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I went to mexico bariatric center for a gasteric sleeve surgery in on June 11th. Dr. Louisana Valenzuela was my surgeon. I would recommend them to anyone interestes in going to mexico for surgery. If you have any questions let me no. So far i am down 35lbs from when i started the preop diet. No complications either.

I would definitely give some push back and ask for a different prep - there are many. Does he know that you have had WLS since your last scope? I just had one last month and they prescribed SuPrep, which is a low volume, two step prep - two 8 oz (IIRC) bottles that you drink fairly quickly, followed by a couple of bottles of water the next hour, done the night before and then again the morning of the procedure, and that seemed to go well - for both me and the doc. Should be little problem for a 1 year post op. My wife had a bad scope some years ago despite being compliant with the prep, It turns out that others with the DS like her reported similar problems - it seems that the wacky intestinal configuration needs a bit more time to clean out, as we discussed in one of our support group meetings. One of the other vets in the group who had a similar problem worked out a revised routine with his gastro that basically involved doing the clear diet for two (or possibly three) days before the bowel prep, and that did the job. When it was time for my wife's next scope a couple of years ago - new gastro since we had moved - we hit him up with the problem, and while he was focusing mostly on the WLS needing a low volume prep, which he prescribed, she did the modified longer liquid (not strictly clear the first day, just liquidy) and all went well with that one, too. So, while I am not an MD, it is clear that there are several ways to get the job done, and you gastro should be sensitive to your needs as well as his own. It kinda sounds like he is punishing you for what he may interpret as non-compliance the last time, or maybe this potion is what he is most experienced with for a more challenging case, and while he may be aware of newer preps on the market, he isn't experienced with them and goes with his old tried and true. Again, I would push back at this, tell him that you can't comply with this and why. Discuss what other options there are to get the job done that works for both of you. Your medical care, as with most things in life, are a negotiation and you have a say in this. If the doc doesn't want to comply with your needs, then it is entirely within your rights to go to a different doctor to get what you need. Ask your PCP or your bariatric practice for a referral to someone more bariatric friendly, if necessary. Good luck,

Folks, PLEASE check the education credentials of the person giving you nutrition advice. In some states, there is absolutley zero education required to call oneself "a nutritionist" and give people dietary consultations. Many bariatric groups will use lay-trained staff to push a particular doctor's dietary approach. Don't use these people. They are unqualified and it's dangerous. Nutrition is complex and individual and it's a SCIENCE. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dietitian-vs-nutritionist#nutritionist Check the laws in your state: https://theana.org/advocate Ask to see the credentials of the people treating you at appointments.

Impossible to say. They're all different. They might measure you, take pix, weight. They will talk about your history with diets. They will talk about your comorbidities. They will talk about your surgical options. They will all have a different list of what they require. The good ones will require you see a therapist, a dietician, and attend a support group meeting. They will offer access to things like exercise classes and healthy cooking classes geared to bariatric patients. You'll likely need a lot of medical tests. Blood panel, upper GI, chest xrays, ekg, presurgical stuff. Typically, you get a date after you do all or most of your prereqs. Wishing you the best.

I'm with you all it's the unknown. I am in my preop phase now day 7, my surgery is July 7th but so far I love drinking Fairlife. I bought the bariatric fusion but it's the same as Fairlife except I have to mix it. To be honest I was not getting enough calories thus far because I use almond unsweetened milk so didn't add up to enough in Day so I increases to 5 shakes a day to get at least 850-900 calories. I've been reading alot and trying to prepare dinners for family and with mine I puree. I bought 1 oz icecube trays and froze. So it's convenient. I love Dr Voung on you tube hes a bariatric surgeon he helps with alot of questions.

I take the bariatric advantage chewable and they are pretty good. They have samples. I got mine from my nutritionist but if you’s did not have them I imagine the company would send you some?? I take their chewable multi and calcium citrate chews.

Hello @blueslily, I started out with the bariatric specific chewable multivitamin from bariatricpal. They was so nasty and had me nauseous. So I was relieved when I was told I could take the tablet form. The bariatric specific multivitamin tablet is kind of big. But i rather take those then them chewables. You can always crushed the tablet and put into applesauce. However, I still do take the calcium citrate chewables and sometimes the tablet. They are really big but can be crushed as well.

