Suzannesh

I have a list of items that I took. I share it all the time. I went to Dr. Aceves in Maxicali, and I wll post it. It may be different depending on where you are having your surgery. I hope it helps. Here is the list of things I took when I went to Mexicali to have surgery with Dr. Aceves. 1. Gas-X because you will have gas after the surgery and they don't have Gas-X in Mexico. They (the nurses and doctors) will ask you are you passing gas? It is nice to have this on the plane ride home too after the surgery. I bought a box (of 36 tabs) of Gas-X (thin strips) that you just put the strip in your mouth. It tastes good and it is easy to take--no Water required—nothing difficult to swallow either. 2. A comfortable bra & panties--nothing very tight (cotton is nice—what ever you like to wear) to wear home on the plane or if you want to wear these items in the hospital. Everyone was pretty relaxed with what they slept in or wore around the hospital. I didn't bring a robe at all--Just T-shirts and comfortable pants. Maybe a sweatshirt because the air conditioner makes it cool sometimes and then there are times when the air conditioner isn’t working that well. Bring some extra T-shirts in case you spill on yourself. My IV came out and I got blood on one of my T-shirts. I just washed it out in the sink and hung it up in the shower to dry. 3. Drawstring pants or pants with elastic waist—nothing tight around the middle section. I had some Nike walking pants and they were very comfortable—or short, or pants you would wear to relax in. I also had some that I wore to sleep in, walk around the hospital in and wore them home on the plane too (a pair for each day you are going to be away from home). Sweatpants work great too. I was there in Oct and so the air conditioning was going and sometimes it was cool at night when I was sleeping--so I brought some warm socks along too. But in some rooms the air conditioning wasn't working so well in their rooms and they were warmer than some of us were. If it is too warm or too cold tell one of the nurses they will help you with anything you need. They are excellent when you need something—don’t be afraid to ask. 4. A heating pad--I was so glad I had mine (someone had suggested I bring one) because it felt good on my stomach area. When my feet were cold at night I used my heating pad on my feet. Also when I was there with a friend for her surgery in April 2009 I found out at the nurse’s stations they also had heating pads—so if you don’t want to bring your own use theirs. 5. Some kind of slip on shoe for the plane ride home and something to wear in the hospital (I had some flip flops for the hospital and some clogs for the plane ride home. Flip flops didn't take up a lot of room in your suitcase. I also carried on the plane my tote bag carrying some things like, meds, change of underwear—in case my suitcase got lost, a snack so I could eat something after the tests that first day you arrive—because they will tell you not to eat a few hours before you get to Mexicali because of the tests you are going to be having upon arrival at the hospital in Mexicali. Sometimes you have to wait for everyone to have their test before they take you to the hotel and your are soooooooo hungry because you haven’t eaten anything all day long because most of us are flying into San Diego, so bring a snack that you can eat after your tests while waiting to go to the hotel. I brought along some packages of trail mix—bring what you like. 6. Only one (1) small or medium sized suitcase with wheels is really great because you will have to deal with your own suitcase at the airport (coming and going). I also brought along my laptop computer so I could stay in touch with my friends and family—I carried that on the plane too—don’t put it in a suitcase—too much stuff has been stolen out of suitcases. 7. Please be aware if you use your cell phone in Mexicali they will charge you roaming fees to CALL OUT. For me if people called me from the US to Mexicali and they were calling my Cell Phone there were NO ROAMING charges because they called me from the US. Most all cell phones work in Mexicali; I think they said Cricket was the only Carrier that they had problems with. I didn't have anyone come with me for the surgery, and they were so nice as to call someone (in the US) for me after surgery and let them know that I was doing great. I brought my own favorite small pillow with me (almost sofa size). It was nice to have it while I was in the hospital and on the plane ride home. 9. As far as money someone suggested I bring about $45.00 to $50.00 in one's so that I could have them for tipping—they all accept US money in Mexicali. I tipped Van driver $25.00 who picks you up and takes you to the hospital, takes you to the hotel, takes you back the hospital for surgery and then back to the San Diego airport. He takes such good care of everyone and I tipped him at the end when he took me