I will what I want

Did you fly? I always gain at least 5 pounds of Water weight just from the couple of hours on the plane. I wouldn't be surprised if driving did the same thing. I'll bet that in a week the scale will go back down. Hugs. Shellie

I've been on Viacodin for the last couple of weeks and I notice that I'm not hungry (because I have shingles and ugh it's awful) but then I get loopy from the pain meds and then I start eating. It's really weird. Makes me think that narcotic pain meds will not be a good idea for me post - op.

Once, back in one of those windows of "normal weight," I told my pcp that my husband and I were doing IVF treatments to get pregnant. This guy says to me, " have you tried wearing a school girl outfit...that might really get your husband going..." Never went back to him again. In retrospect I should have filed a complaint with the medical board.....

When I've run into someone so insensitive, I've found it helpful to remember that what they say to me is just an indication of the kind of things they hear in their own head about themselves all the time -- some call it the "inner critic". Can you imagine living with that 24/7? Be glad you don't have to! Im sorry they were so hurtful. Completely uncalled for. ~hiddn

So true. And what they are saying to themselves is likely even 1,000 times worse. Doesn't excuse their bad behavior - just helps make sense of it.

He is probably sweating at the thought of loss of income and is speechless.

If this were the US, I'd say he is lawyering up. Have no idea how it works in Mexico or with out of country clients.

I'm August 6th. Curious if anyone else has a pre-op balloon requirement? In addition to the pre-op liquid diet, I'm supposed to blow up 30 balloons a day for two weeks. I understand the reasoning behind it but was surprised as I haven't seen it mentioned in the forums and I've been doing a ton of reading.

This is weird - the Baja Bariatrics website has this blurb under "our coordinator" :

"Omar is a certified, experienced Facilitator, based in EU. Omar has many experience as a health facilitator, he is dedicated to helping you safely travel for medical services, he will be happy to help and support you in your weight loss journey in Tijuana Mexico."

Isn't EU universally accepted as an abbreviation for European Union? And what is this certification? Perhaps it's all just poor English and auto-correct. Still weird though...

You might consider a medically supervised weight loss fast like HMR. The weight will come off very quickly. I lost 80 pounds with them in only a few months many many years ago. I am having WLS because I'm tired of the yo-yo and it didn't help me keep weight off but I would do it in a heart beat if it men to could get life-saving surgery. My best to you. Don't give up!!!

Here is their website: http://www.hmrprogram.com/

I would go to Dr. Illan again and again and again. I would send my family to him with no hesitation or apprehension. Since you guys are so into name calling so I will call you the Susan fan girls. In her first post she did say she will take Dr. Illan down too...which sounds vindictive to me. I am a Dr. Illan fan girl, groupie or whatever you kids want to label me. And for the record, Susan, you didn't answer one (not one) of those questions asked to you. Because I, for one, would like to know the answers to those questions specifically. If you want to be the big savior of all mankind you better expect to have to answer the tough questions. You put someone's laundry out to air you better expect to account for yours.

For the record, I always refrain from name-calling, shaming and blaming. Always. Check my posts.

Further, I stated that Omar is a felon. That is a fact; I read it after a 30 second web search on his

name. He is a convicted felon and can never return to the US. That is a fact of his life, not name calling. To insinuate otherwise is superfluous; the facts are recorded by US Federal judge. Need a metaphor? You are suggesting I am rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic when really, I'm on another boat yelling across the bow, "The Titanic is sinking!"

Also, Susan answered all your questions quite

some time ago. So before you hit send on your next rant, perhaps read the thread.

Finally, here's my rant...for you and everyone else...if you are going to participate in this or any thread, for the love of sweet Jesus (that's for you MR), please:

1. Try to keep up. Don't ask the same question over and over, unless you are attempting some kind a bad cross-examination, hoping for some kind of slip-up. Note the emphasis on bad. Because if that's your tactic, your strategy is doomed from the start.

2. Use your best grammar. (I'm not a wordsmith by any means, but I use my college writing skills to form a cogent sentence even if I have to rewrite it a couple of times.) Also, slip the profanity. You just look dumb and uneducated.

3. Check your privilege. - google it if

need be....

4. Check your hippocracy: Are you lashing out and saying it's okay to yell

At strangers on the interwebs because someone else lashed out first? Remember... It doesn't matter who started it...it matters who ends it.

(And I'm speaking her to the shaming, blaming, and finger pointing...not the actual content of this thread)

5. Don't force others to take sides. I'm not on team Susan or Team Omar. I *am* a stand for the women who feel victimized. I *am* a stand for all people telling their stories without shame or blame. (Which includes standing up for a

Woman who had a very enjoyable sexual relationship with Omar and who was getting slut-shamed on this site.

