littlehope126

Hi! I had the Sleeve with Dr. Alvarez Dec. 2012. I was extremely happy with him, his doctors, nurses, staff, Susan, Rosie, everyone!! Unfortunately for me, I was on a medication that makes you put on a super amount of weight. I got off it briefly, but when I went back on I gained 20 in 2 months!!! I also have severe GERD. I'm told the only remedy is Gastric Bypass. The Sleeve is great, but it causes GERD and that can be brutal. I used to wake up in the middle of the night throwing up stomach acid. I had acid reflux before surgery, and did not know that the sleeve only made it worse. Had I known, I would have gone with the RNY. I'm looking into a Sleeve reversion to RNY. Dr. Alvarez is amazing! I loved the whole experience, but looking back, I would have chosen a different surgery procedure.

Thank you Band07! I'll be praying for you on Thursday. Please do let us know how you're doing. God bless!!

Hi! I was sleeved in 2012. I never made it to goal, and put on weight thanks to a medication that makes me hungry all day, slows down my metabolism, and messes with my hypothyroidism. I've seen you post on other threads, and was wondering, what doctor did you finally decide to go with Band07? I'm seriously considering going with a revision soon. Any info on specific doctors you found would be great. Thanks!

I love the Skinny Mocha. It's skim milk, sugar free mocha syrup, and espresso. I get it Vente with two Splenda. The Skinny Vanilla or Carmel latte's are good too.

Chike has a protein plus energy shake that has two shots of espresso in it. It's delicious! I have it every morning. It's only 130 calories and has 20 grams of protein. You can get it at celebrate vitamins, amazon, or chike's website. It comes in packets :-)

Dr. Alvarez is an excellent Dr.!! You have nothing to fear. He is so experienced. You'll get something to relax you, then you'll wake up and the surgery will be over. Don't worry, he's a really nice guy. He'll answer any questions you have and will calm your fears :-)

Sure! As Jesser says, my doctor is Dr. Alvarez and Susan was my coordinator. She prepared me for the whole thing step by step ahead of time. It was all in the paperwork that she emailed me. I got to San Antonio TX and knew to call the hotel for the shuttle to pick me up and bring me to the hotel. From there Rosie our driver, came and picked us up. We would be staying at that hotel after surgery, so I guess Dr. Alvarez has a set up with them where they didn't mind picking us up. Anyway, Rosie was very nice, she drove us (I brought my cousin with me for support) to Eagle Pass TX. We were in the car for about two hours or so. Rosie made a pit stop at a convient store. They had muscle milk, I was so psyched! Anyways we got to the hotel and she told us when to be ready in the morning. My cousin was hungry, so she went for a walk to go get food. I was on the liquid diet, but after a couple of hrs. At the hotel, I cheated! I ate hotdogs, BBQ wings, and a slim Jim that night. I was so worried that I had blown it, but when I talked to Dr. Alvarez he said that my BMI was low enough that I would be ok. So Rosie came and got us the next morning, that's when I met my sleeve sisters and sleeve brother. They were waiting in the lobby with us. The border was literally ten minutes away, if that. Crossing over was no big deal. It was like a toll booth in MA (where I'm from originally). Anyway, the hospital was like two minutes from the border. We got there and unpacked the van. The first thing we did was go to Dr. Alvarez's office. There, he asked us who was first, second, third, and fourth. I was second. I payed the cashiers check and signed some papers, then met with Dr. Alvarez. I told him about my cheating and he made me swear I would follow protocol after surgery. He said I had to follow it 100%. He asked me about any concerns I might have. He was very personable and genuine. After we shook hands, it was time to go to the hospital to our rooms. The hospital was behind his office. It was a short walk. The hospital was old fashioned, like the 70's but very clean. We got to our room which had a computer and tv, and bed and couch for my cousin. Then after dropping off my bags and my cousin, it was time for X-rays and a blood test. Then they brought me back to my room and set up the IV and gave me something to relax. Next thing I know, it's 3pm and I'd been out of surgery for hours. My throat was dry and scratchy, but I was in no pain! That surprised me because they don't use narcotics. But I was blissfully pain free! A few hours later I got up and walked the hallway. Dr. Alvarez and the other Dr. He works with (who's name escapes me) came in several times to check on me. The nurses checked on me often too. The nurses didn't speak English but they understood enough and so did I. There was an assistant during the day named Jessica who was so awesome! She took my cousin out to get food and there was another assistant at night. He was cool too, but I can't remember his name. The next day I walked the hall most of the day. They took out my IV and gave me ice chips. The doctors came in to check on me several times. Then the next morning they gave me grape juice and discharged me. That morning I was experiencing pain in the left incision (the largest) but they gave me some toradol and I was fine, it just ached. Then it was time to load up the van and head back to San Antonio. Jessica and Rosie were so helpful. Crossing. Back over the border you have to turn your cell phone off and there's a long line of traffic, but it was pretty uneventful. They look at all the passports in the van and sometimes they do a search, sometimes they don't. They didn't for us, thank you Jesus :-) The ride back seemed longer. I tried to sleep. I had a pillow pressed against my tummy and was feeling better. Then a couple hrs. Later we got to the hotel that had picked us up from the airport. We got to our room and II went to bed. Then I walked the hallway with my cousin. There's more, but I'll have to save it for another post, as I've just noticed how incredibly long this is.

