Clementine Sky

My surgery was on August 18, and I've been able to comfortably wear size 12 jeans again for the past couple of weeks. The highest shelf of my closet is like a graveyard of jeans in smaller sizes from the past, and I'm hopeful to be able to get out the step-ladder and take some down in the near future.

I had the VSG with Dr. Garcia at CER on August 18, and my experience was really positive. I thought the staff was wonderful and caring, and the room was comfortable. I was checked on regularly. When I was there two construction projects were going on - one inside of the hospital, and one directly outside the window - so it was incredibly loud during the day. If you're a light sleeper or are bothered by noise, I'd bring some earplugs and perhaps some comfortable headphones. That was the only minor quibble that I have, and of course is not related to the staff at all. Be sure to bring GasX strips with you. I had minimal pain and discomfort but others on my floor were suffering. I gave one of my extra boxes to a lady, and she said it helped her a lot. I also used a heating pad. When you have the leak test you can request a copy of the X-ray for your files, but you'll need to pay the facility $19 (very reasonable). If you're wanting a copy, I'd just bring the cash with you. We also enjoyed our stay at the Marriott. It's a bit dated but everyone was very attentive and gracious, and made us comfortable. They also were great at providing us with transportation. I've lost 31 pounds in total, including the pre-op diet. I'm really pleased considering that my BMI is on the lower side. All my bruises are totally gone and the incisions have healed nicely. I've had some problems with my stomach getting upset from consuming too much liquid, such as protein shakes or water, but it hasn't been horrific. It's part of a learning curve for pacing myself and figuring out which foods work well for me and which ones don't. Good luck to everyone!

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 21 and prescribed Spironolactone. I thought it was a miracle pill for a long time because my skin was flawless, with invisible pores, no blemishes, and a lovely glow. I lost weight at first, too. Over time I began to experience detrimental effects from it, with weight gain being a major issue. It's a bit contradictory because it can make you lose weight at first, but over time can actually make you gain weight. I noticed a sharp increase in weight gain when I bumped up to 200mg. At first I thought it was due to age because I was hitting my late 20s, but it was so rapid. I began doing searches of it online and found that many other women had experienced weight gain and other unpleasant effects. I also read some alarming reviews of it (along with many happy ones) on MakeupAlley. If you go the site you can do a search of Spiro reviews with lowest ratings first. There are a few from women who've taken it long-term and have very negative reviews. I'm not advocating against taking it because it definitely helped me out at first with my complexion. I just am writing this as a word of warning and to encourage that anyone taking it be mindful about weight gain.

Wow, you look fantastic, @@MzB! I never would have guessed that you're wearing a hair piece. It looks completely natural. Is the topper itchy or uncomfortable? I haven't experienced any hair loss, but I am only five weeks out. It is definitely a concern for me. In 2012 I began using a John Frieda product called Go Blonder (a spray you apply to roots) because my naturally blonde hair had started to grow in darker, and I thought it would be less damaging than all-over color. Despite using the product exactly as instructed, it caused massive hair loss. All the hair I'd used the product on - which was primarily at the front of my head and the most visible areas - snapped off at the roots. I later read reviews on Makeup Alley from so many others who'd gone through the same distressing experience. It took two full years for the hair to grow back out. I'm writing about it here so that if anyone happens to read this they'll stay away from that product. If our hair is already fragile post-surgery, I think it could be really vulnerable to damage from that spray. I do take a quality Multivitamin, Calcium, and Vitamin D every day, but I don't take Biotin or other Vitamins specifically for hair loss because in the past when I've had them they've caused acne breakouts.

