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I was also self-pay. After tons of research, I chose Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. Granted his fee is substantially more than the majority of surgeons in Mexico but after reading too many horror stories about some of the surgeons in Tijuana, I wasn't willing to sacrifice my health for a bargain price. I am sure the majority of surgeries performed in Tijuana are successful but we all choose our path and surgeons for our own reasons. I only packed a rolling carry-on for the round trip flight. It probably weighed less than 20 pounds. I was able to lift the bag to place in the plane's overhead compartment without any issue. I think if you must lift any weight (slightly) heavier than your surgeon's guidelines, the important issue would be to lift "straight-on" and make sure your torso is not twisted. I wish you success in your journey. I can attest that I have not had one moment of regret in getting sleeved. My health has improved immensely and hopefully yours will too!

hello everyone!! I thought since this is brand new to me, and I just joined today that I would introduce myself to everyone since I've seen other people do that. My name is Ross and I am 34 years old. I was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, and last June moved to Tuscaloosa Alabama. I moved to Tuscaloosa with my little brother who is a student at UA and a member of the coed cheer team. I also cheered for many years of my life, so it must run in the family. haha! I am an unapologetic Disney nerd who truly loves anything and all things Disney. Also, in my part time when I need a little decompressing I like to crystalize water bottles and phone cases for myself and friends. I would say I've been a food addict or someone who relied on food for emotional support majority of my life, unfortunately, due to outside influences that encouraged the eating. A big reason why I am having the surgery is simply I want to live. I really can't say it more straight and narrow than that. Another reason is I had Covid in 2020 like I'm sure many of y'all did but unfortunately, my case was a little different and I ended up on ECMO for four days and a ventilator for a month. I coded twice while intubated at which point the hospital staff told my family i would have about a 15% chance to live and if i did i may have severe brain issues. Thankfully when I woke up I was myself for the most part, but I had severe paralysis on my left side which required me to spend an additional three months in the hospital learning how to stand and walk again. I still have a pretty significant neuropathy on my left side. My left arm has some weakness with things and my left leg is completely numb to the touch. So I have low hopes for any kind of change, but still keeping hopeful that maybe with the surgery and weight loss some of the mobility and feeling will come back. I have been "creeping" on the forum for a few weeks and I can't tell y'all how much your stories, encouragement, and transparency has helped with my own journey without even meaning to. I am paying out-of-pocket for my surgery due to not having health insurance with the job I currently have. I've done all the required testing and I am hoping that tomorrow 8/21/23 will be the day that I get my surgery scheduled. We are aiming for the last week of the month for my date, so fingers crossed! I am going to be flying back to Texas for my surgery and staying there for a couple weeks to recover with my family. Which leads to the question I had for those who had to travel for the surgery. When you flew back post surgery with the weight lifting restrictions, how did you go about getting your bags and things like that? Did you notice any real pain post surgery when you were taking off for landing? Any other tips or experiences are always welcome to be shared as well! Thank yall again for taking the time to read this little bit about myself and my journey. I look forward to being on here more and more and sharing my own journey with yall as yall have bravely done already!

Welcome! Best of luck on your weight loss journey!

Hi! I also had the Slimband procedure done. Paid $13K and 13 years later, haven’t lost any weight. I gained pain, IBS issues, severe gas pain in my abdominal and shoulder and vomit continuously. I am definitely interested in a class action lawsuit if there will be one. Thank you.

My family told me to quit wearing my large XXX clothing so I went back into my closet and found I can fit into jeans that I haven't been able to wear for years. Before I couldn't get them over my hips, much less button and zip up. But like you I don't like how they look. Black yoga pants seem more slimming to me. Until I get to a lower weight anyway. But it still felt good to be able to put them on. I have some old button fly jeans that I'm looking forward to wearing again in the near future.

I LOVE the high rise trends right now. Conceals the apron of my weight loss. I tend to go for the baggy high rise though. I like that loose pants are a choice now.

I think most of us have to get clearance from a therapist before having the surgery, and I'm sure you're far from the only person with BED who's had surgery. I would think at most it might delay the surgery until you've had a few appts with a therapist. You do need to get that under control, or the surgery isn't likely to "work". It's just a tool, so you have to do your part of it to lose the weight - which would be tough if you continue to binge eat.

