SlimMissy

I made the trip alone and it wasn't so bad. The driver was very friendly and once I got to memorize the doctor's names, I flowed really well with them. You won't be able to help it, they were all really cool! If you are having Dr Rodriguez, you are in for a treat. He will make you feel like a celebrity, period! You might want to bring a packet of Gas X strips with you, it really helped with the gas pains (it was similar to the feelings you get when you are constipated). Plus a pack of breathable band-aid, cotton puffs (say 3 or 4 puffs), your travel size toiletries of course (even though the hospial provided lotion and shampoo, I don't play with my Dove, so I went to Wal-Mart and got me some 3oz sizes), I also brought some Crystal Light pouches with me. They cleared me for ice chips on Friday by 12am so I just added a little to my ice to make some Slushees, you know, something different from the water, jello and teas they give you at the hospital. In the evenings, I requested for chicken broth because I wanted to go to bed with something warm in my brand new stomach........! They will give you some terry slippers, clean towels, kleenex, shampoo, lotion, bottled water,etc (of course, this hospital got my 5 satrs) so you dont need any, but you might want to bring some comfy slip-ons for those walks around the hall ways. The doctor told me my stomach size is a 32 bougie (whatever that was) but he also explained that its abt 250mls and that is the smallest size so I guess I got the best. I took a shower the very next morning with my back to the shower to avoid any oversoaking on my incision areas and they will give you pain meds so it wont hurt to was your feet. I'm at the airport (El Paso) no waiting on my flight back home to Houston and my summary of the whole experience is, why did I ever wait so long to make this decision?

Ok. I am back in TX. Just crossed the Mexican border to El-Paso about 20mins ago and please do not belive all the horror stories. All you need is your passport or a valid photo ID. I was able to roll my hand luggage with my laptop attached to the check-in gate without any hassles. Now am waiting for my flight and sipping my Apple Juice I've been taught how to change my dressing and I did that this morning before leaving the hospital. All it involved was a breathable band-aid, an antibiotic ointment, a new washcloth/cotton puff, and my germ x ( although the doctors said anti bacterial soap but didn't have that so I made do with the hand sanitizer). I have three small incisions (abt the size of pen tip, which I had been told I dont have to change until they fall off by themselves because they'd been glued shut.....relief!!!!!), the fourth one was the one with the catether drain and they took the drain out yesterday so they can show me how to clean and put a band aid on it by myself, that one is about the size of an erazer at the bottom of a pencil and its not deep at all. You have two choices here, stay overweight and stand the chance of living an unhealthy life or go for the surgery and live a healthier life. I belive that we'll all die one day but I'll be damned (excuse my French) if I have to die due to some preventable health issues or something remotely connected to beign morbidly obese. I've got only one life and I'm going to live it to the fullest. Good Luck.

You are going to be just fine, Theresa. I just had mine on Thursday 1st of July and right now am at the airport on my way back home, sipping a Minute Maid Apple Juice and relaxed like I didn't just had a major surgery 3days ago. Its that tolerable! I was out on the hospital room patio listening to music from my laptop and dancing the very next day! I must admit I was scared at first, mainly because of the state of things in Mexico, but once the driver picked me up from the airport and he answered all my questions, I felt right at home. You can go ahead andf ask me any questions you may have, but I can assure you, it will be over before you know it.

Hi, I just had mine done yesterday 07/01/2010 by Dr Rodriguez Jose and what can I say....the hospital is straight out of a magazine, the staff are so professional and couteous, the facility is ultra modern, everything is all inclusive (laboratory, radiology,etc) plus it is the approved medical facility for the American Consulate which is about a stone throw from the hospital.....so no violence here! I will be here till Sunday before leaving for Houston,TX. I can't belive its my 2nd day out and I'm here lounging on the patio with a cup of ice chips chatting on the internet with my husband, took my own shower by myself, listened to some music earlier and actually tried a FEW DANCE STEPS...LOL.......:lol0: After the initial gas pains immediately after surgery, its not so bad. I mean the pain is absolutely bearable. Believe me, I've done C-Section and that.....is painful!:mad0: I am also connected free on Wi-Fi so I dont have to worry abt verizon sending me a humongous bill when I get home....lol Now all I have to worry about is how cute I going to start looking in my pre-pregnancy clothes all the way down to a 10.....Yaaaaayyy!:mad0:

