Travelmego

Where is your evidence for your statistic that 99% of us are fat for being lazy? That obesity is a disease called laziness?

Oh wait, how about just under General Weight Loss. They have Medications, Rants and Raves, etc. under that. I didn't realize those were under the main general heading. I think Don't sweat the Stall stuff (if that is picked) would do just fine there.

I haven't had surgery yet but will report back after I do. In the meantime, I suggest checking out the facebook group Team Illan to talk with a lot of former and future patients of his.

Ok, I was looking over the subforums page. I am suggesting it be placed in General Surgery forum >Food and Nutrition > and placed right below Post-op questions and above Protein, Vitamins and supplements. What do you guys think? Man, I hope I am ok when I get a stall but I could end up being the most prolific poster on that forum.

Aww Jill, it's all going to be ok. We are right here with you and supporting you in whatever you decide. You are not alone.

I was all ready to comment on the excellent advice in this article, but the last comment was so touching that I forgot what I was going to say. You are lucky to have your wife and family, and I think they are lucky to have you. Bless.

Right cuz after all - everyone who is fat is just lazy and pigs out. Thanks for promoting that stereotype. Hey, why not promote another one - how people don't need bariatric surgery -if only they would get off the couch. My next comment is self-censored out of respect for forum terms of service.

I like that lipstick! I vote for Don't sweat the stall stuff. Kindle - perfect idea. What section should it be in? Maybe Alex or a moderator can go and move all the stall posts scattered all over the place to that forum.

My entry is Stall Talk. That might be kind of boring though. How about Bang Your Head Here. Perhaps we should make it for slow losers too. @@LipstickLady @@Kindle This is on you two. I came up with the suggestion (ideas person) and it is up to you guys to implement it. xoxox

Aussiegirl, someone posted the phone numbers to the 3 hospitals he lost privileges at in another thread. I don't know where. You can call them and ask about the situation yourself. I would like to hear the results. The one person just confirmed that he lost them but didn't say if she asked why or if they would say.

Ok, great @@woo woo - really appreciate that. I wonder if qualifying means you have a hernia and can have part of the cost offset by insurance that way. I am going to check it out. I won't change my surgeon now - still going to Mexico - but I would love to know the details.

I think having a stalls forum would serve two good purposes: 1. It would collect information about stalls in one location so people in a stall can find ideas to break them. It would be very easy for them to converse with other people in the same situation and be comforted that it is not just them. 2. It would allow those not in a stall to have a break from stall talk. Ohhh! That's a perfect name "Stall talk" < I'm a genius.

I don't think the docs in Mexico require nearly as much as they do in the USA. When I asked my pcp for referrals for the same tests that a bariatric surgeon in the usa asks for, he was happy to provide them but said that most of it is cover your rear testing. That's fine with me! So, I am getting a sleep apnea test, echo-cardiogram, ekg, pulmonary test, ultra sound of liver, and gastroectomy. I also want to have these tests so I can compare before and after. What is a pre-op vascular exam? I will see about adding that. What is the exact name I should ask for?

Did the coordinator tell you he has not done any on his own without Dr. Aceves?

Oh yea, someone said she took a power strip with her and that she used it a LOT to charge computer and phones at same time. Someone also suggested a light jacket because it can get cold at night. Maybe a little tube of suntan lotion. What not to take: I would leave anything dear that you would hate to lose at home like wedding ring, also anything that could be a hassle to replace like extra credit cards, keys, etc.

I suggest making a sub-forum just for people to talk about stalls. It is a big issue that constantly comes up everywhere.

That was addressed to woowoo who said 4 - 5.

I think it was Kindle who reminded you about the extra cash for tips. Bring small bills for tipping the bell hops, housekeeping, driver to and from the airport, the wheelchair/cart person at the airport if you choose to have a wheelchair/cart post surgery, etc. Just so you know, most people tip their coordinators (if they are in Mexico with them) at the end of the trip. For the group with my surgeon, people usually tip the coordinator $100.00 - some more and some less. He apparently goes above and beyond and takes people sightseeing and everything. So, if your coordinator is there with you a lot and helping you out - you might want to consider a good tip for them. So, like $100 for the coordinator and another $100 in small bills for smaller tips with other people and incidental purchases. I don't think we can bring drinks (over 3 oz.) on the plane unless we buy them after going through security. Perhaps the airport has powerade in one of the convenience stores. I think liquid medications with proper documentation are exempt from the 3 oz. rule but I am not sure on that. The idea of bringing stuff to mix in water is a good idea. I think the hospitals and hotels give you bottled water to drink.

A sturdy duffle bag stuffed into your carry on bag in case you decide to buy souvenirs and such that won't fit into your carry on and need to check a bag. That way you don't have to buy a bag while in Mexico. Audio books! Possibly liquid pain medication. I have heard they don't really do narcotic pain meds down there. I plan to take some with me just in case - and only take it with Dr.s permission of course. One lady, who did not go to the surgeon I chose, said she was miserable without pain medication and mad they didn't give it to her. That said, most people seem to do just fine with whatever they give down there. I've forgotten what it is called. The reasoning for not giving them is sound - for safety, they want to know if you feel pain beyond normal. I can understand that but the lady was so miserable I have decided to take some with me.

@@woo woo Where have you seen these specials of 4 - 5k in the USA. I would like a link if you have one. What is included in their packages? Do you stay over in the hospital or is it same day discharge?

Sooo, you would rather go with the worst surgeon in the USA than the best surgeon in Mexico? Not me.

And likewise, I hope you reconsider your blanket condemnation of getting surgery outside of the USA. That is what I would like to hear. Cheers!

1. I thought the surgery would not be covered by my insurance. Turns our the bypass is but not the sleeve. I want the sleeve. I figured it would be way too expensive to self pay. Then i saw the post about affordable surgery in Mexico, I had no idea that was even an option. Once I figured out it was and that I could afford that route, I wasted little time in researching, finding a surgeon and scheduling. I am still pre-op. 2. Things that concerned me most were quality of life post surgery. I want this surgery so I can get off medicine (diabetes etc.). I didn't want to be stuck taking meds for mal absorption -hence choosing the sleeve. I also didn't want to condemn myself to eating little meals and end up not being able to keep the weight off even with a reduced stomach.It just seemed stupid to me to end up fat again with a restricted stomach. If I were going to be fat again anyway - darn it I want to eat a full sized meal! I guess that was my last little mental hurdle - not being able to eat a full sized meal.. Realistically, I shouldn't be doing that anyway because of sugar issues. I guess in my dreams I could lose the weight on my own, beat diabetes, and then eat all the junk I want and still be skinny without diabetes. Absurd. I have reminded myself that I can actually occasionally eat my 'favorite meals' someday but spread it out over 3 or 4 meals instead of one. I learned to do it to control sugar issues and it was fine.

Ratings websites are often created by the people with the highest ratings on them. Be leery. Look for personal feedback from many sources.

@@Jersrose43 I have limited amount of money in the time frame I have available to me to get this surgery. After this summer, I am committed to projects and will not have the time needed to recover available to me. If I could raise another 5 or 10 or 20 k before my time frame ran out, then I would consider surgery in the USA. I would also consider Mexico. Why would I want to pay double, triple or 5 times as much when I can get high quality surgery for less? I don't think a surgeon being in the USA automatically qualifies him or her as better than all surgeons in Mexico. Again, I will not accept blanket condemnation of all Mexican surgeons, nor will I accept blanket praises. I will add that I do not accept blanket praises of all American surgeons either.