buhlgal

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Many of you, my friends, have been after me to update my profile, so here you finally have it.

I am 10 months out now and not one regret to be had.

I have lost way more inches than weight, how that happens, I can't answer the medical side of that question, but I am living proof it does happen.

I was a size 16 working my way out of that size when I opted for this surgery and now I am in a size 10 and can fit some 9's.  My total weight loss has been 43 lbs to date.  I went into this surgery having had many conversations with Dr. Alvarez about how fast I will loose and what to expect, so the slow weight loss is no surprise.  Having said that, at times I feel frustrated cause I expected to be at my weight goal by now, almost a year out but I am healthy and happy with my weight loss because I couldn't do it on my own before surgery.

Trying to drop the last 20 lbs seems to go on forever, but I also know it is all in the food choices I make.  In some ways, it is too easy to "snack" more than it is to "eat right", for the lazy type people who don't cook homemade too often, like me. lol (laugh out loud)  I try and when I have decided that high calorie foods and sweets are not a part of my life except in rare occassions, only then will I be successful and hit my goal.

This is true for anyone, who has any bariatric surgery.  You really have to be committed from start to finish, I don't mind that it is taking me longer, then I don't have much flabby'ness and I am a happier person, not being stressed about it and getting it off immediately.  

I can really see now, being 10 months out, that if I don't keep on top of what I eat, I could go right back to where I came from, not from a stretched stomach, but from making bad choices in the foods I eat and eating several times a day.  Even when I feel like I have been "bad" my weight still seems to maintain pretty close to the lowest weight.  I don't have to work too hard to loose, I just have to make better choices, that is really the secret, and I think that all of you out there who have been months down the road can honestly say the same thing.

The VSG is an amazing surgery and a great tool for obesity.  It is rated right now as the #1 top rated and chosen bariatric surgery  and if you talk to many of the bariatric centers you will hear the same thing.  I am amazed it has taken off and has remained in the top for some time now as the most chosen bariatric surgery today.

I love being told how nice I look now, it really does wonders for my self image and it is so fun to go shopping now and buy low riser jeans and all the style'ish clothing out there.

Im sorry it has taken me so long to update, I am terrible about those kinds of things, cause I love to see the updates of all of you out there too, soon i will add more pictures as well.  I don't get in front of the camera very often, I'm the photographer and not the subject most the time. lol

I feel great being out almost 3 weeks.  have lost 15 lbs so far and just knowing I will never see those numbers again on my scales makes me happy.

Food isn't so much an issue, trying to get in my 40 gr of protein is a little challenging at times, but I manage.

I am focused on eating healthy now and don't find it too hard to manage that.  I've learned a lot in the past 15 years about healthy eating.  I always have tried eating healthy, my overweight was due to eating too much of the good things.

I love Dr. Alvarez, he is always there for me if I have any concerns or questions.  We could all learn from this man, his compassion for others is outstanding.

I have not had time until now to post, so forgive me for taking a while.  I know many of you have been waiting to hear my story, so here you go.

I will start from the moment I met Rosie.  Rosie is Dr. Alvarez's driver who picks the patient up at the airport and drives them to the hospital.  

Our flight getting into San Antonio was one hour late.  I called Rosie to tell her we had a layover and would be a 1/2 hour late so she wouldn't have to wait around and wonder.  Once we got on the plane, all cell phones and electronic devices had to be turned off.  We waited on the plane for another 1/2 hour before we could take off.  Because I couldn't use the cell phone, I couldn't call her to tell her it would be another 1/2 hour before we would arive.  I felt so bad because I couldn't call her.  She had been standing at least an hour waiting for us.  When I saw her with my name on her board, she had a smile on her face, like it was no big deal.  I am sure she must go through this with many people.  She understands the airline is to blame and not the patient.  She is the sweetest lil' gal you would ever want to meet.  She likes to talk and so do I, so we kept my husband and son entertained for the two hour drive to Eagle Pass, Texas.

