chickadee73

Is here any room at all for Nutella in the post-op diet? I am so in love with that stuff.

I'll be at Florence August 27. Starting to see lots of posts from folks there the same time as me--exciting! I return to work 10 days post-op and fly toPhoeni for a four-day conference a week later. I called Alma and talked to her about the trip to Phoenix and she said she thought I would be fine. She said lots of sales people who have the surgery are back traveling within a week or so. I figure Ill rest when I need to and it will be ok. I'm not afraid to cancel the trip to Phoenix, but hope I dont have to.

Oh that gives me such hope. I wish for a 41st birthday that is just as wonderful! Congratulations on your new body and new life.

Not here a whole lot and not sure what unsupportive activity is referenced, but I have been here long enough to realize that when Amanda posts, I read it, and I always like what she has to say. Including this.

My sister gave me a pretty good chocolate peanut bar made by Oh Yeah. It was actually really good -- and I am SUPER PICKY. Still haven't found a protein shake I can tolerate. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=IS-1029&sourceType=sc&source=FG&adGroup=40-60&keyword=IS-1029&cm_mmc=Google+Shopping-_-Product+Listing+Ads-_-40-60-_-IS-1029&gclid=CPzLtZuD5bgCFbBDMgodrFQA1Q#.Uf7ukozD9LM

:lol:

Sounds like torture. Hope it's worth it.

Notlookinback -- I'm going to Mexico. Tijuana, with Dr. Garcia. This is so out of character for me my whole family is stymied, but I've made my decision. Here we go! We will have to keep an eye on each other!

YES, and I was just coming to post about it and saw yours. Almost WORSE is that I have to be on the pre-op diet with PMS, which basically makes me feel like eating around the clock. I am NEVER full that week. It's going to be brutal. I scheduled the surgery date looking at flight prices (going to Mexico) and didn't even think about the fact that my cycle would come into play. *headdesk*

I'm August 27. Only required to pre-op for one week but I'll probably start the week before trying to reduce carbs and avoid sugar. Not going to enjoy the pre-op phase, never been able to find a protein product (shakes or bars) that I like.

This is one of the reasons I am going to Mexico. I have weight cycled so much my five-year history isn't there to get the surgery paid by United Healthcare. I'm already 40 and the arthritis gets worse every year. I don't think it's fair to make us suffer five years waiting to lose weight when we've battled it our entire lives, but insurance is what it is.

I can so relate to this from my ups and downs. I am sure I'll feel this way when I lose weight.

Yep, I think this is the way to go.

My 40th birthday was July 16 too. Wow! I'm getting sleeved August 27 with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. Good luck to you, birthday buddy.

That's fantastic news! I hope you are home and slurping down protein shakes in no time!

I'm so sorry. I hope you recover and heal, both emotionally and physically, from the experience. I think I have read every leak post in this forum, and it seems near the esophagus is the most prevalent. I watched a couple of surgeries on youtube, and can almost imagine why that is -- it looks like it gets more difficult as the staple line gets close to the top. Again, so sorry you are going through this. Please feel better soon.

What a beautiful, hopeful story; and congratulations on everything. I so hope that's me 175 days after surgery!

Personally, I would not go alone, though I hear you about the "farm" lol and the worrying parents. I want someone to help me with my suitcase on the plane, make sure I get to bathroom, advocate for me if I am in pain, walk and talk with me in the halls. I need the support. It's a foreign country, this is major surgery. I want someone who loves me there beside me in case I need them or (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong.

I can't wait to get sleeved! I am trying so hard to get stronger for the surgery, hoping a nice little bonus would be a few lbs knocked off the scale, but no such luck. Poop.

For OP, I have told folks in my real life -- when I hear that 'warning' tone creep into the conversation -- that for me, it's like the accommodations I made for my students in the classroom with a learning disability. It levels the playing field and gives them a more reasonable chance at success. That's what I hope the sleeve does for me. I have 76 lbs to lose to be at the very top of my BMI range for average. That's a lot of excess to be carrying around, but it I less than some. It's still too much for my body, my frame, my health. It's your decision, and your body. Do your research and be at peace with your decision, and learn as much as you can from those with more experience and knowledge on this board.

I haven't read of any yet.

Wow, that's still more than double what I am paying for Mexico. My husband isn't all that comfortable with it, either. If I could find it stateside for less than $10K, I would save my pennies. Headed to Mx next month -- of course, hoping I am making the right choice. The surgeons there are so highly regarded. I watched part of the video and then youtube lost the feed just as it was getting to the good part, so I will try again later with a faster connection. Amazing!

Why do so many folks come from out of state to pay cash? Do you know what he charges for self-pay?

I am reeling and drained having just read the complications thread for the past three hours. I needed to see the worst that could happen. It's different reading a list of possible complications and hearing a real story from the person who experienced it, of course. I saw a list in the other thread of member names and complications, followed by location for the surgery. Mexico was duly represented. Has anyone sleeved by Garcia inquired about his complication rate? Leaks? Strictures? Embolism? Also, wondering what happens if there is a leak and it is found in Tijuana. Will they transport from florence to a larger hospital? In Mexico or San Francisco? Anyone been there or had a complication story they want to share?