ChelseaAhmree

I was supposed to have surgery May 27th for the band but I switched to the Vertical Sleeve instead(surgery same day)! I've lost 68 lbs so far, which is 20lbs less than half my goal! I'm pretty excited about it. Great job everyone! It's amazing how much my lifestyle has changed since WLS and I'm sure you can all agree!

I'm 3 days post-op and feeling great. I went to Mexico for surgery. I walked in wanting the band and decided that morning to get the gastric sleeve instead. My post-op instructions are the same, though. Liquids for 2 weeks! I am totally experiencing post-op hunger/gas confusion. I think most of it is gas. My only concern is getting enough Protein so it looks like I'm going to try to stick to chicken broth instead of just Water. There were two other women who were banded the same day and we all seem to be doing great (6 people total - 4 people switched to the sleeve once we got to the hospital/clinic). I went to Mexico to Dr. Almanza - FABULOUS! The staff was fantastic, the facility was clean, and the recovery house was an added treat where we were fully pampered and cared for before we departed for home. I highly recommend Dr. Almanza if you haven't found a surgeon yet. How are you guys getting your protein in? Chels

Thanks! I can totally understand the anxiety! I first started looking into surgery last November and have FINALLY gotten my act together to schedule it. What was holding me up was getting a passport and I think I was holding off to mentally prepare myself. Originally my husband was going to come with me to Mexico but we decided to save money and I'll go alone. But really, I'm not going to be alone. There are 7 other people flying in that day to have surgery with my Dr. and so we'll have an instant support group and people who will REALLY understand. Now, if it were just me by myself and having to navigate from the airport in San Diego and down to the facility in Mexico...that might be another story. Safety in numbers! Good luck to all who are having surgery soon or have recently had it. Success is only a band away.

I'm scheduled for surgery on May 27th in Mexico. I'm self-pay and it is the best option for me. The key is to feel comfortable with who you're going to and what you're doing. My only pre-op diet instructions are and: broth, Jell-O, yogurt, sugar-free juice, any clear liquid, Boost, or Slim-Fast. NO SOLIDS of any kind. I'm going to be on it for 5-7 days. 3 days before I'm instructed to take a laxative. I think that's what makes me the most nervous! Excited and know I can do it. I'm 315ish pounds and was down to 190 through exercise and diet 4 years ago and had maintained it for 4 years and THEN I got married and started gaining it all back. 60 lbs in a year. yikes. It's time to get back to where I was. It's time for confidence in who I am and who I'd like to be. Much of it comes from what I look like. Not saying I have a low self-esteem, I just know how much happier I am when I look better and feel better. Good luck to everyone! Also, if you ARE self pay, what made you decide to do it locally vs. going to Mexico? I'm going to Mexico for a couple reasons: 1. They've been doing it longer and have great experience AND are certified by LapBand manufacturers. 2. Money. Mine is less than $5,000. Were I to do it locally, I was quoted $12,500. I'm in Kansas City and have already found a post-operative doctor to do my fills. I'm ready for this!