I just got sleeved in Juarez Mexico by Dr Rodriguez yesterday July 1st and I am loving it. Haven't eaten or drank anyhting since Wednesday nite and I dont even feel hungry. He explained that my stoma size is now 250mls and I dont have any problems with that. The entire staff here at Star Medica are so nice and couteous I can;t ask for a better reception. I'll be here till Sunday before I go back home. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask. I know many people are worried about the pain, belive me it's tolerable plus they will give you medication for that. If you have a laptop that is Wi-Fi enabled, you may bring it with you to kill the boredom as half the staff don't speak English. I can't say anything about insurace because I am paying out of pocket. Weight loss surgery or any treatment associated with weight loss is an exclusion to my policy. Make up your mind and start a new life. Good Luck:thumbup:

Do u have any idea what your pouch/stomach size is? I placed myself on a low carb high protein diet in order to get used to my pre-op diet starting 06/20 and I already lost 7lbs. First time I'll loose so much weight in all of my adult yrs without any execise,diet,pills. I have a good feeling abt this already.....of course there'll be bad days, but I'll look at my fat pictures to help me get over it. Someone suggested resistance bands training exercises for the biceps/triceps. I'm thinking of trying it. Its cheap, low impact and u can use it anywhere. Will keep u posted on my progress.

No I havent. My surgery had been scheduled for July 1st, in abt 2 weeks plus. Dont know abt the Supersleeve but I'll appreciate a 3-4oz pouch.

Hi Stcyt, a. walker... I am scheduled to be sleeved by Dr Rod July 1st and I've been walking on air ever since I got confirmed. Even though I had done a little research on my own, plus a thorough inquiry session through my Pt facilitator (Joyce/Belite),coming here had always been a delight. Real people, real experiences! :scared0: Now I know I have to have at least 80-100 bucks in fives, tens and singles for either tips or purchases. I was thinking of bringing my laptop with me so I can stay connected with the rest of the world but my service provider promised to charge me EXTRA for any browsing or calls outside the borders, so maybe I'll just buy a calling card and leave my laptop at hm. Okay, quick question Stcyt, I am kinda worried about loose skin and flab. How have you been coping with that (if u have any). I had a C-section done in 2008 and as I loose the baby weight, I have started experiencing a lot of jiggles around my tummy area (not pretty at all)...any advice? Hugh! if I can just squeeze myself into a 10, I'm good.:thumbup:

Your diet sounds just like my post-op diet requirements. I guess it varies by surgeon like you said. My concern is how to keep my carb intake at 40grms/day for my pre-op, how do you measure carbs in food like banana,apples, boiled eggs, etc ? I can live on bananas for the whole 2 weeks but how will I be certain I'm not cheating?

I'm scheduled to b sleeved by Dr Jose Rodriguez at the Star Medica in Juarez on July 1st. I did all my research and background check and he seems like a good doctor with a lot of experience. My patient facilitator at Beliteweight is Joyce and she was a patient herself. It sure makes one feel better to have some information about the surgeon, even though I havent spoken to him personally, I feel better each time I email my questions (dr's bio, travel safety, flight info, financing, diet, hospital hygiene, staff friendliness, etc) to Joyce and she calls me back with some more info. She even gave me a list of Dr Rod's Sleeve and Band patients with their emails and after emailing a couple of them with my inquiries, I felt readier than ever. Juarez via El Paso is my preferred location since I live in Houston,TX and I was made to understand that the hospital is about 10-15 mins drive across Mexican border from El Paso airport, plus a driver will be there to take me straight to the doctor's office once I get to the airport. Good luck on the 29th VaMom, I belive you have taken the most important step and that is making the decision to go for it.

Uh, I'm a little confused here. I'm new to the site and scheduled for July 1st. I know that I am required to go on a low carb 2weeks diet pre-op and high protein clear liquid diet post op for the same duration. Are you guys talking about post or pre-op diet? By the way, it's great to be here. I've never felt more at home with people I haven't even met before.