iluvthesun

bigdd - thanks for the info on Dr. Alvarez. It is always great to hear first hand knowledge. Sandy - thanks for joining us on the thread. Who is doing your surgery? Let us know how you get along. Nancy

I was looking for info on him as well and checked OH - according to this he has only done 15 VSG's and is doing an ave of 2/wk. Not sure where this data comes from. Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Thomas Umbach, M.D. Nancy

Hi Carla, Lucky you, only a couple of weeks to go. Are you on a pre surgery diet? Be sure to let us know how you get along. I love to hear first hand experiences. I'm still in the thinking and researching stage right now. Wish I was already booked with a date. Take care, Nancy

Hi Mamarose, I can't answer your question, but just wanted to say Hi. I have seen that you have to be referred by your Dr. to one of the special clinics....but I don't know a lot more. Check the other thread on the Canadian part here - there is a person from Kingston, ON and I think they could answer your questions. Nancy

bigdd, Glad to see you on this thread. Congratulations!! What awesome results. Do you mind sharing info. about Dr. Alverez? I have read some posts about him but never "talked" to one of his patients. I did submit some medical info. to them and they did clear me for surgery, but that was as far as I got. (you can read my story above). Does he operate in a clinic or hospital? Where do you fly into? What type of schedule did you have (days in hosp etc.) I look forward to hearing about your ongoing success, keep us upated on how you are getting along. Nancy

Hi Stoongal, How did your daughter & sister (?) get along with their surgery? Was the surgery in the same place as yours? If not - what was it like? Nancy

Hi MJ, Thanks for the info. on Dr. Ellsmere - I was afraid of that....and haven't been holding my breath. Which Dr. are you going to in Mexico? Do you have your date? I'm making a bit of progress with my hubby....see my post to Cheryl above. Nancy

Hi Cheryl, Thank You for sharing your story. I just turned 47 on Dec. 28 and have also lost alot of weight over the years (over 100 pounds twice, plus less than that many times). I too am short - 5' 2'. It is really hard and I understand where you have been and where you are. I'm really happy for you that you have decided to go to Dr. Almanza. Do you have family support? My husband had been very negative about the surgery ( you can click on my name to see my post under "my story" called " that went well.....not". But I am making progress !, yesterday he asked me to send him the Dr's I have considered and the costs. He would like me to wait until I see the Dr.'s in Halifax - but as you can see from MJ's post - that is years away. I had a small stroke in Sept. and I thought that might move me up on the list....but no go. Lots of others with health problems too. I have considered Dr. Christou in Montreal (22,000), Dr, Aceves (9750) and Dr. Almanza ( 5500). Like you economics are important. IF I had unlimited funds I'd go to Montreal....but I don't, so that really isn't an option. He told me he wanted me to talk to someone in my family about the surgery and Mexico...so I picked my younger sister who is also overweight. She said she could tell I want the surgery - but begged me not to go to Mexico (she works in a hospital in Maine). But she also recognizes I am an adult and will do what I think is best. I know that I can still eat too much with the sleeve, but I also have a much better chance at not doing that. Stay positive, keep on the boards for support. the people here are great and will share their experience. I'll be here for you cheering you on from the sidelines, and you can return the favour when it is my turn. Take care, Nancy

Hi MJ, welcome to the thread. It's great to see another Canadian. Unfortunately I haven't had the surgery yet. Did you look into the surgery with the Halifax Dr.'s? I'm waiting to hear from the clinic..... I can imagine you are both excited & nervous. I know I would be. It is a big step, but I believe a good one. It's hard to imagine being successful when I've had a long list of failures..and of couse anytime you have surgery you worry. will you be on a pre op diet? Be sure to keep us up to date - I can't wait to hear all about your journey. I know you'll do great! Nancy

