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All good, all great, CreekImp you are my BBFF, "best bariatric friend forever". And guess what? Almost every one of them- OSU my new wonderful program #2 fulfills! I have landed my WL parachute is the right place for me and my future.

1. Relationship to premiere research hospital. 2. 20+ years of doing bariatric surgery. Sits on board of bariatric surgeons. Helped develop the qualifications necessary to board certify other surgeons. 3. Does surgery at a center of excellence that is also a first rate trauma center. 4. I could be part of a research project. 5. Recommended diet includes lots of healthy carbs and calories are not insanely restrictive. 6. Five year success rate of patients is excellent compared to others. 7. Dedicated 24/7 emergency line for bariatric patients. 8. Tons of education and resources. Good support staff. Process of approval was made very simple and straight forward.

Many of us have traveled a different path to find a surgeon. Did you find yours because of a recommendation of your primary care physician? Did you choose yours because of a friend's recommendation? Did you apply to a certain bariatric program and they assigned yours to you? Or did you travel a different path yet?

I just had Gastric Sleeve surgery 10 days ago at Mexicali Bariatric Centre (MBC) at the Hospital Almater in Mexico. Dr. Rodolfo Wilhelmy and Dr. Edgar Campos were the main surgeons. I can't sing their praises enough! Their team has dedicated pre-surgery contacts who answer every single question imaginable and walk you through what you need to get to Mexicali every step of the way. They pick you up either from the San Diego airport or a near by hotel and take you to the hospital in Mexicali which is about a 2 hour drive plus border crossing time which is longer leaving Mexicali. You are also taken back to the San Diego airport after your surgery (all included in your package) The Almater Hospital is on par or even better than some hospitals in the West. Its modern, has a lovely atmosphere about it, the nursing staff is very professional, very kind and sweet. There is an English speaking liaison assigned to the Hospital who takes you through each process. Some of the nurses speak a bit of English but I had no issues because I used an English/Spanish translation ap. All of their equipment is top line, modern, extremely clean and I thought it was decorated very nicely (lovely art pieces ). The doctors were attentive, engaging and they checked on you regularly and they spoke English. You get a private room with ensuite bathroom which is very nice. There is a 3 seater couch and lounge chair in your room which your travel companion can sleep on and stay in your room. You also have the option of renting a near by hotel room for your travel companion which mine did and she took a taxi to see me daily. If you stay at the hospital, bring bedding for the sofa (blanket, sheet). I brought my own blanket for a mattress pad and my own blanket as well as a body pillow. To me, comfort is necessary when in pain. I would recommend you bring a clip on light to clip to the side of your bed as well as a small extension cord so that you do not have to get up and down to switch on lights when you are in pain, especially for when your travel companion is asleep. I never had any doubts about MBC whatsoever. They have great reviews and I felt safe and comfortable in the hospital and I had confidence in their skills and facilities. Their cost was SO MUCH cheaper than the USA and Canada, even including all the airfares I had to pay. To me, it was worth the effort to get all the way to Mexico from Barbados. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a shout.

The site below looks useful, however, your surgeon should have provided you witha a post op diet, and you should at least follow that for the first couple of months. http://drjalil.com/jalil-illan-bariatric-post-op-diet.html

Hi, I'm looking for a guide to what to eat after bariatric sleeve. Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using BariatricPal mobile app

It’s too bad you feel this way. I’m unable to attend my monthly support group meeting most months at my local hospital due to my work schedule. I joined this site and started browsing the forums shortly before my surgery. I have learned so much from the other members here, and when able have tried to share things that may in turn be useful to others as well. Have other members here had different opinions? Why sure. That is what part of makes this a nice place to get advice and suggestions. You are going to get multiple different outlooks and opinions on topics that are posted. Have there been a few members that seemed a bit overly malicious as AshAsh stated? Yes. But on the whole, this is a community of people all struggling with a common problem and we all want to be healthy in the long run. I think anytime you are posting on the internet you have to understand that if you ask for stranger’s advice, you may receive it in a more straightforward manner than you are used to. If you cannot emotionally handle the advice or opinions, you probably shouldn’t be asking for them or posting about it in an online forum. That being said, I have mostly only seen people trying to help each other. I’m glad this site exists for those of us unable to reach out in real life to other bariatric patients.

Hey All, It has almost been 3 years since my sleeve surgery. I am curious how many of you go to your bariatric annual appointments? I am going this year to ensure my bloodwork is still good. Please share if you still go, how may years out you are and why you still go/don't go. Thanks! Patricia

Leaks are pretty unlikely from a laugh or cough. But you have to be careful not to lift anything heavy for approx. 4-6 weeks (my limitation was 10lbs, then 20lbs). It will be sore and you will know when to "baby" it. The hospital that I had surgery at gives all bariatric patients a "Bari-Bear" and it helps when you sneeze or cough to hold it close to your abdomen. You can do the same thing with a pillow. Scar tissue can always pose a risk, but that's what pre op testing is for. It should only cause a problem for future surgeries. There is always the possibility of a stricture as well. But they are easily identified and treated. You don't need to practice sipping, your body will remind you, that I promise. Some people don't have a problem with drinking after a few days, weeks, and some take months. But within a few weeks, I could gulp without a problem. The bigger concern is the frequency that you are drinking. Make sure you set a timer and get your fluids in. One of my top ten tips, is to avoid protein shakes until you have to (pre op diet or after surgery) because those shakes will become your worst enemy eventually. No need to expedite the process. Crushed ice should be OK after surgery. I know a lot of community members who actually make snow cone ice and its been a God sent for them. Good luck my dear! Congrats

