CarmellaX

What negative spin? It's her own content regarding her vsg experience. I don't have anything to gain from referencing her videos anyway. I'm not on anyone's payroll. If the leak was not a result of her surgery... then why doesn't her channel reflect that? Not sure what else could be to blame for her gastric leak one week post op besides her vsg surgery. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Besides.. people can watch her videos and make their own decision. The videos are public for a reason.

Look up YouTuber by the name of "Half tha Ash". She recently had surgery with Dr. Altamirano Cano and developed a leak about one week post op. She documented the experience and it was very scary to watch.

There are many places in the US like Baltimore, Chicago and Detroit that are statistically way more dangerous than Tijuana. I went alone in July and was fine. You are never left alone to "wander around in the streets". A driver takes you to your destination and when I went out with my group for a bite to eat and some shopping we were with our valet in a busy shopping area where there were a lot of tourists doing the same. You'll be fine. I honestly find some of these travel warnings put out by the state dept ridiculous. BTW... I traveled again to Mexico about a week ago for vacation and was perfectly fine... because I used common sense and stayed at my resort and didn't venture out to unknown areas.

I'm on full liquids to puree. I'm following my surgeons post op diet instructions to the letter so I won't be on full unrestricted solids until week 9. I'm back working but it's a desk job in my office. I feel good and have no pain. I do get tired easily and sometimes get a foggy brain. It's all normal due to the caloric restrictions. My digestion is good as long as I stick to my diet. Spicy foods are a big no no and I have not dared to challenge my sleeve by eating something I'm not supposed to or eating to much. Right now I can eat about a tablespoon of purée foods in a sitting. Fluids are going down pretty well. About 4 ozs every 20-30 minutes. I'm down 22 pounds. 🎉

I was sleeved with a BMI of 32.5. The 70 pounds I slowly gained in the last 15 years was really taking a toll on my quality of life and was affecting me in many aspects. I used to be a muscular 130 pounds and Had ballooned to 202. The yoyo dieting was taking its toll on my metabolism and I was slowing slipping into a depression where I didn't want to leave the house or interact with people. It was even affecting my marriage because I felt physically and emotionally horrible. Based on my history I knew I was on the road to morbid obesity and I made the decision that enough was enough and I was going to get help. Don't let anyone tell you that this is a tool reserved only for the morbidly obese. I was sleeved on 7/6/17 and I'm feeling great and estactic with my progress. Life is so damn short... follow your gut. 20 years from now you'll regret the things that you DIDN'T do rather than the things you did.

Not sure what your security level you have but I have a Top Secret clearance as a contractor and all that you describe seems a bit much for travel to a country that is not considered a heightened risk security concern. All that was required for me was to provide country, dates and reason for travel. I had no issues at all.

I'm doing it! 😆 How have you been doing with the liquid diet? I'm only 2 days in and my mouth tastes like poop. Ugh. ☹️

Moving on to clear liquids tomorrow! 🙈🙈😩😥😭 Today was tough... so much yummy goodness with the family cook out we had. 🍔🌭🍻🍖🍺🍗🥓🥖🧀🍪 Dr. Illan would be proud. Didn't cave to temptation... not even a taste! 💪🏽

Ha! I can totally relate... my surgery is this Thursday and I've been obsessing over the compression socks provided by the hospital... will they have the toes cut out in order for me to use my flip flops in the hospital?? Also been obsessing over how I'm going to get my compression socks on during the plane ride without disturbing the people sitting next to me... 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

😂... oh boy... I get super cranky when I'm hungry... Everybody probably should just stay the heck out of my way starting tomorrow! 👊🏽⚠️

Yep I'm also on the books for Dr. Illan on July 6th 🎉🎉. Haven't found anyone else having surgery on the same day as us @dolechild23. Maybe it'll be just us. My preop diet starts tomorrow (Monday). I have to work Monday and Wednesday... not sure how productive I'm going to be considering all I'm going to be thinking about is my surgery... as well as being on liquids only. 😳

My surgery is on the 6th and that's the day I'm flying in ... I saw you mentioned July 4th... did you switch days?

Bill told me to book my departing flight for after 1pm. Keep in mind that was told to me after I selected a date so it might not be the same 7 days a week.

Sorry you have to deal with that. It comes from a place of love and concern but once you return and your mom sees you're ok you won't have to deal with that anymore. Only my husband knows and has to stay with our kids. I know I would be questioned by family/friends and I just really don't have the energy for it. So my lips are sealed....lol 🤐

So right now I have both Dr. Illan and Dr. Ortiz at OCC on my short list for vsg surgery. I wanted to see if anyone wanted to share their experiences on the post op diet instructions/support provided by each. What did the instructions look like? Was it clear... easy to follow?

Hello! Yes... flying in the day of. I'm having surgery witn Dr. Illan ☺️

Yay! I'm happy I won't have to ride alone. I'm sure the valets are wonderful but it helps to have some company to avoid that ackwardness of being alone in the vehicle. 🙈😆😁

Awesome! Do you know of anyone else having surgery that same day? You're the only person I've run into online that is scheduled for July 6th.

I don't know. From all the patients I've followed I anticipate being out of surgery by mid afternoon. I'm sure I won't have a more specific time until I get there. 🙂

I'm flying in July 6th and also will be traveling alone. I'm surprisingly really ok with that. I'm actually looking forward to some alone time from my busy life. Even have a couple of great books 📚 lined up to get lost in. With young kids quiet time doesn't exist in my life. 😁

dolechild... what time is your flight coming in. Mine is scheduled to arrive a little after 10am. Maybe we will ride together to the hospital? 😁

I'm flying in the same day as surgery. Staying 2 nights at the hospital and one additional night at the hotel. I think patients with a higher BMI and/or other health issues stay an additional night at the hotel with Dr. Illan. Of course I had the option to come in a day early... but the flight availabilities worked out beautifully with the driver pick up times. If there is an issue with flight delays I'm sure Bill the coordinator will have my back and help figure it out. I trust the bariatricpal team. 😊

Haha! Tell me about it.... I've been obsessed! I' m glad at least one other person is confirmed for that day... we shall walk the halls together post op. 👯😁