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Hi Everyone, Been lurking for a little while. Actually joined some time back but rarely post. I am looking for any and all folks who have had surgery in Mexico to weigh in and help me out. Here's a little background: I am 48 yo, 6', 365 with a high of 380. My health is deteriorating, particularly knees, hips and ankles. I had a knee replacement 1 year ago and have not healed properly due to weight. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and variable high everything else. If I am "good" for a while, my numbers fall into line, but they quickly swing the other way when I am not. I am always short of breath, can not run, jog and have difficulty with stairs. I can not climb or descend stairs without a handrail. My insurance specifically precludes ANY type of weight loss surgery, drugs or treatment. I am at wits end and desperately want to be able to hike, canoe and ride a bike again. I want my kids to look at me like a regular person and not be embarrassed (they are 16 and 13). I want to feel good. So, I am looking at self pay for VSG here in the states, or in Mexico with Dr. A. (Good Dr. A). Here are my biggest concerns: 1-Complications. How are they handled and what about follow up care. If I have issues after coming home (like infection, bleeding, dumping, severe reflux, etc.) how do I receive the care I'll need if my insurance will not cover it. Has anyone had problems? How were they addressed? 2-Was the experience clean and safe? Did anyone have problems due to lack of sanitation or lack of follow up care? 3-How did you convince your family to support you even though they are aghast at going to Mexico for surgery? 4-generally looking for detailed experiences both good and bad. Please help guide a scared and deperate newbie. Thanks!

Ok Guys I don't quite know how to say this so I'm just gonna come out and say it. I keep sitting on my balls! It seems that with the receded thunder thighs and reduced fat pad in the pubic area, the sack hangs much lower than it used to. Everytime I sit down i squash the nads just beneath my now bony butt! Needless to say this causes discomfort and the embarrassing need to furtively glance around while reaching in to rescue the little fellers. Anyone else have this problem and have an suggestions? Maybe some drawers that work better than others?

Hi Everyone! I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected. HW-380 SW-361 CW-180 Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain. I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this! I hope you are all well!

Two pieces of advice! 1-listen to your BariatricPal team. Don't second guess anything or think that something doesn't matter, no matter how trivial you think it is! 2-exercise as much as you can whenever you can. This doesn't have to be at the gym. Just keep moving and don't allow yourself to fall into the old trap of making excuses. I am constantly moving unless I'm truly sick. Find things you like. I hike, bike, walk, canoe, swim, garden, do woodworking. Just do something you enjoy and keep doing it. Oh and I guess this is more than two but hydrate hydrate hydrate! Eat nutrient dense foods and get your protein. It doesn't have to be that hard if you do these things! Good luck and God Bless!

You can do it! I was thrilled to shop at regular stores again. I saw some shirts hanging in a Jos. A Bank window at the train station the other day. They were linen in nice colors and they type of shirt I wouldn't have dared to wear before. Not to mention that they wouldn't have had them in my size. But I walked right in, tried them on and promptly bought two mediums off the rack. It was an awesome feeling! So I don't know if you've had the surgery yet or not. If you haven't please do. If you have, listen to your medical team and jump right in to your new life!

Thanks for posting Amber. First of all congratulations on making a huge life altering decision. Chances are very very good that you will be transformed for the better for an important time in your life. I wish I had done my sleeve surgery much sooner-I'd be a different person today. People will judge you. That's life. You will be judged for many things throughout your life. Just do your best to try to handle it with a positive attitude. Other people's judgements have no bearing on who you are. Best of luck to you, stay positive and enjoy your college years and more!

Buster, this is awesome! I will be joining...

I had my sleeve Surgery in May of 2018. At the time I weighed 352, I now weigh 181. Most of the weight came off in the first ten months. I have been steady at 180 for about a month now. I wanted to plateau here since 190 was really my goal. I do not want to go below 180, nor do I want to gain, unless it is muscle weight. I am now trying to find the sweet spot for calories so that I maintain. Good Luck

I just ordered some of these bad boys and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I will review upon receipt!

