RellaBelle

The place I plan on going through only has a 2 night stay and you head home on the 3rd afternoon. A flight from Houston to San Diego is about 3 hours both ways but the only flights that I can find have a one hour layover in Phoenix. One hour from San Diego to Phoenix and then the last two from Phoenix to Houston. I did a search and saw that people recommended moving your legs and feet, getting up to walk and buying compression socks. Does anyone else have any other tips? The thought of blood clots makes me extremely nervous and I haven't really seen many people talk about the flight back home. Edit: Also, did anyone let their flight know ahead of time that they were going to be a surgery patient coming back so they could board earlier and get situated easier?

Thank you for the information . I've definitely seen several people mention not stocking up for post op so I will absolutely remember that. Those little storage cups are a great idea.

I'm trying to gather up as much extra information as I can because there's a possibility that I could have my VSG earlier than the estimated early August so don't hold back! 1] How long did your Dr ask you to be on the pre op liquid diet? I've seen/heard varying times between 2 weeks and a mere 3 days. 2] What were some of the foods that you swore by? 3] How did you maintain your sanity? What about post op? Was there anything in particular that helped you get by more than something else?

The place I'm looking at also only does 2 nights. One night at the clinic, one night in recovery then whisked back home on the third day.

Oh! I thought dumping was vomiting... it's clearly just what it sounds like. Thank you for clearing that up. And yes, I absolutely agree that she can't control herself.

I have 3 friends who had the VSG, only one dumps and it's because of how she eats. She eats things even though her stomach doesn't agree with it [too greasy, sweet, etc] and she doesn't stop when she is full. She has a pickle jar that she dumps into while she's eating at home. If we're out, she'll ask for a styrofoam cup or bowl and dump into but will continue to eat. I haven't gotten my sleeve yet but it really just seems to be a matter of listening to your stomach and steering clear of what upsets it... and not overeating.

This may seem like a really dumb question but has anyone tried using any of the "non flavored" protein powders with powerade zero, crystal light or anything like that?

I'm really excited about this place! I just talked to Ruben and he was so sweet and patient with my 8 million questions lol. I was surprised to find out how short the stay is. Just 2 nights! One in recovery, one at the recovery house and you're leaving on the third day. @@LewisD, are you bringing anyone with you? I know @@Chrissyg went alone and someone else stated on a different thread that they were bringing a companion but Ruben stated there is no room at the clinic and it costs an extra $40 for them to stay at the recovery house with you. Not a big deal since it's only one night there anyway. Edit: @@krazypisces.momma, did you go alone? I'm trying to find out what companions did as far as the accomodations for the first night if they came along?

Did anyone's PCP and/or surgeon in Mexico recommend a blood thinner routine before the procedure to help prevent blood clots? Just wondering

@@Chrissyg, I don't know if I just didn't see this part but did you go by yourself? I'm debating whether or not I want to take my husband with me.

Bumping this up... has anyone else gone with this Dr or decided to go? I've started looking back into VSG again and was going to stick with my previous decision of Dr Lopez through Specialized Bariatrics but if I can save money while still getting a quality Dr and care then I'm all for it.

Hey! Like the title says, I was wondering if there were any self pay or even Medicaid approved sleevers in Texas? Who did you go through and what did it cost? I've seen a post or two from people saying that they've seen some Houston places that charge what the Dr's in Mexico charge, anywhere from $4,200 to $6,500 but I've yet to see anything like that.

Not only that but you just joined and posted the EXACT same reply on two other posts...

Might want to try in the actual Mexico forum -- you may get more responses. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/486-self-pay-mexico-gastric-sleeve-surgery/ Do a search and you'll find plenty experiences

This bugs me because this person put the same reply on my post on Obesity Help about Dr. Lopez. I'll ask here as well: When did you have your procedure? Who was your coordinator? I'm still scheduled with Lopez but having second thoughts so I'd like a little more information. Who quoted your $1,000 for the repair? I was told it would be $500. Who did your procedure.. Lopez or Osuna? They only work together on high risk patients. Who were the patients that died and who was taken to San Diego via ambulance? What were the complications they had?? I don't understand how Specialized Bariatrics was leading you to Mexico Bariatric Center, they are two different companies. Please elaborate.

Thank you all SO much for replying with all of your experiences. I've never taken diet pills, not even Alli because I just don't trust them and you all have validated my distrust of them. I was just wondering because as I said in my post, a friend who had the sleeve is currently taking it and she seems to be doing alright. Though I will say with all of your experiences, I will steer clear. I have an appt with my PCP this coming Friday and I was wanting to speak with her about my weight and what options I had. I just moved to the area in Feb so I'll be meeting my PCP for the first time and will be immediately talking to her about my weight and what I would like to do [VSG]. I really don't like the sounds of the mind altering, mood altering effects that this medication seems to have on people. Not to mention needing to be weaned off of it once it is time to stop. I honestly did not realize it was an amphetamine. Yeah, definitely will NOT be partaking in that.

Not sure if anyone pays any attention to this forum but on the off chance someone does.. I was wondering if anyone has tried Phentermine as a weight loss tool and what their experiences with it were? I have a friend that has said if she knew about Phentermine before she had her VSG should wouldn't have had the procedure and just took her time using that product to lsoe the weight. I've read of the possible side effects and they are pretty unnerving.. though no more unnerving than the unknown of having surgery.

Thanks for replying everybody! And @@emc9521, it won't be necessary. I've decided on Lopez in Tijuana but thanks so much!

@@Sherri297, @megamoma. Did y'all need to contact Dr. Lopez after the procedure? If so, how hard/easy was it for you to contact him afterwards?

I was going to do the same thing. My Dr requires 2 weeks of 2-3 Protein drinks a day [the 3rd being a snack if needed] and a salad w/ 4 oz protein and low fat/fat free dressing. Followed by a clear liquid diet 3 days before my procedure. I've eaten similar to this before and was able to do it for almost 2 months so I was considering doing it again like you are, especially since most of my weight is in my stomach.

Whoa!!! I've got a year until my procedure and I can only HOPE to have success like this. Work it!

I was going to use Dr. Lopez in Puerto Vallarta but have since switched to going through Tijuana. Found out I could shave off $700+ by going there instead. I just moved from Baton Rouge to Houston this past Feb. Congrats on your procedure! How are you feeling @@home3253?

@@slimmindown, that's actually where I was looking . All the travel websites only go as far as June 2015, I'm not scheduled until July. I already have an idea of how much my ticket will be.. just thought it would be neat to see what deals people got and if they waited or just bought it immediately.

Just wondering because my whole plan was to call myself being slick and waiting until the month of my procedure to buy plane tickets to save some extra money. Of course, this is just for conversation and ideas for other people. My procedure isn't until July of NEXT YEAR so I'm not even thinking of a ticket right now. Example: Last month when just browsing to see how much tickets cost during different times a year, and also depending on how far in advance they were bought, a July plane ticket to San Diego was $600 instead of the now $400. An August ticket is still $600+. What's the longest you waited and what kind of deal did you get?

That's crazy how your tastes changes like that.. especially the sweets. I've already laid off of kool aid but I couldn't imagine not enjoying my pralines n' cream ice cream or debbie cakes... but it would be for the best so it wouldn't be a total loss. I wonder what it is about the sweets afterwards though.