Sleeve_Me_Alone

I had VSG in Tijuana, Mx. at HospitalBC with Dr. Illan, so I can only speak to my own personal experience. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision.
These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area.
The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.
Definitely check out the Mexico & Self Pay forum for helpful info!

I'm so sorry you're struggling, but you are absolutely not alone. We all pass through seasons of difficulty, deal with emotional upheaval, slip into old habits, face regain, etc. It sounds like you've identified it and are actively getting help, so be proud of yourself for taking those first steps!
Maybe focus on ONE habit you can re-establish to help get your back into alignment with your goals? Are you getting your Water in everyday? How about your Vitamins? Do you regularly hit your Protein goal? Again, you don't need to do ALL of these things, pick just ONE and work on making it a habit. Then once your feel like you've got that under your belt, pick another one.
Small changes add up! You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're struggling, but you are absolutely not alone. We all pass through seasons of difficulty, deal with emotional upheaval, slip into old habits, face regain, etc. It sounds like you've identified it and are actively getting help, so be proud of yourself for taking those first steps!
Maybe focus on ONE habit you can re-establish to help get your back into alignment with your goals? Are you getting your Water in everyday? How about your Vitamins? Do you regularly hit your Protein goal? Again, you don't need to do ALL of these things, pick just ONE and work on making it a habit. Then once your feel like you've got that under your belt, pick another one.
Small changes add up! You've got this!

For me it was just a LOT of shedding. Started at 3 months, continued through about 8 months. Its just about back to normal now and I'm starting to see a bit of regrowth! I think it varies pretty widely from person to person.

I do not have EoE, but my son (15) does. I don't know what impact it may have to surgery eligibility, but I would think at minimum they would want you in remission either by way of food elimination or medications. EoE can lead to esophageal strictures, scarring, and even has some correlation to increased risk of certain types of cancers. Its great that you're not symptomatic, but it should still be addressed before the disease progresses.

Welcome! Glad to have you!

Having surgery Sept 1 . Excited. Can't wait to start my new life God is so good
Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

Agree with the above - with that much Water, its very likely that you are low on electrolytes. You can supplement with potassium & magnesium in the form of sports drinks (Powerade, Gatorade), water flavoring additives (Mio, liquid IV, ZipFizz), or just taking them in pill form. A quick fix is also pickle juice!

I am on the Depo shot since 2017, so its been yearsssssss since I had a period. Surgery did not change that for me. However, those few weeks post-op, maybe 6-8 weeks, I was extremely emotional. I was tired, crabby, sad, and overly sensitive. Thankfully, I knew to expect it and had given my family a heads up. They gave me lots of space and I took lots of naps. Since then things have leveled out and I feel like myself again.

"Cheating" aside, the idea that you had to "skip" a meal to pay penance for your slip up is extremely unhealthy. You likely had bariatric surgery to break free from the cycle of dieting, restriction, and your unhealthy relationship with food. This behavior is a HUGE red flag and indicates you still have some mental/emotional work to do. I'd suggest 1) getting into some counseling -and- 2) sticking to your eating plan. As others have said, you are on a plan for a reason, at this point primarily to heal from major surgery, and you aren't doing yourself any favors by going off plan so early.

"Cheating" aside, the idea that you had to "skip" a meal to pay penance for your slip up is extremely unhealthy. You likely had bariatric surgery to break free from the cycle of dieting, restriction, and your unhealthy relationship with food. This behavior is a HUGE red flag and indicates you still have some mental/emotional work to do. I'd suggest 1) getting into some counseling -and- 2) sticking to your eating plan. As others have said, you are on a plan for a reason, at this point primarily to heal from major surgery, and you aren't doing yourself any favors by going off plan so early.

"Cheating" aside, the idea that you had to "skip" a meal to pay penance for your slip up is extremely unhealthy. You likely had bariatric surgery to break free from the cycle of dieting, restriction, and your unhealthy relationship with food. This behavior is a HUGE red flag and indicates you still have some mental/emotional work to do. I'd suggest 1) getting into some counseling -and- 2) sticking to your eating plan. As others have said, you are on a plan for a reason, at this point primarily to heal from major surgery, and you aren't doing yourself any favors by going off plan so early.