Hello everyone, I'm writing to ask for your help. I still have not found a daily multivitamin that works for me. My program recommended that we use chewable for the first 2 months, starting after 2 weeks. So, at Week 3 I started the Bariatric Fusion chewable. My tummy did not like the first kind I had. So, I ordered a different flavor. Stomach was ok with second flavor, but I hated the chalky taste. I talked with my program about it at my 2 month follow up. I could move to capsules. So, I ordered capsules from Bariatric Fusion. I was already using a supplemental vitamin from them and just adding it to my protein shake. That was working from the 1 month mark. So, I got the multivitamin in a capsule, added it to a protein shake, oh no. Totally horrible. The multivitamin stinks like crazy and is so nasty. Odd, because the supplement is fine. So, before I spend even more money on multivitamin option #4, I'm writing to ask what is working for you all. What are you using that is not upsetting to your tummy and goes down easy. My program does not want me swallowing any large pills until month 4 so that's part of this adventure also. I can't just buy a multivitamin that comes in big pill form and they say it must be bariatric specific, not just a regular multivitamin. I'm considering Barimelts next. Just tired of wasting money. Plus, scared of the impact of not consistently taking vitamins so far. Bloodwork is not until Month 4 check up. I feel fine. Just want to be doing the right things during this journey. Thanks!

Good evening. I have my evaluation appointment scheduled for Aug 13 and I am trying to get an idea of best bariatric tracking apps for andriods. medical2013

See a bariatric therapist. What you are going through is pretty common. Two years out, a lot of the real mental/emotional work happens. You've fixed your body, now you need to fix your brain to maintain. Identifying your triggers and coming up with alternate ways to get what you need (and fix what you're using food to medicate)....is essential for maintenance. Least it was for me. Don't panic. There is time to figure this out, but you need to take baby steps toward doing it today. Don't go into a denial spiral and ignore your hard work coming undone. A lot of folks do that...when therapy could have really helped keep them on track. Wishing you the very best.

You are not alone, there are soooo many of us out here, looking for advice, support or just someone to listen, that understands what we have gone/are going thru. My bariatric team seems to ‘be done’ with me since the surgery. I’ll ask a question, and they will return the message with ‘you may need to see your PCP’. I feel abandoned by them. My insurance company even placed a call to them to return my call, and they still have not. I’m 10 days out, still bloated, minor pain, but I’m probably ok. 😊

Thank the Bariatric Gods! I gave birth to BM pebbles today! 😂 I bought suppositories today too just in case. I’ll pick up benefiber at Costco.

I'm late to this conversation and I think Hop_Scotch above is correct about OP's intentions, but I also wanted to say that sometimes it's NOT helpful to others when you're really open about it. A few years ago, I worked closely with a woman who had bariatric surgery. I wasn't ready to start considering it myself, but I felt like every time she told anyone, they immediately looked to me like "she's just as fat, why isn't she having surgery too?" So basically, you can't win either way and should decide to tell or not tell based on your feelings, not anyone else's!

