BizTraveller

I had mine done with Dr. Halmi at Blue Point Group. They are a well-oiled machine. Just show up and do what they tell you. They are experts at getting the procedure approved. They have a complication rate that is an order-of-magnitude better than the industry. Post-op surgical care at Fair Oaks was exceptional. They have bariatric nursing specialists. It has been a very positive experience. I am 3 months post- op and down 75 lbs. It has been no big deal. Sent from my iPad using VST

They save me sometimes. As I transitioned back to normal life after surgery, I found out there were lots of days where I couldn't take the time to feed myself properly. I keep a couple of good-quality Protein bars handy. I like the Quest bars. They have really good numbers. Many of the others are pretty bad. Most days I do fine on real food (no shakes or bars). But, someways you can't build your life around your sleeve and thence bars come in handy. Sent from my iPad using VST

Easiest dish I know... Tilapia filets come individually wrapped and frozen. Sprinkle one with a little chili powder and salt. Fry it for about 4 minutes. Spoon some green salsa on it and eat it. VERY fast and easy, and authentically Mexican. Sent from my iPad using VST

As you might guess from my screen name I travel a lot. I would not suggest vegetarian. That is almost always Pasta and bread. I have had the most success ordering low carb or diabetic. I did that on business class on Singapore airlines and got some of the best bariatric meals you could imagine. US carriers will not be as friendly, and if you are not in business class it may be totally hopeless. I would suggest carrying good Protein bars (such as Quest), beef Jerky, and almonds. All of those pack easily and provide a nice shot of protein. This weekend I had a 9 hour trip back from London in coach with United. I was not able to eat anything they served. It was all bread, chips, and pasta. I lived off 2 Protein Bars and a handful of almonds. I just did a few stops in Europe (in coach) and found eating in the air and on the ground very difficult. Everything was a sandwich, and most of those sandwiches had a little piece of meat or cheese that was so thin it was virtually transparent. On the other hand, in flight and restaurant meals in Asia were a dream.

I waited about 10 weeks. Now u have the occasional glass of wine with dinner. Typically I only drink about half the glass, but it maes me feel normal. I still stay under my calorie targets easily. Sent from my iPad using VST

I really heitate to post this, but i am a pasionate believer in facts and truth. I am not aware of any security issues related to medical tourists in Mexico. However, the security situation in Mexico is very serious and you should not dismiss it lightly. Here is the under-reported reality: In the 6 year Mexican Drug War, an estimated 47,500 people have been killed. Informed sources suggest the real number icould be twice that. They were not all drug dealers. In the 10-year war in Afghanistan, about 3,000 US and Coalition soldiers have been killed. This year in Syria about 17,000 have been killed. That is about he same number as killed in Mexico during 2011. Don't ask me why this is not front page news every night. I cannot explain it. This is a full-scale war by any definition ( and an unspeakable tragedy). As a medical tourist, you should not be at risk, but you have to realize you are going to a country that us in a full-scale war. I still travel to Mexico, but I do so understanding the reality. Do not go take a vacation in the countryside during your Pre-op. Do not go walking around at night. Do get your operation done. Obesity is far more dangerous than any war zone on earth. You are safer skinny in Dafur than you are fat in Peoria. If you are on this forum, you have already taken chances with your life that exceed the risk of a trip to Mexico. The vast majority of people come home unscathed from the worst war zones. Almost everybody with a BMI over 40 dies early or ends up crippled. Sent from my iPad using VST

I just tried a beer at 3 months out. It was a non-event. I had to drink it slow and I ddn't finish it, but I was able to sit back a happy hour and feel like a normal human being. I am staying in my calorie guiltiness. I think there is a little too much drama around this. I can ruin my diet with excessive alcohol, or with Cookies. I don't plan to do either. So far beer does not appear to be an evil, sleeve-exploding devil-beverage. Sent from my iPad using VST

Good Protein bars like Quest are a big go-to for me. I also rely heavily on almonds and beef Jerky. If you are on solid food, I find shakes to be too much of a pain to travel with. It is too easy to get protein from real food. I traveled around the world while on mushies and lived on eggs, fish, meatballs, braised meat, etc. Sent from my iPad using VST

I have a retry sturdy sleeve but I have slimed a couple times. Both times involved eating really dense Protein. Once chicken, once pork. Papaya enzyme makes it go away more quickly. I carry a pill in my pocket anytime I eat out. It is not a problem if I skip that last bite. Sent from my iPad using VST

