Sparker7

I made my own broth with veggies and shrimp. Once the broth is done, I let my friends dogs have the veg and shrimp and save the broth in small containers in the fridge and freezer. It's delicious and not difficult to make at all. The dogs think they've hit the jackpot when I drop off the big ziplock bag of mushy veg and boiled shrimp.

You are getting so close! How have you been getting by on the liquid diet? Did you lose much? I'm on day 6 and have lost about a pound a day until today.

Dotty, It varies depending on the Dr you choose. I am going with Dr Illan because of the research I've done. There were a couple that offered slightly less expensive packages, but I chose to go with the Dr I found the most positive feedback about. The process so far has been great. Dr Illan even got on the phone with me before I scheduled to discuss one of my health issues. For the sleeve, it's $4,600 total including everything except airfare and tipping while you're there. Valets pick you up at the airport and take you and your companion anywhere you want to go. My insurance deductible is more than I'm paying for this program and I get to visit a country I've never been to.

When I had gallstones, I had severe chest pain that radiated to my back at times. The pain woke me from sleep multiple times and I have a high pain tolerance. It took several ER trips before we figured it out. Three months later, I had it removed.

The one I attended explained the surgical options and collected insurance info. I'd take your insurance card and a notebook.

Eden, I've never been to Mexico and I'm super excited to see a new place. I've only had the chance to travel internationally once to Malaysia with stops in Japan and Singapore. International travel is one of the big reasons I want this surgery. I can't wait to trek all over the world!

Just check your bag, and they take care of the rest.

One thing that might make your decision on connecting flights easier, as long as it's all booked together as connecting flights and not individual flights, you don't have to deal with the luggage. That's all taken care of behind the scenes.

I've flown quite a bit and the amenities you are wanting are definitely going to require first class. In a regular seat, there is next to no recline and barely room for your legs. There is almost no room for anything other than sitting straight up with your legs in the usual sitting position unless you are very short. I flew from the US to Malaysia that way. My suggestion would be multiple connecting flights with time between so that you can get out and move around. I have a bulging disc in my lower back, and would love a seat where I could just lift my feet up a bit. I'm flying to San Diego on the 4th and will be in the usual uncomfortable, cramped seat. I have a very high pain tolerance though.

Loan approved! I took a chance scheduling and paying the down payment before getting the approval, but it worked out and I'm all set. I can't wait to get to Mexico!

I feel like I've hit a wall today. I'm exhausted and freezing. I slept half of the day. I hope I don't feel this way through the remainder of the pre-op diet.

Eden, I dream of going to the U.K.! The broth I made was so delicious I made another pot today to freeze. The dogs are thrilled! I find I'm not feeling hungry today at all - no stomach grumbling. Despite the lack of physical hunger, I have an intense mental desire to eat. I think about every different type of food I love all day. Hopefully that will pass. How are you dealing with starting your pre-op diet?

Thank you both for replying!

Eden, Australia, so great! I noticed the spelling differences and it took me back to my days of editing an academic journal with British contributors. I just put a pot on the stove filled to the brim with veggies to make a broth. I wanted to eat the celery so bad, but I didn't! I'm going to feed the veg scraps to my friends giant hunting dog after I strain the broth. I'm excited to meet so many new people here!

Biginjapan, I'll do that today. Thanks for reminding me!

Danny, it's great to hear you haven't had the desire to go back to coffee. I'm hoping to never want another Dr Pepper. I love unsweetened tea as well, so at least I'm not going to have to only drink something I don't like forever. I bought decaf tea bags today to give them a go.

Sherry, I really appreciate that you are willing to share your experiences! I'm feeling weak and shaking a bit. I'm glad to hear it's better after the first two days. I can't wait to hear how Saturday goes for you!!

That's great that you are right after me! We can stay in touch through all of this. My dr put me on clear liquids only for the next two weeks, so I don't get to eat fruits or veg. I'm so looking forward to mushy foods and that's several weeks away! I'd love some cottage cheese or refried beans right about now. Are you in England?

Thank you both! The clear liquid pre-op diet is no fun. Everywhere I go, the smell of food has intensified to torment me. I've never been able to deal with the flavor of fake sweeteners, so protein water and sugar-free jello are difficult to swallow. Of course it'll be worth it, but I do have to complain just a little bit.

I'll be taking pre-filled injections of blood thinners with me to Mexico. My hematologist prescribed them for me for this procedure because I'm allergic to lovenox and the injections I can take are rarely used and not widely available. Does anyone know if I'll need any sort of documentation to bring them with me? They'll of course have my name and info on them from the pharmacy, so I didn't think I'd need anything else. A friend of mine thinks I'll need a letter from my hematologist, but that seems excessive to me. I have a history of blood clots, so it's vital that I be allowed to take this medication with me. I thought I'd check here to see if anyone else has experience and advice regarding this situation.

I want to document everything as I go, but don't want to do so in a place like Facebook where everyone I know can scrutinize my decisions. This seems like a good place. I'll be starting the two-week pre-op clear liquid diet in the morning. Dr. Illan will perform my procedure on November 4th. I've never been to Mexico, so I'm excited about going to a new place to start this new life. I may be going alone, which is sad, but I've flown from the US to Malaysia on my own, so it should be just fine. I received the protein water I ordered from Amazon yesterday and I'm not looking forward to drinking it, but I'm sure I'll manage. I'm going to make a stockpot full of homemade vegetable broth tomorrow and freeze some in single-serve dishes. Going caffeine-free is going to be a huge obstacle, so I think I'm going to brew a gallon of tea with one regular teabag and a few decaf bags to get used to it first. I'll take starting photos tomorrow, but I don't think I'll post them until I lose some weight and can use them for comparison. I'm at my highest weight currently. A few years ago I was able to lose via diet and exercise getting down below 200 for the first time in over a decade, but that didn't last long. I do believe this is my last chance and I'm ready to change. Starting Weight (10/21/17): 297 Height: 5'7"

I love that idea! Too bad I'm spending every penny I can scrape up on the surgery. Hope you share photos of the tattoo once you've made the decision.

I will have prescription pre-filled injections of a blood thinner to bring with me to Mexico. Does anyone know if I will need some sort of documentation or if the label with my info the pharmacy attaches is enough?

Hi! I think I commented on your post in the Facebook group. I got the call today and am also scheduled for the 4th. It was the earliest appointment they had available. I didn't think about how my screen name may be interpreted, lol. It's a combination of my first and last names. The insurance process is completely about the money and I also assume the insurance company is trying to get people to give up. I hope your friend was able to get the procedure in the end. Will you have a companion in Mexico? My friend has now decided she doesn't feel safe going to Mexico, so I'm not certain I will not be going this alone.

My date is November 4th! I start the two week liquid diet this Saturday and head to Mexico very early on the 4th. I may end up going by myself, which is a bit sad, but I'm excited to go otherwise. Nice to meet everyone.