Lurker.... coming out :) Being switched this week !
My name is Tammy and I am pretty new to the boards although I have posted a couple of times. You ladies are great and have always answered my questions in an honest way.
I am the mother of 7 children and I am married to the most awesome Douglas. I have been overweight all of my life. It has been a constant disheartening battle. The fad diets, the prescribed diets, the starvation. It has been an long journey. I have been trying to have weightloss surgery since 2003 with so many insurance denials I lost count. Having no insurance at this point I have decided to self pay.
I am topping the scales now at 303lbs it has been my dirty little (big) secret for so long. I am ready to get it out in the open and let it go.
I will be having the DS procedure done Sat. I am so excited and scared. Nervous and anxious. I don't hardly know what to do with myself.
I have researched and researched but I know in the end nothing can prepare me for the actual surgery.
I would appreciate any advice and support you can offer me.
Tammy
I am the mother of 7 children and I am married to the most awesome Douglas. I have been overweight all of my life. It has been a constant disheartening battle. The fad diets, the prescribed diets, the starvation. It has been an long journey. I have been trying to have weightloss surgery since 2003 with so many insurance denials I lost count. Having no insurance at this point I have decided to self pay.
I am topping the scales now at 303lbs it has been my dirty little (big) secret for so long. I am ready to get it out in the open and let it go.
I will be having the DS procedure done Sat. I am so excited and scared. Nervous and anxious. I don't hardly know what to do with myself.
I have researched and researched but I know in the end nothing can prepare me for the actual surgery.
I would appreciate any advice and support you can offer me.
Tammy
Tammy-
Let me be the first to welcome and congratulate you on your upcoming DS surgery.
I am only 2 months out, but do have a couple of suggestions for you.
First, if you have not done so already, go ahead and get your vitamins and some protein samples lined up. I would get a nice selection of protein shakes and RTDs waiting for you for your return from the hospital but be aware that even if you have one you love now, your tastes may change post-op.
Second, if at all possible, try to arrange to have a week of restful recovery. I imagine with 7 kids that will be difficult but if at all possible, have your husband, family, and friends take care of them. The first week you will probably be very sore and your body will be in need of lots of rest.
Third, have a recliner available for that important first week. It makes it so much easier to get up and down.
Fourth, also have some sugar free popcicles, broth, SF jello, pudding, oatmeal, mashed potatos,soup, greek yogurt, etc. ready for the first couple of weeks. You probably won't want or be able to eat much but these liquids and 'mushies' are good to have at the ready. Also keep saltines by you because you may get an upset stomach from the acid. I ate one or two first thing in the morning my first couple of weeks to head this off and it worked great.
I'm sure I'm missing some additional suggestions but I'm sure someone else will add their 2 cents.
Keep up updated of your progress!
Kim
P.S. - keep reading here and bookmarking information you will want to review as a post-op! The information you get here from the vets is invaluable.
Let me be the first to welcome and congratulate you on your upcoming DS surgery.
I am only 2 months out, but do have a couple of suggestions for you.
First, if you have not done so already, go ahead and get your vitamins and some protein samples lined up. I would get a nice selection of protein shakes and RTDs waiting for you for your return from the hospital but be aware that even if you have one you love now, your tastes may change post-op.
Second, if at all possible, try to arrange to have a week of restful recovery. I imagine with 7 kids that will be difficult but if at all possible, have your husband, family, and friends take care of them. The first week you will probably be very sore and your body will be in need of lots of rest.
Third, have a recliner available for that important first week. It makes it so much easier to get up and down.
Fourth, also have some sugar free popcicles, broth, SF jello, pudding, oatmeal, mashed potatos,soup, greek yogurt, etc. ready for the first couple of weeks. You probably won't want or be able to eat much but these liquids and 'mushies' are good to have at the ready. Also keep saltines by you because you may get an upset stomach from the acid. I ate one or two first thing in the morning my first couple of weeks to head this off and it worked great.
I'm sure I'm missing some additional suggestions but I'm sure someone else will add their 2 cents.
Keep up updated of your progress!
Kim
P.S. - keep reading here and bookmarking information you will want to review as a post-op! The information you get here from the vets is invaluable.
~ Kim ~
HW - 283 SW - 257.5 Goal - 156
Thanks to all the DS vets who have paid it forward - I <3 you guys!
Looking for DS support & information? Check out : http://weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi
HW - 283 SW - 257.5 Goal - 156
Thanks to all the DS vets who have paid it forward - I <3 you guys!
Looking for DS support & information? Check out : http://weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi
-
Tammy, I'm happy for you that you are moving forward, but concerned about your choice of surgeon. I have been on these boards for over 5 years, and have never heard of him. Even his info page here on OH doesn't say that he does the DS, just RNY and sleeve. And if anything, docs tend to list more procedures than what they really do, not less.
The only DS surgeon in Mexico that has a good reputation here is Dr. Ungson. While I know of know bad experiences with your surgeon, I know of no good experiences with him either. No DS experiences at all.
