StormWarning

Hello fellow sleevers. I hope everyone's journey has been a blessing thus far. I am actually looking to see if any of you have used the plastic surgeon, Dr. Rodrigo Munro-Wilson located in Monterrey Mexico? I am currently looking to be scheduled with him May 7-20 but was looking for more patients of his. I have talked to a handful and am pleased with what I know, but you can never have too much information when it comes to our well being. Good or bad, if you have information, experience or what not please let me know. I want to hear it all.

Awesome to hear Carla. Keep up your fantastic work, and I wish you all the best to remain cancer free. That is such great news!! Glad you was able to move forward with your surgery.

Date sleeved: 08/06/12 Start weight: 322 Surgery Weight of 310. Weight today: 271 What you eating and how much daily: breakfast usually consists of eggs or a Protein shake. lunch and dinner are high Protein meats. More fish or salmon, chicken and some beef. I do not eat veggies at the moment as they do not sit well on my new tummy at all. Portions range from 2-3 sometimes 4 oz. Really depends on the consistency and denseness of the foods. Daily work out: Don't get to work out daily, but we have a personal weekly goal of walking 15-20 miles a week and light weight training every other day. How hungery are you? :I get hungry at meal times and my tummy lets me know when its time, but inbetween hunger is gone. How you feel physically: I am much more physically fit as I am running more, I have more energy to complete my ranch tasks, I do not tire easily and can go all day working. How you feel emotionally: I have come across a few emotional days that hit with a blink of an eye, some emotions can last a few hours, others a few moments. More irritable cranky than I am any other emotion. I seem to be snappy during those moments. Are you glad you chose the sleeve?: I am very pleased, I keep asking myself why did I wait so long. This is not an easy way out at all as we have to continually monitor and observe our eating habits and make the healthy choices, but this is a journey well worth traveling. Anything extra to say?: I do not regret my decision at all (except maybe for the fact that my clothes no longer fit and I have nothing to wear) nope not even then.... LOL

I am just in the beginning of this phase. Went out to eat with a few friends and they were like "You look amazing" Now remind you I have only lost 40 some pounds at this time, I simply say thanks or thank you. and after I get back home my mood turns more sour. I asked my husband was I really that horrid before hand. I know people are just being nice and trying to pay you a compliment and encourage you etc, but sometimes it can inadvertently make us feel ashamed, embarrassed etc.

O.T.R- I see you with your collard greens. Do the veggies feel good on your tummy? And When did they start feeling good on your tummy or was you always able to eat them after surgery? I was always a veggie eater before surgery, but now they make me feel nauseated like my tummy is doing flips. Meats are the only things I can handle, except for BBQ.

Being obese can cause weakened muscles. Normally referred to as "Stress Incontinence" Here is a great article http://www.livestrong.com/article/209381-what-are-the-causes-of-leaky-bladder/ The question at hand is, would it go away with weight loss. I am not a nurse, nor a doctor, but I would imagine as you lose weight your muscles will become more toned and could help reduce if not correct the problem.

I wish you all the very best tomorrow. You are going to do wonderful. It's funny, we prepare so much for upcoming things, have it all together and at the last minute our nerves seem to go haywire. Completely natural. Please let us know how you are doing when you are able, and I hope you have a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hugs*

I think you are doing a wonderful job, and you are looking fabulous. This journey is not all easy, as we cross some difficult paths along the way, but you are very well focused and a new you is transforming. Congratulations on all your hard work. What a way to rock that sleeve!! Keep going.

I'd like to mention that I had surgery in Mexico. Now I did not go to Dr. Kelly, but I would like to state that my doctor did not use a drain either and all was great. No problems. Actually there are tons of doctors that didn't use drains. There is no set standard that says they have to use them, I am sure it is a case by case episode, as we all react different to surgery. I know there are other factors here that are in play for Dr. Kelly, but I have heard allot of good things about him- and would not discount him just because he doesn't place drains. If you feel he is the best surgeon for you, then that is your right, Only you know what and who you are comfortable with, and you have to have that level of comfort in order for you to feel at peace with your decision. I wish you all the best!

Best of luck to you. I hope everything moves smoothly for you and your recovery is quick and uneventful. The waiting is the hardest part, but you got this!!

I am another happy Dr. Alvarez patient. i had my surgery on Aug. 6th and I cannot be more thankful of my decision. I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. A in person back in May and I knew he was the one for me. I could not have chosen a Better Dr for myself.

