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Everything posted by Suzamundo
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About me (11months post op)----with photos
Suzamundo replied to jenjo11072013's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
You look great but I totally understand. I was a size 4-6 most of my life until I lost control and gained 100 pounds in 5 years. Now, although I've been sleeved and am going back down, no double digit sizes will ever make me happy, that's for sure. So I get it. I wouldn't give up, though. I'd go low carb, high intensity training - weight training, too. Do you run? Running is what kept me a size 4 late into my 40s. I'm too heavy to run now - but will as soon as I'm able. There are tons of 5k training apps to get you started.:-) -
Lap band vs gastric sleeve
Suzamundo replied to hollisrn76's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Most restauants would have no problem with that but may charge you a small "split plate" charge. Usually around $3. I just usually order something small like an appetizer so I can "participate." It's not just the food you go to a restaurant for - it's the experience. Like going to a movie. Your husband sounds like a nice guy. Mine would be highly annoyed if I was picking off his plate all the time.:-) -
How long did it take to return to work?
Suzamundo replied to vsgcrystalg's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had surgery Monday afternoon and was back to work Friday feeling fine. I don't have a super physical job, but I walked around all day with no problem. I carry a kit of 100 calorie protein shakes and zero water around with me all day.:-) -
TJ has Americans shopping more and they don't stand out as much. An American wandering around Juarez would most likely draw attention unless they looked Hispanic. With the level of random violence in that city being what it is, I personally wouldn't put my fair freckled skin in that situation. If one does have a problem, police in Juarez are not necessarily your friends and may contribute to the problem. My hospital there was fabulous but I felt it prudent to stay in it and not wander. Maybe I'm a chicken.:-) I was also glad that I took next to nothing with me. Literally - a few tee shirts in a cheap handbag. My peers had to dump every embarrassing item they'd packed out on a table in front of everyone we were traveling with and half of Mexico so that the Customs guys and their dogs could go through it. So- hint - everything is very public coming back into US.:-)
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I did worse than TJ and went to Juarez- by myself. :-). I figured the bad guys were probably not sitting at the airport waiting for fat ladies to get off the plane so they could steal their protein shakes.:-). The car picks you up and takes you straight to the hospital. Personally, and I am very well traveled, I would skip recreational sightseeing outside of distinct tourist areas and just stick around your hospital. I never left the hospital until I returned to the airport. I also took absolutely no valuables whatsoever and dressed down. Not the trip for Louis Vuitton luggage and diamond rings. Leave that stuff at home.
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If you went to mexico for your gastric sleeve surgery, who was your doctor and how much did it cost?
Suzamundo replied to BackToBeautiful's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I had the "regular incisions" and not the "single incision" but they don't even do stitches on your skin. They literally "glue" you.:-). It's great! I'm 2 months out and you'd really have to look hard to see any evidence of a scar. If you can't or don't get single incision, don't worry. You won't be maimed.:-) -
Hi from Tampa! How are you doing?
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August Sleevers Check In
Suzamundo replied to Sweet Pea STL Sleever's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@@DownPat - sorry. Can't figure out how to post right on this thing. Anyway. I had major serious horrible painful hideous constipation until the day I started adding one scoop of clear flavorless Miralax to my coffee in the morning. Now? Never ever even close to constipated. Very safe and Dr's recommend frequently. No need to live with that problem.:-) -
August Sleevers Check In
Suzamundo replied to Sweet Pea STL Sleever's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
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Did You Freak Out About Surgery on the Day Of?
Suzamundo replied to mnmlst's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ha ha ha! I went to Juarez by myself and there were so many patients rolling around and so many hospital staff working with me - that in the holding room I suddenly became afraid that they would mix me up with somebody else and do the wrong surgery or something. Must've been the drugs they gave me talking when I loudly blurted out to the entire room of staff and patients, "Hey! Everybody here knows I'm having a sleeve, right?" They all looked at me like I had three heads. I maintained that last minute anxiety until they wheeled me under the lights. I remember thinking, "Wow. Those are bright............." And I was out. Woke up what seemed 5 minutes later (was about 90) to the nurse getting me up to walk. :-) -
How much was you self-pay ?
Suzamundo replied to NiecyBelle12's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I did use BeLiteWeight. The only problem I had was the car I was expecting to pick me up didn't and an unexpected cab driver came to get me. That's a little disconcerting in Juarez - getting into a strange car - but I think it was a fluke and everything else was smooth. They are easy to reach if you have any problems. Oh - and like our hospitals - you sign about 1000 pages on arrival. It was kinda funny as for every 5 pages of contract - they'd give me one sentence in English as translation.:-). Eh. WTH. I can't understand legalese in English, either so I'd have been no better off really with an English contract.:-) And take your phone charger. They have 2 really bad TV channels in English and that's it. You'll get bored. I spent a lot of time Facebooking.:-) I was fully back at work the Friday after Monday's surgery and no one was the wiser that i'd had anything done. -
How much was you self-pay ?
