Officially Not Fatty Matty

Five days is pretty close as far as detecting it in your urine or blood. It’s possible it could go either way. My doctor told me they would test but the definitely didn’t, but don’t let my experience guide you. I had self pay surgery in Mexico and I suspect once I forked over the cash there was little that would have interfered. Here is what webmd (uhg) says about testing: “Generally, nicotine will leaves your blood within 1 to 3 days after you stop using tobacco, and cotinine will be gone after 1 to 10 days. Neither nicotine nor cotinine will be detectable in your urine after 3 to 4 days of stopping tobacco products.”

From: https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/taking-nicotine-test Generally, nicotine will leaves your blood within 1 to 3 days after you stop using tobacco, and cotinine will be gone after 1 to 10 days. Neither nicotine nor cotinine will be detectable in your urine after 3 to 4 days of stopping tobacco products. If you smoke menthol cigarettes or breathe in secondhand menthol smoke, cotinine may stay in your urine longer.

And to add to my previous comment neither my wife nor I needed any of the tramadol, we only brought it with us just in case (and it’s currently a pita getting it in the states if we did need it). She got opioids in the hospital the day of and day after surgery, I got nothing and was fine.

“My anus fell out and until I get it replaced I can’t eat... well I CAN eat but I care too much about my coworkers.”

You can’t (legally) bring back any controlled substances. I wasn’t checked the two times I went (once for me and once for my wife). One time we were driven across by an employee of the surgeons office, the other time I opted to just drive across my self. We had some tramadol both times coming back but they never searched. They can search and they can confiscate it and they can fine you, or any combination of those depending on the CBP Agent. Going into Mexico was easy, they only did a COVID temperature check on us one time, didn’t ask for passports or where we were going etc. Coming back in US customs just asked what city we visited, how long we were there and one asked why (“stomach surgery”) and we were on our way with no further questions, no search etc. I was advised to NOT say we had medicine if asked, that would make a search more likely. I was also advised that a fine (if levied) would be the same whether I declared it or not. I’m not a lawyer, I’m not versed in CBP policy, official or unofficial, that’s just what the guy who transports medical tourists across the border every day for a living told us, I’m sure he’s seen every scenario. I’m similar to you in that I like to know every detail so my own research into crossing with medicine for the most part confirmed what our driver told us. In most cases it seems like CBP is pretty reasonable if it’s a small amount clearly for personal use (you’ll have wounds to show) and while some did have small amounts confiscated anyway, the fines I read about were for people bringing back 100s of pills, not 10 or 30. BUT AGIAN, it’s always possible you get someone having a bad day or who won’t be understanding...

I tell people I’m eating better and exercising more. Both true. If they press I don’t commit to any one named diet I just say I have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and a small meal for dinner. Adjust as needed if they see you eating something else during the day. It’s none of their business but I understand the difficulty with being blunt and rude to people you have to see every day. If you give a named diet I find it opens up the door for more questions. “Oh I heard that.... etc” . End it with “I’ve tried so many fad diets in the past but I feel like I’m doing good and I hope it’ll stick better, wish me luck!” That kind of puts a close to the conversation, tells them that you’re worried about success which is more in line with the mentality of people dieting vs surgery and leaves them with little else to say other than good luck etc.

I didn’t need any physicals or preop anything for my self pay Mexico surgery. I literally called, they asked my weight height to get BMI (40 at the time) and booked it with a $300 deposit (I think, it may have been $200). Showed up when they told me and had some minor blood work done the day before at the facility and surgery the next morning. Edit:  I used Dr Galileo Villereal in Nuevo Laredo and the total cost including a hernia repair was $4400. The surgery was at a public hospital, they put us up in a hotel the night before.  You’re pretty much on your own once you leave, you can call or email if you have questions or anything after, or use your own doctor in the states if you need something but it was all smooth for me and I didn’t need anything.  Another edit: I had my surgery mid June and I’m down just shy of 70lbs already, I should have done this sooner. I had zero complications. I was given some papers on suggested post op diet plans which matched most of the others I’ve read about, but at week 3 I switched to the Mayo Clinic’s post op plan (it can be googled) because I really wanted cottage cheese :) 

Another problem with counting pills... sometimes we guys are overly “optimistic.” viagra takes some time to kick in so if we anticipate wrongly (who us?!) it can go to waste. As far as not telling her I know from experience that some women assume we can turn it on and off at will and assume if there is an issue with this imaginary on/off switch that there is a problem with attraction, and no matter what you say they grill you about it endlessly, so you learn it’s best to just not even bring the subject up at all, which in the case of ED medicine means not telling them about it at all.

I can relate to so many of those.

I was taking all my meds in pill form immediately as well with no issues, including a huge antibiotic given to me by the doctor in the hospital.

Excellent! And so it begins, congratulations and keep us updated on your progress!

That’s funny (in a “they’re so petty” kind of way). Do take pictures and document all of these occurrences and conversations for your protection should the pettiness turn to actual retaliation. If you never need it, great, but if you do it’ll be invaluable.

Outstanding! Great job, you look amazing! I’m so happy for you!

