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You have come to the right place for support! Don't be scared! It is such a life changing event! I had no pain, and was up and going a week after the surgery! I'm not quite at one month, and the weight is just dropping off! I feel great, and am looking better already! Girl, you are gonna LOVE this surgery! Feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns you might have, and welcome!!

I read about the hair falling out before my surgery. I'm not quite one month, but I've read it typically hits between months 3 and 4. Everyone I've talked to says it slows and then stops. Most people just cut their hair short and wait for it to grow back. My understanding is it comes in thicker and thicker. I personally have resolved to shave my haed when the fall out starts, and donate it to locks for love. That way someone can take advantage of my loss. Don't freak out about it! Think of it as a new beginning! New hair for a new body!

I have been a long time Vita-mix feind. I grew up with one, and when I got married, it was the first thing my parents bought me for my new kitchen. It is AMAZING! I use it to make the mothest pina coladas, and margaritas. It's a MUST for entertaining huge parties and making mixed drinks. It also has a special container with blades made to make flour. I've made my own powder sugar and flours for years. Whipped cream, in an instant. Lemonade, just toss in whole lemons sugar (or splenda) Water and blend, it pulverizes the pulp, seeds and all, you'd have no idea you were drinking lemon rind and seeds (good for fiber) if I didn't tell you. I'm pretty sure I sound like a commercial now, lol. Yes, I am/was a HUGE baker and entertainer, I was just sleeved almost a month ago, and this is STILL my one and only blender love. I may not use it in the future for the same reasons I've used it in the past, but I have been a fan before the sleeve, and I have no doubts I will continue to be a fan. Aside from Soups in an instant, it can also make ice cream/fro yo instantly also. It really is amazing. When my best friend got married, I researched the vita mix and the blend-tech for a wedding gift, I ended up getting them the vita-mix, but blend tech seems amazing too. If you spend this much on a blender, it really is, IMO, worth it, and an investment you will not regret.

I am sad to hear you feel sick when you eat I have not had any nausea, but I do feel major restriction when I 'eat' too fast. I also notice that when I drink cold drinks I feel serious restriction. I keep everything room temp, and go as slow as I can. Sometimes it is taking me 30-45 minutes to get a protein drink down. Have you followed up with a primary care physician or anyone and talked about the nausea? I hope you feel better soon!!

I was sleeved Nov 3rd in TJ with Dr. Lopez through ALighterMe. I would love to talk to ANYONE regardless of Dr or company they are using about being sleeved in TJ. I know it's a scary idea to leave the country and have a major surgery, but I did it, I would do it again in a heartbeat, and while I think the company and Dr. I used are the best, I don't think any of the otehrs are any less skilled or great. Let's be in this together for the right reasons. Contact me with questions, concerns, anything, I am happy to talk!

I used ALighterMe, I had no issues, and they never bashed any other surgeon or company. I do know they had an issue with someone internal talking their database, I think it is all cleared up not, but I don't know. As far as MI Hospital, Dr. Lopez, Abraham and Eduardo, I felt the hospital was good, it was clean, and I never felt at risk. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz were really great, and friendly. Abraham and Eduardo went above and beyond. My mother was afraid to leave my side the entire time; she wouldn't even leave to eat. Abraham and Eduardo went out of their way to bring her food, and take great care of her. The day I was operated on, one of the ladies was supposed to have band to sleeve revision, she was in for over 6 hours, and her band had eroded into her stomach and was sitting at the bottom of her stomach. She had been 2-3 different surgeons in the US that had lied to her and told her everything was fine, her band was in place, which was why she had chosen to come have revision surgery. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz went above and beyond, and opened her up and removed the band from the bottom of her stomach (they didn't know it was there until they started her surgery). They could not sleeve her, but she was just grateful they had saved her life. (She scheduled to return later to be sleeved) I also felt they had saved her life. They took extra care of her, and kept her longer at the hospital and in TJ for her to recover since she had to have full open surgery. My understanding is that ALighterMe paid for her extra nights stays in the Marriott, and also helped her to reschedule all of her flights. None of this extra care was a part of her 'contract'. ALighterMe from my experience and everyone involved are upstanding, honest, caring people. When I was in TJ, I met many people with other companies, when we were there, we didn't care what coordinator we used, we didn't care what Dr. we were using, and we cared about EACH OTHER which is what we all should be doing. We are all in this journey TOGETHER, don't listen to gossip, and don't tear each other down. I recommend everyone do their research and pick a Dr. be confident in your choice, and help others to do the same. Please don't turn these boards into a gossip fest that scares people away from a lifesaving procedure for the sake of yourselves feeling like you need to hen peck each other.

