tonibugg

My heart and prayers go out to you today, I am a cat fanatic and to have such an important part of your family in that kitty makes it all that much harder. I have 2 younger cats but I also have a 12 year old lab that has been a part of our family since he was literally born and it is so hard to watch them get older. Like losing a a literal part of your family! Just know that what ever decision you make it is the right one, your heart is the only thing that can tell you what is right and time at this point =)

Hi All!! I just wanted to update everyone =) Surgery was yesterday and I am doing great! little bit of gas and a little pain when I drink some fluids but doing great other than that. Had the stomach leak test and passed with flying colors. They removed the drain today and the IV will be removed tomorrow morning. The IV has been more of an irritation than the drain ever was!! They will pick me up in the morning at 10am to get me to the airport so I can go home!!! Woo Hoo! Can't wait to see my grandson =) I will update when I get home tomorrow and hopefully we will all be able to meet soon! Thank you all for making this experience so much easier! I love the updates, the encouragement and the advice =) So happy we have this forum!! Take care all and will talk to you soon! Here's to us ladies! Let's start thinking of a common weight loss weight goal reward!! Woo Hoo!

Got out of surgery yesterday and have walking walking walking! Doing good only a little discomfort from the gas under my shoulder blade. Got some ice chips today, that was a weird sensation in my tummy lol All in all doing great! Hi Amy!! I hope to talk to you Monday about getting everything together for DFW support group!! Can't wait to meet everyone!

If it was not for the Bigelow Peppermint Decaff tea and truvia, I would not have survived that second day. I sat up mostly in my chair with a throw blanket from home. Water wanted to come up. The peppermint decaff tea soothed my belly and it tasted good warm and as it cooled. MinaT, I am at the same hospital you were, where did you get the tea?!?! I want to make sure I have it on hand for tomorrow if I need it! lol

Apricot, where did you do your surgery?

I am actually in Mexico today waiting for surgery around 10am but I learned this handy tip from one of the docs here, if you have an Iphone you can download the app for magic jack!! I works great!! You just have to have wifi wherever you are making the call from, no charges or fees!! Awesome! I am in Juarez and just across from El Paso, he said that he lives in El Paso but works at the hospital here so he downloaded it to be able to call his family during the day. Great app! I actually probably over packed but now that I'm here, I'm glad I did! I have my own blanket and pillow, I brought my computer (free wifi at the hospital) and my cell. And of course lots of PJ's and toiletries. My husband brought his Ipad and has made some face time calls (also free via wifi) so that has worked for him pretty well, I prefer not to be seen while talking to someone lol anyway, hope that helps!! Good luck!!!

I just got my IV and am waiting for surgery at 10... Did you have crazy dreams last night? Wow! I'm so ready for this to be over with and the apprehension to be gone... Congrats on being on the other side!!

Congratulations!!!! So happy for you!!

I had my gall bladder out several years ago and it was horrible! The way it was explained to me was the gall bladder has a spasm and that's what makes you throw up the bile. You don't quit hurting until it all comes up. BLAH! I thought I was dying a couple of times lol I finally got it taken out and wow! what a difference! I would definitely get it looked at asap because it just gets worse =( Hope you feel better soon!

$7200 for 4 day hospital stay in Juarez with Dr Rodriguez =)

Welcome aboard! I joined a little over a month ago and have been addicted ever since! Being able to talk to someone about what emotions etc you are going through in every part of this journey has been so comforting. congrats on your journey!