Hi Liz, I am almost 2 months out, and things do get much much better as time passes. My post-op diet was different than yours and I had no problems. The first week I was clears only, Weeks 2-3 full liquids and week 4 started soft foods. Week 5 I went to regular foods. There were times that I was not able to get more than a bite in before feeling full, and being very worried and having a buyers remorse from my feelings. I was so terrified that a few bites would be my life from here on out. There were times I had to go back to liquids or soft foods cause others just didn;t feel right on the tummy. Your tummy tries to tell you what it can and can't handle. Just have to listen and try to understand what it is saying which takes time to figure out. Well as the weeks passed things did seem to get better, It can take 21 days for the tummy to fully heal (stitch and staple line) and get rid of excess swelling. The more swelling you have the less capacity you will have. If you have any indigestion or reflux, that will diminish your capacity too. The taste and texture of foods do change for allot of people after the surgery. There are things that I just loved (BBQ for instance) before surgery, that just gags me to a point that I feel very sick when I eat it. It will take time for our bodies to adapt to our new lifestyle, but I have been assured that things will come around in the future. Being almost 2 months out, I have a good handle on what my tummy likes and what it doesn't and I can work around things as far as meals whether dinning in or out. It has taken this long for me to be able to hit my fluid goals, protein goals etc. But there are still some days that I will fall short. It happens. Don't give up, and don't be so hard on yourself. Everyday is a learning process, and we may not get it all down and may continue to learn the do's and don't for a very long time. Just take your time, keep from getting frustrated and stressed and i'm sure everything will work itself out in the future.

Your feelings are completely natural. I went through the same emotions. I was on liquids for 18 days. After I seen the weight start coming off I asked hubby if I could do this on my own-even though I knew it would not last. I chalked it up to fear of subconsciously being scared of the what if's. I was so worried and so sure that this surgery would fail me, and I just didn't want to see failure again. As far as the sleep, that happens to allot of us. I didn't sleep well for a few months. From the time I made up my decision, to the time I sat down and told my hubby what I wanted, sleep seemed to become sporadic. Once I had a date, I pretty much kissed sleep good-bye. I didn't worry so much, since I caught up on sleep after my surgery. The first few days was great, but then your body grows worn out so to speak. Your limited at first what you can have, in my instance a week of clears only. So I found my energy levels being non-existent after noon and a nap was much needed. Remember to keep your head high, and only you can decide what is best for yourself. But if you have come this far, don't let fear or stress turn you away. Everything gets better and greater once on the other side.

The both of you are going to do awesome. It is a natural reaction to be scared, worried, fearful and tons of other emotions that you may hit before the day arises. Just remember to breath and exhale slowly. As far as the pump or drain, it depends on your doctor. Some doctors use them, some don't. My surgery was without a drain, 5 tiny incisions and zero pain. Don't feel bad or anything if you feel pain as Everyone will experience different levels or degrees of pain or discomfort. Just remember its only a short road of recovery and is so worth it in the long run. I wish you all the best in your journey and much success.

Very Very Stunning. You have done an awesome, wonderful job and look just fabulous. Congrats on your journey, and wish you all the best in the future.

They run a full blood panel, and chest x-rays. I emailed Dr. Alvarez a few weeks after my surgery and he emailed me my reports. Of course they are in Spanish, but they can be deciphered, or you can find someone to help you with them if needed.

I did not ask any of my doctors yet about yearly follow up care yet. I know I can always go back to Dr. A. for my yearly blood work check ups and may be something I keep in mind since I don't have insurance and care is affordable there. That will all depend on how much they are going to charge me in the states for blood work. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Well it's the last day of the month. I hope everyone of you all are doing well with your surgeries and healing process. Hard to believe the month is already over, and yet I do believe we were the biggest surgery group so far. Anyone know what our final surgery count was for the month? Anyway, I wish us all the best of luck in the future, and hope everyone learns the in's and out's our our new tummies.

I meant no harm or disrespect in my post and I am sorry if it offended anyone or caused a disturbance. No one knows the body like the person who is living inside it. My doctor had no restrictions and its even published in his book. Pg. 86 Question 11. When can I resume having sex? "whenever the patient feels good about it. It is very important that the patient understands that having sex will not cause the sleeve to burst, or a staple to pop, nor will it cause the sleeve to leak. Having sex does not interfere at all with the sleeve. So as soon as the patient feels good about having sex, he or she can resume sexual activity". I just answered the question, I stated ahead of time that my doctor had no restrictions, and it was up to me and how I felt as I will know if I am in pain or not. I fully understand that every doctor is different as you can read from all the other post, I answered just like everyone else. And this may be too much information, but someone mentioned about orgasms, well orgasms do make your abdominal muscles contract and clinch and some may feel pain but was not in my case. I am saddened that one or more people can be bashed or called out from another s' response, and it appears it was my post that caused it cause someone had a problem with what I said. We are all here for advice, friendship, and information. We all have different experiences, information from doctor, and different tummies too. We all know and understand what works for one doesn't necessarily work for others, and of course we all know that we go by what OUR doctors say anyway despite what another was allowed to do or not do.

Dr. Alvarez does the leak test now during surgery, and No he no longer does the 24 hour test. 24 hours after surgery they will start you out on ice chips to suck, not swallow. The day of discharge, 48 hours after surgery you will be given juice and water to drink.