KatInFL

You're in my thoughts! I hope the IV goes in smoothly once you're in the OR and have better meds. Hope the next little while passes quickly. Update when you are feeling up to it afterwards. ~Kat

Oh no! I'm so sorry. I hope the 7th works out!! ~Kat

That's amazing!! It's so good to hear from people who aren't too long out of surgery and doing so well. ~Kat

Glad you're home and everything went well!! ~Kat

Gah. I can hardly believe it's almost March! I'm in the process of moving, so am going nuts with all of the disorganization. I am scheduled for 3/22 with Dr. Illan in Tijuana. ~Kat

Congrats!! ~Kat

Welcome, Kathryn! Congrats on your decision and I'm so thrilled for you that your husband is supportive. ~Kat

Congrats!! ~Kat

I don't blame you. But I dread sitting next to strangers, regardless. I'm very reserved and it just feels like an invasion of personal space. I think this is one of those instances when the end is worth the means, ya know? If you can afford it, it might be worth the comfort to have an extra seat. But if it stretches the budget, I wouldn't worry about it. The seats are fine. ~Kat

There are PPIs that are available OTC. I don't know about Dr Garcia but a lot of people have said they take over-the-counter PPIs and have no issues. I've seen omeprazole as a common one used post-op and it's available as Prilosec OTC. My insurance won't cover anything that is available OTC, so unless a doctor along the way prescribes something stronger that is only available in prescription strength, I'll be doing Prilosec. ~Kat

I'm so glad you love Omar!! I really, really do, too. He's been an amazing resource since I first contacted him about 6 months ago. Good luck!! And update us when you are feeling up to it. ~Kat

So glad you're doing well!! Take it easy, get a lot of rest, and update when you are up to it. ~Kat

I debated Cancun because it's a far easier trip for me, too, but I found information on Cancun doctors really difficult to find a year ago when I first started researching. Now, I'm excited about my surgeon, so I believe it was meant to work out that way. But I really encourage you to share a TON of info here about your surgeon if you liked him! ~Kat

We are approximately the same size (I have about 10 lbs on you) and have flown Southwest as well as other airlines with no issues. I mean, I wouldn't say I'm a little person by any stretch of the imagination but leg room is often a far bigger issue than seat room. Is someone traveling with you? My boyfriend is going with me, so I know I can put the armrest up and be a little more comfortable. ~Kat

I had a lot of the same concerns. I live in North Florida, so in an attempt to find the cheapest airfare, I looked at both Atlanta and Orlando. There is a major airport here, but all flights in and out of here connect somewhere else. Atlanta is a decent drive, but my best friend lives outside of the city, so it's not really much of an effort to get there. I couldn't really find any decently priced flights without some sort of connection, out of Atlanta. The only airline I didn't research out of Atlanta was Southwest. Even out of Orlando (it's a much closer drive for me and tickets are looking to be $200-$400 less per person than from the local airport), I was only able to find a single direct flight to San Diego and it was on the way there. I couldn't find a single direct flight back. I did look for the flights that had the shortest layover but were still reasonable for the airport I was connecting through (need at least an hour for Dallas/Ft Worth but Nashville it's fine to have say, 45 minutes). I suspect I will end up going with Southwest. On the way there, from Orlando, I will be connecting in Nashville and on the way home, I'll be connecting in Albuquerque. Any way you slice it, flying from the east coast to the west will be around a 7 hour flight from what I saw, if you fly from Atlanta. There is no way I've been able to find to arrive in San Diego by 9 or 10 am (my surgeon's cutoff time for same day surgery). So I'll be flying in the day before and arriving around midnight. I'll stay at a hotel near or at the airport overnight, then meet the driver the following morning at the airport. ~Kat

There are also doctors who don't use external facilitators/coordinators but employ their coordinator that work exclusively for them. Dr Kelly- http://www.ramoskellymd.com/ Dr-Illan-http://www.bajabariatrics.com/about_us/ My experience with websites, in particular, was that they weren't very helpful. Many popular surgeons in Mexico do not retain control of their own websites, but they have coordinators and companies that purchased the domain name. Those coordinators and companies then control the content of the websites with the doctors names. Good luck! You'll find LOTS of opinions about doctors here. Of course, most people love the one that they went to. ~Kat

Thanks so much for all of the information!! I'm telling myself now that I won't be obsessed with the scale, in hopes of not being hooked on watching for that 3 week stall. I doubt I'll actually manage that, though, since my OCD probably won't be that forgiving. I've gotten some Protein powder samples already but will add that specific type at GNC to my purchase list. I know a lot of people struggle getting in protein initially, so I'd like to get the biggest bang I can out of the powder I use. I'm not super active now (shocking, I know...lol) but am looking forward to feeling better and having more energy post-op. I will add in cardio early on, too, as I think that's a key component to early, consistent weight loss. Thanks again for sharing so much. ~Kat

Good luck! Enjoy today with your family and try not to be too anxious. You'll be there and through surgery before you know it. ~Kat

I'm glad to hear you're feeling so well! My Dr says he uses a size 36 bougie and I'm a little nervous I won't get the restriction. I wonder if it's something that can be customized for each patient? I'll have to ask. It sounds like you're working really hard to get a ton of protein in. From what I've read, that's really key to get things going early on. Are you taking any Vitamins or supplements as well? I can't wait to be on the loser's bench with you! Only 5 more weeks before I'm headed to Mexico myself. ~Kat

Good luck!! Keep us updated as you can. ~Kat

Have you looked at the Food/Nutrition board? There is a thread there with TONS of ideas on where to get samples. I'm pre-op, scheduled for surgery 3/23, and will start my liquids only (I'm a little sad just thinking of it) diet 5 days prior. I ordered some samples from 3 different places, including Unjury, and currently have like 10 different flavors of Protein powders. I'm hoping that at least one will be tolerable...and I think having variety will at least ward off the worst of the dissatisfaction of the pre-op diet. I spent around $50 total for samples from the 3 sites, including shipping. ~Kat

Each person is limited to what can fit in a single quart size ziploc bag. You can have multiple containers of liquids, limited to 3 oz each, but they all have to fit in a single quart ziploc bag. If you are checking luggage, there's no limits on the liquids you can pack. The liquid limitations are for carry-on luggage/bags. ~Kat

Make sure you are listening to your body and resting plenty! I'm so glad that you're doing well. ~Kat

My best friend started the vaginal estrogen cream about 6 months ago. Her Dr started her on it when she started to have some slight issues with bladder prolapse. She had an emergency hysterectomy with the birth of her last child 12 years ago. It has made an amazing difference for her, not only with the bladder prolapse, but with lubrication AND sex drive. She swears by it and says she'll never, ever do without it. ~Kat

That's fantastic!! Congrats. ~Kat