Annie04

I agree with all of the above......don't worry about it and just exude your confidence. There will be a time when it is right to share that with him. Men love confidence. Enjoy this exciting time in your life!!

Thank you Lexysdad04, I am sure I will take you up on it. I hope you have a speedy recovery and I can't wait to hear more about your journey!!! Annie

Hi Kiki, I agree, I would not tell him about your surgery this soon. Aside from that, just relax and try to enjoy yourself. The most attractive quality we can possess is confidence and you have a lot to be confident about!! You have been on a journey the last 8 months and this is a great way to celebrate where your journey has brought you so far. I am proud of you!!!

I must say Janese at alghterme.com is very prompt with getting back to you when you have questions. I originally had Dr Elias Ortiz confused with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. So now I have been back tracking and looking into some other doctors. Janese has quoted me the best price and I am following one of his patients to see if he has a great experience as well. I didn't realize that Dr Elias Ortiz gives you a private room with room for your husband and a private bathroom, that is a plus. It is so great to have this forum and here others experiences.

I am hoping to have my surgery in May, in Mexico as well. I have not selected a doctor yet but I am leaning towards Dr. Ponce Deleon since I have heard amazing things about him. I would appreciate any feedback on him as well. Thanks, Annie

I do that too Firelle, when my bananas are starting to get dark and a little soft, I take them out of their skins and freeze them. Then when I want to make smoothies or protein shake they are ready. Yummy!!!

WooHoo, thank you for such a wonderful account of your time in Mexico. I had never heard about return through the border into the US, except that it was more difficult than going in.....Now I know to remind the driver to pack the wheelchair..LOL. I am proud of you as well....and very happy for you. (Hopefully I am not that far behind you) Love You!!

Thank you Mandi as well, you are doing fantastic. I am glad that your energy levels are up so soon. I imagine being very tired for the first month or so. Please keep in touch with your progress....I appreciate all who are giving their input to my post. I am very encouraged about the next step in my journery!!

Thank you Chas, what doctor did you use in Mexico?

Hello Britt, I haven't scheduled it yet. I am waiting on my financing Once that happens I will schedulule. I am estimating May. How about you? are you scheduled? I would love to have a buddy. Thanks Annie

Congratulations, Tina! I am between 33 andand 34 BMI and I would love to follow you and hear about your progress. What doctor did you chose in Mexico? I would also like to know how much you have lost in the last 2 weeks and with your preop diet as well. I am looking at Dr. Ariel Ortiz out of OCC in Tijuana. Can't wait to hear about your journey so far. Annie

Great Picture Lisa, you look amazing and congratulations!!

Hi Tes, thanks for the recipe. I just bought a vitamix last month in preparation of my surgery (no date yet, but I am thnking May). I love Soup and thought I could make some great pureed food while I am in the liquid post op stage. I would love to know any Post Sleeve recipes that you might have that are made in the vitamix. Thanks, Annie

You can get a Passcard. It is an Enhanced Drivers License. You can get the application on line and take it to your local post office along with your birth certificate. It takes about 10 weeks and you can pay a little extra and get it expedited. Hope this helps Annie

Hi Tracy, I know I posted this before, isn't it a little early for the Preop diet when you are more than a month away? . I am considering Dr. Ortiz as well and I was told to go on it 2 weeks prior to surgery. Are there other considerations?. Your BMI doesn't seem that high. I am just wondering. Thanks for any feedback on this subject. Annie

CORRECTION.I meant to say "also if you have the surgery in Mexico, you must be diligent with your diet.....sorry, my keyboard has a mind of its own sometimes..lol

Hi Mama, I am looking at Mexico because of the price difference. I can do it for $10,400 here in Las Vegas, NV (cash price Dr. Umbach). But now I am looking at half the price with Dr. Ortiz or even Dr. Ponce Deleon. I am starting to have more of a comfort level as I hear the experiences of other Mexico patients. I am not worried about complications, but I hear that there is a doctor here that will see you if you had your surgery in Mexico. Otherwise I would be at the mercy of the emergency room. I like that the doctors in Mexico test you for leaks, but they don't do that here. I also byou ve that if you have it done in Mexico, you must be diligent with the post op diet, because if you are not, that is when problems can happen. I am so excited that you are doing so well. That is such great progress. I am going to be diligent and I am looking forward to great results as well. Thank you so much for sharing and please stay in touch. I will post when I get my surgery date...WooHoo, I can't wait!!

That is amazing, Thank you Mama!! I hope that I get the same results, or at least close. I need to lose about 80 pounds. I am curious who did your surgery? Was it in the states or Mexico? I had thought I would have it here but now I am starting to think I should go to Mexico to save about $5,000. I just need to find a comfort level about it if you know what I mean...LOL Thanks for any input. Annie

Thank you Jilstep, and congratulations on your progress so far. I also have weight related health issues and I am looking forward to resolving them when I have my surgery. I feel the same way about enjoying the rest of my life. I also believe that this will help me to live longer and healthier. Hopefully we can stay in touch. Annie

Thank you Mini Me, that makes me feel better. I have heard of North Vista Hospital and I will look it up to see where it is in relation to where I live. Thank you again and I will keep in touch. Annie

I will be going to Dr. Umbach for my surgery. I would love to hear if anyone else has had him do their surgery and what their experience was.

Hello and thank you for your response. I am fairly new to this site and I have gone through to try to find some sleevers with a lower BMI, just not sure how to do. Any tips you can pass on to me would be appreciated. Congratulations on your loss, that is amazing. How much did you lose the first 3 months post surgery? I am also hoping I don't have any loose skin issues. I am 52 so that may not be avoided. I know if I can slow it down a little it will help with the loose skin issue. Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from you. Annie

I have not gone to him yet, but I have been dealing with Krystina in the office. I am self pay and I am waiting for a settlement to come through. Once it does I will pay the deposit and get on the schedule. I live in Las Vegas so it will be convenient and his price isn't too bad without going to Mexico. I haven't heard anything about the Support Group, but I guess I will as I move closer. I would definitely be interested in it. I am glad that everything went well. What facility does he do the surgery in? Does he have his own or is it done at a hospital. I guess I forgot to ask Krystena about that. Any information is helpful. Thanks, Annie

I have a lower BMI of 35 and I am looking to hear from other VSG patients who started out low to share their experience. Thanks

Your confidence shown through. My GP and I have talked about weight loss surgery over the years and he has always been against it. I am sure he has seen some bad procedures and has his reasons. About a year ago when I was in his office with tears in my eyes, frustrated with my weight, I asked him to support me in this and he said that he would. I am grateful that he sees me as a person and not just a patient. I have researched weight loss surgery for the past 7 years and I don't believe that I would be having it if it were not for the sleeve procedure.