TxCalico

Dehydration can contribute to Headaches & Muscle Cramps, so be sure to drink LOTS of water. I'm supposed to do 7 days on liquids next week, so I'm doing a semi-liquid diet this week (regular dinner & no junk food). Thought this might help me get ready! Just remember, if y'all can make it thru these two weeks on liquids with a big ol' stomach, imagine how much easier it's gonna be when you've got an itty-bitty-sleeve-stomach! :-)

It's great to hear so many positive reports from 60'ers! When I first visited VST, trying to decide whether or not to do this, I couldn't seem to find any! Now my sleeve is scheduled for Oct 14th in Tj. I'm a little nervous and a lot excited!

Now that I've made the decision to do the sleeve (self-pay), how do I decide which surgeon and which location? Cancun would be a quick flight for me from Houston -- and somehow sounds more secure than Juarez & Tiajuana... Do you know and RECOMMEND a surgeon in Cancun? I have to watch my budget, but I don't want to risk getting a poorly-trained surgeon. Websites can look fine, but I'd love to hear the real truth from YOU! Help!

GREAT site! All the info I've been trying to make notes about - all outlined on one page! Thank you!

If I arrive in San Diego by noon on Monday 10-14, my sleeve will be done in Tj late that afternoon. (Weird!) Those who've BEEN thru it: Will I be okay to fly back (non-stop) on Thursday afternoon, or should I stay another night and return on Friday? I need to make airline reservations soon! (wow... it's getting close now...)

I remember thinking, "Maybe I should GAIN 30 more pounds so I'd qualify for a bypass!" I've carried too much extra weight since my second child was born, with more added as I got older, but not so "big" that I could justify surgery! and I knew the Gastric Bypass is a radical often-dangerous surgery with long-term side effects, so I wanted no part of it. I tried various diets and pills and exercise plans over the years, but any loss never lasted -- I was always hungry. I always just wished I had a smaller stomach! Then... [drum roll] my daughter told me about the Sleeve, which she is planning after her last pregnancy. Really? Nothing more than removing a lot of my stomach? Tell me more! I wondered about getting the Sleeve at the old age of 60, at my 32 BMI, and paying for it myself. I may be 60 now, but I want to stay HEALTHY as I turn 65 & 70 & 80 & 90! and without the Sleeve, my 32 BMI would be 33...34...35...etc. Lastly, I'm not used to doing something "just for ME", but I AM doing this! (had to gently convince my darlin' husband that I want/need it -- dear guy loves me as I am -- and convince him I'll be safe going to Mexico... but I would do it with or without his approval. Luckily, he's supporting me 100%, tho he still says I don't need to do it!) My sleeve is now scheduled October 14th with Dr Garcia in Tj. Part of me is excited, part of me is very nervous -- not about the surgery (I've had ceseareans & others) but hoping it'll work like nothing else has!. I don't care if I get 'skinny', if I lost half my excess weight I'd be happy! I just want to stay healthy.and hope this does the trick. :-)

THANX for the info! Hope more will add their comments. We have to have blood work done here in the states, but my PCP doesn't 'believe' in weight-loss surgery for under 40 BMI. Any suggestions on finding one who does? Make a bunch of phone calls?

Very interestng post! Don't know why it's easier for some than for others, just like we don't know why some folks get awful diseases and some don't... Altho you have mixed feelings, I think you know that you couldn't be on phentermine for the rest of your life, so the sleeve is a better long-term option perhaps. You're in my thoughts & prayers!

Insurance companies love to find any reason to exclude coverages... so check the fine print carefully. When you self-pay, it is similar to getting cosmetic surgery (like an eye-lift); you pay for the surgery, and you pay for any related complications. I'm considering getting the sleeve and it will be self-pay, so I'd love to know more about the short-term coverage. Maybe I can google BLIS...

I WANT to do the sleeve, I've carried around 50+ excess pounds for 30 years, and I want to,be healthier as I grow older... but even tho I haven't lost the weight in all that time, I find myself saying "You should just watch what you eat and exercise more!" (even tho it doesn't seem to work) I'm tall, so I try to tell myself I "carry it well", but I KNOW I'm fat (BMI 33) and i still remember how good I felt at normal weight -- and not hiding from cameras! My husband thinks I'm crazy for considering this at this point in my life; the dear man oves me as is. Would love to hear from Sleevers age 60+ and/or those who weren't over 35 BMI when they started. Was it really worth it? and what was your family's reaction? I'll shut up now. :-)