Kindle

17g of sugar is crazy high for a "protein shake" I can't believe that's what your doc recommends. It's like he's self sabotaging your efforts. How bout checking your local grocery stores/GNC/walmart for protein drinks with much lower carbs. It may jump start your preop weight loss, and you can save your high sugar shakes that you had to buy from him for post op when you've got low energy levels. (Or sell them on eBay). FWI, I'm supposed to lose 12 lbs preop and I'm only allowed 3 shakes/day at just 2g sugar each for my preop diet.

My insurance completely excludes any type of WLS, too. I'm going to Mexico for my sleeve surgery on 12/20. I will end up paying about $7500 for surgery, extra hotel nights for my myself and a companion (we are coming in a day early and staying an extra day), airfare, and 2 months pre and post op Meds, Vitamins and Protein supplements. I'm going with Dr. Ortiz at Obesity Control Center. His surgery cost is a little more expensive than some other Mexico options, but my 6 months of research left me feeling like he was the best and safest choice. PM me if you have any questions about my research and decision. Good luck!

Mio is a concentrated flavoring you add to water....kinda like a liquid version of crystal light. You could do these pops with any flavored liquid....sobe, vitamin water, juices, etc.

So I received my incentive spirometer, Protein powders and Vitamins last week. It's getting more real! I even did a little prepping by making my own protein Popsicles for post-op (see thread under diet/nutrition sub forum) If anyone's read my past posts about telling others about the surgery, there's a big update there, too. I told my older sister two months ago and she convinced me to tell my parents. Once I made it "official" by actually buying my plane tickets, I called them. They took it much better than I expected. After the initial shock, they were quite supportive. My mom totally understands where I'm coming from and even the Mexico thing wasn't too outrageous. She's suffered through completely inept US doctors for her various ailments, and trusts my research and decision that Dr. Ortiz and OCC is a good choice. Dad even offered to drive their motor home to San Diego so I could spend some time recovering post op in the sunshine. Unfortunately I can't leave my dogs and cats and horses for that long so it's back to the cold, snowy Idaho mountains for me

Congrats on your decision! I'm going to OCC next month. They've been really great to deal with. I've spent over a year saving, and will only end up having to put about $1000 on a credit card. (Dec/jan are my only surgery options due to work and I didn't want to wait another year). I've heard the medical lending companies can have pretty high interest rates. You might check with your own bank about their loan options. And keep in mind that all of your medical expenses, including travel, are all deductible on your taxes, so keep your receipts.

I totally plan on eating baby food in my puréed stage. I am single, so preparing a whole meal just to blend up a small amount for me sounds like too much work and too many dishes to wash (I hate cooking/baking BTW). And I'm on the road all day for work so a little jar of a ready to eat meal sounds like a great idea! And other than lacking a little seasoning, I don't mind the taste.

I'm flying into San Diego on 12/19. We will definitely hook up. My return flight leaves SAN at 3:20....same flight as yours?

Hey, B2B, how are you feeling these days? Have things gotten better now that you've been at work longer? Able to eat OK?

Dr Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center.

Mazzers, glad to see you got your flight logistics cleared up. I just got tickets for my 12/20 surgery date today.

sns513, My surgery is 12/20, too! I moved it up from 1/10 because of work, and I'm very excited. Start preop on 12/4 ( at least I get turkey and stuffing first I'm going to Mexico for surgery but I used to live in St. Pete... Where are you?

I'm self pay and going to Obesity Control Center in TJ. I was told Dr. Ortiz will be on vacation the week of Christmas, but Dr, Martinez would still be doing surgeries that week. Well, I wanted the full "team" for my surgery, so I scheduled it for Dec 20. Just call your surgeon's office and check with his schedule. And hope your insurance doesn't postpone anything on a technicality.

I'm 3 days later Dec 20 at Obesity Control Center in TJ. I've been researching and preparing for SO long, I'm actually relieved to finally be getting it done.

December 20th at Obesity Control Center. Was originally shooting for January, but work schedule allowed for an earlier date. Nothing like ruining the holidays with a surgery but I've spent MONTHS researching and planning and I'm ready to Git er dun! Hopefully my excitement can carry me through the pre op diet without strangling anyone.