Hi Cheryl, Stoongal loved Dr. Almanza and is going back this month with her sister & daughter when they have their VSG. You will have to click on her name to see all her posts as she gave me lots of details. I was referred to Dr. Ellesmere at the Hospital in Halifax back in June and I haven't heard a thing since. I have really seriously considered going to Mexico as well but then my husband accepted a job in Ottawa, and we have put the house on the market. So I will be a "single parent" until the end of June. I figure it is just too difficult to do it right now, so I'm on hold. It's possible I will hear from Dr. Ellesmere's office before I leave, but I doubt it. That means I will have to start over in Ottawa - find a Dr. get a referral, approval by OHIP etc. I know that OHIP has been approving people for surgery in Montreal and the US - but that may change. It's hard having to wait when I want to have it done yesterday..... Have you been thinking about doing this for a while? I'll be happy to hear all about your journey. Will you be doing a pre-surgery diet? Take care, Nancy

Hi and congrats on your date for Mexico. Glad to see a note on this forum from a Canadian. Happy New Years to you as well. I know there are some posts that list what to take. I have seen GAS X strips - a couple of boxes, and a heating pad to help with the gas. Both of those help keep people comfortable. I have also seen that in some places the room temperature can be hot or cold - so you need to plan for that as well. Who is doing your surgery? Nancy

Hi Jeff, I was so happy to see your post and find out how you are doing. Congrats on your weight lost so far - that is AWESOME!! I haven't been on much as things have been changing for me at home. My husband accepted a promotion in Ottawa, we have put our house up for sale, and I have begun working in a new job (from PEI) in Ottawa. I have been here for 2 weeks learning about the job. I am still hoping I might hear from the hospital in Halifax before I move at the end of June (my oldest graduates from High School so we won't come before then) - but I'm not optimistic. That means I will need to start from scratch again in Ottawa. Find a Dr., go through the hoops, etc. I have metal "cleats" that I can put on my boots so that it isn't slippery when I walk outside. They are something "traks" - I think I got them at Shoppers. Take care and keep us posted. Nancy

Hi Oakley, Great news about your meeting and referral to see the surgeon in Halifax. Be sure to let us know how things are going. I have been referred to Dr. Ellesmere in Halifax as well, but don't anticipate hearing anything for a long, long, time...... Nancy

Hi Jeff, So glad to hear from you. I did check the Ontario board on OH so saw the note from your Mom. I'm sure that once you get home you will start to get into your own routine. Will the press be doing an article on your trip home? Be sure and let us know how you are doing. Take Care, Nancy

Well a couple of months ago my Dr. suggested sleeve surgery and sent the referral to Nova Scotia. I mentioned it to my husband and his answer - I would prefer you do it on your own......but there is lots of time to think about it until we hear something from the Dr. So I have been busy reading, reading, researching on-line and love the idea of the surgery. I found out that the surgeon in NS has a 5 - 7 year wait, but it isn't a list, it is based on need. Mid August - good news, the Province has agreed to pay for the out of Province surgery....... As suggested by one of the Ontario people, I called the Provincial Coordinator to see if they pay for surgery in Cleveland since OHIP pays for it (they only waited 8 weeks for surgery). She said normally it is only for emergency procedures, not obesity. She asked if I knew the cost and again based on the info. from one of the Ontario people (thank you for sharing the info!) I said $34,000. She couldn't say for sure the cost of surgery in NS - but thought it was quite a bit cheaper.....so she didn't think it likely but said do the research & send it in for the medical director to review. So I'm thinking, okay - possibly 3 options: wait for NS, self pay to Mexico, maybe maybe come up with enough arguments to go to Cleveland... So I thought to myself - I should mention all this to my husband. His answer - you know I prefer you do it yourself......you aren't going to Mexico for surgery, "I won't allow it". Now you don't know me, but I'm not the shy retiring type so I started to laugh. He didn't think it was funny and said if I went I would find the door with a different lock and divorce papers. Then I suggested the US....hmmm it appears that it really isn't Mexico that is the problem - seems it is a money thing. I have a good job (I have been blessed in this and in many other ways), and my Mom recently gave me $5,000. My parents don't believe in leaving an inheritance, they want to share what they have now. When I reminded him of this, he moved onto his next argument - well the last time you wasted all that money at Herbal Magic taking those pills and you didnt' even try. EXCUSE ME?? Yes I took pills, yes it cost a lot and yes I gained it back - but I did try. I ate properly and exercised (I guess he missed that at the time). Plus he knows someone who had bariatric surgery and they gained it all back........ He doesn't think I should take the "easy" way out, but should do this on my own. I did explain that once you have the VSG you still need to "do it on your own" - eat properly, exercise, etc. - but that the tool won't allow me to eat the same quantities of the bad stuff like I did before. Yes I told him if I ate a bunch of ice cream and stuff I would gain weight. So....that is my story. He is stubborn & I am stubborn. He says - just wait for NS until you talk to the Dr. I say - I don't want to wait that long.... Hopefully this is like other times where he stews over it for a while and then becomes more reasonable. I'd appreciate any tips you can give on how to convince him (I asked would he do some research - nope.....he would just like to keep his head in the sand and I hope I forget). Thanks for hanging in there long enough to read all this. Nancy

