Name: Cindy F.
Username: toetech
Location: Monterey Park, CA, USA
Member Since: 4/5/2007
BMI: 37.1
Post Op
Surgery Type: VSG (09/18/07)
Surgeon: Guillermo Alvarez M.D.

Photos

Mine (50)

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Day after surgery with Dr. Alvarez Uploaded on 4/14/08 10:28 pm	Dr. Alvarez's Reunion (6 months after Surgery Uploaded on 4/14/08 10:23 pm
Dr. Alvarez Reunion Uploaded on 3/31/08 11:31 pm	Dr Alvarez Reunion Uploaded on 3/31/08 11:31 pm
Dr. Alvarez Reunion Uploaded on 3/31/08 11:31 pm	Dr. Alvarez Reunion Uploaded on 3/31/08 11:31 pm

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Friends

Cindy F. has 109 Friends

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Goals

Reach my weight loss goal with the sleeve

Category: Health

1 Person

in progress,

0 People

achieved this

Get my approval for lap band surgery

Category: Other

2 People

in progress,

0 People

achieved this

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Surgeon Testimonial

Guillermo Alvarez M.D.
I had spent months trying to get approved for lapband surgery. Within that time I began to have serious doubts about whether lapband was my best choice. Then someone mentioned vertical gastric sleeve. I did research and through my research I learned about Dr. Alvarez. So I called and spoke to Susan his Coordinator. She was very helpful and nice and she put up with my nerves. And let me tell you I was nervous. I scheduled my surgery for September 18, 2007. I eargerly and nervously looked forward to my date. Could this really be the tool that would change my life forever?

My experience was a 10+. We met Dr Alvarez the morning of our surgery. I remembered being so nervous. But when I met Dr Alvarez he answered my questions and concerns and he calmed me down. He is an excellent surgeron. The care in the hospital was great. Dr. Alvarez was wonderful. Checking on me several times each day while at the hospital. Even checking on me before surgery. I can honestly say that I had no pain. Just a bit of discomfort. But no real pain.

As we were getting checked out of the hospital Dr. Alvarez gave us each a big hug wishing us sucess with our new tool. He sent instructions and medications for us to take with us. And he gives you a surgical report to take to your Doctor here in the states that describes exactly what he did in the surgery. And I can call or email Dr. Alvarez or Susan his Coordinator and they get back to you right away with any questions I may have.

It has been 1 month since my surgery. I am down 19 pounds. I have not been hungry. I LOVE MY SLEEVE.

So if you are thinking of having Vertical Gastric Sleeve and you are considering Dr. Alvarez, I would recommend that you do not hesitate. He and his staff are the best you could ask for. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!!!

Weight Loss Survey Responses

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Latest Surgery Support Comments

Comment by Darlene on 9/18/08 7:23 pm

Best wishes to you on your special day. Happy 1 year!!!

Comment by Kimberly Novak on 9/18/07 5:55 am

Wishing you all the best as you begin your life changing journey~~Kim

Comment by blessmysunnysoul on 9/17/07 8:10 pm

Go into surgery with your head held high and know that what you are doing is for your life and your health.....slow steady breaths....and the courage of a lionesseeeeee you will be perfect....and everything is going to go perfect. Blessings and wishes for your comfort and well being Love Noel

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Hello My name is Cindy. I am a Executive Assistant. I have been fat my entire life and I am sick of it. I want to join the LOSERS BENCH!!!

toetech's Blog

IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL YEAR
on September 19, 2008 8:13 am

IT IS TIME TO CELEBRATE Well this is the day. Wow just think one year ago today I was in Mexico at the hospital walking the halls (nervously) waiting for the results of my chest ex-ray and my blood test before surgery. Excited but at the same time scared half out of my mind. Thinking what am I doing!!!!! Have I lost my mind!! LOL

Well one year later I can say I DID NOT LOSE MY MIND. That decision to have surgery was the best decision I have ever made!!! I have no regrets. I Love my sleeve. It has changed my life. It has made the dream I have had since I was 8 years old come true. Being slim and liking myself again.

