NoMoreChubby

Hi Peanutz,
I did a lot of research on Dr. Lopez and it looks like he was tired of all the drama that was coming from having a "middle man", so he and his wife started their own business. By doing this, they are not only able to cut out the drama, but cut costs, too. I also couldn't find anything but good reviews about him and Hospital MI Doctor sounds like it will be just fine, too.
Cathy should have emailed you the pre-op diet. If not, just email her and ask her for another copy - She's a sweetheart. The preo-op diet should start 2 weeks prior to surgery, with a "cleanse" 3 days prior to surgery. My mom and I are both having the sleeve surgery done on January 20, so our pre-op diet starts January 6. I'm not too excited about that part, but I think it's what I need to jumpstart my "new" life. I'm also hoping that the pre-op and immediately-after-surgery-post-op diets will help me to rid sugar from my system once and for all.

Hi Peanutz,
I did a lot of research on Dr. Lopez and it looks like he was tired of all the drama that was coming from having a "middle man", so he and his wife started their own business. By doing this, they are not only able to cut out the drama, but cut costs, too. I also couldn't find anything but good reviews about him and Hospital MI Doctor sounds like it will be just fine, too.
Cathy should have emailed you the pre-op diet. If not, just email her and ask her for another copy - She's a sweetheart. The preo-op diet should start 2 weeks prior to surgery, with a "cleanse" 3 days prior to surgery. My mom and I are both having the sleeve surgery done on January 20, so our pre-op diet starts January 6. I'm not too excited about that part, but I think it's what I need to jumpstart my "new" life. I'm also hoping that the pre-op and immediately-after-surgery-post-op diets will help me to rid sugar from my system once and for all.

I'm having mine on Jan. 21st with Dr. Lopez. I can't wait, it seems so far away still!

I'm scheduled with Dr. alejandro lopez at Hospital MI Doctor in Tijuana on January 20. I fly from Seattle to San Diego on Jan 19 if anyone else is going down around that time. Soooo excited to start my new life!

75 extra pounds is hardly a "little excess". Eleven tries at Weight Watchers. Hypertension and high cholesterol. Back and hip problems. Hiatal hernia. Verge of diabetes. Family history of early heart attacks. I certainly fill the medical criteria. I have "successfully" lost hundreds of pounds since the age of 10, and always regained. Every year it is getting worse, and every year my surgical risk rises. I have reduced from BMI-39 to my present BMI. I am in my late 50s and would like to live to my late 80s. I think we all come from the same place here, although we may be different sizes right now. So regarding your comment, wouldn't that apply to any of us? We all know the reality of our situation.

Hi - this is my first posting! I am scheduled for Jan 14 at Northwestern in Chicago. I am really excited about it; it's my Christmas present to myself.

Hi, I am scheduled to a revision from lapband to sleeve on January 18 at MI Doctor, Tijuana with Dr. Cabrera. Looking for support and also to see if there are anyone else scheduled that time. I am anxious, nervous.....

I start my 2 week liquid diet on Monday! 5 Protein Shakes a day plus tons of water! I cannot believe how quick this has come! I am soooo ready for this!
Surgery date jan 21st in Edmond, OK with dr. Walton

So today starts my 3 day Clear Liquids only. My surgery is Monday.

Yes Cathy is wonderful. I was suppose to have surgery with Dr Lopez last year when he was with a lighter me. When I found out he'd left them I tracked him down and rescheduled my surgery with his new company. I just feel more comfortable with the things I have read about him.

Congratulations for making the jump! I too, have opted for the sleeve in Mexico. I'm going with Dr. alejandro lopez (Specialized Bariatrics) at Hospital MI Doctor on January 20. I honestly think that there are so many good surgeons out there that as long as you have made your best effort to research everything you can about them, the surgeon you ultimately choose will be the best for your situation. :-)
I also decided not to deal with my insurance company in the States. By the time I jumped through all of the ridiculous hoops, denials, appeals, denials, appeals, etc., I would still be paying around $8k out of pocket, even if it was "covered" by my insurance. No thanks. I did my due dilligence and feel completely comfortable about going to Mexico, and hope to be able to be an advocate for it when all is said and done. Good luck to you! :-)

I am a HUGE fan of stevia. I mostly use a powdered brand called "Steviva" and the ingredients say: "100% pure stevia leaf extract". You can get it on Amazon. Ever since I discovered that my migraine-like headaches were being caused by aspartame, I'm all for natural sweeteners. I love agave nectar, too.

