Dr. Alvarez

[ICandothis 108]

wow 17 days till my life changes crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StormWarning 194]

First what a supportive and loving man....second how was the Atkins shake hun??

I actually enjoyed the atkins shake. I only bought the chocolate as I am not very big on vanilla. I hear they have a strawberry one for Breakfast (and strawberry is right up my ally.) The shake was like a thick chocolate milk from the strores. It was a smooth taste-not chalky (other than the obvious lack of sugar taste that hits you) I had no burping, belching after effect like I had with the unjury Protein shake this morning. May be a difference in brands, or may be a difference in pre-made and make yourself. I have to say over all I enjoyed the atkins over the powdered Unjury. I also noticed that it had a good satiety for me and it stayed with me-still with me after almost 3 hours. By far is the best of my day. I also have Premier Protein (chocolate) that i have yet to try. Maybe in a few days.

Hope this helps.

[Mom_24 72]

I actually enjoyed the Atkins shake. I only bought the chocolate as I am not very big on vanilla. I hear they have a strawberry one for breakfast (and strawberry is right up my ally.) The shake was like a thick chocolate milk from the strores. It was a smooth taste-not chalky (other than the obvious lack of sugar taste that hits you) I had no burping, belching after effect like I had with the unjury Protein shake this morning. May be a difference in brands, or may be a difference in pre-made and make yourself. I have to say over all I enjoyed the atkins over the powdered Unjury. I also noticed that it had a good satiety for me and it stayed with me-still with me after almost 3 hours. By far is the best of my day. I also have Premier Protein (chocolate) that i have yet to try. Maybe in a few days.

Hope this helps.

I love the Atkins shakes. Besides the chocolate, I enjoy the wild berry. They also have a strawberry-banana that is pretty good to my taste, and a mocha coffee flavored one of which I can't remember the exact name. I find them at my local HEB/Central Market grocery store, and some Wal Marts carry the different flavors I mentioned. I also really like the Slim Fast Low Carb RTDs in chocolate. I just recently got some Jay Robb's powdered in chocolate and in tropical dreamsicle flavors. They are sweetened with stevia, and taste really good to me. I also found those at HEB. If you are coming from somewhere other than Texas, where there is no HEB, then when you are in San Antonio, or maybe even Eagle Pass, you could visit an HEB and pick some up, if Rosie is willing to do a stop, or perhaps take a cab from your hotel. I don't know what the guidelines are on stops with Rosie.

Getting very excited!!! I too am going to start my liquid diet early. Just haven't decided exactly how early. I think I will do the full-on liquid only for two weeks (vs. the required 10 days). In the meantime, I am working toward replacing some of my meals with full liquids.< /p>

Though I would have like to have the surgery done and over with, I am actually grateful to have had some time to process and mentally prepare for this life-altering decision. Originally, I was to have surgery here in Houston on July 12 (last Thursday), but I feel so much better about my decision to go to Dr. Alvarez, and I believe it will be worth the wait.

Blessings all!

[allnewme 262]

Today I had my morning coffee, then I had a cup of creamy chicken Soup at lunchtime (the powder packet that you mix with water). I had some Propel Water throughout the day. I did really well until dinnertime and I could feel my blood sugar about to crash so I made myself scrambled eggs. No cheese or bacon, just eggs. I figured that I had very few calories today so some Protein was most needed. I feel much better now. Hubby and I went out to the store and got some SF Popsicles. I am hoping that my blood sugar stays stable when I am on all liquids. I plan to have some small containers of juice with sugar on hand in case that happens again.

I will try to find some Atkins shakes, I think they carry them at my local grocery store.

[SouthernDonna45 14]

You have all made a great decision going with Dr. Alvarez! I was sleeved by him on June 1st and let me tell you, no regrets!!! I've lost over 40 pounds so far and 25 inches total! It hasn't been difficult for me except for giving up Dr. Pepper. I know they said I could have it if I let it go flat first but who wants a flat Dr. Pepper? The only trouble I have after being sleeved is remembering to eat. I'm simply never hungry anymore... at all. I have to watch the clock sometimes to remember to get something in at certain times.. also have a little trouble eating enough Protein. Cant hold it. I don't really like any of the protien shakes at all or the powders... however, I make myself drink a Muscle Milk shake every morning. Anyway, the experience in Eagle Pass and Mexico was surreal... enjoyed it very much and Dr. Alvarez is absolutely wonderful. Wasn't sick, didn't feel much pain from incisions, nothing. I was up walking a few hours after surgery and it felt GREAT to just get up and walk up and down that hall!!! I had a great experience and I know y'all will too. Good luck to everybody!!!

[Smiley79 13]

I am considering Dr. Alvarez. Can anyone tell me his pre-op and post-op diets?

[TheNewSusie 471]

He truly is amazing! And btw there is an HEB maybe a mile from the hotel, I'm sure Rosie won't mind stopping by there for u. Great experience and best decision ever! I'm down 20 pounds since my preop and couldn't have done it on my own! And he always responds to questions and emails as soon as he can.