Hey everyone! Gastric Bypass July 9th here. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and they were extremely thorough! For those interested, I wanted to go over the details of what my process has looked like so far: - My insurance required an EKG, blood work, and gallbladder scan. So, during my pre-op, they redid all of those to compare the previous values with the most recent results. normal EKG, no high cholesterol, no high BP, no gallstones, normal thyroid levels, higher-ish estrogen, and borderline pre-diabetic which was NOT fun to hear but will hopefully be resolved with Bypass. - I spoke with the nurse and my (very handsome lol) surgeon, who re-reviewed all possible risks and complications. He explained how he would do the surgery (five incisions, robotic) and what to expect before and after. He also checked me for hernias, which I don't have. - Met with my dietician to re-review my pre-op diet and just to check in with me. She provided me with info on how to set up future appointments if needed as I transition through the phases. - The clinic gave me information on how to get my family member informed on what was happening. The hospital I am using has an app and the surgeon's team will text updates periodically. - I'm expected to be in-patient and will stay for one night unless I have complications. - They provided me with the sterile soap, Hibiclens and instructions on how to use it. bathe with half the bottle the night before, the other half the morning of (they gave me a sheet i have to mark down the date and time of the wash and turn it in the morning of). wash hair, no products, no contacts, no invisalign, clean sheets, clean pajamas. - the doctor gave me my prescriptions, which include: Gabapentin, acetominaphen, ondansetron for nausea, promethazine syrup, ursodial to prevent gallstones (thankfully i don't have any), and prilosec (OTC). - I had a chest xray and was asked if I had any implant anywhere (i don't.) all came back normal. - spoke with the anesthesiologist who weighed me, took my height, and explained the overall process to me. i've only been under once for a 70-minute MRI a few years ago but i know approximately what to expect. I will also be getting a 96-hour abdominal block to help with pain along with my (very strong) medication. - They provided me with information on what to eat and drink the night before (light breakfast, protein shake, clear liquids, and then four hours before the surgery, 16 oz of water), day of (clear liquids) four days after, two weeks after, (heavy liquids) one month after (maintenance phase). - set up a post-op appt 10 days later, and another one a month after surgery. - The morning of the surgery i arrive at 7:30 am, am checked in and put in pre-op, surgery should last two hours, one hour of recovery, and then moved to my private room where my sister will be waiting for me. no overnight guests because of COVID but this hospital has a designated bariatric surgery floor so all of the nurses are specialized in this, and even nicer, all of the equipment accommodate larger patients. so, large recliners, large beds, laaarge gowns, large chairs, sturdy IV machines, belly bands. very comfortable. - i'm planning on bringing an ipad, books, lip balm, lotions, warmer socks, grippy sandals, button down pajamas, a small pillow they recommended as a "splint" when i get in and out of bed, and toiletries. I feel pretty ready i suppose, but it doesn't feel quite real yet! crazy to believe that in a few months i'll be down a significant amount of weight (hopefully) and look slimmer. I am on my two-week pre-op diet which consists of two protein shakes and one light meal a day, with "free" snack foods including fat free cheese, lean meats, sugar free jello popsicles and pudding, high protein yogurts, and non-starchy veggies with light hummus or light ranch. hasn't been super easy but I'm trying my best. and LOTS of water. Let me know if you have questions, i'll be glad to answer them.

I've had several of these, but none post surgery and none that called for 192 oz in 24 hours. It's not the taste nor the shitting. I'm concerned about the amount of fluid intake in a short period of time. My stomach is small. You'll understand after your surgery. They want 64 oz the day before at 8am, then another 64oz at 5 pm then another 64oz at 8am the day of the procedure. I normally have 64oz total in 24 hours. This is three times the amount I normally have. My post surgery doctor said there is a modified prep for bariatric patients.

I had RNY in 1990. Back then RNY surgery involved stapling between pouch and stomach, not separation. It was open surgery and I was in the hospital for 7 days. I had no pre-op or post-op nutritional guidance. I was handed a 1-page low-cal diet and told not to throw up. Two follow visits post-surgery were to check the incision and I was then left to my own devices. I learned on my own to take Vitamin and mineral supplements; no one told me. I lost about 75 lbs from a high weight of 319, stopped losing after about six months, but kept the weight off for about five years before starting to gain it all back again. For the past 20 years, I've yoyo-ed with countless diets and food plans but always return to that same high setpoint. I'm now 73 years old and am going to give it another shot. My knees and hips are shot, I've got a pacemaker, and I figure I'll die within a few years if I can't lose all this excess weight. I first learned about revision surgery about a year ago, just before COVID hit. This spring I followed up with a hospital bariatric clinic about 2 hours from my home. I've been on a liver-reducing diet for three months. I had a barium swallow a couple of weeks ago that revealed that the staples had given way and there was a fistula between the pouch and stomach, which explains why I stopped losing weight from the RNY. I had an endoscopy today and had a conversation with the surgeon who told me that the leak occurred because of peristalsis of my stomach, not (as I thought) because I ruined it due to up-chucking too often. The new surgical methods are much improved and there is extensive pre-op and post-op guidance and follow-up. I will have my psych evaluation in two weeks. I'm within 2 pounds of my prescribed pre-op diet, but don't have a surgery date yet for the revision. I do not want to fail again, so I will probably seek therapy for food addiction even if it is not recommended during the psych evaluation.

