Hetera

Hi everyone, I've been lurking on and off for a long time, and now that I'm getting thisclose to pulling the trigger on have sleeve surgery (in Mexico! (gulp!)), I thought I'd better come out into the open and introduce myself. I've been considering this surgery for YEARS. This board is kind of complicated, and it's easy to get lost in here, like a huge house with lots of different parties going on... lots of mingling. So, here's the deal. I'm trying to decide between Dr. Kelly and Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Dr. Kelly sounds superb, so does Dr. Ortiz. The difference is about $1100, as far as I can tell (that includes Dr. Kelly fixing a hernia), with Dr. Ortiz being the higher priced surgeon. Dr. Ortiz works out of his own clinic. Dr. Kelly works out of either a hospital (Angeles for $7,000+) or out of Clinica San Juan ($4700). The reviews for both are very good. Dr. Kelly has 17 years surgical experience plus experience in a trauma center in the US. He's done over 12,000 bariatric surgeries. Dr. Ortiz's clinic is an "International Center for Excellence," which means they have met all this accreditation criteria set by international committee. This is a good thing as it means certain standards are always in place. Dr. Oritz was a lap-band specialist, but has been doing sleeves for a number a years now. Dr. Ortiz has never had a "leak." Dr. Kelly sutures over the staples. The staples they use are not from China. Dr. Oritz - 1 night in clinic, 2 nights post-op in hotel. Dr. Kelly - 2 nights in clinic, 1 night in post-op hotel It's really hard to choose! I'm looking to hear from those of you who have had surgery with either of these fine doctors. Help! I'd really appreciate your input. PS, I weigh 280, 5'9", 55 years old. Thanks!

I had VSG surgery in Mexico with Dr. Arial Ortiz at Obesity Control Center. They sell their own line of supplementation (CARAL (formerly Vitaleph). I used it for two months (since surgery), and I'm doing okay on it. They're relatively inexpensive, but the shipping is $20, which seems a lot to me (UPS from Tijuana). I'm interested in hearing about what brand Vitamins, supplements you all use, whether you like them, are satisfied, etc. I've heard mixed things about Bariatric Advantage. I'm okay paying the extra shipping for the Caral brand, but thought I'd ask around first. Thanks! Robin

I lost only 12 lbs the first month. I was disappointed, but I had lost 13 lbs on the pre-op diet. I'm older, though, 55, and my metabolism is slower, and I'm pretty sedentary because I'm a lazy so-and-so. If you're young, you stick to your doctor's plan, you get some mild exercise (walking!) that first month, you may or may not do better. YOUR BODY decides how soon/how much it wants to give up, NOT YOU! The most important thing, really, is that you learn to work with your new stomach, watch out for emotional eating (head hunger). Those things really are more important than how much you lose in month one. In any event, I'm sure you'll look great, and feel so proud of yourself.

I've lost 40 lbs so far (11 weeks out), and my sister whom I see every weekend, just said on Saturday, "Hey, I'm beginning to see a difference." Yeah, thanks a lot. Truth is, my highest weight (280) was an all time high, and I had only been there a couple of months before I had surgery. My typical weight was about 270. But I was looking very puffy. Also, you may be losing in places that people don't notice it. My derriere is smaller (my undies come up over my navel now!), and my upper arms and ta-tas have deflated, but my face is still really full, double-chin still present and accounted for. So... Also, some people might just not want to give you the satisfaction, due to envy, jalousie, or being judgmental because we "took the easy way out." Who knows why... Their approval would be nice, i mean, who doesn't want to be liked and admired? But just stay the course, and focus on yourself. And do ask yourself why this bothers you. Good time to do some self-reflection, eh? Best!

Hi verda. Congratulations on your impressive loss!!! I was sleeved on 4/30, I'd lost 13 lbs on the pre-op diet, and 12 lbs since surgery, for a total of 25 lbs in about six weeks. I was hoping that I would lose faster than that, but it is what it is. I have been very sedentary though. I had a hernia repaired at the same time, and that was kind of painful. I'm starting to move now more freely. I'm hoping that if I just keep doing everything right, I'll keep losing. You hang in there!

I had my surgery this spring at age 54. Tried to lose weight for 40 years, only to fail and continued to gain more and more weight. I wish I had done this in my thirties, as I would have LOVED to have been thinner and healthier in my thirties, forties and early fifties. If you decide not to have weight loss surgery, don't try to "diet". CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE! Being healthy isn't about dieting, it's about healthy habits, exercise and small portions (very small portions at first).

