raven123

I'm weaning my self off coffee because I won't have anyy for the day of surgery and I will get a headache if I don't.

Do try for Dr Martinez to answer your questions. My sister says he is the one who spends more time with the patients. I hope to see you there but please follow your instincts as what is right for you.

October 7. Anxious, excited, scared, happy.

I can see me trying to explain that at the border or better yet to TSA.

I'm looking forward to having the energy to play with my grandchildren.

You got through it! that's wonderful! Who was your doctor? I'm getting sleeved on October 7 by Dr Ariel Ortiz. This has been helpful Thank you.

You're looking great! Keep us posted on your successes!

I am pre op but i have a theory about pain. I watched my sister and brother in law get sleeved in Mexico and my niece get sleeved in Michigan. I have been reading through the forums. It seems to me that the difference between people who have pain and those who have little is whether or not they have a drain. A lot of doctors in the US don't use drains. I think it is because they discharge the next day. In Mexico they use drains. My niece was in terrible pain and was on morphine for over a week. My sister and brother in law had little pain and were out walking around the town the next day.They were given Tylenol. If the abdomen is full of blood and you have to wait for it to be reabsorbed there is pressure on everything. Sis and Brother in law are both doctors. They tell me that blood irritates the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. More pain. I also think that opiates are not a great idea. We know that they are constipating and are hard on the stomach. Again This is my theory. What do you think? I'm hoping for a discussion and I'm putting this here so people could ask for a drain before they have their surgery.

Thank you for the replies! It looks like it is not a black and white issue. I still think the drain helps but am happy that some of you didn't have pain without it.

Did you have a drain?

BacktoBarb, My sister, who is a doctor and who had this surgery from Dr Ortiz, will be with me. If you like she will talk to your father about the surgery, about why it is necessary for some of us and how she picked Dr Ortiz. I wish your guys were more supportive. I wish that for everyon else who posted little support. My husband is worried about any surgery, but watching my sister, brother inlaw and niece go through it and get healthy he is very supportive. My sons were both excited for me.

My pre op diet allows salad greens with no dressing. only greens wirh the shakes.

I am also pre op and ordered a Quest Bar variety pack from Amazon. I had one for breakfast every day and once in a while had another for an afternoon snack. After about 5 days I started having cramps and diarrhea. I think I need to find another bar.

October 7 Dr Ortiz.

Big Frank, you did an amazing job with a difficult diet. I applaud your success! We are all very different.What works for one doesn't for others. One of the reasons for having this surgery is removing the source of Ghrelin, the hunger hormone. None of us and anticipate before surgery how this will feel after surgery. I've found there are many ways from point a to point b. We all have our own path. It takes nothing away from your hard work that someone else does it differently.

I'm 66 and having surgery next month in Mexico. My BMI is 35. I realised that I have come to think of being over 200lbs as normal for me. That is not right. I can't get there and stay there without help. I've kept off 63lbs for 13 ears but wonderland has escaped me. I want to avoid diabetes and to have knees that don't hurt. I want to get down on the floor and play games with my granddaughters. I want more energy! I can't wait to have the surgery and start my new life.

October 7 in Mexico.

I told my family and my best friend. Everyone has bee great! My sister and husband are going with me to Mexico. My son offered his home for me after the surgery. I was afraid I would get questions because I'm low BMI right now but I've been much higher and don't want to go back there.

It sounds like you are building muscle, which weighs more than the same amount by volume of fat.

Thank you! I'll be going in about a month. It's good to see what it looks like. Who was your Doc?

Wow! You are an inspiration! I'm waiting for my surgery but I can identify with your wanting to enjoy your children. Part of my motivation is wanting to be more active with my grandchildren. I wish this was availible when my children were younger.

My liquid diet is 15 days. I can eat naked salad greens during that time. I'm just anious to get there. October 7 seems far away but I know it's really not. I hope we all have smooth sailing through this.

My sister was 69, Brother in law was 68 and they are doing very well and are very happy with theirs. I'm 66 and will be sleeved on October 7 in Mexico.

I thank you too! So nice to have a nerd for a friend.

Yes! It's driving me crazy!