You asked for advice. My advice would be to hold off a little longer and make sure you go to a qualified, experienced DS surgeon. Since you are self-pay, I'm guessing that cost is a factor, as it is for many people, but it shouldn't and just can't be the only factor. And you could still have surgery in Mexico, just with a different surgeon. (and for the record, I have never had any contact with Dr. U and have no association with him)
You also asked for support, and I wish I could be more supportive, but bad things happen when people pick the wrong surgeon for a particular operation. Please reconsider. You are still pre-op. Better to change plans now than to have big regrets later.
Larra
The only DS surgeon in Mexico that has a good reputation here is Dr. Ungson. While I know of know bad experiences with your surgeon, I know of no good experiences with him either. No DS experiences at all.
You asked for advice. My advice would be to hold off a little longer and make sure you go to a qualified, experienced DS surgeon. Since you are self-pay, I'm guessing that cost is a factor, as it is for many people, but it shouldn't and just can't be the only factor. And you could still have surgery in Mexico, just with a different surgeon. (and for the record, I have never had any contact with Dr. U and have no association with him)
You also asked for support, and I wish I could be more supportive, but bad things happen when people pick the wrong surgeon for a particular operation. Please reconsider. You are still pre-op. Better to change plans now than to have big regrets later.
Larra
I'm not going to rain on your parade - I'm flat out going to **** on it.
You need to talk to Larissa about going to a "DS surgeon" with no proper track record, as well as one in a foreign country where there is no recourse if he f's it up.
I've been on OH for over 8 years and I've NEVER HEARD OF YOUR SURGEON, MUCH LESS THAT HE IS A PROPERLY TRAINED DS SURGEON.
I think you are taking an unacceptably enormous risk, especially as a mother of seven kids. I would HIGHLY recommend that you rethink this.
Dr. Ungson is the ONLY Mexican surgeon I would recommend, and I would recommend him without reservation.
You need to talk to Larissa about going to a "DS surgeon" with no proper track record, as well as one in a foreign country where there is no recourse if he f's it up.
I've been on OH for over 8 years and I've NEVER HEARD OF YOUR SURGEON, MUCH LESS THAT HE IS A PROPERLY TRAINED DS SURGEON.
I think you are taking an unacceptably enormous risk, especially as a mother of seven kids. I would HIGHLY recommend that you rethink this.
Dr. Ungson is the ONLY Mexican surgeon I would recommend, and I would recommend him without reservation.
Ms. Cal Culator
on 3/23/11 5:19 am, edited 3/23/11 11:34 am - Tuvalu
on 3/23/11 5:19 am, edited 3/23/11 11:34 am - Tuvalu
I'm glad you appreciate honest answers, because here I go:
I wish I could be more supportive, but the Medical Tourism people have sent you to someone who doesn't even CLAIM to do the DS. And even if he has STARTED doing them, do you really want to be a guinea pig?
There is only ONE Mexican doctor who has proven himself to be a surgeon who is worthy of the title "DS Surgeon," and that's Ungson.
I really hope you do well, and I know you're having to pay for this and probably were convinced that his prices were the best, but there is no way anyone can even claim that his EXPERIENCE is even "average." There aren't that many DSs being done and if he had done even a fair number of them, we would have heard of him.
This is a HUGE surgery...HUGE....ENORMOUS. If there is any way you can cancel this and go to someone who is truly experienced at it, that would be the way to go.
If you can't, again, I wish you the best...but you need to know that you are taking quite a risk here.
Sue
HIs website www.surgeryofweight.com does not mention the DS:
puerto vallarta, Jal.
About jose antonio castañeda cruz
www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/dr-jose-anton io-castaeda-cruz/
Roux-en-Y, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
In any group of a hundred people, there are probably 2 or 3 sociopaths. In a group of a thousand, more like 20-30. They function very well in "affinity groups," where people have things in common and tend to trust strangers. I am NOT saying not to trust anyone. I AM saying that there are probably two dozen sociopaths hanging out here and looking for victims. Most are NOT serial killers.
Read: www.sociopathicstyle.com/traits/classic.htm
Oh wow, I didn't even notice the surgeon or that he is not 'vetted'. Please do go and read Larissa's experience. We don't want you to become a cautionary tale.
Tammy - really do listen to these DS pros. I was lucky and had one of the most experienced DS surgeons around. You have a large family and lots of people who need to keep you around. I understand wanting to go for a cheaper surgeon, but remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. I'd consider canceling this weekend and looking for someone in the States or at least Dr. U for the surgery.
You might also want to consider that if you have complications, whi*****rease in likehood if you go with an unexperienced doctor, you could effect your future insurance coverage.
Please do read Larissa's story and really reconsider your options. I get that you want to get rid of your weight but don't do that at the risk of your health and life to save a few bucks or a few more months of being heavy.
Kim
Tammy - really do listen to these DS pros. I was lucky and had one of the most experienced DS surgeons around. You have a large family and lots of people who need to keep you around. I understand wanting to go for a cheaper surgeon, but remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. I'd consider canceling this weekend and looking for someone in the States or at least Dr. U for the surgery.
You might also want to consider that if you have complications, whi*****rease in likehood if you go with an unexperienced doctor, you could effect your future insurance coverage.
Please do read Larissa's story and really reconsider your options. I get that you want to get rid of your weight but don't do that at the risk of your health and life to save a few bucks or a few more months of being heavy.
Kim
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