I am about 2 weeks out, and am still on clear liquids only, I am about to transition to protien drinks tomorrow, I am excited, but the strangest thing has been happening to me! Today my husband and I stopped at our favorite vietnamese noodle shop. I love their Pho (vietnamese style beef noodle soup), so I got a small bowl minus the noodles, (they looked at me like I was crazy), lol. I was so excited as soon as I got it, I plunked in my spoon and sipped the broth...and almost spit it back out! It tasted like someone had dumped cream and sugar in the beef broth!! I was like what is going on?!? My husband saw my face an was immediately concerned, I asked him if his soup tasted funny, he said no, so I had him try mine. He asked me what was wrong, and I told him what it tasted like. All he could do is laugh, we both knew it was me and not the broth! I can't tell you how disappointed I was! I had been looking forward to this broth all day! Lol! I ended up putting some lime in it, but it didn't help much I had a similar experience when I first got home. I decided I was going to make real chicken broth, so I made my mom get out my 5 gallon stock pot, I threw in a chicken and about 8 thighs, I put carrots, onion, celery, and fennel. I cooked it and cooked it and cooked it to DEATH! I added water, and seasonings, and when my husband got home he had to have a bowl since it smelled so good. I admit, it smelled delicious! I boiled the meat off all the bones, and FINALLY, I strained myself some of the broth off...it tasted horrible! It was overly salty, and yet watery. My mother and husband both swore I was insane, and have been happily eating my soup for the past week So just be ready for those changes, that is the strangest thing that I can say has happened. I am beginning to wonder once I start eating again, what food items will taste gross? Which ones will I still enjoy? Is this happening to a lot of other people? How about you sleevers who have transitioned back to solid foods, does your tastes ever go back?! I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a wierd thing, but it's definately strange!

I love soba and Pho also. I am a HUGE Asian noodle broth junkie!

Sippsters! Welcome! Yahoo for you!! Congrats to happyfam too! I'm glad you gals have come out of the woodwork, so to speak, and I'm even more excited for both of you that you are on your way to success!! I was just sleeved Nov 3rd in Tijuana Mexico, I was self pay, and I went through ALighterMe, the total cost was $4,750. I can't even begin to tell you what a life changing journey this has been for me, even in such a short period of time! First, to address your worries about hunger, for me, I have zero hunger after this surgery. When your stomach is removed, they remove the part of your stomach that contains ghrelin, which is the hunger hormone that causes hunger. This is not to say I haven't been head hungry (Had the desire to eat), but physically, no hunger to speak of. This is a HUGE relief for me! I am (was?) I foodie extrordinaire! I am thankful not to feel the hunger pains, the toughest part for me has been being sure I get everything in in a day! I know it sounds silly now, but when you have a stomach the size of a highlighter pen, it really is a chore to get in 64 oz of water AAND 60 grams of protien. Every surgeon is different, and has different diets, I know I am on clear liquids until I am exactly two weeks out, and then I can start on protien shakes and progress from there. It may sound like a blessing now that your surgeon says you can go straight to pureed protien, but I would still get some shakes, since the liquid in those will count toward your water intake, and the last thing any of us needs is to get dehydrated! A lot of people reccommend in the early stages sugar free popsicles, but for me, warmer liquids go down much better and feel better in my tummy. I'm not allowed caffine, so I have a bunch of green tea, and herbal berry teas (blueberry is my fav!) As far as getting through Thanksgiving, I am going to Vegas on vacation with my husband, just me and him, and if he wants to pig out on Turkey and ham and all the fixings, I am sure there will be PLENTY of all you can eat buffets he can go crazy on! My biggest tips from my experience would be to have plenty of liquid protien, I drink Isopure, and I have unflavored protien powder I add to stuff. Also, I ordered a TON of protien powder samples from all kinds of manufacturers to try once I am on the protien shake phase. Don't try them now, because your tastes will DRASTICALLY change once you have this surgery, I can't explain it, but they just will. THings that were gross before suddenly taste great, and vice versa. I would be happy to talk to either of you about my experience! I am glad you both popped up, and I look forward to you two being able to share in this success! It will happen!! Congrats again!

