StormWarning

I felt exactly the same way. A friend of mine has the lap-band and used Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. At first I was leaning towards the lap-band too, so I was researching Dr. Ortiz. Then I started changing my mind and decided the sleeve was what I wanted to avoid any future complications with the band. Altho Ortiz does the sleeve, I couldn't compare my friends experiences as I changed procedures. I started looking through other doctors. I came across some that are much cheaper than Alvarez, but once I came across him, It was like a "Slap in the face" moment. I just had a very strong pull that he was the doctor for me. A few months later and here I am, fixing to start a pre-op diet in a few weeks and ready to get this show on the road. I have never been more certain of my decisions.

Sounds like a plan Mom24. We do have a Alvarez forum going from a bunch of us going to him. If you haven't checked it out already. Of course its everyone Alvarez not just Texas. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/40253-dr-alvarez/

Texas here as well. I never even checked out the Texas forums. I keep getting side-tracked with all the other informative posts on here. I am scheduled for surgery August 6, 2012 with Dr. Alvarez. My feelings of "This is Real, This is really happening" started when I was purchasing the required Vitamins, and items for my pre-op diet. The grocery shopping made me shaky, butterflies in my stomach. The pass-port that came in the mail the same day, sent me into a nauseated world spinning, no turning back; I can do this mode. Nice to meet you all. Good luck to everyone and all who have upcoming surgeries.

I will definitely send prayers, well wishes and best of luck your way. I am sure everything is going to turn out just fine. I wish you have a speedy, uneventful recovery. Let us know and keep us updated as soon as you can. You can DO This!!

Congrats Tabby. You are going to do fine. We share the same surgery date. Let's Rock This!! Being scared is a natural sense for the body. I have been through many surgeries in my life so the fear I have learned to override, but the anticipation, and the excitement that I get from this surgery, is just wild. If I could make the calendar fly by I would.

Congratulations on reaching your your surgiversary!! It sounds like it has been a grand year for you. I love reading everyones success stories. I can't wait til I get to start working on my year. Coming soon,, Coming soon. Keep up the great work.

I would have imagined choosing a Mexico doctor would be very difficult. I was planning on difficulty but my decision was very easy. A personal friend of mine was recommending the same doctor who did her lap-band 5 years ago, so he is who i started researching at first. I got on forums all over and was ready other people's experiences with him. Upon researching for him, I came across the doctor I am using. I had such a strong inner pull towards him. So I started focusing most of my research to this new doctor. To much of my surprise he was who I felt most comfortable inside about. I did get the chance to meet him a seminar this past May, and seeing. meeting, and having him to answer my questions personally one on one, only secured my decision. I have chosen the best doctor for myself. So I would imagine finding a good doctor or researching a mexico doctor would be difficult if you didn't get that inner feeling of "Thats The One". I would suggest reading the forums, researching the internet, checking their stats are all good places to start. In the end you really have to go with the one you are most comfortable with.

I am starting with a beginning bmi of 41.3 and I am having to do a 2 week liquid diet. The diet is really all depending on the doctor. I have read some who has higher bmi's with short diets or no diets at all. There really is no set suggestion except for your doctor. As far as "Most Surgeons" if you were to spend days looking back through diet posts, i would have to say its ALMOST even as to diet or no diet and length of diets,

Wow, congratulations. That is great. It's normal to be nervous, anxious, scared, excited. That is just our emotion processes trying to prepare us for what is coming. Hell I don't even know you and I am excited and anxious even envious for you...lol. I guess I just have to wait my turn next month. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy uneventful recovery. You are going to do great at this. Good Luck. Keep us updated.

The A1C test measures your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months. The A1c test is a way of monitoring how well your blood sugar levels were controlled over a given period of time. The lower the score, the more your diet, exercise and insulin or oral medications prevented instances of high sugars. Even though reducing our weight and exercising reduces our risk for diabetes, there is still a chance of developing diabetes. The A1C is a test that lets you see how well your diet and food maintenance is holding up over time. Testing your finger daily only gives you your sugar levels, testing your A1C tells you how well things are controlled and working together.

Another one of EggFace recipes. Cream of Spinach Soup This is a full liquid recipe. Great for vegetarians but I love it and I hate vegetables. It is spinach (it won't always be dangerous LOL!) but you can change it to broccoli, beets, asparagus or even carrots. The regular recipe called for light cream but we used 1% (skim would be too watery, don't use skim) and served 8 people. DH cut it in half for the 2 of us. It can be frozen into individual servings. Cream of Spinach Soup Serves 8 people (but you can make half recipe easily) 5 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped 2 lbs. fresh spinach 2 yellow onions, roughly chopped 3 garlic cloves 1 cup light cream (use 1% instead not skim) 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese 2 tablespoons butter (we used Olivio spread you can use whatever you use instead of butter) Salt & pepper Pinch of nutmeg Water Melt butter in a large soup pot. Add onions and garlic and brown for about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, nutmeg, and enough water to just barely cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Add spinach and let sit for 8-10 minutes until spinach wilts. Puree in a regular blender. Add cream, cheese and season with salt & pepper. Heat and serve

Not sure what phase you are at, This recipe I'm sure i saved from Shelly (Theworldofeggface) Cream of Broccoli Soup This soup is really good and should be pretty good for Proteins. I think it has about 7.10 proteins p/cup the way I made it tonight. 6 Tablespoons of butter or marg 1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion 5 Tablespoons flour 1 cup chicken broth (I used the whole can of undiluted) 2 cups milk (I use skim) 3/4 teaspoon salt Dash pepper 1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed (If I do not have chopped, I have used florets. It will chop up in the blender. I just used the whole bag even if it is more than 10 ozs.) Heat butter and onion for 1 1/2 - 2 min on high in the microwave. Blend in flour. Gradually add broth, milk, salt and pepper. Heat 7-9 min on medium or until soup is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Add broccoli and puree in food processor or blender. Return to bowl and heat 3-4 minutes, stirring once.

