newlifeat41

Hi there. I’m going to be fair and honest on my review of Dr. Ponce and the INT hospital where I had my sleeve done. I’m now almost 5 weeks out and I’m very happy about my decision. You will be well taken care of. The staff at INT are excellent. The nurses are top notch. My only complaint was that many did not speak English but were very accommodating. I downloaded google translate which helped a lot. Dr. Frayre will the surgeon who will meet with you and check up on you throughout the entire time. I never got to meet Dr. Ponce although they told me several times I would. This is the only thing that really bothered me. I felt he should have taken the time to meet me even briefly but I neither spoke to him or saw him AT ALL. He was the main operating surgeon though as they give you a DVD of your surgery to take home. So I’m sure that he does exist and performs surgeries, lol.
Now about the SILS, I’d definitely pay the extra for that. I had a SILS kind of because they had to add an extra incision due to my weird anatomy as Dr. Frayre explained it. He told me my liver was in the way although I followed the preop properly which he acknowledged was evident but my liver apparently was too long so I needed an extra incision. Anyway, even with one extra incision the healing was very quick. I don’t have any marks or scars except for a small one from the extra incision and a tiny minute one, maybe 1/2 a centimeter from the drain. Both are very, very light and are not noticeable at all.
I think their care and staff was very good and their follow up is as well. I still email Ana with questions and she answers right away. I also went alone and never felt scared at all. My only complaint was Dr. Ponce not taking time to see me. Otherwise I’d totally recommend. I’m a lower BMI so I know the weight will come off slower but I’m down 22 pounds since my preop diet.
Go for it and good luck!!!

Thank you for that encouragement. It is now almost one year since I’ve had my sleeve done and I can happily say it was the right decision for me. I started at 205 pounds the day of surgery (lost 7 pounds during the preop diet) and I’m now 165 pounds (only 10 pounds away from goal). That may not seem like a big weight loss but I’ve maintained it for like 6 months so far. I feel great, confident, and like I have my life back.

Good day fellow sleevers! I was hoping to reach out to some of my fellow Muslim sleevers about how they fasted during the holy month of Ramadan after having a gastric sleeve. I had my surgery scheduled right after Ramadan last year to ensure I could fast and then begin this journey. I will be 11 months post op when Ramadan begins this year around the beginning of May. My question is for those who have fasted after having the sleeve and being about one year out, how were you able to cope with the dehydration if any? Since we can’t drink and eat at the same time how did you break fast? Did you drink Water first then wait 30 minutes and then eat? Did you find it difficult getting in your nutrition? Did it help or hurt your weight loss by the end of the month?
Any advice or experiences on this would be highly appreciated. I thank you all in advance.

And remember WE ARE HERE for you, many of us have fought such battles, Many Successes but a good portion of us are still writing our stories, mine is atypical but will still be a good read, overcoming against odds, but I haven't given up, least of all on ME, I am a strong resilient 73 year old Birdie, life can't wring my neck if they can't catch me, my wings are still flapping strong, I'll ride on the wind currents until I can sail into Victory Lane.
So if you need a friend , I'm almost always near my cell phone. My weight loss has slowed because I am on TPN and have been,for 2 months yesterday, maybe a couple months more? But I did still lose 3 pounds in a month, maybe 60-65 since my Liver-shrinking diet last August, went down 15 pounds in that month alone, and I do,not regret my RnY, I am not blaming my wonderful Bradley J Needleman MD or my facility, Ohio State University Hospital- Wexner Medical Center ( whooee what a title!) in Columbus Ohio, my body just has reacted in a weird manner, if anyone can be blamed its my Dang-Fool metabolism and my tendency to produce ulcerations in my pouch and small intestine. That is why I am on TPN, to give my beleagured GI system some rest! 12 hours on , 12 hours off, I'm getting healthier but I'm still a Plump Princess, but Praise God I am still alive, kicking and bitching, but moving around enough my son doesn't have to dust me! So let's be friends through this all, okay?😝

Veronica my heart goes out to you because we have all been there. “Just eat less and move more “ “they say”! I finally saw a surgeon when , at 57 I knew I couldn’t do it - menopause had made me even more ravenous and despite spinning 5 x a week, the weight kept coming on . You know you need this surgery . Forget everyone else and do it for you . Commit to be good to yourself and work the steps . I am 6 weeks out and down 35 lbs - have another 35 to go . This is a journey and I know you can do it . But u need to commit that u will make the requisite changes in ur lifestyle . Good luck !!🍀

