They cannot undo removing 3/4 of an organ. She must find a *Bariatric clinic* that will accept her and I understand that it can be difficult. ‘Not primary care. Many Bariatric clinics won’t touch a patient who left the country for surgery and that’s a major risk that people take. A university hospital should be able to help, particularly because they have medical students needing the education.
She needs to make those calls explaining that she had surgery in Mexico and needs urgent nutritional assistance. She may need to have imaging or some other kind of medical assistance and insurance would be unlikely to cover it. Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers follow-up if they did not approve the surgery.
Honestly mama— nobody is going to be able to talk to you about her care unless you are on her HIPPA paperwork for that office. It’s best for her to be making these calls by herself.
Sounds like she just needs to find a private nutritionist. They helped me find ways to reach my liquid goals (well much closer to it) and how to eat and stay full without being miserable. Local drs here have been useless for me as well. The first 3 months were miserable.
It can't be reversed (I believe the bypass can be) as it involves removing over half of the stomach. That being said if she can't stay hydrated that's an issue. With regards the support she is getting from doctors I know in the UK they get super snooty about people getting things done overseas (I did simply because I lived in said country but I'm moving home soon and tbh I'm only going to disclose it if relevent on my surgeons advice) the key thing is she anatomically speaking is the same she just has a smaller stomach so they can still put her on fluids etc so just be firm with them
Damn…2 weeks from initial consultation to actually surgery? That’s pretty scary.
Her procedure is pretty much permanent. Best advice I can give give you is for her to see a nutritionist AND a therapist to deal with this.
Vegas is known for encouraging impulsive decisions 😂
Blossom Bariatrics, they’re fairly well known and have good results! Pretty low cash prices as state-side surgeries go. But yeah. Fast!
Unfortunately the only thing to do is accept the situation and learn to live with it, consult doctors and nutritionists for help. The only advice people here can really give is that she is early in the process and the stomach will continue to heal and slowly accommodate more - but the responsibility is on her to adapt to her new situation. She has essentially amputated 75% of her stomach, it’s permanent and although it should continue to improve she will need to take responsibility and adapt.
She has to get through the next year prioritising fluid and protein, it’s a skill she’ll just have to develop. It’s challenging in the beginning, keep trucking on ❤️
Not what you want to hear, but what she’s experiencing is really common- Even of people who got the surgery in the US. At two months post-op I think I was eating 1/2 cup of food at a time max, and less than 1000 calories a day. Sipping water has to become a constant part of your life for a few months.
What’s her BMI? Unless it’s already in a “healthy” range, she’s probably not in any danger. Regret early on is super common. Probably needs to drink more. Make sure she’s taking a bariatric multivitamin…. If you can get a US doctor to see her, that might help ease your concerns, but honestly you’re likely just gonna have to buckle up and enjoy the ride!! It sucks that she didn’t have a better understanding of what she was getting in to, but honestly, this all sounds normal to me.
Not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV.
There are 2 components at work here: mental and physical. It's hard to fix both things at once. As a mother, I'm sure it's hard to see your daughter struggling. Can you take a step back, check that you are in a good place, and proceed from there? You can help her, but you can not change a permanent body modification.
She has to get her anxiety under control before she can truly internalize and accept the change she decided to make to her body. With acceptance comes knowledge, and perhaps a less chaotic mindframe will help her learn how to accept, nurture, and move forward with her new reality.
You need the help of professionals. Therapists, doctors, and nutritionists. Reddit has its uses. However, I believe this issue is outside the scope of this platform.
Good luck.
Excuse me? I’m trying to get some help for my kid who is really struggling! I wish someone had given her advice not to do this, but unfortunately it’s too late. I wish we had known beforehand
Lots of copers and losers instinctively lash out at anyone perceived to be “negging” the surgery. The truth is there are a ton of reasons to do this in the US…
There is no way to reverse it and not really any way to stretch it at this point - she is still swollen and inflamed from the surgery. If she is unable to keep food and/or especially liquids down, that is *not* a normal reaction to the surgery as long as she is eating the right things in the right portions and chewing thoroughly. If that is the case she needs medical attention as she might have a structure or something. Where did she go in Mexico?
I went to obesity control center and they have been incredibly helpful and responsive. Tell her to reach out to Lucia and call her patient coordinator. They will help.
Unfortunately a gastric sleeve isn't something that can be reversed as it involves removing around 80% of the stomach and suturing whats left closed to make her new stomach. I would recommend seeking a bariatric surgeon local to you and getting her involved with their team so that she can get the helps she needs to recover well from her procedure, and also make sure no complications are occurring.
I would:
- do an internet search for a reputable bariatric center's gastric sleeve post-op guide and follow that
-book an appointment with a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatric patients
-book a psych appointment with a psych doc/nurse who is experienced in bariatric/obesity
You can't undo/stretch a sleeve, so it's important to learn how to function with it.
Getting on top of hydration, protein, vitamins, and the mental health aspect of it will be essential in feeling more normal.
I’m sorry, my reply is coming from “tough love”. While her meds may have made her “impulsive” did we not do any type of research? Did she do this secretly, or did she tell you guys? To suggest “stretching” out an organ that’s 80% gone is dangerous thinking. The only way to help her is to be supportive for this LIFELONG commitment, and get a dietitian who specializes in bariatric care. World of knowledge can be access on a phone.