back to the airport to go home. I also tipped the hotel guys for taking my bag to my room, and when I had dinner that night at the hotel. I would also bring along a small gift for 4 or 5 nurses or give them a little cash—I understand they really don’t make a lot of money and they might appreciate the cash as a gift. I would suggest that you take enough money or Credit Card or Debit card to purchase the medication that you will need after the surgery. There is a pharmacy about 1/4 block from the hotel--anyone at the hospital will tell you where it is—it is a easy walk. The Nexium that Dr. Aceves suggests you take after surgery for acid reflux for about 3 months cost a lot less —don’t forget they will negotiate over the price of medication in Mexico –even when it is at a pharmacy-they will give a price and then ask them “if I buy 4 boxes will you sell it to me for—ask for a lower price. This medication costs a lot less in Mexicali than in the US—so don’t forget to buy it while you are there. I also bought Prilosec because some people had told me that Nexium did work for them—as it turned out I was one of those people that Nexium didn’t work that well on and so I was glad that I purchased Prilosec. 10. Do not take any jewelry with you or wear any. All I took was my watch. Leave ALL other jewelry at home. 11. Be prepared if the Van driver may be late sometimes picking you up--find a place to sit down in the baggage area where they said he would pick you up. Make sure you can see people walking in that area and he will come walking down through there with your name on a sign holding it up. He will have you back at the airport on your return trip home in plenty of time to catch your plane ride home. 12. Bring a camera along to take some pictures of yourself in the “before stage” and maybe a group picture of the other people who are going to have the surgery the same day you do. I have kept in contact with them. You will be so glad you have done this. Take lots of pictures. People really do enjoy seeing the pictures if they are considering doing this surgery. 13. Don’t forget the personal things like toothbrush, shampoo, soap that you may want to use in the shower, a razor, cream rinse for you hair—maybe a hair curler and hair dryer if you want I don’t know if you want to bring make-up—I did, because I wanted to look ok going home on the plane. Yes, we used their water to take a shower—it is ok for showers… they do give you bottled water to drink. 14. I brought along a book I wanted to read along with my Ipod, so I could listen to my own music. You may or may not get a lot of reading done because you might want to take some nice naps too. Getting up and walking around is good for you and it makes you feel a lot better too. 15. Bring along some chap stick for your lips—they dry out and it is good to have something to put on your lips. If anyone else can add anything please jump in here and help me out! I know you are worried about a few small things and I can tell you not to worry because we all have been where you are. Just keep posting to the web site-- anything you want to say or ask. We all understand and have been where you are right now. I wish you GREAT success and it will be a life changing event and in about 2 months you will be saying the same thing too. Also Linda adds that when they make you drink the vile stuff to make sure your new stomach has no leaks don’t for get to ask for chips of ice. It numbs your taste buds because they are so cold and you can drink their YUCK stuff. She did it and it worked great for her. I didn’t know about it and I wished I would have. I think they do this on the 3 day before you go home. Suzanne This is what someone else added to what I put on my list--you never can have too much help or information I wore and underwire.....so I didn't get that message! I also brought a robe...for sure and maybe flip flops or slippers for doing lots of walking after the surgery. They give you those hospital gowns, but the day after the surgery, I was in my own pjs that were button down the front and elastic band capris...something easy to slip in and out of. Suzanne says-- I put my on PJ’5 on after the surgery when I got up to go to the bathroom. I would definitely take a comfy pillow for on the plane ride too. Just don't over pack! You will need very few things....one outfit for the day you arrive and one for when you leave and just the PJ’s for comfort. You may need to have something on the plane ride....maybe some tea from Starbucks or get some hot water and add some chicken broth to the hot water--(take Chicken broth packets from Top Ramen Noodles works great for the Chicken broth. You most likely won't be hungry at all....but just in case......a clear broth with water works. I realized that most of the stuff that I brought, I didn't even need.....so pack light! You will mostly be walking the halls of the hospital! The best of luck to you! You will do great!

