KatieMc

I was told that an itchy sensation was normal, and I've got the feeling with 2 out of my 3 incisions. It's not driving me crazy, but I do have to stop myself from scratching mindlessly.

The struggle is real! I didn't do a great job (but we're talking an ounce of cheese, not a slice of 3 of pizza), only lost 6 lbs...other people going through it at my surgery center reported under-10lb losses as well. Just keep doing your best, it will get you there [emoji4]

I'm in Mexico, so I get 2 nights in the clinic and one in a nearby hotel. I don't mind the extra 24 hours on IV goodies, lol. I fly home Friday night. I only have 3 incisions, which I'll photograph for the doc before taking out myself in a week or so. I've been doing great except for a bad headache from being off my antidepressants for 36 hours.

Also doing great, nicely IV medicated for pain, nausea and gas. Ate 2 cups of ice chips to earn a popsicle, lol. Delighted with the care I'm receiving. Still bloated from surgery, but I did pack my biggest clothes for this probability.

My clinic had me on painkillers immediately, so no pain except for a little from the incisions when I move, and a little gas pain that walking truly resolves. I have a really low pain threshold, so I was super-worried about this. We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Awake from surgery. Yeah, sore from gas pains and God knows what else. Went as expected.

I hope you didn't find anything legitimate, because I go under in about 3 hours. So far very happy with how smoothly things run and how helpful the staff is.

Here in Tijuana, surgery in about 3 hours...and unlike@amaynard, I don't get to drink until tomorrow! Just found that out yesterday. I'll be on a drip for hydration, but no drinking. I also went to a dentist here because the last two I saw at home tried to hard-sell me $5500 worth of work I didn't need. Going back on Friday for the work... at least it'll be easy to not eat afterwards, lol.

I hit the one week no-solids phase tomorrow. I didn't do that great the first week with my pre-op restrictions (real hunger kicked in Day 3), but my mother will be around this week and I refuse to sneaky-eat behind anyone's back. Tomorrow I see my therapist, so hopefully that will provide a boost as well. It's not easy imagining the day (so close!) when so little food will be satisfying or even too much.

Yes, I'm on Day 4 of the 2-week plan. Mine allows 4oz meat per day the first week, so that and popsicles are the only things I get to chew. I'm on my 11th sugar-free ice pop and it probably won't be my last of the day. I'm not calorie restricted, but I'm averaging 850 cals/day.

Yay, a match! I'm overnighting at the clinic on the 2nd and 3rd, so it's a pretty good match-up of dates

Great to hear that - I've got my surgery lined up there on July 2, can't wait! What kind of guidelines did they give for walking/exercise etc for the first two months? @Katieshmay: My insurance doesn't pay for bariatric surgery, but wherever you go should offer phone follow-up for a few months so you can ask if something is normal or needs a doctor. I would recommend staying in Tijuana or wherever you end up for longer than the minimum (usually 2-3 days) just in case a problem does arise. Your surgeon will take care of it as part of the package, versus going to a hospital or doctor in the US and needing a second mortgage to pay the bill.

Indeed it is...muddling through Day 2 of pre-op diet.

I'm getting sleeved in 15 days, and my biggest fear is...pain. I have a pathetically low threshhold. I'm having this done in Mexico and have been instructed to bring $50 for post-surgical meds...I think I'll earmark triple that amount. I wish I was kidding.

Pre-op diet starts in just a few days (VSG on July 2), I'm so nervous about hunger headaches because it'll be a constant struggle not to put an end to them with a stack of something carby.

First post, be gentle with me... I spent Saturday reading a ton of stuff in the forums here, and now I can't find something after 3 days of trying on and off... Someone kindly posted a pic of their doc-provided, very specific exercise guidelines for each of the post-op recovery weeks/periods. It was the most helpful plan I've seen in all my clicking around the internet. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, a re-post of that sheet or a link to the thread it's in would be much appreciated. Thanks!

My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, so I've decided to get it done in Mexico. That's not the "wrong" part though, believe it or not. I do feel there is value to the pre-op hoops you jump through to get approved and other preparatory and follow-up work that I'm worried I'm not even aware of. Like everyone else here, I want the best possible chance at success and I feel like I'm already behind the curve. Here's where I stand with my own attempts to get the right support network in place: DIETITIAN - Do I need one after surgery? I'm not currently seeing one, but I used the services of an RD for 2 years, 2006-2008, so I've got all the knowledge regarding portions, balance, nutrient density, etc. I tried to find one, both locally and remotely, but the bariatric specialist RDs are all affiliated with surgical centers and only deal with those patients. I will try again if I need one, I just don't know if I do. THERAPIST - I've tried therapy five times before and never got anywhere. I'm currently getting medication management by a psych nurse, who is on board and has changed my anti-depressant scripts to regular not extended release. Anyway, I'm utterly convinced that this surgery won't succeed without 'head work' and I'm giving it another shot. Unfortunately my first appointment isn't until 2 weeks before my surgery, but at least I'll have it in place for afterwards. He does bariatric psych evaluations for insurance companies, so I'm feeling positive about this choice. POST-OP SURGICAL SUPPORT - I get follow-up support via phone afterwards. My primary doc where I live is on board with ordering the vitamin level tests and such afterwards. This is, unfortunately, all I have figured out...I simply don't know what else I need. BOOKS - I've read Bariatric Mindset Success by Kristin Lloyd, but it didn't really resonate the way I hoped it would Feel free to recommend a book that takes you through all the steps, or a dietitian who does skype sessions, or even just write a bit about a valuable piece of the puzzle I'm either understimating or missing completely. Thank you.

@Orchids&Dragons - Thank you, I'll make some more calls until I succeed! @FluffySaysForkIt! - I know of a doctor about 30 miles from me who will see patients who had their surgery elsewhere, but I didn't think to look into hospitals. Thanks! @Zemi - Thanks for the extensive list. I've had my eye on a couple of those.

I'm scheduled for the sleeve on July 2. My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, so while I didn't have to jump through approval hoops, I get the bonus stress of having it done in Mexico. Actually the only real point of stress for me there is flying 5 hours home 3 days after surgery.

Thanks for asking this...I'm on a high dose of Effexor for depression, and it's a rough drug to miss even one dose of. I'm hoping against hope that I won't be suffer the post-op vomiting that seems fairly common.

I'm scheduled July 2 at Pompeii Surgical with Dr Quinones. Looks like we'll just miss each other, @Kamlam30 Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

Within a TOPS group (I've been a member and Weight Recorder at one for 2 years), there is also KOPS - Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly for those who've reached their goal. I'd say they are pretty awesome at helping with maintenance, great success rate in my group. They offer support in and out of meetings, the entire group is a resource for advice, they run games for dimes and quarters to keep things fun. The average age tends to be quite high, but think of that as a greater wealth of knowledge - they've been on every diet, they've considered WLS. They're more open-minded than you might think. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I just checked to see if there was anything on MeetUp - none in my area, but the site somehow knows that 4 are interested. Maybe you'll have better luck in your area? I just searched "Gastric" and "Bariatric" to see what popped up, in case you want to try it.