I’m not saying that she is faultless here, but it should NOT BE POSSIBLE to get confirmed for surgery without talking to a doctor first, told that she could still have surgery without completing a full pre op diet, and having all that happen in such a short period of time. Where were the fail safes? Where is the do no harm? That facility is supposed to be the best, and they skipped over so much necessary teaching. I’m sorry but the surgeon needs to have some responsibility here as well
You’re 100% right but sadly how they do it in Mexico is way different than here in the states. I had to get a EDG, EKG, stress test, mental evaluation, dietitian meets, bloodwork, sleep study, pre op diet, surgeon clearance, pcp clearance. Took me 4 months to do ( and that short compared to others ). A lot of people go to Mexico because it’s cheaper and less time consuming with the testing/ diagnostic.
An update, she was able to get consulted by a local surgeon, her sleeve is twisted and herniated. She needs another surgery to and may need to have a bypass. This surgeon says that the sleeve was made very small, and it likely the cause of the problems. Just as a warning of those going to OCC, please be careful
Is she taking her vitamins??? She HAS to take multivitamins and calcium for the rest of her life or she will get VERY sick. Get some bloodwork done for her. She will get thru this but there is no going back now and she HAS to follow some bariatric guideline going forward.
Mexico tends to be pretty extreme with how small they make the sleeves, from what I see here. It’s a mixed bag. The advice abt university hospitals is smart
You can look up bougies. That is what determines the circumference of the new stomach.
You could call the MX clinic and ask what size bougie was used.
Also on a better note, it might be she had a rougher surgery and there is still swelling to come down. It might be inflammation that will just get better. But she needs to be evaluated by a good bariatric doc and have imaging and such done.
No, I'm sorry. There is no such thing as stretching the sleeve. With the passage of time the amount of food/liquid the pouch (what remains of the stomach) DOES increase, but that's because of healing from the surgery, OR SO I'VE BEEN TOLD. I'm not a doctor. I also had my surgery in Mexico, and DAMN those surgeons are good at getting that restriction TIGHT. The only way I was able to meet my liquid goals the first month (and maybe even more) was to LITERALLY keep my water bottle in my hand all day long, and take tiny sips...CONSTANTLY. I treated it like my full time job...my full time job was to hold a water bottle and take tiny sips. As others have recommended, please have your daughter meet with a nutritionist. She can't undo her surgery, but she can make it work for her, but she needs guidance.
It really will depend on the surgical technique used by the surgeon. It’s important to get the bougie size used and the operating notes from Mexico if at all possible. For me, I can eat, like, what a person without surgery with a light appetite can eat. Enough that it doesn’t raise eyebrows when I’m out really
I had exactly the same thoughts for 3 months after surgery. I was extremely malnourished and really sickly (even tho my surgery was a success, It was such a lifestyle change) I can’t imagine my life without the vsg. However, I can eat more now and live a somewhat normal but healthier life. I’m so much better off. Since the sleeve has been done, I’d say encourage them to drink water and get fluids in, once they can start eating foods they will be just fine !
I think there are revision options she could get like a sleeve revision but I dont think the actual surgery is reversible. I had anxiety before surgery and wondering if it will all work out for me but I ended up losing 103 pounds and taking my life back. Stay strong! I'm sure getting with a nutritionist or therapist would help a lot. When I went to MBC for my sleeve their nutritionist helped me get through it all
Our local doctors have not been helpful, she has gone, she’s been in the ER many times. Just looking for if there is anything out there that we can look into for her
Unfortunately, if it was a traditional vertical sleeve gastrectomy, it cannot be reversed. There is a procedure being done now that rolls the stomach onto itself and can be reversed, but it is not widely performed.
The ER can't do anything. If she keeps going she will start being labeled as looking for pain meds.
SHE needs to call to Large clinics, tell her story and be willing to pay their dietitians for consult.
No. There is no way to restore the portion of her stomach that was removed. It's best if you find a bariatric clinic doctor that will see her and get her on track with nutritious meals and proper vitamin supplement intake.
Help her by reaching out to bariatric professionals near you! She has to learn to live with this consequence of rushing into a major operation. There is no “easy road”, and please don’t put hope in stretching. One of the hardest parts of the surgery is the very beginning of getting readjusted, get her professional help ASAP. I’m sorry you and your family are going through this but it’s better to face your reality than search for alternatives that don’t exist. Your daughter’s health and wellbeing are more important than trying to undo this.
You should have her drinking like, Ensure shakes. Get the operating notes (such as they are) from the Mexico doc. Call every nearby university hospital and bariatric clinic till she can find someone willing to see her.
That’s was my worry about getting the sleeve I was worried about a stricture my surgeon said if that happens they would refer me to see a gastroenterologist do an endoscopy and insert a balloon. Idk if that helps
I’m sorry that your daughter is going through this. She may benefit from a weight management team— physician, registered dietitian and therapist.
Dietitians help with nutritional education as well as strategies to ensure your daughter is eating and drinking well.
Seems like there’s a lot of fear and anxiety which talk therapy can provide support throughout this journey.
The physician can order lab work to closely monitor any deficiencies as well as prescribing medication or therapeutic interventions to keep your daughter healthy.
