made2beme

I did HCG about 1.5 yr ago and lost 78 lbs in 7 months. Then, I gained back about double that in about a yr when I stopped the injections and tried to go back to normal food. I lost well while on it and also stuck to the plan when I was on it to a T. Yes, you HAVE to stick to the foods in the diet and you have to be pretty much exact IF you want to lose the max amount of weight. If you fudge, sure you may still lose but not the 1 lb per day as you are supposed to. I bought my HCG from out of the country, so I did get the real deal and had to mix it myself in the vials. I didnt want the homeopathic, if I was gonna do it...I was gonna do it. I also went by the original book "Pounds and Inches" by Dr. Simeons who wrote the book over 50 yrs ago in Italy. For me, I would never consider doing it AFTER the sleeve.....that is why I got sleeved so that I would never have to do those type of extreme "diets" again. Before, if I had some avail. knowing how well I lost before I may consider it...but not after.

I believe it to be both that you listed.....

On my post-op plan pureed and mushies are not the same thing. But, I am on pureed right now and can eat refried Beans with some cheese and sour cream, egg salad, chicken salad, yogurt, ricotta, cottage cheese, pudding, Soups that are pureed, etc. I didnt think we could eat straight cheese yet, like a slice of cheese (I am a cheese freak). But, I have put some on my beans and melted it.

I have 5, but honestly....I have plans for tummy tuck, breast lift, etc. so Im not done with scars. These are minimal compared to what I know I will have. But, honestly at 16 days post-op mine have already lost their scabs and are looking great, so may not be a big deal anyway.

No final meal allowed, 3 last days pre-op you are on a clear liquid diet and that doesnt change until you are 2 wks post-op. But, as Sky said...they do have broth and popsicles at the hotel...only tried the broth. I ate it the night before I think because I was so hungry....but the first day we arrived back at the hotel post-op I could not even think about it. Straight broth still makes my stomach turn

ok, I thought I had this stuff down while I was pre-op but now that I am ready to prepare for the different phases I have read so many different things. I have the instructions from my doc on how long on each phase and what they are, but confused on what foods qualify for what. While grocery shopping yesterday I got some greek yogurt and SF pudding and was so looking forward to trying it on my "Full Liquid" phase, but now I am thinking we shouldnt have this until mushies or soft foods? I know I will be able to do strained creamy Soups and Protein drinks with milk, etc. but after that I am LOST! I also know there are tons of posts on here about it, but reading more and more is just going to get me that much more confused. Any help!?

Hi there! We actually have a forum dedicated to Self-pay/Mexico surgery and there is lots of valuable info there. I just returned from Tijuana less than 2 wks ago from being sleeved with Dr. Garcia and used Ready4Achange (Alma). I can not say enough about what a great experience I had with all of it. There are lots of posts you can find if you put Garcia in the search bar up top. Lots of people have told their story/experience and some to great detail. Yes, the hospital is only about 2 yrs old and does have a ER as well as a cardiology unit...it is not a clinic but a hospital (that makes a difference to some). The nurses, Dr. Garcia, the anesthesiologist, the on call Dr. (I was there over the wkend) the onsite coordinator Melly and Rosie at ths hotel....all was just better than expected! You will leave with paperwork of the bloodwork they did and everything about your surgery to give to you PCP back home. Suggested time is 3 months to do blood work to check levels. If there are no complications, this is really the only follow up and of course, continue regularly just to make sure all levels are good. As for other complications, I was told by all the staff to call them immediately 24/7 even after back home if there was a problem. I have all of their cell phones and emails for contact if needed. I also have a few pics in my profile from Tj as well as the Marriott (where you stay before and after) and the hosptial. Didnt get as many as I had planned, but its something to at least look at. Please let me know if you have any specific questions....I would be happy to answer as well as a number of others here that were sleeved by Garcia! Good luck on your search...

