want2look&feelbetter

Hey April 17th Sleevers! Let's share experiences we are going through. Some thing seem expected and others are like is that supposed to happen. Also, anyone that did it in Mexico with Dr. Jose Rodriguez, we would have been in the hospital together. Lots to chat about there too.

How is everyone doing? Any April 17th sleevers?

Please help!! So many decisions! What Michigan surgeons do you recommend and why? What pre-qualifications do they require for a self-payer. How has your experience been pre-surgery and post-surgery? I'm brand new to all of this and I need lots of advice. My husband and I are very seriously looking at the Lap Bands for both of us. It sounds like a wonderful option if used as a tool appropriately. Mexico surgeons look tempting for cost due to I'm a self-payer. However, if I could find a local surgeon that would be all the better for the whole thing. I'm worried about what you sacrifice in a cost difference from a $5500 surgery to a $17,000 surgery. Any and all help, advice and experience would be greatly appreciated.

That is so great! I was sleeved on 4/17. I can't tell you what I have lost so far. I do know that I lost 25ish lbs within a few weeks after surgery. I am not chasing the scale. That would be too stressful for me with fluctuations. I am going on how I feel and how my clothes are fitting currently. I would like to share experiences, challenges and successes, if that is good with you. Hopefully more of us sleeved in that timeline would join. I need a support group. :-)

Does egg drop soup qualify for a broth??

I had my surgery through the same place and facilitators. Everyone was wonderful. Just a surgery afterthought, how does it work if you do get a leak? Do you have to go back to Mexico? How much is it? Do the doctors here handle it without attitude? How much is it here? Sorry for the focus on cost, but life is that way. Has anybody went back to Mexico? Has anyone had it handled here? Would the Center of Excellence hospital handle it? Does Star Medica and Center of Excellence hospitals here work together?

Sorry in advance! I was sleeved on April 17. I've lost somewhere between 15-20lbs. :-) This is my week of full liquids. Wednesday I can do soft diet for 2 weeks. I'm at a turning point and have several questions. Please answer any one you can. I need all the help I can get. 1. Are full liquids eating, i.e. no drinking for 30-90 minutes after? 2. Is Jello considered eating? 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? 4. I don't like artificial sugar for the sugar free diet. How can I compensate? 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. 7. TMI Warning!! I am on the Depo shot and I have been spotting ever since the surgery - 12 days. I never have a period if I do it a day or two of lite spotting. This is every time I wipe, not fresh but old if you know what I mean. Sorry again. Could something in the surgery have messed with my shot or what are your thoughts on this? I do not want to get pregnant! 8. I'm starting to feel normal and that scares me a little. When I could feel the soreness and restriction (no hunger), it made it easier to not eat and be great with it. Now, it's like appetite is coming back. I'm scared of gaining. Other diets have worked opposite for me and I don't want this to also. I'm scared of any change or move! I feel like I have to starve myself to keep this going. :-( 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? 13. I think Protein shakes make me sick?? I know I'll have more, but here's a start. Thanks for your patience. Thanks to anyone and everyone for replying. It's wonderful to have a great resource like this board to be able to utilize.

How in the world am I able to get all this protein in with broth? I'm hungry but not. I can't drink water because my stomach spasms so I'm having a hard time get all those oz. in. I'm doing ok, but I know I'm failing at getting the requirements. I know I need them too because I'm slightly fatigued. I need suggestions but I don't know what they could be when your on clear liquids. I'm trying to be patient. Help!

Wow, great! I will check out the Unjury Soups. I also like the idea of adding seasoning/spices for flavor. That helps so much!

Thanks for suggestions! I was hoping it would be an alternative to the same ole' broth.

I did it!! Sleeved on April 17th, Juarez Mexico with the wonderful team of Dr. Jose Rodriguez I still can't believe it's over. So I'm 4 days out now. Yesterday, had all kinds of energy doing great, a little laundry, etc.. Today, weaker, but I believe it's because I'm not getting enough protein. I just realized I'm only getting under 20 grams a day. And it's hard to get the water in. I have abdominal cramps fierce. So, I think today is weighing on me. I made a whole batch fresh chicken broth and I'm constantly drinking it. Warm liquids only right now. Any other suggestions would be helpful. I'm thankful for my decision and feel really positive about my new life though!!!

Sleeved on April 17th, Juarez Mexico with the wonderful team of Dr. Jose Rodriguez I still can't believe it's over. So I'm 4 days out now. Yesterday, had all kinds of energy doing great, a little laundry, etc.. Today, weaker, but I believe it's because I'm not getting enough protein. I just realized I'm only getting under 20 grams a day. And it's hard to get the water in. I have abdominal cramps fierce. So, I think today is weighing on me. I made a whole batch fresh chicken broth and I'm constantly drinking it. Warm liquids only right now. Any other suggestions would be helpful. I'm thankful for my decision and feel really positive about my new life though!!!

Ok, I'm here. IV started, blood tests done, xrays done, waiting for surgery. I'm getting really hungry and still have the nervous butterflies!!! I can't believe I'm here. I really can't. It happened so fast! Mexico is so beautiful to wake up to in the morning. From my 3rd floor hospital room I have a Juarez City Mountain view. Gorgeous! It's sunny and about 71+ today.

Joni, I absolutely will let you know. I'm sure all will be fine. It's the darn "what ifs". When is your date? A previous poster stated something to the effect of the thought process of a heart bypass or some other really scary out of your hands operation compared to this wonderful life changing and enhancing operation and it totally put it into perspective again. :-)

OMGoodness, my surgery is either April 17th or April 20th in Mexico, if everything lines up. It's coming all so fast. Once I had all my information,made the choice and asked what dates were available, they were right around the corner. Sent in form, doctor needs to approve, started pre-op diet (which is like signing on the dotted line) then planes tickets to El Paso!!! Could be flying out Monday!!! You think your mentally prepared until it comes down to it. Breathe, breathe.......I'm extremely excited, anxious, scared of all the things others are talking about on this forum. Sorry............just had to let it out. It's all good! :-)

I'm really searching Mexico Surgeons. I am ready to make my appointment, but I'm confused on Surgeons now. I have been working with Amy from Belite and she has been wonderful. I know they use Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Aramburo out of Juarez and Tijuana. I've read great posts about them both. Leaning towards Tijuana. Just wanting to make sure I'm making the right decision for my long term success. Any suggestions would be great. Help!? :-)

Shirley, I will check into Henry Ford and see what they say. I will also check into HAP. I will keep you informed. I hope it works!!! We are super excited and anxious to move on with this. Thanks again!

Thanks for the reply Amy! I appreciate the advice.

Shirley, Thank you for the response. Were you a self-payer? If so, do you remeber how much it cost? I completely understand about the Mexico thing. I've read that alot about those concerns on here lately. With both my husband and I wanting to get it done together, it can be costly and so we are searching. I'm South of Lansing. I checked into the Lansing surgeon and it sounds like its about $20-$30,000 to get it done there. That's just a quick add when the prices of each part of surgery were thrown loosely at me, i.e hospital cost, anesth., lap band, surgeon, etc. That would be out of range with 2 ($60,000). Do these and most surgeons only serve people from their areas?