Hey Congrats to you all for your losses. @CarolineLittle thank you for thoughts. Makes me feel hopeful that some day I can post : hey I lost 20# !! This past week I was pretty good, I was able to eat a lil bit of food. Doc cut my TPN intake to half, and added 2 rounds a week of just saline. its still a crazy about of calories, fat, carbs ect in these bags.. So my weight loss is at a standstill , then 2 days ago everything went down hill, I'm not sure what happen internally ,but my stomach decided it had enough, I started to violently throwing up, I had empty stomach so it was just bright yellow bile, after 10 mins of that , i noticed small blood clots ( insert panic here) , I called doc, explained to them my currant condition.. They are going to do another Endo to get a look at what's going on.. so now it just a wait, for appointment.. I sure it will end up to be nothing, and I will just get.. " give your stomach some time" or "the hormonal changes of the stomach should regulate soon" ugg!! anyway I just take it day by day, I still try and eat and drink a little.. the max intake i can get is around 2 ounces at a time. Then I have to wait about 6 hrs before I can think about trying again.. So here to another week.. and good luck to you all on another successful week.

I went in for the revision in December and he was unable to do it because I had a hernia and scar tissue. So I had the hernia repaired and waited for the revision until just 2 days ago. I went in again to have the revision and he didn't do it at all because of the scar tissue. I was thinking this is the end of the road for me but now I'm reading your posts. Do you think I should get a second opinion about it? I regained weight and I have bad GERD. I feel hopeless right now and now reading this I'm wondering why I didn't get to have the revision surgery at all LeighLon

No, I think you did the right thing. Yes, your surgery may be delayed while you have some additional appointments with your therapist, but you will be in a better place & mentally stronger to get the best from the surgery. As we often say, the surgery changes your tummy & digestive system but doesn’t change your head & your thinking. That’s the work you have to do. You’ve already started by recognising your issue & seeking help. Many surgeons & insurance companies require approval from a therapist before approval for surgery is granted. Also many have successfully continued with the therapy or started additional therapy after their surgery to help them work through their disordered eating & emotional issues which easily & quickly can sabotage weight loss success. All the best.

Your weight loss is never a straight line downwards. You’ll notice ups & downs & plateaus along the way. All perfectly fine & to be expected. I’d expect fluid retention at the moment too. I remember I’d put on a couple of kilos starting the day before my period & then have a day just peeing it all out just before it finished. (I’d also get constipated for a couple of days.)

Thanks it’s saying 60-80 so if you’re not absorbing 30-40 percent makes sense. But you had me at reducing the sagging skin! That’s been one of my biggest fears is that I will look much older after I lose weight. I remember a lady I knew who lost weight and her face looked so different and just dropped 😢. Unless I have issues I don’t think I’ll have a problem with getting that much, 3 servings of Greek yogurt is good 👍

This may help answer questions. I also suggest a dietitian who is knowledgeable with WLS https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2018/march/make-protein-a-priority-after-weight-loss-surgery

It's awesome to hear about your commitment to your fitness journey, especially as you prepare for surgery. Lifting weights and doing cardio like treadmill workouts are great steps toward your weight loss goals. Starting now and gradually building your routine is a smart approach, considering your surgery is in March or April. Your determination, family support, and encouragement from your friend and support group are all powerful motivators. If you're seeking more insights or tips, you might find resources at https://hitsona.com/chertsey/ helpful. Keep up the positive changes you're making, and continue embracing a healthier lifestyle.

I'm only 18 days out, down 24 lbs since first going to surgeon...I usually put lotion on my legs and feet every night and last night I realized that even though there is still some surgery discomfort from incisions, I could put my foot in my lap and could play with my toes without issue! This is a game changer because for a long time now I have been paying for mani/pedis mostly bc it is painful to reach my toes as I have major back problems but just the little weight I've lost so far makes it not hurt to get to my feet!!!! It may be a while before I can do my own pedicures but I was just so surprised

Thanks Tek, that’s why my post wasn’t about weight loss.

So, I had a screening phone call from the nurse and surgeon weeks ago and got the go-ahead for sleeve surgery on sept 12th. I had my in-person pre-op appointments yesterday. I am self-paid, mind you (18 000$), and already gave my 3000$ deposit. So, I meet with this nice dietician that starts asking questions about my past, about how I got to the weight I am now, etc. So, being an honest and open person (and also being already very nervous about the surgery, so, yes, I'm crying profusely during this appointment, which makes me look even worst), I explain that I have been suffering from Binge Eating disorder for the past 25 years and that, yes, it's still an active issue. But I also mention that I have started therapy with a therapist specialized in eating disorders. That I understand that this is a tool, that it involves a lot of work, etc. She gives the ok, they take my 15 000$ check, give me the powders for the liquid diet and send me on my way. 2 hours after, the clinic calls me to say that the dietician spoke with the surgeon and that BED being a new info for him, he is requesting a clearance from my psychologist to go ahead. I've seen this psy only 3 times so far.... So, basically, he is waiting for a note from a therapist that has seen me 3 times to decide if he's doing the surgery or cancelling, or postponing. I'm very upset. I am very anxious about the surgery (being put under, the breathing tube) and have been trying to get mentally ready for the surgery for the past 2 months and now it's all up in the air. After taking my deposit. After having phone calls with me and giving the go-ahead (and never asking about any disordered eating history!). So I will know next week what is decided. I am not mad at the dietician, she's doing her job. I am not mad at the surgeon, he's being careful . But I am mad at myself for opening up, being honest when I'm sure a lot of bariatric patients would have said nothing for the same exact reason (fear of being refused). I should have known better............ I should have just shut my mouth!