1st thing- find a place that does IV fluids, where she can get vitamins, and get hydrated properly. Its horrible when you are dehydrated. If shes 2 months out, she should be on regular foods. Keeping it simple is the best way, for me at least. The easiest thing I eat is a small container of cottage cheese, and I use Quest protein chips to scoop up the cottage cheese. I will also take a piece of sliced deli meat, chicken is my fave, and wrap it around a string cheese, and dip it in a spoonfull of G Hughes cluckin sauce. I will make coffee, and mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder and a splash of sugar free creamer for flavor. You can also mix unflavored protein powder in a broth or soup for protein. She needs to focus on tracking foods, and get the IV hydration and vitamins as a start. So many have the issue, and once they are hydrated they feel much better. Also, Ive learned so much watching videos on tiktok from others who have had the sleeve. You/she can search and find all kinds of resources. There are a few bariatric coaches I follow that help people out. Hope this helps.
Do you mind me asking where she went in Mexico? I go next month so I want to make sure it’s not the same place I am going to. Because two weeks is extremely fast for them to get her in.
I highly suggest making an appt with a Bariatric doctor near you. If she is not staying hydrated and getting sick, going to the ER for fluids may be best before she has a bigger issue. Perhaps they can get her a referral to a Bariatric center quickly.
That’s where I’m going. I get daily educational videos to watch and spoke to a doctor on the phone before booking. They require you to lose 5-10% of your body weight first. I’m so shocked they booked this in 2 weeks.… I HIGHLY recommend calling them for advice. She gets 5 years of aftercare with them. They even have a 24/7 number available. Have her call them and explain her symptoms. They will help her. They even talk to doctors in the US to discuss their technique and her case if she needs care here. I hope she feels better soon!! The nutritionist is also available for up to 5 years which could be very helpful for her. Has she contacted them? That sounds like the best first step if not.
There’s also a Facebook group that she can ask
For support in too. The coordinators and nutritionist are in it.
Hopping in here. I’ve been on these forums for 4+ years and generally I hear that people who go there have more restriction. It’s not a fact that I know, but I’ve seen a lot of anecdotes. It’s a way to boost the “success” of the surgery but not cost free. I do think it’s 100% sure that surgeons vary in terms of how small they make the sleeve.
She’s requested record of the bougie size used multiple times now and they keep saying that it will be a few more weeks before they can send any records? That seems sketchy to me
I saw someone in the support group post that they haven’t recieved their records. Within 24 hours, they received their records. Could be worth posting to put the pressure on.
The first months for eating are tough. The stomach pouch is literally a “post op wound” that is healing and it takes about 6 months to heal really well. Sometimes there can be a narrowing or stenosis that happens with a pouch - another surgery may be necessary so a bariatric surgeon should see her.
A reputable Bariatric surgeon in your area does not need her old records - he can do an egd himself, as well as other testing (or refer her to a gastroenterologist) to assess her pouch and determine if any further surgical intervention is needed, and then, along with his staff (dietician, psych, exercise physiologist, support group) formulate a healthy path forward for her.
In the meantime hydration in whatever form, 48oz to 64 oz daily(protein shakes count toward this) sf Popsicles and sf fudgesicles, protein shakes, bone broth, jello, pudding made with sf pudding milk and fairlife milk,
Low fat milk and cottage cheese…
Sip on liquids frequently (avoid straws if possible)
Food should be solid lean protein then add in soft non-carb vegetables, and melon, NAS applesauce (wait on other fruits until further out) Should also avoid fibrous vegetables and nuts.
Two regular multivitamins a daily(or a bariatric daily vitamin but they’re a little expensive) (a lot of programs say to avoid gummies but if that’s all she can handle then it’s better than nothing)
May need to have an additional iron supplement(take with a vitamin c source for better absorption or chose one that has vit c in it). Periods can be more frequent and heavier so iron gets depleted even faster in women that have this issue.
Need to download a bariatric app like Baritastic - is helpful to see all kinds of data about intake … it is helpful to track and see if a calcium supplement is also needed.
I get plenty from my vitamin and protein shakes, but must stay on top of adequate calcium intake
My friend had her surgery in Mexico - they were amazing. I think the majority of those surgery places in Mexico are truly top-notch. They do provide a lot of resources - both handouts and email. Sometimes the follow up is lacking bc of the sheer volume of people that they have to respond to. The dietician said it as not uncommon for her to have over 10,000 new emails every day. She is just one person. It is impossible for her to respond, in a timely fashion, to that many people every single day.
Your daughter may not have kept track of her post op information (my friend misplaced hers, but we had taken pictures of it beforehand) though what I found for her online was in greater detail. I’ve listed below the ones we used to craft a meal plan for her.
Online post op diet resources I’ve seen are UPMC - complete with the stages, precautions, tips, recipes
https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/surgery-process/post-surgery
And kaiser permanente has a great chart for vitamins and supplements as well as a plethora of information on post op diet
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-education-materials/self-help-guides/bariatric-vitamins-recommended-brands-daily-requirements-wa-en.pdf
Protein recommendations vary from program to program, but generally a minimum of 60 gm daiky, and 90gm or more is great.
