lauriev

I do not have experience with the procedure you are having, but I have done my surgery and didn't even tell my husband. He went to Chili the week after I had my surgery and he still hasn't figured out what is going on in my world. I told a couple of people at work but that is it. I have been able to keep things at a minimum by telling people I had my gall bladder removed, just a minor omissioin as I did have my gall bladder removed. Most people think this is why I have given up bread, rice, Pasta, fat...etc and then I just tell them that the liquid diet I did right after surgery must have made my stomach smaller and that's why I don't hardly eat anything any more. I eat a lot of Soup at lunch when we go out and take my lunch if we don't have vendors in.
Now, that said. I didn't have any complications and was back at work three days later. I went out and walked the dogs and was getting around with no issues. If you have any issues it may not be easy to keep things a secret. I can tell you that I went out to lunch with some co-workers at three weeks out and ate something that didn't agree with me - while I don't think it was super obvious, I had to high tail it to the bathroom!!!! You need to be prepared for situations like that if you keep this a secret.

I guess I never really thought about that....and let me also add that when I didn't tell my husband, we are in the middle of a divorce and he would just judge saying I was getting surgery so I could get skinny and find a new man - NOT what I am doing at all....so while we are technically still married, we are not really in a relationship.

I do not have experience with the procedure you are having, but I have done my surgery and didn't even tell my husband. He went to Chili the week after I had my surgery and he still hasn't figured out what is going on in my world. I told a couple of people at work but that is it. I have been able to keep things at a minimum by telling people I had my gall bladder removed, just a minor omissioin as I did have my gall bladder removed. Most people think this is why I have given up bread, rice, Pasta, fat...etc and then I just tell them that the liquid diet I did right after surgery must have made my stomach smaller and that's why I don't hardly eat anything any more. I eat a lot of Soup at lunch when we go out and take my lunch if we don't have vendors in.
Now, that said. I didn't have any complications and was back at work three days later. I went out and walked the dogs and was getting around with no issues. If you have any issues it may not be easy to keep things a secret. I can tell you that I went out to lunch with some co-workers at three weeks out and ate something that didn't agree with me - while I don't think it was super obvious, I had to high tail it to the bathroom!!!! You need to be prepared for situations like that if you keep this a secret.

I was in the same place as you are now. That's when I met Stacy with Bariatric Pal Team MX. She talked to me about surgery in Mexico and let me know that the stigma that is attached is not true. I loved that Stacy and Bill lived there and knew the doctor's and hospitals. I knew they had actually lied eyes on things and could tell me the ends and outs of the Mexico Medical Tourism. I paid less than$5000.00 including my plane tickets. Best decision I have ever made! The support system is awesome! The preop and post op care is amazing! I couldn't believe that the whole experience was so great!
You will know when the time is right for you. Do your research. Talk to different people about their experiences. Know what your getting into. It's not easy. food is no longer comfort. I eat to live not live to eat. I was sleeved 3/8. If you have any questions just message me.

Sleeved on 12/15, 443lbs on the day of surgery. Today 377. Pretty frickin happy so far. Taking in 90-100oz of Water a day and 80-90g of Protein. Best decision of my life.

Sleeved 12/1. .
That was the morning of surgery.

That was last week.
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My coffee is one of the major ways I reach my Protein goals. I could NEVER tolerate shakes. I just could not get them past my nose. I mix1/2 scoop of unflavored Protein Powder, 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder in a large mug of coffee every morning with fat free french vanilla creamer and Splenda. It is one of the best mocha beverages I have had. Even more than 2 years out, I still start my day with a cup every day. I'm already looking forward to my morning cup tomorrow just thinking about it.

