shanda7182

WOW, I dont think I've ever heard of such a doctor (including the ones that I work with on a daily basis). LOL Well that makes it easier since my Fiance can stay in the hospital room with me. Some hospitals have very strict visiting hours, so I was not sure. This is getting better and better every minute, I truly believe that this is the right decision for me. :laugh0:

Thanks so much Vangel. Your words are so kind and genuine. It is so refreshing to be able to connect with others that have had similiar experiences/concerns. This site has allowed me to not feel alone or "crazy" about my decision to have the VSG or travel to MX for that matter. Words cannot capture my true appreciation. Good luck with your recovery as well. P.S. Do they allow a guest to sleep in the room with you? I was just wondering, as I would be bringing my Fiance and I need to know how to make arrangements for him. Thanks a million:thumbup:

Thanks to each of you, for your support. Although, I know these things to be true, its just difficult for me for some strange reason. LOL But I will get over it trust me! Because at the end of the day, none of them are financing this operation!

Thanks for your advice, it sounds like a good way to handle the situation! Good luck with your surgery and I will keep everyone here posted on mine.

Wow. you are a brave woman and my new hero. I know what its like to work 13 hrs at a hospital (my lord). I dont have enough energy to drive home let alone take a 6 hr flight. LOL I think you are right, I could always tell people that we are going to San Diego, CA for a 3 day trip. Well, I wouldn't be lying. LOL:001_tongue: Thanks for your help! I will keep you posted. I have already filled out the pre surgical paperwork and have emailed it back. Right now, im about 70% sure that I will have my surgery performed by Dr. Aceves.

Well, im glad that you enjoyed his seminar and got a chance to talk to him one on one! He was very patient (he even drew diagrams on my note pad) that I'd taken with me. He did not seem to be your typical money hungry doctor. To make a long story short he "kept it real" while we were talking. In reference to complications, since I am an RN. I believe that sometimes a person can "know too much". LOL I've thought about, what if I "have a pulmonary embolus, or what if I develop a stricture or what if my wounds dont heal correctly and I get an infection", etc, etc. At the same time, my chances of having a heart attack, stroke or becoming a diabetic are much greater if I stay this way. The reason that I say this is because I come from a family of large people that are "heart attack, heart disease and diabetic prone". If I dont do something im headed down that same road.:sad0: In the case of a complication (GOD forbid) Im thankful that I have a great protection with my job--- that will kick if if I am gone from work for 14 days and I will get paid for one full year (if needed) 90% of my salary. So with that, at least I will still get paid and wont be homeless!:thumbup1: Keep in touch, maybe you can schedule to be sleeved around the same time as me. We can be sleeve buddies.

Hello All. Im a newbie here but I have been reading you all's post for about 3 weeks. Basically, each of you have inspired me to have the sleeve. TO tell you a little about me--im 26 year old female in the houston area and a full time nurse. I have battled with my weight ALL of my life. I remember being in the 5th grade being weighed in front of my classmates feeling soo embarrassed when the scaled tipped at 150 lbs. My highest weight was 320 lbs, in which I then became fed up and decided to "do" something about it. A friend of mine asked me to be in her wedding and I thought, there is NO way im walking down this aisle like this. Well a year and half later I became under 200 lbs. :001_tt2: I felt great and for once my confidence returned. I have maintained "fairly" but have gained 15-18 lbs back and I am just absolutely CRUSHED. I am over 200 lbs again and I just cannot believe it. Ive had a personal trainer and for the most part, I follow a relatively "fair" diet. But with working as a full time nurse, im currently in graduate school and I am planning a wedding. I think things have just caught up with me once again. However, I REFUSE to continue this vicious cycle. I have the healthy eating pattern down but my body doesnt want to loose anymore. My lab work is okay, no thyroid problems but I have a VERY obese family--(most women in my family are greater than 300lbs). When I spoke with the psychologist for insurance purposes (when I was considering the band) she told me that genetics play a MAJOR factor with weight. SO I met this very skilled physician in Houston that was very patient and has good stats and reviews. He told me all about the sleeve and I became curious. I begin reading on this site and I knew this is what I need to do. To make a LONG story short, I set my sleeve date for Sept. 15, 2009. Its so far away because....I am a nurse with a very, erradic work schedule so I had to wait until I could take 2 weeks off. Thanks for reading my story, you all have been so encouraging. Any advice I am interested in finding out.