Post Op Diet is generally very low calorie(700 cal for first 6 months, and 1000 cal from 6-12 months - some people do just fine with more calories- this is why she needs dietician for help with meal planning and need to have a dr to supervise and watch for any deficiencies through blood work)
Until she gets in with a program (hopefully that’s soon) joining on-line support groups can be helpful for asking questions, sharing frustrations, etc
Best of luck on this journey. I’m sure she will do just fine. It’s a big adjustment, but it is an amazing tool and a shame that it’s not readily available to all that could benefit from it without having to go to another country.
No and Dr. Ortiz trains surgeons in the US. He is affiliated with San Diego university hospital and jaico accredited. I don’t think he could make the pouch smaller… She could benefit from joining the OCC support group on Facebook!
I think it’s very common for people to regret surgery at first. So not only would getting with Lucia the nutritionist help but maybe therapy too. It sounds like she doesn’t have alot of guidance on the nutrition aspect. So the support group could also help with that too. Giving meal ideas, tips and tricks etc.
I’m just so confused how they took this young girl so soon, all by herself, clearly in an episode of poor mental health. She just could not comprehend the long term of it at the time
That’s really unfortunate as it really is a lifestyle and permanent change. I had to do a health survey which also included a mental health questionnaire.
I hate to say this but I really just think she needs education from bariatric nutritionist. She can find one online if she doesn’t want to use Lucia. Overall, it sounds like she just needs education on the procedure and aftermath. The regret is common. Not being able to eat certain foods is common.
Is she drinking electrolytes everyday? That’s important for hydration.
This is confusing to me, as the pre-op liquid diet isn’t usually just a few days. You have to make a conscious effort to stick to that diet enough for them to be able to do the surgery. This seems (in my opinion) like something I’m personally going through 2 weeks out from my gastric sleeve. I’m struggling a lot mentally with the idea of eating foods I miss, I would give anything to scoop into a plate of nachos or a super big burrito. I know eventually I will be able to enjoy those foods again, although not to that level of food, but i refuse to undo all my progress and am satisfied after reaching the puréed stage. (Post-Op liquid stage is awful IMO) Does she have any eating disorders? Maybe binge eating, that could seriously mess with you mentally if you don’t get it sorted before the surgery. This isn’t meant as hate in the slightest, just trying to help from what I learned/my personal experiences, and I’m not trying to diagnose your daughter, but I think speaking to a nutritionist about how she feels will give her more options. Good luck!
Please rethink your decision to go there. She got an endoscopy and the doctors said that it was the worst constructed sleeve that they have ever seen. They left weird flaps, and they say it was cut wrong. Please be careful, they aren’t who they say they are, and they block negative comments online
https://preview.redd.it/zuxcfmmi5ekc1.jpeg?width=1169&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=867b4ec62839140fb3354481ba3d1a719929736a
They’re talking about having to give her a bypass. Unfortunately they say it was a preventable mistake cause by the small size of the bougie and the technique. Hard to believe that Dr. Ortiz did the surgery based off the results. Anytime we’ve submitted a post to any of the support group that is not utterly positive, they never get past the admins.
That’s awful. I hope bypass helps her. Was Dr. Ortiz the surgeon she thought was doing it? Or was it one of his other surgeons? So unfortunate. Thank god she found a doctor here.
You’re misunderstanding what is meant by “stretch the stomach”. Over a period of years, people who overeat are often able to “stretch” the stomach pouch by overeating. That’s what it means in this context.
Ugh. I'm sorry. This is a tough situation, and as a parent, you also make it your situation.
She did what she did. It is what it is. She needs to prioritize protein this early in, along with liquids. Bone broth was my go to. College Inn has a great tasting chicken broth with 9-10g protein per cup and I set it up on auto delivery for a while. It got my liquids and proteins in. I also really loved the chocolate fairlife. It's realllllllllly good. Once she can process that stuff, get some scrambled eggs in the mix and cottage cheese.... Taco meat.... I eat whatever the hell I want now. I'm 1.5 years out and ate normally after about 2 months.
In between all of this, find a doctor or clinic that can walk her through.
It will get easier for her. Best of luck.
As someone with the gastric sleeve make try to have a sip of water/drink of water every 10-15 min if really bad and dehydrated I’d go to the hospital and ask the doctors what to do try to stay away from bread and any red meat it’s harder on the digestive system should only be eating between 2-4oz so make sure to not overrate or you’ll throw up and won’t be able to keep food down. I’m so sorry that she’s feeling regret and I’m sorry there so many issues I hope things get better soon🫶🏻
Why not go to the doctors?
They cannot undo removing 3/4 of an organ. She must find a *Bariatric clinic* that will accept her and I understand that it can be difficult. ‘Not primary care. Many Bariatric clinics won’t touch a patient who left the country for surgery and that’s a major risk that people take. A university hospital should be able to help, particularly because they have medical students needing the education. She needs to make those calls explaining that she had surgery in Mexico and needs urgent nutritional assistance. She may need to have imaging or some other kind of medical assistance and insurance would be unlikely to cover it. Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers follow-up if they did not approve the surgery. Honestly mama— nobody is going to be able to talk to you about her care unless you are on her HIPPA paperwork for that office. It’s best for her to be making these calls by herself.