Hi, Like you and Oregon Daisy, I have been around on these boards since 2008. So I try to post as much as I can support and help people. Not everyone does that and they take things in such a wrong way and just don't want to let go of it. Thanks for your remarks, I have enjoyed them Hugs and take care, Suzanne

Hi, Thank you so very much for posting this. Sometimes people get a little carried away. I refuse to keep things going. Take care, nice to see you posting and watching these things! Suzanne

Hi, I think having the sleeve was the very best thing I have ever done for myself. Food seems to be what I went to when things were good or bad. Like you I gained weight with y first child and I was 27 when I had mine. Now I now longer make food my main thought. I no longer let the food control me. I am in control of the food. I no long live to eat. I now eat to live and be healthy. You have to know that this is NO miracle cure. It does requires work and effort on your part and some exercise too. We have all been on the roller coaster of lose the weight gain the weight back. I must have joined Weight Watcher 20 times and got frustrated just like you. I believe that it works for some, but I have watched so many of them regain it too. You have to be willing to make a lifestyle change. It isn't about being on a diet, but changing forever how you are going to eat. This is the first time in my life that I have maintained my 105 pound weight loss for 4 years now. And it is something that I know I can do for the rest of my life too. I am 67 now and did this when I was 63. I did not have insurance that paid for mine. I am so very happy that the insurance is really coming around and paying for these for people. I feel so very lucky to have gone to Dr. Aceves, because I believe he is one of the very best Weight Loss Suregons out there. There are a lot of good ones, out there I am sure. I can only speak about my experience, and going to Mexicali, Mexico. I know for a fact that I received so much better care than anything I have ever received in any US hospital. I wish you nothing but success, and I am always out here if you have any questions at all about this. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Thanks, I appreciate your support. This is always about a personal choice, and I am never quite sure why some of these people need to keep going on and on about what I said. I know how I feel, and I can only speak about my experience and my knowledge. I also know that there are some other good doctors out there along with some not so good doctors. They missed the point. Be care about who you pick, get all the answers that you need and go to the place that is the best for you. Hugs, and thanks again! Suzanne

Hi Everyone, What is your ultimate wish or dream? For me it was to lose the weight and NEVER gain it back again. It was to become healthy and not have my poor body hurt every day. So, why are you still sitting on the fence about having weight lost surgery? The number one reason usually is will my insurance pay for it. And if not, how do I get that much money myself to pay for it. There are ways trust me, it can happen, if you want it bad enough! Here is another one I hear. “I should be able to do this myself—lose the weight and keep it off—maybe I should try one more time. Well, if that were true, YOU would have lost the weight by now—how is that working for you—I am guess it has not. So many of us ride the roller coaster of lose it regain it back. I know I did that. I learned I had a disease and it is called “OBESITY.” Now if you had any other disease and someone said “I have a surgery that I can give you to cure your disease you would jump at the chance to cure you disease. I want you to know that Weight Loss Surgery will and can cure your disease. It will REQUIRE YOU to work at it and eat healthy, and do some exercise. WLS is NOT a miracle cure, but it does work. I am living proof of that. I lost 105 pounds 4 years ago and have kept it off and I am 67 years old. So, I want you to know that you can have your wish or dream come true too. PLEASE stop sitting there waiting for that magic pill to fall out of the sky and poof; the weight will fall off you. That is NEVER going to happy. Each day you sit there being fat, fluffy, overweight, obese, and large, big boned, tubby, heavy, pudgy, stout, chubby, portly, and plump—I think I found most of the names that described what I was and you are too. I was giving days of my life away which is my biggest regret. I am here to help you, cheer you on, answer any and all your questions, but I want you to take back the control over your body and your life, and become, happy, healthy and be where you want to be when it comes