chickadee73

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/34229-folks-who-have-had-complications/ Hope that works.

Sorry, San Francisco would be quite the haul. I meant San Diego. Oy.

Thank you -- I just copied your list into my own document, made a few changes, and feel much more prepared. I added shirts that button instead of ones that go over my head.

Ok, I tried the Premier shakes and I cannot stomach them. Oy. The taste and the aftertaste made me want to gag. Still looking for a protein drink I can stomach. Crossing that one off the list.

I'm taste-testing them pre-surgery, knowing that my tastes may change post-op. I also have to do them for my pre-op diet next month. I have muscle milk and Premier shakes, pre-mixed, in the fridge as we speak. I love orange Julius drinks, and have been trying to find one that simulates that taste, but so far no dice. They all taste like baby aspirin to me. I'm thinking of trying fresh-squeezed OJ with almond milk and ice in the blender, adding the unflavored protein powder. Maybe that will work ...

I agree with the others. I turned mine in, and was approved the next day or so. It sounds like it would be unusual to wait longer than that for some sort of acknowledgement. I'd definitely try to reach Alma by phone or email and ensure she received your information.

Island life, that's the day after me.

I was just looking at the thread below with pics of the evacuated stomachs removed during surgery and omg. Huge. My somewhat dumb question is, what happens to the space left in our abdomens? That is a big cavity left behind! Do the rest of our organs shift and fill up the space or what? Can't things get twisted and/or caddywampus in there?!

Kristina, the picture you shared of your poor, leftover stomach is both disturbing and fascinating. Wow. It is much smaller when not bloated for the leak check! That shiveled little organ causes me so many issues. Kind of cathartic to see a pic of it looking so defeated lol.

Heck, I might try these and I am PRE-surgery. When Irritable Bowel Syndrome rears its ugly head (pun intended ), I'm a mess digestively. Maybe these enzymes would help.

Guess I won't be meeting him next month. Hope he is replaced by someone attentive and caring who will keep his hands to himself.

I had my gall bladder out after losing a great deal of weight two years ago. I now realize it was probably related to losing so much so fast. It was removed laparascopically, four or five tiny little incisions, took about a week to recover. No big deal really. I don't even notice that it is gone. I don't think it's worth worrying over.

You look 10 years younger, never mind the weight that has come off. Congratulations!

Ha! I will bring mace and a mean attitude, look out. If you knew me, that would be super funny. I'm about as intimidating as a butterfly. But my cousin who is traveling with me ... don't mess. She's mean. And will never leave my side, especially now. Thank goodness.

I'm heading there the last week in August, in case anyone is scheduled same time as me. I fly in August 26 and have surgery August 27.

Geez. My sister, who was sleeved in February and also posts to VST, warned me about this thread over the weekend and I've been trying to catch up today while busy doing other things. Holy moly, am I ever going to have deal with a case of the "I-told-you-sos" from her. She warned me to stay stateside, and I insisted on going to Mexico, because if I am going to pay for this out of my pocket, I want a world-class surgeon that costs half as much. But this lack of professionalism (to put it MILDLY) concerns me. I'm scheduled later this summer with Dr. Garcia, and while I still have faith that his surgical skills are far superior to what I am able to get in the US, it gives me no comfort to read this thread.

Testing out some products and stopped by the local Health food Cupboard in my hometown. Lo and behold, they had sample packets of Protein drinks for 2.99 each, and the third one was free. So I bought three: chocolate ... and this one called "Spiru-tein" in Tagerine ... powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury on the list to try, too. Taste testing!

Three coworkers just returned from San Diego and said there were signs posted at the border warning Americans it is unsafe to travel to Mexico right now. Any recent sleevers see anything like that?

They said they wanted to go to TJ for the day, but were dissuaded by signs. Maybe they were advising them against going out at night, like stated in a post above and they decided to turn back. They were clucky old women, sometimes they might exaggerate a bit or blow things out of proportion. My first thought was "but people are still getting surgery there an posting to VST!" I knew if I came here I could find someone there, as we speak, or recently there. Thanks for replying. Btw, these particular busybody coworkers know I am going to Tijuana but do not know why.