Dr. Garcia performed the sleeve on me on August 18 of this year, and my overall experience with him and his team was very positive. I only interacted with him a few times, but he was caring and kind. The staff at CER were very attentive and I felt taken care of the entire time. I was actually surprised that I wasn't in more pain and discomfort. On the first day I felt nauseous for several hours, but then it passed. I was actually told by one of the doctors that I was walking too fast on my laps and to slow things down. Some of the other people who had the surgery at the same time had a rougher road. Everyone seemed to be in relatively good spirits by the time we all went for the leak test, though. My only quibble (which is not their fault) is that the hospital was under construction at the time and there was also another construction project going on right outside my window, so the noise was astoundingly loud during the day. It all ended around 5, so at night it was peaceful. By now the work could be complete, but if you decide to go there and are sensitive to noise I recommend bringing ear plugs. I also had a travel-friendly white noise machine called a Marpac that I'd brought with me, and it helped. I travel frequently and use it at hotels so I can sleep through traffic and such. I initially was going through Ready4aChange, but ended up switching to Tijuana Bariatrics after reading some concerning reviews. From what I understand, Dr. Garcia actually owns TB. You can find help blog posts that he's written on their site. I made the $500 deposit via a Wells Fargo deposit into their account rather than putting it on my charge card. I took a picture of the receipt and it emailed it to them, which was good because the WB clerk failed to include my name on the transfer. I paid the balance in a cashier's check in Tijuana after I'd been checked into the hospital. The total, including my two nights at the Marriott and ground transportation, was $4250. There had been a problem with TB not making my room reservation at the Marriott correctly, but it all got straightened out quickly. Their onsite coordinator, Attalia, isn't the warmest, but she was definitely competent and wasn't at all unpleasant. My parents came with me and had a surprisingly good time. They chilled out in my room at CER and watched movies (I brought an inexpensive HDMI cord to connect my laptop to the TV) during the day, and then went back to the hotel at night. There is a futon chair for family or friends to sleep in if they want to stay in the room with the patient, but it was more comfortable for them to stay at the Marriott. The Marriott could use a bit of updating with their decor, but their rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff was excellent. They provided transportation for my parents to and from the hotel to the hospital every day. They also took them to a nearby shopping center that has an Applebees, Walmart, and other stores. The only time we ever took a taxi was to do some touristy things. The staff were very friendly and eager to help. They also drove us to the border station parking lot (we drove because we live in SoCal) and back, and we cleared Customs very quickly with the medical lane pass. I've lost 20 pounds in the month since the surgery, and am really pleased. I have a "lower" BMI, PCOS and hypothyroidism, so this was actually more than I expected. The only time I've been ill was during my TOM. Cramps were so much more intense than normal that it alarmed me at first, but then slowly abated. Beyond that and difficulty getting enough water in, I haven't had any issues. I am pleased with the decision to have the surgery with Dr. Garcia. The same procedure in LA was going to cost me a minimum of $29,000 and my insurance wasn't going to cover any of it due to my BMI being below their minimum requirement.

When you tell your spouse you're not feeling well you typically hope they'll say something sympathetic or supportive first rather than being accusatory. I think he could have been a bit kinder with his response. He might be right that the burger was too much for you, but still he could have relayed that information in a more sensitive way. To me the fact that he did read through your paperwork to familiarize himself with your dietary recommendations shows that he has a commitment to wanting you to be successful. That's really what matters more in the long run. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well at the wedding, and hope you recovered quickly. Carrying Gas X strips in your purse might be helpful. They're so small they really don't take up much space. On a personal note - I'm one month out (sleeved on August 18) and just began eating softer foods than aren't liquid or pureed. I had a Trader Joe's meatless Breakfast patty with about half a tablespoon of diced tomatoes and half a slice of low fat gouda for brunch on Saturday and became really ill afterwards. I didn't gobble it down, but I think I ate it too quickly, and that it was too rich. I'm still not certain if it was the food, or if it was due to my TOM which began that day, or something yucky I picked up but I had to take three sick days because of the severe stomach cramping and nausea. I couldn't leave the house and felt completely miserable. It's the only time I've been at all ill since the surgery. I'm definitely going to be mindful about how much and how fast I eat from here on out.

My surgery was on August 18, and I've lost 15 pounds since then. The total loss including pre-op is 22 pounds. It would be wonderful if the weight just flew off, but I'm pleased that it's going down slow and steady. My clothes are definitely looser, so that's encouraging. I'm glad I read this thread. It seems like we're losing at our own pace. How many grams of fat a day are you all consuming on average? I started to have a bit more healthy fats this week (avocado, Peanut Butter - in small amounts) with the hope that it could help with some dry skin Patches. I don't know if that's wise or not.

I'm also at week three and struggling a bit to get in enough Protein. Isopure makes bottled fruit flavored drinks with 40 grams of protein in them, though I've lost my love for sweeter tastes since having the surgery. They're around $4 at The Vitamin Shoppe. I don't know if you might tolerate them better than the shakes. This list of high protein foods might be helpful to you: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ultimate-list-40-high-protein-foods.html Beans and lentils are a good source of protein. I'm a vegetarian, so I don't eat meat but of course those who do have many options. I've heard that if you put meat (or soy meat) into a crock pot with broth to soften it it will be gentler on your stomach, but I haven't tried that yet myself.

