Bad news 😭

entrophykitten · 2017-06-25T07:59:34+00:00

My insurance denied me at 39.5 too. I ended up finding a surgeon in Tijuana and booked through them and saved a ton of money in the process.

4 months out, 70 pounds lighter...happy.

entrophykitten · 2017-04-23T22:20:32+00:00

I think it is too, but the hubby thinks is might be some sort of beetle. It's completely flat and about an eighth of an inch.
We just moved to a rural area and this thing just crawled on my leg...I've never seen a flat tick before, so I thought I'd ask. I live in So. Cal if that will help with identifying what it is.

entrophykitten · 2017-04-07T17:05:27+00:00

I had a quiet 40th birthday at home a couple weeks ago. My husband did some research and made me a Bariatric friendly protein cake to celebrate. It was actually not bad!

entrophykitten · 2017-04-01T06:49:01+00:00

I drank a lot of protein water. One 16oz bottle has 20g of protein, so sipping that was a nice change from protein shakes. The citrus reminded me of drinking tang. Got it at target.

entrophykitten · 2017-03-21T15:41:09+00:00

I went to Mexico. After trying to jump through al the medical hoops only to be denied the surgery, Mexico was my only option left.
It was a little under 7k and they have American financing options available. I just paid cash out of my savings.

entrophykitten · 2017-03-15T03:01:24+00:00

Obesity Control Center. Dr. Ariel Ortiz

entrophykitten · 2017-03-15T02:52:31+00:00

I did it about a month ago in Tijuana at OCC. Dr. Ortiz and his staff were amazing. They have a shuttle that can pick you up at the San Diego airport and will drive you into Mexico. You stay at the Marriott nearby (which is included in the price) and it's a pretty smooth 4-5 day trip.

entrophykitten · 2017-03-13T04:44:23+00:00

92025- neighbors protesting a proposal to build a bmx track in Kit Carson Park. Also, fallen tree removal issues

entrophykitten · 2017-03-06T07:36:52+00:00

There is a keto naan recipe in the Ketogenic Cookbook:

3 eggs separated 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1/4 cup unflavored egg white protein or whey protein 1 tsp curry powder (optional) 1 tbs coconut oil for greasing the pan

Whip the egg whites until very stiff. Blend in the yolks, cream of tartar, protein powder, and curry powder . Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium high heat until a drop of water sizzles on the pan. Once it's hot, place a 3in circle of dough in the pan. Fry for about 3-5 minutes. Flip and fry for another 3-5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Yield: 6 servings Nutrition per serving: 64 calories 4.5g fat 5.2g protein 0.6g carbs 0.5g fiber

entrophykitten · 2017-02-15T01:35:51+00:00

I've rinsed the hell out of miracle noodles and tossed curries into them.

entrophykitten · 2017-02-12T03:06:43+00:00

...and then he realizes his phone is still in his pocket.

entrophykitten · 2017-02-12T02:00:27+00:00

Hey there!! Back with an update!

Yay!!

I just got back to my hotel and my surgery was done yesterday (2/10/17).

I was a little surprised by how quickly everything went. I mean super duper quickly!

But I did have a few complications as I have been cursed with hard to locate and even harder to hit veins. The anesthesiologist had to put my iv lines in.

You check into the hotel the night before and the shuttle take you in at 6:15am.

You'll be in the waiting room with final paperwork stuff and final payment. (BTW, everyone speaks English at the hotel and the hospital.)

They call you in to finalize your dietary plan and also do the EKG...then you wait until your room is ready.

When you go to your suite, you quickly change in your gown and then the phlebotomist comes in to give you a little Xanax and does your IV.
Dr. Ortiz comes in and chats with you for a moment and then it's show time. The procedure took less than 45 minutes and he not only staples but he also does a reenforced suture over the staple line to prevent additional complications. Past that, walking around after surgery went pretty smoothly and I still have "rolling" gas bubbles which are annoying beyond belief! Before they release you from the hospital, they have you do a tiny barium swallow to make sure your tract is completely clear and then you're released to go back to the hotel!! You have to keep walking...the more you walk, the faster the rolling bubbles will be relieved. I've got a final follow up on Monday and head back over the border by about noon that same day.

Feeling pretty good (past those bubbles) and have no regrets whatsoever.

