sheronep

Dr. Alvarez has a foundation that helps people pay for surgery
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I was banded on Monday August 1st 2016, the surgery went great except for some shoulder pain the first two days post op. Today is August 4 and I feel so much better. I was able to walk 2 miles on the track and left all my energy there, being on post op liquid diet is not as difficult anymore as I thought before I started this journey..
I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot more of this ...

I'm doing this for myself and my daughter :-)
Tomorrow is a new day .... Let's do this !!!
EliT

Thank you. I was wondering if I was missing something. For me it's not about the money it's about the experience. I don't want to regret going to a specific doctor and have no recourse. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Without knowing what you are doing it is hard to offer suggestions.
What food phase are you on?
Are you tracking your food?
Are you drinking at least 64 oz of Fluid a day?
What is your Protein target? Are you eating at least that much every day?
Are you eating enough?
Are you eating mindfully: taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, and eating slowly?
Are you avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup) and fried foods?
Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed?
Are you exercising?
Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns?
Embrace the Stall
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I have chosen Dr. Alvarez. Hopefully in October. The only reason I am waiting is because my friend who will go with me can't take off from work until then. New job.
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My surgery is a secret to the masses, but my immediate family and a few friends know. My mother has an issue with me going to Mexico but I don't care. My decision. My health.
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I have a good feeling about several doctors but now I want to narrow it down to the finalist.
I will be going to Mexico for my surgery. For those who have gone to Mexico how did you research the doctors and facilities?
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I have chosen Dr. Alvarez. Hopefully in October. The only reason I am waiting is because my friend who will go with me can't take off from work until then. New job.
Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I had a nerve damaged from gallbladder surgery. I was given a Mersa infection with carpal tunnel surgery. Both done in the US. The research I have done about the TJ medical facilities and doctors showed me they will provide me with higher quality of care than I have received in the US. BariatricPal MX will pick me up at the SD airport and take to the hospital. I will spend 3 nights in the hospital. In the US this is considered out patient surgery. And yes, my insurance will not cover my surgery.

I am considering the sleeve in Mexico. But have many ? If you trust the Water, how can you feel safe about the surgery? What about unexpected problems after I return to the US? I will not be able to return should problems arise. Who will take care of my after care? The more I think about having surgery in Mexico the more ? I have.
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Dr. Alvarez has a foundation that helps people pay for surgery
Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

My decision to go to Mexico was based on having my VSG by one doctor. I researched him like I did for those doctors in my area. I know a couple of friends that had their surgery done by him. He has a lot of information from his patients available online. I read everything I could find about him and his patients. I watch all his YT videos and I even talked to/emailed a few patients (list provided by his coordinator) that live in my area and traveled to have their surgery done.
I have no regrets and so thankful for my experience with him before surgery and now.
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Told people I'm having surgery? Yes. Told them the whole truth about it? Hell no! I've told them that my body over produces ghrelin the hormone in the stomach which creates hunger. That part is 100% true. I have blood work backing that statement up. I explained that the surgery that I will be doing will lower the production of the hormone. I will have to go on to a different diet that will be easier on my stomach to digest. All of that is true. Nobody needs to know the whole dang truth though! Too many haters.

My mother knows, 2 of my best friends and my sons father....other than that I really don't feel it is anyone's business....I am not ashamed I got surgery that is just me.....and it is coming off slow enough that no one questioned it yet.

My surgery is a secret to the masses, but my immediate family and a few friends know. My mother has an issue with me going to Mexico but I don't care. My decision. My health.
Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is a secret to the masses, but my immediate family and a few friends know. My mother has an issue with me going to Mexico but I don't care. My decision. My health.
Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

We can vote people off? Dang I better start behaving myself.
I'm all in favor of behavior modification. The problem is your body works against you via hormonal signals and it's difficult to maintain the loss. http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/themes/weight-loss#
In short you really need to reduce your calories in order to maintain in the long run. Surgery isn't a magic wand, it's a tool and helps create a new set point.

Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center.

So I just "celebrated" my birthday this week and getting old sucks...it's not as fun to have a birthday anymore but being just five weeks post op and I didn't even get a birthday cake...no candles....no drinks.....no nothing. I know it's for the better but I'm a little disappointed my family didn't come up with some creative way to make it special. Or even get a cake just so I could have a bite. Really no big deal just had to get it off my chest!

I just have to share because I'm finally seeing a difference in my body! I'm 3 months post-op and I have lost 74 lbs. I took a picture this weekend and finally could see a big difference. YAY for little victories and a place to share it where others understand completely!

