momokev

Oh fun! That will be a great first run! It's coming here this fall and I can't wait!

Lisa

Tomorrow will be my 5th 5k, and I am no expert by any means, but speaking from worked from me....

One of your run days needs to be a long run at an easy pace ( you should be able to talk), another run should be a tempo run (you run or walk for 10 min, then crank up the speed until it's strenuous but manageable for 15 to 20 min, then cool down with another 10 min. This is like the interval training), then another day is a recovery run. I think the reason you are stuck is because you haven't pushed out of that 3 mile box. I had the same problem and the tempo runs helped my get past that. I'm up to 6 miles now and have only been running since Jan

This is going to take time and as you progress, add in hill work outs and such. There are several websites with great articles. www.active.com and www.runnersworld.com. I also got some free training plans from running.about.com and www.halhigdon.com. I hope this helps!

Lisa

Yesterday, I bought size 12 jeans! Now that's payment!!

Lisa,

You sound like things are going great. I looked at all your pictures of hospital, they were great. Yes, I'm "planning" on going to Dr. Aceves. I haven't made the final decision to do it. I have everything lined up but still very nervous. It was between Dr. Aceves and Dr. Alvarez. There are lots of patients of Dr. Aceves here that recommend him.

Did you have to travel far to get back home? I'm on the East Coast, so I have will have a long flight home which I'm nervous about also. I don't like to walk on planes, I know it sounds silly but I'd rather stay in my seat. I'm nervous it's not good to sit for so long after a surgery. I even worried about the cabin pressure being bad after surgery. I'm just nervous about everything.

Glad to hear you have felt so good. Did you go back to work right away after you got back? What's been the hardest part? sorry I have tons of questions

Ellie

Hi Ellie,

I am in NC, so yeah, it was a long ride. I didn't get up and walk around. They give you a blood thinner called Lovonox before surgery, so I figured chances of developing a blood clot was pretty low. The worst part of the ride home was running through the airport in Cinncinatti to make my connecting flight. The first plane was late and I only had a 45 min layover. Of course the gate was on the other side of the airport. I wish I had connected in Atlanta instead. Ah well. Oh, and take a pillow to splint your abdomen with.

I go back to work next week. They would have written me out for 3 weeks if I had wanted, but I don't have enough PTO time.

I understand your nerves. I was a basket case! But now that it's over, I look back and wonder what I was so afraid of. Honestly, the worst past is this clear liquid diet. I'm hating it. I'm hungry and while I think part of it is in my head, I'm still battling it. I think once I hit cream Soups, it will be a little more satisfing. And the nutritionist says I'm not getting enough Protein, which is why I'm hungry. I'm losing at a good pace so I'm happy. I've lost 9 pounds since surgery, 13 pounds total counting the adkins preop diet.

Feel free to ask me anything. I'm happy to share

Lisa

Lisa,

How are you doing so far? Was the 1st week brutal? I didn't realize that he did a spinal until I read your post, thank you.

Hope your recovery is going well. Have you returned to work?

Ellie

Hi Ellie,

I'm doing very well actually. Only problem I have had is I have felt too good and I have done way too much. I was sore the next day. I forget to be kind to my body sometimes. I want to eat and I am very bored with Clear liquids. I'm really looking forward to Sunday and bumping up to full liquids!

When is your surgery? Will you be going to Dr Aceves?

Lisa

I just got home last night and today I posted several pictures of the hospital. The place is immaculate! Try to find a speck of dirt! House keeping cleaned my room multiple times per day.

I was so impressed with the docs. They truly care about you and your needs. I was amazed how quickly my needs were met. And the fact that they gave us a spinal before the general anesthesia, so we would wake up pain free is amazing! I am recovering nicely and couldn't be more thankful to all the people involved in making me a loser!

Lisa

I will be the third sleeve of the day! So excited, only a little bit nervous. So far all the good things I heard have definately coming true. Everyone is so nice and they are so thorough! I will update you all on how I feel after the surgery, or tomorrow morning depending on how zonked out I am.

Hey, Mel, did you see the pictures I posted? What a trip! Loved spending time with you!

Lisa

Hi, Congrats on your Sleeve. I hope that you are recovering well. I am tentatively schedules to have surgery with Dr. Aceves early next year. I too also plan on useing my Flex Spending Debit Card. Can you tell me if you had any issues with this form of payment. Did Dr. Aceves have to fill out a "Medically Necessary" Form? Any info you provide will be helpful. Thanks!

My first step was to call the flex spending company. They said the procedure was covered and they had no problem with me using it in Mexico. My card looks just like a Visa, says Visa, and they used it at the hospital, just like a Visa. Easy peasy. I did have to pay a 3% terminal fee for swiping the card, so I paid for that separately. No problem what so ever using the card.

My flex spending requires an itemized bill that includes the procedure preformed, Surgeon's name, total cost, etc.

Good luck with your surgery!

Lisa

Good luck with your surgery!

Lisa

I have a friend that is being sleeved by Dr. Aceves 9/15/11. Anyone else going to be there that day?

Yes, I am. I arrive in San Diego on the 14th and am scheduled to be sleeved on the 15th

Lisa

Ok, the search option here is kicking my butt! I am a newb and trying to find a good VSG Dr in NC..if anyone can please guide me to the right place to look on this forum, I would be most grateful!

Where in NC are you? I'm in Statesville, which is north of Charlotte. I know there's a doc in Mooresville that does the sleeve. Probably who I would have gone to if my insurance covered wls

Lisa

ok--so I leave for Tijuana in the morning--I am currently packing--I thought I had calmed down a little for the last week from all the nerves, but the nerves are back!!!! I have spent the day with my elderly mom--and now I am thinking things like how much she needs me--and things like that--oh man--if I hadn't already paid...

