Ellie4me

Your the 2nd person I've read recently that got pneumonia after surgery with Dr. Aceves, but sounds like you think it was from traveling. Is pneumonia common after surgery? sorry just e-mail a date & suddenly very nervous.

Wow, really I thought it was a goner for sure, lol. I usually have at least 1 diet soda a day and 1 coffee in the morning, and I've been known to do the "5 hr energy shot' too. I've read carbonated sodas feel terrible and can stretch yr sleeve and many can't do coffee, so I figured I was going to need a 12 step program for the my caffeine.

I have to say this is my fear. I haven't been sleeved yet, planning next mth, but I keep worrying that I will still eat "bad" things and end up right back to where I am except without any money (self-pay). Not that cheeseburgers are my weakness, but I could see me trying a frosty and if it stayed down...then trying it again, and oh no! I absolutely understand that the sleeve isn't a quick fix and it is only a tool to weight loss but eating right the rest of my life seems unlikely since I haven't been able to eat right my whole life. I've read lots of people that after the sleeve just aren't interested in sweets and sodas and such. I sure hope I am one of them

I've been doing a lot of research and think Dr. Aceves or Dr. Alvarez is the best choice for me, but can't seem to decide. There are lot's of Dr. Aceves patients on here and I've notice many are actually weighing below their goal, which is Amazing! If you had either Dr. do mind sharing what was the Very Best thing you experienced going to them that you don't think you would have gotten from another Dr. Thanks for your help. I'm a newbie and still on the fence.

Lisa, You sound like things are going great. I looked at all your pictures of hospital, they were great. Yes, I'm "planning" on going to Dr. Aceves. I haven't made the final decision to do it. I have everything lined up but still very nervous. It was between Dr. Aceves and Dr. Alvarez. There are lots of patients of Dr. Aceves here that recommend him. Did you have to travel far to get back home? I'm on the East Coast, so I have will have a long flight home which I'm nervous about also. I don't like to walk on planes, I know it sounds silly but I'd rather stay in my seat. I'm nervous it's not good to sit for so long after a surgery. I even worried about the cabin pressure being bad after surgery. I'm just nervous about everything. Glad to hear you have felt so good. Did you go back to work right away after you got back? What's been the hardest part? sorry I have tons of questions Ellie

Lisa, How are you doing so far? Was the 1st week brutal? I didn't realize that he did a spinal until I read your post, thank you. Hope your recovery is going well. Have you returned to work? Ellie

That is fantastic! You were sleeved the day before my birthday, sure wish I had done it back then and could be as successful as you.

Does anyone know if it is acceptable to use your passport application, birth certificate & driver's license to return to the US. Dr. Aceves coordinator Nina said you don't have to wait for the passport, but that you can use the application along with the other id's. Did anyone else do it this way? I did some research on-line but haven't been able to confirm it yet. Guess I will try to call on Monday but was wondering if anyone else did it this way? thanks, Ellie

thanks Kristin. When do you plan to return to work? Some have said they needed weeks others days. I know each is different but I don't want to be away from work too long but also don't want to rush it either. thanks again! PS. Hope you have a fast smooth recovery. so proud of everyone who has done it. I'm so nervous, hope I make it.

Kristin - I was also considering Dr. Alvarez and I'm torn between him or Dr. Aceves. I know that Dr. Alvarez has done double the amount of VSG surgeries but Dr. Aceves has done more overall WLS surgeries. How has your recovery been? I'm nervous about going alone and not having anyone there to help. Would love to her about your experience more. Anything unexpected? thanks, Ellie

I understand your concerns about your mom. My whole family is overweight. I don't remember a time that my mom was a "normal" size. I've seen how it has affected her health.....lots & lots of issues and I don't want it to happen to me. My grandmother is 92 yrs old, average size and in great health, she actually takes care of my mom instead of the other way around. My mom took care of everyone but herself and sadly a few months ago she was diagnosed with lung cancer. This has been a huge motivation for me to get WLS. I've watch her be trapped by her weight and health issues from it and I don't want that for me and for my daughter to watch. But I haven't told her or any family members. I don't want to worry my mom. I am so thankful for these forums for supports

My Dr gave me a list of different Protein shakes, but not sure which ones to get. Can anyone recommend a brand and flavor and if you have any "tricks" on how to make them better? I noticed that Sam's is selling several different brands, even GNC brands. Any tried any and recommend? Thanks!