I was a major coffee/caffeine drinker and now that I am coffee free I have been able to satisfy my cravings by taking the chocolate Premier Protein shake ( the entire bottle) and a cup of Decaf with a tablespoon of sugar free caramel and shaking it over ice, it is very tasty - another option is to take fair life 2% milk and heat it in a milk frothier, I use 8 oz and 8 oz of decaf along with a tablespoon of sugar free caramel- this is a hot tasty latte and it has 13 grams of Protein - hope this helps

I make a frapuccino with chocolate Protein powder, black coffee, skim milk and ice. It's even better than sbux!!!
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Hi. I've used the vanilla as coffee Creamer, but not with the whole shake.
Another idea is to add instant Decaf to the shake. That's pretty tasty and you still get your whole shake in.
In time, you'll be able to do both. Don't worry!!

not going to lie, I do happy hours now w/alcohol, I waited until 3 months post op to include it.. prior it was Water, tea or coffee .. zero beer's but a mascoto or zinfandel works just fine and sip on it for 2hrs. friends have commented how I drink my alcohol slower, but I tell them it helps with weight loss

46 lbs since December 1st I totally understand because I don't want to give up that part of myself either. You don't have to, just takes a little more planning is all. Look up which drinks have the lowest calories and carbs and count them for the day to make sure you're not going crazy. The good thing is now I only have a drink or two and it does what 5+ used to lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told to wait 6 weeks before drinking. At the 6 week mark I went out to a bar with friends and had my first drink... And nothing bad happened. I go out pretty regularly and have a couple glasses of wine, I've never seen a weight gain (usually a loss, actually), I don't get sloppy drunk, I don't feel the urge to slip back in to my former lifestyle.. Life moves on lol. I'm definitely a party girl but going out once a month won't derail my success.
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I'm on the aircraft on my way home from San Diego and want to write of my experience in Tijuana with BariatricPal, Team MX, Florence Hospital and Dr Illan.
My wife and I did a great deal of research in deciding,
A) If I wanted to undergo the procedure and
who we wanted to perform the surgery.
After a year or so of investigations we decided on BariatricPal, (BP). One of the deciding factors was whenever we called the phone was answered immediately and by a real person who was well versed and knowledgable in the process and the procedure, Bill Yanez. Having made the decision we wanted to get it done smoothly and quickly, Bill worked with us to get the dates we wanted with a surgeon of our choice. He responded to emails with the same efficient turnaround as he did our phone calls.
Fast forward to our arrival in San Diego. We were waiting for our bags to arrive on the luggage carousel and I got a text message, it was Stacie, Bills wife telling us she was in the cell phone lot and when we were curbside to txt her with the zone number and she would be there. Within three minutes of our text we were in the car on the way to the border. Thirty minutes later we were checking in at the Holiday Inn, a copy of any H.I. Stateside. We spent the day there, unfortunately the weather was poor with heavy rain so we didn't venture outside the hotel. That evening Bill and Stacie invited us to join them and the other couple who had arrived that day to join them for dinner at a local restaurant. (broth for the patients, delicious Mexican food for the spouses). Over dinner they addressed all of our questions and concerns. I'm sure Stacie won't mind me saying that she is a former patient and made us feel very comfortable telling us her story.
florence Hospital:
This is a small facility downtown Tijuana and frankly when I first saw it I was asking myself if I had made a mistake. Once inside and in my room all doubt were removed, it is a very clean well managed facility complete with all the facilities of any hospital you would find in the United States including an ICU. It turns out much of the "chaos" outside was due to the fact the hospital is completing construction and commissioning a state of the art "living transplant OR", that they claim will be the finest, most advanced in Mexico. One thing it does not have is any food facility at all, everything has to come from the myriad of restaurants nearby. That's what the valet does.
The admission procedure was simple, straightforward and fast. Their staff spoke good English and explained every detail of the procedure and what to expect. My only concern was the signing of the required disclaimers which are in Spanish only. Bill Yanez and Stacie were there through the process and introduced us to the valet who would be there for us, especially my wife during our two day stay. We had 24 hour valet available throughout our entire stay. Later Dr. Illan stopped by to introduce himself and address any questions, he speaks perfect English and has excellent bedside manner. More on Dr Illan later.
