janetrupp

First let me say Thank You for all your prayers. My surgery was Friday 9/16. Here is my story and I'm sticking to it. First I am still very sore and still alot of gas. My surgery had a few complications. I have a hypo-Thyroid so this played a little issue with the surgery but not bad. Then they discovered that I was bleeding under the skin and had to put a drain and bag on. I only say this so everyone knows that not every surgery is perfect. That being said I do have to say that outside of the complications it really was a wonderful experience. The people from Belite were there with me all the time. They were great and compassionate and honestly caring. JoAnne from Belite was actually there and when she came to see me after my surgery, she immediately ran to the Dr's and told them that I did not look well. I had every Dr and nurse in my room. I tried to get up severval times after surgery to walk to relieve the gas but as I sat on the end of the bed I fell back and passed out. They were there to fix the situation and since I had to stay in bed...no walking,,,hence a slower recovery. Belite was there to pick me up, transfer me to the hospital in Tijuana for pre-op then take me to the hotel for the night. We met with the surgery team that night at the hotel and they answered every question we had. INT hospital is one of the cleanest hospitals I have ever seen and I was a little hesitant of going to Tijuana. We felt very safe. I actually felt more safe there then in some of the US cities. And we were full-time RV'ers for 10 years so I have seen alot of cities. Dr Rodriguez and his surgical team were the tops in their field. We are now thinking of going back in a few months for my husband and will not hesitate to use Belite and Dr Rodriguez. Any questions I haven't covered pleas ask. Everyone else that had their surgery done the same day as me had no problems. I think my problems were a result of a combination of a 58 yr old women 5'0 245 lbs and with a Hypo-Thyroid problem. I really can't say enough good about, INT Hospital, Dr Rodriguez and his team, and all my new friends at Belite....Thank you especially JoAnne, Jamie, Amy, and Alberta (driver) Good Luck to all approaching their surgery and my prayers will be with you all. Janet

I just wanted to add my personal experience with the Tijuana, MX sleeve surgery. I had my sleeve done in Sept 2011 and had such a wonderful experience that I took my husband down to have it done in January 2012. Since then I just got back from taking my sister to have the surgery. Everyone of the experiences has been great. We stayed at Mi Doctor hospital and Dr Garcia did the surgery. From the time of the coordinator, which was alma with Ready 4 a Change til the time we got home we had no problems at all. Samuel will pick you up at the San Diego airport and transfer you to the hotel (5 star Marriott was ours) for one night. You are then shuttled to the hospital the next morning for a 2 night stay. Hospital is very clean and everyone efficient. You then will be transported back to the hotel for a 2 night stay. Samuel will then take you to the airport for your flight home. Never met a group of nicer and more efficient people. The hospital room had two beds so I may rest also while travelling with my husband and sister. For $5000 total you can't beat the price and the care was outstanding. No red tape like up here in the states. Since I have been down there 3 times I have seen quite a lot. Hope this helps some of you that needs the surgery but is a little hesitant with Mexico. Never felt unsafe at all and they will do all they can to make you happy. Wonderful group of people and very skillful. Janet

$5000 which included transportation to and from San Diego Airport, 5 star hotel stay first night, 2 nights hospital, surgery, medications etc and then 2 nights at 5 star hotel. The last stay was at the Tijuana Mariott. Dr Garcia is fantastic and so is his associate Dr Valasco. Everything was included and great. Hope this helps Janet

What is the longest time you have gone without losing since your sleeve? I am getting so frustrated. I know these stalls are doomed to happen but I would like to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been at the same weight for just about one month. Granted I was doing pretty good up until then. It has been 7 mos and I have lost 78 lbs. I was losing at at rate of 2 lbs per week so I thought I would double the exercises to try to get it off faster (have a cruise coming up). Well it stopped. Makes no sense. Eat the same which is very little, exercise more and lose less. Inches are not playing a big part also. Not much lost there also. My diet example is: Breakfast - Atkins Protein drink lunch - Soup or shrimp dinner - Fish or Shrimp, chicken salad or soup snack - Greek yogurt with almond butter, or Protein Bars I also have a whey protein shot every day. Is anyone out there having the same problem or is it just me???? I know I need to work on patience but it does get frustating. Thanks for listening Janet

My husband went with me and stayed in the hospital with me. They had a place for him to sleep in my room also. I really appreciated the moral support of him being there. I brought a DVD player and some movie DVD's so he could watch movies if I was sleeping. The time went fast. He is going in for his surgery Jan 26 and I will be with him every step of the way also. It just was nice that he was there and since he was in my room all the time except when he went to eat he was able to notify the nurses and Dr's when I had problems. That being said there was several women and men there without their spouses and did fine. Janet

Fern, You might also try a different DR in Mexico. I went thru Belite and went to TJ and it was wonderful. Now my husband is scheduled to have his surgery Jan 26 in TJ going thru Ready 4 A Change. They all have been wonderful and TJ Dr's and hospitals are very good and clean. Cleaner than some in the US. They take care of you from start to finish. Janet

I am not too big on breakfast so I always have an Atkins protein drink. 15 g of protein and it keeps me going til lunch. FYI...I could not stand the strawberry or vanilla so I always get chocolate. if you want it to taste more like a milk shake, put it in the blender with a little ice. Janet

Fern, Is there some surgery dates after your run? Then he can be with you and handle the surgery after the fact. Just an idea. Janet