Suzamundo replied to NiecyBelle12's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
Mrs.Slim - yup. Dr Rod over sewed the staples. He has over 10k surgeries under his belt and I can't imagine finding someone better than him. As good, maybe, but not better. There are actually a team of 3 surgeons that do the surgery together. Plus the anesthesiologist. All are super nice and fluent in English. I arrived Monday at 11am in El Paso and had surgery in Juarez by 3pm. (The cab driver was sent to pick me up in El Paso, drove me to the hospital and walked me right to the front desk of the hospital.) They move so fast that you don't have too much time to lay around and freak out.:-). I stayed in the hospital until Thursday although I felt well enough to come home Wednesday. All 3 Dr's visited me in my room every day. The nurses were in and out all the time checking. The nurses don't speak English well at all but are nice. Just have a little translator for things you might need - like a blanket, water, medication. You don't need to take much of anything. They put you in a gown when you arrive and you live in it till you leave.:-). No need for makeup and hair stuff. No one cares how you look up there on the bariatric surgery floor and it's just more stuff for customs guys to riffle through on your way back. I have had a pain free and super easy recovery and would recommend this team to anybody. (I don't recommend leaving the hospital to sightsee in Juarez unless you are Hispanic and look like a native. I would do nothing to make yourself stand out there. Also - I took absolutely no valuables or jewelry whatsoever and I dressed way "down" in sweatpants and T shirts. Only took my iPhone.) -
Feeling so discouraged
Suzamundo replied to tkwyant's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had gastric sleeve 8/11/2014 at 5'8" and 221 pounds. I am 51. I've lost 35 pounds in two months. I had diareah once and that was the day after surgery. I've thrown up once - the day I restarted solid food and accidentally ate too much. The only thing I wish about this surgery is that I'd had it way sooner. Please do yourself a favor and go see a WLS that knows what he's talking about. Your heart guy is way out of touch. All of my doctors were very supportive of my decision. ALL of them! And I didn't have any life threatening conditions like you do. -
I could be totally wrong and if so please correct me - but I don't think it's scientifically possible to build muscle while running a significant calorie deficit. Body builders cycle. They eat a lot of calories during muscle building mode - and diet off the fat pre contest. They don't do both at once - because it's not possible. I will thank any person that proves me wrong because I'd love to build muscle while losing fat!!
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How much was you self-pay ?
Suzamundo replied to NiecyBelle12's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I went to Dr Rodriguez in Juarez via Beliteweight. $6800. Excellent and experienced team of surgeons in nice hospital. No hotels. $6800 -
11 months before and in progress
Suzamundo replied to Brandigirl's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I love the Zombies, Run! app.:-). I can only walk to it so far - but it's so much fun it keep me walking at least an hour a day.:-) -
13 yr old getting sleeve. Need recommendations in Mexico
Suzamundo replied to slcmommy5's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
Also - there are several videos on YouTube for Dr. Rodriguez performing surgery. I liked his entire team. I was 221 on the date of surgery 8/11/14 and have lost 25 pounds and feel 100% better. My anxiety over my weight is gone as I know with certainty that my struggle is over and I'll be back to the old me by this time next year. I was a slim teenager and it was hard anyway! I can't imagine the pain of being an overweight teenage female out there today. Ugh. -
13 yr old getting sleeve. Need recommendations in Mexico
Suzamundo replied to slcmommy5's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I am an educated professional woman. I had lost control of my weight over the past several years. As a self pay, after extensive research, I chose Dr. Rodriguez and his team of surgeons and had my surgery at the hospital next to the American Consulate in Juarez. Dr. Rod I think lost count at 10,000 bariatric surgeries and travels worldwide to teach surgeons his techniques. Many Surgeons in Mexico were educated in the states and globally in schools such as Stanford and work in new state of the art hospitals. I have a son - and I would take him there if I were in your place. Beliteweight.com. Message me if you'd like more info. Best of luck to you. -
I have been waiting months to say this to you people!
Suzamundo replied to *Lexie*'s topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ha ha ha! Good luck! You'll soon be FIERCE! -
Tijuana surgeons? All seem great, please help!
Suzamundo replied to Ingrid007's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had Jose Rodriguez. He's in Juarez and TJ. Very nice and professional - as was entire team. I was sleeved 8/11/14. -
Calling all the Aug 11th sleevers
Suzamundo replied to ayscott74's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am checking every day. I had a bariatric dr tell me once that successful weight losers do that so they see upward trends immediately and respond. So I do.:-) Only down 10 lbs since surgery the 11th. Had hoped for more but I wasn't losing 5 pounds a week EVER before - so I'll take it. I've lost only 17 pounds with pre diet included but still feel much better. I look the same - except my ankles look thinner.:-) Overate today. Beans. Trying to eat watery mushy stuff like I'm supposed to. Went down so easy - I ate too much. Definitely makes you feel pukey. I'm a bit concerned because, although on Prilosec to control acid - I feel hungry a LOT and feel no fullness after I eat. I'm worried that I don't have the restriction I will need. Obviously I need it or I wouldn't have put myself through this, right? -
I used nothing I took other than my toothbrush, my iPhone and a change of clothes to come home in.:-)
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August Sleevers Check In
Suzamundo replied to Sweet Pea STL Sleever's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
18 pounds in 6 days? I can only imagine how exciting that must be!!!!!!!! -
I am 8 days out and have not even come close to throwing up one time! Woot! And very minimal discomfort for me. Off pain meds completely after 3 days. You can DO IT! :-)
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AUGUST 2014 SLEEVERS GROUP
Suzamundo replied to orlando's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It seems that every bariatric Dr. has their own variation of a post op diet. Some are definitely more lenient than others. I must be blessed because I have had the easiest and most pain free experience. Only one day of moderate discomfort after surgery - and by the second day I was walking laps around the nurses station. By day 3, I could have easily gone back to work. By day 4, I did go back to work and no one can tell I've had anything done. I have literally barely a bruise. The rash I got from latex bandages is way worse than any bruises I have. I'm down 6 pounds in 6 days and my energy level is super high. I feel WAY better than before surgery. I should probably add this: i see a lot of different variations of even a clear liquid diet out there. My Dr's told me to keep the carbs down. So no fruit juices or sugar anything for me. I am in moderate ketosis at all times. This MAY (I am not a Dr) account for varying degrees of weight loss. If one chose to drink apple juice all day, they could certainly consume a LOT of calories and sugar. I have gone the clear Protein drink direction. My only regret is not doing this years ago!