melmssc

I was watching Dr. Alvarez on youtube today and he said that the procedure you had has mixed results and is not reliable, not permanent, has to be readjusted and is more costly than going to Mexico. Granted, he is selling his services, but it made a lot of sense. I say go for it! I am a mother of of 2 under 16 and I just had to take the risk in hopes that I can be there for them for many years to come in an active way. FYI: I didn't use Dr. Alvarez nor did I travel to Mexico, but I know 2 people personally that did and love him. You will not know until you try. I really didn't look back once I had my first appointment. It was full steam ahead and i had a really good feeling about it. Of course, my husband loves me just the way I am and questioned my desire to take the risk. He is not in my shoes and like everyone here I have dieted and had some great results, but they were short lived. At some point, my health might be compromised due to obesity related issues and it would be just an uphill struggle no matter what weightloss road I would try to get the weight off again . In many ways - time and health are on on your side. It might not always be like that. If you are committed to doing it- go for it!

6 pounds, but it went away within that first week post op plus some. It's hard not to feel frustrated- we've all been there. Common Sense- You know that nothing you ate in the hospital would sabotage your progress and that it is Water and inflammation. This is a marathon not a sprint. This is not a quick fix!!!! Once a week passes by, hop on that scale and see how much it changes. I'm sure that you will be pleasantly surprised. Congrats on a successful surgery!

I hear you on the gas and bloat. It does get better. For me it was around day 10-11. It was uncomfortable like I was pregnant. The struggle is real. My surgeon's nurse said it was probably due to Constipation and recommended Miralax. Yours is a bit different. Peppermint oil on my belly helped, peppermint tea helped and so did Maximum Strength Maalox or a generic version of that (it is a thin liquid that worked better than GasX for me). I to highly recommend Premier Protein Clear. I would have that over the other shakes any day of the week.

I prefer the clear over the Protein Shakes too! I don't have a film,but it takes a while for me to get it down and the ice i put in it thins it out as it starts to melt- maybe that helps?? I am traveling right now and at the airport I tried a Fairlife shake. 26G Protein, 20 carbs and, 150 calories. I know most people would go crazy over that number of carbs- but didn't have a better option. OMG that strawberry and banana Protein Shake was good!!! It was the best one that I have tasted hands down.

Literally 3 days for insurance approval. 2 weeks should be plenty of time to take off. Good luck!

A few things here. My incisions were high up and the velcro band that they wrapped my stomach up in got bunched up on that top incision- so that could have been adding to my pain. All of my pain was high up in my chest. Like around the breast bone. I think the gas pain was from the CO2. Wrong on the pain meds... I needed them; as well as, nausea meds as soon as I woke up in recovery. I even got the stomach nerve block during surgery and it wore off 4-6 hours after I made it to my room. I used pain pills as frequently as I could that first day. It was oxycotin and hydrocodone. I was in pain and walked and used the restroom almost immediately when I got to my room. The turning point was when they would give me a shot of Toradol in my IV. It really helped!!! My surgeon described it as ADVIL on steroids. I got 3 of those and they were wonderful. I'm now at home with hydrocodone. I have only used 3 of them. I felt 100% better that second day in the hospital and I really attribute to walking frequently and the Toradol.

That is great! So happy that your Humira got the bill down for you. I am ending up paying $3300, because that is my OPM. I don't think that I would have done this if my insurance didn't cover it. My family would not have been okay with Mexico and $18,000 is a new car for my 16 year old. It would have been a hard sell. They have seen me drop 40 pounds as recently as a year ago, but of course I couldn't keep it off. Good luck!!! 2 sleeps and its your turn.

I'm feeling it too!!! I had my surgery May 1st and am still on pourable liquids. I am also not up to my normal energy level to go get the freebies for my kids. I just ordered a pizza. Normally we would have leftovers for a week. This time next year I can have my free Chipotle!!!

From what I hear, once you are further out you can explore more or maybe just order an appetizer. Were you still hungry, but only could eat the small portion of refried Beans? If I'm full, I'm satisfied. Maybe you could space your meal out. Have your drink, wait 30 min and then eat. As a side note, if I want to try something that I see someone with that I could have, I might get a to go order of it? You can divide it up into different meals. I think of a dinner out as a social event. I would space my meal out to the best of may ability and as you get further out you can hold up to 8oz. If the meal is just to get quick food for my kids, I usually task my husband with it. I am only 1 week post op, but am getting ready for graduation parties and am trying to get a game plan going.

Oh I would 100 percent not be doing this even if my OPM was the full $10,000. There’s no way I could afford it. And while I’ll definitely go to Mexico to get 2 missing teeth implants, I’m too worried to get a big surgery done there. I know it’s worked out really well for a lot of people, but I just couldn’t.


HW: 311
CW: 257
SW: We’ll see on May 10!
First goal weight: 191 lbs
Second goal weight: 159 lbs
Goal weight: 142 lbs

5’6” 34 yo female in NC

My hospital bills the insurance $36,000 and if you are self-pay the bill is $18,000. Crazy compared to some of the advertised prices. Yes, thank goodness for insurance!!! My plan just started covering it last year.

I really haven't had a lot of good experiences at Bailey...but I am glad you are!!! the other dr's I have told he is the one doing my surgery they have nothing but good things to say as well about katsis. we ALWAYS go to st Francis....I was there today lol one of my kids has asthma and having issues.

