Sweetums

Hi TexasJess, Apparently they have been sending me emails and I am not getting them, I added them to my contact list and asked them to send a test email and have heard nothing further from them. Dr. So did contact me, and made some recommendation for the reflux, including the possible need for another test. We shall see. I am on the newest latest and greatest reflux medication and drinking gavascon straight from the bottle... LMAO. Yes the stalls cause me terrible anxiety, because you don't want to be the person that spent all the money and FAILED! but in those times I come on here read about how peculiarly normal I am and then remember to trust the program and my tool. I did measurements and I am due to measure again September 1st. I am noticing a huge difference in my clothes Back down to a size 11!! Excited for the day the single digits are back, and I will be starting back at cross fit next week. Cant wait to be FIT I hope all is well with you, have you started any physical activity greater than walking yet?

Hey Texas Jess, Things are well, Ive been having some pretty bad heartburn. My family physician switched me to something stronger and I am thinking that its finally starting to work. I am glad to hear your doing well! My weight loss is pretty slow, and I guess its not magic and I have to be okay with that. :-) I know the surgery isnt magic but damn, I would like to wake up skinny!!! Just out of curiosity, have you heard from the clinic at all? I am a little surprised by the follow up. I mean, I have not contacted them, but I thought we would be receiving surveys and stuff, but I haven't heard a peep from them... Sweetums

There was one person in my group who required a hernia repair, and the repair was free. There were NO extra fees except for our prescription medications, which we were told about before hand.

I was told by my surgeon and nutritionist that when I am healed, and eating "normally" I should be able to eat 3-4 oz of dense meat, 1/4 cup of vegetables and 2 tbsp of a starch. I am just over two weeks post op, and down 25 pounds. The first week I could do 100 mls of a clear fluid at a time, and this week about 150 mls, or two table spoons of a "denser" full fluid, like apple sauce. Today I move up to pureed and was told to expect to be able to get in about 2 tbsp to start, it sure is a huge change from what I used to eat

Did you make it home ok? I forgot about the sore throat! lol

Texas Jess, hope you are doing well! Been thinking about you!

Hey Sweetums!! Hope your doing better now. How was work? I'm taking your advise and taking some of my own broth for the trip home. Getting excited and nervous. I fly out at 6 am in the morning! Will let you know how it goes! Say a prayer for me please.... You will do great!!! They are professionals through and through. Funny story about the hotel for you, on the day we arrive we were starving. We knew we had to stick to fluids, but wanted something substantial, and it was the day before surgery, so we figured it didnt really matter at that point. We went in and sat in the restaurant and ordered milk shakes. The waitress looked at us funny but didnt say anything. Minutes later the head waiter arrives at our table and questions if we were aware that we were not allowed to have milkshakes this close to our surgery! It was too funny. He told me that they service 250 guest per week who come to Tijuana for surgery. Will say a prayer for you and I hope you have nothing but a positive experience! Work was ok, I am pretty tired tonight, but that's ok. I expect I will be for some time, my body is breaking down all of its fat stores :-)

Im doing well, all of the swelling is gone and I have ankles again. I tried to progress my diet too fast and didn't do so great. I am now back at step 1, making sure I am hydrated enough. I have zero pain, and am able to do small tasks around the house, load and unload the dishwasher ect. I am tired and can sleep 12 hours a night easily. I go back to work on Monday, so I am not sure how it will go, but we shall see. Its so exciting that your leaving soon, I hope you have a wonderful journey. The long layover may actually be a good thing! Find a place where you can sit and put your feet up, I ran all over San Diego airport looking for something I could eat, big mistake. I think that's why I got so swollen, I was on them too much! Take a cup of soup or something similar that you can have while your in the air port or on the plane. San Diego is really limited and very expensive. A bowl of nasty broth ended up costing me 14$. Good Luck and keep us updated!!

I hear you! it will be worth it in the end. Just keep moving forward! Hey Sweetums! How's it going? I got a virus and had to go off pre op for a few days but I'm back on and 9 days away. Getting very nervous!!! Hi Texas Jess, Things are going well, I am day 5 post op and I am so pleased with my choice in physician's. Dr Martinez is a ma zing! So is Dr. Ortiz, but I think we dont hear nearly enough about his counterpart! The flight home was tough, by the time I arrived home I was up 12 pounds and my legs and feet were so swollen they were deformed. But minimal pain, taking plain Tylenol, and am excited to see what my new body is going to look like. The best part is I do not feel hungry, Hope your doing better!!!