to your weight. Come on you can do it and we are all here to help you. I had VGS aka “sleeve” done by Dr. Aceves, and I can only speak about my experience, but I feel he is one of the very best there are out there to do this surgery. He has done more Weight loss surgeries than most doctors. He is proctoring for the company “Johnson & Johnson” teaching other doctors how to do this surgery. The care you get from Dr. Aceves and Dr. Compos and their staff are wonderful, and they truly care about each one of their patients. Please love yourself ENOUGH to save YOUR own life. You are worth it. If you have any questions you can reach me here on this Web Site or send me a private E-mail: Suzannesh@aol.com Hugs, Suzanne

Dr. Aveces did not write a book that I am aware of, I think you have him confused with another doctor. Suzanne

Hi, I have NEVER said that they are not other Doctors out there who are not good. I am speaking from my experience only. I want you to check out your doctor and and find out all the things I brought up. I am NOT retracing anything I have said. As you can see people have found that Dr. Aceves is listed in the Newsweek Magazine April 2012 and they purchased it from Amazon.com. I can only speak from my experience. As one patient said she personally met, other doctors that Dr. Aceves was Proctoring--teaching them his style and how he does Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery. Johnson & Johnson-The Mexican Division of Johnson & Johnson is paying Dr. Aceves to do this for them. They respect his ability and feel that he has something to share with other doctors. It says a lot about him, that he is willing to teach other doctors how he does his surgery. Enough said, I know there are other doctors in Mexico, and I am happy for you that you are just as pleased with your doctor as I am. I just want people to watch out for the ones who are not so good and question where you are doing your recovery from. Take care, Suzanne

If you will look on his Web Page you will see that he Proctors for Johnson & Johnson teaching other surgeons how to do "Sleeve weight Loss Surgery." I found out that he was listed in Newsweek Magazine May 2012 in the top 25 WLS doctors. I like you asked many questions, about what kind of staples they used, what were the brand of staples he used. How did he do the surgery--I wanted details, which he gladly gave me, what did he do as far as testing for leaks before they send you home. He tested me 3 times before I was released and sent home. He spent about 2 hours answering all my questions the night before I had the surgery. I spoke with a surgical nurse who had gone to Dr. Aceves and respected her information along with a doctor who had gone to him for sleeve surgery. Yes, I talked with them on the phone more than one time. They were very patient with me and ALL my questions. I went to my own PCP, who spent a week educating herself about the procedure and checked out ALL of Dr. Aceves credentials and they ALL met her approval and she said "go for it" he is the top of the line in his business. This is his Web page: http://www.gastricsleevesurgeon.com/ I am so very happy that you had great success too and love your sleeve. I wish you nothing but great success. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I respect what you said. Some of us look at this a little different. I know for a fact the US Hospitals have a high risk of infection that Dr. Aceves Hospital has. I know that Dr. Aceves was listed as one of the top 25 Doctors in the WORLD for WLS. It is nice that we ALL have a choice to where we want to go. Many people's insurance will not pay for WLS, and I am happy that some of them are starting to pay for it. I feel very lucky because I received a lot of great care after the surgery. I was 63 and for me going home from Day Surgery was something I did not want. I am sure you received excellent care also. If someone asks me about my experience, I will recommend Dr. Aceves over any other doctor! Take care, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I love this quote and it really is so very true. Just think about it and believe in it. "What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to you at this moment. If you want to change who you are physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will have to change what you think." Dr. Patrick Gentempo So, after reading about this, I will say what we have heard throughout our lives. You are what you eat!!! How did we become overweight, fat, plump, tubby, flabby, pudgy, large, big, fluffy, obese, and unhealthy? There are a lot of ways to describe what we are or what we were. I lived way too many years being fat, doomed and detrimental to my