I wish us bariatric consumers could petition the GasX gods to relent and resume cranking them out! Makes me say Should have done this sooner when they were prevelent. I'm laying on my bed with my c,-pap,on, I feel asleep last PM without it, did I wake up in the night and put it on? Do not remember, so this morning I look like an out of work jet pilot. I'm trying to show compliance so my surgery will happen why can't I get,bonus points for my 6-8 hours usage, if it was a fair world they should add them all together, then divide the hours by 30 and see I'm trying to be sweetly compliant! I will not get barred from surgery on a technicality if I can at all prevent it!💦

Hello, I’m new here and just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Gina and I’m in process of securing a date with a Dr in Tijuana for VSG. I’m trying to do my due diligence in researching, but it’s been hard. I had a patient care coordinator scare me from using one facility and now I’m back to square one in my search. I do know my date will be 7/12/18 as that’s when I have the time to go to MX. A little about me; 5’5, always been big girl, yo yo dieted most my life, worked out most my life & now that I’m almost 40 the weight just won't stop adding up. I’m over it and know the VSG will be the right tool for me. Anyone looking at Pompeii Medical, Mexico Bariatrics or BariatriPal? Maybe we can meet in MX.

As long as they're buying Bariatric Products at this site....I have a feeling these folks will be treated with respect and consideration. Which is as it should be. And is a good business practice.

Now see...I think your refusal to acknowledge and respect these people....is as offensive as you find women who post in the men's room. World is an interesting place, isn't it? If you'd like to be educated about them, look up the term genderqueer or non-binary gender identity. But again...I don't care what Alex does about these rooms. Ultimately, I think he'd care a lot more about them if they produced LOTS of sales of bariatric products. LOL:) By the way, have you tried the Flapjacked Mighty Muffins? They're amazing:)

And i, Hannah, am very glad to have met you and hope to be your friend now and in the future. Although our ages are very different I feel I can learn from you As much as I might be able teach and share wisdom with you. You feel like a turtle, well there are times I feel like an armidillo, rolling up in a ball for protection. But I am a survivor and I suspect you are also Lets get through this bariatric challenge as buddies, okay? ,,,, Frustr8

Future RnY person in July 2018 Reasons and comorbidities Arthritis since age 25 both varieties 2 knee replacements Family history Cardiac-received clearance Family history Diabetes-since child of 2 diabetics- always ranked as prediabetic Moderate GERD with accomplifing gastritis and small gastric ulcer Verified sleep apnea, pulmonary and sleep medicine clearances in place BMI approaching 50 and 72 years of age. And unlike my sleeve siblings I prefer potential,of dumping and perpetual vitamin/mineral supplementation to losing 3/4 or 7/8 of my natural stomach . They are already too many portions of me in pathologist jars And without my surgical tool for assistance facing the specter of my own demise within very few years. This is,my once and only bariatric surgery and I want to best and most proven type for myself. I will be having my surgery in a hospital which is a cutting edge teaching institution as well as a Center of Excellence. I fear surgery much less than continuing my slow and steady downhill slide toward death. Although I am into my 7th decade of life I find I have many things to achieve, many places to visit, much more accomplishments , I want the health and endurance for them all. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.😟 So I reach,out boldly and with confidence in my choices at this time.🌈😛

And Jessicajorney, gosh I wish I knew you in the outside world, you seem a very fine,person. Next. month my own will be happening and I hope my bariatric experience duplicates yours. You make me more and more excited when I read your posting. Each,line I read I say "Yeah,i want that too!" and I'm going to believe it will be just THAT WAY! Please update us the rest of the way and also after you've completed that Magic Day! 😛❤😛

Pre-Op went great today! First, I paid for the surgery in full with the office ($$$!!!!! ouch - but a good ouch - this is the beginning of a big change and journey in my life). The Bariatric Coordinator reviewed all my vitamins and I'm in good shape. I received my binder (WLS Bible) which I'm eager to read over in detail. We discussed the Pre-Op Diet again which starts 10 days before surgery. The Bariatric Coordinator answered all my zillions of questions. I had a little pocket size moleskine that I've been keeping questions and notes in. By the time the Surgeon came in, I really had no further questions as I felt like everything had been answered already. I received my Pain RX script and also was told my surgery would be at 12:30 P.M. on Monday, 6/25. However, they did say that the time could easily get moved up to earlier in the day. I received a goodie/sample bag of various vitamins and shakes and juices to try out. The team is amazing and I learned that the facility that I'm having surgery in is so brand new that it actually is opening next week. They said the recovery rooms are like a hotel room with an amazing view and for patient visitors, the lounge is insane with an amazing coffee shop. YAY! I am a sucker for architecture, NEW, aesthetics and design. They told me the Nurse Anesthetist will call me in the near future to go over all surgery related stuff (timing, meds, what to expect, etc.). I left feeling pretty excited. I went to CVS after and filled my RX and purchased a few more items: Liquid Tylenol, Pepcid Complete (which I need to take 2 a day for the first 6 weeks before I graduate to Calcium Citrate chewable). I'm going to jump online and buy some Gas X strips. Otherwise, I feel pretty prepared in terms of supplies.

