scsleever

Dee, It was really helpful to learn that you had seen and talked to some of his facelift patients...puts my mind at ease!

Dee, Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us! It seems that many of the surgeons that we discuss on this site have a lot of experience with tummy tucks, body lifts etc.. I'm hoping to find a Mexican plastic surgeon who has done many face lifts with excellent results! I'd appreciate it if members who have had face lifts would post about their surgery/results.

Congratulations!! You look flippin' amazing!!!

After a lifetime of being warm/hot, it is one heck of a change to think about bringing along a jacket or a sweater because I might feel cold. That extra fat certainly was an excellent insulator, but I'll take wearing a sweater instead of inches of fat!! As for the hot flashes, I have had a couple in the middle of the night... woke up feeling really hot. Congratulations to all of us who are now feeling cold instead of hot! We worked for it... and now (at 8 months after surgery), I have learned that I must continue to work every day. This is not EASY!!

If you've been approved for VSG by Medicare (or have been told by your surgeon's office that you should be approved), please post and tell us which state you live in. Also, if you know, does your state have an upper age limit for VSG? Thanks so much...many of us trying to figure out the Medicare rules and regs, which vary by state.

Warm drinks just seem to really help me. I love my 20 oz. decaf coffee with 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder each morning... it is usually my afternoon snack, too. Tonight I was feeling hungry for something sweet so I made a cup of decaf tea with a little milk and splenda...filled me up and gave me that taste of sweetness that I was craving. It is so strange that I have trouble with cold drinks (which I loved before surgery)..but warm drinks are filling and satisfying.

I was sleeved on 2/21/2013 - at age 66 - by Dr. Garcia in Tijuana, Mexico. Medicare would pay for the RNY, but not the Sleeve, so I self-paid and went to Mexico. For me, getting sleeved was one of the best decisions of my life. VSG is not a magic bullet, but it is a wonderful tool that enables me to change how I eat and how I live. There are definite downsides...like feeling so miserable if I eat too much...but overall it is a gift. Don't let your age stop you from moving forward and changing your life!

Sleeved on 2/21/13 by Dr. Garcia! I'm very happy with my sleeve...although I agree with all those who have said "It is only a tool...you still have to do the work". My first six weeks were appetite-free, but I now experience hunger (both head hunger and true hunger) so I have to plan my day so that I get some protein every couple of hours. My diet plan is for 700-800 calories per day, although I have definitely exceeded those numbers on a few (unpleasant) days during the past few weeks.

Alert: my new picture will be uploaded soon! Hunger is a very individual issue. Some folks feel hungry often...others don't. For me, I had a honeymoon period of about six weeks while my stomach was healing, and I never felt hungry. After that, the hunger returned and I had to really focus on my hunger and my food...I tried a few different approaches in order to learn how to live with my sleeve. Right now (this could change), I need two or three tall 20 oz. protein drinks each day to be sure to get in my protein and water. Those drinks (110 calories and 25 grams of protein and 20 oz. fluid each) have made a huge difference for me. BTW, I mix chocolate protein powder with about 3 ounces of cold water and then fill up the glass with decaf coffee.

I have lupus, and had serious post-surgical blood clots many years ago. If your surgeon knows about your disorder, he/she will take extra care and will give you meds to prevent clotting during and after surgery. I received anti-clotting injections while in the hospital - as did most of the other bariatric surgery patients. And, of course, I did lots and lots of walking as soon as I could... because exercising those leg muscles is one of the best things you can do to prevent a blood clot.

Nope...I'm definitely looking at a vitaminwater ZERO bottle: 4 grams carbs. BTW, a packet of Truvia has 3 g carbs! Can anyone explain how you can have zero calories and four grams of carbs!?!

My food cravings have been alot less these past few days, too. Maybe it's the cycle of the moon!! But I'm also wondering if it could be tied to the fact that I ran out of Vitamin Water (my favorite drink...which happens to have carbs). Whatever the reason, I'm so grateful for relief from the craziness!!

Laura, Thanks so much for this thought-provoking thread. I am a food addict with alcohol/drug/food addiction family genetics and a lifetime of addictive "experience". The first five weeks after VSG surgery were heaven (no desire to eat at all!), but now my stomach has healed, the honeymoon is over, and I am grappling with my new reality. The sleeve is a great tool ...but the addiction battle continues and it is hitting me pretty hard right now. I want to be CURED, dammit!! It really helps to know that others are struggling and succeeding. I have this little voice that is whispering "You can't do this...you will fail". Thanks to all the VSTers who are helping me to believe that I don't have to be perfect, that I can pick myself up and keep going forward, and that I can change.

Please note that RNY surgery is covered in ALL states for ALL Medicare patients, regardless of age. They are handling surgery for the sleeve in a different way: Medicare decided to allow the Regional Contractors make the "final decision" on coverage for the Sleeve. I don't understand how a federal program (Medicare) can have different rules for coverage, depending on where you happen to live. Here's the deal: 26 states have sleeve gastrectomy coverage for all Medicare patients 7 states have limited sleeve gastrectomy coverage for age 64 years and younger; age 65 and older is excluded 11 states have limited sleeve gastrectomy coverage for ages 60 and younger; age 61 and older is excluded 6 states and Washington DC currently have NO sleeve gastrectomy coverage If anyone lives in one of the 26 states that cover the sleeve for all Medicare patients (no age discrimination), please let us know! And thank your lucky stars that you live in a state where Medicare will cover this surgery. I don't understand how a federal program (Medicare) can be administered this way- with different rules in different states. Any lawyers out there???