Relax about the puffiness, it's fluids and gas, and you'll begin to slim down in 5-7 days (had my surgery on April 30). I also had the hernia repair... That was more painful than the gad rectory. Hurts to take a deep breath. But getting better every dy. how are you handling the hernia aspect?

thats how I feel, too. I'm 2.5 weeks out and should only be on puréed and very soft food, but I have tried little bites of different things, and some things have gotten "stuck" halfway down. Little bites of more solid foods that a chew to mush I have tolerated. Softer foods (egg salad) have gotten stuck if not chewed enough. In any event, I lose interest in food pretty fast. Except pepperoni. ????

Your doctor should tell you. Mine said 4weeks. I'm almost two weeks out, and I spose I could be back at work, but I tire easily. I have STD, though. 7 days of sick time, hen the STD kicks in. I'm 55 years old.

Usually they only consider your starting BMI. If you lose weight on a preop diet, that won't rescind the approval.

Take a multi-vitamin, an extra B12, and a calcium citrate plus D3, vitamin. Drink three protein shakes a day ( I used Premier Protein from Costco), have a lettuce and veggie salad at night with low-no carb dressing. Drink 62 oz of water a day. If you need more, heat up Pacific Coast Bone Broth (9 grams of protein per serving). Eliminate carbs, low/no fat. I lost 13 lbs in three weeks. This was my pre-op diet as prescribed by my nutritionist. Premier Protein has 30 grams of protein, 1carb, and 165 calories per shake. Others might lose more/less. Good luck!

This may be booming late in the day, but why not just find some protein shake that you like? I really don't mind the Premier Protein, there are other types/brands. You could also find some Pacific Coast Bone Broth, that has 14 grams of protein per serving. The yogurt is prolly premature, but try kefir. Creamy soups? I hear your frustration, though. I chewed up a piece of pepperoni and spit it out in the sink on day 8.

I'm having the same pain at the bottom of my solar plexus. Also had a hernia repair. No problems swallowing. Seems to occur intermittently. Feels like a painful "pulling," very muscular. Painful to take a deep breath, to let the diaphragm fully push down.

Kindle, I'm so so sorry! I'm sorry for him and pain he must have been in, but more for his family. Please take care of yourself. Losing one's friends and family members is the worst experience we have to deal with in life. It's so frustrating and tragic to lose someone to suicide...when it's so often it seems that what drives one to it just a matter of a loss of perspective. My thoughts are with you. ????

I just borrowed $6000 for my surgery and made out the check to the clinic. I'm hungry and I'm scared and now I'm deeper in debt. I'm pre-op diet down to less than 800 calories a day, and I don't think I'm going to be able to lose the additional 7 lbs they want me to take off before surgery. It took me two weeks to lose the first 7 lbs. And I'm hungry. Did I mention I'm hungry? I go to bed hungry, I wake up in the middle of the night to pee and I'm hungry, I go back to bed hungry, and then I wake up and go to work hungry. The shakes used to fill me up for 2-3 hours, now it's only 1 hour. I thought I had a handle on all this, but now I'm worried. What if it doesn't go well? What if I don't breeze through like so many others do? What if I'm the one that has a leak? What if my saggy, baggy body totally turns off my boyfriend and any other man I ever meet? What if I die alone in Mexico (how like a lurid novel that sounds!)? What if I'm eaten by a bear? What if I lose my job and can't pay off my debt? What if I don't lose weight? I'm 90% compliant with the pre-op diet (three shakes @ 165 cals each, a bowl of lettuce with 0 cal/0 carb dressing, and a cup of broth that swells my ankles.) The 10% I'm non-compliant is that sometimes at night I have three slices of deli-ham, 70 cals and 0 carbs. I need some encouragement, or a swift kick in the tuckus... Friends, help!

Thanks again, Ladies. I'm feeling better, dealing with my hunger pangs and just getting ready for the trip. Will spend the day getting the house in order, and maybe have a fire in the fireplace. Do any of you post to Youtube? Lots of interesting vlogs by VSGers. Yes, I read there are few bears in Tijuana... One less thing to worry about.