entire life. I had tried too many diets to even count. I was successful at Weight Watchers, only to eventually gain back the weight. I never made a LIFESTYLE change. I always went back to my old eating poor habits, for many reasons. The list is long for all the reason we over ate. I knew that I had to do something different, and I started to look into weight loss surgery. After many months, I knew I wanted to have “sleeve” surgery, and I knew without a doubt that I wanted Dr. Aceves to be the doctor who was going to do my surgery. I lost 105 pounds and I have kept it off now for 4 years. It required work and making a lifestyle change on my part. I never feel deprived to what I eat, I do eat healthy, and I do have some desert now and then, only small amounts of it. I also am the lady who did NOT like exercise. Now I walk at least 6 days a week—that is my form of exercise. While I was losing weight, is when I started to walking. I also thought what if I am the “one” person that this surgery will NOT work on. Boy was I wrong, it worked and I love it!!!! If you are thinking of all the reason why you should not have this surgery, STOP right now and think of all the reason why you want to live life as a thin and healthy person. Stop thinking about where you have been and START thinking about where you are going! Go for it, if you have questions, I am out here to help you and answer any and all your questions. This is a life changing event in my life. I am so very delighted that I have done this. You can have the very same results. Hugs, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds.

Hi Everyone, For the first time in a long time, I want you to put yourself first. We all have taken care of everyone around us always putting ourselves at the end of the list year after year. It is time to STOP doing that. You are a wonderful, loving caring, beautiful, intelligent person. It is time you took control of your own life and that means getting serious about losing the weight forever. So, many of us have failed at diets and losing weight that we think that we will just give up and live the rest of our lives as an unhealthy fat person—YES I use the word fat because I was fat. I am here to tell you that I did that for many years, then one day I woke up and realized that I had earned the right to have a good and healthy and happy life. So I started my search as to how I was going to do this and be successful. After 6 months of asking 100’s of question from people, doing my research on what I wanted and where I was going; I got brave enough to have “Sleeve” surgery and my choice was Dr. Aceves. He is fabulous and I highly recommend him. This was the best things I have EVER done for myself. That was 4 years ago; I lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. YES, I did something that I have never done before and that is to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF! It is an amazing way to live. I made a lot of lifestyle changes and I never consider myself on a diet. Yes, it requires work and effort on your part. It is NOT a miracle cure, but it does work. It will work for you too! So stop sitting on the fence and making excuses why you are giving days of your life away being unhealthy, unhappy. I was 63 when I did this and I am now 67. I walk between 3 and 4 miles 6 day a week. If I can do this you can too. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I am here to help you and support you every step of the way. If you have recently had this done, I am also here to help you with any questions that you might have. Yeah for those of you who have had weight loss surgery and know how I feel!!! Hugs, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

Hey You, Be the very best you can for yourself and NO one else. So many of us have failed miserably at our attempts to lose weight in the past. Some of us have lost the weight to only gain it back again—that was me, and we just beat ourselves up over doing this. Here is what I want you to know. Having weight loss surgery was my ANSWER to that horrible cycle that I had been living for so many years. I was older than a lot of you when I made the choice to have the sleeve, I was 63 and I am now 67 and I know that what I did has added 20 years on to my life. My health is so much better than it has been in many years. I have all kinds of energy, and I walk between 3 to 4 miles every day. If you are sitting out there, reading everyone’s post taking in all this information, like I did I want you to know that this will work for you too. It does require work and effort on your part. You will have to be willing to make a lifestyle change when it comes to eating. I am not on a diet, but I sure have changed what I eat—small amounts of food and a lot of yummy things that are healthy. I have found out that you can have healthy food and it can be yummy food too. I had a top rate Doctor and that was Dr. Aceves and I received great support from him and his entire staff. I also received a lot of support from the people on this board. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. By the way it took me 14 months to lose 105 pounds and I have kept it off! :wub: Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2005