Thanks for the recommendation. this is off subject but I saw in your info that you had emergency surgery for bleeding after the sleeve. My surgery is next mth and wondering if you don't mind sharing what happened that caused the emergency surgery? To say that I am nervous is the biggest understatement ever. thanks.

I'm so so nervous about getting the surgery that I've been trying to focus on all the positive things that the sleeve (and weight loss) will give me back, like climbing stairs without pain in my knees, being able to enjoy clothes shopping again, feeling pretty again and more energy, Also to be able to do things I've never been able to do before...like Water ski. Love to hear all the positive things that the weight loss has given others too. How has the weight loss and the sleeve changed your life?

I've been reading these posts for several weeks and these seems to be lots of issues people have had both big or small but it's rare to see anyone that wished they didn't do it. I've been on the fence about the sleeve. I don't have any medical issue....outside of 100 lbs overweight and I'm afraid of all the issues that seem to come with having the sleeve. I was wondering from all you post-ops.....would you do it again ??

Helen - your life changes are EXACTLY what I hope will happen for me. I know WLS could give me a real life again. I am also self-pay and looking at MX for surgery. If it was just me, I would have been in the operating room already but it is whenever I think about my kids that I change my mind. I hear that negative voice in my head saying...".oh yeah can see it now, your gone and your loved ones are left wondering how they lost you to having WLS, and how you could risk so much just to loose weight". Sorry, having a doubting night

You all are so inspiring!! I made a list of things I hope WLS would give me back. I'm still so so so nervous. I jump back & forth between "I can't risk it" to "wanting it right now". I've been reading tons of post and it isn't the after surgery that frightens me. I realize the first few months will be hard, that I can do.....can't be worse then a lifetime of diets. I'm just so afraid of something going terribly wrong. My kids would be forever changed if something happened to me. They would surely prefer a fat mom over no mom. It's just such a big decision. Thank you all for helping me focus on the positive side.

I have a desk job and wondering how much time to take off from work after sleeve? Some seem like they went back to work right away and others need 2 weeks or more. I know everyone is different but wondering if those that needed the extra time was because they just needed the rest or because they were really still feeling bad/sick?

I've been reading these posts for several weeks and there seems to be lots of issues people have had both big or small but it's rare to see anyone that wished they didn't do it. I've been on the fence about the sleeve. I don't have any medical issue....outside of 100 lbs overweight and I'm afraid of all the issues that seem to come with having the sleeve. I was wondering from all you post-ops.....would you do it again ??

I'm so glad that your feeling great now, I'm sure that must have been scary. I keep reading over and over about people who have had complications but would still do it again. I can understand why. Your starting weight is around my current, and I can only imagine losing that much weight. About 3 mths ago while back-to-school shopping with my beautiful teenage daughter, she was trying on a junior size 5 jean. They looked a little tight but she was shocked at the thought of going to the junior size 7. I joked I would give my left hand to be in a Misses size 7...then thought in my head I think I might almost really give my left hand for a guarantee of staying thin. That's when the sleeve really became a serious option. Giving most of my stomach seems a lot better then my left hand.

I'm so sorry you had all those complications. Do you mind me asking if you had any health issues prior to surgery? Do you have any idea what caused your complications? I'm so glad your feeling better now.

SKcunningham - Like you I am a champion weight loser. I've lost the same 50+ lbs several times. About 8 yrs ago I lost 125 lbs for about a minute. The reason I am considering the sleeve is for the keeping the weight off FOREVER! I just don't want to continue yo-yo dieting the rest of my life. I know with the sleeve you have to pay close attention to what you eat & drink, but I do that now & overweight, would rather do it and be think. Thanks for sharing! Ellie

itscometothis - Can I ask how long ago u were sleeved?

Foxbin- that's amazing how much you have lots and so fast and even better without any trouble. I'm so nervous, I wish I were you and already done & eight months out and doing great. Did you ever have "buyers remorse", since you were self-pay? Seems like that happens a lot in the beginning. I think for those of us who have self-pay there is the additional worry of the financial risk along with the health risk. Dr. Aceves seems to have a huge following here. thanks for sharing.

Meg- I too have often thought about the long term with the sleeve. It seems that many have issues in the beginning and at some point, buyers remorse, but what about in 4 years...in 10 years...in 20 years?? I recently had an MRI on my knee, and I was wondering could I have this with the sleeve? all those staples? My husband thinks I've lost my mind. So extreme...and my insurance doesn't cover it, so I would be self pay. I just keep researching and reading these forums It's really helped.