between Dr Quinones and Dr Garcia for me. I submitted the eligibility form on Dr Quinones' website (SantaFeMedicalGroup.com) over a week ago but haven't heard from them, which puts me off a bit as I think it would be good customer care to at least acknowledge your interest.

Thanks for all the input. There is some confusing information out there! Even the official government websites (US and Mexican) give some conflicting advice. From what I've read, it seems it's okay to fly from Mexico back to the US with a Green Card, but not necessarily okay to drive over the border. To be on the safe side I'm going to renew my British passport, which is a nuisance and will cost quite a lot, but better safe than sorry!