I have lost 75 pounds. I went from a size 20W to a 10. (something I never thought would happen) It still amazes me each and every day. I feel so much better!!!!! Not only physically but also emotionally. The horrible self hatred is gone!!!! No longer depressed and hopeless about being fat and not being able to loss weight. I have more energy, and a new zest for life. I am very thankful that I had surgery before I developed some of the problems associated with being fat.

I could go on and on about the benefits that this surgery has had in my life. They just seem endless!!! I am eternally thankful for my sleeve. Anyone thinking of surgery I say it is the best thing ever.

And I want to say thank you to all of you who so patiently helped me walk though each step in this process. You all mean more to me that you can imagine. Thanks for letting me take the ride of my life with you!!!!!!!!

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Testimony for Dr. Alvarez
on April 14, 2008 10:59 am

I did a testimonal for Dr. Alvarez on it is on utube is any are intereted in seeing me. It shows before and after. Here is the link. Hope it works. As if today I have lost 74 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yahoo!! Love my sleeve. I would truly recommend it to anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTRseCh8pCs

Hugs

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Today I am 6 months out from my surgery
on March 18, 2008 10:22 am

Well it has been 6 months since I went to Mexico to have my gastric sleeve with Dr. Alvarez. And what an exciting ride it has beenMy only one regret was that I could not have had this done years ago. my sleeve. Best decision I have ever made. I can honestly say it gave me my zest for life back. I am no longer controlled by what I am going to eat or how I was starving from what ever diet I was on at the time. I no longer hurt all over. It had gotten to the point with my bad back that each step I would take was agony. Now I can walk miles. And it does not hurt. I still have back problems (from a car accident) but they are managable now. Losing weight really does take the pressure off your spine.

My starting weight was 233. I am now 163.   So I have lost 70 pounds. I went from a size 20 to a size 12 or medium. I even wear stuff tucked in with a belt. LOL Something I thought I would never be able to do.   I am about 13 pounds from my goal. Can you believe it.  Sometimes I have trouble wrapping my head around it. But love it. But everyone says I look slim and fine now. But would like to make it to my goal.

I love that a few bites and I am stuffed. So when my head wants more I just can't. This is my answer to a prayer. I was not a horrible eater. Just had a huge capacity. This controls my capacity so I can lose the weight.

So anyone thinking of the sleeve. All I can tell you is that I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have followed the Dr.'s plan pretty closely and I do exercise about 5 times a week. But this sleeve does work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks you to all my sleeve buddies who walked me through each step. To Susan who got me off the ledge several times before surgery when I was scared. For my hero Dr. Alvarez who gave me my life back. And for all the encouragement and love on this board.

Hugs and kisses to you all!!!

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Onderland
on November 16, 2007 2:41 pm

I am now in Onderland. It is great to be here again. It has been so long since I have been here. I have lost 34 pounds since my surgery. Love my sleeve.

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Surgery Experience September 18
on October 12, 2007 11:44 am

As you know I went to Mexico with Dr Alvarez to have surgery. My experience was great. He is a very professional Dr and nice man. The hospital was clean and the care was great. I was very nervous but meeting Dr. Alvarez seemed to calm my nerves somewhat. Nurses were very attentive. I slept alot after surgery because of the pain meds they were giving me. But able to walk in the halls the following morning. Walked and slept and walked....Dr Alvarez checked on me several times while in the hospital Had surgery Tuesday 9/18. Stayed in the hospital till Thursday morning. Then we all met with Dr Alveraz and he gave us our meds and post op instructions. Along with paperwork to take to our PCP here in the states. Then Rosie drove us to San Antonio. We stopped half way to get water, and stretch. The drive was fine. Alittle sore but no pain. We got to the hotel in San Antonio about 2 pm. Checked in. Those who had surgery the same time as I did were tired so we all went to our rooms. I called my family and my cousin and got on the computer. I was tooking forward to going home the next day. I did walk around the hotel that night. Then I went to sleep. Sleep well. The next day we got the shuttle at the airport to head home. I was anxious to be home and see my family. My trip was fine.

So if anyone is thinking of Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Alvarez I say go for it. It is 3 weeks out and I have lost 15 pounds. I am so excited about that. !!!!! !!!!! Hope the loss continues. Just thought I would share

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