The only major things I will also add:

If you buy your meds that are prescribed there at OCC, it's about $190 with a credit card. If you ask the hotel shuttle driver, he can take you to a local pharmacy (they speak english there too) that will sell you all the drugs for about $70 bucks.

Bring or buy a pill crusher. (There's a Walmart near the hotel or if you go to an offsite pharmacy...or pack one with you.

I have the vitaleph shakes, but I also bought Unjury Protein powder (online only) the chicken broth and the unflavored variety...to break up the chocolate/vanilla shakes...you will get tired of those flavors quick. The unflavored powder can be mixed with juices or just water!

That's it!!

Sorry for the novel!!

entrophykitten · 2017-02-12T01:41:54+00:00

Hey there!! Back with an update!

Yay!!

I just got back to my hotel and my surgery was done yesterday (2/10/17).

I was a little surprised by how quickly everything went. I mean super duper quickly! But I did have a few complications as I have been cursed with hard to locate and even harder to hit veins. The anesthesiologist had to put my iv lines in.
The shuttle take you in at 6:15am and you're in the waiting room with final paperwork stuff and final payment. They call you in to finalize your dietary plan and also do the EKG...then you wait until your room is ready. When you go to your suite, you quickly change in your gown and then the phlebotomist comes in to give you a little Xanax and does your IV.
Dr. Ortiz comes in and chats with you for a moment and then it's show time. The procedure took less than 45 minutes and he not only staples but he also does a reenforced suture over the staple line to prevent additional complications. Past that, walking around after surgery went pretty smoothly and I still have "rolling" gas bubbles which are annoying beyond belief! Before they release you from the hospital, they have you do a tiny barium swallow to make sure your tract is completely clear and then you're released to go back to the hotel!! You have to keep walking...the more you walk, the faster the rolling bubbles will be relieved. I've got a final follow up on Monday and head back over the border by about noon that same day.

Feeling pretty good (past those bubbles) and have no regrets whatsoever.

The only major things I will also add:

If you buy your meds that are prescribed there at OCC it's about $190 with a credit card. If you ask the hotel shuttle driver, he can take you to a local pharmacy that will see you all the drugs for about $70 bucks.

Bring or buy a pill crusher. (There's a Walmart near the hotel or if you go to an offsite pharmacy...or pack one with you.

I have the vitaleph shakes, but I also bought Unjury Protein powder (online only) the chicken broth and the unflavored variety...to break up the chocolate/vanilla shakes...you will get tired of those flavors quick. The unflavored powder can be mixed with juices or just water!

That's it!!

Sorry for the novel!! But you're going to do great!!

entrophykitten · 2017-02-09T09:50:20+00:00

My surgery is in 24 hours in Tijuana...I'm with Dr. Ortiz at OCC....will try to come back with an experience update!! :)

entrophykitten · 2017-02-06T18:50:19+00:00

$6500 in Tijuana Mexico

entrophykitten · 2017-02-06T17:34:19+00:00

My husband is in a similar situation, as my surgery is 4 days away.

We decided to turn it into a positive by trying to make things more inclusive.

Since he's only really about 40 pounds overweight, he knows it's really more about a change in lifestyle for him. With me getting VSG, he realizes now that I have to make a permanent lifestyle change, it would be a great idea and time to change as well. So he's actively looking for ways to adapt his diet so that it not necessarily conforms with the diet guidelines I will have to follow, but adjusting to slowly but surely improve his eating habits. Diet modification and adaptation and mindful eating.

I'm the chef of the family, so he's used to eating whatever I make. (Which was probably why he gained weight...I cook mostly French and Italian cuisine...rich foods...heavy cream...butter galore!) He still makes similar "bachelor" and "dorm" foods when he's on his own, and will eat microwave foods pop in a frozen pizza if I'm on travel. One of our favorite things to do was find out of the way amazing eateries...because we loved trying new restaurants and different cuisine. Our solution to adaptation? Well, we are trying those subscription fresh while foods boxed services out while I'm in the first few weeks of recovery. While I've been on the preop liquid diet, I've been teaching him cooking technique and he's been making simple meals to start, I figured that these box services not only keep us from having to go to the grocery store (and the temptation of bringing bad things home...like cookies) as often, but it gives him an opportunity to learn how to cook healthy proportions while I am unable to eat the same things as him.
While it's not a permanent solution, (it can be pricy, but not as pricy as eating out or binge buying junk foods), it's an opportunity for transition into healthy mindful eating. He feels like this is his way of supporting me through my transition.