I have been on a pre op diet for three weeks now. Two weeks of 2 shakes and one meal and one week of three shakes and veggies. So I am in the home stretch, one week to go, im taking in 600 calories or less a day. (Cant choke down the shakes anymore, and never want to see another leaf of lettuce as long as I live.) Now im GAINING weight. WHAT???. Im starving, I cant sleep im so hungry. I have gained two pounds of the 15 I had lost. I now need to loose six pounds in six days. Aside from laxatives, does anyone have any suggestions? I am so frustrated. I just want to give up. I know my metabolism is f***** but this is ridiculous. ++I am drinking one black coffee every morning, so that should be acting as a diuretic right?

http://asmbs.org/resources/access-to-care-for-obesity-treatment ASMBS Statement for Access to Care for Obesity TreatmentObesity is a medical condition that meets all criteria as a disease, including a genetic predisposition and personal, societal and environmental factors that contribute to expression of the disease. Obesity is an independent risk factor for heart disease and is predominant in patients with hypertension, high cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes. People who suffer from the disease of obesity should be free from prejudice and discrimination in accessing care for obesity. People who suffer from the chronic disease of obesity should have access to evidence-based medical, pharmaceutical, behavioral, and surgical care similar to the access provided for the evaluation and management of other chronic disease. Prevention of obesity through new strategies of healthy lifestyles should complement the commitment to treat those currently suffering from the metabolic consequences of the disease. Weight Loss Surgery is effective, durable and increases quality and quantity of life. Obesity should be treated. I am loving these six bullet points, hopefully someday we can have stigma reduction and access for all to the treatment we require. My friend and I were having a discussion yesterday, and she feels the BMI scale needs to be revamped to reflect what we are as a population. I disagree. I feel that the BMI is based on an IDEAL for the human body, and maybe we should reduce our body weight to match the BMI chart. I mean, the children being born today will have a shorter lifespan then us as their parents do, because of the comorbidities associated with obesity. I am happily receiving treatment for my disease in Mexico next Friday. I will be getting the tools I need to manage my disease for the rest of my life. I am grateful that I can pay out of pocket, but I deeply feel for those in my situation that do not have the financial means to access the treatment they require. My province is focused on the super morbid obese who are costing the health care system the most. Do they not realize that in a few short years that will be me, and 1000's of more like me? It just makes me sad.

The nut tells me to load up on veggies and to keep doing what I am doing. Not to worry about it. Its hard not to worry, but I think I DO need to stay off the scales for a few days. I wont be driving myself so crazy if I do.

I hear you! it will be worth it in the end. Just keep moving forward!

Im not sure. I haven't had ketone bodies in my urine in a few days, so it is possible. This list came from my nutritionist. My doctor sells his own brand, but this list is great for people like me who like variety. Without the variety I may have quit the shakes two weeks ago!

Thanks everyone, I was all annoyed and ready to go to New york fries for dinner, cause, you know its not working so may as well give up right? And then I get to read all of your encouragement and I remember to keep the course and trust in my physician's plan.

My shakes have to follow a certain nutritional guideline, so Alternative Protein shakes should meet the following criteria per serving: Minimum of 20 grams of protein per serving Minimum of 3 grams of Fiber No more than 2 grams of sugar No more than 8 grams of carbs No more than 3 grams of fat Not over 200 calories per serving Add a probiotic whey protein is preferable I am taking about one and a half of these a day.

Uh oh. I haven't spoken with the nutritionist in depth. Just a couple of emails back and forth with a few questions I had. Do I want to know what the post op diet is? I was thinking its the 21 days of liquids that Dr. Ortiz talks about on you tube. I keep thinking short term pain for long term gain, but Ive never been a fan of pain. Or being hungry.

So, Ive made the leap and booked surgery. I have had a 20 year struggle with my weight, up and down and I just want to be free. I am fully aware if my head hunger problem and have been quite introspective and trying to deal with this prior to having surgery. I was reading an article last night that really hit home, when it indicated that sometimes we over eat and keep ourselves fat in order to have an excuse not to step out of our comfort zone, avoiding rejection by not dating, standing on the sidelines of life from fear of failure. My last successful "diet" I lost 100 lbs, worked out like a deamon, met a man, fell in lust, fast froward two years, had a terrible ending to the relationship, and now have gained 80 lbs back. I know I dont date because I fear being rejected all over again. So, how do you deal after surgery, what tips and techniques have you used to bring yourself over from the fat side? How do you let go of the fears? Thoughts?