OH SUSIE, i am crying HAPPY tears for you.. You wanna trade places with me? you can go on the 8th of august?? on other hand, i do not feel you messed up. You are going to do great, and this has not postponed anything,

Congratulations anais02. Glad to hear your surgery went so well and that the doctor was able to relieve the pain that you felt. You are on your way to a new you. Keep us updated on your journey. Wish your recovery continues to be a healthy uneventful one. Take care of yourself.

Yes You will, we are all fighters and have to be tough and strong to commit to a new lifestyle. That takes more work than most (non surgery people) understand. I use to be one of those people so to speak, those that thought surgery was an easy way out......no offense to anyone,.. but then I got tired of struggling and fighting the battle alone, so I looked into surgery. The more I read, the more I learned there is NO EASY part about surgery. I have to commit myself to a lifelong change in the way I see food. I have to continue to watch what I put in my mouth. This surgery is only limiting the amount that goes is, The WHAT that goes in, is up to us.. Some will battle and struggle more than others. We all have our demons.. SO Yes AllNewMe, you are a tough one and you will survive cause you were strong enough to make this decision. - Not meaning to jump off topic there, just stating.

It doesn't the Gas-X will only work for intestinal/stomach gas. The surgical gas has to work itself out (body absorbs it) The walking will help alleviate the pressure and pain from surgical gas by keeping it moving so it can't settle into one particular place and be a pain.

glad to hear all went well Sharnae. Darn that gas bugger, It sure strikes the best of them. I'm glad to to hear that Dr. Alvarez is treating you so well. He really does take pride in his patients from what everyone says. I can't wait to sit where you are. Hope recovery keeps making progress and that soon you won't have to deal with the gas or reflux.

you can even get smaller bottles at walmart for under 5 bucks, but cost to quantity ratio comes out cheaper at sams.

Yep, just what Traceyc said, Still waiting surgery, but my doctor says vitafusion gummies are as good as any,

Yes I'm sure it was very heart-breaking to wake up to learn this, But if you look at it another way with a different aspect. "Everything Happens For A Reason" That being said, maybe this could just be a clue or a grand design letting you know that the bypass was not the right surgery for you. I am sure you will be completely happy with your sleeve. Best of luck on your upcoming surgery. May you have a speedy recovery. Keep us updated.

FutureSkinnyPants..... I want to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication in keeping the surgery chart updated as each new person comes on board. It really means alot and is so helpful. So Thank You!!

Here is a few samples from my after surgery orders that were sent from me. Please NOTE this is only an example as every doctor is different. LOW CARB, LOW FAT, LOW SUGAR, HIGH PROTEIN!! Soft foods are comprised of things that are easily chewed and will mush up in your mouth easily. scrambled or soft cooked eggs cottage cheese cottage cheese with pureed fruit (containers of 4 oz that you can mix into cottage cheese refried Beans tuna, salmon, chicken or egg salad mixed well with low fat mayo chicken leg or thigh meat soft cooked veggies mac n cheese whole wheat grains-pasta/rice meats that are cooked to really soft consistency, crock pot, pressure pot. soft cooked or stewed fruits oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits moist meatloaf, turkey loaf Soups that have easy to chew veggies and meats. Of course these are just a few examples of many. Best of luck.

Hormones are stored in body fat. So as we start to burn and lose that fat, it releases those stored hormones and that is why you get a flood of so many emotions. Some people say they could cry at blink of eye, others can easily get depressed, you can be sad, angry, hateful etc. Any emotion is possible. Basically we have the potential of becoming someones worst nightmare until we get through all those stored hormones. I have already been teaching my husband on things that could happen that we (myself) may not have much control over. It's definitely going to take some understanding from everyone who is apart of your life.

I'm not sure if you follow the eggface recipes. but she has some amazing tips and ideas. Here is her blog site: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ She has some great recipes that you may want to try. They are frozen treats while helping you get your Protein in. A change in the sugar free pops. I plan on using these after my surgery. How to Make Protein Popsicles: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-make-protein-popsicles.html Frozen Protein Drops: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/01/frozen-protein-drops.html This process is a learn as you go as we all will have different likes, tastes, ideas.

I want to wish everyone who is going to Dr. Alvarez the best. I too will be visiting him on August 6th and that day can't come fast enough. I have never felt more assured in a surgery as I do with Dr. Alvarez. I truly have made the best decision for me. SweetSusie and I met him in person at a seminar he held in Houston and that just further iterated my choice in doctors. It was also nice to meet Susie in person as we were already conversing here on the forums. Having someone to talk to who is experiencing the same things, or trying to achieve the same goals really helps. I'm sure you all will have a wonderful experience. Now lets get this show on the road!!