AmyInOrlando

I scheduled my leave from July 30th to August 16th. I'm a Nurse, but I don't do any Patient lifting or turning (I'm a Psych Nurse and only work from the eyebrows up ) I'm hoping 2 weeks will be enough.

I did the HCG shots several years ago before a trip to Hawaii. I lost 35 pounds in 8 weeks, and gained it back in 8 days. HCG is BS, it's the 500 calorie diet that makes you lose the weight, not the clear liquid they prefill the syringes with (and I'm not convinced it wasn't just sterile water). You're metabolism is greatly compromised by the 500 calorie diet, so when you start eating more then the 500 calories, you immediately gain the weight back.

The length of your liquid diet depends on your BMI. If you don't shrink your liver, the Dr. will have difficulty visualizing and accessing your stomach. He'll either have to cancel your surgery mid-way or do it blind. One would be a total waste of time and money, and the other would be gravely dangerous. (No reputable Surgeon is going to do it blind). I suggest you cancel your surgery until you can complete the liquid diet as prescribed. If you can't follow the pre-op instructions, you won't follow the post-op instructions. You're not only sabotaging your weight loss, you're risking your life !!

I'm 5'0", my highest weight was 272. My weight this morning was 200.2. I'm scheduled for surgery on August 1st. After losing and regaining over 100 pounds 3 separate times, I knew I just couldn't do it again. I'm tired of riding this roller coaster. I'm hoping the sleeve will finally put an end to my binge and volume eating. I'm 60 years old so I'm afraid it's going to be a slow process, but I've been fighting this battle for 55 years. I've never eaten like a "normal" person. My whole life I've either been on a diet or bingeing. The support on this site is amazing. I know I'm gonna make it.

I'm sure your pain is due to previous scar tissue and possible adhesions. Your husband hasn't been through what you've been through and needs to be more supportive. Call your Doc and see what recommendations he might have. I'm a Nurse, and I know some Nurse's can be really insensitive. Pain is very subjective. You've got a significant history with abdominal surgeries. It doesn't make it easier, as you are finding now. Be gentle with yourself, don't judge yourself by your husband's healing process. Trust me.... he probably could never go through what you're going through now. (That's why men don't have babies.... LOL)

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.

You've had a problem free recovery so far..... don't blow it now..... Follow your Dr's post op directions to the letter for the best outcome.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep us posted on your progress.

I made the decision to have the surgery to stop my binge and volume eating. My plan is to use this tool to end the behavior. I know that in the beginning the fast weight loss will keep me motivated. I've already lost and regained hundreds of pounds in the past and I don't ever want to have to lose the SAME pounds again. This is a last resort for me. In the past I went from 272 to 127 with diet and exercise. I broke my foot teaching a Zumba class and that was the beginning of my weight gain (again). As I watched the scale go up 3, down 2, up 5, down 3, I slowly gained 70 pounds back over the next 7 years. I saw 200 quickly approaching and decided diet and exercise just wasn't going to do it for me again. At 60 years old, the weight doesn't fall off anymore. I didn't want to be 272 ever again. So.... before my fear became my reality I made the decision to have the surgery. I'm scheduled for Aug. 1st, and it can't come fast enough.

I live in Orlando and I'm scheduled for surgery in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez on August 1st. It's getting close, and I'm getting excited. I just wish it was over already and I was already healing. I hope your journey has gone smoothly so far. Good luck and please stay in touch.

In Orlando, I can't find Isopure for less then $4.99 a bottle, but I only have to drink it for a week, and only one or two bottles a day, so it won't be that costly. I also purchased Unjury chicken soup mix and the unflavored mix to use with crystal light or mio drops. I think I have to have 70 grams of protein daily. I think the Isopure has 40 gms. I've read so many labels the past 2 weeks I can't really remember.