From what I have researched the procedure that is most covered for "medical reasons" (but not by all ins co's of course) is called a panniculectomy. A panniculectomy is just removing the excess skin if it is causing medical issues, but does NOT include any type of muscle tightening which is the actual Tummy Tuck. So, most likely Tummy Tucks which remove and tighten ab muscles is not covered by many ins co's because that part is considered "cosmetic" not medically necessary. But, check with yours to find out for sure! I'll be getting one too I am sure of it, but I am already saving because I know mine wont be covered....even my VSG wasnt.

I have also been using summers eve body wash and the summers eve powder. It is formulated especially for women's sensitive areas. It removes the bad bacteria while keeping the good so it is not harsh on your skin. I have not had the same issue with the lower area, but let me tell you....I have suffered for YEARS with yeast infections under my breasts. There were times it would get so painful I could barely put on my bra or move. Well, literally I tell ya the very first time I used the Summers Eve wash and then put on the powder (it is NOT like baby powder) I have not had a single rash since and thats been about 3 months. I have not gone this long without a rash/yeast infection for probably 20 yrs. So, it may be worth a try. I found it in the feminine hygine section at walmart. I hope you find something that works!

I think they are just all different - I read the my surgeon used 3 incisions on another patient that was much smaller than me and I have 5. Although that does include the drain...so really only 4 actual incisions that were used for surgery. I would ask your surgeon if you are concerned.....I always thought I would have 5 incisions so I didnt think anything about it.

Yes, I received those from my surgeon too. I will probably keep 1 in my purse just in case....but most likely will do the same as Chitowngirl and order regular meal, take home leftovers for later. But, if I need it....I will use it!

Yes, you have nothing to worry about....I just returned last week myself. I did go with my husband, but would not have felt unsafe without him. It is also so great you will have a buddy having surgery the same day because even though my hubby was there, we made some great friends while there. Another lady with her husband, she had surgery same day as me and our hubbys totally hit it off and hung out and her and I hit it off too. When we returned to the Marriott, we relaxed by the pool together, went shopping together and had so much fun! We have kept in touch and I am sure we will for a long time.....we just really clicked and it was GREAT! So, I hope this is the same for you.....making a great friend on this journey is definitely a plus!

So glad you had a great experience and feel so motivated already! I felt the same when I left last Tues from TJ. I had to laugh out loud about the fiesta outside, you must have been in my room because we had the same thing...but it was during the day and ended when it got dark. Honestly, if that is the only thing we have to complain about then I say we did really well! Ive heard that the rooms around the corner on the other side of the building do not hear it....so maybe if that is an issue one could request one of those rooms. Much luck to you....you will do great!

Hey guys, Everything has been fantastic here in Tj. Dr. Garica and his staff were great, the Marriott has been great and since getting back to the hotel yesterday, I just kind of feel like we are on vacation. Surgery went well, no complications and feeling well enough today to do a little shopping at the open market with my hubby and some great friends we have made here (also had surgery with Dr. Garica). For us, from Texas where it is 107 degrees with humidity this weather of high 60's- low 70's with a breeze has been incredible. I never could have made it walking outside all we did today at home.... So, those of you with up coming surgery here either just in Tj or with Dr. Garcia you should be at peace and comfortable with your decision. There has been nothing scary or shady that I have found, I have felt well taken care of the entire time. I will have to say for me, one of the hardest things was the fact that you come out of surgery with such a dry mouth from being intubated and you are not able to drink anything at all until the results of your leak test come back which is not late into the next day. Maybe it was worse for us because that next day was a Sat and it may be much quicker during the week? Seriously people, it sucks....but other than a little gas pain that subsided pretty quickly that really was the worst part for me.

