KellyL

:welcome: Hi Shannon, welcome to the forum! I did not use Jerusalem Hospital, but I did go to Tijuana MX for my surgery and I had a wonderful experience. I hope you hear back from other folks who have went there, and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Dr Alvarez's book covers all of this: The book covers these topics: - What is Obesity - Treatment Options for Weight Loss Non-Surgical treatment options for weight loss Surgical options for weight loss Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Gastric Sleeve Plication Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Biliopancreatic Diversion and Duodenal Switch - The Gastric Sleeve: What is the Procedure? Which is better: Only stapling the stomach or stapling and sewing the stomach? Pre-operative diet for the gastric sleeve - Postoperative Weight Loss Guide for Gastric Sleeve Patients Important tips to remember for successful weight loss 11 basic guidelines for success Vitamins and suplements General guidelines: Liquids and solids - Postoperative Phases of Diet Progression One year after surgery Head hunger Concentrated sweets Foods to avoid More of carbohydrates - Exercise and Your Gastric Sleeve - Common Complaints, Risks, and Complications - Frequently Asked Questions - Testimonials

There are numerous books, do you mean about the actual Sleeve Surgery, or the diet/low carb way of eating? I highly recommend any of the Atkins books as Diva said. There's also one called Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. And Dr Alvarez, one of the top MX surgeons also wrote a book about life with the Gastric Sleeve. You can find it here: http://www.thegastricsleeve.com/about-our-book.htm

In my town, that rumor would spread like wildfire!! Not that anyone needs encouragement to spread rumors here haha.

Thanks for the update, that sounded like some kind of rough recovery!! I hope you start feeling much better now that you are hydrated!! :hug:

Awwww I'm sorry! The scales can be so brutal sometimes. It is so frustrating when we are doing everything right and sticking to plan, and the scales still like to play games with our heads. Just work like its possible, and who knows, it could happen, or if not, you can come so close that you'll make it to goal just after. Good luck and keep that pretty chin held up!!

Sorry you have the tonsilitis, I always hated having that!! I finally got my tonsils removed at 40 yrs of age haha. And it is true what they say, the older you are when you have that surgery, the harder it is!! I have had 2 kids and a hysterectomy, gall bladder removed, and now the Sleeve surgery. Tonsillectomy was BY FAR my most difficult recovery and very painful for wks. Feel better soon!!

I struggled with it a little bit, I don't eat veggies or fruits, mostly due to preference. I tried the benefiber,stool softners, and it really didn't help much. I started taking 500mg magnesium capsules and go almost everyday, and I didn't even do that pre-op. Sometimes the magnesium can help "too much" so you may have to take a lower dose. But magnesium also helps to relax muscles, so I take it at bedtime and next day I go with no problem, and the added benefit is it seems to help me relax and get good sleep. Good luck on finding what works for you, I know it can cause some anxiety!

It may not make you throw up, but things may taste different to you. It seems like our taste changes, and sometimes we are more sensitive to tastes and smells. Some people say they can't drink the protein drinks just because the smell alone can make them nauseous. Sometimes it's the actual texture that may make a person nauseous. But then sometimes a little further post op, they may be able to try again and be able to drink it. It affects us all differently. Don't be scared, I know it seems overwhelming but you CAN do this!! If I can do it, anyone can. Just try not to get stressed over things. Buy a few things, or order some samples so you don't have a lot of money in these things then try them post-op and if you still like them, order more. I only used protein drinks for a short while post-op, and then it was the ready to drink kind. I only liked one kind, the Atkins Vanilla. As soon as I could eat more foods/solids, I got my protein from food. It was challenging at first until I could eat a little more and to figure out what foods have the most protein. The main thing is to try to get your fluids in and stay hydrated. It's all an adjustment, but gets easier over time. You have this forum for support when you have problems or questions.

It sounds like the dreaded 3 wk stall. It's well known on these forums and a popular time for a lot of peoples first stall. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there!!

Hi, I was sleeved by Dr Kelly in MX, but I flew into the San Diego Airport. I would think they could meet you somewhere, maybe even the airport since that's where they pick everyone else up? You just need to arrange it with the Coordinator who is booking your surgery.

Oh no!! Sorry to hear that, so you really don't know if it's the Truvia or Stevia? Those two are my fav sweetners. I hope you get relieve soon sweetie!!

Definitely try a PPI/acid reducer if you're not already on one. You may also have adjust the dose and take more in the very beginning, if your Dr approves. But you may just be dealing with swelling still this early out and 2-3 bites is all you can handle with denser foods. Just take it slow, and I know it's important to get in our protein, but don't feel you have to push it too fast. You may have to keep supplementing with the protein shakes for a while longer till you get it figured out. And keep staying hydrated with your fluids, that's the most important part.