*cheers quietly in the corner* Squeeeeee for an excuse, ahem, REASON not to try to swallow, fail and gag ... Not that such a thing has EVER happened to me. Ha. Poor dear husband. I will never swallow again after August 27!

I bought airfare today for myself and my companion, a female cousin. My husband is joining us later in the week -- duty calls back home and he can't fly in until later. He's scared silly about two women being "alone" in Tijuana. For those who have already been there, done that, how was it? I have read so many reports from this forum and none have ever said they felt unsafe. My questions are, did you feel safe at all times? Did your companion travel to places besides the hotel and hospital, and if so, where? Did you go out after dark at all? Did you use a taxi service or walk while in Tijuana? Any issues crossing the border? (We both have passports.) Any trouble getting back across the border with your meds, or with anything else you purchased while in Mx? Any warnings for two tough girls traveling alone?

I will be using my tax refund, and I sold a car and our pop-up camper. I vote for no financing, sell stuff or save up.

Right there with you, sister. Here's how I beat it ... I think of the confidence I will have to reach for more after the surgery -- the job interviews that I won't have to worry about whether I can find a suit to fit, for example -- and the money I won't spend on diet food, pills, diet cookbooks ... I have spent so much money over the years trying to fight the fat. You are young, healthy and can save that money by investing in the surgery and investing in yourself. Your daughter will grow up valuing herself because she has a mother who takes care of herself. This is not the time to be a martyr, it's the time to take control of your life and give yourself and your family the healthy mama they deserve. I say do it.

Yesterday I confirmed with Dr. Garcia for August 27. Reading reports of his good work makes me feel much more secure. Hope all goes well for you, I'll be watching for your story!

Hello, I am new. My name is Trina and I am trying to choose between self-pay stateside (longer wait, perhaps will never be able to save enough or finance after the divorce), or the unknown of Mexico. I have tentatively booked a date with Dr. Garcia at florence (Oasis of Hope) hospital for August 27. I haven't "sealed the deal" yet because I can't find a follow-up surgeon in Ohio who will see me if anything goes wrong, and worse, I will have to fight with United Healthcare to get anything related to the surgery covered. Does anyone know what the self-pay option costs in Ohio? I would prefer Dr. Needleman at Ohio State, because he came as a referral from a good friend. However, I am open. What about care once you got home? I realize the surgeons in Mx are highly qualified and it seems they have "the magic touch" and very little complications, but with my luck, I will be the one with troubles and no surgeon. A little personal info since this is my first post ... don't be fooled by the low BMI, I am on the rise. Since puberty, that's how it has gone. Always on the rise or losing, but never, ever maintaining any weight. I told my husband I would truly be happy with 180 lbs if I could maintain it, but my body just won't cooperate. I am at 220 or thereabouts and I am 5'4". I have no known comorbidities other than arthritis. Healthy as a horse, just overweight -- not ideal as a bariatric patient stateside, but the Mx won't turn away my American dollars. My sister recently had the surgery in central Ohio and she initially turned me on to Mx. However, now that I have gotten serious about it, she is worried about me not finding aftercare. She's about 2 months post-op and doing beautifully. She's lost about 60 lbs and had no complications, fyi. Her surgeons have refused me service when I return from Mx, they won't take me on as a liability. It's disheartening. I know this topic has been discussed endlessly on here, but I still haven't figured out what to do if something arises that can't be fixed in an emergency room and I need a surgeon. That's the million dollar question. I have been lurking for awhile, since my sister had surgery, and have learned a great deal about a topic I thought I already knew plenty about. Thanks for the resource, and thanks in advance for any input or suggestions. I need to make a decision and pay the $500 to secure my Mx surgery date or explore self-pay options closer to home if I decide that the aftercare is a dealbreaker. Sitting right in the middle at this point, and hoping one of you will have words of widsom. Nice to meet y'all!