I am using several different protein powders. I took the alternative diet sheet to the store and bought some that fit in their nutritional guidelines. A lot of them don't meet the requirements for fiber, but you can add bene fiber or something like that. I didn't buy their shakes because when I got to the online checkout there was a problem with their verification or something that stopped me and asked me if I was sure I wanted to proceed. I did not. I am not sure what the post op diet is, but from what I gather from online forums and the such, it looks like a week of clear fluids, a week of full fluids and then a week of softer foods. That may not be right, but I will be stocking my pantry with apple juice, broth, soups, SF Popsicle and SF jello before I go.I am also trying to find a protein powder that I can sprinkle in clear fluids to ensure I get enough protein for optimal healing. Thanks for the info. It’s nice to hear what others are doing to prepare for surgery. What is the alternative diet sheet and guidelines that you mentioned? Each 11 oz Premier Protein shake has: 30 g protein, 160 calories, 1g sugar, and 24 vitamins and minerals that are 25% DV (50% of calcium and phosphorus). I hope this will meet the post-op requirements as well as the pre-op. The OCC Post-Op plan is $225 and is protein shakes, vitamins, probiotics and calcium w/D3. I hope I can use the shakes, vitamins, probiotics and calcium/D3 that I already have. The alternative diet was in one of the many information emails I received just after I booked, it is as follows: Here is your alternative preop diet instructions to start a minimum of 15 days prior to surgery. - open attachment for further instructions Alternative protein shakes should meet the following criteria per serving: Minimum of 20 grams of protein per serving Minimum of 3 grams of fiber No more than 2 grams of sugar No more than 8 grams of carbs No more than 3 grams of fat Not over 200 calories per serving Add a probiotic Whey protein is preferable If using a powdered protein shake mix (whey protein preferred), add only to water, non fat skim milk or any milk substitute such as unsweetened almond, hemp, soy or rice milk (no sugar added) Alternative vitamins prior to surgery . We recommend VITALEPH. If you choose to use an alternative, any good bariatric vitamins or Women's/Men's One a Day, Centrum Silver, etc. with double the dosage (2 a day!) will work + (if possible) 18 mg of iron Total per day of 1500 mg calcium citrate with at least 400 IU of Vitamin D, take 4 caplets in a day. This is what I have been following with my shakes. Its hard to get the amount of fiber, so I had to tinker with that one.

I am using several different protein powders. I took the alternative diet sheet to the store and bought some that fit in their nutritional guidelines. A lot of them don't meet the requirements for fiber, but you can add bene fiber or something like that. I didn't buy their shakes because when I got to the online checkout there was a problem with their verification or something that stopped me and asked me if I was sure I wanted to proceed. I did not. I am not sure what the post op diet is, but from what I gather from online forums and the such, it looks like a week of clear fluids, a week of full fluids and then a week of softer foods. That may not be right, but I will be stocking my pantry with apple juice, broth, soups, SF Popsicle and SF jello before I go.I am also trying to find a protein powder that I can sprinkle in clear fluids to ensure I get enough protein for optimal healing.

I am from Alberta. My family physician steered me away from the lap band, which I was going to pay 18 000$ for in Ontario. She is supportive of the surgery I have chosen to have in Mexico. I have my follow up appointment booked with her for when I return. I also work in health care. I see patients return from surgery in other countries ALL. THE. TIME. we never refuse service. Never. Even if the surgery was elective. My friend jokes with me that its a good thing I am having lap surgery, so the surgeon in Mexico cant steal my kidney and sell it on the black market. We think its hilarious. I will get an x ray when I get back to be sure... lmao. Canada has a public non discriminatory health care system. You CANNOT be refused care. If a physician does not feel well enough equipped to deal with post op complications, another one will, and think yourself lucky you got the best (wo)man for the job. I would be interested to hear if there has actually been a case of a patient being refused care in Canada. In Edmonton, capital of Alberta, there is a specialized bariatric team to deal with post bariatric surgical complications. Best of luck to you!!

Craziness! I am flying to San Diego on July 9th and having surgery on the 11th. Two of my companions are having surgery on the 10! Today is day three of three shakes a day. I can barley choke the third one down, I would kill for a piece of fruit. Or some strawberries! I hope this gets easier as the days go on.

I have enjoyed reading all the information on this site. I am also going down to see Dr. Ortiz in July for a gastric plication. Maybe I will see you there. Would like to compare notes with you. I am starting the three shakes a day phase on Monday. For the past two weeks I have been having two shakes and one 300 calorie meal. When are you headed down?

Hi, I am seeing Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Which surgery are you having? I believe the gastric sleeve is about that price, I am having the plication, and the plication looks to be significantly more expensive than the sleeve.

For me the drop from 135 to 80 is a very big deal. Glad it isn't for you. I've had major depressions triggered by very low carb diets. I'm going to have to be vigilant and work closely with my team in this regards. Be well! I know, I am sorry if I sounded flippant. I am currently on about 45 carbs a day. Next week for my final two weeks pre op I drop down to about 24. (Three shakes a day) The less carbs I eat, the less I sleep. I dont feel tired, this is a very big change for me. I think post op, just working with your body to see how low you can go without suffering adverse reactions. I know at regular carbs 150+ I sleep 9+ hours, at 80 about 6-7 and at 45 its 5 or 6. I worry that at the 24 carb level I wont sleep at all!