Disney

Yep! I would love to see the pics, too!

First, I never said Dr. Aceves has been doing sleeves since 1986. The "sleeve" wasn't even being done then. If you will READ what I said, that is when he started his surgical career. Probably about the time almanza was in grade school. What I DID say was he has been doing the sleeve for many years. He has overall more surgical experience than almanza by about 20 years. So, you don't have to "break" anything to me. I am fully aware of the vast experience and impeccable reputation of my own surgeon, thanks. And if you will also read, I never argued almazna does 145 sleeves a month. Probably does more than that.That proves my point. He is an assembly line surgeon. And as stated above, he would STILL be doing 6 a day. "The math is not that hard" ? CORRECT. Clearly, it's not safe to do that many. Have you heard horror stories about Dr. Aceves? Nah, I didn't think so. Not even from these phantom coordinators you keep talking about. There is no way a coordinator told you that they themselves came here and bad mouthed another surgeon and if they told you another coordinator did it, then that is nothing but heresay.
Lastly, you keep talking about not 'bashing' another surgeon, but the very first post you made here said that your surgeon was more experienced than ANY other surgeon. When you say that, you ARE bashing all the other surgeons. Anyway, there is no possible way for you to know that, so that is why several people jumped on your post. You can't just make blanket statements like that just because you 'think' it and as you already stated, you don't really know that.
Now, I'm done. Thanks for listening and take care

Cheesy meatballs? Yummy! Please tell me how you made them. Did you shred that little round of cheese or??

Great before/after pics everyone!
Those are the first I've seen of you Coops! Great job
And your sweet dog seems to approve, too! Is that a Lab?

Of course the standard advice is wise, to follow your doctors orders on what to eat, but clearly you have some issues that are keeping you from doing that. You know you shouldn't eat those things, because you are worried about the staple line, so that tells me you need to seek a counselor to get your head right. There is no shame in asking for help. We all need it at one time or another.
Ask your doctor to recommend someone you can talk to about this. Believe me, you are not the first to feel/react this way.
I wish you luck and if you can't locate someone who can counsel you, at least come back here and vent when you need to.

Way to go, Papi! Looking like the cover of GQ....

Don't forget about the Anesthesiologist that came to talk to us on the pre-op day. I'll try to post my pics I took of him.
WOW,,,the pics are gigantic when you click on them. I am never good at adding pics. Anyway, he was a doll. Great personality to boot. 

Wow! That change is unbelievable. Good for you!!!
Thanks for sharing your pics. I just love before/after pics. They are such an inspiration

First, I never said Dr. Aceves has been doing sleeves since 1986. The "sleeve" wasn't even being done then. If you will READ what I said, that is when he started his surgical career. Probably about the time almanza was in grade school. What I DID say was he has been doing the sleeve for many years. He has overall more surgical experience than almanza by about 20 years. So, you don't have to "break" anything to me. I am fully aware of the vast experience and impeccable reputation of my own surgeon, thanks. And if you will also read, I never argued almazna does 145 sleeves a month. Probably does more than that.That proves my point. He is an assembly line surgeon. And as stated above, he would STILL be doing 6 a day. "The math is not that hard" ? CORRECT. Clearly, it's not safe to do that many. Have you heard horror stories about Dr. Aceves? Nah, I didn't think so. Not even from these phantom coordinators you keep talking about. There is no way a coordinator told you that they themselves came here and bad mouthed another surgeon and if they told you another coordinator did it, then that is nothing but heresay.
Lastly, you keep talking about not 'bashing' another surgeon, but the very first post you made here said that your surgeon was more experienced than ANY other surgeon. When you say that, you ARE bashing all the other surgeons. Anyway, there is no possible way for you to know that, so that is why several people jumped on your post. You can't just make blanket statements like that just because you 'think' it and as you already stated, you don't really know that.
Now, I'm done. Thanks for listening and take care

Ok, well there is a big difference in saying "I know you will not find one with more experience" and saying " I am not sure and I just could not find one".
You are correct, there is no substitute for experience, that is why I chose Dr. Aceves over some of these surgeons in the States. Yes, he was only a couple thousand less than them, but why would I pay MORE for a surgeon with less experience? The sleeve is relatively new in the States. Dr. Aceves has been doing it for many years and teaches other surgeons how to do it. The two surgeons in my area that I considered had only done a couple hundred between them. As for other Mexican surgeons, there is no way I am having major surgery anywhere other than a hospital. And as for Almanza's experience, he just started his surgical career in December of 2006. So, that's 4 1/2 years. Dr. Aceves, for example has been a surgeon since 1986. There is no way Almanza has more experience in that amount of time. And as for him doing 145 a month, if he worked 5 days a week, he would be doing 7 VSG's a day. No way would I let a surgeon operate on me with 6 patients behind him. Or even 5 or 4. I don't want to be on an assembly line. The day I had surgery, there was one other patient having their surgery that day. The next day, there were 3 having surgery. So yes, experience is important, just not all crammed into a few years. That is how mistakes, complications, and even deaths happen.
<div><br></div><div>Just curious again how you have this information that there are Dr's coordinators coming here posting horror stories? How could you possibly know this? </div>

Hindsight is 20/20. We all at one time or another probably never dreamed our weight would climb as high as it did. I know that's true for me. I ABSOLUTELY wish I would have had this done long ago. Of course, I didn't even know about it years ago. I say go for it. You might could lose some weight, but who is to say you won't gain more in the future? You have a chance many of us never did, you can stop it before it gets out of hand. And before your skin gets stretched into oblivion. Maintenance is hard after you lose. A tool like this will help. Good luck to you

Way to go, Irene! Things just keep getting better. So happy for you!