It's healthy and natural to be nervous. A week before surgery, I started having second thoughts. I got scared and started to worry about how safe everything was. But for me, I had already canceled this surgery 2 yrs. ago, and I wasn't about to do it again. I prayed a lot, talked a lot, and took that leap of faith. In the end, it's all up to you. But I can say that in my experience, once I finally got to Mexico, there was nothing to be afraid of. Medically, or safety wise.

What's wrong? Can I help? Don't get scared. Your surgery is in March right? It'll be ok :-)

Kaylee I have gained and lost the same three pounds for three weeks! Now I'm back down to 207.6, but I realize it has been my food choices, lack of protein, and not getting all my fluids in. Today I only drank protein shakes. I know it's not a long term solution, but for right now I feel I have to go back to basics.

Thank you so much jac1970! I'll call them to find out :-)

I was sleeved on Dec. 3rd and have struggled so much with my food addiction, that I thought that's why I've been losing one, gaining one. But! For the past three weeks I've been vomiting a lot after meals, (not on purpose but,from eating too fast) and still not lose any significant weight. I've made it down to 207.6 lbs from 230 lbs day of surgery. But for the past five days I've been 208.6. Doesn't matter how well I eat. Are you all just dropping 40lbs in your sleep? Or are you guys struggling too?

Hi I'm in Nashville but got sleeved in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. I was wondering are there any support groups for sleevers in the area that are open to all? I've been struggling with grazing and making right food choices. I was sleeved on 12/3/12 and have lost 22lbs. I need to take it up a notch.

Hi! You are probably not doing anything wrong. I was sleeved on 12/3 and have only lost 22 lbs. I stalled for a week! It's all a learning curve and if you read through this thread, you'll see a lot of other fellow sleevers who have lost slowly too. Sometimes it's just our bodies. Sometimes we are not getting enough protein and fluids, but I think in my case it's just that my body is getting used to my sleeve. I expect to lose tons of weight in the long run! It'll be great :-) Hang in there. I'm sure you're doing better than you think. How do your clothes fit? Faith in Christ can move mountains <3

Soooo excited!!! (Yet groggy, lol) Everything was so quick and easy. I don't remember a thing. I was the second today to have my surgery. There were only 4 for the whole day. At around 10:30 AM I was given something to relax me, and at 3:30 I woke up already having been in my hospital room for hours. I was only under for 35 min. But I still needed my rest I guess. Then I had my cousin call my people (family, friends) for me and let them know I was ok. Then I went back to sleep till 6-6:30. Then I got up and walked down the hallway. Climbed back in bed, had my cousin and Jesus set up my extension cord, plugged in my iPhone and iPad and I'm good to go :-) I totally recommend Dr. Alvarez!! Not only is he fine! But he's sweet, funny, and good at what he does. His staff is great too! I'll probably add more as my stay here goes on, but for now I'm tired. Goodnight :-)

What time of year does he usually do his reunions? I'd like to go too :-)

I'm doing great! I was cheating last week and kept throwing up as a result, and gained three pounds. Darn cream cheese and salsa! It slides right on down, no restriction. I have since lost this three pounds I gained. I'm back to a 19lb weight loss. It came on so easy, I realized this is gonna take a lot of self discipline. Surgery alone doesn't cut it. You've gotta change your habits. So I'm going to Overeaters Anonymous, and changing my habits little by slow. I'm still thrilled to pieces with my sleeve!! I'm happier, have more energy, and am no longer a slave to food. Praise God!! Thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts :-)

Allnewme, I'm doing great!! Thanks for asking. I feel just fine, plenty of energy. I'm down 18lbs and I just had my first cup of coffee in two weeks. Needless to say, I'm in a happy place, lol.

Kentucky Girl, I am so sorry you are going through this pain right now. I've never been married, but I did have a devastating blow right before my surgery two weeks ago. Regardless of my circumstances I decided to go ahead with VGS. Everyday I have to lean heavily on God to help me through this situation. I suggest the same for you my sister. He will carry you when you cannot walk another step. He will dry every tear and this situation, as painful as it is, will be used for your good, because you love God and are called according to His purposes. Stand firm on the word. Read His promises, He won't let you down. I will pray for you my sister. God bless you and your family during this difficult time. Kitoto