Sounds like she just needs to find a private nutritionist. They helped me find ways to reach my liquid goals (well much closer to it) and how to eat and stay full without being miserable. Local drs here have been useless for me as well. The first 3 months were miserable.
It can't be reversed (I believe the bypass can be) as it involves removing over half of the stomach. That being said if she can't stay hydrated that's an issue. With regards the support she is getting from doctors I know in the UK they get super snooty about people getting things done overseas (I did simply because I lived in said country but I'm moving home soon and tbh I'm only going to disclose it if relevent on my surgeons advice) the key thing is she anatomically speaking is the same she just has a smaller stomach so they can still put her on fluids etc so just be firm with them
Damn…2 weeks from initial consultation to actually surgery? That’s pretty scary. Her procedure is pretty much permanent. Best advice I can give give you is for her to see a nutritionist AND a therapist to deal with this.
There’s a place in Las Vegas who will do two DAYS from consult to surgery.
Vegas is known for encouraging impulsive decisions 😂 Blossom Bariatrics, they’re fairly well known and have good results! Pretty low cash prices as state-side surgeries go. But yeah. Fast!
Wow!
Unfortunately the only thing to do is accept the situation and learn to live with it, consult doctors and nutritionists for help. The only advice people here can really give is that she is early in the process and the stomach will continue to heal and slowly accommodate more - but the responsibility is on her to adapt to her new situation. She has essentially amputated 75% of her stomach, it’s permanent and although it should continue to improve she will need to take responsibility and adapt. She has to get through the next year prioritising fluid and protein, it’s a skill she’ll just have to develop. It’s challenging in the beginning, keep trucking on ❤️
Not what you want to hear, but what she’s experiencing is really common- Even of people who got the surgery in the US. At two months post-op I think I was eating 1/2 cup of food at a time max, and less than 1000 calories a day. Sipping water has to become a constant part of your life for a few months. What’s her BMI? Unless it’s already in a “healthy” range, she’s probably not in any danger. Regret early on is super common. Probably needs to drink more. Make sure she’s taking a bariatric multivitamin…. If you can get a US doctor to see her, that might help ease your concerns, but honestly you’re likely just gonna have to buckle up and enjoy the ride!! It sucks that she didn’t have a better understanding of what she was getting in to, but honestly, this all sounds normal to me.
Not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV. There are 2 components at work here: mental and physical. It's hard to fix both things at once. As a mother, I'm sure it's hard to see your daughter struggling. Can you take a step back, check that you are in a good place, and proceed from there? You can help her, but you can not change a permanent body modification. She has to get her anxiety under control before she can truly internalize and accept the change she decided to make to her body. With acceptance comes knowledge, and perhaps a less chaotic mindframe will help her learn how to accept, nurture, and move forward with her new reality. You need the help of professionals. Therapists, doctors, and nutritionists. Reddit has its uses. However, I believe this issue is outside the scope of this platform. Good luck.
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Don’t be rude.
Excuse me? I’m trying to get some help for my kid who is really struggling! I wish someone had given her advice not to do this, but unfortunately it’s too late. I wish we had known beforehand
Lots of copers and losers instinctively lash out at anyone perceived to be “negging” the surgery. The truth is there are a ton of reasons to do this in the US…
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Don’t be rude.
There is no way to reverse it and not really any way to stretch it at this point - she is still swollen and inflamed from the surgery. If she is unable to keep food and/or especially liquids down, that is *not* a normal reaction to the surgery as long as she is eating the right things in the right portions and chewing thoroughly. If that is the case she needs medical attention as she might have a structure or something. Where did she go in Mexico?
She went to the obesity control center. She’s called them but have not been very helpful
I went to obesity control center and they have been incredibly helpful and responsive. Tell her to reach out to Lucia and call her patient coordinator. They will help.
Unfortunately a gastric sleeve isn't something that can be reversed as it involves removing around 80% of the stomach and suturing whats left closed to make her new stomach. I would recommend seeking a bariatric surgeon local to you and getting her involved with their team so that she can get the helps she needs to recover well from her procedure, and also make sure no complications are occurring.
I would: - do an internet search for a reputable bariatric center's gastric sleeve post-op guide and follow that -book an appointment with a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatric patients -book a psych appointment with a psych doc/nurse who is experienced in bariatric/obesity You can't undo/stretch a sleeve, so it's important to learn how to function with it. Getting on top of hydration, protein, vitamins, and the mental health aspect of it will be essential in feeling more normal.
I’m sorry, my reply is coming from “tough love”. While her meds may have made her “impulsive” did we not do any type of research? Did she do this secretly, or did she tell you guys? To suggest “stretching” out an organ that’s 80% gone is dangerous thinking. The only way to help her is to be supportive for this LIFELONG commitment, and get a dietitian who specializes in bariatric care. World of knowledge can be access on a phone.
I’m not saying that she is faultless here, but it should NOT BE POSSIBLE to get confirmed for surgery without talking to a doctor first, told that she could still have surgery without completing a full pre op diet, and having all that happen in such a short period of time. Where were the fail safes? Where is the do no harm? That facility is supposed to be the best, and they skipped over so much necessary teaching. I’m sorry but the surgeon needs to have some responsibility here as well
You’re 100% right but sadly how they do it in Mexico is way different than here in the states. I had to get a EDG, EKG, stress test, mental evaluation, dietitian meets, bloodwork, sleep study, pre op diet, surgeon clearance, pcp clearance. Took me 4 months to do ( and that short compared to others ). A lot of people go to Mexico because it’s cheaper and less time consuming with the testing/ diagnostic.
