MissKay

Thanks to my genetics I've always had a bigger butt, and I went up to a 46DD at my heaviest. I have gone down to a 38D, and my butt has shrank, but it's been rather proportionate and I've kept my curves, thank god for that.

I started mine, originally only doing 2500mg a day, 3 months pre-op, and then bumped it to 5000mg post-op. This seemed to help as I didn't start experiencing some hair loss until 6 months post-op. Now, I don't take any oral Vitamins (we don't actually absorb as much orally). I use the PatchMD vitamins, you absorb so much more of them and they just added a Biotin patch that's 7500mg. It's been great.

I had SEVERAL panic and anxiety attacks the 2 weeks pre-op leading up to my surgery. I went to Mexico and so it didn't help that I lost my passport and had to make a day trip to Seattle to get it same-day, and then back to make it back to work the next day. Given that I was on my all liquids pre-op diet, it was hell. The entire 4 hour drive there I was second-guessing my choice. I was anxious specifically about the anesthesia because I never had even spent the night in a hospital, let alone been on anesthesia. My mom had a really bad reaction to it when I was 7 or 8 years old, so that only added to it. A few times I nearly broke down and just called it off (having already paid a deposit kept my head on straight). What helped me, and I'm not sure if the docs in the US will do it, but I was given something for anxiety about an hour or two before surgery. Then when I got on the table, they put an oxygen mask over my face (and told me it was just oxygen) and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery post-op room. So yeah, I didn't even realize I was passing out.

Dr. Illan is great! @Bill Yanez can help you get the questionnaire and even set up a Skype consultation (or phone) with Dr. Illan to figure out what's best for you. So far many don't have issues with PCP follow up with blood work, routine tests, etc. If something goes wonky (not typical, but also not guaranteed) down the road, then that might be where your insurance may get touchy. I know with mine they'd cover it because my coverage covers anything besides the actual surgery itself, go figure. As for while you're in Mexico, the price only covers you for the tests, post-op prescriptions, and surgery itself (plus the hospital/hotel stay). If there are any complications you'd have to pay those costs. My suggestion is to get a travel health insurance coverage. I did that just to be safe. Paid $20 for 2 weeks of coverage. Once I was stateside, I wasn't worried. I talked to my PCP prior to surgery about getting it done in Mexico and she was supportive (she'd had 2 other patients who'd done it as well).

I'm just now seeing this thread myself, but please talk to your surgeon weeks before about the use of phentermine. It is essentially a prescribed and legal amphetamine, and that plus anesthesia do NOT mix. I hate harping on this, but the pre-op diet isn't just for shrinking of the liver, but also to test your ability to fight through the hunger and remain dedicated. You will not have a good time no matter what. But you will not be able to take phentermine post-op, and you WILL likely feel some hunger after as well and will not be able to eat (if you get surgery done in Mexico you will likely be on a 2 week liquids post-op as well). There's this common misconception that post-op you won't feel hunger ever again or months out of surgery, this is not always the case. I felt it for the first 6-8 weeks post-op until I started on solid foods and it took a while for my body to adjust to the smaller amounts of food and being 'satisfied'. Phentermine is pretty bad for you anyways. I was on it for 4 months at one point and was ultimately glad that my doctor took me off from it after, even though I gained the weight back that I'd lost on it. I'd recommend looking into more natural appetite suppressants (there are some).

Chances are your US insurance will NOT pay the bill. I had this concern, and while most don't have this happen, I wanted to be safe rather than sorry. I bought travel health insurance that would cover it in case something happened. For 2 weeks coverage I only paid $20. While it was technically a 'waste' because I didn't need it, I was okay shelling out $20 for peace of mind just in case something did happen.

Oh gosh, you've had a rough and tumble path, but it's great to see you still kicking and not giving up! I can relate on a much smaller level, I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2011, and that sort of killed me because it directly impacts whether I could ever carry a child or not. Fast forward to 8 months ago when I got sleeved after trying 5-6 years on my own of losing the weight (I didn't balloon up until 2009-2010). I have a friend who was sleeved with PCOS about 8 years ago, back before it was actually a big thing. She went to Spain to have it done because the doctors here just weren't that knowledgeable at the time. She's had 2 kids in the last 3 years and she's 43 years old. She gain some weight, but has dropped it back off once her hormones leveled back out. So it's possible as long as you remain smart during the pregnancy and then maybe start back at post-op phase 1 after just to get things back to how it was after. A lot of women overeat during pregnancy because of the "I'm eating for two" belief, but many doctors have stated that it's not necessary and causes unnecessary weight gain. So as long as you're aware and sticking to healthy foods and to good portions, I don't see it being too big of an impact. I also took this journey with the hopes of suppressing my symptoms and giving me a better chance of getting pregnant. The good news is that my cycle is getting back to normal, and that's a sign that my body is agreeing with all the changes!

Zicam!! It works wonders.

You're in the board that's dedicated to it. I know we have a few floating around as they used the same surgeon as myself. I'm not too far from the Canadian border myself, so hello semi-neighbor!