Peace out! Shellie

You'll find them every where! The real trick is to not let them get away with it! It is up to you to walk out and or b***h slap them in the head....No but you can picture it and laugh in front of her/him! And then turn serious and walk the hell out..Then make the calls and call him/her a rat bastard! Did I say that!?

Reminds me of the felony judge I worked for and knew 40 years. His court clerk was caught in our jury room naked and engaged. No second chance. OUT OF HERE and never come back. Was not a felon. Dammit, there is still common sense and decency in this world.

It begs the question...where else is the Doc making poor choices and do you want a doc who will overlook a felony operating on you? Who else does he employ with a record? The guy who sets up the surgical suite? The gal who cleans? There was another thread awhile back in which folks were concerned about the doc covering his face and nose during surgery....real concerns, of course...and is nothing compared to hiring felons.

Ps - before anyone freaks out about my stance...I do believe everyone should have the chance to start over...I just don't think that chance should be with a surgeon or any other medical provider. At my core, I'm a bleeding heart liberal...and even we bleeding hearts have lines not to cross.....at least this one does!

I have been reading this thread from the beginning .. I'm not new , I didn't have surgery in Mexico.. All this fighting is crazy... All that matters is that people know to be careful of Omar's advances and not to fall into a relationship with him either .. I don't believe Susan or anyone ever said "dont go to dr illan" ?? If you want to go then go. He seems like a good surgeon.. Just go with the knowledge of Omar's antics. Simple as that .. That's what this post is for .. A warning about Omar. Yes if Dr Illan knows this information it's kind of sad on his part , but that doesn't affect his operating skills!!!

I would take great pause in going to a surgeon that employs a known felon.

Pots meet kettles X 10

How old are you right now? Reminds me of my 7 year olds.... Pots meet kettles x infinity + 1 = you all are insane. That's my math and I'm sticking to it!

I'm going to tell you all something that happened to me this weekend. This Whitney girl, under "someone's" direction I believe, hacked my Facebook account and made a fake profile of me and sent out some very nasty telling messages to family members. She titled her message "important family information" and this was even sent to 2 of my husbands grandchildren. I am going to seek legal advise about this but I just want people to know what type of person I and others are dealing with here.

Wow! I'm so sorry! I've never had that happen, although I once got a FB warning that someone was trying to access my account from 3,000 miles away. So I can learn from your experience, how do you know who it was that hacked your account. I totally believe you, btw. I'm just wondering how you figured it out. Shellie

Here are my Before & Afters! I weighed 258 pounds in my before pic, and about 140 pounds in my after pic. I am 14 months post-op!

Your username is bombshell2be....I think it's time you changed...'cause honey you are a bombshell.

This is my first time posting pics, so I hope it works.. The first picture breaks my freaking heart. I'm so sad for myself... Hiding a double chin behind a kitten. I look unbearably miserable. But on a positive note, I have to give a big shout-out to my supportive hubby. He's dieted (larger portions lol) and exercised with me. I couldn't enjoy the success and attitude I've had without him by my side. He starts with a personal trainer of his own today, and I'm bursting with pride. He's lost 50+ lbs already, and we're both feeling great.

Awe honey...I've got so many pictures of myself where I am so freakin' sad...I totally relate. You look so beautiful now and the happiness just radiates from you! Also, you have such cute clothes!!!!

You know you have lost weight when....you go to reach for a towel to dry your hands and your ring goes flying off! Tried to tell my husband it was time for a new bigger ring in a smaller size and he didn't go for it....stuck with resizing.

Good try! Lol...

To be clear - I support everyone telling their story and no one being blamed or shamed for that story. The name calling etc does no one any good. What I'm pointing to is that in your experience you were not taken advantage of by Omar. Others feel like they were victimized by him. Your positive experience does not negate their negative experience. And vice versa.

BTW Bwhite, you had sooooooooooooo much fun with Omar as you say. Have you had your HIV test yet?

That's not fair! She can have sex with whoever she chooses and your comment is shaming. It might not be your choice...but it's hers and really, you don't have any say in the matter.

If you look up his convictions, the only conviction he has is that he is an illegal that was trying to stay with his family in the US. He was convicted of felony charges for being an illegal in 2006/2007. He served his time and has been in Mexico ever since. Everyone on this board should judge him based on that. There is nothing more to these accusations. The "groupies", "current women of the month", "passioned patients", "fanclub" should be done with this thread. Everything they say is being discounted, bashed and bullied by people that are incapable of seeking the actual truth and believing no name supposed women that very easily and recently created profiles just to stir the pot for this website's profit.