Dr. Alvarez was a personal choice for me. There are very many people who went to Tijuana without any problems at all. I have read positive reviews on Physicians from all over Mexico, so the pricing differences don't necessarily mean the services lack professionalism or great outcomes. I encourage anyone making the decision to go to Mexico to research the Dr. and facility. I understand that cost is a major concern for most of us when making our choice, but be an educated consumer and know exactly what you're getting for your $$. As a Nurse, I wanted to be in a full service hospital rather then a surgical center because I was going out of the country. Many Surgeons in the US do this procedure as an out - pt. procedure. You go home the same day. There is nothing wrong with that. I just want to make sure I'm being closely monitored as long as possible before I fly home, and in case there are any complications, they can be handled immediately and won't require a trip back to the facility. As far as safety goes.... stay at the facility. Don't wander off into unfamiliar areas, and don't go anywhere alone. If you take a walk, make sure someone knows where you're going and when you'll be back, and ask if it's safe to leave the facility grounds.

Zoftig... I wouldn't be concerned with not doing all the pre-op things that people do in the states. Most of that is for insurance companies to either stall you or find a reason to not approve your surgery. Most of us know how to diet... Hell, we're professional dieters and can probably write books on nutrition, so 6 months of documented dieting just prolongs your surgery. As for the psych stuff.... we've all got "issues"... some of us have "full subscriptions". There is a high percentage of us that have histories of sexual abuse, depression, dysfunctional families, etc. Finding out why we're FAT doesn't solve the problem. We need to change the behaviors. The sleeve is a tool. We still need to do the work. I've been a Psych Nurse for 38 years and have been to therapy myself. As long as your medical problems don't exclude you... the biggest question is are you willing to commit to the lifestyle changes that will be necessary for this life changing procedure to be successful? This isn't something we can start and stop like a "diet" when we lose our motivation or willpower. The consequences of not adhering to the post op guidelines will mean regaining the weight, like all of us have done in the past. For most of us this is a last resort, not a first choice at weight control.

My Boyfriend says I'm obsessed. I read and post on 3 different support sites, I watch YouTube videos, I'm reading Dr. Alvarez's book and have spoken to my "Sleeve Sister" in CA. We'll be traveling to Mexico, both alone, so we've gotten to know each other on the phone, so that we won't feel so alone once we get there. I'm scheduled for surgery on Aug 1st. It's just a little more then 3 weeks away. I've been to GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe and Chamberlin's (a natural food store in Orlando). I'm trying to find some single serving protein options without buying a large quantity of something I won't like the taste of. I've ordered the chicken soup mix and an unflavored protein from Unjury. My plan is to buy several bottles of Isopure in different flavors for first 7 days when I'll be on clear liquids. I'm looking for low calorie, low sugar and carb choices. I've already purchased the vitamins that Dr. Alvarez recommended (all chewable). I had to go to 5 drug stores to finally find the Gas X strips. I'm pretty sure the first few days they're more concerned with hydration then nutrition. I'm bringing some Crystal light drops with me and bullion cubes for the last night when I'll be at the Hotel. I don't think Airline Security would appreciate unlabeled powder in a zip lock baggie. Surgery is on Friday, I go home on Sunday evening... so I'll start my clear liquid protein once I get home. I'm packing extremely light since my post op instructions say no lifting more then 5 pounds for the first week. My poor puppy weighs 8 pounds and I won't be able to pick her up when I get home. Hopefully I'll be able to keep her from jumping on my tummy. I imagine she'll be crazy happy to see me when I get home. Kaity, my dog, and climbing in and out of my Miata are my biggest concerns. Sitting in my car is like sitting on the floor and climbing in and out of it may be tricky with my healing incisions. Yeah.... I've been just a little obsessed.

I thought I had posted the link, but you can search her on YouTube. Her Name is Connie Stapleton PhD. She also wrote a book "Eat It Up", the Complete Mind / Body / Spirit guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery. I ordered the book. I'll post a review once I get it and read it.

Holy Guacamole..... Phantompouch, I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Alvarez on August 1st. I thought I had researched him thoroughly, but after reading your post, I'm concerned. Hopefully, his experience in the VSG will make up for his lack of Post-Graduate Fellowship Training in Bariatric Surgery. I'm a Certified Psych RN with 38 years experience. I've got the ANCC Certification, but not a BSN. My experience more then makes up for the degree, and I'm an excellent Nurse. Dr. A has done over 3000 surgeries, and I've yet to find a Patient that's given him a bad review. At this point, there's no turning back for me. All I can do is hope and pray that I made the right decision, and hopefully I'll be back to post my own positive review.

