Mom_24

You need an appointment? I just went to the post office in victoria texas and applied for mine right there. You must be going to the official office.

No, it's a post office in the Houston area, but they are so busy here for passports that an appointment is required, but he said I should have it in 30 days, which is just in the nick of time. Either way though, as long as I have my receipt I am good, according to Susan at Dr. A.'s office.

I am looking forward to not being a contortionist for all kinds of things!

Yay dooter55 & Mom_24. Nice to meet more sleevers that will be there same time. Sure I will get to see you Mom_24 and your just now applying for a passport, your pushing it girl arent you

I didn't realize that an appointment was needed, so I had to wait about a week and a half for that, but Susan assured me that as long as I have my receipt for my passport application, then I will be able to get back across the border. I leave one month from today to drive to Eagle Pass!

Just applied for my passport today. One more step closer.

Just went today to apply for my passport. :D

mczoo33,

I am scheduled with Dr. A on August 13, so our paths will cross!

I completely relate to what you are saying. It took going to the doctor and having some labs come back that were a bit concerning, before I realized that I really HAVE to do something about this NOW, before I develop really bad health problems as a result of my - dare I say it - obesity.

I wouldn't say that I want to shove this in anyone's face. I just want to feel good in the skin that I'm in. I want to feel healthy and powerful.

Mom_24...I'll be having surgery with Dr. Alvarez on Aug. 18th (get in on the 17th). Best of luck and I'll be thinking of you! I haven't seen anyone else having surgery with him close to my date except you!

We will almost meet, but I leave on the 15th.

Yes, Joyce, a cruise would be a blast! I hope his other patients that are being sleeved at similar times as us will find their way here, so we can connect with them before the big day.

Yea, Brianna!

I'm doing it between summer school and the start of the regular school year. I'll have exactly 2 weeks before I have to get back into my classroom.

Same here. Surgery on the 13th, start of school on the 27th.

Hi Ladies! I've just gotten Ins. approval and am now scheduled for Aug 13th. It's being done by Dr. Collier in Conroe, Tx (just north of Houston). I was excited but now that it's "real" I'm having a lot of anxiety and second guesses! Not worried that I won't be able to do the work, just worried something will go wrong with the surgery. Now after reading your posts I'm feeling better - glad you're all here!

I am in the Houston area, too, and am being sleeved on 8/13, too, but in Mexico. Maybe we can meet up sometime for a sip or two!

Hello, Stacey here. So glad to have found this thread. I was following/conversing with the July/August sleevers until now.

I am scheduled for August 13 with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, MX, just over the border from Texas. I have a 10 day pre-op liquid diet, but I am making changes already, though not exclusively liquids. It is getting closer!

I wish my date wasnt so far away, ive been told that a 'booked surgeon is a good surgeon' so at least i can take comfort in that!

In the meantime I took a page from Slenderella's book and have started my own "Pre-Op Wean-Off"

July 3 - No diet soda/carbonated beverages

July 10 - No sugar

July 17 - No fried foods

July 24 - No white/refined grains/bread/carbs

July 31 - No caffiene (eeeeek!)

Aug 7 - Pre-op liquid diet begins

Hard to believe pre-op is only a month away!!

I have started my wean-off too.

I am now at 1 cup of half-caff for coffee, after that Decaf, but working on replacing with tea.

I'm an August sleeker,

I chose my dr. Because he was at a center of excellence and I liked their (the office's) approach. I went to 4 different WLS seminars and checked out all 4 centers. I went with gbmc in Baltimore. In fact I'm there in the waiting room right now.

OT, but that is where I had my first baby.

That sounds delicious Smoggy! Glad to hear your doing so well after surgery. Blessings!

Thanks for posting the link. There is never a harm in asking a business for a discount. Most businesses would welcome the opportunity to give a discount and earn someone's business. And the card asks, it doesn't demand.

I have always really enjoyed the Atkins and Slimfast Low Carb chocolate shakes, but I thought I would try the Premier. I have to say, not my favorite. Not sure I can put my finger on why though. I also bought the Muscle Milk Light, also not my favorite, but I think I like them better than the Premier. I have heard that tastes can change after surgery though, so we will see. I think it makes sense to try different ones. Also, I am only referring to the RTD's. I haven't even tried the powdered options yet.

Has anyone tried the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury powdered Protein? What did you think?

Felicity, you are just radiant. Thanks for the encouragement!

I am scheduled with Dr. Alvarez on August 13. I didn't go with the lowest cost option, but rather with my "gut". My insurance specifically excludes weight loss surgery, so I knew I would have to be self-pay. I was originally thinking of the Lap-Band with Gastric Plication with a surgeon in Houston, but the more I researched, the less comfortable I felt about, so I decided that the VSG was the best option for me, but in Houston I just couldn't afford it, and started looking at other options. I was so grateful to find someone over the border in Texas, so that I wouldn't have to travel so far. Then after checking out Dr. A's YouTube videos, I felt like I had already met him. I am very grateful that things have worked out this way, and I am looking forward to utilizing this tool for my health. Thanks for listening.

Yea, StormWarning, very exciting!!! Let's keep in touch.

I had my surgery on July 13, 2010 and it truly was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was not an easy one for me to make. I was a widowed dad of three young kids - ages 15, 10 and 9 at the time - and I was really worried about the risks of having the surgery. Ultimately, I came to realize that the staying fat was a far greater risk to my health and put my kids at a much greater risk of being orphaned. IN the end, I did it for them as much as I did it for myself.

Today, two years later, I have lost 120 pounds and have maintained that weight loss pretty consistently (I fluctuate within a 2-3 pound range).

In the past two years, I have gone from:

a size 54 suit to a 44 regular

18 1/2 or 19 inch neck to a 16

XXL Shirt to a M

Size 44 pants to a 34.

I no longer need mediciation for high blood pressure or high cholesterol and I no longer need my c-pap machine for sleep apnea. My back and knee pain have also all but vanished.

Most importantly, I am engaged to a wonderful woman and we plan to get married next summer. I met her just a few months after my surgery and she has been very supportive.

So, I am here to tell all of you who are considering this surgery to do your homework, find a practice where you feel supported and comfortable, but do not be afraid to go for it. If your experience is anything like mine, you will never regret it.

All the best to you,

Brian

Brian, that is my one fear and at the same time my greatest motivator, being here for my kids. I am now a single mom and they are also young, but I realize I cannot do the things with them that I would enjoy, and I am concerned about being there for them at all in the long run, if I do not take care of this issue once and for all. Thanks for your inspiring story. I go for surgery on 8/13 and I pray that I don't have a panic attack before going under, and that I have a safe and uncomplicated surgery and recovery (as we all do).

Stacey

Humble here, north of Houston. Going to Dr. Alvarez tomorrow for my surgery on Saturday the 7th!!

I'm in Katy and I go to Dr. Alvarez on 8/13. I will be thinking of you and praying for you tomorrow!

Stacey

Hi, I'm from Beaumont and 3 days out doing pretty good!

Im from West Houston near Katy

I'm in Katy, too! Surgery was June 15 and I'm feeling pretty good now!

Moved to Katy from Beaumont last year. I have my surgery on 8/13 with Dr. Alvarez. So glad to connect with others. Nervous and very excited! My good friend from the Beaumont area had surgery a year ago and is doing wonderfully. She keeps telling me, "it is gonna change your life!"