Yummy Vitamin is an oxymoron.

I read articles about the evils of artificial sweeteners often. The media loves talking about their relation to cancer. They really freak me out! The FDA says most are "safe". I wish we had more concrete evidence on what's safe and what's not that safe.
I was a huge Splenda fan until approximately one year ago. I quit my 6-8 daily cups of coffee along with the 3-4 packets of Splenda that went along with each. I converted to Decaf herbal tea and use Stevia as my sweetener of choice. Supposedly not all Stevia sweeteners are created equal. Many are mixed with other ingredients. My personal favorite so far is NuNaturals Pure liquid vanilla Stevia, Alcohol Free.

The way I understand it it is splenda and the like are processed artificial sweeteners and Stevia is natural and does not have any affect whatsoever.

We have been using Splenda for many years to sweeten coffee. Every day. However, it too has been deemed unnatural to our surprise.
See the link: http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/resources/faqs.html
We now use Stevia. It works well and is safer for you then the Splenda . Sorry, Lynda .
Here is a short list of natural sweeteners:
http://www.oprah.com/health/Sugar-Substitutes-Healthy-Natural-Sweeteners

Would be fun to get some Seattle area peeps together for coffee sometime!

my preop diet doesn't include any of that stuff...only the shakes, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles and one cup of low sodium broth a day.

January 2nd !! Tomorrow I'm excited and nervous at the same time

I am scheduled for Jan 20th. I start the liver reducing diet on Jan 6th. Mine is 2 whey isolate Protein Shakes a day and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. SF Jello & popsicles as I want.

I'm going from Arkansas to Tijuana Mexico January 17th to get sleeved by Dr. Almanza. Really excited for new beginnings !

Yes we are going to Mi doctor. Flying in on the 19th. My partners surgery is on the 20th with Dr. Garcia. We are staying in hospital 2 days then back to Marriott for 2 days and then we decided to stay outside of San Diego for another 3 nights before flying back to NY. This will give her a few more days recovery before she has to sit on a plane for 5-6 hours. When are you and your sister having surgery? I had my sleeve done in March 2013 in NYC. Very happy. Would do it all again even though its a really big adjustment.

Congratulations for making the jump! I too, have opted for the sleeve in Mexico. I'm going with Dr. alejandro lopez (Specialized Bariatrics) at Hospital MI Doctor on January 20. I honestly think that there are so many good surgeons out there that as long as you have made your best effort to research everything you can about them, the surgeon you ultimately choose will be the best for your situation. :-)
I also decided not to deal with my insurance company in the States. By the time I jumped through all of the ridiculous hoops, denials, appeals, denials, appeals, etc., I would still be paying around $8k out of pocket, even if it was "covered" by my insurance. No thanks. I did my due dilligence and feel completely comfortable about going to Mexico, and hope to be able to be an advocate for it when all is said and done. Good luck to you! :-)

Congratulations for making the jump! I too, have opted for the sleeve in Mexico. I'm going with Dr. alejandro lopez (Specialized Bariatrics) at Hospital MI Doctor on January 20. I honestly think that there are so many good surgeons out there that as long as you have made your best effort to research everything you can about them, the surgeon you ultimately choose will be the best for your situation. :-)
I also decided not to deal with my insurance company in the States. By the time I jumped through all of the ridiculous hoops, denials, appeals, denials, appeals, etc., I would still be paying around $8k out of pocket, even if it was "covered" by my insurance. No thanks. I did my due dilligence and feel completely comfortable about going to Mexico, and hope to be able to be an advocate for it when all is said and done. Good luck to you! :-)

Congratulations for making the jump! I too, have opted for the sleeve in Mexico. I'm going with Dr. alejandro lopez (Specialized Bariatrics) at Hospital MI Doctor on January 20. I honestly think that there are so many good surgeons out there that as long as you have made your best effort to research everything you can about them, the surgeon you ultimately choose will be the best for your situation. :-)
I also decided not to deal with my insurance company in the States. By the time I jumped through all of the ridiculous hoops, denials, appeals, denials, appeals, etc., I would still be paying around $8k out of pocket, even if it was "covered" by my insurance. No thanks. I did my due dilligence and feel completely comfortable about going to Mexico, and hope to be able to be an advocate for it when all is said and done. Good luck to you! :-)