Elevated cholesterol immediately post-op and through the most active weight loss period is very common. Mine went up as well, and my PCP is not at all concerned. If it were still elevated once I reach maintenance, which she highly doubts it will, then we can address. Do some research on it, there are several peer reviewed studies out there about it, and then decide.
Adding in a Prebiotic Fiber supplement like Just Better Fiber can help, as can exercise and time.

I have a pair of Brooks and a pair of New Balance - both high quality running shoes. I prefer the Brooks, they are more supportive and comfortable, but I do think the New Balance are a little more structured and my hold up a little longer.
I agree with others that the best thing you can do is go to a good shoe store and get fitted and let them help you find a quality shoe. I wore subpar, off the shelf, whatever-fits-is-good-enough shoes for YEARS and when I started exercising regularly they absolutely killed my feet and caused shin splints. Having well made, well fitting shoes for working out has made a HUGE difference. (Full disclosure: I ONLY wear shoes when I workout. I am barefoot or in flip flops 100% of the time. I despise shoes....)

Elevated cholesterol immediately post-op and through the most active weight loss period is very common. Mine went up as well, and my PCP is not at all concerned. If it were still elevated once I reach maintenance, which she highly doubts it will, then we can address. Do some research on it, there are several peer reviewed studies out there about it, and then decide.
Adding in a Prebiotic Fiber supplement like Just Better Fiber can help, as can exercise and time.

Elevated cholesterol immediately post-op and through the most active weight loss period is very common. Mine went up as well, and my PCP is not at all concerned. If it were still elevated once I reach maintenance, which she highly doubts it will, then we can address. Do some research on it, there are several peer reviewed studies out there about it, and then decide.
Adding in a Prebiotic Fiber supplement like Just Better Fiber can help, as can exercise and time.

Yea, it doesn't seem this is uncommon.
I asked my surgeon about just snatching it while he was there so I didn't have to worry about another surgery. haha
He said, only if I had a history of gallstones pre-op. Otherwise it stays.
I didn't so it stayed. 4 months post op, no issues so far. 🤞

I had VSG in Tijuana, Mx. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision. I had my surgery at HospitalBC with Dr. Illan.
The insurance piece was definitely a factor for me. I have consulted 3x with US surgeons in the past. And all the appointments and hoop jumping eventually caused me to lose hope and I bailed. The months and months of appointments and paperwork is exhausting and extremely frustrating! That being said, I have employer sponsored healthcare, not Tricare, so I can't speak to the experience with them, only my own. From first contact to surgery, was almost exactly 3 months. It would have been shorter, but I had some schedule considerations I had to work around. With my insurance it would have been 9+ months.
These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area.
The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.

I had my surgery at HopsitalBC in Tijuana, Mx. by Dr. Illan. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision.
These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area.
Regarding complications, I met with my PCP beforehand and she was 100% supportive. I knew that if I had any issues post-op she would be my advocate. Additionally, US hospitals CANNOT legally refuse to treat you if you present to an ER, regardless of what caused the complications. Now, would a US bariatric surgeon agree to take you on for follow up once you've been stabilized? Maybe not. But that's why you should establish post-op care BEFORE you have surgery. Additionally the complication rate with bariatric surgeries is VERY low in general; these are long established surgeries with very good post-op outcomes. My PCP is also doing all of my labs, meds, etc.
For travel, my surgeon recommends blood thinners for 7 days post-op. I also wore compression socks and a compression shirt for my flight home. I started walking as soon as I could post-op, which also helps. Blood clots are a risk with this surgery, whether stateside or abroad, and the travel aspect can increase that. So take your blood thinners and walk as much as you can.
Money wasn't a huge factor, though it was a factor. I have very good insurance but after all the pre-op appointments, tests, scans, and everything else, we estimated our out of pocket would be in the $7,500 range. Out of pocket including spending money, an extra night in the hotel, and flights, I paid about $5,500 for surgery in Mx. It was also SIGNIFICANTLY faster. With the 6 month diet program and required insurance approvals, it would be about 9 months from first appt to surgery vs. less than 3 months from intake to surgery in Mx.
The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs. For me personally, medical tourism was the right choice and I'm extremely happy with my decision. Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions!