PLEASE EXCUSE THE LONG POST :( Hi all. I had my first VSG consultation on 4/19/2018. My surgeon told me I would need to lose 100lbs during my pre-op stage (6 months required by insurance co) and prescribed phentermine. I lost 20lbs in 2 weeks but it gave me terrible side effects (depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia) so I quit. At that point I was faced with calling my surgeon and asking for something else and I never did it. The week following that I tried intermittent fasting and lost another 10lbs. Then, foolishly, I thought to myself just as I had a million times before, “I can do this myself!” And when it came time for my next appointment, I didn’t go. I didn’t call and cancel, I didn’t reschedule, I just. didn’t. go. I was struggling very hard with the idea of ever telling my family. My sister Kayla lost all her weight through diet and exercise and has kept most of it off for years and years and would NEVER support the idea of me have surgery. She has my dad’s ear and he would listen to whatever opinion she had about it. I live with my dad and he’d always thought if I would just exercise more and eat less the weight would fall off. I hate myself for not going to that appointment. If I had persevered, I’d be sleeved by now and well on my way to my new life but instead I gave up. The fad diet again proved unsuccessful and I put all the weight back on and then some. I’ve been lost these past nine months trying to figure out what to do and then last week Kayla was home visiting and she handed me a stack of papers. She had gone to a WLS seminar, my skinny sister, and taken pages upon pages of notes. She had done research. She had prepared a speech to tell me it’s time for me to do something about this. Y’all, I CRIED. So now, tomorrow, I’m scheduling another consultation and I’m DOING THIS. I FINALLY have my family’s full support and most of all I’m ready. I’m ready to stop making excuses. I’m ready to stop saying no to going to certain restaurants because I can’t fit in their booths. I’m ready to stop telling my friends that the reason I can’t go to the amusement park is because I get sick on rollercoasters when the reality is that I don’t fit. I’m ready to stop saying no to vacations that require flight. I’m ready to stop researching weight limits on everything I buy. I’m ready to have a LIFE. I have never known what’s it’s like to be a normal weight. Not ever. I’m not delusional, I KNOW this will be one of the hardest things I’ll ever do but it will be so worth the struggle. I’m looking forward to sharing this journey.

Intermittent fasting thread (lots of participants very long, lots of resources sprinkled in)

Upcoming Challenge !

I did phentermine years ago and that’s bad bad stuff for You. Surprised you have only lost 30 lbs with this procedure . Sounds like you are eating way way too much !! I was told 600-800 calories until goal . 60g plus of Protein, under 50g of carbs and as little sugar as possible . Make sure you do 10k steps a day or 50min if cardio plus strength training a few times a week. Most important, get Water in! People who maintain their weight after surgery eat an average of 1000 calories, but once they reach their goal . Skip the phentermine and use a food tracker and cut ur intake in half . I was a low BMI as well, this is a tool not a cure and u do have to work the steps, there is no magic pill

Sounds interesting. I’ve heard of intermittent fasting. Yes I would like to try other options before going back to phentermine. I really want to use it as a last resort but right now nothing else seems to be working. Please send me the links so I can decide if I’d like to join. Thank you.

Sounds interesting. I’ve heard of intermittent fasting. Yes I would like to try other options before going back to phentermine. I really want to use it as a last resort but right now nothing else seems to be working. Please send me the links so I can decide if I’d like to join. Thank you.

Before you try that again, give us a chance... Intermittent fasting and refocus Challenges!
Let me know if you to join, I'll send you the links

Good morning all. I had the single incision gastric sleeve back in June 2018 so I am approximately 7 months out. I was considered “low BMI” (33 BMI) so I opted to go to Mexico to get it done since I would not get approved here especially since I have no comorbidities. I am 5’5” and My highest weight was 212, day of surgery 205, and now my current weight is 176-177. Before I even considered surgery I was on phentermine for a long, long time like 10 years steady!!! I was so excited to finally rid myself of that drug but now I am extremely tempted to start on it again. My reason being that my hunger is coming back, which I know is typical after 6 months, and I have not lost any weight for the past two months. It is a bit disappointing to me since I am still about 20 pounds away from goal. I’m also a bit depressed that I did something this invasive, flew all the way to Mexico, and paid a decent amount of $ ($6000 w/o airfare to be exact) for a mere 30-35 pounds. I need advice and help please........
My questions to anyone out there who went back on phentermine post gastric sleeve are these:
1- Did it help you jumpstart your weight loss again?
2- Was it as effective starting it a 2nd round so to speak? When I first took the phentermine I lost a good deal of weight but I’m not sure if I’ll have the same results.
3- if I start taking it again will I be forced to continue for the rest of my life or I’ll gain it all back?
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance however harsh and honest it is. To give you a more complete picture of my nutrition and daily life—— I eat from 80-90 grams of Protein daily, I limit carbs to 40-50 grams per day, I eat between 800-1200 calories, and I exercise at the gym 4-5 times a week for an hour each time.
Thanks so much for your help and support.