Anyway, I am leaving tomorrow--surgery is first thing Thursday morning--pray for my nerves to settle down a bit--talk to ya'll when I get back

Good luck to you! Hope all goes smoothly!! I'll say a prayer for you!

Lisa

OMG What a horrible thing!

Lisa

Congrats to both of you!!! You picked a great doc, and it will be so wonderful to have someone there going through the same thing!!! Will be lifting you up in prayer on the 15th; the day that will change your life for the better!! Good luck and God Bless!!

Thank you Tizzy! I appreciate the prayers!

Lisa

After everything, I have gotten financing and a date, I am soo excited. Is anyone going to see him around this date?

Yep, it's gonna be me and you girl!

Lisa

I had my surgery on Tuesday 8/30/11

and I got to say I had so much pain afterwards. I have a bad back and think that was the reason for my pain being a constant 10! Don't get me wrong it was worth it but OMG I did not think I would be that uncomfortable. The hospital and my surgeon were the best and did everything to help my pain. I came home on day 3 but I should have stayed 1 more day. It was very hard to get up from my bed without the trapeze bar they had over my bed . But as of now I am feeling so much better. As for being hungry, I'm not :-) The Protein drinks fill me up so fast and I am making sure to drink my

64oz minimum Fluid.

Since I went in the hospital 8/30/11 I have not taken or needed my diabetes medication !!!! My sugar has not gone over 130. That is a God sent to me.

I also got on the scale and already have lost 8 lbs. I am so excited to start this new life .

Antoinette

I'm glad you're feeling better today! My surgery's coming up fast and I'm beginning to get so nervous! So day 4 is a better day? Just hold on until then?

Lisa

Good luck with your surgery!!

Mines got moved up to the 12th!!

Oh wow, even better! I'd love to get mine over with. I can't wait to be on the other side. sitting on the loser's bench! Keep in touch and let me know how it goes.

Lisa

Hello VST users. I am new to this site. I am scheduled to have my surgery on 9/19/11. I am an appointment to get my pre-testing done tomorrow morning. At this time I will meet the anestilogist, get an EKG, chest x-ray, and bloodwork. I am sure everything will be fine...I hope. Wish me luck!

-Lovey

Height: 5’3

Highest Weight: 251 lbs

Current Weight: 241 lbs

Nice to meet you, Lovey! Our dates are coming up fast! I am in 14 days

Lisa

Hope it goes well! Will be thinking of you!

Lisa

Just an FYI - I am reading this thread where I obviously posted after my surgery. I have no recollection of posting.

Actually there are Patches of my memory missing from as early as the plane ride to San Diego before surgery!

Be forewarned - friends don't let friends post on anesthesia!

LOL! Whew, hope I don't post something crazy while under the influence! I need to warn Guy so he can keep the computer away from me.

Lisa

Hi y'all. I just posted some pics from my trip to Mexicali & Dr. Aceves. Feel free to view my gallery to see some glimpses of my journey.

I didn't believe it until I really got there, but no the people who graciously shared their experiences with me were not paid and are telling the truth.

Oh good, can't wait to see them... going now You're recovery going ok?

Lisa

So, after 4 months of research I have decided to go with Dr. Aceves. Nina tried to call me a few minutes ago (SATURDAY!) but we had a bad connection so she's going to call me back in a few minutes hopefully. I know my insurance won't pay for the VSG here in Northern California so I have decided to look for Self Pay in Mexico. Nina suggested to get medloanfinance.com or cosmeticcredit.com for my financing needs. Does anyone have any experience with them and going to Dr. Aceves? I don't know if I will get approved and that is the only scary part to me, really. I am sooo sure I want VSG. I wish there was a checklist of things to do. Do I first get financing? Or do I speak with Nina?

I just spoke with my mom, she's an ICU nurse that thinks she knows everything, and she asked if I was crazy to go to Mexico to get surgery. I looked at the photos of the hospital..BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL! So clean looking! And the hospital staff seem so accessible. I like that. All the testimonials on this forum and all over the internet, I truly did not find one thing bad about Dr. Aceves.

Another question I have is: after my lane touches back down in SFO/OAK, how many days before I can go back to school (nursing student)? I only have class twice a week and I am planning to be done with my preceptorship/clinicals (working on a nursing unit) before I do this surgery because I know I shouldn't be doing any kind of hard labor or heavy lifting. But do you think going to class will really be excruciating for me?!

One more question (sorry): I am a keloid (raised scar) former. Will the laparoscopic incisons most likely cause severely ugly scars? Just asking if anyone has had any experience with this or would be willing to show me pictures of their scars or incisions. And if you took measures to prevent dark scarring, what were they out of curiosity. Thank you:)

As a Labor and Delivery nurse, I have done my research! I also picked Dr Aceves to do my surgery and I don't feel the least bit crazy. I feel very confident in him and I know this will make a huge, positive impact on my life. I am so excited and ready to do this!

Lisa

I'm glad you asked this. I would love to have some work done once my weight is gone. I have a long way to go first, but once I get there, I'd like to have a nice body.

Lisa

It is 3:30 in the morning and my right ear is screaming at me. I think I may have an ear infection. I just took some liquid tylenol and it seems to be working. If it doesn't get better I will go to the Urgent Care center tomorrow. My question is what antibiotics can I safely take with my new sleeve? I know some docs really dont know what to do with us so I want to be informed before I get something that could possibly make this worse. Thanks so much!

I hope you get to feeling better!!

Lisa

I am right there with you DallasMomof Twins. I am 11 days away. Not sure if I am excited or scared as heck.

I feel ya, girl. I have 2 days left to eat