Hi Everyone, Just checking in to see how things are going with everyone. I am always out here reading the board and checking to see if anyone has any questions. Are you finding the foods that you like to eat? Have you tired any new recipes? I love trying new recipes or taking some of my old ones and making them a little more healthy. I have one that I want to share with you. Sometimes having something new just helps us make it through the day. Zucchini Bread Makes 2 Loaves 3 eggs 1 teaspoon Soda 1 cup Olive Oil ¼ teaspoon Baking Power 2 cups Splenda 1 teaspoon Salt 2 cups Grated Zucchini 3 teaspoons Cinnamon 3 teaspoons vanilla ½ cup Chopped Nuts of your choice 3 cups Almond Flour 1 -2 cups of Blueberries depending on your taste Beat eggs until light & fluffy. Add the next 3 ingredients to eggs that you have already beat—oil, Splenda, grated zucchini. Mix well. Next add almond flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Mix well. Add nuts & blueberries into the mixture. I found almond flour in the Health food Section of my local Grocery Store. Almond Flour is a Protein, and it really does taste GREAT. Pour mixture into greased loaf pans—you can use PAM spray if you want to grease the loaf pans with it. Bake at 325 for 1 hour or more depending on your oven. I hope this helps people. Please post how you are doing and if there is anything we can help you with or any questions that you may have. I know this is such a big step to take to have the VSG aka "Sleeve". I had Weight Loss Surgery almost 4 years ago and it was the very best thing I have ever done for myself. If you have any questions about the surgery or want to ask, plase feel free to ask me anything you want to know about it. I am always willing to take the time to help you. I do not have any regrets at all. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi out there, What are you waiting for? If you are someone who is sitting on this board and you are reading ALL the postings and not saying anything—this is quite normal. I did that for a few months too. I was trying to figure a few things out about weight loss surgery. Having WLS is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Right now you are slowly killing yourself with your fork! What I learned once I started asking questions there are an enormous amount of helpful people on this board that helped me along the way and answers my hundreds of questions I had. You can NEVER ask too many questions OK. Two of my mentors gave me an incredible amount of support from each of them and I am so blessed and thankful for their help, guidance and care and endless answers for all my questions. They supported me when I needed it, and just were amazing! Ok here is my challenge for you “newbies” Please don’t give another day of your life away being fat and unhealthy. Start asking questions start the process of educating yourself and maybe set a date to have WLS. I had sleeve weight loss surgery 4 years ago by Dr. Aceves and lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. I have extreme amount of experience and I am more than willing to answer any and all of your questions. So get off the fence and start asking things that you are curious about. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I want to know why you are still trying to make up your mind about having Weight Loss Surgery (WLS)? I know what took me 6 months to make up my mind. I was doing a LOT of research checking out everything I could think of. I must have asked at least 1,000 questions to the people on 3 different WLS boards. So, if you are in those stages you are doing all the right things. Keep asking questions until you feel comfortable with where you are heading. If you aren't sure if it will work for you—I thought the very same things you are thinking. I want you to know is DOES WORK. I had WLS almost 4 years ago, and I lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. So stop using that as a justification for not going ahead and having WLS. Next; if you think it is the easy way out—that is such a WRONG way of thinking. WLS is NOT a miracle remedy; it is ONLY a tool to allow you to get to the goal you set for yourself. Every day you continue