Hello. I have not been sleeved but I will have it done in September. Im in Texas, but im in the Houston area. Just wondering, how was your sleeve experience: surgery, surgeon, pain, etc.

I know that feeling. But we must hang in there. I am scheduled for mine in September and ever since I have scheduled the date my emotions have been "on a roller coaster ride". But hey, I figure I have to DO Something. So when I think of it like that "I get excited". So we must continue to encourage one another. P.S. I notice that you are in my area, which surgeon are you using?

I know exactly what you mean. I was reviewing a patient's discharge instructions on that yesterday. And I remember thinking "How can I tell him how to do this, when I have not?" Its a real wake up call.

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe its because we take care of EVERYONE else except ourselves?? This could be a possibility. Maybe we are realizing that we MUST take care of ourselves first. I know that my weight went to another level of nursing school! We went to class, we ate and studied all day & night until graduation! LOL And as a nurse--there are so many presentations and companies that come to my job with Snacks, meals, etc. It is unreal! :001_rolleyes: Ive also heard that if you work the night shift, you tend to gain more weight. Maybe because you eat in order to stay up??? I work the day shift and its very busy but I guess its not enough. LOL But....NOW it is OUR time to SHINE! We are reclaiming our lives and our health.

Not from Arizona but I am an RN! :thumbup: I noticed that there are lots of nurses on here too! Nurses unite!

As far as the information above. The price for Dr Alanis includes (im memorizing what is on my paperwork, dont have it in front of me)-- 1. surgeons fee 2. anesthesiology 3. preop lab work 4. possible hernia repair (if neccessary) 5. possible liver biopsy (if needed) 6. possible cholecystectomy (if neccessary) 7. overnight hospital stay @ a bariatric center of excellence 8. surgery consult I will get back with you regarding if this covers the cost of complications--my guess is probably no. I guess ive just always figured if you are paying cash you are on your own. I was told which leak tests that he performs & they are written in my notes when I met with him (dont recall the exact ones, since at the time I had no idea what all that was). But I will get back with you.====I felt really comfortable when I went to visit with Dr. Alanis as several of his (sleeve) patients were in there for follow up appts and I was able to speak with them about their experience, weight loss, etc. One lady had her sleeve one year exactly on the day of my appointment and she had lost 120 lbs! WOW, she looked great and she was in her 60's!!!! :thumbup: As far as Dr. Garth Davis, MD----All I know about him is that his price includes an overnight stay at a bariatric center of excellence, surgeons fee, anesthesiology, preop labs, etc. I was intially meeting with him for the lap band and I was briefly told about the sleeve with him. However, I can and will find out more information regarding the specifics for the both of them. I love to help out fellow potential :001_smile:sleevers. Give me a few days to give you the exact stats for the both of them.

Kool:thumbup1:---Kudos to you. Im taking 2 weeks off as well and Im also a fellow nurse. So im not going to be in any rush to return to floor work.

Congrats to you!!! Who was your surgeon & would you recommend him or her.

Congratulations on your success so far!

Do you mind telling me his rate for cash payers? Also, how was postoperative pain, etc? I would love to get together with fellow sleevers and sleevers to be. Support systems def. help with weight loss.

Hello fellow Texans, Im in the Houston area. I have not have my sleeve yet. Just curious who did you all go to? We should all get together one day.:thumbup1:

Thanks Crystal. That is good information to know. I wonder if I could do this "pre-sleeve". I still have a pouch, its not very small but it seems as if it will help. LOL :thumbup1:

This may sound like a dumb question but what is a 5DPT? And how do I do it?

Hello, I sent you a PM, not sure if you got it. (Still trying to work this site out). Anyway, Dr. Alanis' price is 11,5K and Dr. Davis is around 18K. Dr. Alanis goes to either University General or Surgical Specialty Hospital (I think that is the entire name) and that is a bariatric center of excellence. Both are but Univ. General is VERY expensive & will drive your cost up. Univ. General has private cooks, large suites and is very prestigious (Dr. Davis is part owner of this hospital).

Thanks for the encouragement.

Hi,I hope im doing this right, I spoke with lapband of houston (i dont know how is all on this team) but they were sooooo against the sleeve. I believe they have *special interest in the lapband!