She took us to the Holiday Inn at Eagle Pass and checked us in.  She made sure we are not in need of anything before she left and told us she would meet us at 6:15 am.  She was on time and took us across the Mexico border, through customs, and on to the hospital.  Dr. Alvarez met us in a 3 piece suit and a smile on his face as we came in the door.  He came up and hugged me like he'd known me for years.  I instantly felt a bond with him, like he was my closest of kin.  He shook hands with my husband and huged our son.

He then took us to a room and began to explain what was going to happen and when he would be in to prepare me for surgery.  He told me to stay in my comfortable cloths until just before they came to get me.  He said I would feel more comfortable that way.  Wow, that was awesome.  I hate hospital gowns.  

Dr. Alvarez gave me a great surprise as I waited.  He brought Helena by for a visit.  She was returning home with her mom that afternoon.  We had a great visit.  It is so good to put a face to a name.  We shared stories, took pictures, and hugged good bye.  

True to his word, I was told to change and in five minutes a nurse was back to put me on a gourney.

So, I was off to the OR.  I was not really nervous.  I was excited that this was it and my long time decision to do this would be completed in an hour or less.  Of course, I like to talk and that is what I did.  I talked with Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rodriguez the entire time.  Right up to the time the oxygen was put over my nose.  It was fun meeting the team in there, I felt safe and secure in their hands.

I woke up to the pesky oxygen mask on my face and took it off, only to see Dr. Alvarez standing over me.  He smiled and told me "Well, you have your banana!"  I did a thumbs up at him and he told me to rest and he would be back in to check on me.

I don't know how much time passed before I was really awake and responsive but I felt no pain.  I expressed my concern about receiving unneccessary pain medication to Dr. Alvarez and told him that I would like to control the amount of medication I was to receive.  He told me that he would like to have the medications given on a regular basis during the first twenty four hours and after that I could determine how much medication I would need.  There was really no chance of pain really at all.  Those nurses came like clock work and gave me pain meds before the next pang hit me.  I was very happy to have the pain meds.  

Early on Friday morning, about 1 a.m., the water quit running.  The entire hospital was without running water.  Dr. Alvarez joked about possibly forgetting to pay the water bill.  We all laughed at that.  Then he told us that he would find out what the problem was.  As we later found out, a ten block radius was without water because of a broken water main.  Nothing to worry about at the hospital though.  The OR has a back-up water system and the nurses had plenty of bottled water for the patients.  The hospital only uses purified bottled water for drinking anyway.  The water didn't come back on until 14 hours later.  That got a little uncomfortable because we couldn't use the restroom like we wanted to.  And just when we thought we can't stand it any more, the faucets started to drizzle and finally came back on.  Through this entire time, Dr. Alvarez would periodically come in with a smile and tell us he was still trying to figure out why there is no water.

Dr. Alvarez had reserved a hotel room for my son and husband but my dear wonderful husband chose to stay with me for the night and I was so thankful he did.  I had to get up so much during the night and I couldn't sit up on my own.  So every time I woke and needed to visit the restroom, he was there to give me a hand.  My son slept through it all: through the bright lights coming on every few hours so the nurses could give me my pain meds and check my BP.  But please don't feel that you would be alone if your spouse couldn't be there to help.  The dear nurses were very prompt when I needed something when they were buzzed.

If you bring a support person with you, they can stay right in your room with you.  Our room came with a hide-a-bed sofa where my husband and son slept.  There was a color TV connected to cable with a wide variety of channels to watch.  The clinic even has a wireless internet connection.  So if you have a laptop computer you can connect to the internet.  I didn't have one so I can't comment on the connection speed, but at least they have the capability.  I thought that was great.  Dr. Alvarez provides his patients with a cordless phone with unlimited long distance at no extra charge.  It was great to be able to keep in touch with family and friends during our stay.  There was a shower in our room so my husband and son could shower.  The nurses provided all linens and towels.  There is a small cafe in the lobby of the clinic where my husband could purchase snacks and drinks while they were there.  There are several restaurants across the street from the clinic.  Dr. Alvarez and Rosie recommended a wonderful restaurant called La Casita which was located just across the street.  They serve breakfast. lunch, and dinner.  My family ate there several times.  There are other restaurants close by also, even a chinese one.