You can absolutely eat out. I live on the road and have been eating out all over the world. I am writing this from Mallorca Spain. I had Tapas last night, and salt encrusted sea bass the night before. Part of the secret is to eat at better restaurants. The standard American chain restaurants are some of the toughest. Try the little trendier places. Small plates and Tapas-style eating is the rage all over the world. It makes WLS easy. Focus on small, interesting, and flavorful dishes. The sleeve gives you a reason to be more adventurous at the table. You don't have to limit yourself to chicken breast and salmon. Try Sashimi and Yakatori, satay, a whole Thai fried snapper, grilled octopus, Iberico ham, scallops in XO sauce, dim sum, duck breast, braised lamb shank, etc.... You don't eat and drink as much now so you can afford to eat better. The sleeve diesn't make you sacrifice much. It just gives you a kick in the pants and forces you to try new things. Once you do that, you realize that the stuff you ate before was pretty pitiful. Sent from my iPad using VST

I will be spending the next week in London at the Holiday Inn Mayfair. I am 10 weeks post-op so I can eat almost anything, but I have managed to become a bit lactose intolerant so I have had to give up on most Protein shakes and rely upon real food. (Protein shakes were difficult to travel with anyway). I could use some tips on local sources of Protein that I can pick up while I am in town. Are there any brands of Jerky, greek yogurt, or other foods I should look for? I am also interested in restaurants and such as sushi bars, tapas, and such where I can get some good protein without too much fuss. Finally I would appreciate ny tips you might have about eating local fare (pubs, curries, etc). Thanks in advance....

Many people find that the sleeve has a shockingly-sudden positive effect on almost every aspect of your health. The doctors cannot even explain all of it, but your blood pressure, blood sugars, lipids, and liver enzymes all get really good really fast. No to mention things like sleep apnea and so on. With your fragile health, it seems pretty likely you will see a lot of big benefits. Also keep in mind that people who have problems post a lot more than people that don't. Most sail through this procedure effortlessly. I am one of those. It was absolutely not a big deal. Minnimal pain, and a few weeks of restricted diet. I am 9 weeks post op and living a pretty normal life (67 lbs lghter). I love food. I love to cook and I love eating with people. I can eat almost anything in small quantities. Since the surgery I have eaten stingray, and satay on the back streets of Singapore. At home I have eaten Creole, Sushi, Italian, Tapas and more. In the next 6 weeks I will be eating in Spain, London, Jordan, Chile, and Panama. I plan to eat well. I can't eat the carbs for a while, but I get in everything else. I am holding off on the alcohol, but I might get just a little of that in while I hang out in my favorite underground blues club in London. The sleeve doesn't control your life, you do. Make your decision on the facts, and then make your new life the way you want it to be. It is all about taking control of those voices in your head and moving on with your life. You will be OK.

Surgery July 11. Down 67 lbs. 16 Pre-op Sent from my iPad using VST

Welcome to the world of lactose intolerance. I developed the same problem about 5 weeks post-op. I can still eat Greek yogurt and Protein bars. I have stopped shakes entirely and I am getting 90-100 grams of protein eating real food instead. If you are not absorbing any of the protein from the shakes, no point continuing them. Sent from my iPad using VST

I live in Alexandria. Sleeved at Blue Point Group in Fair Lakes on July 11. Down 65 lbs and living a normal life. Sent from my iPad using VST

6 weeks may be a little early for jerky, check with your Doc or NUT. At 8 weeks it will be fine. Sent from my iPad using VST

As far as I know everyone will allow liquid shakes as a medical necessity. The challenge in Asia could be the language barrier. The big airports in China are easy, but Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam might be challenging places to explain a liquid diet. I didn't travel on the Pre-op diet, but I have got off shakes almost entirely starting a 7 weeks post-op because of travel. There are lots of other great Protein sources that don't require you to scrounge for shake-making supplies. . Any chance your doctor might let you use good Protein Bars or even beef Jerky for the Pre-op diet? You can get massive protein with less than 1000 calories using those, and it is far easier to travel with them. The Quest bars are nutritionally very good and edible. Sent from my iPad using VST

Looking good! I am 8 1/2 weeks out and down 62. I stalled for a week recently, but I couldn't lose at that rate forever. I am going through a lot of clothes, but I sure do feel better.

Ceviche us seafood marinated in lime juice with onions and peppers. It s a huge staple in Peru and much of Latin America. It is gret sleeve food. All the Protein you need, with all the big flavors you want. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceviche Sent from my iPad using VST

Hey guys... At about what BMI does than Man Boob Dairy come and collect his gifts? Sent from my iPad using VST

Ceviche should be a great source of Protein for you. I started eating that as soon as I was cleared for soft foods. Sent from my iPad using VST

I have been having he same problem with Premier shakes. For the first couple of weeks they were my ppbest source of Protein. Now I just hsn't handle the anymore. I am curious about the mechanism that can make you lactose intolerant post-op. Sent from my iPad using VST

I just did a 24,000 mile trip while on soft foods. It was easier than I thought. There are lots of good soft choices. It is good to get out. Some people let this operation turn them into hermits. Get out and live. Sent from my iPad using VST