Update. I have been much more diligent about Protein. I am drinking two 40 gram Muscle Milks a Day in addition to whatever food I eat. Still losing! I am down to 188. Holy Freaking Mother of Mothers! I never thought I'd EVER weigh this little in my life. I think I was in my 180's last in middle school! I am feeling a bit better, knee is coming along and I have been out hiking again. I joined a health club and have begun working with weights with my son. I am SO freaking weak! My son, just turned 18, is 4 inches shorter than me, and WAY stronger. That hurts the pride a tad. But he is very cool about it and helping me out. I am going to hit it 3 days a week on weights, two days a week at Physical Therapy, and one day with a long hike. We'll see how it goes!

Hi everyone, It's been a while since I've posted, largely because I've been pretty busy enjoying my new life. But Lately I've been a bit worried that I may be on the edge of losing too much weight! I just stepped on the scale and weighed in at 198. I peaked a few years ago at 380 and my surgery weight was 351 this past May, so eight months ago. That is over 150 pounds lost in eight months! I had been feeling pretty good with good energy. But I had some knee surgery (which I had previously written about in this forum) a couple weeks ago and am now in a pretty poor state of mind. I'm sure it is a combination of painkillers and general post-surgical lethargy and depression from sitting all day, but man do I feel weak. I feel like a bag of bones with a lot of gross saggy skin! Should I be concerned tht I've lost too much too fast? How do I slow this down? I still can't eat anything to speak of. For example today I had a single serve container of Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries for breakfast, a 16 oz. bowl of chicken soup for lunch and two squares of pizza for dinner. I had a snack of three triscuits and a slice of cheese. Most days I also have a protein shake but am out today. I literally can't eat more than this. Anyone else been here? Anyone have any suggestions on how to slow this train down? I can't get out to the dr. until I have this cast removed and am approved to drive, probably another three weeks or so.

Update. I have been much more diligent about protein. I am drinking two 40 gram Muscle Milks a Day in addition to whatever food I eat. Still losing! I am down to 188. Holy Freaking Mother of Mothers! I never thought I'd EVER weigh this little in my life. I think I was in my 180's last in middle school! I am feeling a bit better, knee is coming along and I have been out hiking again. I joined a health club and have begun working with weights with my son. I am SO freaking weak! My son, just turned 18, is 4 inches shorter than me, and WAY stronger. That hurts the pride a tad. But he is very cool about it and helping me out. I am going to hit it 3 days a week on weights, two days a week at Physical Therapy, and one day with a long hike. We'll see how it goes!

Don't worry. That is not much food at all! The grumbling is normal and the discomfort will subside. Perfectly normal for so soon. liquids and purees go down real easy and hunger can return. Once you are on to solid food you will feel the restriction all the more.

I've thrown up a number of times. What I've learned is to eat very slowly and chew very thoroughly. I make a sensible plate that fits within the nut's guidelines and sit down with it. I first eat a tiny amount that is chewed very well. I then wait until my stomach relaxes and slowly eat the rest. This helps me get in the protein and calories.

Hi all! I'm about 8 1/2 months out and down at least 180 pounds since my all time high and over 150 since surgery. Doing well for the most part. But a recent knee surgery has me sidelined. Went to Bariatric Doc today and am low on B12 and was chastised about not enough protein! So time to get on the Protein wagon big time. I restocked on essentials today and recommitting to 80 grams per day and a muscle building program. Doc says I am losing too much muscle. Anyway, here are the pics. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi @@PhillyAj, I know, the numbers boggle me. I really just followed my bariatric teams advice. I met my Fluid requirements daily and strived to meet my Protein goals. I was not always successful on that, which is why I've lost too much muscle and am working to turn that around now. I only eat when hungry and I walk, a lot! At least I did before my knee surgery three weeks ago. I always tried to walk at least three miles at a stretch everyday. I also biked to and from the train station to work using Chicago's bike share program, divvy. Other than that I just always try to be active, camping, canoeing, swimming, whatever. I decided when I decided to have surgery that I was done making excuses to be lazy. I just committed to get on the move and stay on the move. This surgery has derailed me but I intend to get back going ASAP. Even while hobbled I am trying to move. I do pushups and wheel a wheelchair around the mall for fun.

