Purpleswirlie

That's so great to hear everyone! I'm 1 week post op and I feel like I could eat a horse. liquids just are not doing it for me.

I just got mine done from Dr. Alvarez... I adore him. They put you in a hotel beforehand, you stay 2 days in the hospital and after they put you in another hotel... all included. They have such a great program and it was really great. I don't know the other doctor but I'm sure he is great too. I just felt so at ease with Dr. Alvarez and his program. I'd call both doctors and get all the information and decide. Not sure if you've already done that but I'd do that and see what you think. I'm almost a week out, yay!

Today is the big day. I thought I'd be freaking out but I am strangely serene. sleep was not a problem - I thought I'd be up all night worrying. See you on the other side, campers!

Today is the big day. I thought I'd be freaking out but I am strangely serene. sleep was not a problem - I thought I'd be up all night worrying. See you on the other side, campers!

I am scheduled with Dr. Alvarez on August 13. I didn't go with the lowest cost option, but rather with my "gut". My insurance specifically excludes weight loss surgery, so I knew I would have to be self-pay. I was originally thinking of the Lap-Band with Gastric Plication with a surgeon in Houston, but the more I researched, the less comfortable I felt about, so I decided that the VSG was the best option for me, but in Houston I just couldn't afford it, and started looking at other options. I was so grateful to find someone over the border in Texas, so that I wouldn't have to travel so far. Then after checking out Dr. A's YouTube videos, I felt like I had already met him. I am very grateful that things have worked out this way, and I am looking forward to utilizing this tool for my health. Thanks for listening.

Hi everybody, it's Sharnae & I am officially sleeved as of Saturday morning, Saturday was pretty ok, but Sunday & Monday was really rough. The acid reflux & th gas is kicking my butt.
Far as Dr.Alvarez he is so kind and gentle and has the best bedside manner. He is available to answer all of your questions and personally takes time to one and visit each of his patents 2-3 times a day. Although Dr. Alvarez is not the cheapest option, he was th best option for me. Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.

Hey everybody, thank u for all ur prayers and thoughts. I couldn't be happier with my choice . He is more than amazing and when I woke up I was questioning whether I had surgery or not, lol. Jessica is great also. For anyone unsure about a sleeve, I say go for it!!! I just got my iPad this morning and wanted to give an update. Talk to you all very soon. Take care.

Oh hunny - I was SO in the same boat a few months ago. For me, the money wasn't the issue so much as the hassle that US doctors put patients through. My local doctor pretty much blew me off when I asked about wight loss surgery, but Dr. Alvarez in Mexico spent a ton of time explaining the procedure and was willing to Skype with me and my husband to introduce himself and answer all my questions. A book I HIGHLY recommend is Patients Beyond Borders http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Beyond-Borders-Everybodys-World-Class/dp/0979107903 . Basically it dispels a lot of myths about Medical Tourism and gives you things to look out for,
The US does not have the best hospitals, far from it. The US ranks 37th overall in quality of healthcare. The only thing our doctors are #1 at is price! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems
Anyway, as far as your husband goes, his reservations are totally normal. Arm yourself with facts and present them to him in a non-threatening way. The thing I learned the hard way was that my husband had to be "in the mood" to talk about it. I finally built up the courage to tell him my plan while we were walking the dog - no TV to distract us. After attending local seminars and researching this for YEARS I said to him, "Look, this is what I want to do and I'd really like your support." It helped to have everything figured out first - I have money saved up (it doesn't hurt that I'm the major breadwinner). I checked with my life insurance lady to make sure this didn't void my policy (it doesn't).
Now he's kind of excited to be going to Mexico - neither of us have been there before. I'm gettin' sleeved the 26th of this month and I'm THRILLED!!!!
Good luck, Taylee!
By the way - your dog is SOOO cute!

Oh hunny - I was SO in the same boat a few months ago. For me, the money wasn't the issue so much as the hassle that US doctors put patients through. My local doctor pretty much blew me off when I asked about wight loss surgery, but Dr. Alvarez in Mexico spent a ton of time explaining the procedure and was willing to Skype with me and my husband to introduce himself and answer all my questions. A book I HIGHLY recommend is Patients Beyond Borders http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Beyond-Borders-Everybodys-World-Class/dp/0979107903 . Basically it dispels a lot of myths about Medical Tourism and gives you things to look out for,
The US does not have the best hospitals, far from it. The US ranks 37th overall in quality of healthcare. The only thing our doctors are #1 at is price! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems
Anyway, as far as your husband goes, his reservations are totally normal. Arm yourself with facts and present them to him in a non-threatening way. The thing I learned the hard way was that my husband had to be "in the mood" to talk about it. I finally built up the courage to tell him my plan while we were walking the dog - no TV to distract us. After attending local seminars and researching this for YEARS I said to him, "Look, this is what I want to do and I'd really like your support." It helped to have everything figured out first - I have money saved up (it doesn't hurt that I'm the major breadwinner). I checked with my life insurance lady to make sure this didn't void my policy (it doesn't).
Now he's kind of excited to be going to Mexico - neither of us have been there before. I'm gettin' sleeved the 26th of this month and I'm THRILLED!!!!
Good luck, Taylee!
By the way - your dog is SOOO cute!

