Jesser

This cracked me up! Especially the part about bringing the tray of Cookies on your surgery day! That sounds like my Mom. She will probably whip into Red Lobster on my way to the airport. Lol

Is anyone else having issues with family? It seems like for me I have to be on the defense about this surgery with everyone. They always have to tell me why it's not a good idea, and how I'm making a terrible decision. Of course, I think otherwise, but it's getting exhausting trying to defend my decision. I'm not really the type to keep it to myself and sneak off and do it, but sometimes I wish that I would have just kept my mouth shut about it! Lol

YOU GOT THIS!!!! (:

Fear is definitely an anchor holding me down!! Ugh. I hate it! I'm just gonna do like you said and try to push all the fear and negativity out of my mind.

I feel like I can somewhat relate. I'm not so sure my family is unsupportive, they just get quiet when I mention it. It bums me out because I'm really excited and i went them to be excited for me and they aren't. My husband is very supportive though so that helps. I know how much you want to have your family support you but they may not until after your surgery and they may not even then. But your verticalsleevetalk family will always support you! Message me if you just need to talk, vent, cry.. anything!!! )

I told them several months ago about this surgery, and the majority of the time they never say anything about it. I think that they hope I will just change my mind. I'd like to just have someone to talk about it with, share my concerns, my excitement with. Sure, on here I can do that, but I want to be able to do that with my family. It's always been that way though and I have always felt alone.... Not feeling sorry for myself, but I can only hope surgery goes well, and none of them will say "I told you so!" Lol

My date with Lopez was the 11th, but I'm having to reschedule for the week before. I haven't picked a day yet. I will probably see you there!!!

Where is all of your stuff when you are in surgery? Do you have to leave it in the hospital room? I was thinking about this the other night. My suitcase will have my phone, passport, money, all that junk in it.

Is that how it is for the rest of your life? You just sip, sip, sip all day? Will we ever be able to drink in somewhat large amounts? Or is this just right after surgery?

Not to mention it would be bad for business if the patients came back reporting horror stories... Of course I believe they do want us safe out of human decency but they are running a business as well.
I think we just need to use common sense with a side of extra caution.
Amanda Rae

And here's to a fabulous new year ahead! I was just thinking as I ate my Christmas dinner, stuffing myself full as I can get, that next year will not be the same. Of course having some mixed feelings about that! But I'm ready. let the countdown to March 10th begin!!!

I can't wait to actually not be hungry! Lol

And here's to a fabulous new year ahead! I was just thinking as I ate my Christmas dinner, stuffing myself full as I can get, that next year will not be the same. Of course having some mixed feelings about that! But I'm ready. let the countdown to March 10th begin!!!

And here's to a fabulous new year ahead! I was just thinking as I ate my Christmas dinner, stuffing myself full as I can get, that next year will not be the same. Of course having some mixed feelings about that! But I'm ready. let the countdown to March 10th begin!!!

And here's to a fabulous new year ahead! I was just thinking as I ate my Christmas dinner, stuffing myself full as I can get, that next year will not be the same. Of course having some mixed feelings about that! But I'm ready. let the countdown to March 10th begin!!!

Enjoy!!! I had my surgery Dec. 7 and had 1/2 of a greek yogurt for christmas dinner. The good thing as that I wasn't hungry!!!! Wishing all the best in the new year!!!

I feel the same way, as I sit here eating my Christmas dinner. Im hoping for March too!!!!! Nervous, but excited!! Cant wait to be healthy and happy again!! Good Luck to you!!

I have all the business in the world posting my opinion on Dr. Almanza. True, I have not been to him, and I state that in my comments. I have read many negative things about him on several different sites. Like I said before, many have been happy with him. Pick the surgeon you feel comfortable with. I did not feel comfortable going to a surgeon that does that many surgeries in a day, not in a hospital, sends you to a recovery house that was robbed (even though I believe now you actually go to a hotel to recover) plus the negative reviews I've read on him. I'm sorry, but that was more than enough to make me not want to go to him. He may be a wonderful surgeon, but I'm a worry wart and I'm going with a surgeon I feel at ease with.

They may be fabricating the story, or lying. All I know is that I've read a lot of these stories. Is it true or not? Who knows. But I wouldn't feel comfortable going to him. He was actually how I found out about this surgery to begin with. I heard about him from a friend (who had a good experience) so I started researching him and Jerusalem "hospital". I found out it wasn't actually a hospital, which we have already established that. I read a few of those scary stories, read about the robbery, about the noisy recovery house and poor after care they supposedly received, the number of patients per day, just on and on. I don't know if people made a lot of it up or whatever, but it was enough for me to rethink my decision and go to a different surgeon. Everyone is different with what we feel comfortable with. Yes, people can lie, but I'm listening to these people who are telling these stories! If I go down there and god forbid something terrible happens to me, I want to post about it and hope that people believe me and not call me a liar.

But if someone shares an experience that another had... Then that is exactly what it is. Passing along info. It is not guaranteed to 100%. How could it be?! "My friend went with Surgeon John Doe and loved him because..."
"My friend went with him to and hated him because..." We are relaying info that we have gleaned from others. As we are adults I can only hope we take it as just that. Info that has made its way around thru channels. I too have read and heard he does 10-12 surgeries a day. I've also read he does 8. I also read he operates out of clinic located in a strip mall. I read that he no longer uses a recovery house. I read that he starts with the lowest BMI and works his way up. This is what I read. I allow for a "margin of error" in the feedback. Mostly what I've read about Dr. Almanza is that he is an extremely skilled surgeon that performs more surgeries per day than most. As I have a very high BMI, comorbidities, and a phobia of anesthesia I decided against Dr. Almanza. I chose a surgeon who specializes in high BMI patients and operates out of a hospital with a full operational ICU. But that's just me. Perhaps we should include a disclaimer when we post?
Amanda Rae

I have all the business in the world posting my opinion on Dr. Almanza. True, I have not been to him, and I state that in my comments. I have read many negative things about him on several different sites. Like I said before, many have been happy with him. Pick the surgeon you feel comfortable with. I did not feel comfortable going to a surgeon that does that many surgeries in a day, not in a hospital, sends you to a recovery house that was robbed (even though I believe now you actually go to a hotel to recover) plus the negative reviews I've read on him. I'm sorry, but that was more than enough to make me not want to go to him. He may be a wonderful surgeon, but I'm a worry wart and I'm going with a surgeon I feel at ease with.

Awww! Thank you so much! I may have someone coming with me, but that's not 100% yet. I sure hope so because I really don't want to go alone. Even though you will be there too!!

OMG! I ate everything in site! I thought I would never be able to enjoy the same foods ever again! Man was I wrong! If I could go back and do it again, I probably wouldn't eat like I did before surgery because I am enjoying all my favorite foods- just not as much of them.

Absolutely. I'm trying to keep my composure here at work, but I feel like I'm about to have a nervous breakdown. I just wish that there was some way I could help... My heart goes out to them. God bless.