I am officially two and a half months out and I am down 50.6 pounds as of today! I am so happy that I chose to go through with gastric sleeve surgery out of pocket and am amazed at my progress and how far I’ve come

My BMI was 33 when I went to Mexico and got the sleeve on April 27. I had the lap band for about 7 years and I wish I had just gone with the sleeve the first time around! If I were you - I’d just go ahead and get the sleeve... I mean if weight is an issue and yo-yo dieting is part of your life, get the sleeve and take care of it! (5’5 was 195 at time of surgery and 41 years old)

Must be good...cause my kiddo asked me to make it for dinner and it's one of my "diet recipes".
Recipe is super easy.
Brown some chicken tenderloins in a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Chop them into bite sized pieces.
add one chopped green pepper
two tablespoons fresh grated ginger....just grate the root into the pan
sprinkle with a tablespoon of corn starch (or any thickener..or omit and eat it runny...lol)
add one cup chicken broth
add two cans peach slices in natural juice.
Add salt, pepper and Splenda per your tastes. I add quite a bit of splenda to this to make it sweet...and it ends up tasting kinda like sweet and sour chicken. Some people like it more savory.
I eat it over a little brown rice (optional)
My whole family loves this one.

I'm feeling it too!!! I had my surgery May 1st and am still on pourable liquids. I am also not up to my normal energy level to go get the freebies for my kids. I just ordered a pizza. Normally we would have leftovers for a week. This time next year I can have my free Chipotle!!!

I'm 6 days post op.First day with no pain meds!!!!! I went number 2 today after giving myself an enema and it ended up with me feeling flush, having to take breaks, and feeling weak. I would lay down between having the urge to go. It was exhausting. I was literally naked and toweling my face to combat the flush feeling. At some point, I just napped and woke up 5 hours later. I got up only to find that my left foot was asleep and I almost broke my big toe as I got up from my nap and my foot started buckiing beneath me. It was nothing short of a nightmare. I had been doing soooo good. I just felt so bloated and backed up that I broke down and gave myself an enema. Has anyone experienced anything like this?? If not, consider yourself lucky because this is not an experience that I would wish on anyone.

In my experience, my program/surgeon is very conservative. He did not try to "SELL" me on anything. He laid out my options and what would work best for my body shape and health history. What I will say is that my surgeon no longer does balloons nor bands. They are more prone to leaks, risks, adjustments and lower weight loss. It is a short term fix. They have the sleeve somewhat down to an art form.

I did find that part strange. I would think that the balloon would not be as invasive and therefore would have less complications??? I had heard of band leaks and adjustments, but i haven't heard that about the balloon. I would trust my surgeon- unless you feel like he is trying to sell you something.

In my experience, my program/surgeon is very conservative. He did not try to "SELL" me on anything. He laid out my options and what would work best for my body shape and health history. What I will say is that my surgeon no longer does balloons nor bands. They are more prone to leaks, risks, adjustments and lower weight loss. It is a short term fix. They have the sleeve somewhat down to an art form.

I just had my surgery May 1st and had some of the same fears as it relates to food. I can say that I am not hungry and do NOT feel like I am missing out. I can't see any reason that you can't still be a foodie after the sleeve. Your portions will be smaller- so springing for fresh, organic ingredients (fish, veggies, cuts of meat, etc...) will be a wash as you focus on quality over quantity. There are sites like the bariatric foodie that I have been looking at. I think that your relationship with food will change, but it has to if you want a healthier lifestyle. The positive is that you can choose a smaller portion and be satisfied. A portion size more in line with what we should have been eating all along.
As far as your spouse, I can't say anything because mine is not overweight. What I can say is that i have family and friends that struggle with their weight and my future success with this surgery could plant a seed in just one of them to take control of their health (with or without surgery). As your wife embarks on this journey with you she is at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, for her, you will have a tool that limits your portion size and gives you a satisfied feeling and she will not. Good luck and keep us posted!!!

There are many husbands and wives that have both had the VSG after seeing the success that their spouse had. I think that it is a good thing that she is being self- informed about the surgery whether she decides in the end if it is right for her or not. It shows you that she takes your health very serious for her to research the procedure and send you things. It is so important to have the support of your family and friends, because it is a "new normal" for everyone.
I worried a lot, but then had to say that it is my life and my decision. I do not want a life riddled with health problems and prescriptions for obesity related diseases. I am also capable of making the most out of my sleeve right now. I am relatively healthy and am active. In a few years going down the path I was on, I might not be able to say that and any surgery or weight loss attempt would be a major uphill battle.
Interesting observance:There were more males having gastric surgery at my hospital than women during my stay. I would go to support groups and seminars and it was always 10 to 1 women to men. It could be just a fluke, but it was at least a 3 to 1 ratio of men to women during my recovery.

I had mine the same day! I was told for the next 2 weeks- it is supposed to be pourable liquid consistency. I have been doing my Protein Shakes, SF Jello, SF ice pops, SF pudding, unsweetened applesauce, thinned greek yogurt and just added some cream Soups and broth. I am aiming for 60g of Protein today. They told me to worry about Water first and then my protein.

I failed day 1 miserably. I made it all the way to 8pm and then I had dinner (eggplant parm) and some Cookies. I felt kind of bloated and headachish. I thought the exact same thing- maybe I should have taken this time off too. Good news!!! The last 2 days, I have not cheated and am filling better and with more energy. I am also starting to like my morning shake. Hoping tomorrow goes better for you!

So glad things worked out hopeful!
This liquid diet has been tough and it's only day 3 of 14. Doesn't help that I've gotten the flu. I'm still so grateful for the opportunity.
Also, these waters are AMAZING when you need a break from Protein Shakes.