I think The 👺GHRELIN MONSTER looks somewhat like this👺, he's evil , lurking out there somewhere. plotting to attack me, bring me to my knees or even worse the Cake, Pie and Snacky Foods table at the Next Potluck dinner I attend. Like KCgirl I once was HIS and I'm sure he wants me back in his clutches. My own defense may be Precious Pouch that won't let me even EAT food that is GOOD for ME! She might be the only one to tackle him, won't be a fair fight but GHRELIN MONSTER never played fair before. This might be interesting!

This has been widely discussed on this site, and you'll find that people have strong opinions for either keeping it a secret or telling all. I personally have kept my surgery private. Only my husband and children know. I don't feel obligated to tell anyone my personal medical history. I wouldn't expect someone to tell me they had a vasectomy. It's none of my business. I've changed my eating habits, so I tell them what my diet consists of but leave it at that. Too many people want to criticize another person for his/her life decisions, and I don't have time for that. I'm focusing on being positive and healthy and don't need the drama, especially at work.

My condolences to you and your family. You are a beautiful soul and have helped and comforted so many on this forum. I really do wish I could do more but we as a community are here for you and hope you find peace after this devastating loss. I don’t have any other words than what all these kind folks have already expressed. May God rest his soul and grant you and your family peace.

My condolences to you and your family. You are a beautiful soul and have helped and comforted so many on this forum. I really do wish I could do more but we as a community are here for you and hope you find peace after this devastating loss. I don’t have any other words than what all these kind folks have already expressed. May God rest his soul and grant you and your family peace.

Hi there once again. I hope that everything goes smoothly with you and you don’t have the flight issues I did. When my flight was delayed I immediately emailed Ana to inform the lady Lana who was picking me up. Ana then told me at around noon to one in the afternoon to eat a yogurt and drink water but then nothing else so I could have the surgery that evening. I really didn’t feel faint or weak at all. It was not that difficult not to eat or drink on the flights (I had two flights going and coming, the flights were short and they only served Snacks and drinks). I think you’re too excited, nervous, anxious while you’re going to feel hungry or dehydrated really. When you’re coming back you won’t feel hunger after surgery. You will only feel like eating out of habit, mental hunger not physical nagging hunger at all. After surgery you won’t feel hungry they way you used to at all. I did the same preop you described. The first few days were rough adjusting to healthy eating and it’s preop so the hunger is still there but after that it was smooth sailing. By the time I got to the three day yogurt and water days I was fine with just eating yogurt and didn’t feel too bad at all. Plus I lost like 7 pounds on the preop so extra bonus!! Their postop care is good. I email Ana and she answers right away. They will also give you detailed instructions at the hospital for your postop diet up till 30 days postop. You will get a clear idea of what you an eat. Stock up on low sugar juices, broths, chamomile teas, and sugar free Jello for the first ten days postop. For Vitamins they only require you take a Megared, sold at most pharmacies and Target, and chewable Biotin. I do take my vitamins daily and so far so good.
I hope I answered everything. Let me know if any other question pops in your head.