I went to the Vitamin Shoppe yesterday, they have individual bottles of Isopure in different flavors. I only have to be on clear liquids for 1 week post op. I purchased the Unjury chicken soup, and the unflavored mix on their website. I'm gonna go back to the Vitamin Shoppe and get several flavors of the Isopure right before I leave for Mexico. (I don't know what the shelf life is so I don't want to stock up too soon). That way I'll have a variety of choices, hot and cold.

This is really important for Pre-surgery peeps.... There are 8 videos, each one is less then 10 minutes and the content is awesome. It's everything we'll need to know to make this surgery work for us !!! Please take the time to watch these.

Choosing Insurance plans is like choosing between syphilis and gonorrhea. They all stink !! With my insurance I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I didn't have enough co-morbidities, they require documentation of a 6 month diet, and I wasn't employed by the hospital for 24 consecutive months (another ridiculous requirement). Had I lost 20 pounds, my BMI would have been too low..... so I'm off to Mexico and paying cash.. HealthChoice and Orlando Health can just kiss my big fat healthy Butt. Having to wait another year and gain more weight would have made me a higher surgical risk. I guess they would have preferred I'd have had high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Makes no sense.... maybe they hope you'll die before they have to approve a triple cardiac bypass. I'm a Nurse... they employ me to take care of their Patients. Their slogan is "Patient's First". You'd think they'd want their Nurses healthy and fit.... after all, we're supposed to be caregivers, teachers and role models. Health Insurance sucks.... and to think I have to prolong my retirement till I'm 65 to qualify for medicare. I wanted to retire at 62, but insurance and health care costs make that impossible. I feel like a hostage. Oh well..... thank God I've got the money to pay for my surgery, at least Orlando Health pays me well. Just one more rant, I promise... they also won't pay for cataract surgery till I'm too blind to read this post.

I'm scheduled with Dr. Alvarez for August 1st. I'm sure I'll be posting all the details, good and bad. I'm a Nurse, so I'm sure I'll be critiquing everything. I searched and searched, and couldn't find one negative post about him, his staff or the hospital,

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.

My Doc is really conservative. My post-op paperwork says 5 lbs the first week and increase at 5 pound increments each week. My problem is.... I'm traveling to Mexico, and I have to pack. I'm going alone, so I'll have to manage my own luggage. My plan is to take a light weight tote, and only bring the bare necessities. Normally, if I was going away for 5 days, I'd have 10 changes of clothes, at least 5 pairs of shoes and purses to match, LOL. My plan is a loose long dress to fly home in, a small pillow and airline blanket in case I get cold on the plane (the Airlines no longer provide those), enough changes of panties, a nightgown, the bare minimum of toiletries (I won't be wearing make up), some broth packets and Mio drops for the last night, a book to read, and a journal. Of course, my I-phone and charger. I'm not bringing my lap top with me since that alone weighs at least 5 lbs. I've already spoken to my "sleeve Sister" and I'm sure we'll have enough to talk about to keep ourselves entertained. Am I missing anything???

I'm going to Piedras Negras, MX also. Dr. Alvarez is my Surgeon. August 1st is my surgery date. Jen, I'll give you a full report.

All of us die.... Most of us don't choose when. My Brother reminded me that my Surgery date is the first Anniversary of my Mother's Death. I choose to look at it as the first day of the rest of my life. The risk is higher getting in the car and driving to your Dr's office. Relax..... we're going to be fine. By the way..... I'm a RN too.

I bought a Magic Bullet yesterday at Costo ($47.92 tax inc.). Does anyone here have one? Is it useful? Easy to clean? I thought it was cool because you can blend stuff and even microwave in the same container. It will crush ice and fruits and veggies for smoothies and protein drinks. It came with several different size Mugs, and smaller containers for condiments, etc. I just would like some reviews before I use it. Thanks