The rest of the morning was spent doing X-rays and lab work pre op. One of the resident Drs visited with us and reviewed all the results. Then it was off to OR. The rest of that day was a bit of a blur for me, my surgery was very straightforward apparently and took only about 30 mins although afterwards all I wanted to do was sleep. My wife was getting visits from the valet at regular intervals to make sure she had everything she needed. Dr Illan stopped by to see us post op, I think to reassure her as anything else.
I woke the next morning feeling fine. I had no discomfort at all, in fact I still have none. I spent the day walking the hallway and exchanging stories with the other patients. The Dr stopped by to check on me after his surgery schedule. Of course the valet was in and out checking on us to see if there was anything we needed, or if my wife wanted to go off campus for food.
The Recovery House:
Post surgery we elected to go to the recover house rather than the hotel and frankly I'm glad we did. The facility is a series of two bedroom apartments that surround a courtyard. BariatricPal lease all but two, one of which is a small clothing boutique the other is leased to a musician who apparently is never there, he certainly wasn't there during our stay. David Lopez co-owner of BP was there however and welcomed us. David grew up in that part of Tijuana and still has a house there, he is passionate about his company and strives to make these facilities a home away from home. The rooms are completely renovated with new decor, new furniture, high speed wifi, cable tv with umpteen English channels and all access is controlled by CCTV. David met with us not just that evening but the next too, he wanted to know everything we thought of our experience good or bad either with the hospital or the recovery facility or the staff and listened to everything we offered as potential improvement or changes. While in the Facility we had a full time valet at our disposal.
Kitchen equipment was sparse as was cutlery, plates etc. you really don't need it, the patients can't eat and supporters can eat out or use the valet service. Indeed on our arrival one of the BP staff took us all to the local very modern mall and specifically to a restaurant I believe was called Habana? Excellent and inexpensive by U S standards. Patients sipped seafood broth while spouses enjoyed real food, and imbibed in beer and margaritas.
Clearly published in each room is a comprehensive phone list of all associates including the surgical staff. Also each unit has not only a Mexican phone for your use but also a US phone for free use for your incoming and outgoing calls.
Dr Illan an the Medical Staff:
In a word "exceptional". Dr. Illan is the consummate professional, he has excellent bedside manner and speaks to you in eloquent English and takes whatever time necessary to explain not only the procedure but expectations going forward. He came to the recovery house during our first evening and we all met in one of the condos. He must have stayed there 2 hours chatting to us and left only because he had to pick up his kids. The nursing staff spoke enough English to get by and were also very attentive. The Nutritionist is new to the team and well qualified, she too joined us one evening at the recovery house explaining the vagaries of post op diets. Incidentally I think I am correct in saying that BP offer their nutritionist free going forward.
The final afternoon of our stay Bill and Stacie invited both couples to go with them south down the coast where we ate seafood broth and lemonade or gigantic lobster, beer and margaritas depending on your status!!!! I don't think this happens all the time but we enjoyed it.
The Not So Good:
Not too much to say here, any minor issues were dealt with on the spot.
Both myself and the other patient who had surgery that day agreed that the Florence Hospital Imaging department is in bad need of a makeover. The equipment is modern and functional but the premises is out of the Second World War era. David Lopez told us it was the next to be addressed at the hospital but Monday he will take it up with the hospital owner and either expedite the rehab and/or use an alternative facility in the meantime. The Radiologist did not have a good command of he language but got his message across, the other patient that went through with me had issues with him that David is taking up with the hospital owner also.
We casually mentioned that when we were discharged we were both given small hospital bills to settle. Mine was $5 the other closer to $40. David was furious, promised he would fully refund us and moreover take it up with the hospital, that is not supposed to happen.
All of us were confused about what we could and couldn't do in respect of diet. We were told different things by different people which caused substantial conflict of ideas. This needs to be addressed and after our meetings I believe it will be.
In General:
Medical Tourism is big business and BariatricPal Team MX is bound and determined to be the best at it and from what I can see are there or very close to it.
If you think going to Mexico will be nice and warm, wrong. Take a sweater or fleece.
A visit to the pharmacy will provide a source of inexpensive drugs by US standards.
My wife and I both have Global Entry cards which really helps expedite the way through the Mexican / US border. From leaving the Recovery Facility to arrival at San Diego airport took us less than an hour on Saturday late morning.
The acid test:
Would I recommend them? From my experience to date the answer would be an unequivocal yes.