to do what you are doing ring now; you are slowly killing yourself every time you put that fork in your mouth. Please stop and think about what I just said, you know I am right. I got fat the very same way you did. This just didn't happen to me overnight, it took me time to become fat. So, I want you to care about yourself enough to move forward and GO for WLS. I had the “Sleeve” and I believe it is the very best kind of WLS for me. I do understand if you are a self-pay patient and it is about the money. Here is what I want you to do check out the doctors and their hospitals. There is some OK doctors, some good doctors and some great doctors. What do you want for yourself? I wanted the “great” doctor and I chose Dr. Aceves, and for me he was the very best I could find, after all my research his name just kept coming up as the GREAT doctor I was looking for. There are different ways to finance having WLS too. I know for Dr. Aceves, Nina his Patient Coordinator is a great source of information. Call her and discuss thing with her. I want you to make a promise that you will move forward and have WLS, if this is what you really want for yourself. It requires work on your part and you need to have you head in the right place and want this more than you have ever wanted anything else in your life--it will work for you!! It is YOUR chance to change your entire life and health for the better. I failed at ever kind of diet I ever tried. I could lose it, but only to regain it back in a few months. Then I felt like a failure. What I learned is that I am NOT on a diet after having WLS. I have made a lifestyle change and it is something that I can live with for the rest of my life. I never feel deprived, I eat healthy and I like what I eat. Yes I have some desert now and then, just not all the time. I have learned to bake some really yummy and healthy deserts too. I want the very same things for you too. Exercise is also very helpful once you start to lose the weight. Start out slowly with the exercise. If you have any question or want to talk about any of the things about WLS or just have questions, I am always right here for you. I always promised myself that I would be here for others. I had two wonderful ladies who were there for me every step of the way. They also answered my endless questions as I asked them. We can talk about the good, the bad and the not so nice things. It is always important to have someone who has been there ahead of you. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Your daughter needs some serious professional help. I hear your words and feel your pain, but the best thing you can do is get her the help ASAP. I know as a Mom this is difficult, but love her enough to understand that there is NOTHING you or your husband can do to help her. It is far beyond your hands. I have no idea what has set her off, but help and the right medication and professional help might make a world of difference. I feel your pain and how upset you are. You have done nothing wrong, but it is time to admit that this is beyond anything that you can do . Please make sure she gets the help she needs. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I am always out here if you have any questions or just need to talk. It can become frustrating jumping through all their hoops, but NEVER give up OK. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I am always here if you need anything or any kind of support. The sleeve is honeslty the best way to go. I think you will love your choice. I wish you great success in your weight loss journey. You can always find me here on this board if you get scared--it is very normal to have a bag full of emotions and feelings just before you have surgery. I did and I know all the things you must be thinking and feeling. You can alway reach me at my personal E-mail too. This is my E-mail address: Suzannesh@aol.com Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I hear what you are saying, and I am also here to tell you Dr. Aceves has done so many revisions. Please call Nina his patient coordinator, she is fabulous to talk to, and will not pressure you in any way. She will give you all the advise and information you are looking for. This is how you can contact her. Her phone number is 1-888 344 3916. It is really normal to have all the feeling you are feeling. This is a big step and change. I didn't have a lapband, but I can tell you that the sleeve is the very best thing I have ever done for myself. I love it, and how I have lost the weight and it has been easy to maintain the weight loss. I am always here if you have any questions. Hugs, Suzanne My private E-mail is Suzannesh@aol.com if you want to send me an E-mail too.

