I had Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico 2 Months Ago

[Red State Rebel]

If anyone has any questions about my experience, please feel free. This is the first time I've posted to this group, but wanted to make myself available for questions if anyone had any.

The surgery I had was a Duodenal Switch with Bileopancreatic Diverson. The hospital I was in (Hermosillo, MX) was beautiful, my surgeon was great and I was thrilled with the whole experience.

Since my surgery 11/29, I have lost 50 lbs. and am down 2 sizes.

The cost for this surgery in the states would have been between $35,000 and $50,000, in Mexico, it cost me $11,000.

[auntAgonist]

1. Welcome to the group .. I had the SAME surgery

In Michigan on March 15th of 2005. How wonderful for you to have been able to go to Mexico. My surgery was covered by BCBS PPO here in MI.

I'm down 146lbs to HALF my size. I started at 291 and now weigh 146, I lost a whole me :)


How are you feeling? .. Getting all your protein in?

aA
aka kesha.

I posted this a while back. I'm down 40 more lbs since the last photo.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=337&topic_id=772&mesg_id=772

[Red State Rebel]

2. Congrats on the loss!

I am doing pretty well with the protein now that I can eat more. Little by little it's getting better. I had heard that by month three the capacity was much better and as I get closer to that I can see it increasing.

What supplements do you take?

[auntAgonist]

3. I take

1 Potassium daily (prescription)
1 Vitamin D (prescription)
1 400 IU of A&D 3x daily
1 400 IU of D 3x daily
1 Solo (by GNC) multivitamin 2x daily
1 Super Calcium 1200 2x daily
1 N-Acetyl Cysteine 600mg 2x daily
1 Biotin 2x daily
Folic Acid 2 daily
1 Evening Primrose capsule 1x daily
1 vivactiv calcium in the morning

my labs all come back just fine.
The biotin, folic acid and N-Acetyl Cysteine are 'supposedly' to help with the hair loss, but I see no benefit. I had a lot of hair loss, fortunately I had a lot of hair to start with. I can see that it's starting to come back now.

I try to drink at least one protein drink a day. I buy the revival soy vanilla shakes. They taste pretty good and I can make smoothies with them by adding frozen fruit etc.

http://www.revivalsoy.com they aren't available in stores.

whey protein makes me gag, something about the smell I guess. (?)

[u4ic]

4. auntieA, have you tried silica?

I used it when my hair was thinning (due to a chronic illness); it took a while, but it did grow back nicely.

I've never heard NAC for hair loss...not saying that it doesn't...it's the amino acid that's often lacking, that the body needs to manufacture glutathione, which is an antioxidant. It also helps with liver detoxification, and to help break up mucus. I've used it, too :)

edit: Ah, just looked it up...it says the sulfur in NAC can help with hair...however, if you're eating protein, (esp eggs), onions, garlic and cruciferous veggies, you should be getting enough sulfur.

[lavenderdiva]

11. so far, I've tried biotin for hair loss

and to help strengthen my nails, but haven't heard about silica. Where do you get it? At someplace like a healthfood store? or vitamin store? What does silica do to help promote hair growth? I've even tried those roll on formulas to help bald people! I'm not bald, but am definitely noticing my hair thinning as I get older, and want to stop that in its tracks!!

[u4ic]

5. Congrats, Red State Rebel!!

Welcome to the group! :toast:

[Cathyclysmic]

6. thanks

I may have the bypass in a couple months. My doc's theory is that it will help with infertility. I never thought I would do the surgery, but if it will stop yo-yo dieting and let us have kids, I'm going for it.

Right know I'm doing Weight Watchers, lost 4 pounds.

[auntAgonist]

7. how are you doing Red State Rebel?

I haven't seen a post in a while and was wondering how you're adjusting to your 'new life'


aA

[Red State Rebel]

8. I'm currently down 71 lbs. in almost 4 Months

So far so good! The average monthly loss is about 10-12 lbs. with this surgery. I lost more than that in the beginning but I think I'm getting more in line with the normal loss amounts now.

I'm down 4 sizes from a 24 to a 16 in jeans - it's so nice to know it's not all going to come back the way it has in the past!

[AlCzervik]

9. Wow!! Congratulations!!!!

[auntAgonist]

10. The DS is awesome isn't it?

I'm glad you're doing well and hopefully you're feeling well too! I'm down 146lbs, unbelievable.
I just have to get my labs straightened out but that will come in time.

:yourock:

Congrats on your success.

keep sippin' don't forget your water :)

aA
kesha