MCM13

Just started this process a few weeks ago. Went to first appointment with surgeon. Already got surgery dates. My husband is September 13th. Have a lot of appointments until then.

Oh yeah -
HW 250???
SW 246
CW 194
GW ? 130
Greatest accomplishments : beat diabetes from four shots a day to complete freedom. No more high cholesterol or blood pressure meds and high white blood cell count almost normal from "scary" high. Today fit size 16 regular skinny jeans :-)!!! We can do this.

Approveddddddddd yayyyyyyy

Hi Everyone,
Finally scheduled on Sept 3rd with Dr Alvarez in MX . It seems so far away but I bet it will come up fast! IS anyone else on here having surgery with Dr Alvarez around this time?

Here is a crazy pic I took today while digging through an old box- I came across a skirt that was too tight for me to wear to a wedding reception last year.

they arent his weights. I use weights as soon as they walk away from them. it is called sharing, i learned how to do that in kindergarten
alex

I'm at a stall again but I took some after pics in the same outfit from 7 weeks ago and well just because the scale doesn't say so I can tell in these pictures! Love my sleeve! <3

Susan has got to be the most patient person in the world. She is so kind, supportive and understanding. I'm a Psych Nurse, and I can only hope that my Patient's feel the same way about me. Maybe dealing with Patient's over the phone and only one at a time makes it easier, but she is definitely my role model as a Patient Advocate. Dr. Alvarez did her sleeve too, so she's the perfect cheer leader for him as well.

Hi! I'm very new here. This is actually my first official post. I've been stalking for awhile and thinking about doing this surgery for about a year and a half and I'm finally ready! I have my surgery on Thursday and I seriously.cannot.wait. Any suggestions from anyone about how to make the hospital stay/first days home more comfortable? Thanks for any advice you can give me!

Made a fantastic choice! He is amazing and his passion is helping people like us. Sleeved last July by him and down 81 pounds, 19 more to go!!

How different can a vacation look year to year? My pre-op and recent op friends, you have no idea.
Last year and this year in July we took my nephews (9 and 10 this year) to Myrtle Beach. Here are a few differences.

Last year I was about 400 and this year 245.

My swim trunks were 6x last year and 1x this year.

Last year I went in the ocean with my nephews and was scared to death I wouldn't be able to keep my balance and get out of the Water - much less be a good guardian for them. This year, I was having the best time in the water ever. I'm planning to resume SCUBA in a few months, so this was confirmation that I'm on track.

Last year when my nephews wanted to go to the water park, I had to say no and face their dissapointment. This year *I* got on the slides. I'd say they were more excited than I was, but that would not be true. I was grinning ear to ear and behaving 20 years younger than I did last year.
I was having food funerals this time last year. This year I stuck to my guns and did a pretty darn good job staying on track with my diet - and I really didn't feel more than a twinge of desire for anything not on my plan.

Last year, I had a hard time with any exertion and planned low key activities. This year I had energy to spare. One day I was walking to the car in a mall parking lot with the nephews and decided to just take off running to the car. Behind me I heard "He can run again!" and laughter. How nice to be able to have fun. Here's a kick, my wife and I took a helicopter ride. I went to Hawaii a few years ago and really wanted to but I was too heavy and over the weight limit.

Rather than hang out at the hotel during downtime like I did last year, I decided to go for a walk at the Tanger outlet. Last year I wouldn't have thought about trying to find good deals on clothing in the big and tall range I wore. 4x and 5x aren't compelling buys most of the time...this year, I was buying medium shirts. I can wear some and will be able to wear the rest within the next few months. I haven't worn a medium shirt since high school. This 50 year old was shopping like a kid in a candy shop. Even took my dear wife back to the mall and let her have fun picking some things out for me too. No more big and tall shops for me.

I can barely concieve of what next year holds. VSG gave me back my hope, health, and fun. I hope all of you can experience such a dramatic change next year.

This is a good example of believing and knowing what should be happening with your body. You handled this correctly. I am so glad you got that 2nd chance and things are moving in the right direction for you now! I'm sorry you went through the first one and it was such a disappointment but I am also glad you shared your story to prevent this from happening to others. I wish you the best outcome ever!! Keep us posted!!