My surgeon was Dr. Fernando Garcia Govea, and the total cost was $4250 with $500 paid as a deposit in advance and the balance paid with a cashier's check after I checked into the hospital. I'd debated having the single incision surgery which would have added another $1000, but decided against it because I felt like there weren't significant advantages. Scars tend to fade to nearly invisible on me with time. I only spoke with him a couple a times, but he was lovely. I felt very taken care of by the attentive staff. On the day of surgery I was nauseous and vomiting. I really felt surprisingly minimal pain or discomfort the next day. I was actually told that I was walking too fast in my laps. My room was clean, spacious, and nice. I brought an inexpensive HDMI cable to hook up my laptop to the TV to watch movies. I slept through most of them, but my parents who were with me enjoyed them. The only negative about CER was that it's under construction and there's also construction going on right next door. It can be very loud during the day; I'm surprised I slept so much despite that, but I did have earplugs and travel size sound machine I'd brought with me (because of never been able to sleep in hospitals in the past due to typical noises) which helped. The Marriott was pleasant and attentive, and the staff took very good care of me and my parents who stayed there every night while I was in the hospital. They provided transpiration to the hospital and back every day for them, and also took them to nearby shopping center. They also picked us up in San Diego, and returned us there at the end of the stay. Having the medical lane pass cut down on the time to get across the border significantly. It's not an opulent hotel, but it's clean and comfortable, and our rooms were very peaceful and quiet. On the 10th floor there's an executive lounge that serves Breakfast in the morning and hors d'oeuvres in the evening that included simple sandwiches, pastries, and such. My parents ended up having most of their meals there for the sake of simplicity, so that cut down on overall costs. They had lunch a couple of times at the small cafe at CER. My hotel stay was included in the total package, but since my parents had their own room the whole time they of course had to pay that themselves. The rate through Tijuana Bariatrics was $95 I believe. It would have been more expensive if they'd booked it on their own. Soccer players were staying at the hotel for a match that weekend, so the rates had gone up due to supply and demand. On the last day we were there a CNN Sports reporter and his crew were interviewing the soccer players in the lobby while we were waiting for the van to take us back across the border. Little kids staying there were excited, so it was cute to see. I had the surgery on August 18, and have lost 11 pounds since then. This is more than expected since my BMI was "only" 30. My bruises are all gone and I'm healing well. I'm pleased overall with the experiences and the results thus far.

I'm having the VSG on August 18.

UPDATE: Never mind! The passports arrived this morning, so we're all set! What a relief. My parents are sweetly accompanying me for my surgery in Tijuana next week and are concerned their new passports will not arrive in time. They applied to have their passports expedited and were assured they would receive them by August 13, but found out yesterday that there is a backlog of passports being processed so it's no longer certain that they will come before we need to leave for Mexico. They don't even have their expired passports because those had to be submitted with the application for the renewed ones. I've been assured by my coordinator that they'd be fine with just their birth certificate and drivers license, but others have said that it's still a risk. They might have a neighbor check their mail after we've left and then take a photo of their new passports to send to them (if they arrive while we're there) so at least the passport number would be visible and could be verified at Customs. I don't know if that would be sufficient. Does anyone have any recent experiences crossing the border back into the United States without a passport? I've read some older threads on here where people have explained that they encountered little difficulty reentering with just their driver's license, but not any ones from this summer.

The teenage girl could have a health problem that wasn't disclosed to the OP's friend, or issues such as PCOS might be prevalent in her family and a concern for her and her mom. We cannot really evaluate the situation as it's described because there are too many unknown variables. Sixteen is definitely young for having the surgery, but she might be mentally equipped to handle it already. Is it normal for patients at CER to be in a double room?

My parents' passports arrived this morning!!!!! Whew. Hallelujah.

The OP pricked me with worry and self-doubt but motivated me to once again lay out and examine all the reasons for why I've decided to have the VSG next week. My BMI is "only" 31; I'm in my early 30s; and though I'd been researching the surgery for months I only decided to go to Mexico to have it 18 days before my scheduled surgery date. So she hit close to home for me on several points. My reproductive gynecologist was actually the one who first suggested the VSG to me back in April because she had other patients in my age range and size with PCOS who'd benefitted from it both in terms of problems abating and fertility being increased. She'd referred me a few local surgeons who will do the surgery on patients with BMIs under 35, but since I'm in Los Angeles the prices were staggeringly high. The least expensive surgeon I consulted with was $29,000. My insurance will not cover a cent of it. That's why I ultimately decided to go to Tijuana after obsessively reading through this forum and others for weeks, verifying credentials for the surgeons I short-listed, and reading books I downloaded from Amazon about the surgery. I already lined up a support group. I acted quickly simply because of my work schedule. It's either do it now or wait an entire year. I'm writing this to explain why I think it is possible to make a comprehensive, informed decision relatively quickly, though it's more stressful. I wanted to share this research in case anyone else here is also struggling with PCOS and considering VSG: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3334389/ Here is an excerpt of the conclusion: "Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool that should not be overlooked simply because a woman is young or presents with PCOS and MS rather than diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and severe chronic hypertension. Although surgery has both short and long term risks, the potential benefits may be greater in these PCOS women than in older women who are already more advanced with respect to vascular disease. Every woman with PCOS and MS deserves to at least be offered education and counseling regarding the role of bariatric surgery in reducing their illness. More importantly, young women undergoing bariatric surgery should be specifically included in research to improve knowledge of long term outcomes. Bariatric surgery should be considered along with other medical and lifestyle alterations as first line therapy in PCOS women with obesity and MS." Go to:

Edit - they have their passports now. I don't want to take up space on here with a problem that I'm happy has now been resolved, so I'm editing out this post.

I'm also researching the single incision surgery and am hopeful someone more knowledgeable about it could answer a few questions. Does anyone know if it significantly improves the recovery process? Is the main reason for having it to avoid scars and to quicken recovery? Are there any additional risks to it? And good luck to Lucky Star! I hope your surgery goes well.