NewLife2011

I am on full liquids and had some tomato and basil soup from Whole Foods Market last night - it was so delicious!!! I could eat it every day and never get tired of it!

Well said! I'm for doing it the easy way every time and especially where weight loss is concerned! For me the biggest thing is knowing that this time, for the first time ever, when I lose the weight it will stay lost!!

Wow!! What was Dr Almanza's reaction/response?

I was self pay in Mexico. Hang in there and do whatever you need to do to get the surgery, it will definitely be worth it in the end.

I couldn't stick with the liquid diet or lose any weight before my surgery but I'm having no problems now because I'm not starving all the time. That is just a load of hogwash!

Dr Aceves charges $8,750 in Mexicali, everything included including night before at a nice hotel and transportation to/from San Diego airport.

I am almost 3 weeks out and have just transitioned from clear to full liquids. I'm probably eating around 300-400 calories a day - which might explain why I feel so hungry! I drink a fair amount of Water but only getting in around 40-50 g Protein daily. I bought some unjury chicken broth which packs in 21 g so that is good. Can't wait for the soft foods stage. I have started walking for about a mile twice a day. So far I have lost 17 lbs - that was with no pre-op diet though so the weight loss will be faster initially because of that.

Yay! Congrats and good luck!

When I was scheduled to have my surgery in Dallas, the doctor required a 2 week clear liquid diet. I was totally unable to stay on it as I was hungry all the time. I have now switched to Dr Aceves (not because of the diet requirements) and he does not require a pre-op diet for lower BMIs. His pre-op diet for higher BMIs allows full liquids and lean Protein and veggies, which in my mind seems a lot more reasonable. I also cannot stand artificial sweeteners, so i was struggling to drink 2 glasses of the BariEssentials drinks a day, he wanted me to have 4. When I canceled the surgery in Dallas, they told me that all doctors require the pre-op diet which I know is not the case - why is there such a difference of opinion about this??

I'm on liquids for 20 days then I start mushies, can't wait!

You're a trooper! That is a lot of things to have to deal with this soon and you got through it without having a meltdown!! I'm in SoCal and this heat is blistering right now, I cannot imagine having to walk in it, attend a conference, and then look after a small child in the evening. Wow, you deserve a medal!!!

As far as leaks go, if you begin to suffer nausea, vomiting or have a fever that is a bad sign and you should get it checked out right away...

Good to hear you're doing well! I also love not being hungry but boy am I dying for some real food! Tuesday I can start full liquids and I can't wait - I'm going to have butternut Soup for Breakfast

You have done excellent research, that's very important. I think you have made a good decision and will be in good hands. All the best!!

Well then why are you posting about them? This is totally untrue, Dr Aceves was selected recently as one of the top 25 bariatric surgeons in the world, there were 3 from the USA and he was the only 1 from Mexico. These selections were based on other bariatric surgeons' votes. The day he did my surgery he was also doing a medical Dr from the USA, the fellow and I had good chats in the hospital and his decision was made based on insider knowledge that he has of Dr Aceves and his reputation. I chose Dr Aceves because of the reviews I have read on a lot of these boards and analysis I did online as to the facilities each surgeon uses. The Almater hospital has an ICU, modern and fully equipped surgical facilities, X-ray, laboratory, everything you need on-site and in one place for the surgery and to handle any complications if they were to occur. Dr Kelly also seems to have very good results and his patients really love him, I think the big thing about using him is that he is a lot cheaper than Dr Aceves. I would not have considered Dr Almanza as his facilities sound a bit dicey to me and he doesn't have nearly as much after surgery enthusiasm from his patients as either Dr A or Dr K as far as I can see from these boards. You will be in good hands if you choose either of these 2 doctors I think.

I am breaking them in half and swallowing them with water. They are flipping HUGE! Glad to know I can switch to Prilosec!!

Amazing!! Congrats!

Hot!!! Congrats

CONGRATS!!!

No, clear broth with no solids in it does not require time before/after drinking water again...

Yes, please post the recipe!

I went alone to Dr Aceves too and it was fine. I drove myself, fortunately the hospital is just a few blocks over the border in Mexicali so i didn't have to worry about getting lost and driving a long distance in a foreign country. I never felt afraid or lonely, I read a lot and played on my iPad - which I bought with money I saved by having the surgery in Mexico.

The hospital is modern, sterile, with wonderful staff. I am thrilled with Dr Aceves and the whole experience was wonderful for me. My surgery was Saturday morning, Monday afternoon I drove back to Los Angeles (5 hour drive in heavy-ish traffic) , Thursday I went back to work (I have a desk job). I am at work today, actually - Saturday - catching up on stuff. My scars are small, the largest 2 are 1/2 and 3/4 inch long. (I just measured them using a ruler You will not regret this decision. Good luck!

I didn't know about the Synthroid/PPI malabsorption issue at all. Fortunately I take Synthroid in the morning and Nexium before bedtime...

I also used Dr Aceves and I have nothing but praise for him and his medical staff. I would be happy to speak with you and/or your mom too. I really hope things work out for you, I sold my car to pay for the surgery and have no regrets whatsoever.