scarbedazzles

so besides shakes....what do you tolerate well? I'd try adding unflavored protein powder to it. Maybe yogurt? or crème soup? Just don't get the powder too hot. (140 degrees I think) if it gets too warm it'll clump...

i'm 3 days out..... lol so water and anything cold (except a popsicle) doesn't sit well. Tea and broth (well actually I hated the broth so I just strained cambells chicken noodle)....that's the stuff. Right now though, honestly? I'm just hoping to be able to eat at all eventually!!!

To me, the general anesthesia was more of the problem than anything. Yes, I have the sore abdomen...can't side sleep...ect... but the simple stress of the anesthesia was a killer for me. I felt really bad upon waking but it was over pretty quickly. Still worth it. Now my stress is "Will I ever eat again"??? 3 days post and hopeful...

My surgery was on 8/21/2013 with Dr Rodriguez in Tijuana, MX. I arrived bright and early in San Diego where my coordinator picked me up (she did not have to do this but was worried because I was getting there so early). We went into MX across the border.....it was nothing like I'd been warned by all my naysayer friends, by the way. The Hospital (Hospital Angeles) was beautiful with marble floors (literally) my room seemed more like a resort. TV was sketch only because there were few channels, but I never even watched it at all...it was only background noise. There was even a TGIF's across the street for those who come along for the ride. I have to say they (belightweight) took care of everything from start to finish. I never even had to stand there to sign all the paperwork, it was done and brought to me to sign. It all began with the best looking and smelling Dr. (Dr Raynes) greeting me and telling me what all was going to happen. I was nervous because I'd never been under general anesthesia. First it was to imaging where they took x-rays of my lungs. Then right up to my room....very nice too. Very quickly a gal came and did an EKG. I settled in and a little bit later they came in to take the blood and start my IV....(I knew it would be difficult because I am a hard one to get for IV's) Five sticks later and a bleed out on my bed... they finally had an IV in place. I did not find this as a negative for the staff because it's happened to me everywhere I've ever been. Dr. Rod came in with Dr. Elmo about 15 mins later and told me once the blood work came back I would be his 2nd surgery right after my neighbor. This came about all too soon..... I was still reeling from the stress of all the IV sticks. I did NOT want to go into surgery!!!! waaaahhh. But in I went....a couple of the staff introduced themselves and pretty soon a pretty gal came at me with a mask saying what I thought was "Dees ees some Oxygen....breath" next thing I knew, I was trying to take off that mask she was giving me....but I suddenly realized my midsection did not feel right at all! That's when it hit me the surgery was OVER!!! Goodness what had happened??? Well apparently I don't come out too swift from General because I felt awful.....really awful. It probably took a couple hours for me to even think I'd live. But I did live....and got better and better moment by moment literally. I pretty much just internalized everything...I'm not one for crying and complaining.... I just get quiet and lock and load. I rested the rest of the evening and slept when I could. Lots of people checking on me and doing this and that. The next morning my daughter had visited with the neighbor. She was already showered, up and walking!!! AND she was a revision from plication to sleeve! My daughter at this point decided for herself I was being a wussie. So this 16 year old marched me into the shower.....helped me into fresh hospital garb....and MADE me walk!!! How dare her!!! But it worked!! before too long I could do a couple of laps with no problem (not saying you won't be sore) later on that evening a few more gals showed up and before you knew it, we were all congregated in the hall yapping like women do. lol We even ticked off another gal trying to sleep, so we went back to our rooms. I had some pain meds every so often in my IV but never felt woozy) I had a tiny.... dry heavy thingy almost like little stomach spasms but it went away quickly. Saw my neighbor again and saw she had broth and jello.....WHAT!!!!???!!! I was starving! Took about 3 hours for me to get up the proper sign language for "Where's my FOOD" lol but I did get my stuff....disappointing....I couldn't eat anything but a tiny sip and bit of jello. Next thing you know The sweet smelling Dr. Raynes came by to grab me for the leak test....(uh, yuk is the right word, but you'll live) I passed with flying colors....and I'm not eating anything out of order I do NOT want to develop a leak. They brought by all my test results (full film and all.... for me to take back with me to the states...even the little tag from the serial number on my staples!) Everything else from here on out was resting, joking, and getting up the gumption to leave the next day. Friday came too soon. Alberto came to the room to let me know he'd be by around 2:30 to get us to the airport. We got packed and waited... Dr. Rodrigues came by with Dr. Elmo again....Dr Raynes was with us the most as he is a sort of liason, I think. My Coordinator had been with me on and off all along. 2:30 came and it was time to go we went downstairs to meet Alberto with the van... nice van!!! Now we got to see the Tijuana I'd heard of. He drove like a banshee and was funny as heck! Even stopped at the border to buy an ice cream for himself and my daughter. Almost had an altercation with another person crossing the border....Alberto was NOT giving up his spot...but the wife got out of their car and put herself between us and them... so they got ahead....wow!!! after that everything was uneventful....we got to the airport and I asked for a wheelchair because I could'nt imagine hurrying between gates even though I felt ok for slow stuff. Now....fast forward to today....I'm home, safe and sound. My husband is treating me like a queen and I can get a bit more down....I'll put more posts at 10 days etc... because I know I loved reading this stuff when I was pre-op. Thanks everyone for your stories....

