HappyHikerGal

Good luck! Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

All the best to you both! Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been really encouraged by your postings! I'm a little scared, but I know this will be excellent in the long run. I really don't have any concerns about the OCC. I start my strict pre-op diet next week!

I'm also getting my at OCC on November 18th.

You've got this! It will be so worth it.

I'm getting mine done in MX but don't have an answer to your question. If you haven't already, you might want to check out the I Left My Stomach In Mexico page on Facebook. It's a super active group, and I think I read something about the single incision on that group, so perhaps they know of a practice that does it. I think my clinic Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ariel Ortiz does the regular 4-5 laparoscopic incisions, but don't quote me. Good luck!

No problem! This is a very intimidating journey, especially to those of us self-paying in Mexico. I'm going to the Obesity Control Center and Dr. Ariel Ortiz. My surgery date is November 18th, but I will head to the clinic on the 17th. They provide transportation from San Diego airport and back again a few days after surgery. My husband will be coming down with me. I also used to live in San Diego and have a bunch of concerned friends who will be waiting to hear that everything went okay! Most people I tell are a bit leery of my decision to go to Mexico, until I give them my clinic's website and they see the same qualifications and accreditations for both the clinic and Dr. Ortiz as I would find in the US. I'm comfortable with this decision. Through my research I found many awesome doctors and clinics down there so I think TJ can be an excellent choice. I only came across one Dr. to steer clear of, and that is a Dr. Almanza who has botched many operations and spread infection. Having your brother give an endorsement must be a comfort to you. Maybe he can go down there with you! When is your surgery date?

I'm still pre-op, but just want to extend some love and light. Sometimes our feelings about this process have nothing to do with our appearance or number on the scale. Try and speak out and know that the depressed feelings will likely wash over you like a wave. Maybe get out into nature for a bit. But if you don't feel better after some time, reach out to a therapist or your primary care physician. Depression is common and easily treated with therapy or medication.

This is a fascinating TED talk that expands the understanding of circadian rhythms to eating and lifestyle and the effects on health and longevity. I enjoyed it and thought others might also. Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am still pre op but scheduled to have surgery in Mexico at a different clinic in November. Mexico was my best option since my insurance doesn't cover it. I've felt anxiety off and on, but when I return to the science of this surgery, I know it is the right choice for me. It sounds like you have an awesome cheerleader in your brother. You can't beat having a family member to mentor you. My understanding is that hair loss is temporary. People handle this in different ways, from different haircuts, extensions, or wigs until hair grows back. Some people don't notice much change. Taking vitamins and eating protein is important. Good luck on this healthy next chapter! Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm scheduled for the Obesity Control Center and Dr. Ariel Oritz on November 18.

Sending happy healing vibes! Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh my gosh. Tomorrow I will be one month away from my surgery day. I had a small freak out this week, but I'm over it now and feel confident that this is the right thing to do. Anyone else get moments of cold feet?

I second the recommendation to just pay the $100. Driving across the border is a huge pain. You've come all this way and will probably be a bundle of nerves and jet lagged. You will be happy for this seamless transportation. All the best. I'm having mine in TJ on November 18th. Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm a month out from VSG surgery and yesterday had a severe bout of second-guessing myself. Is it crazy to cut your stomach to lose weight? Am I making this decision in haste? My family aren't fully on board, but are supportive of my decision - am I right to go through with it anyway? All these questions running through my mind made me feel quite low, and I sought some answers, did more research on VSG, why people have it, why it is effective, etc. That helped, but it wasn't the complete answer. I realized today, that my deepest fear with such an important surgery is that I will fail like every single other time I tried to lose weight. That my family will see me fail again. That one thought is a ball and chain around my neck that is holding me back from fully believing in myself on this incredible new adventure I'm about to embark on. Then I realized something important. That my past can either be a crippling weight on my shoulders, or I can choose to examine what I've learned from all of those dieting experiences and turn that wisdom into rocket fuel to propel me into a new healthy life, with the help of this proven surgical tool. I have to see my past as a source of positive wisdom. Like Thomas Edison, I've learned a 1000 different ways in which it doesn't work, but I will keep trying until I eventually find the one way that does. It's not a lightbulb, but my only one precious life. I'm worth the effort to examine those past experiences and mine every little bit of wisdom I can find, with love, humility, and excitement for the future. So, I'm feeling much better about this.

Thanks, FC. I follow that thread and value it! I almost posted this there. 😀 I so appreciate the reminder of the metabolic nature of our disease and how surgery is the most effective treatment at the moment. I'm on board to move forward. You're right, inherent in my reluctance and second-guessing is probably decades of internalizing negativity and self-blame as well as society's cruel treatment of obesity. I'm hoping to move beyond blame and move towards something more productive and positive. Self-reliance based on learning from mistakes as well as learning new strategies from others. Above all, I'm going to surrender my lifetime of trying and failing (n=1 experimentation) and do some trusting of science and following the directions of my clinic to optimize my tool.

This is a sleepy board, but I highly recommend the Facebook group I Left My Stomach In Mexico. It's very active and will have answers for you. BTW I'm headed for the Obesity Control Center on November 18th. Good luck to you! Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I just scheduled my surgery for November 18th! WooHoo! Having it done in Mexico :-)

Even though I'm pre-op, I found this study interesting and relevant to us all as we hope to keep lower levels of Ghrelin and increased energy metabolism. https://www.carerace.com/2019/09/carbohydrate-restricted-diet-after.html

The same thing happened to me. Don't let their ignorance dissuade you from pursuing Mexico. I am fully confident in my surgeon and clinic. I am going to switch docs because I need someone comfortable and compitent caring for a bariatric patient. I'll be getting surgery January 6 at Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. Sent from my Pixel 2 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery is set for January 6th in Mexico, and I'm doing a low carb pre-op diet with very good success (down almost 25 pounds). I consider myself on the "learning bench" right now, until I take my place on the losing one. Congratulations on your success!

Thanks for reporting back. I'm going to have my brother, who works in insurance, to look at the policy. Best of luck to you!

Amazing! Nice work!

This article discusses a very rare and extreme example of liver disease post-op (this patient died of a hospital infection, and not from anything related to her liver disease, btw). This may not be relevant to your daughter's case, but I'm sharing it in case you want to bring it to the doctors' attention. It's also a wake-up call for me because one of the reason's I'm getting VSG is to be an eligible liver or kidney donor for my sister. It's a reminder to us all that we must be diligent about taking vitamins. http://article.scholarena.co/Liver-Failure-after-Bariatric-Surgery-Clinical-Case-and-Literature-Review.pdf

Just booked my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, for January 6, 2020! I couldn't be more excited about moving forward after so much research and reflection. I'll be continuing weight loss with Weight Watchers until I get pre- op diet information. I'm working on learning as much as possible about life before, during and after surgery, and developing a walking routine. 2020 will be a new beginning and although I'm a little anxious, I'm so excited as well!