There are just a few, I wanted to take more....but I was a little distracted with surgery lol. But, there are some pics of the hotel and hospital room/bathroom and some of the scenery, just for those that may want to see an actual photo of the hospital. I know they helped me. Just check my profile

Incisions with Dr. Garcia - you have 5 of them....one is very high (it is in between my boobs) and smaller than my pinky nail as well as the one from the drain which is the farthest to my left. The other 3 are almost in a straight line, pretty much in the same area of my stomach about 3.5 inches above my belly button. They are healing nicely and the largest one which is where they pulled my stomach out is approx 1.5 inches or smaller. Ive seen lots of pics of people a few months to years out and you do not even notice them if you arent looking and counting them. My hubby had laproscopic RNY 3 yrs ago and I literally can not even see his scars. To me, it is a very small thing to worry about compared to being my goal weight for life. Plus, I do plan to have some plastic surgery down the road and I am sure those scars will show more than these.

Incisions with Dr. Garcia - you have 5 of them....one is very high (it is in between my boobs) and smaller than my pinky nail as well as the one from the drain which is the farthest to my left. The other 3 are almost in a straight line, pretty much in the same area of my stomach about 3.5 inches above my belly button. They are healing nicely and the largest one which is where they pulled my stomach out is approx 1.5 inches or smaller. Ive seen lots of pics of people a few months to years out and you do not even notice them if you arent looking and counting them. My hubby had laproscopic RNY 3 yrs ago and I literally can not even see his scars. ok, so I posted this to the wrong thread someone else was asking specifically about insicions....but thought I would leave it up since it is something I am sure you guys may want to know, lol

Great job....I am down 11 lbs and yes ready for Sat for me! Yes, I know Keller....I lived in Ft Worth for 4 yrs and worked there for 3 while living in Midlothian! How funny, we are not REAL close but didnt realize we were so close. I can not believe you guys DROVE.....oh my, how long was that?

ok, yea.....I think I remember. Didnt I talk to you one time shortly after you had your first drink of apple juice and after the leak test the day after your surgery. I feel like such a dork, Im sorry!!!! My husband remembers too :-) I cant really see your face in your pic since so small. Was this when you were at goal after the lapband? I didnt know you were in Tx. though, we are in East Tx about 70 miles SE of Dallas.....remind me again where you are?

How funny...I was sleeved on 8/3 by Dr Garcia....guess I just didnt see ya. I was up walking the halls pretty frequently and thought I had met everyone, sorry I missed you! Glad you had a great experience sounds like mine...I would love to go back! By the way, I live in Tx also....where are you?

I didnt have staples, but mine are still really itchy. It is a sign of healing......so thats a good thing although annoying!

I am only 9 days post op but I can say just from the plethora of information here and other research I have done your food deprivation is only temporary. You will have to most likely do a pre-op diet which will be the toughest part because you will still be hungry. But, after surgery you wont be able to eat much for a while....but you wont really want to either. Once you pass the stages and get to solid food (somewhere about a month or so out...different for everyone) you will be able to add back in some of the foods you love. Of course, if you go back to eating ice cream and pizza every meal you will not be very successful. But, having the sleeve does not mean you can never enjoy some of your favorites occasionally. There are also many things we can eat when on solids that are just like everyone else, just smaller portions. So, if you already dont eat A LOT but just love the taste of food....you should be able to do that even after being sleeved when your sleeve is ready! Its more about portion size and eating Protein first, low carb (but still some) and living healthy. NOT deprivation! Good luck in your search and I hope you have peace about your decision whatever is best for you!

Yes and VERY clean! It is smaller than US hospital, but everything is clean....hospital is only 2 yrs old.

And just a side note, if you do get a letter from your doctor make sure you show the security people BEFORE you go through the line so they wont make a big deal about your Protein drinks. Just from experience on the way home from Mexico, in San Diego we had a HUGE issue just trying to get 2 bottles of Water through. The security lady wanted to argue with me and ended up throwing my full/unopened bottles of water in the trash. It turned into a big fiasco because my husband got pretty upset. I showed them paperwork from the hospital and she still pretty much said she didnt care.....then another guy came over and got my water out of the trash (it was on top) and said he was sorry. Anyway, it was not fun.....if I had to do it again I would have my documentation out and show it to whoever would look at it before going through just to avoid issues. Good luck to you!