Glad to hear your surgery went well and that you are starting to feel better. This is a great site, I too have learned so much. I haven't scheduled surgery yet, but have been referred to a Dr. He has a long waiting list, so I am also checking out Mexico. Take care and let us know how you are getting along. Nancy

Hi Tara, Congrats for setting your date. I am not that far along in the process so I can't answer your questions, but wanted to say welcome to VST. I look forward to hearing all about your journey. Nancy

Hey Allison, That is an awesome thankful list. Jan 10th is going to be a great day! I sent some info. to 3 diff. Dr's in Mexico to see what they would say. They will review my medical history and get back to me. One said it would be an extra $500 because my BMI is over 48 and they said I might need cardiac clearance, but I filled out some more info. and they will let me know. There is a post and blog from Kim who just got back from Dr. Almanza - it was very interesting. I am hoping the medical reports came from NB last week so that I can have my Dr. send the updated info. the Dr. in NS, plus I will have it to provide to the Mexico Dr's as well. I didn't make a turkey this year. We went out for dinner instead. It wasn't great. I ordered fries for the first time in a couple of months (been trying to lose weight) - they weren't great so I left half of them. Shared a piece of apple pie with my hubby. It was okay....I should have made my own dinner - it would have been better. On the other hand there were no dishes to do! Do you know if you will be doing a pre-op diet, and when that will start? Take care, Nancy

Hey Donna, I guess I will quit complaining about the rain then, if you have snow on the ground!! I'm still wearing my sandals to work - I hate to give them up and start wearing socks and shoes again. When do you go to Mexico with your daughter? At least it will be warm there!! Nancy

Hi Samantha, You have had a rough time of it. I hope now that it is diagnosed you are on the road to recovery and will start to feel better soon. Take care of yourself, Nancy

Congrats on working through the stall and hitting your onederland! Nancy

Congrats!! You must be so excited. Don't forget to put your surgery on the calendar, and check out the Oct. sleeve group for the others also having surgery this month. It is wonderful that you can have it done so quickly, and soon you will be one of the "losers"!! Take care and let us know how you are getting along. Nancy

Happy Thanksgiving to you Stoongal & all others celebrating today. So Donna you are feeling good? Not tired of the soup yet? When do you move onto the next stage? We may go out for dinner tonight, or I may just cook chicken breasts. I didn't get a turkey this year, I thought about it - just didn't. Does Dr. Almanza use 3 rows of staples? Does he oversew? We have a nice sunny day today (a change from all the rain we have been having), but it is very windy and cool. The leaves have lots of colour so from the inside it is a beautiful fall day. Nancy

Thanks VegasAngel, I tried it and it still logged me out. Then I tried Open in new tab, and that worked. If you are still on-line can you go into the chat room so I can double check it? Thanks Nancy

oregondaisy, I have been popping into the chat room, but until last night there was nobody there. It was great to see 4 or 5 people there last night. One question - I was chatting and then went back to the forum, when I returned to the chat room it logged me in again. So it looks like you can't be in 2 places at the same time? Forum & Chat? Is that correct? Thanks, Nancy