Malaika

Thanks for sharing Steve and Phoenix too -- I will have to look at WalMart for that brand -- I don't generally shop at WalMart; however, next time I'm in there, I'll check it out.

GAS-X and a heating pad maybe? I am so sorry you're in pain ... maybe you over ate?

That's awesome Steve so glad you're feeling better - will make eating and afterwards much more pleasant. Aren't we all just wonderful here? (and modest too)!

Here you go -- I saved it in word so I'd be able to find it easily! 1 15oz container of lf ricotta 1 small tub of ff cool whip half packet of sf Jello cheesecake pudding mix half packet of sf chocolate pudding mix combine - set over night - YUM

Go with Bearded and I in October - we'll probably go down there for our 3 month checkup - GI and bloodwork. We had not problems getting in to Mexicali - no traffic at all -- however, getting out of Mexicali is another story - plan on at least 45 min to an hour the day you leave. As for the IV - I don't even remember them putting mine in - it appears from the bruise I had on the back of my hand they tried there first and it didn't work, so mine was up near the bend of my arm. The anesthesiologist is young and "hip" and very willing to work with you any way he can - just ask. I am sure you will do great - enjoy the resort. BTW - watch out for the stop signs (they are much shorter than we are used to in the states -- Bearded ran a few the morning we got into Mexicali - :scared0:

OOOHHH LA LA ... look at the sparkle!!!!

Ange - you are too funny in your descriptions - but so right on target that is for sure!

In Las Vegas the surgeon fee is about $20,000; plus you have all your pre-op tests, the hospital and the anesthesiologist. In Mexicali I paid $9500 and that included absolutely everything - all pre-op tests, one night in a lovely resort, surgery, anesthesiologist, medication, 3 nights in the hospital and my surgeon has performed well over 600 sleeves with no leaks and is FACS - he is, in my opinion, one of the best surgeons and definitely the most compassionate doctor I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

If you find one be sure and share ... also I found out that they will take their coupons even if they are expired - I have a stack of $5 off and 20% off ... it's not a lot but it's better than nothing.

That's where I'll be shopping for a while too Susan - except for some jeans - I don't seem to have them in an array of sizes ... everything else - yes - so it will be a while before I go to an actual store to buy new things.

Welcome Tandy. You will definitely find friendship and support here - someone is always willing to chat, advise and listen. don't ever feel as though your whining -- we've all been there. As with everyone else, I, too, am curious about the injections. Guessing it must be to prevent blood clots but will be interested to hear. One thing - your font color is very difficult to read (at least in my opinion, but them I'm old and going blind) ... would you consider darkening it up for us ole folks?

Welcome Brandy and thank you for sharing your story with all of us -- we're looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Take the blow dryer - on cool/low -- dry the areas - that is what I do as you're right, they never seem to dry on their own.

It could be because you're not sleeping - if I get overtired, I get very sick to my stomach -- my youngest son is the same way. Hopefully the meds will help you sleep and the nausea will go away.

Well that's the first I've heard of that -- they do have an antibacterial foam soap that is really good, though, and doesn't seem to dry out the skin - that is what I used on my incisions following surgery. I didnt' have to take my acrylic nails off; however, I did have to have all fingernail polish removed. My understanding on that is that the anethesiologist needs to see under your fingernails for some reason. I have toe rings that don't come off -- when I was back in my room after surgery/recovery, I found that they had taped over them with surgical tape -- I forget what the reason for that was.

They will give you something for that in recovery and any other time you feel like you need it -- I had one bout - never really threw up - but got all flushed and sweaty - and they were there johnny-on-the-spot with the medication. I hope you don't have any problems with it. Bearded had a lot of trouble; however, I truly believe his was more from old blood being in his stomach than from anything else. I still felt just awful for him and wouldn't want anyone to have to go through it.

Definitely the best way to go about it for sure.

Everything I've read about the doctors in Tijuana has not been very good at all -- and the drug wars there are very pronounced. Have you considered Dr. Aceves is Mexicali? and NO I'm not a paid promoter -- I just know his stats and I felt completely safe while in Mexicali -- heck, I even drove myself around and went to the local Super Wal-Mart while Bearded was in the hospital ... I would recommend Dr. Aceves 100% as I am sure many others on this site would as well. If you opt to go to Tijuana, just be sure to do all the research you can and check out the surgeon before scheduling your surgery - their leak stats, number of sleeves performed, the size of the boughie they use, etc. BE WELL INFORMED!

HECK -- can anyone READ it? Ever heard of the space bar?

Dr. Aceves doesn't recommend it; however, WASa told me that she was so addicted to coffee that he finally allowed her to add it back in on Day 6 ... I drink about 1/4 a cup in the morning - it just doesn't taste the same to me anymore but I have to have something warm first thing and it's handy -- hot tea has lost it's appeal too ... although I did have some green tea at a chinese restaurant a few weeks back that was really good -- wish I knew what brand it was.

DANG - sounds to me like they had every hole you had filled with something -- I didn't have a catheter or anything down my nose ... YIKES

I think everyone thinks they will be the one that the surgery doesn't work for and the only way to overcome the fears is to have the surgery and watch the pounds start to melt off ... some lose faster than others; however, in the long run, we'll all be losers. The sleeve will work as long as you work with the sleeve!

Glad to see you're feeling better Bob ... I would have thought they would have shaved those areas before applying the tape to be sure the tape stuck ... guess I was wrong ... guess this means you probably won't be considering a brazilian wax anytime soon?:biggrin:

Oh yeah - and WELCOME to our family ... there's always room for some sleeve brothers amongst all the sleeve sistas!

When this forum first started back in May (and before that on LBT - there was a VSG section) - Jaffa Steve was the ONLY man who posted ... so I'm sure he's happy to see more and more men come on board so he doesn't have to sit in the men's room all by himself!