My surgery date was March 21, 2012....I have lost a total of 160 pounds!!! I just want to let everyone know don't get discouraged...this is the best thing I ever chose to do. It's hard at first but stay committed and make this a life style change. I love my sleeve.

Great success, you look fantastic, congrats to you and thanx for sharing!!
Karen

Same here, 5/28! I am down 30 lbs. I just went into my closet today, and was able to zip up pants I have not been able to get into in about 8 years! Granted, I still had extreme muffin top and could not bend, but just the fact I could zip them up made me gasp. This still seems unreal to me at times! Anyone else have that feeling?

I will be 6 weeks post-op this coming Tuesday 07/02. Starting Tues. I get to slowly and carefully eat regular food. I am down about 45lbs from where I started.
I just went to Kohl's and bought some shorts 2 sizes/4" smaller. This is starting to be fun! :-)

Amanda... I'll be fine, I've already been in touch with Nancy. We'll be having surgery the same day. I feel like when I get to San Antonio, I'll be meeting up with an old friend. We'll travel to MX together and be there for each other through the whole process. Between her and Dr. Alvarez's staff, I don't think I'll feel alone at all.

I am just shy of 2 months post op and down a total of 56lbs including pre-op!!!! I feel incredible and have so much more energy. And as of this week, I am down from a size 26/28 top and 24W jeans to size XL top and 16 jeans!!! SIXTEENS!!!!
Was going to wait until 2 months or Onederland for this post, but its been a long week and I'm going to focus on the wonderful things that have been happening in my life!
Love this sleeved life and all the amazing friends I've made along the way!

Hello, my name is Melanie. I'm originally from Columbus, Ohio now living in PA. I've been a nurse for 13 years; all but 2 of those in the OR. I worked postpartum/high risk antepartum also. I'm currently working in the OR & decided to go to Mexico for surgery because I don't want to deal with the comments from the petty/gossiping people I work with. I'm getting sleeved on September 30 by Dr Alvarez & I'm taking 4 weeks off work. I wanted to get this surgery done before the end of the year because I'm applying to grad school and hoping to start in January term. I'll be working towards my degree for Women's Health NP.
It's nice to have the support of so many nurses. I look forward to following your journeys.

I just wanted to update everyone - I have just passed my original personal goal of 120. I am so excited. I really never could imagine. I lost 12 pounds before my surgery date - so in total I have lost 75 pounds! 63 lbs since surgery. I had surgery on 9/10/12 and reached my surgeon's goal in February and now my goal in July! On another note, I just took a PRN telephone triage job that I love! Good luck to everyone!!

I'm a Happily sleeved registered nurse from NJ. I currently work in med-surg and pediatrics at a small community hospital. I set a lot of career and weight loss goals for myself to accomplish over this year of 2013. I'm hoping to be able to find a job in an ER soon, it's something I've been interested in for a while!!

I am a nurse at a big academic medical center. I have an administrative position - I was sleeved 9/10/12 and have 13 lbs to lose before I am at my goal.
I haven't had any complications and am very happy with my decision to have the sleeve.

taurabird- today was the first day that I did not think about alcohol and "needing" a drink when I got home from work. Still dry, and by the grace of God I will stay that way. I see there is a 12 step support group that I will checkout. For this group It's about our bursing careers.
For the last 8 weeks I have taken on the roll of "social worker" and case manager, have been extremly busy. Today was day one for a new "Social Worker" can't wait to catch up on my paperwork. And our hospital changing to EMR electronic Medical Record- no it's not epic it's Medi-tech 6 one care. Oh Boy. Life is interesting. One day at a time. Linda

Btw, I just realized I didnt congratulate you on your sobriety!!! I am very happy for you and I know that we nurses are very strong willed once we put our minds to accomplishing a goal. Keep your eye on the prize....our health....and staying out of an ICU bed, lol...

Oh my God!!!! I made it! I freaking made it into the nursing program! I just received an email! I'm crying, overjoyed, and extremely nervous! I didn't think I would be this emotional! Loving life right now!