They certainly do perform RNY gastric bypasses now. It's still the gold standard. Some doctors talk their patients into the sleeve because it's easier for the surgeon, not necessarily better for the patient. I had RNY in 1990. Back then RNY surgery involved stapling between pouch and stomach, not separation. It was open surgery and I was in the hospital for 7 days. I had no pre-op or post-op nutritional guidance. I was handed a 1-page low-cal diet and told not to throw up. Two follow visits post-surgery were to check the incision and I was then left to my own devices. I learned on my own to take vitamin and mineral supplements; no one told me. I lost about 75 lbs from a high weight of 319, stopped losing after about six months, but kept the weight off for about five years before starting to gain it all back again. For the past 20 years, I've yoyo-ed with countless diets and food plans but always return to that same high setpoint. I'm now 73 years old and am going to give it another shot. My knees and hips are shot, I've got a pacemaker, and I figure I'll die within a few years if I can't lose all this excess weight. I first learned about revision surgery about a year ago, just before COVID hit. This spring I followed up with a hospital bariatric clinic about 2 hours from my home. I've been on a liver-reducing diet for three months. I had a barium swallow a couple of weeks ago that revealed that the staples had given way and there was a fistula between the pouch and stomach, which explains why I stopped losing weight from the RNY. I had an endoscopy today and had a conversation with the surgeon who told me that the leak occurred because of peristalsis of my stomach, not (as I thought) because I ruined it due to up-chucking too often. The new surgical methods are much improved and there is extensive pre-op and post-op guidance and follow-up. I will have my psych evaluation in two weeks. I'm within 2 pounds of my prescribed pre-op diet, but don't have a surgery date yet for the revision. I do not want to fail again, so I will probably seek therapy for food addiction even if it is not recommended during the psych evalutation.

This is funny, thanks for starting! Moist does not bother me, but I get how it could bother people. I am guilty of journey and have recently caught on to my over using it, especially with weight loss. I am trying to look for better alternatives, although I am not bothered by its use. Words I hate-FAT, OBESE, BARIATRIC 🤢😖🙁 (yes, I realize I am on "Bariatric"Pal! Sorry, BP, I like the website/ app/company😉😊🤣).

I think it's important to talk about what we're eating. We do a lot of that. In minutia. We lable foods good and evil. We obsess about the "right" diet, calories, choices, etc.... But that's really the easy part. The hard part is figuring out WHY we're eating. WHY we ate ourselves to morbid obesity, and what need we were trying to address when we put that food in our bodies. I feel like if those needs aren't figured out and meaningfully delt with this whole process is really vulnerable to failure. I feel like we never talk about why we ate so much. I'm not saying we need pity party hour with extensive confessionals chronicallying every challenge, insecurity and poopy life event...lol. But I feel like sharing those little eureka moments were we've identified some little unmet need that resulted in bad choices....would be a good thing. For instance.... I used to get the KFC six million calorie dinner with the 12 pieces of chicken, 3 sides, biscuits and the chocolate chip cake....after grocery shopping. It was almost an unwritten thing. I deserved it. In some weird justification, I figured that I was shopping, carrying stuff in, putting things away, selflessly giving up time to a task I sort of despised for my family. Of course I deserved chicken! But really, what I wanted at the core of things....was support. I wanted to feel appreciated, and rewarded for being a good doobie. I wanted to feel nurtured after a stressful task that I hated. These days....we have a new rule at the house. The person who does the grocery shopping gets to relax and take a bath while the other person does the cooking. And you know what? It works. I feel appreciated, supported. And I eat a more balanced decent dinner and have a win. That feels good. I learned that I geninely don't like asking for help...and that I need to more often. Just writing that makes me cringe. My bariatric therapist did a lot of talking about the "whys" of over eating, and finding ways to get the desired needs met that aren't self sabotaging. I wish we talked about the "whys" more.