I know I am gonna have a problem with skin as well, and even though I am exercising and hoping with time it will tighten up some on it's own, I am thinking I will probably have to have it removed surgically to get rid of it all.

I'm so very sorry you are going through all this! I know it's got to be very frustrating!! There are a couple of other folks on the forum going through this too, I think you should look them up and maybe talking to each other and knowing what you're all going through will be helpful? Of course we're all here for you and to give you support, I just think it helps to know that you're not alone. Please keep us updated on your situation and I'm sending you loving and healing vibes. I hope your leak heals very soon!!

It might be tough, but it's do-able. Since you may not have a fridge it will be even harder, I would try to at least get a room with a mini fridge and microwave if at all possible. For broths and stuff you may be able to use the room coffee maker, seems like I've heard of others doing this. A lot of people use things like the magic bullet to blend their mushies. I have a smaller type one, It's like a Single serving one by GE. I think it's called the GE Rocket Blender. So it's smaller and you may be able to take it with you in your suitcase. It has a bunch of accessories, but just the base and one cup would suffice. The GE Rocket Blender is $20 and perfect size for one person, way more economical than the popular magic bullet for $50. It looks like Hamilton Beach has one for a little cheaper than the GE. It's about $15.44 on walmart.com. The flying part shouldn't be a problem 5 wks out, I flew home from MX a couple days after surgery, and I was more than ok, I was great! Good luck to you on getting your surgery when you want, I know I would hate having to put it off any longer either. :plane:

Wow, congrats!!! What a transformation, you're good looking in all the pics, but totally HAWT now!! You seriously rocked that sleeve!! Awesome! :cheer2:

The 4 month mark is where i noticed a lot of hair loss too. My suggestion would be to keep up the protein, take a multi with Iron in it, and continue the Biotin if you take it, to encourage the new hair growth. I started taking the Biotin months before my surgery, and even though it didn't stop my hair loss, I am seeing tons of new growth coming in now. I did get my waist length hair cut to right below my shoulders. It was way over due anyway!! I don't know if anything has slowed it down or if it is doing it on its own, but I am not noticing near as much hair loss. In fact, mine may be back to normal now, unless I go through another loss later. I don't know if it helped, but I did start taking Silica after I noticed it coming out so bad. May be just the timing, and mine was about to slow down on its own. Either way, I am probably gonna continue getting in the protein, multi w/iron, Biotin and Silica til I am at least a yr out. I know it's worrisome, in fact, as prepared as I thought I was about this matter, I totally freaked out. It's quite scary. But the hair does grow back!!

my favorite food before and after surgery has been chicken. But since being sleeved, my favorite way of having it has been simply smoked chicken from our local BBQ places. As cheap as buying a chicken at the store and cooking myself almost, and its so delicious to me with white sauce. A half a chicken is $4 and it lasts me for numerous meals.. Coming in a close second is simply string cheese!! I take it everywhere I go and have it everyday. I get the Frigo cheese head kind and I don't do the Light version. I get the regular. My other fav is cottage cheese with stuff mixed in. Applesauce or Spiced apple butter. These things may not have even sounded all that great to me pre-op but they are delicious to me now. And I do have a handful of stuff that I eat over and over again. I don't get tired of the same stuff either. Food just doesn't have the same appeal and I don't really crave stuff like I used to. I love my sleeve!!

You look gorgeous!! Congrats!! :cheer2:

Before I had my surgery, I was a type 2 diabetic. I had lost 35 lbs and was really watching what I ate, cutting portions, and doing a sugarfree/low carb type diet. I had improvement in my numbers from my new lifestyle and eating, but still kinda high and still Diabetic. I got off my meds to have my surgery, and never had to go back on my Metformin post-op. I was VERY happy about this! I believe these two articles discuss how VSG resolves Type 2 Diabetes as well as RNY and not just because of the weight loss factor. There are probably other articles, I just happened to bookmark these. Good luck!! http://agajournals.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/bariatric-surgery-more-than-expected/ http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/dia.2011.0151

Congrats!! I can't wait to go to Universal Studios again as a thinner/healthier person!! The last time I was there, I was miserable, in pain, and VERY grouchy. In fact, that vacation was one of my inspirations for researching weight loss surgery to begin with!! It would be awesome to go back slimmer as a celebration and reward.

Oops, I posted under the actual pic, haha CONGRATS, you have done amazingly well in 3 months!! I see your answers to my question here. Wow, you're the first person I have seen that keeps calories under 600, but it's working for ya. I also was wondering if you were exercising, and I see that you are walking. Do you take vitamins since your calories are that low? I love the haircut, you look great.