Thank you @OKCpirate. And, good advice, they can test for that at my bariatric practice, so I will make a point of it at my next visit. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Okay here is a before and "during" I hope this works! Now comes the hard work, getting into real shape and staying in shape. I've got to get some new clothes again and some muscles! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank God for BariatricPal pal and all of you fine people! I am so happy that there are folks willing to reach out a supportive hand from time to time. I am so truly grateful. @@VDB how very perceptive of you. It will take me a long time to get used to the new me! I am going to try to post a before and during pic. I can't see how to do it on my phone though! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello been a while for me on here. I am closing in on seven months and am down 150 lbs to 215. I had expected to max out at this level but haven't yet. I still can't eat much. I am 6 foot and am now hoping to get down to 190. I exercise a lot by walking and biking but now need to start in at the gym with some weight training. I'm thinking that will slow my loss for a while. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey there @@PorkChopExpress! Congratulations on taking this huge step towards a happier healthier you! I started this at the exact same surgery weight as you and after five months am down 111 pounds. I too had VSG and am very pleased with everything. Stay positive. Keep moving and enjoy your new life!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hell again everyone, time for a new update since it has been four months since my 5/9/2016 surgery. The stats: High weight: 380 Weight at first visit: 365 Surgery Weight: 351 Current Weight: 249 In the four short months since surgery I have lost 102 lbs. Unbelievable. I have lost 131 since my all time high. I never would have thought this possible! SImply the best decision I've ever made and I would highly recommend to anyone looking to change their life. I feel great and exercise a ton even though a have a badly injured knee that has me pretty hobbled. But I am DONE making excuses. Injured knee or not I am going to move and keep on moving! I walk > 3 miles per day and bike approx. 5 per day. It causes me some pain but I want to get to goal and stay there. Come winter when my local forest preserves become hard to walk i am going to start and strength training and Water aerobics/swimming. I might even try cross country skiing if my knee can handle it (I am going to post an update on my knee in the guys room if anyone is interested). It is crazy the things I can do now that I couldn't a few short months ago. I'm canoeing, camping, hiking, walking, swimming. I'm enjoying new clothes I never would have worn before. Truly a life changer! All the best everyone - go get em!

Hi @@defibvt your advice is very appreciated. Unfortunately this is one weird injury. My new knee joint is actually fine. Its the tendon which used to connect my quadriceps to the kneecap to the lower leg that is bad. It is no longer connected to the kneecap and slips off the the outside of my knee. It is intact partially but ruptured. Picture a marionette puppet that has its knee string attached to the outside of its knee instead of on top. If you pull that string it wonks outward instead of up. When my knee is bent, as in sitting, I can't lift my lower leg to straighten it. When walking, gravity helps bring the lower leg forward to complete a step. However, in the Water it has to cut through the resistance of the water to come forward. Same as with swimming, the motion required against resistance makes it actually much more difficult than walking. With all that said, I do swim and use my backyard pool, you are still right because come winter an indoor pool will become my best option. And I am not going to use this damnable knee as an excuse to be lazy. So, in the pool I will go! Thank you for your kindness! Bill

Hi All, Okay, so I'm about six weeks out - sleeved on May 9th this year. I was losing weight steadily and quickly for the first month (down 35 lbs since surgery). On surgery date I was 351 and a month out I was at 315. I was riding a bike at least three miles a day and walking quite a bit-nothing strenuous, just dog walking, etc. Then, two weeks ago, I badly re-injured my replaced knee. I ruptured a quad tendon and the "button" the surgeon attached to my kneecap at the time of my replacement surgery, detached from my kneecap. THe result is I have very poor use of my knee. Bike riding is out as are long walks. The upshot here is that I haven't lost an ounce in the last two weeks. My daily calories average around 600 and I meet my Protein and Water goals. I don't know if this is a stall or 's my reduced exercise. Does anyone have any exercise ideas for me while hobbled? I will likely be hobbled for a long time since I can't even get in to see the specialist until 7/25. Then the wait for surgery, then the long recovery. DAMN!!! Any advice or support will be awesome.

@@BubbaVSG I had VSG. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App