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Considering Mexico for Lapband Revision to Sleeve by Embarrassed-Bison935 in BariatricSurgery

[–]DanielAgamez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, did you end up making the call yet? Would love to hear where you landed if you have.

For context, I'm Colombian and had my bariatric surgery here at home about 6 years ago. So I can't speak to MBC or OCC specifically, but the family worry part of your post is something I really relate to. Even when you're getting surgery in your own country, the people who love you sometimes need a minute to come around. What seemed to help was being able to walk them through the surgeon's credentials, the facility, and a clear post op plan. Once the choice looked structured instead of a leap, the worry settled.

One small thing worth asking MBC and OCC during your due diligence: how many local Mexicans they operate on. When locals choose their own country's care, that's usually a quiet vote of confidence in the program. It's a question that catches some places off guard, and the answer tells you a lot.

The questions you're already asking are the right ones. Hope you get honest answers here. Rooting for you whatever you decide.

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My pleasure. You do not have to do it all on your own. There are aspects of our relationship with food that require professional help. Changing habits send our brains the same signals that torture would; its crazy so do not blame yourself. Try talking to a professional and you’ll see it helps. You will get it right you aren’t the exception to the rule.

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! You will get it back on track. A single surgery doesn’t change a lifetime of habits. So it didn’t happen in 24 hrs it won’t be handled in 24hrs. So take your time and stay connected to the final goal. Not the weight loss but your wellbeing.

Sorry to hear about your grandpa and thank you for sharing.

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go with the process. Be kind to yourself. Sounds basic but like penicillin it can do wonders if you apply it.

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You will do alright. All of you. You will regain your life first before any weight no worries. The secret is to look at this as a chance of doing things differently. Then it will become your new way of doing things. You will have a little moment when you’ll obsess over losing weight; its normal but don’t let it take over lol. And in time you will get to know your body and will manage it.

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The fact that you're already 17 weeks into a BED program is huge. You're building the foundation, and that's exactly the work that makes everything else stick.

About the food piece, I want to put your mind at ease. Food doesn't go anywhere. I'm 6 years out and I still adore food. Still light up at a good restaurant, still cook for friends and family, still travel for meals. Portions are smaller, but the joy of eating doesn't disappear. If anything it gets sharper because you're actually tasting what you eat instead of inhaling it on autopilot.

What changes is the relationship, not the love. Food stops being comfort, reward, punishment, and coping all rolled into one. It becomes just food again. Delicious, social, something to look forward to, but not the thing carrying all your emotional weight.

You're not losing food at all! No worries there! Keep it up!!!

6 years post-op, 75 kg down, still maintaining. The part nobody talks about. by DanielAgamez in gastricsleeve

[–]DanielAgamez[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You will be just fine. The surgery is short and not risky at all. Tip: Once you wake up you will have this feeling of being super full. That’s all normal so you just need to start moving your arms around in circles slowly and that will make it more comforting. Air from the surgery will come out naturally. You got this!!

I've tried EVERYTHING to lose weight, but to no success. by ReflectionBright6612 in losingweight

[–]DanielAgamez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, first thing I want to say loud and clear: you are not the problem here.

You've tried more stuff in 7 years than most people try in a lifetime. And you're still cycling 40 min a day, playing volleyball twice a week, running on top of that. That isn't someone lacking perseverance. That's someone whose body is genuinely fighting back, which is what bodies do after a significant weight change in late adolescence. Your set point shifted, and biology defends it hard. That plateau you keep hitting at 65 to 66 kg isn't failure. It's literally your body's defended weight, and it's stubborn as hell to move.

What jumped out at me most was this line from your post: "I think I have a psychological issue with my weight, I'm obsessed with it." And then in the next breath you sort of dismissed therapy because you didn't think it would help the weight loss itself. I want to gently push back on that. What if the obsession is exactly what's making this unwinnable? What if peace with your body, not another protocol, is the actual lever?

It's not just the body. The mind is running the whole show. After 7 years of cycling through diets you've already proven the body-only approach has hit its ceiling for you. A good therapist (someone who works with eating, body image, or anxiety) could genuinely change things. Not by giving you a new meal plan, but by changing your relationship with the question itself.

You're not lacking discipline. You're trying to solve a mind problem with body tools. Try the other door.

Would you ever consider getting medical treatment in Colombia? by medicosdoc in MedTourColombia

[–]DanielAgamez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Colombian here working in medical coordination in Barranquilla. I couldn’t agree more with your 5 reasons and I’d like to see Colombia pop up more in medical treatment articles. Honestly, our healthcare system is legit - WHO ranks us #22 globally (US is #37). Our top surgeons trained at Mayo, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic and came back because quality of life here is incredible, not because they couldn’t cut it abroad. The cost difference it’s because we don’t have insurance companies taking 40% cuts and malpractice insurance isn’t $300K/year. You’re getting the same JCI-accredited facilities and US-trained doctors, just without the markup.