-
Content Count
66 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Blogs
Store
WLS Magazine
Podcasts
Everything posted by Kath-A-Leena
-
BEST protein drink EVER!!!!!!
Kath-A-Leena replied to Tamz's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I agree that the GNC Amplified Wheybolic 60 is really tasty and a good nutritional value. I stretch it out even further, though. If you just use 1 scoop, you still get 20 grams protein. I've only tried Chocolate and Vanilla so far. Good stuff. -
Wow. That's fantastic progress. Congratulations!
-
Clients making passes....at me?
Kath-A-Leena replied to brandynd's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
It's really great to be looking good and attracting male attention but please don't think you need to put up with sexual harassment at work or anywhere else. I hope I'm not being too "motherly" here. I'm not even a mother. But I have worked in the travel industry. If leering and inappropriate comments from male guests are making you feel uncomfortable, you should speak to your GM about it. You didn't mention how he/she responded to that guest's comment but I hope they tactfully told him his comment was inappropriate. Some men traveling on business can have a tendency to misbehave. I'm sure there's nothing in your job description that says you have to be their target. Good luck and congratulations on your continued success. -
6 Month Update-Down 115 lbs!!!
Kath-A-Leena replied to BonnieJuneE's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Thanks for sharing your story. It is very informative as well as inspirational. Sounds like you're in a wonderful place in your life. Enjoy it. Congrats! -
I think it just means you're excited. Nothing wrong with that. I wish I only had 2 weeks. It's 5 weeks for me and I'm ready to start packing. I'll be going to Dr Alvarez. Which Mexico doc are you going with?
-
My first "baby step"
Kath-A-Leena replied to Nancy Rivers's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I'm doing the same thing with the baby steps. My surgery just got set for July 1 but I've already started "practicing" my new lifestyle. Like cutting back on caffeine and replacing a few meals with Atkins shakes. The hardest part is going to be learning how to take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. I've been catching myself mindlessly ripping off huge chunks of flesh like a starving hyena and practically swallowing them whole. That's definitely not going to work anymore! I'm looking forward to eating like a dainty little bird instead of a big ol' starving hyena. -
I guess I'm really gonna do this...
Kath-A-Leena posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi everyone. I've been semi-obsessively lurking here for a month or so. This is my first post. Yes- I'm really going to go into debt to pay for having most of a major organ removed. Electively. AND- I'm going across the border to save a few bucks. Sounds crazy. I'm not ready to share that news with very many people in my life. They just wouldn't 'get it'. I'm so grateful to be joining a supportive, understanding community here at VST. At first, I was hoping that Aetna would pay for my VSG. Their requirements are a BMI of 40 with a 2 year history, or BMI of 35-40 with comorbidities. I went through an application process and some testing with Dr. Kim, a well-regarded surgeon here in DFW. My BMI is right under 40 and I have high blood pressure. It turns out that Aetna is not impressed with my HBP since it is controlled with meds. Also, I must be the only person on these boards to have a sleep study and NOT be diagnosed with apnea. My only diagnosis- Very Loud Snoring. My husband could have told them that. The insurance coordinator was quite frank that I wouldn't qualify. I'm trying to be glad that I didn't have to go through the whole 3 month pre-qual games and then likely still get denied. Dr Kim's cash price is $12,300. That's a lot for me. So, after a brief period of mourning, I started researching the Mexico docs. I've decied to go with Dr. G. Alvarez. The travel from DFW to Piedras Negras is not a big deal. His price will be $8900. He's not the cheapest, but I'm pretty leary of low bidders. There seems to be a lot of love for Dr Alvarez on these boards. I don't really feel like I'm stepping down in class after considering his experience and glowing reviews. If anyone disagrees and wants to talk me out of it before I send the deposit check, go right ahead. VSG is tentatively scheduled for July 1st. I'm really excited about doing this but also pretty nervous. Next week, I'm going on a cruise which will serve as a 7 day Last Supper for me. I'm only required to do a 7 day liquid diet pre-op but my liver will likely need a good scrubbing after a week of cruise food & drink so I'm gonna start early. I'll try to figure out how to add a ticker then. I've already learned so much from the posters here. I hope I can pay it forward with my own pearls of wisdom (when I get some). -
Hlep Info on WLS in Mexico
Kath-A-Leena replied to christina420's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I'm in the same boat. I thought that you'd have to be crazy to go to Mexico for surgery. However, when I found out my insurance wasn't going to cover me, I started looking into it to save money. Everyone seems to rave about Dr Aceves in Mexicali (near San Diego). That many satisfied customers can't be wrong. I would have no problem going with him. I ended up choosing Dr Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras (near San Antonio). His reviews are also overwhelmingly positive. He seems to have a bigger following over on ObesityHelp. The travel costs for me were the deciding factor since I live in TX. These 2 docs have more experience and more satisfed patients than most US docs. There are other docs worth looking at but these came out on top in my research. I will have my VSG on July 1st. Good luck!