Torias mom

I may have posted my intentions to get the sleeve here before, but I cant remember. But this time its for real! I have had a long road to get here. In 2007 I had a crap band put in. It did nothing for me. Well, I shouldn't say that, I have not had heartburn since it was put in, but other than that, no weight loss, just lots of stuck food and vomiting. No weight loss what so ever. I tried really hard to make it work, but as time went on slider food became the easiest, so I have gained. A few years ago I was all set to get the DS, I had a hospital about 5 hours away that was going to do it, but then a veteran DS surgeon joined a hospital just over an hour away, so I switched hospitals. The close on, during some pre-op stuff took my height as 6'1" instead of 61" at one point and when I told them to look at me, im no where near 6 feet tall, along with a failed lap band, they said the only thing they would do was fill the lap band, or find the leak and replace what needed to be replaced. At this point it was too late to go back to the far away place for surgery because they were booked and it was at the end of the year and I was losing the insurance that would pay for it. Last year at this time, I decided I wanted the sleeve, it just seemed like a much safer choice with great results. After checking with insurance, I was approved, and went thru all the testing and protocol needed by the insurance and the hospital. I got a week away from surgery, and then they called again to check with the insurance, only to find out they were given bad information and the surgery was not a covered benefit. It was employer excluded, from their self funded policy. I begged and pleaded and showed them how much money I had put out over the course of all the testing, deductibles, copays, etc, but nope, no surgery for me. Now, finally, I have the funding to go to Mexico. I have surgery booked for 4/12 with Dr alejandro lopez in Tijuana. I have the money, I've paid my deposit, and have made all the arrangements. Hubby and 9 year old daughter will fly to San Diego with me, come to Tijuana for the night and to to the hospital with me. After surgery, we will arrange for the shuttle driver to take Hubby and daughter back to San Diego, and I'll be staying at the hospital and the Marriott myself. I am happy with this decision. I know I've been told that it is a safe area, but I'm much more at peace with them enjoying San Diego. I booked the trip for them and have them staying in Old Town, and at this point I'm jealous and want to plan another trip to go there. I am so happy now that it's really going to happen, but even though it seems so far away, I'm sure the 3 months will fly by. I'm already getting nervous, oh no, what am I doing to myself? It will probably only get worse, but after so many, starts and stops, I can't wait. So this is how I go to this point, its been a very long time coming but now that its finally happening, so worth it. Anyone else going to be in Mexico at Mi Doctors on 4/12? Thanks for reading all my rambling. Lisa

My surgeon allowed 1 Fiber capsule if needed for hunger during pre op, but after about the 4th or 5th day, it really does get easier. I didn't believe it, but it does. Good Luck.

Just curious, I am being sleeved by Dr Lopez in April, and afterwards will be flying home to NH. Almost as far as you can get from Mexico in the US. I'm a bit concerned about blood clots and flying. Before I was denied to have surgery in the states, the practice coordinator was going to have me on heparin for a month I think. I asked the coordinator for Dr Lopez about heparin shots and was told I wouldn't need them. Trust me, I'd rather not be giving myself shots, but if the local hospital was going to make me do them, and now with a plane ride involved, I'm being told I don't need them, I'm a little concerned. Just wondering if anyone has dealt with this? Should I ask him again when I'm there? Get some compression stockings and call it good? Thanks for any advice or experience you can share. Lisa

Thanks! I'll be there next week, it's great to know what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to type this all out, it's very helpful!!! Hope everything is going well for you

I did, after my band. Worst pain I have ever had, couldn't wait for them to take that sucker out. It is not uncommon to have gallbladder issues after some weight loss. Even after I had my gallbladder out I remember talking to my coworkers, telling them that I was in track to come back to work as scheduled, then that same afternoon I had an attack, apparently still had a gallstone and had to go back in. So, then sooner you can get this taken care of the better. Good luck to you!!!

I havent been sleeved yet but i will be a band to sleeve. Soooo..... from what I understand your nerves are still healing and until they are healed you need to follow doctors orders because you won't feel restriction. I'm sure some vets will chime in here, but this is what i've heard. Good luck to you!!