Oh hunny - I was SO in the same boat a few months ago. For me, the money wasn't the issue so much as the hassle that US doctors put patients through. My local doctor pretty much blew me off when I asked about wight loss surgery, but Dr. Alvarez in Mexico spent a ton of time explaining the procedure and was willing to Skype with me and my husband to introduce himself and answer all my questions. A book I HIGHLY recommend is Patients Beyond Borders http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Beyond-Borders-Everybodys-World-Class/dp/0979107903 . Basically it dispels a lot of myths about Medical Tourism and gives you things to look out for,
The US does not have the best hospitals, far from it. The US ranks 37th overall in quality of healthcare. The only thing our doctors are #1 at is price! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems
Anyway, as far as your husband goes, his reservations are totally normal. Arm yourself with facts and present them to him in a non-threatening way. The thing I learned the hard way was that my husband had to be "in the mood" to talk about it. I finally built up the courage to tell him my plan while we were walking the dog - no TV to distract us. After attending local seminars and researching this for YEARS I said to him, "Look, this is what I want to do and I'd really like your support." It helped to have everything figured out first - I have money saved up (it doesn't hurt that I'm the major breadwinner). I checked with my life insurance lady to make sure this didn't void my policy (it doesn't).
Now he's kind of excited to be going to Mexico - neither of us have been there before. I'm gettin' sleeved the 26th of this month and I'm THRILLED!!!!
Good luck, Taylee!
By the way - your dog is SOOO cute!

I had the same struggle. Hubby was afraid I would come back with one less kidney, if I came home at all. LOL. My decision to go to Mexico, and particularly with the doctor I chose (dr. Aceves) was about finding the most experienced and well respected revision surgeon. getting bariatric surgery is not an area that i wanted to be penny shy and pound foolish. No pun intended. Dr. Aceves had 100 times more sleeve surgeries than the local "specialist". This was a no brainer particularly when all the data shows experience is highly corelated with successful, complication free surgeries. We had budgeted and planned for surgery in Washington state but I simply could not find a local doctor with the experience and kind/quality of referrals that Dr. Aceves had. Also, the self-pay rates I was being quoted weren't inclusive....meaning if I had a leak or some other complication during surgery, I would be out of pocket. That was on top of a 2 or 3x price difference.
The truth is medical care in the U.S. is very expensive for a number of reasons...and quality of care is not the reason. Without getting too political, the medical and insurance lobby are extraordinarily powerful in the states...and we Americans are pretty darn litigious too.
Ultimately, I went to Mexico alone because of a number of reasons but I needed to do what was right for me. I followed my heart and my instinct and luckily it worked out. My Mexicali and hospital experience was far better than any hospital experience in the states. The stay for the sleeve was 4 days (in contrast to the overnight stay typical in the states) and the hostipal was clean and professional. Because my band was eroded, Dr. Aceves was not able to complete the sleeve (just did the removal). I will be heading back in Decembre for my surgery. Good luck in your journey and remember that your heart knows.

Oh hunny - I was SO in the same boat a few months ago. For me, the money wasn't the issue so much as the hassle that US doctors put patients through. My local doctor pretty much blew me off when I asked about wight loss surgery, but Dr. Alvarez in Mexico spent a ton of time explaining the procedure and was willing to Skype with me and my husband to introduce himself and answer all my questions. A book I HIGHLY recommend is Patients Beyond Borders http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Beyond-Borders-Everybodys-World-Class/dp/0979107903 . Basically it dispels a lot of myths about Medical Tourism and gives you things to look out for,
The US does not have the best hospitals, far from it. The US ranks 37th overall in quality of healthcare. The only thing our doctors are #1 at is price! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems
Anyway, as far as your husband goes, his reservations are totally normal. Arm yourself with facts and present them to him in a non-threatening way. The thing I learned the hard way was that my husband had to be "in the mood" to talk about it. I finally built up the courage to tell him my plan while we were walking the dog - no TV to distract us. After attending local seminars and researching this for YEARS I said to him, "Look, this is what I want to do and I'd really like your support." It helped to have everything figured out first - I have money saved up (it doesn't hurt that I'm the major breadwinner). I checked with my life insurance lady to make sure this didn't void my policy (it doesn't).
Now he's kind of excited to be going to Mexico - neither of us have been there before. I'm gettin' sleeved the 26th of this month and I'm THRILLED!!!!
Good luck, Taylee!
By the way - your dog is SOOO cute!

I've been sleeved! Can't tell you how pleased I am with Dr. Alvarez everyone. I feel no pain, slight nausea when I get up.
I don't know where to start but in a few I will post my whole story. God bless

July 7th here with Dr. Alvarez!!!

I have a tentative date for first week in July for Dr. Jacobo Zafrani in Costa Rica. As soon as I get my passport in I will have a date set in stone! Can't Wait!!! Good luck to all!

Hi there- I have a tentative date for July 2nd, to be confirmed. Dr Abdulsalam Al Taie in Abu Dhabi.

I cannot wait to meet Dr. A!!

Does this sound familiar to you?
Emotions through a typical pre-op day:
Happy.
Happy.
Excited.
Totally distracted at work.
Happy.
HOLY SH*T AM I REALLY DOING THIS? AAAA!
Scared.
Read more blogs.
Feeling better.
Happy again.
Repeat.

I am almost 4weeks post op and my partner has been scared to touch me since surgery. She said she didn't want to hurt me she would only lightly kiss my stomach yet last night I assured her I was on and so for me 4 weeks. yet she keeps asking me am I ok....guess my answer is a little different due to im not having heterosexual sex but I figured I would answer

Whew! I was worried there about my guys ...
"Uhhh ... Doctor ... there's something you didn't tell me you were going to do ..."

Does this sound familiar to you?
Emotions through a typical pre-op day:
Happy.
Happy.
Excited.
Totally distracted at work.
Happy.
HOLY SH*T AM I REALLY DOING THIS? AAAA!
Scared.
Read more blogs.
Feeling better.
Happy again.
Repeat.

Hope nobody minds I'll be adding some VSG buddies too. I'm pre-op, but trying to get into the habit of tracking my diet. My username is purpleswirlie (same here is it is on MyFitnessPal).
I hope to see you there!