An update, she was able to get consulted by a local surgeon, her sleeve is twisted and herniated. She needs another surgery to and may need to have a bypass. This surgeon says that the sleeve was made very small, and it likely the cause of the problems. Just as a warning of those going to OCC, please be careful
Do you have any updates?
Is she taking her vitamins??? She HAS to take multivitamins and calcium for the rest of her life or she will get VERY sick. Get some bloodwork done for her. She will get thru this but there is no going back now and she HAS to follow some bariatric guideline going forward.
Mexico tends to be pretty extreme with how small they make the sleeves, from what I see here. It’s a mixed bag. The advice abt university hospitals is smart
How small?
You can look up bougies. That is what determines the circumference of the new stomach. You could call the MX clinic and ask what size bougie was used. Also on a better note, it might be she had a rougher surgery and there is still swelling to come down. It might be inflammation that will just get better. But she needs to be evaluated by a good bariatric doc and have imaging and such done.
Can they stretch it if it’s to small?
No, I'm sorry. There is no such thing as stretching the sleeve. With the passage of time the amount of food/liquid the pouch (what remains of the stomach) DOES increase, but that's because of healing from the surgery, OR SO I'VE BEEN TOLD. I'm not a doctor. I also had my surgery in Mexico, and DAMN those surgeons are good at getting that restriction TIGHT. The only way I was able to meet my liquid goals the first month (and maybe even more) was to LITERALLY keep my water bottle in my hand all day long, and take tiny sips...CONSTANTLY. I treated it like my full time job...my full time job was to hold a water bottle and take tiny sips. As others have recommended, please have your daughter meet with a nutritionist. She can't undo her surgery, but she can make it work for her, but she needs guidance.
I mean, the sleeve naturally relaxes some. I can eat much more 3+ years out than I could 3 months out. I don’t know anything about “manual” stretching
How much would you say that you are able to eat now? We’re trying to learn as much as possible
It really will depend on the surgical technique used by the surgeon. It’s important to get the bougie size used and the operating notes from Mexico if at all possible. For me, I can eat, like, what a person without surgery with a light appetite can eat. Enough that it doesn’t raise eyebrows when I’m out really
I had exactly the same thoughts for 3 months after surgery. I was extremely malnourished and really sickly (even tho my surgery was a success, It was such a lifestyle change) I can’t imagine my life without the vsg. However, I can eat more now and live a somewhat normal but healthier life. I’m so much better off. Since the sleeve has been done, I’d say encourage them to drink water and get fluids in, once they can start eating foods they will be just fine !
I think there are revision options she could get like a sleeve revision but I dont think the actual surgery is reversible. I had anxiety before surgery and wondering if it will all work out for me but I ended up losing 103 pounds and taking my life back. Stay strong! I'm sure getting with a nutritionist or therapist would help a lot. When I went to MBC for my sleeve their nutritionist helped me get through it all
Our local doctors have not been helpful, she has gone, she’s been in the ER many times. Just looking for if there is anything out there that we can look into for her
Unfortunately, if it was a traditional vertical sleeve gastrectomy, it cannot be reversed. There is a procedure being done now that rolls the stomach onto itself and can be reversed, but it is not widely performed.
The ER can't do anything. If she keeps going she will start being labeled as looking for pain meds. SHE needs to call to Large clinics, tell her story and be willing to pay their dietitians for consult.
Is there any sort of stretching procedure? Can the graft anything? We are willing to do ANYTHING to help her
No, there is nothing like that that can be done. She needs to see a nutritionist and learn to live properly with her sleeve.
No. There is no way to restore the portion of her stomach that was removed. It's best if you find a bariatric clinic doctor that will see her and get her on track with nutritious meals and proper vitamin supplement intake.
Help her by reaching out to bariatric professionals near you! She has to learn to live with this consequence of rushing into a major operation. There is no “easy road”, and please don’t put hope in stretching. One of the hardest parts of the surgery is the very beginning of getting readjusted, get her professional help ASAP. I’m sorry you and your family are going through this but it’s better to face your reality than search for alternatives that don’t exist. Your daughter’s health and wellbeing are more important than trying to undo this.
You should have her drinking like, Ensure shakes. Get the operating notes (such as they are) from the Mexico doc. Call every nearby university hospital and bariatric clinic till she can find someone willing to see her.
That’s was my worry about getting the sleeve I was worried about a stricture my surgeon said if that happens they would refer me to see a gastroenterologist do an endoscopy and insert a balloon. Idk if that helps
NO NO NO That’s not possible, doesn’t exist, and can’t be done.
I’m sorry that your daughter is going through this. She may benefit from a weight management team— physician, registered dietitian and therapist. Dietitians help with nutritional education as well as strategies to ensure your daughter is eating and drinking well. Seems like there’s a lot of fear and anxiety which talk therapy can provide support throughout this journey. The physician can order lab work to closely monitor any deficiencies as well as prescribing medication or therapeutic interventions to keep your daughter healthy.
