shangefan

Prayers are with you.

Yes m'aam! You better do that!

Prayers and blessings! I know all will go splendidly.

I am revising from a band to sleeve. Although I did lose weight initially, I never got to a sweet spot and things went totally awry after a year. I am happy for those people for whom the band works, but I can hardly wait to get it out of me!

Yay you!

I understand what you are saying. I hope that you can get some feedback from some of the people who have had to negotiate this. I know that there are a number of nurses who are active here, as well as people who have other types of jobs that require physical exertion.

Is unpaid leave under FMLA a possibility? I don't know the rules, but it occurs to me that this might apply (others probably know more). I also have seen some folks post about going on short-term disability.

Don't make your decision -- or even get too concerned -- based on what I say. I am just basing this on what I have read in the literature from doctors and what I have seen people post here. Did Dr. Ortiz's office provide any guidance on this?

I am on July 9 with Dr. Almanza. I, too, am very confident in the decision. I wish I were going sooner! But there are lots of people here who have had their surgeries performed by him. It seems to me that the people who have posted here have generally been very positive regarding their experience.

There are people who have more direct experience, but based on what I have read, I think you will need a few weeks off before you can return to that type of duty. Typically, you can't lift more than 10 pounds for several weeks.

Hmmm! Sounds interesting. I am assuming that it is possible to substitute the sugar-free kool aid for Crystal Light, yes? Same thing?

That is encourageing, spartymsu. At 42, I often feel that ship has sailed, but you prove it isn't too late!

You might try entering his name in the search feature. Lots of folks have commented on their experience with him. As expected, there is a mixture of good and bad comments. But I am excited about going to him.

Dr. Alvarez has a youtube video on this topic. He says as soon as you feel like it. Check it out.

Congrats on your happiness and thanks for sharing such a touching story.

When I look closely at your face, I can tell you are the same person, but wow, you certainly look different!

You will do brilliantly. Prayers are with you.

I agree with what other folks have said. I also would say, as someone who is revising from the lapband, that you should not base your decisions on that. There are lots of band complications and the sleeve seems to be much better technically and far more effective.

OK, I must admit that have an obsession. I am constantly playing with this body mass index visualizer. It approximates body shape based on gender, age, height and weight. I am constantly varying my weight to see how I will look. I am sorry if I cause someone to become newly addicted, but I had to share it! http://www.bmivisualizer.com/en/body_masses/get_data

You got this! You are gonna do splendidly!

I found that frustrating too.

JCool, I am not aware of any places in the U.S. that do it for that price. I think that is why so many people are going to Mexico. If you don't feel comfortable with Dr. Almanza, there are a number of other doctors in Mexico and their prices are roughly the same. You might check them out. But I think you will find that you won't have pre-op visits with any of them. You might want to visit your primary care physician to address any medical concerns that you have beforehand if you think that will give you comfort. I also encourage you to ask the coordinator in Dr. Almanza's lots of questions. I actually am going to Dr. Almanza and am totally comfortable with and confident in him and his practice. I know that there are a number of people here who have gone to him and can tell you about their experiences.

I agree with the folks who suggested you talk with someone else. This may be a wonderful doctor, but it is essential that you are with someone you trust and it sounds as though you are not in a good place with that. Some folks love the tough talk in doctors and counselors, etc. I don't. I want the information, but for me, presentation is important. Treat me like a partner in the process, not like you are doing me a favor. Congrats on taking the step. You will find someone you like. And you might still have to lose the weight beforehand, but perhaps you will be able to work with a doctor who provides strategies for doing so. All the best!

Iegal, I agree with you. I am not necessarily worried about negative comments or unsupportive folks. I simply don't wish for my health issues to be a topic of conversation. What people say when I am not around is up to them; I am sure some folks talk about me already. But just as I wouldn't be inclinded to talk about other medical procedures, neither am I inclined to do so with this. Might that change at some point? Perhaps. But until then, I am completly satisfied to tape my mouth shut (tee hee) as it relates to this.

I know that there are a few threads that deal with this, so you might try doing a search. I am scheduled for July 9 and also plan to tell very few people. I anticipate challenges in two areas. One is at work. We are a very small office and eat lunch together (in our conference room) most days. The other is with a group of people from church. We have brunch after church every week. It is a great time, but I truly don't want to have to field questions. I am pretty good at putting up a wall that lets folks know to back off, so I am sure the shield will be coming out.