BeautyVGSJourney

My insurance will not cover either but I have done a lot of research and I decided to go with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Mexico. He has been doing the sleeve a lot longer than must USA surgeons (well over 5 years) and has been a surgeon for over 20. There are definitely other avenues to make this happen. My surgeon charges $5500 with flight tickets and all will be less than $6000! Good luck and don't give up!

Mine is May 10th, and the wait is killing me!

I think you go thru his site and buy it then follow instructions to open it on your ipad/phone

I miss mine with water and ice, I don't think you are doing it wrong. I know that many doctors require a clear liquid diet right after surgery, so you could not use milk or most shakes. But it all depends on what your doctor tells you.

The water sounds like a better idea than the gain weight, just don't throw up LOL I would definitely research both places and their surgeons before making your final decision. Good luck!

Christin they most likely gave you those drugs in IV along with pain meds and other staff. I agree with you!

I would gain the six pounds in a heart beat!

It should not but you want to limit the cheats as much as possible for your benefit. I completely understand I am also Hispanic and love food! Just forgive yourself and go on, you can do it!

unfortunately most people have no symptoms until its almost too late. some of the symptoms include pain in part of your body such as a leg (normally only one and most blood clots after surgery are from the deep veins of the legs). Because of this is super important to do everything possible to prevent blood clots from forming. There is no scientific evidence that suggest that the injections for a few weeks after surgery help significantly, there are also side effects to those medications. Some surgeons feel comfortable using them while others do not. Until there is more scientific evidence on the subject the guidelines only state for them to be used very short term. There are people who are at much higher risk for blood clots (and yes obesity is a big one) but the higher the BMI the more likely the doctor is going to want to give the injections long term. Do not be afraid if your doctor does not recommend them (has long as he is using them during the surgery and shortly after as well as you are walking and they are using the machines or compression stockings you should be fine). I would ask what his stance is in the whole thing though. Some of the journals I posted are easy to read while others not so easy, but its a good place to start. The best you can do for yourself is not smoke and walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.........................................................................................................walk

About the muscle cut, yes there are about three muscle layers that they cut thru to get to the stomach. Not to mention the skin, fat and other tissue. Muscles do not regenerate, so only scar tissue can form. Thankfully the incissions are very small and most people heal well.

My YouTube video this week was about bloodclots and the guidelines for preventing them. In the comments I put links to the medical journals if anyone is interested. It's BeautyVGSJourney (the second video and is VGS). I am also terrified about bloodclots it's why I did the research.

MomScholar either brave or sometimes I would call it stupid/insane! LOL I have put great thought into this decision and is either now or in two years when I finish my rotations (unfortunatelly in my program we are required to have classes every summer fulltime). If I wait two years who knows what kind of medical problems I will have, I already have chronic back pain and the weight will make my rotations that start in a year very very difficult. So I need to loose the weight before my rotations begin and honestly I just cannot wait to get started! I am glad you are getting to take a summer break, I wish I could but I have been told that this summer is going to be very light (we are working on a research project, taking classes on dermatology and EKGs and yes that is insainly light compared to what we have to take every semester!)... Thank you for the good wishes and good luck to you in your school finals and surgery also! What is your major?

How much is it?

Great question! I have been thinking of reading it too,Debly also read it and she loved it. I will probably get it in the next week or so, I am just so busy with school that I am afraid I will get it and not read it or spend too much time reading it!

Good luck in your journey!

I am with Dr Ponce May 10th! I cannot wait!

I suggest a second opinion, specially since he is suggesting the lapband which has horrible reflux associated with it. There has been research that shows that the sleeve and the band both can aggreviate reflux, so if you endup doing it you might have to take a pump inhibitor (such as prilosec) for the rest of your life, or at least for a while. But being obese is also a risk factor for reflux, so which is the worse of two evils? I would definitely seek another opinion. My surgeon in Mexico does mostly bariatric surgeries but also hernia repairs and other stuff like that, I can give you his information and I am sure he can give you his opinion (the best part is that he will not charge you for it LOL). IF you want it please message me. Good luck!

Congratulations Michelle! I know what you mean, I am in Med school and we have finals until May 9th and my surgery is May 10th! Crazy I know but that will give me more recovery time before school starts again May 29th LOL! Congrats!

if you have a costco membership or know someone who does they have the 20+ piece for the magic bullet with their monthly coupon! Here in Texas I paid ~$35 plus taxes for it, it comes with two take along mugs (along with sipping lids) as well as many other things. I am going to buy me another one to keep at school. It works great! I tried the Bella one from Target too but its not as good so I am taking it back.

Yeah I am planning on starting mine two weeks (my surgeon only requires 3 days for me) but I think if I start a little earlier it might be easier when I have to drink only liquids. The good thing is that my last day before I start my preop it's my birthday, so I an planning on eating chinese food (my favorite) until I am sick! Lol

I am afraid of that too but I try not to think about it! lol. I am trying really really hard to take this one day at a time, that is super difficult but I hope it keeps me from going insane!

Congratulations!

Stephanie many USA doctors have the misconception that only USA doctors are any good. They also hear all of the horror stories from people who go to Mexico without doing their research and find themselves in a lot of trouble. I have heard nothing but great things about Dr. Aceves, don't let anyone scare you like that. I can tell you that for myself I am having my surgery May 10th with dr. Ponce de leon and after having done my homework I know for a fact this is the best surgeon for me. Like I said I have heard nothing but great things about Dr. Aceves so I am sure he is as qualified or even more likely more qualified than the bariatric surgeon who is telling you not to go. Some of the fears of some of our clinicians here are well founded but unfortunately they often don't realize that there are many wonderful surgeons outside of here. IF you have done your homework, found out everything good and bad about your surgeon and are 100% confident in his skills and ethics then you have all of the tools to make the right decision for you. You should definitely worry about the risks and other things about the surgery itself and keep in mind that there are real risk asociated with any medical treatment, but if the benefits for you outweigh that risk, this will also help you in your decision (YOUR being the keyword). Best of luck!

I am having the same food funeral but like DDFin I feel that eventually I will be able to eat what I like with moderation. So right now I am trying not to overeat but I an definitely eating what I want. I lost three pounds this week and I am not even trying, what I have changed is that I am trying to learn to log what I eat and I ask myself "do I really want that?". I am working very hard at logging my food, that is a real challenge for me. Definitely enjoy yourself!