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Tons of questions from a newbie!



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Hello,

I recently began researching VSG after seeing someone who had lost 89 lbs in 5 months. I stumbled upon this forum which has been a wealth of information.

Here's my story...

I have a BMI of 32. I have struggled with yo-yo dieting for the last 15 years. In the end, I always gain it all back and then some. I am about the highest I've ever been now (180 lbs) and so frustrated. I feel like I will never be able to conquer this feat on my own. I'm interested in Dr. Aceves performing the procedure. My concern is whether he would be willing to perform it on me since my BMI is on the lower side. (I don't have any other real medical issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) Anyone out there with my circumstances had the procedure done? Also, what is the approximate turn around time for scheduling surgery from the initial point of contact with him?

P.S. Do you really lose your hair? ? I saw that somewhere I think. :thumbup:

I appreciate any help anyone can give. You all are such an inspiration.

Misty

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I know several people get VGS with low BMI. You can contact Dr. Aceves' office to find out for sure.

Many people have hair loss after surgery. If you take Biotin, it helps and there are special shampoos and scalp treatments that help as well. The hair gets thinner, but I have yet to hear of anyone getting bald spots or anything that bad. Having your hair styled different or using barettes, combs, etc. can help hide thinning until it grows back. It usually lasts a few months and then you will see new hairs growing back in.

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I have a BMI that barely makes 35 and had to 'pad' myself at my initial consult to be sure i weighed enough. I'm short (5'1) so any amount of weight looks worse on someone like me. I'm tired of being on the yo-yo train as well.

My Dr said as long as you eat your recommended grams of Protein, your hair loss should be minimal. But i guess like anything, it does depend on each individual.

Good luck on your journey!

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My bmi was 32.8 when I initially started looking at surgery. I believe a couple girls who were around your BMI have used doctor Aceves. I don't think there is a huge waiting list if you have the funds to do the surgery. They do state you need a passport and that takes some time but others have stated if you have proof of applying for the passport along with your birth certificate and your i.d on hand that there is not a problem at the border.

I was like you I just can not get the weight off and keep it. I get tired of struggling to lose these 50 or so pounds. I knew if I let myself go I could get even bigger. I proved that after a stress even happened in June and I gained 15 pounds more before I went to have surgery. I had no medical conditions or comorbities YET. So I paid out of pocket to go have it done. If I was heavier or had the health problems my insurance covers the procedure but that just wasn't an option for me.

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Dr. Aceves is great. You can get your surgery done very quickly after you fill out the medical form he will email to you. I only had 30 lbs to lose when I had my band to sleeve revision.

I lost half my hair and got in all the required amounts of Protein and took Biotin 3x per day.

If you call them, they will answer all your questions.

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Thanks ladies. The information helps tremendously!

I see you had your surgery a little over a year ago. Can I ask how long it took for your hair to grow back? Is it as thick as it used to be prior to surgery or will it always be thinner? Does this happen because of a lack of Vitamins from food? Thanks so much for your help.

Dr. Aceves is great. You can get your surgery done very quickly after you fill out the medical form he will email to you. I only had 30 lbs to lose when I had my band to sleeve revision.

I lost half my hair and got in all the required amounts of Protein and took Biotin 3x per day.

If you call them, they will answer all your questions.

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My hair is growing back but it's still not as thick as it was. It's going to take awhile since I lost so much.

Nobody really knows what causes it. There have been some articles posted that it's just from the shock to your body that surgery causes. I don't think it has anything to do with lack of Vitamins because I took hair and nails Vitamins, a multiple Vitamin,

Zinc ( Dr Aceves suggested zinc)Biotin, and anything anyone suggested to me.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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