Hi. I’m going to answer as many of your questions as possible, lol. Yes Dr. Ponce does actually perform the surgery but rarely meets the patients, a few others on this forum have also stated this. However, his reputation in Tijuana is very good if not probably the best if that is any consolation. He gets called by other docs to handle difficult cases. I did make a complaint to Dr. Frayre and to Lana (the driver who picked me up and sent me to the airport— she checked up on me not Ana) Ana coincidentally had the sleeve done the day after I had mine. My bad luck I suppose but otherwise I think things would have gone smoother.
I had surgery the same day I flew in even though my flight was delayed and I did not arrive at INT hospital until 3-4 PM. (I should have arrived at 10:30AM and had the surgery late afternoon. I wanted to get it over with to be honest with you and needed the following two days to recover before my trek home. So I insisted they still operate and I think the docs wanted to have the weekend off (I arrived Thursday—surgery Thursday night at 10PM, hospital Friday and Saturday, hotel Saturday to Sunday, went home Sunday morning.)
My BMI was 33 when I started preop and 32 when I actually had the surgery. I was charged $6000 total which originally should have been $6500. Now the reason I was charged that was b/c originally I was considered a revision because I had an ESG (similar to gastric plication but they go through the mouth so no incisions) but that was a complete failure because I lost no weight and began to gradually gain. When the surgeons went in they said my stomach looked completely normal as if nothing had been done so they took off the $500. (That showed their honesty in my opinion b/c I had no clue). I still had to be charged the extra $1000 for the SILS because they used the special equipment required and they did discuss with me beforehand that one extra incision may be necessary but once the special SILS apparatus is used they charge. I didn’t mind the extra amount because otherwise I’d have four to six incisions instead of just one and a minute one from the drain. I had 2 c-sections and they were still able to do the SILS but I don’t know about a Tummy Tuck. Just ask Ana she is very helpful and answers you super fast.
The only advice I can give you is download google translate if your Spanish is as bad as mine, walk ALOT after surgery—it’s the only thing that will get rid of the awful gas you’ll have, which honestly by day 2 was so much better. I have not vomited at all since the surgery. I felt really nauseous the first ten minutes after I woke up from surgery and dry heaved but no vomit yet 🤞🏻🤞🏻Thankfully! I did not experience much pain at all just soreness where the incision was (I felt no pain at all at my belly button) and the drain is uncomfortable but they take it out by 2nd day and you’re good to go.
No worries the staff and everyone there take really good care of you and your surgeons are top notch. Just be prepared for slower weight loss like me because we have less to lose. The restriction however is fabulous.
Once again best of luck and please let me know how you made out!!

Hi there. I’m going to be fair and honest on my review of Dr. Ponce and the INT hospital where I had my sleeve done. I’m now almost 5 weeks out and I’m very happy about my decision. You will be well taken care of. The staff at INT are excellent. The nurses are top notch. My only complaint was that many did not speak English but were very accommodating. I downloaded google translate which helped a lot. Dr. Frayre will the surgeon who will meet with you and check up on you throughout the entire time. I never got to meet Dr. Ponce although they told me several times I would. This is the only thing that really bothered me. I felt he should have taken the time to meet me even briefly but I neither spoke to him or saw him AT ALL. He was the main operating surgeon though as they give you a DVD of your surgery to take home. So I’m sure that he does exist and performs surgeries, lol.
Now about the SILS, I’d definitely pay the extra for that. I had a SILS kind of because they had to add an extra incision due to my weird anatomy as Dr. Frayre explained it. He told me my liver was in the way although I followed the preop properly which he acknowledged was evident but my liver apparently was too long so I needed an extra incision. Anyway, even with one extra incision the healing was very quick. I don’t have any marks or scars except for a small one from the extra incision and a tiny minute one, maybe 1/2 a centimeter from the drain. Both are very, very light and are not noticeable at all.
I think their care and staff was very good and their follow up is as well. I still email Ana with questions and she answers right away. I also went alone and never felt scared at all. My only complaint was Dr. Ponce not taking time to see me. Otherwise I’d totally recommend. I’m a lower BMI so I know the weight will come off slower but I’m down 22 pounds since my preop diet.
Go for it and good luck!!!

Thanks so much for this. I’m scheduled for the SILS TOMORROW!! I’m also in Tijuana, Mexico but I scheduled with Dr. Ponce. You really helped prepare me. God bless and great results! 11 pounds in 14 days! Keep it up and please keep posting. Hopefully when I’m done we can compare notes.

