Kelly Sweetheart

I've had multiple surgeries. Some in the states, one in Mexico.

My in the states Tummy Tuck was first. I was not that pleased. I lost my curve and looked like spongebob square pants. This was done in a surgical center. I was kicked out and sent home pretty quickly after surgery. Not the best experience. This was in 2015

My second surgery was covered by insurance. A breast reduction that was also performed in the states. I am surpised how small he made my breasts, but I've always hated them and wanted small breasts so I was happy. I did end up with dog ears and some keloid spots. I didn't have them addressed, but I'm told it's pretty simple to address both issues, so I may in the near future. This was done in a hospital. It was a more pleasant experience. I did go home the same day. This was in 2016

During COVID I gained 50 lbs and had bariatric surgery. Lost 60 lbs

The third plastic surgery was a brazilliam butt lift. I had this surgery in January. I explained that I wanted Lipo to try to give me my curve back and a natural looking butt. This was done in Mexico. I am absolutely amazed at this procedure. He lipo'd my back and flanks and extended tummy tuck? Basically gave me back my hourglass figure. He inserted the fat at my hips and butt. I stayed in the hospital for a week. I had round the clock nurses care. I didn't need it. I would have preferred being at home but I don't like staying in hotels/hospitals. I want to sleep in my bed. I found that they do specialize in weightloss patients and have a long waiting list. But cancellations occur and you can move up your date rather easily if you are flexible.

20 hours ago, losinglosinglosing said:

We're 1 year post-op! How's everybody doing?

So thankful that I went on this journey. It's been a long time since I've been at a normal BMI. I'm getting a facelift in July

I am 53. I had my surgery last year. I had the gastric sleeve surgery. They fixed a hiatal hernia as well. I live in Ohio, but flew to Las Vegas for my surgery. I paid $9800. My general practitioner did my follow up labs at 6 months, and will do my one year labs as well. I'm a couple pounds away from my goal and a normal BMI. I will definitely hit my goal before my one year mark.

My sister saw my success and wanted to go to Las Vegas as well. Her price was a few thousand more so she looked into Mexico. She did go to Tijuana, and I was her companion. She paid half of what I paid. She had her surgery last month and has lost 25 lbs so far. She has not had any complications. The gastric sleeve seems to be a common surgery with very minimal complications wherever you go.

I wish you the best!

Kelly

On 11/28/2022 at 9:23 PM, Nelly 06 said:

How is everyone doing? After 8 months I lost a total of 73 pounds! So happy

So glad to hear you are doing so well. I'm doing well, as well, thanks. I've lost about 40 lbs. I need to lose another 13 or so to have a normal BMI. But I'm quite happy with my weight loss. It has been very slow throughout this process. I'm averaging a pound a week. But that's better than not losing, or God forbid, gaining. I'm going on a cruise for Christmas. Bathing suit, size 10. Great to be there again. I hope all is well with everybody

Thanks, they are on my list to call.

It doesn't look like they take credit cards. Did you have to pay in cash?

HI all,

My sister is planning on having the gastric sleeve procedure done in Mexico in a few months. I am going to go with her and I am considering liposuction. Basically, surgery buddies, but different procedures. I know a lot of bariatric patients end up needing some surgery for loose skin, etc. But I'm not sure which practices provide both. Does anybody have any experience with a bariatric place in Mexico that also provides plastic surgery?

Thanks,

Kelly

When I was researching sleeve vs gastric bypass, one of the doctors videos discussed the sleeve procedure and explained the operation in detail. the taller you are the longer the stomach thus the more it can hold. Honestly, we are talking the difference of 1-2 ounces though after the sleeve procedure. I believe his reference picture was a small banana vs a larger banana.

I was a self pay as well. I stayed in the states though. I flew to Vegas on a Monday, had preop stuff done Tuesday and Wednesday. My surgery was Thursday and I left Saturday. I looked at services in Mexico, but decided on staying in the states. It was my own fears. I trust the US restrictions, rules, procedures are in place for my safety. However, there are a lot of people on here who have had wonderful experiences traveling out of the country for surgery. I believe there is a group page dedicated to Mexican sleeve patients. I would check out some of their reviews and experiences.

I had surgery on a Thursday. I flew home overnight Sat-Sun. I went to work that Monday. I was tired. But I was flying from Vegas to Ohio. That time change plus the surgery had me off a little, otherwise the work day went smoothly. I have a desk job as well

I bet your nutritionist was thinking about food restrictions for sleeve patients and not truly understanding your question. The first two weeks I was restricted to liquids, but after that I could try whatever I felt comfortable with eating. I had stage 3 hiatal hernia repair, and had a lot of pain the first time I tried chicken. I couldn't eat food that was "dry" without pain in my upper chest. The focus on the 3rd week was introducing foods again and hitting your Protein mark while watching carbs. Eat protein first. I bet that's what he meant by no restrictions.

On 4/11/2022 at 9:03 AM, lorlybeth84 said:

Hi Everyone! I know I'm late to the game here but I had VSG on 3/22. So far things have been fairly easy. I'm on pureed foods right now which is getting boring and I still find it tough to get in all the Protein and liquids I'm supposed to but every day is getting better. I finally hit 20lbs down yesterday which feels amazing. I love reading everyone's stories on here, can't wait to see our progress!

I love seeing everybody's stories too. My surgery was 03/24. I'm having trouble eating solid food unless its soft. I feel a wave of pain in my chest when I tried to eat chicken. It comes and goes for a few minutes. I'm guessing it's my esophagus muscle squeezing. I've had that before when I thought I ate too much. This time, I had very little chicken so I know it wasn't that. It scared me. So I'm back to eating eggs for Protein. I did have a stage 3 hiatal hernia repaired. It might have been that as well.

