Sleeved&Hopeful

I'm going to Dr. Almanza on Feb 3rd and I'm pretty prepared for what to expect. I do expect a good surgeon but things aren't going to be perfect. I already know that I can expect to potentially wait all day before my surgery because of the amount of surgeries he does. I already expect to be speaking Spanish because many of the staffers do not know English. I expect the recovery house to be loud and I will likely leave a day early and head back to San Diego the night before my flight to stay in a hotel for some sleep. I'm an insomniac and I sleep much of my time during the day so if I can't sleep at the recovery house, it will be necessary. I expect decent care but not anything amazing. I have had surgeries in the U.S. with surgeons who are less than impressive and also in a clinic setting just like Dr. Almanza's so I know what to expect. The idea of surgery in a clinic is not foreign at all. In Austin, there are several places just like that. I had surgery in a strip mall in Austin this year so it happens in the U.S. too.

That is so amazing! I hope it all goes well for you!!

I think the hardest part is the waiting game. I know how you feel because I don't have much longer either. The anticipation and nerves are annoying, aren't they? :-) I think just envision your better health and that will get you there.

Oh no I hope you are ok! Please at least get checked out for your own sake.

You could say you have stomach ulcers. The sleeve has been a surgery done on people with stomach ulcers for many years. This would be a good lie lol. I don't blame you for lying. High school is so awkward and I think I would do the same thing if I were you.

Hey Vance! Thanks for posting your journey and I think that's awesome. I hope to hear more on your journey as time goes by.

I almost went with Dr. Garcia but he wouldn't take a credit card payment. I know that sounds stupid but I couldn't pay any other way. Please let us know how your surgery goes.

Thank you Happy! I think I am going to go ahead and get the root canal. I am not happy that my tooth is infected right before my surgery. I have been taking amoxicillin and noticed the infection is taking a while to go away and I think the root canal cannot be avoided. I was hoping to wait until ater surgery but this tooth won't quit! It has a hole in it and it is abscessed as well. My gums are hugely swollen. I have been able to avoid the dreaded huge chipmunk cheek problem so far thanks to the amoxicillin I think.

Thank you Hadouni! I may go ahead and get it. I think I'm worried because the tooth is somewhat infected and I'm on antibiotics to get rid of the infection before the root canal on Tuesday. I am scared that it will hurt really bad when they do the root canal if there is any infection left. I know I can't get surgery with an infected tooth so i think I should go ahead with the root canal and just get some sort of non-NSAID medication to deal with the pain. I am only taking amoxicillin for the infection now.

Hey guys, I have a tooth that has been bothering me and they want to do a root canal next Tuesday 2 weeks before my surgery date. Do you guys think I should do it before the surgery or after if the tooth is hurting? I know I will only be able to take tylenol for pain because of the no aspirin or blood thinner rule. Is pain medication an absolute no no too? I think it is. I wonder if I should just wait until after my surgery to get the root canal. What do you guys think?

Congratulations you all! I think I understand the nervousness. My worries are different. My surgery date is on 2/3 and I'm more worried about problems pre op than post op! Isn't that weird? I worry what if my heart rate or blood pressure shoots up or something crazy happens and I don't get the sleeve. I have these thoughts of coming home from my trip bawling my eyes out with no sleeve. So weird. I do worry a little about post op complications but not too much.

My surgery is the day after yours and I can hardly stand the wait. I feel like I'm pregnant and I'm in the last month and every day drags by as you get more and more excited and nervous about having the baby! This is exactly how I feel. I am trying to keep my mind off of it but it's nearly impossible. I'm not working right now and so I have way too much time on my hands. I've been working out more and getting ready but i'm driving my husband insane. I think the waiting is the worst part of it all.