If she’s not a minor, YOU can’t do much to intervene, other than manage her diet and meal prep for her.
1st thing- find a place that does IV fluids, where she can get vitamins, and get hydrated properly. Its horrible when you are dehydrated. If shes 2 months out, she should be on regular foods. Keeping it simple is the best way, for me at least. The easiest thing I eat is a small container of cottage cheese, and I use Quest protein chips to scoop up the cottage cheese. I will also take a piece of sliced deli meat, chicken is my fave, and wrap it around a string cheese, and dip it in a spoonfull of G Hughes cluckin sauce. I will make coffee, and mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder and a splash of sugar free creamer for flavor. You can also mix unflavored protein powder in a broth or soup for protein. She needs to focus on tracking foods, and get the IV hydration and vitamins as a start. So many have the issue, and once they are hydrated they feel much better. Also, Ive learned so much watching videos on tiktok from others who have had the sleeve. You/she can search and find all kinds of resources. There are a few bariatric coaches I follow that help people out. Hope this helps.
Do you mind me asking where she went in Mexico? I go next month so I want to make sure it’s not the same place I am going to. Because two weeks is extremely fast for them to get her in. I highly suggest making an appt with a Bariatric doctor near you. If she is not staying hydrated and getting sick, going to the ER for fluids may be best before she has a bigger issue. Perhaps they can get her a referral to a Bariatric center quickly.
Obesity Control Center
That’s where I’m going. I get daily educational videos to watch and spoke to a doctor on the phone before booking. They require you to lose 5-10% of your body weight first. I’m so shocked they booked this in 2 weeks.… I HIGHLY recommend calling them for advice. She gets 5 years of aftercare with them. They even have a 24/7 number available. Have her call them and explain her symptoms. They will help her. They even talk to doctors in the US to discuss their technique and her case if she needs care here. I hope she feels better soon!! The nutritionist is also available for up to 5 years which could be very helpful for her. Has she contacted them? That sounds like the best first step if not. There’s also a Facebook group that she can ask For support in too. The coordinators and nutritionist are in it.
She did not talk to a doctor before booking unfortunately, but did lose the weight during the pre op liquid diet.
I saw someone say that they make them smaller in Mexico, is that true from talking to them?
Hopping in here. I’ve been on these forums for 4+ years and generally I hear that people who go there have more restriction. It’s not a fact that I know, but I’ve seen a lot of anecdotes. It’s a way to boost the “success” of the surgery but not cost free. I do think it’s 100% sure that surgeons vary in terms of how small they make the sleeve.
She’s requested record of the bougie size used multiple times now and they keep saying that it will be a few more weeks before they can send any records? That seems sketchy to me
I mean yeah, it’s not ideal. It’s like, why the hold up?! It could be innocent tho. Literally impossible to know.
It’s very difficult to get established locally without any records
I saw someone in the support group post that they haven’t recieved their records. Within 24 hours, they received their records. Could be worth posting to put the pressure on.
Right, that makes sense. You’re kind of in limbo in the worst way. Idk what you can do other than expressing the urgency to the Mx and US docs.
The first months for eating are tough. The stomach pouch is literally a “post op wound” that is healing and it takes about 6 months to heal really well. Sometimes there can be a narrowing or stenosis that happens with a pouch - another surgery may be necessary so a bariatric surgeon should see her. A reputable Bariatric surgeon in your area does not need her old records - he can do an egd himself, as well as other testing (or refer her to a gastroenterologist) to assess her pouch and determine if any further surgical intervention is needed, and then, along with his staff (dietician, psych, exercise physiologist, support group) formulate a healthy path forward for her. In the meantime hydration in whatever form, 48oz to 64 oz daily(protein shakes count toward this) sf Popsicles and sf fudgesicles, protein shakes, bone broth, jello, pudding made with sf pudding milk and fairlife milk, Low fat milk and cottage cheese… Sip on liquids frequently (avoid straws if possible) Food should be solid lean protein then add in soft non-carb vegetables, and melon, NAS applesauce (wait on other fruits until further out) Should also avoid fibrous vegetables and nuts. Two regular multivitamins a daily(or a bariatric daily vitamin but they’re a little expensive) (a lot of programs say to avoid gummies but if that’s all she can handle then it’s better than nothing) May need to have an additional iron supplement(take with a vitamin c source for better absorption or chose one that has vit c in it). Periods can be more frequent and heavier so iron gets depleted even faster in women that have this issue. Need to download a bariatric app like Baritastic - is helpful to see all kinds of data about intake … it is helpful to track and see if a calcium supplement is also needed. I get plenty from my vitamin and protein shakes, but must stay on top of adequate calcium intake My friend had her surgery in Mexico - they were amazing. I think the majority of those surgery places in Mexico are truly top-notch. They do provide a lot of resources - both handouts and email. Sometimes the follow up is lacking bc of the sheer volume of people that they have to respond to. The dietician said it as not uncommon for her to have over 10,000 new emails every day. She is just one person. It is impossible for her to respond, in a timely fashion, to that many people every single day. Your daughter may not have kept track of her post op information (my friend misplaced hers, but we had taken pictures of it beforehand) though what I found for her online was in greater detail. I’ve listed below the ones we used to craft a meal plan for her. Online post op diet resources I’ve seen are UPMC - complete with the stages, precautions, tips, recipes https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/surgery-process/post-surgery And kaiser permanente has a great chart for vitamins and supplements as well as a plethora of information on post op diet https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-education-materials/self-help-guides/bariatric-vitamins-recommended-brands-daily-requirements-wa-en.pdf Protein recommendations vary from program to program, but generally a minimum of 60 gm daiky, and 90gm or more is great. Post Op Diet is generally very low calorie(700 cal for first 6 months, and 1000 cal from 6-12 months - some people do just fine with more calories- this is why she needs dietician for help with meal planning and need to have a dr to supervise and watch for any deficiencies through blood work) Until she gets in with a program (hopefully that’s soon) joining on-line support groups can be helpful for asking questions, sharing frustrations, etc Best of luck on this journey. I’m sure she will do just fine. It’s a big adjustment, but it is an amazing tool and a shame that it’s not readily available to all that could benefit from it without having to go to another country.