I recently decided to get weight loss surgery and was looking for recommendations of surgeons in the NYC area. Thanks!

Your first stall is quite scary, most off us have the moment when we think we must have done something wrong. You will have many stalls and many times when you will gain a little. You will get used to it. Keep off the scales as much as possible, that road leads to sorrow. You are not dieting anymore. You are learning a new way to live.

So I had this revision in June, and I can tell you that the weight loss will not be like it was with the sleeve. I had it because I developed GERD, esophagitis, gastritis, and a TON of pre-cancerous polyps all through my stomach. So I also didn't have a choice. I was on 80mg daily of Nexium, Pepcid for breakthrough, Tums, and still had break through GERD anyway. With the sleeve, I lost 30 pounds in the first 2 weeks. With the revision, I lost 14. I also wasn't interested in doing it for weight loss, since I was chugging along and doing well until it all went stupid. My goal was to get back to living my life, get back to my beast mode work outs, get back to feeling good and not having pain. And that's what the surgery is doing for me. I was finally having hair regrowth when I had to have the revision, so I'm fully expecting to see more hair loss. It's started shedding more again, so I'm mentally preparing for it. I can also say, the recovery from the bypass has been SO SO much better than with the sleeve. I honestly wish I had just done the bypass to begin with. So much less pain, I was up and around faster, able to do things better, could handle my pills and supplements (had to crush or completely eliminate them with the sleeve for the first 4-5 weeks), able to handle cold liquids (couldn't with the sleeve), able to get my fluids in so much easier (I drank a 20oz of Water in the hospital the day I had my surgery and could barely handle 3-4oz with the sleeve). So all in all, I'm exceptionally happy I did the revision. No more GERD, no more PPI, no more pain, much easier recovery, and while the weight is still coming off, it's doing so at a slower and more manageable pace. I wish you all the luck, and I promise you'll feel so much better after the revision.

Yep, me. I had to be on 80mg of Nexium daily, Pepcid as needed for breakthrough, and it still didn't help. I had severe gerd, gastritis, esophagitis, and polyps all through my stomach and duodenum. 4 endoscopies later, I had to have a revision to a bypass. Changing my diet didn't help. Eliminating exercising didn't help. All the antacids didn't help. I never had any gerd or reflux before the sleeve, but it was debilitating after. Revision was the best thing I ever did. The recovery for the bypass was LIGHTYEARS better than for the sleeve. I was able to go home after 1 day instead of 2. I was drinking a 20oz of water with no issues 2 hours after the surgery. I was walking with minimal discomfort. Never took the pain pills prescribes and only needed Tylenol for the first 4 days. Never had to sleep propped up. Never had to worry about temps of liquids because there was no sensitivity to it. Was able to take my pills and supplements without cutting or crushing them. There is a HARD STOP with eating with the bypass that I never had with the sleeve. If you have 1 bite left but you're feeling like you're done eating.... DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT eat that last bite. I promise you you'll regret it. With the sleeve, I could squeeze in that bite and feel really full. With the bypass, it makes you hurt and feel sick. Not worth it. Weight loss is MUCH slower with a revision, so as long as you go into it knowing that, you'll be ok. Getting your life back and being gerd and pain free is so so worth it. My only regret is not just doing the bypass to begin with. I wish I would have skipped the sleeve altogether.

You might be hitting a stall. I always gain a few pounds when that happens, but when it breaks, I lose everything I gained plus an extra 2-3 pounds.

Thanks for posting that video. I was on the lower BMI and also wondered about the success of weight loss. Good to know !

Hey everyone! I'm 4 weeks out as of yesterday, and I've mostly been feeling great. However, I got my period 4 days ago. At first, my weight loss stopped. Then, it even went up 2 pounds. Is this...normal? I've been on track with my water and protein, been following dietary guidelines to a T, and I haven't been exceeding 500-600 calories a day. How on earth did I gain 2 pounds? Is it because of my period? Trying really hard not to panic. 😞