Malaika

Let me know Tracey because Dr. A did my surgery - and as I said - we were given straws with every meal for the apple juice and some nasty orange stuff and, of course, the blue dye drink. Oh - and you won't GULP (at least not more than once or twice) following your sleeve surgery ... I'm almost 6 months out and although I can take bigger swallows than before, I definitely can't GULP (without pain that is)

I confirm what Cajun said. Thankfully, I am only 1 hour away from San Diego by plane or 6 hours from Mexicali by car, so travel to see Dr. Aceves is not too cost-prohibitive. I wish he was in Las Vegas, too - he'd be my doctor of choice that is for sure!

I don't know why - we were given straws in the hospital to drink the "blue" juice and other juices with every meal, so I'm no help with the "no straws" rationale.

Yeah Tracy - quite a visual I was starting to get there ... :lol0::thumbup::lol0:

Great post Shontel - thank you for sharing - Dr. Aceves tells everyone to put your fork down in between each bite - I am pretty good at doing that - it generallly takes me about 45 minutes to eat about 4 oz. I have learned to listen to my body and haven't had any problems in quite some time. Hopefully your suggestions will help newbies and those who are still have issues with eating further out from their surgeries. Congrats on your revision and your weight loss. I look forward to following your progress!

Welcome to the VST Family. I believe the reason for the follow ups is to be sure that everything is progressing as it shoud and to give the surgeons more knowledge on how people deal with the sleeve 1-5 years out following surgery. This is still a relatively new surgery and they are trying to gather information - at least that is what I believe. I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves and he is awesome. He recommends a barium swallow at 3 months and lab work to be sure that all your levels - Iron, Calcium, cholesterol, etc. are in healthy levels - he does blood work before your surgery so you have a comparison at 3 months. He also asks that we follow-up with him (via email) once a week for the first 6 months. His fee includes a lifetime of follow-up and nutritional guidance. I didn't go to see him for my 3 month - I went to my PCP here in Las Vegas. I had discussed the fact that I was having sleeve surgery before doing so - and I told him where I was having it - and he told me he thought the surgery was a good idea and he had no objection whatsoever to treating me after having my surgery in Mexico. (Now, this could be because he is from India and is not biased about doctors in other countries). Regardless, I saw him at 3 months and he said my labs were all great and he couldn't be happier with my progress. I keep in touch with Dr. Aceves' office and if there are ever any questions, I have a response within 24 hours, generally sooner. The $12,500 price for staying in the US is a good price IF it includes everything - all pre-op tests, the surgery, the hospital stay (I was in for 4 days/3 nights) and the anesthesiologist. Also, be sure that if there are other issues that need to be fixed while the doctor is doing your surgery, there are no extra charges. Example: I had to have a hiatal hernia repaired and Dr. Aceves did it at no extra charge; someone else had an inflammed appendix so he removed it, at no extra charge. If your $12,500 covers EVERYTHING then I'd say go for it. Dr. Aceves' charges $9500 and that includes everything, including one night at a great resort prior to your surgery; however, it does not include the cost of travel to San Diego (where his driver will pick you up and take you to Mexicali). If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me and I'll answer them the best I am able.

Tracy - sounds yummy. I love acorn squash, so may try your buttercup squash recipe too. Thanks for sharing. BTW is ICBINB - I can't believe it's not butter?

Josephine - If you're not losing weight are you losing inches? If you're working out as much as you are, it's possible that you're building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat so that could be the reason that the scale isn't moving at the rate you think it should; however, I bet you are losing inches everywhere and that your clothes are ready to fall off. Take your measurements and when the scale doesn't move, take the measurements again - I bet you see a loss. I know we all like to see the loss on the scale; however, if I can see a loss in inches if not on the scale, at least I know I'm still accomplishing my goal and that eventually the scale will start moving again.