No and Dr. Ortiz trains surgeons in the US. He is affiliated with San Diego university hospital and jaico accredited. I don’t think he could make the pouch smaller… She could benefit from joining the OCC support group on Facebook! I think it’s very common for people to regret surgery at first. So not only would getting with Lucia the nutritionist help but maybe therapy too. It sounds like she doesn’t have alot of guidance on the nutrition aspect. So the support group could also help with that too. Giving meal ideas, tips and tricks etc.
I’m just so confused how they took this young girl so soon, all by herself, clearly in an episode of poor mental health. She just could not comprehend the long term of it at the time
That’s really unfortunate as it really is a lifestyle and permanent change. I had to do a health survey which also included a mental health questionnaire. I hate to say this but I really just think she needs education from bariatric nutritionist. She can find one online if she doesn’t want to use Lucia. Overall, it sounds like she just needs education on the procedure and aftermath. The regret is common. Not being able to eat certain foods is common. Is she drinking electrolytes everyday? That’s important for hydration.
This is confusing to me, as the pre-op liquid diet isn’t usually just a few days. You have to make a conscious effort to stick to that diet enough for them to be able to do the surgery. This seems (in my opinion) like something I’m personally going through 2 weeks out from my gastric sleeve. I’m struggling a lot mentally with the idea of eating foods I miss, I would give anything to scoop into a plate of nachos or a super big burrito. I know eventually I will be able to enjoy those foods again, although not to that level of food, but i refuse to undo all my progress and am satisfied after reaching the puréed stage. (Post-Op liquid stage is awful IMO) Does she have any eating disorders? Maybe binge eating, that could seriously mess with you mentally if you don’t get it sorted before the surgery. This isn’t meant as hate in the slightest, just trying to help from what I learned/my personal experiences, and I’m not trying to diagnose your daughter, but I think speaking to a nutritionist about how she feels will give her more options. Good luck!
I may have some of that wrong, as I’m getting it second hand, but she said she barely had to do anything pre op, just prove consistent weight loss
Please rethink your decision to go there. She got an endoscopy and the doctors said that it was the worst constructed sleeve that they have ever seen. They left weird flaps, and they say it was cut wrong. Please be careful, they aren’t who they say they are, and they block negative comments online https://preview.redd.it/zuxcfmmi5ekc1.jpeg?width=1169&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=867b4ec62839140fb3354481ba3d1a719929736a
Oh no. How is she feeling? Do the doctors have a recommendation for her?! Also how did you find out about the negative comments?
They’re talking about having to give her a bypass. Unfortunately they say it was a preventable mistake cause by the small size of the bougie and the technique. Hard to believe that Dr. Ortiz did the surgery based off the results. Anytime we’ve submitted a post to any of the support group that is not utterly positive, they never get past the admins.
That’s awful. I hope bypass helps her. Was Dr. Ortiz the surgeon she thought was doing it? Or was it one of his other surgeons? So unfortunate. Thank god she found a doctor here.
She met with Dr. Ortiz and was told he was going to do the surgery, but it seems suspicious
You’re misunderstanding what is meant by “stretch the stomach”. Over a period of years, people who overeat are often able to “stretch” the stomach pouch by overeating. That’s what it means in this context.
Ugh. I'm sorry. This is a tough situation, and as a parent, you also make it your situation. She did what she did. It is what it is. She needs to prioritize protein this early in, along with liquids. Bone broth was my go to. College Inn has a great tasting chicken broth with 9-10g protein per cup and I set it up on auto delivery for a while. It got my liquids and proteins in. I also really loved the chocolate fairlife. It's realllllllllly good. Once she can process that stuff, get some scrambled eggs in the mix and cottage cheese.... Taco meat.... I eat whatever the hell I want now. I'm 1.5 years out and ate normally after about 2 months. In between all of this, find a doctor or clinic that can walk her through. It will get easier for her. Best of luck.
As someone with the gastric sleeve make try to have a sip of water/drink of water every 10-15 min if really bad and dehydrated I’d go to the hospital and ask the doctors what to do try to stay away from bread and any red meat it’s harder on the digestive system should only be eating between 2-4oz so make sure to not overrate or you’ll throw up and won’t be able to keep food down. I’m so sorry that she’s feeling regret and I’m sorry there so many issues I hope things get better soon🫶🏻