Looking for folks to connect with from the northern suburbs, etc. I'm in Champlin but if we have enough folks maybe a rotation of locations to accommodate the variety of locations would be the way to go. I love a little coffee shop (can't drink it but love the aroma). Any thoughts?

If all goes as planned, I'll be two weeks post-op then. Maybe I'll join you for some delicious liquids.

I live in Woodbury. Champlin would be quite a hike for me and probably for a few others...those from Red Wing and Burnsville. If we did a weekend lunch sometime, I'd be in to meet in Albertville or Becker.

Are we good to go for Wednesday the 20th at Las Margaritas in Fridley this time around? That's a pretty central location for almost everyone involved.

That is one week before my surgery, so I'll be on a liquid diet too. I'll be right there with you, agirlnamedfrankie.

aaaahhh, Marybeth have your La Margaritas now because we aren't allowed to drink alcohol for at least a year after the surgery...or so says my surgeon. sort of sad too - never been much of a drinker but I was really enjoying trying out the variety of ways a margarita could be flavored...DInner's at La Casita, Wednesday the 20th at 6:30-ish for those of us who can do a central location.

For those of us who can do a trip to the Becker/Albertville area or a return to the Maple Grove area...I'm seeing some interesting places in the immediate Albertville area - Space Aliens: http://spacealiens.com/albertville-mn/menu , D. Michael Bs: http://www.dmichaelbs.com/ordereze/Menu/0/Menus.aspx or Neighbors: http://www.neighborseateryandsaloon.com/# or we have several we can do in the Maple Grove area - 3 Square, Pittsburgh Blue, Granite City, Biaggis, Sawatdee, Claddagh Irish Pub, etc.

Any thoughts? If we can do on Saturdays, that's good too...

Share folks - what do you think?

Later,

Tyra

Well, a Las Margaritas margarita may have to be my liquid dinner for that night. I'm not a big drinker either, but generally margaritas are my drug of choice...or a good pilsner. What I think I am REALLY going to miss is my morning Diet Coke. I may have to switch back to coffee.

See you on the 20th.

Just curious if anyone knows of someone who had their surgery done through a medical tourism program in Mexico or another country?

I'm having my surgery in Mexico but I went directly through the surgeon and didn't use a separate tourism company.

Thanks for the info Frankie. Again, when do you have your surgery? I researched quite a few doctors and found one that I liked, but I had to go through Specialized Bariatrics, Inc., to schedule everything with this particular doctor. Where in Mexico are you going? I am having mine surgery done by Dr. Jaqueline Osuna in Tjinuana. It's good to know someone else is trying the Mexico route. My insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery, so this was really the only alternative I had. I'll be very interested to speak with you.

Marybeth

I'm having my surgery in Mexico but I went directly through the surgeon and didn't use a separate tourism company.

I'm going with Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta. I fly in on 8/5, have surgery on 8/6 and return home on 8/10. It was a hard decision - I initially narrowed it down to four doctors but narrowing it down from those was agonizing. I did a ton of reading and hopefully made a good decision! So far, arranging everything has been quite easy as the coordinator is super responsive.

I can't wait to talk to you about it and really hope you can make it on the 20th. I'll be thinking of you on the 6th!!! Best Wishes!!!

I'm going with Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta. I fly in on 8/5, have surgery on 8/6 and return home on 8/10. It was a hard decision - I initially narrowed it down to four doctors but narrowing it down from those was agonizing. I did a ton of reading and hopefully made a good decision! So far, arranging everything has been quite easy as the coordinator is super responsive.

Hi again, Frankie,

I was wondering if you would mind corresponding through email. I have some questions I'd love to ask about the type of pre-op and post-op procedures and materials you were provided. I'll email you what I received, which I think are kind of "bare." My biggest worry after the whole thing is Vitamins. Did you receive any information on post-op vitamins?

I'll give you both my work and my home email just in case you do decide to write and it gets caught in the spam filter.

mbreed@johnstech.com

mbrinmn@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you. I'm so glad to know someone else is going with surgery in Mexico. It makes me feel like I made the right decision and I'm not the only one.

Thanks,
Marybeth

I'm going with Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta. I fly in on 8/5, have surgery on 8/6 and return home on 8/10. It was a hard decision - I initially narrowed it down to four doctors but narrowing it down from those was agonizing. I did a ton of reading and hopefully made a good decision! So far, arranging everything has been quite easy as the coordinator is super responsive.

Hi again, Frankie,

I was wondering if you would mind corresponding through email....

Just sent you two messages to your gmail address.

_{Surgery 3 weeks from today!}

_{Hope to see everyone on the 20th. I'll be sipping instead of eating.}

Ok, glad to see a mn group finally started! Anoka here. Sleeved last year October 2013.

Gooooood evening!

Hope everyone is doing well? I see we have some new folks joining us here - hope you can join us on the 20th at La Casita in Roseville for some nibbles. Somewhere around the 15th or so, I'll pop a note reminding everyone - again - and asking if we can get a rough guesstimate of how many of us will be there.

Frankie, hope your surgery went well and your up and about today. They had me up the afternoon of the surgery so you are probably doing multiple laps by now, yeah? :-)

I will be bringing some Protein powder for whoever claims first - I have a container of Cookies and Cream by Syntha? I wasn't impressed. Not enough flavor for me. I've noticed that I seem to like spicier/hotter food now than I did before...or maybe it's just because my brother has been doing the cooking and he's not much for spice...

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Tyra

Hi Tyra,

Just a little correction...

It is the La Casitas in Fridley

On Central ave just south of 694