I've been using them for the last 6.5 months, they're great! My blood work has all come back normal. I've had no irritation and I have sensitive skin. My suggestion would be to buy one pack of one vitamin first to test it out and see how you do, but I haven't heard of anyone with any issue with them.

No one said it happened during surgery, I in fact stated that of course there's some risk. But the treatment of the patient after surgery with no help, no one following up with them and what the family reported is horrifying. If you deny that, then you're just simply in denial. Alex has no reason to lie, and I don't see that it's possible you've watched every single one of his surgeries so I doubt you've seen whether or not he's performed perfectly on every single one. Let alone the treatment of the patients once they're post-op in the hospital and under his team's care. I agree it'd be nice to see and read the other stories for information purposes, but Alex also doesn't have a reason to lie. It's preposterous of you to jump right to that.

Mine growled, gurgled, and made a crap ton of noise for the first few weeks after surgery. I think this is a big part of it becoming accustomed to the staple line, the less room, the healing process, etc. After a few weeks, it subsided, and it's mostly quiet now unless I eat something that it doesn't like (jalapenos) or I go too long without eating.

That's a good way to do it, especially if it helps you! I mean, yeah I have a small piece of something and of course I want more of it. Those foods are designed to hook you in. It's a test of your willpower and strength to say no and turn to the healthy foods and keep them as limited in moderation. You can do it!

I highly recommend the PatchMD patch Vitamins. As for specific ones, I'd check with your nutritionist as everyone's seems to vary.

I've been partial to the newer Sketchers that have the memory foam inside sole, or the yoga mat inside. They're super comfortable and great for work outs. I have 3 pairs of them. All different. These are my favorite ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013P096I8

No they won't stall your weightloss! They're actually recommended to use if you're wanting something with flavor because they are sugar free, cal free and carb free. So you're good. Being only 10 days post-op, your weightloss may not be fast, contrary to popular belief. Your body just endured a surgery and your body is still healing from that. Some people don't see a drop in weight for 3-4 weeks as their swelling (internally) goes down. Just trust in the process, keep pushing those fluids, and you'll get there!

I'm a believer that we are allowed to have something "bad" every now and then so long as mentally we are aware of what we're putting in our mouth, and that it can't happen all the time. I had a small slice of cheesecake last night because we were celebrating a birthday. I had to have mine 3 hours after dinner, but I got to have a few bites of it and it was great. I've had some organic baked potato chips a couple of times. I've eaten popcorn at the movie theater twice. Those are about the extent of "bad things" I've had. This surgery is not (though many seem to believe it is) meant to eradicate every unhealthy piece of food from your life for the rest of your life. That's really setting yourself up to fail because it is natural to want something "bad". What this surgery is for is to push us to eat healthy things first and have the bad things fewer and less of. That's what I stick to. I'm lucky enough that I can have these "bad" things every so often and stick to my healthy eating the rest of the time. In the beginning the first time I broke away from my diet (3 months post-op I had some cheesecake when we went out of town) I beat myself up for it so badly that I was so angry with myself. Then a friend of mine who was the opposite of me, she suffered from bulimia, scolded me for it because for 3 months I stuck to it and I went right back to it after that small piece. I didn't make it a habit, I didn't let it lead me to other things constantly. Her advice was to allow myself those things as a treat every once in a while to keep myself mentally steady. For me it's worked. I know not everyone has the willpower, and it can be a slippery slope if you let it. Be aware. If you're grazing, graze on healthy things like veggies. Save the "bad" things for the once in a while "treats", but only if you are confident that you can stay on track doing so. Having things once in a while doesn't make you a failure.

Those are great options! At -100 for me I got a tattoo. Nothing extravagant, but it was a nice reward for me. Something I now see and helps me push through when things are getting rough or I'm going through a stall.

Head hunger can also be when your stomach is full but you still "feel" hungry. Losing the feeling of hunger after this surgery is BS. For the guest 6-8 weeks I felt hungry 30-60 minutes after I'd eat something. I just pushed liquids after I could. I know it sucks, but it will pass. Even now I'll feel hungry at times, but nowhere near as bad.

@@CanucKnucklehead I had surgery Monday and flew home on Friday. I know a couple people flew home a day sooner after the doctor cleared them to be able to, but I was glad to have the time near the surgeon.

I opted self pay in Mexico due to my insurance making me jump through hoops. I didn't have a co-morbidity that was required, other than possible sleep apnea, but it was undiagnosed. It took a month and a half just to get an appointment with them for the sleep study, and then they had to reschedule and it was another month long wait. I got fed up and started researching Mexico. I'd already tried many different 'natural' options for the 5-6 years prior and was sick and tired of playing the waiting game. I went with Dr. Illan, paid $4400, and couldn't be happier with my decision than I am.

That's a GREAT first NSV! Mine was fitting comfortably into the seats at a concert with my niece 2 months post-op. Before, there's no way in hell I would've been able to without dying and being uncomfortable. But thanks to just those 2 months, I was able to comfortably and we had a great time. It's the NSV's like that that mean more I believe.

Congrats! You pushed through the hardship and made it to the other side. That's only 2 months to go, you'll do great!

Yes, definitely give your surgeon's office a call! It's better safe than sorry.