Kinda ironic you are talking of before and after knickers. That was actually one of my turning points in deciding to have a VSG. I had bought a 3 pack of undies on vacation cause I forgot to pack em but didn't look at the size (come-on, I was on vacation) Turned out to be "granny panties". Months later, when I was very overdue to do the laundry I found myself having to wear them again... This time they fit like thongs! Holy s....t!!!!!

Bummer season you're having, but way to beat the Lions today!

Sorry about the typos above, but when I tried to edit the post, Nothing comes up on the screen and I was just typing blind... This has happened ever since they changed this site..... ATTENTION website creators!

Whey protein comes from cheese, so it should be fine for your lacto-ovo vegetarian dietass for vegan-based protein sources, they generally lack certain essential amino acids. And the sources tend to be things higher in carbs that sleevers are supposed to avoid...beans, legumes, grains, etc.

Maybe talk to your doc about switching PPI's. Prilosec didn't work very well for a couple friends of mine and they switched to Protonix and did great.

I, too, am going with Dr. Ortiz at Obesity Control Center. One of my questions for them was what if I have a complication that requires blood transfusion or emergency care? Would they have to send me to a local hospital? I was assured that they have a fully equipped ICU and are capable of handling any emergency. They are actually US certified as a hospital. At least one of their doctors are on call 24/7 and from their website I learned that both of their follow up physicians are certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support by the American Safety & Health Institute. So in essence, you get the best of both worlds...the cleanliness, professionalism and experienced staff of a dedicated bariatric surgical center and a fully equipped hospital facility.

You're right, Short term complications are higher with the sleeve, but long term is much higher with the band. In fact, if you read the "fine print" the band was never meant to be a permanent thing. That being said, I was originally looking at getting the band. A good friend of mine has had one for 5 years so I went to her for advice. She immediately talked me out of it. She doesn't regret hers, but it has been a long road...took over 2 years (and MANY fills/unfills) to find the "sweet spot" and finally lose weight and keep it off....had emergency surgery to remove 1st band after it slipped....lives in fear of getting the flu since violent vomiting could result in another slip. Since I live in a pretty rural area, she advised that all the post op maintenance would be a major inconvenience for me, and a slip could be downright dangerous if I can't get to a surgeon ASAP. I, too was freaked over having an irreversible procedure done, but the weight loss maintenance and lifestyle changes that go with this journey shouldn't be something you can just "reverse" when you want to, so why should the physical part be? And yes, the potential complications are very scary, but so is being fat for the rest of my life. Keep up with your research and do what you think is best for you. (And if you hadn't guessed, you will get biased opinions on this sub forum...so make sure you post in the band forums, too)

Greetings OCCers! My surgery is scheduled for Friday, dec 20 and would be flying home Monday, dec 23. However, with the flight schedule available, I would be leaving San Diego at 3:20, have a 1 hr 45 min layover in Salt Lake City and get to my final destination about 9:15pm. Then I have a 1 1/2 hour drive home. Is this going to be too much to handle 3 days post op? Plan B would be to stay an extra night in TJ and fly home Tuesday morning. I'd love to be home sooner than later, but I don't know if that's too much to expect.

If you can eat jello and Popsicles, how bout mixing unflavored protein powder in with them (for Popsicles, mix the powder with juice or flavored water and freeze in small Dixie cups if you can't find the plastic reusable Popsicle molds.) Or try mixing unflavored powder in broth or cream soups. Just keep them below 130-140 degrees.

BTW, I've spent the last 9 months "preparing" for my post op life... Adding a new "habit" each month....Cut out caffeine, started taking vitamins, not drinking with meals, making healthy food choices, and researching the h..ll out of this procedure.

I have insurance (individual, not through work) but it doesn't cover WLS. I decided to have VSG last winter, and had previously been saving for a new truck. So I researched surgery in Mexico, nixed the new truck (a 1999 F150 isn't so bad ) and have continued to save up. I just scheduled a surgery date for Dec 20, which gives me 9 days off work over what would be my Christmas vacation to recover. So essentially I've gone through way more than a 3-6 month waiting period the insurance company would require....For those self-payers, where there's a will there's a way, and for those covered by insurance, be grateful and patient.