You are missing the point. Three women have given testimonials to their experience. You can not argue that their experience is not their experience... The people who had excellent experiences are free to make their testimonials as well. That is what is true for them.

To say people who are pointing this out are "incapable of seeking the actual truth..." is disingenuous. It's actual the other way around. I can allow that 100s of people have had great - life changing experiences with Dr Illam and Omar. And can also allow that at least three women have had bad experiences. Life and people are messy. It can be both good and bad at the same time. Confusing? Yes. And it's reality.

I am sorry to hear that Omar has a record for wanting to be with his family. The US has a mess on its hands with immigration with no easy solutions. I know and love many people in the US without papers. Unfortunately, that still makes him a felon and still raises red flags that a surgeon - especially a skilled surgeon - would have a felon on staff. Again, if others have no problem with it - then by all means go to Dr Illam. However, this info needs to be out there so people can make a choice.

I kinda understand where you're coming from. My date is August 18th...but I just can't get excited. I've been waiting two years for approval, and it very nearly didn't happen at all because of my cancer diagnosis midway through the process. Now I'm dealing with hearing loss, and the struggles entailed with that. I'm just going day by day right now. I don't think I will believe it until I wake up and they tell me it's been done. THEN I can move ahead with life and start to actually believe that it is possible for me to be healthy again. *hugs*

Urbanlamb - I am so sorry you are dealing with so much! I'm in the same camp of not quite believing I can be healthy again. I've for some autoimmune stuff going on and at the moment recovering from Shingles...so I think that's got me a little down. I also have young kids - who are

Amazing and perfect - so all my energy right now goes to taking care of them. My house and career are on a bit of hold. I'm sending you lots of healing thoughts and energy. Thanks for your response! Shellie

Maestrita, you wrote, " I did defend Omar. He's not a saint, but he's not who's been painted here. He's had a hard life, and he's made some bad choices, but he's not a predatory, either. "

So why is it you don't believe the experiences of the three women who posted in this thread? In a thread you started back in January you rightfully asked people to respect your experience of not being informed by your doctor about the complication rate with the band. You were right in that thread to defend your own experience and I applaud you for standing up for your experience. However, in that same line of thought, it is hypocritical of you to now disavow the experiences of these women for whom he is a predator - and for you to say otherwise is just like the people who jumped all over you about being upset about your experience with the band. You can't argue with their experience. Please don't let your survival mechanism get the better of you - you are a teacher and have a history in law enforcement - you are clearly smart and well educated. Something about this has gotten you personally hooked. If you had a great experience with Dr Illam and Omar, the experiences of these women don't diminish you or your great experience. I hope you find some clarity and peace around your friendship with Omar.

People who are considering having surgery with Dr Illam have a right to know his coordinator is a felon. It brings into question the wisdom and clarity of thought he uses to run his practice. For some it may make no difference at all. For me, I would never use a doctor who employes a felon.

Having problems with app - sorry for duplicate post.

I had this while I was pregnant with twins. I did find relief using a bed vibrator - Think magic fingers from the motel rooms in the 1970s. Weird, I know, and the only thing that worked.

Something else to consider, RLS is considered a sleep disorder, so you might try a sleep clinic/doctor. They will likely have more insight than anyone else.

Please keep us posted! Shellie

Although direct contact of the NSAID with your stomach can cause localized irritation, it is the systemic action of the NSAID that causes ulcers and gastric bleeding. The very mechanisms that reduce inflammation also inhibits the mucosal lining from doing it's job to protect the stomach. This is true of both Cox 1 and Cox 2 inhibitors, but by different pathways. So NSAIDS in any form (oral, sublingual or injectable) would all have the same systemic effect. Aspirin, in fact, is so good at causing ulcers that researchers used to administer aspirin to test subjects in order to induce ulcers so they could study and develop ulcer treatments. How much and for how long you can safely take NSAIDS without causing ulcers is debatable and probably varies greatly between individuals. So although I have a medical alert necklace, and I keep traumeel and arnica on hand for aches and pains, I would probably take an Advil or two if something REALLY hurt! My surgeon actually sends his patients home with a 5 day supply of a sublingual NSAID. He explained that the benefit of reducing the surgical inflammation in the stomach and abdominal incisions greatly outways the risk of ulcers over such a short period of time.

That's a great explanation Kindle, thanks.