I had surgery in Mx. with Dr. Illan at HopsitalBC and was VERY happy with the experience. I met with my PCP prior to surgery and she was 100% supportive. She did pre-op labs to make sure there were no concerns, and has done all of my post-op labs. She also prescribed a course of Ursodiol, as I have a history of biliary colic and wanted to try and avoid any issues post-op. My surgeon does also have ongoing support with their nutritionist (via phone, email, FB group, etc.).

Surgery was on Tuesday, I was discharged Thursday. That being said, I had surgery in Mx, which often includes a longer hospital stay than in the US. Additionally, after being discharged to a hotel, a doctor came to do a quick check up and wound care that evening.

The only thing it really offers is connectivity to your surgeon. My surgeon gave me a code to link to their office so the nutritionist can see my food logs, weight entries, etc. I don't recall if MFP has a space for measurements or not, as I never took them until surgery, but Baritastic does have that, which is nice. Weights, food tracking, measurements, etc. are all in one app.

I was a MyFitnessPal user before surgery and really like it. My surgeon uses Baritastic, so I switched to that and, though I don't like it as much as MFP, it does the job and I've gotten used to it.

All - Thanks for the great responses. It gives me faith in this forum that I can ask a question and get real answers, without worrying about the negative crap and the shaming you might get in a Facebook group or other forums I have been in.
Today is my last day of my "Week 1 Clear Liquid" stage so I wait till tomorrow to choose a few items from my "Week 2 Full Liquid" stage. I'm still a week away from oatmeal and bananas. The clear liquid week, as sucky as it has been, did allow me to lose 10 lbs so far. So I'll call it a win.

I had VSG in Tijuana, Mx. at HospitalBC with Dr. Illan, so I can only speak to my own personal experience. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision.
These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area.
The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.
Regarding your questions above:
1 - No, it was a combination of finances, timeline, convenience, and other factors.
2 - No, I did not get an option. My surgeon uses a 32 as his standard and will only deviate when appropriate for the patient.
3 - I met with my PCP before I went and she was extremely supportive. She does all my post-op labs, checked my incisions, offered dietary support, etc. She now recommends my surgeon to other patients who are interested in going out of country for the procedure.
4 - The hospital I chose was staffed with additional medical personnel in case of emergencies, but that really wasn't a consideration for me. The instance/risk of major complications DURING surgery is essentially nil.
5 - Complications aren't usually the result of a surgical mistake, so there is generally nothing for the surgeon to "fix" they typically are just the result of a person's own body's healing. For instance, a stricture is one of the most common (though still extremely rare) post-op complications, and they are almost never a direct result of surgical error. They just happen.
6 - My hospital offers lifetime nutritional support, which is great. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend some serious counseling before & after to deal with the emotional/mental work that has to be done. I was really well informed pre-op but still felt like the extra support would be critical, and it was. I would also suggest ongoing community support - either here, or something like BariNation (which I LOVE), or a local support group. I am a card carrying, people hating, highly independent introvert and have still found community support to be vital to my success.
7 - I wish I had known how ridiculously kind and accommodating the staff would be. I went alone and really kept to myself, but the one time I needed the staff they were incredibly responsive and very kind. In hindsight, I wish I had been more engaged.
*going out of order* 9 - It takes time. Most people will NOT be able to hit their Protein and Water goals right away. It took me probably 3 months before I was able to get there consistently. It just takes a crap ton of work. I keep water handy at ALL times, and drink, drink, drink like its my job. I was never advised to drink warm water or to adjust my intake in any way. Just drink, all the time.
8 - I am going to say this as gently and with as much love as I possibly can - This is not your journey and you would serve your wife best by keeping your opinions to yourself. Unless you have lived in her brain and her body, you cannot understand what she is going through, what is driving her behaviors, or what toll it is taking on her mental health. I can guarantee you, she feels plenty of shame already and doesn't need you second guessing her ability to be successful. The best thing you can do is research, report back, support her, and shut up. My husband is thin and has the metabolism of a hummingbird. He has never struggled with his weight and as such has no frame of reference and no ability to understand. He recognized this early on, and has thus deferred to me on every diet, every fast, every medication, and ultimately my decision to have surgery. His unconditional support, free of opinions and judgment, was the kindest gift he ever gave to me. I know you love her, and you clearly want her to succeed. But the baggage you are forcing her to drag around is entirely unhelpful. A much more valuable way to help would be to help her find a therapist so she can do the work that would set her up for success long term.