I am almost 2 weeks out, and I can't agree more about the food commercials!! I call it 'food porn', because that's really what it is. We all know nothing at Applebees actually looks that good! We know Red Lobsters Lobster tails aren't really that big! I have gotten into the habit of using my DVR more. I just fast forward through all commercials, so I don't have to look at them! I know it's head hunger, I also know for myself I couldn't have possibly gotten this big if I didn't have a food addiction. I am stead fast to doing this, and I will prevail! Good luck to you! I also find it helps if I am watching something particularly juicy, like a Carls Jr. commercial, I take a sip of my water, and soon enough the commercial is gone and I can realize I am doing good by getting my fliuds in! Good luck, you can beat the Food Porn Addiction!!

icon23, I was just sleeved on Nov 3rd with Dr. Lopez, and Ortiz assisted. I went through ALighterMe and Ronda was my coordinator, but it just so happened while I was there, Janese, another coordinator from ALighterMe was also there, she was doing some business work, and was really great to meet with her. My fatehr is a customs and border protection officer and was terrified for me and my mother to go. I went anyway, and once I was there I thought it was so silly that he had been so worried. ALighterMe and Dr. Lopez and Ortiz were all AMAZING! I met several people while I was there, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I found TJ to be nice and clean, everyone there to be super friendly, and I was never alone unless I wanted to be in my hotel room. Please feel free to message me with any questions you might have, I would be happy to answer them. Good luck on whatever choice you make, only you can know what will be best, but I can promise you TJ is not scary at all!

I am recently sleeved, not quite 2 weeks out, but my number one long time goal, is to be able to buy a pair of knee high boots and be able to zip them up! As long as I can remember, my claves have just been too darn fat! I think I might cry the day I hit that goal

Hi Marie, I was just sleeved Nov 3rd in TJ, and I went straight back to work the day after I got back which was the 8th. I feel great, I still have some pain if I laugh or cough or sneeze, or take a bumpy car ride, but nothing unbearable. I do get tired, so I take a short nap in the afternoons if I can, but I think it depends on each individual person. Good luck to you!

You look great! Keep it up!!

One of the main reasons I read was in case you swallow it. I had to laugh, I'm an adult, and I don't think I've swallowed gum in years, I don't think I'll have an issue accidentally swallowing it in the future. Also, I have read the same thing about getting gas into your stomach. The same goes for straws, they say no straws because you can swallow air and become uncomfortable. I say once you are post op, try it! Everyone is different, you won't know if it is okay for yourself until you try it. Also, discuss it with your surgeon, and if there are risks, weight them for yourself. I will try straws and gum again, since my stomach won't EXPLODE from doing either activity, in my opinion, it is a risk worth trying

I have met people on both sides of the coin, yes, to many of us who have 100+ lbs. to lose, getting the surgery for 'only' 35 lbs may seem drastic, but I can understand the thought of not wanting to struggle all your life. I have met people (mainly self pay) who get the surgery to 'maintain' their figure/weight as they are older. I think everyone comes to the decision to have WLS of any kind for their own reasons. I was criticized by my family for having WLS because aside from being morbidly obese, I have no co-morbidities, I have low blood pressure, good cholesterol levels, and work out daily, I was 'healthy' (technically) before WLS aside from the weight. I think that akm0036, to answer your questions, yes, getting the sleeve, or any kind of WLS is drastic, it is not just for a year or two, it is for the rest of your life. That being said, I also struggled on the pre-op diet, I think everyone did. Yes, you feel like you are starving, and I understand feeling tired and weak. Once the surgery is done, your Ghrelin is gone, so (at elast for me so far) I have not felt hunger after the surgery, and it then becomes a chore just to get in your 64 oz of water each day. Also, you said you have babies to care for, my surgeon advised me not to lift more than 25 lbs after my surgery, that may be an issue you will also struggle with immediately after, once I am cleared, I can lift items again. The truth about your other questions, is not that you CAN NEVER eat those things again, your stomach will not explode but ideally, you SHOULD not eat those things again, with wine and alchohol, my understanding is that with such a small stomach, the alcohol empties quickly into your small intestine, which causes you to absorb it much faster, and hence get drunk faster, and then not stay drunk as long, with eating hot dogs and pizza, these are both carb laden items, and since your stomach will be so small, you are encouraged to eat high quality foods so you do not develop nutritional deficiencies, but I have read of many people on here and elsewhere that splurge once in a while on 'bad' foods, the Obesity Police aren't going to come and arrest you if you splurge once in awhile down the road As far as eating and drinking at the same time, again, your stomach is so small, you will need to fill it with quality food when you do eat, if you eat and drink at the same time, a couple things could happen, you could cause the food to 'slide' through, and then you will end up consuming more than necessary, or you could end up filling your stomach with liquid instead of quality protien and nutrients, which could cause you not to consume enough. Yes, it is true, some people have issues with acid reflux, and the such, as with any surgery there are risks. I feel like my best advice to you would be to do more research if you are feeling unsure. Bottom line, there are risks, and you will have to change your lifestyle. If you are ready for it, I say do it, don't let anyone tell you that 35 lbs isn't enough, that decision is between you and yourself, but please do be prepared though to know that the sleeve is not a 'magic pill' so to speak, you would be able to gain weight back if you do not utilize it properly down the road. I encourage you to read some of the forums as well about people that have gone backwards on their journeys, how they got there, and why. I think if you do more research it will affirm your decision either way. Whatever you decide, good luck, and I hope you feel better soon. I know on pre-op I felt like I wanted to chew someones arm off, and I was cranky and mean, lol. I don't wish that one anyone