This is my review of mexico bariatric center Cliff notes: I would absolutely recommend them. Dr. Lousinana Valenzualla A++++ MBC hospital facility B+ not the fanciest but clean. MBC nursing staff A++++ very nice and attentive This review is long and detailed. I am a late 40's male about 5'11and over the course of the last year my weight balloned to 255. Enough to the point where life just wasnt as fullfulling as it used to be. My weight was definately limiting me. I had a friend have the gastric sleeve surgery at MBC about 5 years ago and she had zero complications and lost around 140lbs. She reached her goal weight. She highly recommended MBC. 3 years ago i actually scheduled the surgery with MBC but then i made the big mistake of getting on the internet and only looked for horror stories about what could go wrong. 2 weeks later i was so scared i chickened out and cancelled my surgery. Giant mistake on my part. So in april of this year i decided to go through with surgery. One of the hardest parts of making this decision is bringing up the subject with your spouse. I eventually got the nerve to talk to her about it and she was wonderfully supportive. That should not have suprised me. So i made the decision and sceduled the surgery for June 11th and bought my airfare. But i made one other important decision and that was to get off the internet and stop reading about complication and stop playing the "what if this goes wrong game". My bmi was around 34 so i only had to do a 1 week preop diet. In those 7 days of all liquids i lost no joke 20lbs. I went to my surgery on June 11th at 235lbs. Was it hard to be on an all liquid diet for 7 days, not as hard as living with the shame of obesity i have felt all my life. Mexico bariateic center had there driver call me the night before my flight and confirm the flight info and my pickup time. When i arrived in san diego i called the driver and he showed up promply in an unmarked white chevy van. The van was just a passenger van nothing fancy at all but it was clean and the driver drove responsibly. He took me straight to my hotel. The hotel in my opinion was 5 stars. Very very nice. Probably one of the nicest hotels i have ever stayed in. Rooms were huge. The place had a lounge in the lobby that served all kinds of broths. A+ place. I was told that i would be picked up at 730 the next morning to go to the hospital. The next morning i went down to the lobby at 715. There was a very nice unmarked van waiting for me and 1 other patient. The driver was well dressed, friendly, helpful and pretty funny. He took us straight to the hospital where he escorted us into the building and brought our bags in for us. We checked in and waited in the lobby for about an hour for a nurse to come get us. Apperently some of the patients that were checking out were slow and that was the cause of the delay. Eventually a nurse came down and escorted both of us up to our rooms. On a 1-10 scale i would give me room a 7. It was clean but no frills. Small tv, older style medical bed. Just dont expect any fancy room when you go. This isnt a vacation. My room was located right infront on the nurses station. That i thought was a good thing. So they told me to put on a gown and compression socks and then promptly did a 12 lead ekg on me that came back normal. I asked what time my surgery would be and she said within an hour. Here we go I thought. Before the surgery happened and after the ekg i met with 2 doctors the first one came in and asked me all the screening questions i had already filled out. He was thorough. He spoke good english, he was polite and was able to answer any of my questions. The second doctor to come in was my surgeon Dr. Lousiana Valenzuella. She was very kind and professional. I told her that i had gallstones and that i wanted her to take my gallbladder out to if it looked like it wouldnt be too complicated. She in own words told me it wouldnt be a problem. She answered all of my questions and then left to prep for my surgery. 20 minutes later a nurse arrived with a wheelchair and i was off to the OR which is on the 4th floor i think. I was wheeled into to the OR which was clean and a buzz from all the people ready and prepping for my surgery. I laid down on the table and the anathesioligist quickly introduced himself and said he was giving me something to relax and that is all i remember of that. Out like a light. I woke up in my room a few hours later and my thoat was just a little sore and my stomach had a touch of discomfort but really overall i felt way better then expected. The nurse promptly came into me room and gave me some pain meds and anti nausea meds. I went back to sleep. When i woke up the second time i felt pretty good. It was time to do some walking. When i got up to walk i felt great. Really no gas pains. My stomach was a little sore from the incisions and drain but not bad at all. I spent 2 nights in the hospital. The nurses came onschedule to change my iv bag, give me meds, and change me dressing. The nurses were great and very attentive to my needs. Long story short the recovery was way easier then i thought it was gonna be. Your result may be different but those were mine. Before i was discharged on day 3 i met again with Dr. Valenzuala. She tild me the sugery went perfect, that my liver had shrunk frim my preop diet as intended and that she removed my gallbladder without complication. She also told me she used a 34 fr bougie on me and that i would be skinny very soon. I kinda giggled when she said that. I would definately 100% recommend Dr. Valenzoula based on how good i felt after the surgery. On the day i was discharged they took all the patient being discharged and brought them to the lobby. Karla went over all the discharge instructions thourghly. She gave us helpful tips on what medications to get at the pharmacy. Karla was great. I would describe her as the mama bear who does her best at herding cats. She looks out for everyone at the same time trying to keep everyone moving in the right direction on time. From there we all went to the pharmacy together to fill our perscriptions. I think i spent 135 us at the pharmacy. Then the driver took me to the hotel and got me a room for just a few hours were i could rest till my flight. When i got home i was 142 lbs. I had actually gained 7 lbs after surgery. Easily explained though. They gave me a ton of iv fluids well i was there to keep me hydrated. Those extra 7 lbs came off in like a day and a half. By the end of clear liquids week i was down to 229lbs. Clear liquids week was tough, i felt pretty weak. I took lots of naps. I was very carefull to keep my incisions clean and bandaged up. I had very little pain or nausea. That was a win. I moved on to thick liquid week which included protein shakes. I felt way stronger. My incisions were healing nicely. Thick liquid weeks wasnt that bad and at the end of that week i was down to 223. I am currently on puree week. I still feel good. I walk 3 miles every morning. I dont lift anything heavy. My incisions a nearly fully healed. I can tell my stomach is small because when i try to eat anything i can on take about 3 bites before i start to feel full. Past 5 bites it can cause some discomfort. That is the tool you will use going forward is my thought. Tips for anyone considering using MBC 1. Just do it, dont get on the internet and look for reasons not to. You will end up scaring yourself and backing out. Sure there is a very low complication risk leaks, blood clots, gerd. Accept it and move on. 2. Follow the preop diet and doctor instructions to a T. 3. Walk and stay hydrated Thats all i got folks. Good luck. I will answer question. Save any negative comments cause i just dont care.