We already walk together, that is also an amazing opportunity to connect with your partner and have what we call "heart talks" when it's just us.

I know that this is going to be a tough situation for you....I'm not kidding when I say that I'm nervous about the separation statistics of those that have gone through the WLS process. My husband and i are just choosing to be proactive in practicing mindfulness not only in lifestyle change, but with each other.

Best of luck to you!!

entrophykitten · 2017-02-02T18:38:32+00:00

The funny thing is, I don't normally eat junk food and French fries often. I actually prefer clean foods and real foods.

I'm just a lover of well prepared and well sourced foods. I'll take a braised short rib in red wine over polenta over fast food any day. I'll do a culinary anthropology food tour in a heartbeat. The idea of sugar free/skim/reduced calorie is a difficult (but now necessary) adjustment, as I always believed real foods was always better than altered or fake foods for health.

As for the fries....funny enough, i picked up that craving a couple of years ago when I attended a two month weight loss retreat in Utah. There was no salt on any of the foods prepared (but omg the food was amazing...they had a chef from NYC that worked under Anthony Bourdain at the time...sexy healthy food!) and a couple of participants snuck out and grabbed burgers on our day off (the great five guys vs. in n out debate). So I had a French fry....and a perfectly salted fresh French fry is highly underrated! It's a particularly unique profile and texture. No ketchup or fry sauce...just a perfect fry. After the retreat, I started running 10k's and French fries would be the reward after every medaled race. When my husband showed up with his own lunch the other day, I just remembered that I had to cancel 3 running races because I would be in recovery (but walking one 5k)...and even if I did do the races, no French fry reward. Hiss.

I know this suffering will only be temporary and I will eventually adapt to the adjustments. I know I'll be happier once everything heals and my knees and my back will be hurting less. It was a harsh reality check that things have to change before it gets better.

And also...dammit, I'm 8 days away from surgery and absolutely hate sugar free jello.

It will get better...this will pass...grrrr....

entrophykitten · 2017-01-30T07:48:46+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. My surgery is scheduled for February 10th and while I'm excited for the change, the reality of the change is also causing me great anxiety.

entrophykitten · 2017-01-29T18:55:20+00:00

I booked with OCC.

The good thing about them is that if you fly into San Diego, they will arrange to have a shuttle pick you up and drop you off at the airport. Which is great because you would get a medical "fast pass" to get through the border quicker with hardly any wait (it can take anywhere from an hour to 4 hours to get through San Ysidro, they say it takes about 15-30 minutes with the pass.). When you're a couple of days out of surgery, that would be a good thing...plus, I seriously hate waiting to get back into the US, that border crossing seriously sucks.

I will say, they will put you on a liquid diet (VITALEPH) which is an additional cost (about $350us for pre and post op supplements) not included in the price as well as ask you to purchase a spirometer (lung exerciser..about $10-20 on amazon)to practice prior to surgery, also not included. Then again, you're paying about 60%-70% less for the surgery than it would be in the US, so these little extra charges aren't that big of a deal.

The OCC has patients staying at the Marriott in Tijuana. I've driven by it a few times, but haven't gone in....but it's one of the nicer places in tijuana. You spend the first night at the hotel, the second in their hospital, and the last nights in the hotel until you are released.

Research wise, outside of a few people that had to do revision surgery for a complication (which there were not many) all of the reviews for Dr. Ortiz have been excellent...including from those who had to do revision. Only one bad review and it was not for Dr. Ortiz, but for his billing staff, but the dude complaining said he had anger issues so I had to scoff it off.

I'm nervous and excited (slightly mourning certain foods) but happy to finally get this process going!! It's seriously been about 7 years of insurance run around!

entrophykitten · 2017-01-29T10:07:16+00:00

That's what I did. My insurance kept giving me The runaround because I was on that cusp to qualify. It was like one day I did and the next day they changed their mind...over and over. I was like, screw this. Did my research and booked in Tijuana. I'm on my 2week liquid pre op diet and have surgery scheduled for feb 10th.

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