Yey you.... congrats indeed!!!
So, what got the scales moving downward again... I remember you posting about a long stall... do you think it was the regular works out that started your loss again? =]

Absolutely true, im not saying expensive is better, but too cheap sends my alarm bells ringing....

It's not letting me quote but in reference to this, "because you over pay for something does not make it better. I do not know the Doctor you are referring to but I used Dr. Almanza and he was not 6 or 8 thousand and I am not sure you can find a better surgeon. I know you will not find one with more experience. I do agree with one thing you said, everyone should do their research." I have to wonder what in the world makes you think Dr Almanza is the best surgeon? I remember when i started researching Docs a year ago there were several horror stories about Dr. Almanza. He's one surgeon that not only would I not call a better surgeon I wouldnt' let him touch me.

Just because you over pay for something does not make it better. I do not know the Doctor you are referring to but I used Dr. Almanza and he was not 6 or 8 thousand and I am not sure you can find a better surgeon. I know you will not find one with more experience. I do agree with one thing you said, everyone should do their research.

Take an expectorant/cough med. Mucinex will help you get rid of the mucus if that is the problem. If it's just a dry cough, it will go away on its own soon, I hope!

Just read on this site between now and your surgery....I think you will see that the majority of people here are extremely happy with the results. Just remember that! That speaks volumes to me!!
Good luck! You WILL do great!!!

Consider looking into Louise Hay's Anger CD and consider doing some GRIEF work--that will take care of most of cough.
Many of us run to doctors when infact we are more than physical beings. Interestingly, your intuition is telling you what you need and your intuition begins as a whisper. When we don't listen to the whisper, then it gets a little louder. When we continue to ignore the internal nagging, that little part that needs and wants attention from you moves into your body to get your attention.
So the cough, which represents your confusion at the heart level [someone you are in relationship with or yourself] is trying to communicate with you. Here is what to do [and yes go ahead and go to the doctor]
Think about when you are ignored and how much you hate being disrespected. OK so the part of you that wants your attention has been ignored and disrespected....so you pissed it off and now it is getting your attention another way. Best things to do is to COMMUNICATE with this part. Say: I am so sorry that I have ignored you. I know how that feels and I don't like that one bit, so I am here now, I am willing to listen to you.
Now you can listen by being quiet--stop talking about this horrible cold, the cough as if it does not have a voice in your life. I know you are going in for WLS and most of us fatties had added alot of weight because we have not been in relationship with our mind/bodies--so here is your opportunity to start communicating with "that part".
You can listen by being quiet, in meditation, in prayer, through journalling, through massage,. Turn off the TV, get off the computer. and listen to what this part as to say to you. Don't judge it, just listen. IF it wont talk with you then say, I am so sorry for not listening to you in the past, that is changing right now, What will it take for you to communicate with me now. Whatever IT tells you to do, do it. I remember years ago, I did this exercise and my part wanted me to use a younger childlike voice...ok--what did I have to lose? I did what it asked and got great results.
So do your Mental-Emotional work, that is called the ME work. [Good Luck.
quote name=Kayla' timestamp='1309779594' post='173729]
Okay so I am a month away from surgery and I am never ever sick but I have had this horrible cold that has finally went away but the cough is lingering. Does anybody have any home remedies that would help get rid of this cough I have my pulmonary appt next Tuesday and I don't want anything to mess this up!!! As you all know this process is so long and hard I would be so upset if this delayed my surgery!!

I agree with Irene...it may be hard now, and I know it is, I have a three year old, but it will be soooo worth it later. Not to mention next summer. Goodness, you will be an entirely new person by then. More energy than your kids!!!
Hang in there

Tiff, thank you for being such an inspiration and voice of reason on this board. And thank you for this update and the wonderful pics. It seems like looking at 'family' pics to see your progress. It is so nice of you to share this most personal journey with us.
I still love looking at your before and after pics even though I have seen them before, they just make it all worthwhile to look at them each time.
BTW, my favorite is the one with the gun in the background. I freakin' love it. And you make the cutest pregnant lady ever!!

Disney........... SW-253...............CW-226...............July 4th goal-185.................Lbs to goal-41...........YIKES...that's a lot. I have HIGH hopes!!

I have a question for anyone that may know. Even if we are taking a medication that can inhibit weight loss such as beta blockers.....when we've had approx. 85% of our tummies removed, how can we stop losing weight? This is a serious question. I don't see how that is possible, it may come off a little slower, but slow and steady is not a bad thing. Weight gain with these drugs is approx. 4 lbs. They are prescribed for high blood pressure, usually when diuretics haven't been successful, or for Migraines when other Migraine medication hasn't worked, or in conjunction with other migraine meds. Maybe try something else, if possible.

Sorry you have to deal with people like that. I hope you let your husband know how much this upset you. He not only needs to keep your personal business to himself, he should not be participating in "family" financial meetings that his own wife is not privy to. He should tell them where to get off if they don't want you there. Sounds like you need to crash one of these secret meetings next time! Don't wait for an invitation. If they are discussing you and your husband's money, then you are entitled to be there. THEY are the ones that should not be invited. Why is it any of their business anyway??
Good luck with this ongoing problem, and like others have said, I hope you don't let this change anything to do with your surgery. You deserve it.

To each his own....I think he's good looking. Then again, I have always had a weakness for 'bad boys'.
Here's a pic for those who asked...