Fat is the last safe prejudice...people are stupid casual about insensitive fat remarks. And yep, as thinner people now...we get an earful of that from people who would have filtered around us when we were heavier. It's messed up and sad. I've heard some awful remarks about fat people from people I would have otherwise said were typically very kind. It's shocking and disheartening. The problem with how unkindly this was said...is that it's probably a truthful observation clinically. Cross over or transfer addiction is very real. Most bariatric clinics don't meaningfully address this component of obesity. They don't provide enough support to address the core issues of how folks ended up obese to begin with. They want to cure the symptom (the obese body) without understanding the whole illness. In my opinion, that's a huge mistake.

As @arabesque mentioned, have you called your surgeon? The ED docs and general med docs for sure should be consulting with your surgical team-not all ED teams and inpatient medical teams are familiar with bariatric surgery patients.

Try not leaving such a long time between eating & taking your antibiotics. Try swallowing them with milk, yoghurt or protein shake if you’re waiting to take them so you’re not drinking water 30 mins after you eat. Antibiotics taken on an empty tummy can make anyone nauseous even non bariatric patients. Though our tummies can be fussy & sensitive. Give your medical team a call if the prescriptions aren’t working or causing you more distress. You can’t keep vomiting multiple times a day.

Though regain and difficulty with maintenance is very common....Few people who are struggling with regain stick around and post on this board. Most folks here are new to surgery and excited about possibilities, going through the process...high energy. You will see a few people talking about regain on the veteran's forum and revision boards. If you want statistical information about percentages of people who reach goal, regain, what is considered "a success" in the industry...talk to your bariatric surgeon. They are excellent, tough questions that you really should ask.

The chocolate soft chews from this site taste like candy! Bariatric Pal Belgian Chocolate Caramel. I also have a liquid calcium citrate, Nature’s Blend blueberry flavor (online or a specialty pharmacy can order it). Easy digestion and not as sweet as the soft chews if I’m not in the mood for sweets.