Annie04

Thank you Southern Soul. These are the kind of posts I look for on VST. Ordinary people imparting amazing words of wisdom to live by that encourage and build us up. Canary Diamond you are also another person who has a gift of expression and your compassion shines through as well. I have learned that when I am in a bad mood, I will put a smile on my face anyway (fake it til you make it), before long I start getting that happy feeling. We are doing what we can about the outside in regards to getting our sleeve. It is also important to do the internal work as well. This is great advice and provides a great place to start.

Photolover8, who was your surgeon?? I am just curious. I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th and I hear he can use a 32 bougie and do it a little loose so I won't have dehydration issues. I am going back to work right away so I don't want to have any issues. Congratulations and thanks for posting items to bring, that is helpful.

I am finally scheduled.....Woo Hoo!! One month from today I will be on the "Other Side". I will be using Dr. Garcia at Florence Hospital. This has been a long time coming. I would love to know if there are any others on this site who will be at Florence Hospital on or before the Labor Day Weekend.

You look so great Amber, and boy has time flew. I couldn't believe that it has been that long. Looking at you proves it though. I am so happy for you. You are one hot mama!!! I am still waiting and I will yell it from the rooftops when I finally get scheduled! XOXO!!

Thanks for the recipes, Jillian and glad you are doing so well

I want to thank everyone on this site for their advice when it came to selecting a doctor. I appreciate all of the feedback and as of last night I made my decision and sent in my paper work to Alma at Ready4achange. All of the doctors that I was considering are amazing and have taken such great care of all of my friends here on this site and on the Facebook page that I recently joined. I ended up selecting Dr. Fernando Garcia for reasons that are personal to me. I have been corresponding back and forth with him and Alma since last night due to a red flag that I had made aware to him. Last summer when I was preparing for foot surgery my pre-op EKG read "Suspect Anteroseptal Infarction" (Suspect Heart Attack) I was not cleared for surgery and sent to a cardiologist who did a Stress test and took pictures of my heart. The cardiologist said my heart is perfect. The problem is that all my EKG's moving forward read the same possible heart attack ( had another one in December 2012). So in order to be accepted by Dr. Garcia for this surgery, I have to get clearance by my cardiologist for this surgery. I am totally ok with that. He needs to have a comfort level with me as well and I didn't want any surprises when I get to Mexico and have an irregular EKG. After I get clearance from the cardiologist next week, I will schedule a tentative surgery date. I am still looking at late May. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers you all!!! I I II FirsFFFF

Congratulations on all of your victories...WooHoo. You know I am so happy for you. This is just the beginning and your life is going to be full of victories. Love you lots!!

I do that too Firelle, when my bananas are starting to get dark and a little soft, I take them out of their skins and freeze them. Then when I want to make smoothies or protein shake they are ready. Yummy!!!

WooHoo, thank you for such a wonderful account of your time in Mexico. I had never heard about return through the border into the US, except that it was more difficult than going in.....Now I know to remind the driver to pack the wheelchair..LOL. I am proud of you as well....and very happy for you. (Hopefully I am not that far behind you) Love You!!

Your confidence shown through. My GP and I have talked about weight loss surgery over the years and he has always been against it. I am sure he has seen some bad procedures and has his reasons. About a year ago when I was in his office with tears in my eyes, frustrated with my weight, I asked him to support me in this and he said that he would. I am grateful that he sees me as a person and not just a patient. I have researched weight loss surgery for the past 7 years and I don't believe that I would be having it if it were not for the sleeve procedure.

Congratulations on your journey!!