Wow, folks....take a breath!! This is a support forum.... the goal is to support each other. If you don't feel that you can lend support to a particular posting, just read it and move on. Each of us has experienced enough negativity and judgement in our lives. Let's not add to it here.

My surgery was Feb. 21st and I am doing great! I'm learning to live with my sleeve (which I love!)...but there are definite challenges. It's tough to get in 64 ounces of fluids, and I can't seem to learn to eat s-l-o-w-l-y. I found that I do better with four meals each day, rather than three - and that my sleeve likes moist/wet food. My daily calorie count is generally under 700. The wonderful "not even hungry" honeymoon period has ended for me, so I'm spending more time planning meals that will satisfy my desire for flavor. I'm using a tablespoon or two of sauce (carolina mustard bbq/portbella mushroom) to add some moisture and some zip to my tuna, chicken, and turkey meatballs. My "must haves" are protein powder, dannon light and fit greek yogurt (80 calories) and my "wand" blender. The most amazing part of this, for me, is being able to get rid of my too-big clothes as I lose weight. In the past, I've held onto them because I thought/feared/knew that I might need the bigger sizes again sometime in the future. Now I am confident that I will never be that size again! What a huge NSV!!

Amanda, You have been through one heck of a time, girl! I wish it had been a smoother journey for you. Now that you are home, I hope that those rough seas are behind you, and you can peacefully sail through the rest of your recovery. I'm pretty sure that being home and sleeping in your own bed will feel so good..and help you to heal. Hang in there... soon the numbers on the scale will bring a great big smile to your face!!

I start each morning with a "mocha": Mix 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (I use isopure low carb) with approx. 2 ounces of cold water...top it off with coffee (decaf preferred). Yum!!

Hi to everyone, including you stalkers! I am three weeks out from surgery (Feb. 21st with Dr. Garcia in TJ through Ready4AChange) and I am feeling great! This week was very exciting as I added mushified deli turkey slices and "real" Soups to my diet. I've got one of those blender "wands" and it has been perfect for blending Protein powder into Soup. My "go to" items right now are chocolate Protein Powder in (slighly cooled) decaf coffee each morning and unflavored protein powder mixed into an 80 calorie dannon light greek yogurt at lunch. By afternoon, I've already had almost 60 grams of protein. The Water intake is a struggle...my water bottle (with crystal light) is my constant companion. I also treat myself to a daily bottle of Vitamin water zero. This surgery was the best thing that I have ever done for myself... I'm 66 years old...wish I had done it decades ago! I donated a bunch of my "fatest" clothes yesterday... I have about 5 sizes worth of boxed clothes from prior weight losses! It is such an amazing, freeing feeling to know that I will never go back to this size/weight. My recovery has gone better and faster than I ever could have imagined! Thank you so much, Dr. Garcia and your team!

I went alone...was sleeved by Dr. Garcia on Feb. 21st. I was picked up at the San Diego airport; Ready4aChange scheduled the Marriott shuttle to and from the hospital, and I was picked up at the hotel for the return trip to the airport. Those were my four trips, and they were all pre-arranged by the coordinator; all I did was show up on time. I didn't see much of Tijuana, but I felt completely safe the entire time that I was in Mexico. You will meet other sleevers at the hospital and then probably spend time with them at the hotel. So don't worry...just do it!

Jay and GAMom... Sending good thoughts your way!

I can't imagine a Size 16 or training for a 5K...but I sure am looking forward to the possibility that they could both be in my future. Congratulations on all that you have achieved!

Medicare would pay for the gastric bypass, but not the sleeve. My decision was to be self-pay. I am 66 years old and had surgery on Feb.21st with Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana, Mexico. My recovery has gone unbelievably well, and I feel great. Right now I'm only eating protein shakes and yogurt, but they are going down easily...as long as I take it slowly.

I went alone, so I was concerned about those things, too. There is a small safe in your hospital room for wallet, passport, etc.. I had a combination lock on my suitcase, so that's where I kept my tablet. Rosie told me that there had been an incident of theft at the hospital recently, so it is wise to take precautions. She suggested securing valuables whenever I was going to be out of my room.

I think that we are going against the principles of VST if we are not giving full, open and honest evaluations of our experiences. That is especially true on the Mexican Forum, where most of us are dealing with so many unknowns. My experience of the medical care at Mi Doctor was overwhelmingly positive. I loved the fact that that there was a doctor on duty all night long. It was great that the pain/nausea medication came right on schedule, without having to request it. When I was experiencing excessive pain, I requested a doctor and she arrived to evaluate me (at 2 am) and then ordered additional medication. However, the hospital itself is very basic. It's patient floor cleanliness is acceptable, but not antiseptic. The nursing staff's skill level varies significantly, depending on who is on duty. There was one shift of especially young and inexperienced nurses and I observed a couple of mistakes being made as they added the pain/nausea meds to my IV. During that shift that my saline drip bag went dry...the only time it happened, but it did happen once. One final note: don't expect to be pampered by the nursing staff; you are pretty much responsible for your own care, although I'm sure you can get assistance if you need it. Many of these differences are cultural, and I don't think that they had any negative impact on my recovery. I chose to go to Dr. Garcia because I had great faith in his surgical skills and his team of doctors. I definitely made the right choice! All the doctors spoke excellent English, and I received excellent care from all of them. My Mi Doctor experience was not as glowing as has been posted by some on VST; it was adequate. Most importantly, I always knew that if a problem developed, I could request a doctor's visit and that a doctor would be at my bedside, even at 2 am.