This is just an awkward situation. My cousin's wife went to Mexico to get surgery and she actually went on a co worker's recommendation because of her experience in mexico. No one gave her a hard time. I am sure that the lady just may feel somewhat insecure because she will likely still be large and you will not. That can make people feel insecure. I feel bad for her in a way but she shouldn't take it out on you. You deserve to be supported in a sensitive time like this. Losing weight drastically is an emotional process. I think you should sit and talk to her and tell her that you need positive support during this time and the decision has already been made. Tell her you thank her for her concern but if she has nothing nice to say, do not say it at all because it could affect your recovery. If she respects you at all, she will listen to you an do as you ask. If she is not going to be supportive, just hold your head up high and smile. The best revenge is living well. Or maybe the best idea is just not to bring it up to her at all if she continues to be rude. I wish you the best.

You guys would be surprised how many thin bandsters I've seen on the web who get the sleeve revision because they can't stand their bands anymore. I really don't see any fault in that. the band can cause many severe health problems. Of course, if she has bad heart problems, I'm just not sure how smart this is. She really should talk to the surgeon before she gets it performed.

I am worried about the fatigue too. I already tire easily because of diabetes so I know I'm going to be extremely exhausted after the sleeve. I hope my husband doesn't get too frustrated. I am hoping once the excess weight is shed I will be much more energetic. I am hoping that you will be more energetic too once you incur more weight loss.

Now that is hilarious!

I'm sure you will be fine! I would gladly take a little reflux over being overweight and diabetic any day. I am diabetic too and although it's not bad now, I do worry it could be bad later. I know you can do it! And congrats on beating cancer! That is inspiring!

Yay that is so exciting! Wishing you the best!

Feb 3rd. with Dr. Almanza

From Killeen, TX and my sleeve date is only several weeks aWAY! 2/3/2012. So excited and scared!

I have told my parents and my husband and no one else. My parents were pretty supportive and I know my Dad is worried about me. I have diabetes type 2 and I'm only 35 and my BMI is 38. I just found out about the diabetes. It scared me into doing this surgery because I need to get my weight under control ! My brother and sister were both pre-diabetic in their 20's! I should have known it would catch up with me. My younger sister had gastric bypass several years ago because she was scared of the diabetes. My mom is diabetic and has had terrible control and it scares me. I don't want those complications when I get older. I may tell my children but my teenage daughter is overweight and I'm worried that she will feel insecure or upset. Maybe this will motivate her because she loves junk food (I can't control it--she drives around with friends and they buy McDonalds etc) and hates exercise. I am thinking about just telling her I am losing weight by cutting calories and exercising (which is true) and this will motivate her. But I will not pressure her into losing weight because I know that it can cause life long struggles. Anyway, I don't know if I will tell anyone else. I know my parents may tell a few family members but I am probably not going to tell anyone else.

I am 35 and I am going to get sleeved on Feb 3rd. I am extremely nervous. I haven't had general anesthesia since I was 19 so I have no idea how I'm going to react. The only medication I've had is an epidural when I gave birth and a local anesthetic. I am just nervous about everything and waiting 3 more weeks is going to drive me nuts I guess!

Hey guys! I'm from the Killeen/ Temple/ Waco area and I am so nervous you guys! I have surgery on 2/3 and this waiting game is KILLING me. Sooo nervous about anesthesia and surgery. I haven't had general anesthesia since I was 19 years old so I'm super scared. The only thing I've had is a local aneshetic and then I had an epidural when I gave birth (does that count?) lol. I don't know if I can contain the nerves. I just want to get it over

Hey guys ! I live in Killeen and my surgery date is 2/3/2012. I am soooo nervous and excited and scared. Have a lot of fear about the anesthesia. I haven't had general anesthesia in 16 years! Very nervous and worried about the pre op tests once I arrive at the hospital. I just want to get it done and the anticipation is killing me!

I am having my surgery on feb 3 2012 in Tijuana, MX at Almanza's office. Is anyone else going there on the same date as I am? Or having surgery around the same time? I live in Central Texas. Thank you so much.