I know it is not nearly the same thing, but today I thought I was going to DIE if I didn't get some flipping chocolate. I had chocolate in my desk drawer, but I resisted. Instead I went in the kitchen and got some hot green tea with a Splenda in it and went on....I skipped the candy and went on about my business!!!!!

Sleeved 12/1 - down 46 lbs since surgery and 58 overall.
Getting all of my Protein in from food, haven't had to supplement with shakes lately! I do get extremely hungry and no, it's not head hunger or acid. I'm HUNGRY every 2 hours. I keep it low carb. Lots of meat and cheese.. No complaints from me there. There hasn't been any food I can't tolerate. I do feel like I can eat more than I should but at the end of the day when I look at My Fitness Pal I'm still hovering around 1000-1100 calories, which my doctor says is great. I drink here and there and it hasn't slowed my weight loss any and the world hasn't ended. I'm consistently losing about 2-3 lbs a week. I started in a size 16, and as of a couple days ago I could fit back in to my size 12s. REALLY happy with my recovery and progress!
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Surgery on 3-4-16. Ready to chat!!
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Everyone's different but I only took a week off work with my sleeve. I had a job where I walked a lot but was able to sit at a desk quite a bit too. I had pretty much no pain after surgery though and had a very easy recovery.

I wish I could take a week off I'm having surgery on Thursday and going back to work Monday.
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I know it is not nearly the same thing, but today I thought I was going to DIE if I didn't get some flipping chocolate. I had chocolate in my desk drawer, but I resisted. Instead I went in the kitchen and got some hot green tea with a Splenda in it and went on....I skipped the candy and went on about my business!!!!!

I only told my mum, aunt and best friend - now 6 weeks post op people just comment on me looking slightly different although I am a slow loser, declining food was never my forte in the past so people have been speculative not about surgery but me making health changes and working out. Some choose honesty, some choose secrecy, whatever works for you, works.

it is completely possible! i'm well over a year out and noone knows!!! i highly suggest it

Just so you know, all this pizza talk made me want pizza. I made a Tombstone supreme this afternoon and ate the toppings off two pieces. Mmmmm. I'll have the rest over the next 4 days. Thanks a lot .
PS my dog got the crust...he thanks you, too.

But that's my point, meat, cheese, tomatoes and veggie toppings ARE eating right. It's only the crust that makes pizza "wrong". Everyone raves about the ricotta bake, which is basically a cheese pizza sans crust. Add some pepperoni or sausage or Canadian bacon and you've just upped your Protein.< /p>

Yes, it's possible.
I've told my husband and two close friends. The only other people who know are my doctors and their staffs.
My highest weight was 235 pounds. I slowly lost nearly 20 pounds before surgery. I had VSG surgery 18 months ago. Since then I've lost another 80 pounds.
My surgery day weight was 216 pounds. In the next 8.5 months I lost 66 pounds and reached my goal of 150 pounds. In the last 11.5 months I've very slowly lost another 15 pounds and am now maintaining at 135 pounds.
In all that time I've described for those who ask how differently I eat now (more Protein, more healthy veggies, fewer simple carbs -- and eat much more slowly) and how much more active I am, how much help my shrink has been -- all true. But I don't mention WLS.
No one else has ever brought up WLS either.
So, yes, it's possible.