[SouthernDonna45 14]

Pre op diet is full liquids such as broths, cream Soups with no chunks, popsicles, Jello, etc. Post op first week is Clear Liquids such as broths, Water, popsicles, juices, etc. Dr. Alvarez says you should have some sugary drinks like juice that first week because your body needs it. There is a list his office will send you for both pre op and post op. His web site might contain these things if you go to endobariatric.com Hope this helps! Good luck!

[Smiley79 13]

Thanks for all of the great information and for sharing your stories!! I LOVE reading all the updates!!

[Smiley79 13]

Pre op diet is full liquids such as broths, cream Soups with no chunks, popsicles, Jello, etc. Post op first week is clear liquids such as broths, Water, popsicles, juices, etc. Dr. Alvarez says you should have some sugary drinks like juice that first week because your body needs it. There is a list his office will send you for both pre op and post op. His web site might contain these things if you go to Endobariatric.com Hope this helps! Good luck!

Is the pre-op 10 days?

[StormWarning 194]

The pre-op depends on your weight, and your bmi. My bmi said i needed a one week liquid diet, but I am over 300lbs which would require a 3 week diet, but i'm guessing since my bmi was lower than expected I only having to do a two week diet. Again all up to the doctor.

Here is the description from his book:

The length of the diet is determined by the surgeon and may differ from one patient to another. In our practice, we determine the length of the diet by the patients body mass index (BMI) or weight.

Patients who have a bmi lower than 37 are not required to do a liquid diet prior to surgery because they are less likely to have an enlarged fatty liver.

Patients who have a bmi from 37-42 are required to do a preoperative diet for 1 week prior to surgery.

Patients with a bmi between 42-47 do a 10 day liquid diet and patients who have a bmi higher than 47 are required to diet for 14 days prior to surgery.

Patients who are over 300 lbs are required to diet for 3 weeks and more than 400 lbs for 4 weeks etc.

These are only some guidelines we use in our practice, but the recommendation from surgeon to surgeon and case to case do vary,

Page 23-24 in Dr. Alvarez book.

[Smiley79 13]

The pre-op depends on your weight, and your bmi. My bmi said i needed a one week liquid diet, but I am over 300lbs which would require a 3 week diet, but i'm guessing since my bmi was lower than expected I only having to do a two week diet. Again all up to the doctor.

Here is the description from his book:

The length of the diet is determined by the surgeon and may differ from one patient to another. In our practice, we determine the length of the diet by the patients body mass index (BMI) or weight.

Patients who have a bmi lower than 37 are not required to do a liquid diet prior to surgery because they are less likely to have an enlarged fatty liver.

Patients who have a bmi from 37-42 are required to do a preoperative diet for 1 week prior to surgery.

Patients with a bmi between 42-47 do a 10 day liquid diet and patients who have a bmi higher than 47 are required to diet for 14 days prior to surgery.

Patients who are over 300 lbs are required to diet for 3 weeks and more than 400 lbs for 4 weeks etc.

These are only some guidelines we use in our practice, but the recommendation from surgeon to surgeon and case to case do vary,

Page 23-24 in Dr. Alvarez book.

Thanks you StormWarning!

[@DomLorenVSG 107]

August 17th... And my name is Dom! I'm swamped with work and a lot of other stuff but i get home and all I can do is read threads and dream of the not so distant future! I can't sleep and it's all I think about when I get down time. Tick tock on the clock, huuurrryyyy up calendar!

[Silly Phylly 20]

Ok Auburn girl you need to join our Alabama and Mississippi group! There is only a few of us, but we need an Auburn fan in the bunch! You know we got to have some fun along with all this! See you are headed to Alvarez! He is my plan B if insurance does not pan out. I am going to B'ham to Dr. Miles right now. Congrats on your August date! I don't expect to know anything for 6 months as I am a BCBS of AL patient. Such a bummer! I will have to do the 6th month diet to satisfy BCBS requirements. Ughhh!

[@DomLorenVSG 107]

I have BCBS and VA coverage- NEITHER of them would approve my surgery because of my BMI only being 31. I'm actually in great shape, and an athlete but my weight has always been on the obese side, and now I have so many complicating factors it's gotten ridiculous. I've been on insulin meds, hormone meds, stomach ulcer meds, etc. I also have Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome which causes huge amount of weight gain and stomach issues at various points in the month. Every doctor I've consulted with have said this surgery will fix 99% of my problems, but NO insurance will cover this surgery because I'm not Morbidly Obese- so if I gained 30 more lbs and became full blown diabetic then they would pay... my logic is- why wait and torture my body, fix it now by a reputable doctor and save the last year of my 20's as not being miserably over weight. And maybe, just maybe I can get into the athletic shape of my life again and actually play my club sport like I use to 10 years ago minus all this extra baggage. :/

And yes, I'd love to be in the Alabama group- and of course and War Eagle!