I had my band surgery in October 2007 at 278lbs. Overall, I have been very successful. In the first year and half or so, I lost about 150 lbs. My last fill was four years ago. Over the last for years I maintained somewhere between 118-120. I still haven't had any other plastic surgeries to remove excess skin, but it wasn't terrible since I got a trainer who understood the band and helped me shape up as I was dropping the weight.
I had issues here and there, but most of them occurred if I made a bad food choice or happened to be sick or stressed. It seems the band is sometimes affected by any little thing that cause physical or mental stress. At least that's been my experience.
When I had my last fill four years ago, I actually began having issues with not keeping food down, having a lot of reflux, and even sometimes waking up in the middle of the night having to throw up. Honestly, up until that point I had tried to do everything right, but after the last fill I let things go too long. I probably should have had some solution removed a long time ago, but I think I went somewhere in my head, and because I was finally in a size I wanted to be in, I didn't. I was living mainly on ice cream, coffee, smoothies, tortilla chips, mashed potatoes, as Beans. Only slightly occasionally I might have a good day and be able to keep down a piece of chicken. Most foods did not agree with me. I was throwing up at least three times a day most days, and many days even more than that. I reconciled myself to thinking this was just life with the band. I was at a healthy weight, a lower BMI, and I looked good in my clothes, but truthfully I was not getting enough quality nutrition. My potassium was always low, I was dehydrated and fatigued, and this past February I was sick with different viral infections for about two months. I was hospitalized twice during that two months. I started to really think about the kind of nutrition I was putting in my body, and really I wasn't getting any because my body was rejecting everything. I think my body was actually starving, even though I was maintaining at 118. I finally decided the best thing to do would be to remove some solution and see if I could start living on proper nutrients and foods, and not a steady diet of ice cream.
I had 1cc of saline removed. Almost immediately, I felt better. I was able to eat actual Proteins and vegetables and keep them down. I did had to re-find my limit- I hadn't felt that sensation of fullness in so long, that I had forgotten what it felt like when the band was actually doing what it's supposed to do. I passed it once or twice, but I can tell it's working they way it was supposed to all along. I am taking in proper portions and eating better food, so in that respect, I'm back on track again.
On the flip side, I'd been starving my body for nearly four years, and in two weeks after the adjustment, I had gained 20 lbs. of course I freaked, and two weeks later, I have still gained another 5. I'm not actually eating bad foods or even eating more than I should. The difference is I'm actually keeping it down, and my body- in starvation mode is holding onto everything! After researching and asking questions, it seemed like my body is responding similarly to how a rehabilitating anorexic's would. I'm bloated, swelling, and I gained rapidly. My body is rehydrating and resetting at this point. My metabolism has been weak, and I'm readjusting. That's the frustrating part. However, the band IS working, and my metabolism is moving towards equilibrium again, so over a few more weeks, this will taper off and some of these added lbs will go away with the bloating. The rest will go with increased activity.
So I do still consider myself a band success story, but I share this to say you have to pay attention and take care of yourself. The band is a tool, not a magic pill. I should've taken care of the problem four years ago- but this weight loss thing is a mind game too, and I let it beat me. Fortunately my band and stomach is ok, I have no damage, but I did let my system down.
So pay attention, take care of yourself. If there's something wrong ask question and get it fixed. Don't let it go too long. I'll have to work this weight back off again, but at least I'll be doing it right this time.
Good luck!
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That's one of them.

I paid about $12,000 out of pocket. No help from insurance. But it was worth every sacrifice, every second of OT and all the saving. It can be done!!

Just finished my first round of plastic surgery. I have an amazing nurse friend taking care of me. The plastic surgery team is the best in class. It was worth every penny and every minute I had to wait for it (my doc has an over year waiting list) and every bit of pain so far.
You are all worth the effort this part of our journey entails. Everyone should be given the chance to experience this.
Stats:
Pre VSG weight 350
Day of VSG 320
Pre plastic weight 200
I had a breast augmentation and extended Tummy Tuck. Here are some post TT and augmentation pics. I know how important this is to see by pre bariatric patients, post bariatric, during stalls, when you're feeling down from the excess skin. We are all capable of this. We are all worthy of this!!! Once I'm a week out and get my drain I will post another pic...I'll keep updating this topic!  

I just did that! My closet....it is empty...I haven't met goal yet though....so I don't want to buy much because I still have 30 to 40 lbs to go.