I understand your being angry or hurt by your mother's insensitive statements to you, and you must address that with her directly. and something else...you are now going through your own journey regarding food and your relationship with eating, and your relationship with your mother. It's natural for young people to blame their parents for things that they did, or that they didn't do, during one's childhood. I truly don't mean to sound condescending. Please don't take this that way, but I really think it's a stage that we go through as we mature, to blame our parents. And it is something that we eventually do "grow out of." The fact that you are expressing it now is a good indicator that you are on the verge of outgrowing your resentment. Not that your resentment wasn't justified, but it doesn't really serve a purpose anymore. As the saying goes, "leave her to Heaven." Also, remember that just because your mother had bad food habits, doesn't mean that she wasn't struggling with her thoughts and feelings. Finally, while I think it's okay to talk to your mom about how she makes you feel now, I don't think it would serve much of a purpose to express your resentment to her about how she instilled bad eating habits in you. Because frankly we can all blame our parents for that. It would only make her either feel bad, or get defensive, so why bother? Only the most emotionally evolved people can have those kind of conversations without them turning ugly fast and eroding the relationship. Unless she was grossly negligent, I'd let it go. Those are just my thoughts. And finally, the more independent you are of your parents, the happier you will be. You are mistress of your own ship.

Scar tissue is a byotch.... Glad you're both doing well!

Oh you look fantastic!!!!! Congratulations!!! Great work! So inspiring... I get sleeved this coming Thursday... Scared, but hopeful...

My current employer's insurance carrier doesn't cover any bariatric surgeries. For two years, I've been after them to get on board, but it's just too expensive, they said. I asked again a month ago if they thought there was any chance that Aetna would offer coverage for bariatrics this year. They said they really didn't think so. A month ago, sick and tired of being on the fence for so many years about it, I decided to just withdraw $10,000 my from retirement (ouch!!) (of which I only realized $7500 due to taxes and penalties), and I paid down my outstanding bills in anticipation of being a self-pay in MX (which I would also finance). I researched surgeons, prowled boards, viewed YouTub vlogs of other sleevers. And finally, last Thursday, I pulled the trigger: I chose Dr. Ariel Ortiz, OCC (who had a high American profile, the lowest complication rate, operated at a Center for Excellence, and who could see me soonest). I scheduled the surgery for April 30. I submitted the down payment ($500). I bought the pre-op diet Meal Replacements and Vitamins ($240). I booked my flight from NYC ($400). And I told my employer that I would be out 2-3 weeks for surgery. Then yesterday I get a call from HR - "We wanted to let you know asap.... we MAY be switching to an insurer that would cover bariatric surgeries. We'll know next week." Wah-Waaahhh.... So the dilemma, if there is one: IF the company DOES switch insurers, should I cancel with OCC (and probably lose the down payment?). If I change the flight (for vacation, etc.), I will lose $200. Also, I don't know if the new carrier would make me jump through all the old hoops that I had jumped through 3 years ago (waiting six months, etc.). I don't want to wait.... But I also don't want to finance my surgery ($6000), either, if I don't have to.

Great!!!!!! That's so inspiring!!

You guys..... thank you so much... I'm practically in tears reading your responses... Let's stay in touch. I'm Robin, turning 55 on June 4 (but I have the wisdom of a 22 year old), flying from NYC to Tijuana next Wednesday to have surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center (aka Alpha Centauri) on Thursday, 4/30 (same as you Annie! Happy Birthday, Lady!). I'm recouping at friend's in San Diego for a few weeks, then back to New York/CT for a week, the back to work. I really appreciate your words of encouragement, ladies. I'm sure (gulp) we're all gonna be just fine, and by end of the Summer, we'll be happier, healthier and feeling GOOD about ourselves (not that we shouldn't feel good about ourselves as we are...). Here's to us!

I've only been able to lose 7lbs in two weeks. It's hard. Surgery next Thursday. I'm getting nervous. I want steak. Nuts, bacon, peanut butter....

Me too, April 30th. Excited!

I'm 54, I weigh 280 pounds, I've been dieting since 1973, I've been pussyfooting around thinking about weight loss surgery for at least 10 years. In the past 10, I've gained 40 pounds. Menopause hit me hard, at least my joints. My feet hurt my back hurts, I hate taking the stairs up from the subway, I can't walk for more than 20 minutes without having to sit down. I never thought I would really go through with having weight-loss surgery, but for some reason, this time I'm going through with it. I love food, I love to eat, I am worried about that, not being able to turn to food for solace and comfort. But the plan is I'm going to use those six months after surgery to really get a hold of my emotions around food. Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm sorry I have waited this long, though. I really would've liked to of spent my 40s at a healthy weight.