Joined the local YMCA. They don't have a swimming pool, but my membership is nationwide, so I can go to one of the other swimming pools in the county. My kids love it, and they have some workout machines outside a play area. There are glass windows so you can use a bike, row machine, etc while watching the kids play.

Upcoming challenges:

Still unable to take Vitamins w/o nausea. Was considering ordering some Patches, but I'm not sure about their efficacy

COVID 19 booster on Friday. I'm dreading this most of all. I've had 3 shots and I had a strong reaction to every single one. Fever 104, headache, body aches, fatigue, basically flu symptoms for about 3 days. I don't want to eat or drink, so I'll be struggling with fluids.

49 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

I should say too that 600 calories a day sounds really little to me - is that until you get where you want to be or just for the first few weeks?

Hmmm, from what he said it sounds like 600 kcal / day is the average daily goal for the first 6 months. Since I'm just now starting soft foods, 600 kcal is a lot. But when I can eat more items, I bet I'd hit 600 Kcal pretty quickly. They pretty much explained that I would be eating similar to the pre-op diet.

I bet that's why they suggest taking a Multivitamin, Calcium, B complex, Omega III, Probiotics

49 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

There are calculators but your body won't know that Kelly! They're based on averages and most people don't stick to those. If you're looking for a ballpark my surgeon said that people lose an average of 60-70% of their *excess* body weight in two years. That's not to say all people though - some do (much) better some do (much) worse. I'm a bit control freaky too so I have had a hard time not being able to predict what will happen from one week or month to the next. But I have learned to trust my sleeve - it's working really well for me. Your body will already have a new set point in mind and once you get there that's it - I believe we either accept that or we fight tooth and nail to lose more to get to OUR ideal (not our BODY'S new ideal) and then fight forever to stay there. And most of us have spent a good part of our lives fighting the same fight and losing.

I hope you do really well with your sleeve - you're already doing brilliantly. Stick to the rules and you will lose, there's no way on this earth that you won't. And if you stick to the rules for a long time you will get to your new set weight. How much you will lose and how fast is, unfortunately for you and me, pretty much impossible to say.

Thanks for your insight. I will try to trust the process.

1 hour ago, Robz said:

Did you stay the night or did you go home same day?

Went to a hotel. Later that evening the practice sent somebody to provide IV therapy. Then they pick you up the following day and take you to their location for another IV therapy.

Does anybody know what the "expected weight loss percentage" is for immediately after surgery and how the weight loss curves. I guess I'm trying to set up my predictable timeline. For example, it's been 2 weeks since surgery. I lost 10.4 lbs. That is 5.36%

My nutritionist said my expected weight loss is 50-60 lbs in 6 months based on my metabolic test and a 600 Kcal/day diet. My resting energy expenditure test reported that I am using 16556vKcal/day.

I saw another physician video stating that the curve is greatest in the first 3 months. Then the next 9 months you would expect to lose the same amount as you lost in the first 3 months.

Simply, I want to track my weight loss and measure against something scientifically predicted based on those who have had bariatric surgery. Do you guys know of any calculator/program like that?

On 4/8/2022 at 5:10 AM, shawncotton said:

1week post opp had surgery march 31 went to see my doc on April 7th lost 20 pds

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Wow. That is amazing.

I had gastric sleeve surgery with stage 3 hiatal hernia repair. It was an outpatient procedure at a surgical center. My pain was minimal

14 minutes ago, Digitoptic said:

Hey peeps, just found this website and wanted to jump in. Had my VSG surgery on March 29, doing pretty good, but wow… getting my Protein in daily has become a struggle. I could probably live the rest of my life without a chocolate, iced latte or vanilla shake and be a very happy man.

been experimenting with other flavors from Bariatric Advantage and Unjury, but woof, this stuff is just hard to get down. Anyone else enjoying the whoas of Protein intake?

At my center, the first two weeks post surgery is focused solely on Fluid intake. Protein is not the focus. They said the number one reason for rehospitalization after surgery is dehydration, so they don't worry about protein intake for the first two weeks.

1 hour ago, FutureSylph said:

How's everyone doing now that we're into April? Anyone's plan have them on regular diet yet? (I'm still on soft foods for another week.) What's been the most difficult or the most delightful part of post-op life so far?

I'm almost through my second week post op. I've lost 11 lbs. If it wasn't for the cuts on my belly and my missing hernia, I wouldn't even be able to tell I had surgery. I do tend to bounce back right after surgery, but then feel it a couple weeks later. I'm still on liquid diet. My guess is, I haven't had anything to stress my stomach yet. I'll reserve full judgement to when I actually progress to eating food.

6 hours ago, Nifer72 said:

Good luck to everyone still left to have their surgery.

Thank you, I had mine today , along with hernia repair. T

he hernia is the worst

I’m super excited. Surgery is tomorrow. I have a port in my arm. I’m not liking it at all. But I’m sure after surgery tomorrow it won’t be much of a concern.

1 hour ago, Nikki@50 said:

Thank you sooo much for responding. Yep it's now or never for me lol. Maybe we could support each other through the tough times x

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Absolutely, I'm flying out tomorrow. I'm a self pay and having surgery in vegas

2 hours ago, Nikki@50 said:

I'm having surgery on Thursday and my head is so full of a variety of emotions; excitement, nervousness, worry etc. Anyone feeling the same?

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@tristynftw and I are having surgery on the 24th as well. I know there are a few others this weeK too. I am very excited, super nervous, but ready!!

I can’t seem to get enough Water. I am excessively thirsty and I haven’t even had the surgery yet. The only thing that has changed is I’m on the high Protein low carb pre op diet. I’m drinking at least 64 oz of water per day and I’m still dry mouth, lips, and literally craving water.