Hi there. I’m going to be fair and honest on my review of Dr. Ponce and the INT hospital where I had my sleeve done. I’m now almost 5 weeks out and I’m very happy about my decision. You will be well taken care of. The staff at INT are excellent. The nurses are top notch. My only complaint was that many did not speak English but were very accommodating. I downloaded google translate which helped a lot. Dr. Frayre will the surgeon who will meet with you and check up on you throughout the entire time. I never got to meet Dr. Ponce although they told me several times I would. This is the only thing that really bothered me. I felt he should have taken the time to meet me even briefly but I neither spoke to him or saw him AT ALL. He was the main operating surgeon though as they give you a DVD of your surgery to take home. So I’m sure that he does exist and performs surgeries, lol.
Now about the SILS, I’d definitely pay the extra for that. I had a SILS kind of because they had to add an extra incision due to my weird anatomy as Dr. Frayre explained it. He told me my liver was in the way although I followed the preop properly which he acknowledged was evident but my liver apparently was too long so I needed an extra incision. Anyway, even with one extra incision the healing was very quick. I don’t have any marks or scars except for a small one from the extra incision and a tiny minute one, maybe 1/2 a centimeter from the drain. Both are very, very light and are not noticeable at all.
I think their care and staff was very good and their follow up is as well. I still email Ana with questions and she answers right away. I also went alone and never felt scared at all. My only complaint was Dr. Ponce not taking time to see me. Otherwise I’d totally recommend. I’m a lower BMI so I know the weight will come off slower but I’m down 22 pounds since my preop diet.
Go for it and good luck!!!

Hi there. I’m going to be fair and honest on my review of Dr. Ponce and the INT hospital where I had my sleeve done. I’m now almost 5 weeks out and I’m very happy about my decision. You will be well taken care of. The staff at INT are excellent. The nurses are top notch. My only complaint was that many did not speak English but were very accommodating. I downloaded google translate which helped a lot. Dr. Frayre will the surgeon who will meet with you and check up on you throughout the entire time. I never got to meet Dr. Ponce although they told me several times I would. This is the only thing that really bothered me. I felt he should have taken the time to meet me even briefly but I neither spoke to him or saw him AT ALL. He was the main operating surgeon though as they give you a DVD of your surgery to take home. So I’m sure that he does exist and performs surgeries, lol.
Now about the SILS, I’d definitely pay the extra for that. I had a SILS kind of because they had to add an extra incision due to my weird anatomy as Dr. Frayre explained it. He told me my liver was in the way although I followed the preop properly which he acknowledged was evident but my liver apparently was too long so I needed an extra incision. Anyway, even with one extra incision the healing was very quick. I don’t have any marks or scars except for a small one from the extra incision and a tiny minute one, maybe 1/2 a centimeter from the drain. Both are very, very light and are not noticeable at all.
I think their care and staff was very good and their follow up is as well. I still email Ana with questions and she answers right away. I also went alone and never felt scared at all. My only complaint was Dr. Ponce not taking time to see me. Otherwise I’d totally recommend. I’m a lower BMI so I know the weight will come off slower but I’m down 22 pounds since my preop diet.
Go for it and good luck!!!

Hi there. I’m going to be fair and honest on my review of Dr. Ponce and the INT hospital where I had my sleeve done. I’m now almost 5 weeks out and I’m very happy about my decision. You will be well taken care of. The staff at INT are excellent. The nurses are top notch. My only complaint was that many did not speak English but were very accommodating. I downloaded google translate which helped a lot. Dr. Frayre will the surgeon who will meet with you and check up on you throughout the entire time. I never got to meet Dr. Ponce although they told me several times I would. This is the only thing that really bothered me. I felt he should have taken the time to meet me even briefly but I neither spoke to him or saw him AT ALL. He was the main operating surgeon though as they give you a DVD of your surgery to take home. So I’m sure that he does exist and performs surgeries, lol.
Now about the SILS, I’d definitely pay the extra for that. I had a SILS kind of because they had to add an extra incision due to my weird anatomy as Dr. Frayre explained it. He told me my liver was in the way although I followed the preop properly which he acknowledged was evident but my liver apparently was too long so I needed an extra incision. Anyway, even with one extra incision the healing was very quick. I don’t have any marks or scars except for a small one from the extra incision and a tiny minute one, maybe 1/2 a centimeter from the drain. Both are very, very light and are not noticeable at all.
I think their care and staff was very good and their follow up is as well. I still email Ana with questions and she answers right away. I also went alone and never felt scared at all. My only complaint was Dr. Ponce not taking time to see me. Otherwise I’d totally recommend. I’m a lower BMI so I know the weight will come off slower but I’m down 22 pounds since my preop diet.
Go for it and good luck!!!

Thanks so much for this. I’m scheduled for the SILS TOMORROW!! I’m also in Tijuana, Mexico but I scheduled with Dr. Ponce. You really helped prepare me. God bless and great results! 11 pounds in 14 days! Keep it up and please keep posting. Hopefully when I’m done we can compare notes.