“Gastric Sleeve Surgery--My Journey To a New Me! - Tijuana, Mexico”

I am going to get the vertical sleeve surgery because I'm overweight and I have been overweight for a long time now. I also have developed type 2 diabetes. It is time to get my weight under control. I also have terrible self esteem and don't like to go out and meet people because I'm insecure about my weight. This has been going on for probably 7-8 years now and it is really making me a recluse. It is time for me to join the world again and be happy and free. I am going to get my sleeve surgery on Friday 2/3 and I am very nervous, excited, and scared. I am flying to San Diego Thursday evening and then leaving for Tijuana, Mexico Friday morning for pre op tests and surgery. It is going to be quite interesting. The anticipation is killing me. I cannot wait to report back about my experience and how the surgery goes. Thanks!

Updated on 9 Feb 2012:
Hey guys. It has now been almost a week since my surgery. Let me say it is a little scary going into Tijuana if you've never been there before. The clinic is a small outpatient style with an operating room and some other patient rooms for recovery. It is nicely decorated and the day time nurses are good. The night time nurses were so/so. The doctor is very experienced though, even more experienced than most U.S. surgeons because gastric sleeve has been done in Mexico longer due to government approval process.

So now that I'm home, I can feel the appetite restriction. It is definitely working. I feel pretty good considering I just had surgery. This has been the year to giving me a better health and I'm on a mission. Got smart lipo, got my front teeth fixed, and now I'm getting my weight under control with the help of the sleeve. I've lost weight BUT I have been having trouble losing enough to get in a healthy BMI. Hopefully this will help with that and with my diabetes. I will keep everyone updated on my weight loss progress. So far I've probably lost around 10 lbs but it's easy to lose that when you're only eating liquids before and after surgery.

Updated on 25 Feb 2012:
So now I'm 3 weeks post op. I am feeling back to normal except for the fact I have a tiny stomach. I went out to eat for the first time today and was able to eat sweet potato fries (only was able to consume 2-3 of them) and some bits of lump crab meat tilapia from outback. It's recommended to eat soft foods for the first 4-6 weeks. I was full off of that small amount of food! It's amazing. When you go from a 60 ounce stomach to a 3-4 ounce stomach you can definitely feel the difference. If you are a binge eater or boredom eater, this is a great help! Even if you are an emotional eater, it may not be a cure-all, but it can help you restrict yourself. There is a psychological aspect to overeating, emotional eating, and etc. Obviously food is a coping mechanism to many overweight people. This definitely helps eliminate that uncomfortable hunger and cravings.

I have lost a bit of weight so far and my pants already baggy. I will keep reporting back and let everyone know how my weight loss goes and if it was worth it or not. So far, it's looking that way.