Coolmamma73, I had to smile at your post. I had the same thoughts when I first started this journey. I did not use Dr. Garcia, but I did get to meet him. I was just sleeved on Nov 3rd in TJ with Dr. Lopez, and he and Dr. Garcia both work out of MI Hospital. In fact, I met several people that were sleeved and were getting sleeved by Dr. Garcia. I found him to be a sincere man. He had good English and everyone that was there that was being sleeved by him were happy with their decision. I encourage you to seek out people who have used him, maybe start in the October and November surgery rolls under the Mexico self pay forums,and I assure you that you will meet many real and genuine people that will calm your nerves

I had Dr. Lopez on the 3rd, it was a great experiience, I am healing wonderfully. Just got home last night. I just keep having to remind myself to drink drink drink so I don't get dehydrated. I have noticed hot and warm liquids go down and feel much better than cold liquids, and I have already noticed my tastes have changed. It is strange, but good! I also have zero hunger, and no desire to eat, which I honestly did not believe would happen. I could not say greater things about Dr. Lopez, A Lighter Me, Mi Hospital, Abraham, or Eduardo. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

I am recovering in TJ now, I am self pay, I feel really great! I am excited for this new phase in my life. Congrats on getting approved!!

I had surgery on the 3rd with Dr. Lopez at MI Hospital, there were 3 of us. I am out, and at the hotel recovering. I feel surprisingly well! I have been pushing the liquids all day, and aside from vomiting my first day out (from not walking enough), I have had no issues, I did the blue swallow leak test, and the barium swallow, not complaints, and have only needed one pain pill so far today. We will see what tomorrow holds, but I am about 95% sure I am over the hump!

I can't say enough about how happy I am with this whole experience. I think you really get out of it what you put into it. THe hotel is great, the hospital is clean, the nurses don't have the best grasp of English, but they certainly take good care of you, and understand. The surgeons are really great, I felt comfortable, and at ease the entire time. Abraham and Eduardo are wonderful too, they have been extra caring and accomodating to my mother who is here with me. She is terrified to leave my side, and wouldn't even leave to get food, they took time out of their busy schedule to bring food to ehr even though she didn't ask. I feel like I made the right decision for myself going through ALighterMe. Ronda was a wonderful suppert agent, always answering my questions, and I got a surprise, Janese is actually here for a short while, and I got to meet and spend time with her while I've been here. What a wonderful lady she is also! Feel free to PM or message me any questions, I know I was a little scared going into this whole experience, but coming out, I couldn't be happier!

I am doing well!! I had a rough first day because I was not walking enough, but otherwise, all is well! I am at the hotel recovering now, not sure you will see this before your surgery, but maybe someone will. I feel good!

I had Lopez on the 3rd, there were 3 of us. I am doing really well. We were at MI hospital. I am at the hotel now, the first day out was rough for me, I vomited a few times because I wasn't walking enough, but once I got over taht I was fine. I did the blue dye and the barium swallow test, no leaks. I am back at the hotel now trying to push the liquids. I went down for chicken broth, and I had it the night befor the surgery, it tasted devine, tonight it tasted like salt water! My mother is here with me and told me it was just me, it was the same broth, very strange! I feel good otherwise!

Awesome Job! Keep it up!

Yes, this is a strange topic, but it's something I've been thinking about for awhile now. I have read pretty much everywhere that no matter how many Vitamins you take, and no matter how hard you wish, hair loss will inevitibly hit around 3-4 months post op for about 95% of us. I have read of ladies sadly sheering their locks in exchange for shorter do's. I have read stories of people trying to hang on to it as long as they can before claiming defeat and cutting the remaining straggling hair off. I have read of powders and sprays to make your hair apear thicker and hide bald spots. I am 4 days pre-op, and have grown my hair with minimal trimming for the past 2 years. It is over 15 inches from the base of my head to the tips...all of this hair loss sounds terrifying! It sounds sad, and rather like something that I don't want to go through at all. I have decided to be proactive though. I am going to go an unconventional route with my (inevitable) hair loss, and I'm going to cut it as soon as the loss starts and donate it to Locks of Love. I am actually thinking of *gasp* just shaving my whole head and starting fresh with new growth. I feel just like with my weight loss journey, I want to be in control as much as I can, and if I'm going to lose my hair, I want it going to a cause that can appreciate and use it in a good way. My septic system won't feel any remorse, I'm sure. Have any of you thought similarly? What have you done about your hair loss?