You definitely didn’t ruin anything by not practicing chewing or sipping. You’ll figure that out as you go along. I went from research to surgery in three weeks and only practiced the sipping for about an hour until my wife got annoyed with my phone going off every five minutes :) I’ve made one mistake (eating too fast) just once and I can’t imagine I’d ever do it again. Ironically I was in the hospital with my wife who was getting her own sleeve four weeks after I got mine done and I had some veggie soup and went to town on it not even thinking. I didn’t throw up (I haven’t at all since surgery) but it hurt really bad. As far as pills each doctor has their own rules. Mine literally gave me a giant (over an inch long) rock hard purple antibiotic in the hospital the day after surgery and had no requirements to chew or crush anything (be careful with this, certain prescriptions cannot be chewed or crushed). It didn’t bother me in the slightest, nor did any of my other meds. The only suggestion was to not take them all at once. Sipping water is difficult for me, I’ve always been a chugger when it comes to water. I’ve adapted (I’m only 73 days post op) just fine though. The liquid phase sucks, not going to lie. A variety of broths and protein shakes, anything else that’s allowed on your diet, variety variety variety. I tried a bunch of “cream of...” soups and loved the poblano pepper type made by and sold in a local grocery chain here.. but you’ll be on soft foods before you know it and all of a sudden a whole new world of cottage cheese and eggs and other mushy stuff opens up and the liquid phase will be quickly forgotten. Best of luck on your journey, for me it has been life changing already and I’m just getting started.

I’m 73 days post op and some days go by where I don’t even think about food or eating, to the point I have to be reminded. Today I’ve had an egg, and I just ate two baby bell peppers, and will probably cut up some cucumber and tomato with some balsamic. I don’t know what your diet will allow, or even what foods will agree with you (I haven’t had any issues with food intolerances at all) but I find raw veggies fill me up super fast and sit around for a long time. I get my protein from shakes, protein water, or chicken (which reminds me I’m behind schedule on protein for the day). I don’t track but I’d be surprised if I’ve had a 500 calorie day, and I never feel deprived.

I won’t miss having to stand around when at someone’s house and they’re all sitting outside in those cheap plastic chairs... “naw I like to stand...”(lie). when the reality is I’ve busted out the legs on them more than once....

I get terrible hiccups if I eat too much. Painful, hard to breath, swallow reflex inhibited kind of hiccups. My wife thinks it’s hilarious (it is, even I laugh when they’re really REALLY loud). She says we’re not allowed to eat out until I learn to stop before they kick in :)

Certain foods are “sliders” where they pass through to the small intestine quickly. I find most fruits slide through me fairly easily, but I do not know if everyone has the same list of sliders or if it’s more individual. The food that fills me up the fastest and seems to keep me feeling full for at least an hour or two is raw cucumber. Fortunately I love them plain (or with a little salt). Another thing to consider is did you drink or have and liquids right before or after you ate? Liquids will aid in flushing out your stomach faster so it’s necessary to avoid drinks while and after eating for at least 30 minutes (some say 30 minutes before too which makes sense). Be careful with any foods you find to be “sliders” as you will not fill up and will be capable of eating too much. The surgery is only an aid to get you started on a healthier lifestyle, but you still have to work at making good choices. Really take advantage of these early months to learn new habits, it will be worth it. Don’t worry about how much you ate, you didn’t ruin anything, you learned something about your new stomach. There will be a lot more of that learning process as you go along and there’s a lot of great people and advice on here who will be happy to help you.

I went through the same thing right before surgery. My whole process was pretty fast... went from never even thinking about it to surgery in three weeks. By the time i was in the hospital after my 7 day preop diet i was asking myself “hell, just keep doing the preop diet, look at how well this is working and it isn’t permanent...” I meant “isn’t permanent” in regards to having most of my stomach removed, but I also realized that my weight loss (yet again) would also not be permanent. People can and do lose weight permanently without surgery, it’s just rare and i have had enough evidence to know i wouldn’t be one of those people. I’m 70 days post op and so happy i went through with it, wish I did it years ago. It’s a fair question to ask yourself though, because there is no going back from surgery.

Everyone has already said the same thing I feel. I would like to add that it’s not only your husband and your mom by your side cheering you on. We truly are happy for you, we truly want to see you succeed, we truly are on your side for all the good and (hopefully no) bad and (hopefully no) ugly and wonderful things that are in store for you and will support you as if you were our friend or family. Your surgery is a tool, this forum is like the grease for that tool.. you have 100s of technicians who want to help you keep your tool working for you. Oh.... and your coworkers are a different kind of tool... :) You got this.

I never understood the straw thing either. I understand their answer (air) but it’s just illogical. I’m not sucking with my stomach where the air in the straw would get pulled into it... I’m sucking with my mouth where the liquid is deposited in my mouth just as if I poured it in, then i swallow. You can gulp air regardless of how it enters your mouth....

They had me taking giant purple horse pills (antibiotics) in the hospital next day, they went down fine. Some doctors say no pills for a while... best to just ask and comply with your doctors requirements.

I was eating raw jalapeños at five weeks without issue. No spices or flavors have really changed for me. when I first started eating solids everything did seem more pronounced but I’m guessing it was like opening your eyes after being blindfolded for a month... seems brighter and more colorful due to the lack of stimulation.

Basically you have to lose half a gallon of water at this point. You’ve left yourself few options that don’t involve risk to your health. In no particular order of efficacy or detriment to your health: Starve yourself. Spit constantly. Take diuretics. Espom salt laxative (pulls a lot of water out of your system, if you’ve never done this, don’t plan on going anywhere for 12 hours at least). Cut off an arm. Or eat healthy and get some exercise starting now and hope you sweat out five pounds (it’s doable). Understand the policy is for your benefit, and if you don’t make it explain with all honesty to your doctor why you were unable to meet your requirements. Once you get cut there’s no going back and if they feel you aren’t ready and committed they pretty much have a duty to say so. I’m really hopeful you can get the help you need to be successful and I hope you make your goal, it can be done... but going forward this tool won’t help you if you make bad choices, regardless of what is going on in the world.