I know this has been discussed several times but I am getting so frustrated that I need to ask you good people. I was sleeved Sept 16 which puts me at 2 months post-op. In the beginning I was losing great now....is another story. I have tried everything to make the scale move faster and I might get it to move maybe one pound a week. I know alot of you have said you have to eat more calories. I have tried that and gained a pound. And it was hard. I get full very easy and I am just not hungry. Example day: Breakfast - Atkins shake lunch - either Atkins meal bar or Soup or chicken or turkey dinner - small spinach salad and shrimp snack - Atkins Protein bar or greek yogurt of course I change it up but that is an example. I feel I just can't eat anymore than that and to not see the scale more much gets very hurtful.. Since surgery I have lost 47 lbs but I look at some of you and at this time most of you have lost alot more. Is this just normal for some people or will someday I wake up and magic it will start to come off? I guess I just needed to vent a little....just feeling sorry for myself. Any suggestions????? I'll try it. Thanks bunches, Janet

gas X strips worked great for me when I was in the hospital also. I couldn't walk as much due to complications but the gas X worked great.

Thank you all so much. I do feel a little better now and I think I will start walking a little more.....Maybe do laps around the mall and see what I will be able to buy in a few months...lol Thanks again, you guys are great !!!

Boy, at least you guys sure make me feel better. You are all great support. Thanks bunches!

Thanks Shae, Excuse me but what is the "5 day pouch test" I will start walking more but I usually do move around quite a bit.

We like to travel so since i am mending alot better now we are getting some travel set up. My question is how do you handle dining in restaurants? Of course I want to dine with my husband, but don't like to waste food and I really don't eat much at a time. Do you have a system that works or just eat from his plate??? Thanks, Janet

These are all wonderful suggestions. Thank you so much. Janet

Thanks everyone.....Sure does help

Okay, Here I go again...6 weeks post-op as of this Friday and I feel okay EXCEPT... if I stand for too long of periods of time I get a pain in the center of my back and then my abdomin feels strained. If I am making dinner for my husband I might have to sit fo a couple of minutes every so often just to relieve the pain. Is this another phase I have to go through or am I doing something wrong? Any of you go thru this??? UGH Janet

Don't get me wrong I am happy and proud of everyone here but after 4 weeks post-op..I can't eat much at all. If I make a few spoonfuls of oatmeal, pudding or yogurt, after a couple of bites I will feel sick if I eat more. If I have an Atkins drink, it takes me all morning to drink it. I drink the Water but still feel listless. I wake up every morning at 4am (don't ask me why) Then I will probably fall asleep from 8:30 to 11:30 am. I went las week (for the whole week) with some of the worse gas pains which have now stopped. If I stand for too long in one spot I get real bad backache (I thought this might be from sitting alot this past 4 weeks). I just see everyone on here getting through this all faster and without as much trouble as I. I guess I just want to know if anyone out there has been in the same boat as me? Is this just another phase? Or am I doing something wrong? My surger was Sept 16, I am 58 yrs old and did have some complications at surgery with my thyroid but nothing major. I have lost 33 lbs so far ( yeah) but of course, I'm not eating much. Thanks as always for your input....You guys are a lifesaver Janet

Thank you all. My husband and I were really starting to worry since I felt better last week and boom....4 weeks post-op and I'm light-headed. Can't eat much, no energy and up every morning at 4am. It does help to know that this too will pass. Thank you all soooo much Janet

Pagie, we must be the only ones feeling this way after 4 weeks. Maybe it is the fact that people just mend differently. Good Luck to you Pagie Janet

I will be 3 weeks post-op this Friday and for the last 3 days I have unbearable gas pains. Sometimes so harsh it makes it hard to stand from a sitting position. Is this normal ? And how can I relieve myself? I have tried drinking all the Water I can get (usually60-70 oz per day), walking all the time around our island kitchen ( since I have too much discomfort to go out), Apple juice, maalox and gasX. So far just a little relief but not much. I'm not eating much, usually a little Peanut Butter since the discomfort. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Plus I guess I want to know if this too will pass... Thanks, Janet

My bowels are not moving to frequent but I am not eating too much. Almost into my 3rd week and I just have spoonful of oatmeal (plain) and Peanut Butter. Not hungry at all just want to get rid of this discomfort. Thanks all for all your help, Janet

No it is gas, since I already had my gallbladder removed years ago. Real low on energy these last few days also.

Hi all !! I am so glad I stumbled onto this website. Since I decided to have the surgery, I have been "google'ing" everything I can. I found this website and joined today. What a wonderful idea to have all the support a person needs at this time. I am 58 yrs old and will be having the vertical sleeve surgery on Friday Sept 16th. Needless to say I have mixed emotions. First being so excited that my 5'0" body will soon get rid of most of this weight. I am now 240lbs now....ugh I know...But also a little scared since it is all new to me. Reading alot of your stories sure helped ease my mind. Any help you can send my way to make the experience easier I would appreciate. Not to mention your prayers for Friday will be appreciated also. Janet

Lovey, So glad all went well for you. I said my prayers. Thank you for the well wishes. My husband and I go tomorrow down to San Diego (from AZ) and the driver takes us to the hotel in TJ for the night. My surgery is Friday. Mixed emotions which I'm sure everyone here has had. I can't wait to get my life back but also since I usually just go to the hospital to visit others, I'm a little nervous. I appreciate this forum more than I can say. I do have my wonderful husband for support but you all have been wonderful also. Feel better soon Lovey.....I'm thinking and praying for you