snowfie9

Oh...My...God. I just got mine (they have a special on "factory reconditioned" models on the vita mix website) and it is freaking awesome! I was a little surprised at the power of the thing. It's like a jet engine! I'm looking forward to liquifying anything and everything I want.

I also researched the lapband before deciding on the sleeve. From what I understand of the lap band is it's much higher maintenance, and any complicaitons can occur for as long as you have the band. It may work, it may not and the mixed results were part of the reason I reconsidered. The vertical sleeve has a much longer recovery time, you'll actually have to spend a night or two in the hospital as opposed to a short outpatient proceedure with the band. But the complications of the sleeve tend to occur within the first few months of having it while you're stomach is healing and not years down the line like the band. There are no fills and far fewer obstacles after you get past that initial healing. So with the band you have the potential for problems as long as you have it, for the sleeve you weather a few months of misery and you're pretty much in the clear. And the results of the sleeve are far more impressive and consistant than the lapband. I haven't had either done yet, but that's been my impression.

I went to my insurance's website and printed out 27 pages of "policy" on "obesity surgery" (which covers lapband, VSG, and various bypasses). So if they want to add something they better put it in writing, because I have the freaking checklist in hand.

A good blender will be your best friend. But for the "clear liquid" phase you're pretty much stuck wtih limited options. Diluted juices, clear broth, sugar free popsicles, ice chips, some protein drinks or protein water.

My mother was very....guarded. She's worried about me but she's trying really hard not to really comment on it. Above whatever concerns she has she trusts (and knows) that I will research the heck of out of this and use good judgement in my decision. But still, she worries. I haven't told my father yet. He works a lot overseas and I don't know if he's even in the country from one day to the next.

Like so many things the answer is going to depend on how well you come thorugh the surgery. You can be reasonably certain the "heavy lifting" will be a no go that early after surgery. But you may have the energy to do a LOT of walking. OR you may be dragging ass from a week or more of an all liquid diet. You either will be able to or you won't be able to. But you're the only one who can answer that and only when the time comes. You might want to start thinking about contingencies either way. Other activities that aren't as strenuous. Have a nice vacation either way.

All feelings are legitimate. All feelings are valid. The question to be answered is if your fear is rational or irrational. A little fear is a perfectly rational response to any surgery. But will this surgery fix more problems than it will reasonably create? What are the chances of serious complications? These answers will probably make you feel better about the surgery.

Why would anyone buy insurance out of pocket if their employer provided it?

Why is it "controversial" at all?

A lot of insurance companies cover the sleeve these days. It's becoming more mainstream but it is a process.

Are you sure you have anything to...evacuate? Did you have to have a liquid pre-op diet? You could always mention that to the nurse when you go for surgery. If it's a problem they can flush you out manually.

For something like this, you probably shouldn't just take anyone's word about it unless they're actually with that organization. You would be better served looking it up or contacting them to ask. http://www.marylandphysicianscare.com/default.aspx

I can totally believe that. There are a lot more long term complications to gastric bypass than is common knowledge. It's just one of the many reasons I'm opting for the sleeve.

I imagine the loss of fat around your neck and in the face could change the accoustics of your voice. It's got me wondering now. I don't get "brainfreeze". Ever. I joked that I must have an extra layer of fat in my head or something but I wonder if I'll lose weight and suddenly get brainfreeze when I don't now.

18 may be too young for something like this. I know I"ve always had problems with my weight but it's usually better to explore conventional weight loss before resorting to surger. That being said, I wish VSG was available 15 or even 10 years ago. I could have saved myself a lot of problems. If you don't think you could do it any other way, then don't waste your years trying and failing. But if you think there is a chance you could lose the weight on your own, then by all means do try.

There may be a way to approximate the taste of Dr. Pepper using fruit juices or other flavors. I know that amaretto and coke tastes like Dr. Pepper. maybe a sugar free amaretto syrup and some combination of fruit juices (grape? Prune? apple?)

I would think going over your medical history would have been a great place to mention that you've had gallstones for 20 years. Also, how does someone have gallstones for 20 years? Does it get worse over time? I'm just curious. I know surgeons are very quick to remove the gall bladder at the first sign of stones and I didn't know if that was something that could improve with time and diet or not.

Oh for Goodness sake, Mexico is NOT a third world country.

Don't beat yourself up over it. It can be REALLY difficult to stick to a strict pre-op diet, especially w hen you (as many before you) have a history of eating problems. I mean that's why we're getting surgery. If we could lose the weight without it, I'm sure we'd all prefer to. This isn't a class and you're not going to get graded on how well you stick to the pre-op diet. BUT, if you have any urges to cheat in the future, think about your liver and the surgeon who has to operate around it. I have to wait 2 more weeks until my FIRST surgical consult and I"m already thinking about some kind of restricted diet until the actual surgery. My mantra will be "I have a liver to shrink!"

If it NEEDS to be shaved, I'm sure they'll do it at the hospital. If it doesn't need to be done, why do it at all?

"need" is a bit of a subjective term. Loose the weight and if it really bothers you, then do something about it. (you might want to wait a year or two just to make sure the weight stays off). If I end up looking like a saggy deflated balloon, my husband will still think I'm as beautiful as I've ever been. And even if I am saggy, it may not bother me. it's all about what you want and whether the loose skin bothers you or not.

They can't....fix that somehow? Before or during surgery?

Have fun storming the castle! Good luck and good wishes.

To answer the title question "Why Mexico", it's a phenomenon known as "Medical tourism" and it's not confined to just Mexico. Healthcare is cheaper and still high quality in many countries. Entire industries have sprung up to capitalize on how expensive it is to do just about anything (medical and dental) in the United States. Mexico is one such country. I've also heard of people going to India for expensive surgeries and dental care. The United States has the best healthcare in the world, but ONLY for people who can afford it. Until that changes, other countries like Mexico are more than willing to offer an affordable alternative. I imagine if the US ever completely ceased its trade embargo to Cuba, it would probably also become a center for Medical Tourism. As for safety, Many places in Mexico, especially places like Tijuana that are heavily driven by outside tourism, are just as safe as any other city in the US. Drug cartels have no interest in screwing up your vacation. I personally don't feel comfortable having surgery anywhere I'd have to FLY to/from but that's just me. I'd certainly have no problem going to Tijuana for a regular vacation.

I don't know how Intel is to work for, but can you ask for additional time as a temporary, medically neccessary, basis? I knew a woman who wanted to breastfeed her kid and got extra break time to "milk" herself every 2 hours. But your company might not be as lenient. Doesn't hurt to ask.