Barbara - sorry that your insurance won't pay - it still amazes me that they find the sleeve so "experimental" or that employers (mine included) would opt to exempt WLS surgery. Maybe that trend will change one day (soon). If you are looking to have your surgery in Mexico, I would highly recommend Dr. Aceves - he has performed surgery on several of us here on VST and my first hand, personal experience was absolutely awesome. He also performed my fiance's surgery 1 month later and the experience was just as excellent. There are others on here who have also had surgery in Mexico with other surgeons and am sure they could offer you their experiences. Regardless of who says what the most important thing is that you do your own research and then research even more and that you are comfortable with your decision. If you have any questions about Dr. Aceves, feel free to PM me and I will answer them for you.

Wow Ange - I am so sorry you are having such a hard go of it with your pregnancy. I would say if you are losing weight, eat whatever the heck you are able to eat and get to stay down - the cheese is good protein; and I'm sure if we look hard enough, we can find something beneficial in the chocolate (hmmm .... is it at least dark chocolate?) Nuts are good protein too. I hope as your pregnancy continues your stomach is able to handle more of a variety of foods; however, if not, stock up on cheese, nuts and chocolate!

Mutti - 8 inches is a tremendous loss. That is the great thing about the sleeve - even if the scale isn't moving (and yes it is VERY frustrating) the inches seem to be melting off. Take your measurements, if you haven't already and when the scale doesn't move, take your measurements again and you'll see a loss. Also, if you are weighing every day - STOP - you'll drive yourself crazy as your weight can fluctuate 3-5 lbs just due to Water weight or other factors. Just weigh once a week - of if you have to weigh every day - pick 1 day as your "official" weigh in day and only pay attention to what the weight is that day. Hang in there - stalls are normal, and they happen to everyone (except MacMadame) but they don't last forever. Promise!

Jolanda - Welcome to our VST family. We are so happy you found us and joined us. Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad that you are doing well following your surgeries. Wow - 4 lbs of clotted blood - that doesn't sound good! Keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions whatsoever, don't hesitate to ask!

Shontel - welcome to VST - and WOW what a time you had - how scary that must have been -- glad to hear you are home and on the mend!

Welcome to our family and congrats on your surgery date - and deciding upon the VSG. We'll look forward to following your progress and you'll make your goal!

Tracy that is so COOL! Congrats on your win and on your post-op goals -- you'll be in the ring before you know it -- We'll be watching for you on the AKC Show on Animal Planet!

Deb -- congrats on getting your date -- it's just around the corner and 2010 will be a GREAT year!

Hey Lan, you're never alone - we're all here for you!

Netherfield - well I guess that is one (positive) way to look at the hair loss -- as I wash my hands and watch all that hair go down the drain - I'll recite that mantra! I'm taking biotin and Evening Primrose Oil. I'm like you, figure it can't hurt! Hope I don't go bald before I get to goal!:w00t:

Tiffy - It's been so much fun to be on this ride with you -- and I don't even LIKE rollercoasters ... but with you, it's been a great ride and I'm happy we've gone through it all together. Even though we've never met in person (YET) I feel we've got a special bond! You are an amazing woman - keep up the good work!

I do the same as Tiffy - drink up until my first bite and then wait 30-45 minutes after I finish eating.

Hope - sorry to hear you're feeling poorly - I am sure the shot and the medicine will have you back to par by Monday - hang in there and drink LOTS of water!

I don't really enjoy plain water anymore -- I enjoy sucking on ice cubes and letting the cold water trickle down my throat. When I drink water I add some flavoring to it. And I can't drink cold water - it still causes me spasms. I used to absolutely LOVE iced tea but hardly drink it at all anymore either. I guess my tastes for sweet things isn't the only thing that changed with surgery.

Lisa - welcome to VST and as I said to Susie - you will be successful with the sleeve. Keep us posted on your progress.

I agree with Daisy - if what you are doing is working for you - and obviously it is - 30 lbs in 6 weeks is awesome - then I would keep doing what you're doing and the next time the doctor asks, tell him you're following a healthy eating plan and leave it at that.

I did notice it -- wondered if she was going to get "thinner" after the surgery ... and stole is such an ugly word, how about "borrowed" :thumbup: