blondie1007

Up your Protein and cut the carbs and all sugar and you will break it. If you already don't eat a lot of carbs then you need to increase your carbs and keep your protein intake the same.

_{I am almost a year and a half out. I waited a good month before eating solid food. I am maintaining and staying on track but it is very hard and challenging. Evolving..... it was a good month before I began eating solid foods and even at that it was mushies and soft stuff.}

All of you are very new to the surgery. Some of which I am surprised that you are actually eating food at this stage. Enjoy it while it last. The further out you get the harder it is to not eat "a lot" of food and make the right choices.

You might want to enjoy it while it last because it is going to change. The further out you get from surgery everything goes back to normal including cravings.

I had the same problem, but it is definitely going to change. Your taste buds will go back to normal in time.

I packed very light. You are going to be in the hospital most of the time. So something comfortable and loose is the best.

I know this is hard to hear but whenever you have surgery you are playing russian roulette with your life. I know because I have had lapband, lapband removal, gastric sleeve and two extensive plastic surgeries. I have been very blessed with all my surgeries as far as bouncing back and having zero complications with any of them.

I had my lapband surgery here in the states. I was a self pay because my insurance would not pay. I had the band for approximately three years and lost about 60 pounds with it. However, after three years it become eroded into my stomach and had to be removed. This was the worst surgery as far as pain. It was just awful. Even though the band was the cause of my problems my insurance company still paid all but my $1000 deductible to have it removed.

When I decided to have my surgery in Mexico, I went and visited with the same doctor that removed my band. I wanted to get his opinion and I also wanted to ask him if he would be there for me if I had any complications after surgery. He himself also performs gastric sleeve surgeries and is very familiar with anything that can go wrong. He also knew my Mexico surgeon (Aceves) by name and said he was a very reputable doctor and had performed many. This also made me feel better about going and my pick for surgeon.

It all comes down to choice and making a decision. With all surgeries there is risk no matter who you are. I chose to gamble and here I am 14 months out and a size 8 down from a 24. My life has changed so much and I am very blessed and thankful for it. Good luck to you.

I still don't have the money to have my surgery I'm saving and saving though. My car needs repaired, and it seems like one thing after another keeps happening. I applied for a loan and was denied. I hope that I can save up enough to have the surgery sometime this year... Hopefully by summer. But I just don't know

Why dont you do the payment plan thing? And you can still save money and be losing weight at the same time. :0)

I chose to go with a doctor that had experience and an impeccable reputation. I spent a year researching him and the surgery before I went through with it. I did however pay more, but I had the money to spend and I looked at it like an investment to my future health. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks Veronica75! It has been great.

I had my surgery on October 8, 2011 with Dr. Aceves and I have never had a post op/follow up appointment. Nor have I called them with any kind of problem. Everything has been fine. I started out a size 24 and now I am a size 8 and continuing to lose. I love my sleeve!

I had the same problem. I increased my Protein and it fills you up better. Also, when you feel yourself getting hunger pains, drink Water or eat pickles. They are low in calories and no carbs.

Dr. Aceves does surgery in a hospital and its cleaner than most US hospitals. Excellent hospital and surgeon.

^{Actually I did. I met a girl on here. She was from my same state. We were actually on the same flight to San Diego and of course rode together to Mexicali from the airport. Then we all had dinner together that night in the hotel. She was with her sister who also had surgery with Aceves. Put a post out asking if anybody from your state is having surgery with him and put the date. You would be surprised.}

Oh no! That part of the border is safer than others. They are so used to seeing Dr. Aceves' driver so you should be okay. I felt like where we were was pretty safe. Once we got to the hotel for the first night's stay, we were in for the night. We did not venture out. We actually ate at a restaurant in the hotel. And then the rest of the time we were in the hospital, which was very clean and everybody was very friendly and tentative. My mom ate at the cafe in the hospital most of the time. One time she ate at a place right next to the hospital, but I would not let her go anywhere else.

I did get a passport. She told me the same thing but I was just super worried about not being able to get back into the states so I got one. But I remember the process getting back in and it was pretty simple so you should be fine.

I was the same way in the beginning. So worried about stretching my stomach. I can eat more now than when I first had the surgery, but my doctor said this would happen. I cannot eat ALOT of food but definitely more than when I first had the surgery. That is why I eat Protein first. I am almost a year and a half out and I am still losing. Just lost 4 pounds this week. You will be fine. Good luck to you.

I have a Krispy Kreme donut every now and then. I dont deprive myself. That is not why I had this surgery. I started this journey at a size 24 and now I am a size 8 and counting down. I always eat Protein first and treat myself usually one day a week. So far so good. Good luck to you.

It was great but mostly because Mexicali is not far over the border so you still had good coverage. I have verizon. I went on verizon's website to check the coverage and it was right on target.

I felt the same way. Just a day or so after my surgery, I was sooo thirsty and only Water would do. I got to have shaved ice after my surgery which helped alot. I am now almost a year and a half post surgery and can chug water...but only water. Nothing else. I know this sounds weird but thats just the way it is. I am a size 8 down from a size 24. My drink of choice is water. I occasionally drink some OJ and some regular cranberry juice not cranberry cocktail, but thats it and in very small quantities. Hope it works out for you. Nothing like being real thirsty and quenching it with ice cold water. Good luck!

I dont remember bringing any money. My mom did but I am not sure how much. But not alot, just enough for some food for a couple of days.

iegal - I dont remember addressing you in my last post. You shouldn't assume and take things so personally. But seeing how you brought it up, I think everybody including myself is way past exhausted over this topic.

Blah Blah Blah. I am so over you and your bs. Can you please put a cork in it and let people make their own decisions without your showboat negativity. I am sure they are not completely relying on this website to make their life changing decision. So please do us all a favor (even the members who have not or are not using Dr. Aceves) and just zip it up. Thanks.

I can eat cake fine (small pieces) but I cannot eat ice cream anymore. It all depends on your body.