I'm going nuts!

[PhatGurl80 26]

As I inch towards my VSG on August 11 ( in Tijuana), i feel like I'm getting expontially more anxious, nervous, just plain crazy! I find myself logged into VS Talk and other websites every waking movment of the day, even while i'm at work. I have it on my phone....it's ridiculous. I think part of my anxiety comes from the fact that 1). I"m leaving the country for one 2). paying cash money and 3). Not sure how my afercare will play out once I get back to the states. And boy have I read some horror stories....but on the flip side, so many positive stories. I can only hope that I don't fall into that small category of folks who now are dealing with compclications. I mean, I think about this so much, I started having psychosymatic post-op pain in my gut. lol. I even feel like i might vomit after I eat my normal meals...crazy, right!?!

Anyone else going as crazy about this as me???

[Wheetsin 714]

PhatGUrl, if you don't plan on returning to MX for aftercare, you might want to start finding a local surgeon who take care of you now. A lot of people wait until they need it, and them find that no one around them will handle their care, or the costs are more than they anticipated, etc. Knowing who you'll see down the road, when you have your surgery, will save you the stress later on.

And on that note, what aftercare is really needed? Staple removal, drain removal -- is there a standard follow-up schedule after that or are you just kind of set loose? (I know it will vary by surgeon, but it's an interesting consideration for out-of-country procedures).

[GreginMI 76]

I know my follow up care includes blood work to make sure all my levels are okay and monitoring on weight loss and meetings with the nutritionist to make sure I'm eating right. It's quite helpful.

PhatGUrl, if you don't plan on returning to MX for aftercare, you might want to start finding a local surgeon who take care of you now. A lot of people wait until they need it, and them find that no one around them will handle their care, or the costs are more than they anticipated, etc. Knowing who you'll see down the road, when you have your surgery, will save you the stress later on.

And on that note, what aftercare is really needed? Staple removal, drain removal -- is there a standard follow-up schedule after that or are you just kind of set loose? (I know it will vary by surgeon, but it's an interesting consideration for out-of-country procedures).

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Hello and welcome to the WLS world. Chances are you will never get enough... even when you are nearly a year out...

[PhatGurl80 26]

Ha! Well I actually feel a little better after I got that off my chest . Thanks everyone!

[italianlady13 80]

I had those pre op pains. They were right on too! Exactly the pains I am having after surgery (I'm only 3 days out) I actually went to my doctor to make sure I didn't have some rare stomach condition (I DIDN"T). The night before my surgery my friend who's girlfriend is a bariatric nurse in our area told me she had never heard of my doctor. He's one of the main professors here and has trained most of the doctors in the area. Of course I took her word for it and decided he wasn't qualified and totally psyched myself out the night before the surgery. My husband was ready to kill me....but I went in the next day and had my surgery and now I'm feeling ok. The first day was the worst day but now as time is moving on I'm feeling better and I'm so glad I did it. Don't let the horror stories psych you out. Look at the stories of people dying a slow death from obesity those stories should scare you as well. It's a difficult life to live when you are over weight. Take the step but before you do make sure you are going to have the health care you need after. Maybe talk to your family doctor and perhaps if it's going to cause a horrible problem maybe it's best to fork over the extra money to have the surgery within the USA....good luck and don't flip out everything is going to work out fine keep a positive mind.

[mamamckinzie 92]

I agree with the other posters and encourage you to seek out your family doc or some other doc (maybe even Bari) for your follow up. Alot of the info you can get here or Obesity Help. However, you will need to have your blood draws done to check your Vitamin levels. A good Multivitamin with Iron should cover it but it is best to make sure. Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted.

Oh and by the way..mine is just around the corner and I am constantly on the boards with either my laptop or my phone.

[kemo46 82]

My drain was removed before I left the hospital. The only thing that I will need is my blood work after 90 days. This is important to make sure you are getting enough Vitamins and minerals. Most doctors will give you follow up care, if there are issues, that can be a different story. Who is your surgeon, I had my Surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Almanza.

[PhatGurl80 26]

Kemo46 - I am having my surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia Govea at the Mi Doctor Hospital. I've been going back in forth via email with all sorts of questions with him and my coordinator Sandy. How long ago did you have the surgery?

My drain was removed before I left the hospital. The only thing that I will need is my blood work after 90 days. This is important to make sure you are getting enough Vitamins and minerals. Most doctors will give you follow up care, if there are issues, that can be a different story. Who is your surgeon, I had my Surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Almanza.

[bxmama2011 0]

I feel the exact same way, I just can not relax. I am so anxious to get this over with. I am not nervous just very eager to get it done and over with. The anxious feeling is overwhelming at times, I go in tomorrow morning and I have not had a good nights sleep in two days. I just cant seem to sleep with my racing mind.

[kemo46 82]

Kemo46 - I am having my surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia Govea at the Mi Doctor Hospital. I've been going back in forth via email with all sorts of questions with him and my coordinator Sandy. How long ago did you have the surgery?

May 25th, two months ago.

[PhatGurl80 26]

bxmama2011 I didn't see your post until today! I pray that everything went well with your surgery. Let me know how you're doin!

I feel the exact same way, I just can not relax. I am so anxious to get this over with. I am not nervous just very eager to get it done and over with. The anxious feeling is overwhelming at times, I go in tomorrow morning and I have not had a good nights sleep in two days. I just cant seem to sleep with my racing mind.

[PhatGurl80 26]

**UPDATE** At two weeks until my surgery I took some of everyone's advise and went to see my primary care physician. I felt like a teenager that had to break the news to her parents that she banged up her car lol. I was kind of nervous, so while Iwas getting my 'well woman' exam, I started talking about bariatric sugery and eased into telling her I needed some pre-op tests before traveling overseas. To my surprise she was very receptive of the whole situation and even added in a couple extra tests so I can take those results with me . Overall, much of my anxiety has gone away because now I feel that i do have a local medical professional that I can go to for any hiccups I face after the surgery. What a sigh of relief...Sigh...

[BrandNew2011 0]

PhatGurl80- Have you had your surgery yet? I am soooooo glad to find someone else that is having their surgery with Dr. Garcia. I am scheduled for September 27 and I have been researching Dr. Garcia and the hospital. I would really like to know how everything goes for you.

**UPDATE** At two weeks until my surgery I took some of everyone's advise and went to see my primary care physician. I felt like a teenager that had to break the news to her parents that she banged up her car lol. I was kind of nervous, so while Iwas getting my 'well woman' exam, I started talking about bariatric sugery and eased into telling her I needed some pre-op tests before traveling overseas. To my surprise she was very receptive of the whole situation and even added in a couple extra tests so I can take those results with me . Overall, much of my anxiety has gone away because now I feel that i do have a local medical professional that I can go to for any hiccups I face after the surgery. What a sigh of relief...Sigh...

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Her grandma passed away very recently so she is rescheduling - hoping to be sometime in September.

PhatGurl80- Have you had your surgery yet? I am soooooo glad to find someone else that is having their surgery with Dr. Garcia. I am scheduled for September 27 and I have been researching Dr. Garcia and the hospital. I would really like to know how everything goes for you.