August 31, 2012, Hi Fellow Sleeve’s, I have been sitting out on these boards now for over 4 years. Believe me, I have seen every kind of post there are out there, and I have been challenged many times for some things I have said. And this is perfectly fine. I recently read a post on one of the boards (OH) that made me stop and think and also upset me too. This woman had posted that she was going to the ER because she was sure she had a Blood Clot in her lungs (she diagnosed it herself and she has NO medical background-not good at ALL). She was sure it was Dr. Aceves’s fault because she had, had Sleeve surgery—that wasn’t fair to blame him and in the end she did not have a blood clot at all. After reading what this woman had said and reading everyone else’s posts, I truly think she is having panic attacks and DID NOT prepare herself mentally of physical for this surgery. Another point I would like to make is that she had NOT spoken to her PCP about any after care or tells him/her what she was doing about going to Mexico for Sleeve surgery. If she feared her PCP would not be supportive, then she should have found a PCP who would have been there for her for after care. I have always said that you need to do all these things before you go for the surgery. You really need to have your head in the right place before you go for WLS. I have a feeling that maybe she is not taking her medication, and she would like to blame “ANYONE” she can for her issues and problems—it is NOT Dr. Aceves’s fault and she is unreasonable to make these kind of statements about him. She has also since deactivated her membership on OH and left this negative posting. Many of you saw right though what she was saying and posting. Thanks for being this alert when we encounter someone like her. I have a suggestion, for the future and need your help PLEASE. I think it would be wise if we encounter anyone like this in the future it would be so helpful to Nina—Dr. Aceves’s Patient Coordinator to be notified or give Nina a heads-up that this person having issues or problems. Nina has the ability to work with them and see what is real, and what is just unadulterated false. :wub: Regrettably if someone has NOT been to Dr. Aceves yet and reads that posting; they might think what she posted is real—and not a panic attack or other metal issues she may have going on. Those of us who have had surgery with Dr. Aceves know for a fact that we received excellent care and also know that he goes to every effort to make sure that we leave him in remarkably great health. :wub: So in the future if you suspect that someone is way off base with their posting, I am sure Nina would love to have a heads up on this. Take care, Suzanne

Hi, I have a little experience, and I just wanted to say something. I understand about looking for a good price if you are self-pay. I was a self pay myself, but I also want you to consider what kind of care you are getting and the rate of infection that their facility has, and if there are any negetive things being said about them. I did research for 6 months before I picked Dr. Aceves. I wanted the very best there is when I was going to have sleeve surgery. I wanted the surgery done in a top of the line Hospital--NOT A CLINIC, I wanted my recovery to be in a hospital, not a hotel room or recovery house where there are NO medical people. So when you are looking for a doctor please ask all kinds of questions and do a lot of research and read a LOT of posts. I wish you great success. Suzanne

Hi, I can tell you that I highly recommend Dr. Aceves. In 2008 I had sleeve surgery and lost 105 pounds and have kept it off for 4 years now. Dr. Aceves is the very best doctor you could ever go to. If I lived closer to Mexicali, I would be going to him for my PCP. He truly cares about each and everyone of his patients. He takes the time to explain everything to you and will answer ALL your questions. His standards are very high. He does 3 leak tests before he will ever let you go home. You do your recovery in a top of the line hospital that is so very incrediably clean. Some doctors send you back to a Hotel room or a so called recovery house--most reconvery house DO NOT have any medical staffing. That is one of the reasons they charge so much less for many of them. If you want the very best there is; then I suggest you have Dr. Aceves do your surgery. I did about 6 months worth of research when I picked Dr. Aceves. He was in Newsweek Magazine May 2012 for all of his skills and what a great doctor he is. You will love him and his entire staff. They speak excellent English. Make a list of concerns and questions that you might have and send them to me. I will be happy to answer any and all of your questions. This was the best thing I have EVER done for myself. Take Care, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, You have all leaned that it is NEVER too late to have WLS. I am so thrilled to see that we are doing great. Your hair will grow back, and in the mean time buy a cute wig, that is what I did. You will always struggle with head hunger. We have spent a lot of years eating and doing just what we wanted and then we got fat. I have talks with myself--do I NEED THE food OR DO I JUST WANT THE FOOD. Most of the time it is a "want". So take the time to ask yourself if it is a need--how long has it been since you ate or is it a WANT thing? It was almost 4 years ago when I lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. I am always out here if you ever have any question or problems or just need to talk. Life really is great, and I feel so much healthier. I am off 95 % of my medication that I used to take, I walk all the time for exercise, and I love buy clothes now! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, When you eat a lot of Protein, that does cause constipation. I use Miralx. It is NOT habit forming. I buy costco brand because it cost less. It has NO taste, so you can mix it with any liquid. Use a cap full EVERYDAY, and this will solve your problem. I had sleeve surgery almost 4 years ago and I take Miralx everyday. I hope this helps you, Hugs, Suzanne