I ultimately chose Dr Jose Rodriguez for several reasons but here are my main ones.. 1) He operates out of the Star Medica hospital which is who the US Embassy uses in that area - I know that some people are ok with staying in a hotel or recovery house but if I'm going out of the country for the surgery I need to know that if anything comes up or I have questions or concerns I can push a nurse button and there is someone there.. I will be there 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital. This is definetly not to say the other options are wrong for someone else, I'm just already kind of stressing about being in Mexico to begin with so I want to know I will be in a safe and comfortable hospital stress free! lol btw, the hospital gets amazing reviews as well, you can look up pictures and videos of it on youtube. 2) He has a fantastic background (credentials & training) and history with his surgeries and has received degrees here in the US as well as several other countries. 3) Great reputation with his patients, I have spoken with 11 other women who loved him and his staff =) Especially that they speak English (well, most of them anyway! you are in Mexico after all lol) Dr Rod himself speaks English There are more reasons but these are the biggies for me. I also truly love the co-ordinator that I am working with, Jessica at belight. She has been so helpful. It also helped that they financed a portion of the surgery for me with very affordable payments. This surgeon and hospital cost a little more than what I see on these forums, but I'm going to make the best decision for me during all of this and if it takes an extra $2K to have the peace of mind that I need, so be it =) My surgery is this next week on the 29th so I can give you more info on Dr Rodriguez and the hospital and area if you would like, just pm me! Making this decision is so hard! Choosing the doc then listening to all of the different opinions and it seems as if all of these docs are loved by their patients so it's really about what is right for you. Good luck with your journey!

Hi Sleeve Sister! I'm so excited to meet you! I just posted for Amy to start getting everything together for the support/friend group so let's get this group going =) I'll pm my email address and we'll chat there!

BTW Amy, I love your blog! I've read it for a couple of weeks now and can't wait to meet you!

Thank you for the offer! I would be so grateful for the help! I manage 4 physical therapy clinics and getting everything cleaned up with all of them plus preparing for the surgery has been a little overwhelming to say the least... If you would get a "directory" of everyone and lets get this ball rolling! I have surgery the 29th as does Katy =) who just responded so I think we're probably on the same boat! I came up with July 21 as a date, it's a Saturday and thought about doing lunch or "brunch" but let me know what you think ) I will pm you my email address and we can get connected from there! Thanks again!!!

My surgery is June 29th =) I'm going through lots of emotions but excitement kind of covers them up lol Just ready to be on the other side of this!! Will be praying for you this week!!

great idea! I am a list and task freak lol so this is right up my alley! I can't believe I haven't thought of it!! Thanks for posting though =) My surgery is the 29th so I have this weekend to work on it Woo Hoo!

hahaha! stole them!

This is exactly why I had a colonoscopy before my surgery date! I won't have to have another one for 5 years so hopefully by then I will be able to tolerate the fluid by then. I used SuPrep though and only had to drink 16 oz with as much water I could follow that up with. I tasted disgusting though, like sickly sucrose sweet raspberry saltwater.. UGH! Disgusting, my gag reflex was in going crazy. Thank God that it's all over with now!! LOL!!

My goodness! Were you in a recovery house or hotel or something? I can't imagine being left alone for those 3 days =( What doc did you use? So happy you are feeling better!!

OMG! I love this! I too miss my heels, desperately! I have also considered this my "rebirth" =) I can't even put into words how excited I am to be me again!!! My husband is too =) We've been married since I was 17 and December will be our 24th anniversary. We're both ready to get me healthy and live out the rest of our lives like we planned them when we were young. Time to step out of this fat suit! lol

LOL! This is funny because I was all ready to go with my pre op diet and thought "I'm gonna start early and get the ball rolling!" Mine is not the liquid preop either, simply low carb.. basically the Atkins but with more starting carbs daily. Could I stick with it?! NO!! 3 days in I was like, "What am I doing? I am about to have surgery so why am I starting this diet too soon?" soooo... yep, I cheated and went and ate some BBQ! Well, I got back up again the next day but ONLY because I knew I needed to be prepared for surgery so I've made a decision to do it right! I need to take care of myself, isn't that why we're doing the surgery?? It is hard though.. Monday I start the protein shakes with a small dinner and I HAVE to be good with that. I'm almost there though 9 more days!!! We can do this!!

Hi Amanda! I am in Oak Point, which is about 15 min from McKinney =) I lived in McKinney for the past 15 years and last year decided to go to the country!! I'm so excited to meet everyone! I too am looking for something not so formal, I would really like to make some friends =) I have surgery on June 29th but if anyone is interested in having a "brunch" type meal this Friday or even Monday or Tuesday let me know! I can certainly put something together. However, I think that we can set up our first "real meeting" in July, maybe the 21st (Saturday). I just need to know what city is going to be convenient for everyone and to make sure the date will work. I will put everything else together from there! So excited to meet you all!!