You're doing so great! It's nice you have your spouse to help you. I talked to the Bariatric Coordinator today at pre-op and she said sugar free gum is ok - Yay! She just said don't go crazy because it can make you salivate and may make you more hungry. It's encouraging you have not had any nausea. Has your family mentioned the tummy noises are loud enough for them to hear? I read that never goes away. Already cutting back on BP meds --- look at you GO! The emotional part if the best to hear and I can understand feeling down. Something has shifted in me in recent months from "no hope" to "I'm going to fight this obesity once and for all!"

Ok so I’m in the states but so far I have seen 3 nuts 2 within a bariatric program and one privately and here’s the thing about bariatric nuts they work with ppl like us daily so your nut should have compassion but also no nonsense for bad behavior once you are under their care because frankly this is life or death it’s not a matter of like dislike heck I’m the pickiest eater alive and I can stick to it so if you need recipes I got you if you need to vent I got you ok

See I was the opposite. My insurance didn't require any of that. All I had to do was 1 nutritional visit and psych evaluation. My program required a bariatric class and pulmonary clearance. Needless to say, I actually gained weight from my first visit with the surgeon in October until I started the pre op diet. I put on 10-15lbs easy! I also quit smoking in October which didn't help matters. But by the beginning of November, I was on track and gave up everything else. I had a rough time on the pre op diet, but my worst offense was eating a few slices of cucumber in the first few days. Def not, doughnuts or cheeseburgers, ect. I don't know if my liver was huge or not, but they did my surgery with no complaints.

Obviously every dietician is different, so telling you about my first dietician visit isn't that helpful, but I'll do it anyway in the hopes that it will help calm your anxiety. The dieticians who work with bariatric clinics come into the room knowing that their patients will have some... let's say, quirky eating behaviors. At my first visit with the dietician, she talked to me a little bit about my current habits (and was totally non-judgmental about it), and gave me a few goals to work on for the next visit: try to focus on portion sizes (not caloric values), start taking a daily multivitamin, and foremost, start working on increasing my protein intake: 80-100g of protein a day. The next time, we talked about how it was going -- I'd done well about 50% of the time, and not so well the other 50% of the time; but I'd made progress on the protein and was experimenting with other changes. This time, she gave me a caloric target that was lower than I was used to, but not brutally low; and she challenged me to add some more veggies to my day. She wasn't picky about how I got there or what I chose, she just wanted me to work toward that goal. My point is, there's probably nothing about you that this dietician hasn't encountered before, and probably s/he won't be aiming to scold you or impose rigid guidelines. S/he will be looking to get you moving in the right direction. S/he will probably be interested in getting a sense of what kind of caloric reduction it takes to get the weight coming off, if only a little. S/he will probably want you to get more protein (you'll be hearing a lot of that.) My dietician also gave me a weight loss goal for the months before surgery -- mine was about 10% of my weight, an amount that is very doable in the time frame (even accounting for a spell of false starts) but still something I'd have to work toward. You'll still have to be open to doing some things differently, and trying some stuff you might not have thought you'd be ready to try. I have been stunned to discover that I'm actually kind of fond of a green smoothie in the morning -- my formula is raw baby spinach, a few frozen peach slices and pineapple chunks, a little water to "smoothie-fy" it -- but here I am, making murky green beverages every morning right before I head to work, and kind of missing them when I don't. But I'm also still eating two eggs and a strip of bacon for breakfast most mornings, sometimes a slice of toast or half a grapefruit as well, and my dietician seems not to have any problem with that. (She'd probably suggest turkey bacon, but I'd rather just not than sub in weird, failed facsimiles.) Again, my dietician won't be the same as yours, but if you're working with bariatric specialists, this dietician will probably be aware that few of us can change radically overnight. I think they're also aware that if the rigid, punitive approach to diet worked, there would be no need for bariatric surgery. Good luck!

I haven't had any problems with Bariatric Advantage brand vitamins. My nutritionist says the patches will be great but they are too new and haven't been perfected yet. Maybe in a year or so.

My bariatric program says not to do them. Every patient that they've had that did them ended up with deficiencies. It can take months for deficiencies to show up.

Does anyone have suggestions for me as far as diet for 1800 calories for gastric sleeve. I'm new and need help my nutritionist just informed to track food intake in bariatric app. Sent from my LGMP260 using BariatricPal mobile app

3 Bariatric Fusion shakes per day. I was allowed to snack on 1 SF jello cup, as much celery as I wanted, and small amounts of watermelon.