Snufflegus

I at first found some chewables and they upset my tummy. At 3 weeks I started swallowing my PPI just fine and so at week 4 I switched to citrical petites, they are citrate which is absorbed better by us because of the limited time spent in the tummy. The first month I took them I split the petite tablets in half and swallowed. Now I swallow them whole. I found mine at either cvs or Walgreens!

My husband requested his records about 2 weeks ago and received ten via email the following day. He actually emailed his coordinator Carolyn and she response back quickly saying she has passed on the request and gave Gloria's email just in case. We received the detailed surgical report, copy of EKG, and blood work. He loved his experience and says it was comparable if not better than my US experience.

Hi Jamsey, I am 15 weeks out and feel so much better and am down 70lbs since surgery. Many people who lose weight regardless of how they do it deal with skin, so that is nothing to worry about you can simply say you have lost a large amount of weight because if you are undressing you will probably have had a conversation about that by then. On the food thing I have been very open with everyone about my surgery but I understand why many don't. I know not practical but would work in a dating situation to order an appetizer, then an entree and get "full" on the appetizer and take the entree home for later or maybe go somewhere with tapas or other small meal options and no one will notice. This truly is one of the best decisions of my life I was 24 when I had my surgery and my husband is 31 and had the surgery 3 weeks after me, it has been a journey but is exciting figuring out how things work for us and learning our new way of living life! I'm an open book about my journey much like many on here so if you have an specific questions, let me know.

I couldn't do plain Water early on either, now I drink several bottles in a day in addition to other things. For early on I drink lemon or line water and it went down just fine, no issues at all like the plain water. Also it's a little pricey but try smart water it has electrolytes in it and its "lighter" was easier for me. Good luck!

I was able to drink fairly easily, although early out Popsicles helped me get my Water in without feeling like I was drowning. I could not drink plain water until about 10 weeks, although I could drink it with lemon or lime in it at about 4 weeks. I am now 14 weeks and can drink just like I did preop, other then I get "full" on liquids quickly could do 16oz bottle in 15 min if I was really thirsty, but get a full feeling afterwards. Just play around and figure out what works for you and realize that because today you can't drink water, doesn't mean tomorrow wont be different!! See you on the losers bench soon!

PPI is over the counter like Prevacid or Prilosec. My surgeon has me on omniprezoal 20 mg twice a day (although at 14 weeks I only need it once, but started taking it at day 3), he recommends it for 6 months.

Wendy's chili, taco bells pintos and cheese, and subways meatballs were my go to foods from fast food when I was in soft foods. I also would try with groups to recommend steak houses for dinners and meetings because now a days most steak houses have black Beans on their menus and you can get them as an a la carte side. I would also do moe's or chipotle burrito bowls with beans, cheese, and chicken (usually they give me extra beans because I for go rice) but that turns into about 4 meals for me. Just a few of the ideas I used. Also when I transitioned to soft foods I keep a Protein bar and Blender Bottle with powder in my desk just in case I can't make it out or forget my lunch, etc.

I was sleeved in the US and my husband was sleeved 3 weeks later at the OCC by dr. Ortiz. His experience was very similar to mine and he is very skeptical of doctors and said he was well taken care and recommends OCC an Dr. Ortiz any day.

I lost 21 in my first week, my husband lost 13. Just how everyone's body is different no worries!

I have the flex and went for it over the jawbone. I love it! I forget I have the flex on and love all of the features in the app and online dashboard. I chose to go with fitbit product over jawbone because of its popularity and customer satisfaction of other products.

It wasn't bad at all. Just felt a little pressure like pinching. Don't sweat it!! I had mine removed 1 week out, not sure how far out, if they have been in longer it could feel different.

I use a basic recipe then flavor with sauce or marinara. Beef/turkey/chicken minimum 1 lb 1 egg or substitute 1 pkg onion Soup mix (dry) shake or two of seasoning salt Form into balls, and either put in sauce and cook for the day in crockpot or bake at 350 or pan sauté until cooked. I also use this same mixture for hamburger patties.

My husband, who is not on VST got sleeved 6/18/13 and had a wonderful experience. The OCC took care of him and when he had questions or issues the hotel helped facilitate his requests. He is doing great and has had no complications what so ever. I can honestly say between my sleeve in the us and his with dr. Ortiz the only difference is incision location and size (not major differences)

Hi there! I'm glad you are embarking on this journey I was sleeved on 5/22/13 (12 weeks yesterday) I started this journey at 470 and am 6'0" female. It is hard to put your number out there, but on here everyone has been in the same situation, at whatever their start was. I am at 65lbs lost since surgery and up until this week have only been walking, but will be starting a weight training schedule next week. Even though I am still way heavier than most, my almost 70lb loss is great and each day I feel better than ever! I would not trade my decision for the world! If you have any specific questions, I'm an open book

Welcome aboard to this amazing journey!! I was 24 on my surgery date, My advise is to keep a positive attitude and a check on reality, also don't compare yourself to others. I was excited and the morning of surgery I was joking and having a good time with the hospital staff and afterwards my surgeon laughed at me because of my optimism. Right after surgery take it easy but sip sip sip and walk walk walk! Good luck!

It could be the various sugar substitutes or alcohols being used, may try them one at a time and see if it's one specific kind that causes you problems.

Fiddle- I have had a massage before and the therapist did about 30 minutes of guided "stretching" that truly helped with mobility and flexibility, this was pre-op I can only imagine what it will be like now post-op. maybe something to look into, I know some massage therapist will let you book a session for the stretching flexibility sessions without the full massage.

If it was just your stomach it could be the stuff they cleaned you with and your body just needed to get the skin off. I have noticed that I get spots like that all over at various times and I'm almost 3 mo out. Just make sure to use a good moisturizer every day (this can also help with skin elasticity) and that should help!

I was self pay in Florida. I had to pay $250 for my initial consult, but that rolled into my surgeons fees. All of my preop testing I bike through insurance and just had to pay the copay that went along with them...they have covered their part on everything. The two "surprises" I had through the whole thing is I had 2 chest X-rays required during preop and I did not know until I got the bill I was responsible for it, as well as my surgeon required a biopsy of the stomach after its removed that was not a part of my package either, so post op I had an additional $400 in bills between these two things. So just clarify when you meet with the financial person what is covered in their package and what is not. Let me know if you have any other questions. I was sleeved in the us and my husband in Mexico, we have a bit of knowledge in the self pay column. Also save all of your receipts for Protein powder and everything because if you meet the required percentage you will be able to do a tax write off over that percentage.

I used liquid Tylenol until 8 weeks (approved by my surgeon) I found it it cvs for adults. Then moved to the pills.

I don't want to cause you to worry, but my surgeon said a persistent fever of 101 call him immediately and head to the hospital as that is an indicator of a leak, may have them check at your one week appointment just to be sure...

I will share, just pm me