Wow....this is an honor to finally be on the losers bench!!! I gotta say it might have been a leeeetle bit tougher than I thought. But here I am....3 days and suckin down my water, broth, sf jello, sf popsicles....haha. I'm going to go ahead and write a blow by blow so everyone can get an idea of it from my perspective. PLUS it will give some of those worried about surgery in MX some info.

I like to eat a sugar free popsicle or jello if I. Get too hungry....kind of a mind screw but it works for me.

I understand how you want her to lose too. My girls would freak if I was suddenly smaller than them, but it's likely to happen unless they keep up with the boot camp I bought them. But.... congrats on that NSV!!! It's awesome to be better than we've been in years.

I think some people are kind of jealous. Even good friends/family. Many want to sit in the judgment seat and can't handle it when you finally take the bull by the horns. I also think there is a timeframe when the weight first peels off that we do look a little drawn because our skin has to catch up. We lose so fast that it takes them by surprise.

Shame on me for not reading the label! So I'm on the pre-op and they said I could have sugar free popsicles and Jello.....so I bought some cheap-o popsicles as they were out of everything. Then I ate one.....yum!!!! I thought all my pre-op diet woes were over...lol... I thought I'd just eat like 50 per day (kidding) then after two last night I decided to look at the label. well sugar free? YES... but 7 carbs per...no idea what gives it the carbs. Are there any with less out there? The jello has none. Same subject, different question.... when I come home on Clear liquids...I know I can have them, but, do they count as a liquid? do I have to wait after eating them? stupid I know but I don't want to assume. After the liquid phase do popsicles and jello count as meal time or liquids?

I'm gonna walk walk walk..... and I already got gas-x strips, the dissolvable type? ... and I heard get a small pillow.( I read take a heating pad?? don't knpw if that's good or bad after surgery) I'm going to MX so, I have to fly home two days after surgery. Yikes! But I'd rather be home... thank you for your prayers I need them...

I have heard that... and I've seen on here that a lot of people get apple juice and real popsicles at the hospital.... so I will def look into it. I don't think I'll have a real "trigger" once I have the surgery... It's just been the pre-op...but I have suddenly turned a corner...not hungry anymore just trying to get in the right stuff...more label obsession...lol

With waiting I meant did we treat them as food or liquid....Im happy with knowing they are a liquid...and I know I wont be able to hold even a whole popsicle after surgery, but right now.....it saves me from some terrible temptations of cheating...lol @Cherbear.. my surgery is next wed!!!!!!! (I want to put more here, but you get the idea) I'm excited......and worried but only because I've never had general anesthesia.

Theres also shake type isopure....my dr says the isopure that looks like Gatorade is a clear liquid.... shakes are for later for me...but isopure clear is good!

Maybe this conversation is dead...but I had to add.... day 4 here and the headache went away. I'm not as hungry. huh? who'da thunk?!?!

From the research I've done.... Dr. Rod is awesome!!! I'm with him in TJ next wed....Don't hesitate...this is an awesome tool. Most lose the weight in about a year. Edited to add...are you looking at going through BeLiteWeight? Bceause that is an American company...your flex spend might just do that. Call Jo-Ann there and ask.

*spits out Protein shake* roflmao.... I guess i'm on the "pre-op" candy crush diet... can"t get past 105 though.... grrrrr

AWESOME!!! glad you are loving it already. I hope mine goes the same way. One more week baby!!!

Just read on another thread....your tummy might be "numb" for a while so you have to be aware of what you consume. I'll be where you are this time next week....yay!!! You sound like you are doing great!!!

I'm super jealous of your pre-surgery weight loss....I'm next week and lucky if I get another 2 pounds off...lol... Congratulations!!! Keep it up. Never give up, never surrender....

I'm next wed. I hope it goes like this for me!!! I wouldn't worry though. Your body knows what its doing. From what I've read the longer you go without a complication, The less chance of one happening. I think you are doing great. Don't quit doing everything just the right way just because you feel awesome and don't go overboard with food. You'll be skinny in no time...

I've not and will not tell my PCP....I figure asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission. lol this is my life and body....I don't want to live another decade without this tool....and end up sick and another 10 years wasted. What I want to know is how many here who've gone to MX have had a problem like an infection... seems to me most complications are from US surgeons. IDK what ya'll think?

I read something that I didn't know last night about this very thing... I'm pre-surgery so it is not first hand knowledge. One of the gals on here said that the pyloric valve (the valve at the bottom of your stomach) closes when it needs time to digest complex proteins. That's why they tell us to eat our proteins first. We will feel full faster. AND I know we are supposed to only drink 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after eating....NEVER with a meal. Stay away from those foods that go right through without stopping for digestion. Maybe this helps???

My surgery is for the 21st...I'm doing ok on my diet....it's only been 3 days though. Today proved to be a very hungry day for me.....grrrr.... it's almost bedtime and i'll be glad to go to bed just to forget about it till morning. LOL Excited and nervous....(maybe I should admit to being scared to death...but i'll never back down) Going to Tijuana coupled with never having general anesthesia.... Freaking out and excited!!!! I'll just shorten that to read....FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!

I started my pre-op yesterday...it's not exactly all liquid... but it is low carb/fat liver shrinking. I'm so excited as well. Great approach to a situation that is going to change our lives!!! Yay!!!

Kind of like grading on a curve....one person with a 100% ruins it for everyone in the class.