The day of my surgery was very uneventful for me.  I mostly slept.  The nurses came by regularly to give me my medications and check on me.  Dr. Alvarez stopped by between surgeries also.

The second day was better.  I was awake more and didn't need as many pain medications.  Dr. Alvarez stopped by early and encouraged me to get up and walk whenever possible.  I did so right away but tired easily.  As the day wore on, I walked more and more.  I got to know the hallway very well.  Dr. Alvarez stressed the importance of walking as it helps get rid of the gasses in your body after surgery and helps free up your intestines.  Rosie stopped by later that evening also to see how we were doing.  She was so nice.  She wanted to make sure my husband and son were doing ok also.  Dr. Alvarez stopped by to ask again if my husband and son wanted a room for the night, he is so thoughtful, but they stayed with me the second day as well, what a couple troopers they were.

The next morning Dr. Alvarez came by my room to dismiss me.  He sat and explained how I was to use the medications and to use them all until they were gone.  No need to be in pain, he says.  We talked and laughed a little then Rosie showed up.  We all said our goodbyes, gave hugs and were on our way.  It was a wonderful experience for me, I left with a smile on my face and decided in my mind at that point, I was going to find a way to be in touch wih this awesome Dr. Alvarez, weither it be working for him in some way or finding my way back down there for any reason at all just to stay in touch.  Maybe I will finally brush back up on my spanish and go down there to thank the nurses in person for their part they played in my recovery.  I did have Rosie translate for me to all of them, what a wonderful staff they all are and thanked them so much for all their help and kindness they gave me during my stay.

Now that I got to the bottom of my blog I remember a few things I wantd to say that made me laugh and I forgot to mention I met one other person who I've talked to on the forum.   

These nurses stick so close to their protocol that one morning at 3:30, one of them comes in to change my bed and gown.  It made me laugh so hard afterwards, cause they have their routine and that is that.  She had me roll over on one side, she stripped it, put the new linen on, had me roll over on the fresh made side and she made that side, then she helped change my gown.  When the bed was made you could bounce a quarter on it, that is how efficient they are.  I was amazed and I was in the bed the entire time.  I really could have done without a 3:30 a.m. wake up call, but it's okay, I roll with the punches and not much bothers me.

The day I got there I also was able to meet Misty, I had talked with her a few times as well on the forum.  She had the lapband and was heading home that day.  She told me her husband was going to be back to do the lapband as well. 

My personal experience going to Mexico was absolutely wonerful!

I have been offically scheduled for surgery on March 16th, 2007.  Dr. Alvarez will be doing my surgery at Piedras Negras, MX.  I have 27 days left before I fly down to San Antonio, TX.

I am now 8 days post-op and feeling wonderful.  I have to say though, I was about ready to die on that clear liquid phase.  I emailed Dr. Alvarez and said doc, please tell me I can have something other than clear liquids.  If I would have read his email and he would have said one more week, even one more day, I surley would have fell to the floor right where I stood and cried like a baby throwing a tantrum.  I just could not have imagined on more day on a clear liquid.  But he came through for me, I am sure he realizes how hard it is for us, and told me YES, go on with yogurts, boost protein shakes, pureed soups and it was the most wonderful words he could have told me yesterday.  

You can't imagine the excitement I felt when I measured carefully out my 4 little ounces of soup from the can and pureed it, then warmed it up.  It was like the best food I'de had in a "coons" age.  Isn't it funny how we can be so excited about such little things?  Some may read our forum and think, we've all gone nuts..hahaha