2BThinAlways

Anger is my absolute worst trigger emotion when it comes to food! Fantasizing about taking up kickboxing instead of eating when I'm mad LOL ...

Years ago, I was 350 lbs, and gradually (over a matter of years) lost down to about 255. Then, again over several years, I gained back to 290. When I booked my surgery, I was 290, and so this is where I put my start weight

When I was on my way out the door to the airport at 4 a.m., I just had to go wake up my 19-year-old son to tell him I loved him and give him a few final words of wisdom "just in case" ... of course, I came through the surgery just fine, and when I asked him afterwards if he remembered what I told him, he didn't!! LOL

Some do, some don't ... I had a drain with my sleeve surgery, and as a result I think I had far less subsequent drainage from the incision than I did after my earlier gallbladder surgery that did not result in a drain.

I paid $4,500 -- Dr. Almanza in Tijuana. The care I received was excellent

Fat free cottage cheese! 1/2 cup is 90 calories and 15 grams of protein and it goes down easy ...

Dorrie is absolutely right ... the first couple of days are the hardest. I wouldn't have made it through without broth and diet gingerale (which I really enjoyed because I knew I wouldn't have it post-op)! But once the third day rolled around I felt like, hey, I could do this liquid diet forever! Just remember -- it's worth it!

I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza on March 27 and the care I was provided at the Jerusalem Hospital clinic and the recovery house was outstanding Best of luck with your surgery!

Smoking has been proven to slow healing and cause excessive scar tissue formation. It's going to take a nonsmoker at least six weeks to heal after surgery. If you stay off the cigarettes that long, why start again? All the best with your surgery!

I had a long trip back too. I made sure to wiggle and flex my leg muscles as much as possible, and the extra room in business would certainly have been nice, but it really was fine. Just a very long day! About broth ... don't worry too much about it, you really won't be hungry. I had a glass of apple juice over ice and then ice Water in the plane, and that was good. Good luck!

I had surgery on 3/27 too, and I noticed the exact same thing yesterday I guessed it was probably part of the healing process since my incisions look fine and I feel fine ...

I didn't stay at the Ticuan but those who did said it was very nice My understanding is that patients at the hotel are driven to the clinic once a day for pain meds. We got pain meds several times a day at the recovery house. The purple stuff tastes nasty, but you'll manage to get it down. And to the original poster, I too just returned from Tijuana and I always felt safe. Re taxis, get your hotel to call one rather than just flagging a random cab on the street (good safety advice in many places). Good luck and good healing to everyone!

This happened to me for a few days after surgery! I thought perhaps my eyes were open during surgery, because when I came too they were also scratchy and watery until I got a really good sleep. I don't know how long it has been for you, but in my case it did get better ... hope your vision does too

I hate the protein shakes too, so today I'm going to try to take in three or four cups of fat-free soy milk (70 cals, 7 gms of protein per cup). It's liquid, not mushy, but I'm on full liquids now Have fun at the gym!

I was done March 27 also And I can't complain at all, feeling pretty good and, like you, so much gratitude for my surgeon and medical team!

We're sleeve twins I have had an very fortunate recovery so far, too, and starting the full liquids today I've heard that if you're feeling hungry, it could be because of too much stomach acid, and a PPI like Prilosec or Prevacid could help. Most surgeons agree that it is safer not to eat solids until at least two weeks out to help avoid serious stomach leaks. All the best!

I just got back from being sleeved on March 27 and I highly recommend Dr. Almanza. He and the other doctors, the nurses, the support staff -- all wonderful! Congratulations!

March 27 here!

Congratulations and thank you so much for giving us the details!! Question: "They operate in order of BMI, with the lowest going first." I've been wondering whether they weigh and take your height to calculate BMI during the intake? I've lost a bit of weight and turns out when I measured, I'm actually an inch taller than I said in my booking form, so my BMI is a bit lower than it would originally have appeared

I'm not judging, and I'm only writing this to remind you of what's at stake. If you're one week post op, it's just too soon for solids. You could get a leak and that could be life-threatening. An overwhelming majority of surgeons say that eating any sorts of solids, even mushies, before the two-week mark could cause leaks. Hope you find a way to get things under control! I know I will seen be facing the same struggles!

Great question ... looking forward to reading what people have to say

How about coffee shops / Starbucks / libraries when you need to see people for an hour or two. Or if you're in a bigger city, there may be desk rentals / co-working space for rent? My husband and I both work at home, and I can relate to going stir crazy sometimes

Agreed, I don't want to check baggage either

Wow congrats!

How about a couple of ziploc baggies each containing a serving of your Protein drink powder? You could ask for water to mix with those too and they may help a bit with hunger ... All the best with your surgery -- looking forward to your updates!