I'm not sleeved yet, but have you tried different temperatures? Decaf tea, sugar free hot chocolate? I don't know what will happen if I can't drink my ice Water that I love so much now, but I'm getting these to put in my pantry just in case. I know I may not like it later, but right now I just found Dasani coconut pineapple that I love putting into my water, its in a little squeeze bottle like Mio. Ummm, maybe sugar free popsicles, low sodium broth? I'm not sure what you've tried so I'm just throwing ideas out there that I've heard. Good luck to you!!!

Have you tried unjury chicken Soup? Thats pretty good and a good change of pace from all the regular sweet flavors. Try adding the unflavored to chicken or beef broth, just can't add it to really hot Water, over 120 degrees I think, or it gets clumpy. Swanson also has some flavor infused broths, I haven't tried them yet, but seems like it may be an alternative to plain chicken or beef broth. Good luck to you.

Zicam works great, check with your surgeon before you take it, but I swear by it. Good luck!!!!

Congratulations! Glad everything is going so well for you!

Good Luck !!!

After reading posts here and other forums, iv'e been going crazy adding things to my list. What I've added..... gloves in case nursed don't change them in front of you. Waterproof bandages, in case of infection from the Water... Gas X, I hear they don't have that in Mexico, Compression/Anti Embolism stockings to wear home on the plane. Ear plugs, eye mask, heating pad. Wash clothes. I have an app on my phone for spanish/english dictionary translation. Oh, I'm also bringing a real book because I tend to drop my phone when I'm reading drowsy and don't want to break it. This is in addition to my clothes. I'm still hoping to take a small bag that I can carry on and put overhead but..... well its sounding like a lot of stuff now... I'll be leaving one of my daughters pillow pets in the car for the 1.5 hr ride home once the plane lands also.

Maybe a couple of rolls of quarters in you pocket?

The coming in waves part sounds about right, but when I had gallbladder issues, the pain was terrible. I described it to myself as a stomach flu with horrible pain on top of it. I don't remember if I had other pain before my first real attack, that I might have ignored, but once it really hit, it hit hard. But really, the best thing to do is check with your Dr. Good luck.

I used to work for a cpap company. Some people love them, some hate them, and most take a few days to a few weeks to get used to them. As for masks, if you are a mouth breather, a full face mask is what you'll need, otherwise, lots of people like nasal pillows, they are a pretty small mask. Last year when I was gonna have surgery, I was given a machine by my company and did a home sleep test, and yeah, I needed it. Although I am not a mouth breather, the first few times, i was panicky, so I used a full face mask, so I could take deep breaths while I was getting used to it. I also took half an ambien for the first week or 2. After that I was fine and get a great nights sleep, feel much better in the morning. Good luck and stick with it.

I haven't had surgery yet, but I hear people recommend Milk of Magnesia. Maybe you can check to see if you can take this? Good luck!

Good Luck !!!!

I'm over in the SW corner of NH, by VT. Going to Mexico for the sleeve, since its an employer exclusion on my insurance policy.

Hi, I am looking to have surgery with Dr Lopez in April. My husband and 9 year old daughter will probably be coming with me, the alternative is I come alone and he stays home with her. That was the original plan but now he wants to come. Is the Marriott area safe for them to be walking around at? How far is the Marriott to the market place that people talk about? Is that easy to get to? Is it safe? I'd be fine going alone, or with him coming with me but to have my daughter there too, and with what you hear about, that concerns me. Anyone have any input on this? Thanks. Lisa

I am nervous about my surgery but at the same time I look at it as others taking care of me, opposed to me being the care taker of the family. Let the doctors and the nurses do what the do and concentrate on becoming a new you.

WTG !!!!!!! Keep up the good work!

I know its not really creamed ,but I love the Progresso southwestern vegetable soup pureed up in my magic bullet. Tried that for the first time when I had my band put in, and from then on always pureed it. I just love it that way.

Call your insurance company, they may have kept the same wording but have ammendments to the policy, not sure what the billing code is for gastric sleeve, but give them a call. Good luck.

I slipped in the snow the other night and had to have my daughter open the car door so could get up. I needed the leverage. I'm hoping that if it happens next year i'll be able to get up on my own.

Wow, seems like the sleeve now has better stat's than gastric bypass. Thanks for sharing..