tonyt10

Just wanted to mention that one year ago, June 2011 I had blood work done. Besides all the other issues my testosterone level was around 200 which was low. I am 44 years old. I had the sleeve on April 9 and I weighed 307 pounds. Now two months later I weigh 242, and I had blood work done two weeks ago and my testosterone was in the 700 range. This is without any supplemental testosterone. Just wanted to let people know that it sure seems that weight loss will help increase your levels. Tony

Surgery April 9 in Mexico. Weight at surgery was 304. Today 257. Feel great.

Dud2stud How tall are you. I'm 5-11 started at 307. Surgery was April 9 in Mexico. Down to 269.5 today 3.5 weeks later. Tony

Had surgery Monday. Went back to work 6 days later on Sunday. Not a physically strenuous job.

I just had it done April 9 with Dr. Kelly. I believe he told me a 36 was the size he used.

Wow much different than what my doctor wants. I was sleeved 4/9 also. Was 298 day of surgery, today I am 285. Nothing at all but clear liquids. My doctor also wants me to wait til day 22 before trying some soft foods or creamed soups. Not even any protein yet til day 8. I guess all doctors are different.

No. I'm not much into jewelry. But still had a blast.

I'm glad my post may help people make a decision. I go home today. I feel terrific. Besides a little discomfort from the inguinal hernia incision I feel great. No pain meds needed and the gas is all gone. Just to add to my previous post, things have only gotten better. Dr. Kelly continues to check on us at the hotel. It's like we are old friends. Yesterday his assistant Anna accompanied a few of us to an area called Revolucion. We had a great time and she walked everywhere with us. We could stay as long as we wanted or leave when we wanted. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Kelly, his wife Cecilia, Anna, and Omar. You will not regret your choice. I am returning to work on Sunday, just 6 days after surgery. Honestly if I was home already I probably would have returned to work already. Tony

Please read my post in the Mexico section. Dr. Kelly fixes my inguinal Hernia. I feel great. It was two days ago. Tony

As I relax at the Hotel Lucerna in Tijuana, I thought this might be a good time to talk about my journey with Dr. Kelly. Only two short weeks ago I decided to get the sleeve done in Mexico. Approximately 12 days ago I booked with Dr. Kelly, directly. Immediately that evening I received a personal call from Dr. Kelly, offering to answer any questions I had. I suspected I had an inguinal hernia based on the fact I had one 25 years ago, and I remember what it felt like. My insurance in the States would cover the hernia repair, but I figured I would see if I could get it done at the same time as the sleeve. I would take less time off from work, and only go under anesthesia once. Dr. Kelly agreed to repair the hernia, for an additional $500.00. My Co-Pay in the States would have been $200 just to the hospital, and additional payments to see the doctor each time. I reserved my date of April 9th. I booked my flight, and I think hitting confirm for the airline tickets was the hardest thing to do. My stomach was in a knot once I booked the flight, that just made the whole thing real. I was immediately given the required info by his staff which consists of Anna, Omar, and his wife Cecilia. All of them were very nice to me, online, and in person. I arrived at San Diego airport on April 8th (Sunday). Dr. Kelly's wife picked me up. I was immediately put at ease when she started bragging about her children. I knew Dr. Kelly was a family guy then, and realized how important it was I return to my family healthy. We picked up another patient about an hour later at San Diego Airport. Cecilia then took us for our last meal at a Mexican restaurant. The chicken Soup was delicious, and the homemade chips and salsa were unbelievable. I probably ate too many. We were then taken to the Oasis or florence Hospital where we met with Dr. Kelly and Omar. Keep in mind this is a Sunday evening. Good luck having a doctor meet you in the U.S. on a Sunday evening unless it is an emergency room doctor. We were taken to our private rooms. They were very nice and had an extra bed in each room for a guest. Immediately a nice fan was brought into my room, I could not believe Omar and Cecilia remembered me asking if the hospital had a fan a week earlier, but they did without me saying anything. I settled in nicely, the Wifi in the hospital works great, make sure you bring some sort of smartphone with a VOIP app on it to make free calls and texts. The health care system in the U.S. can really learn something from the way the nurses and doctors are at this hospital. They are very attentive, gentle, and caring. I even spoke to other attending physicians throughout the days I was there, and they gladly answered my questions. On Monday around 3PM I was wheeled into surgery. I woke up in my room several hours later, of course I was uncomfortable and groggy from the anesthesia, but I always am. A few hours later I texted my wife to tell her everything was ok, but I did not feel like speaking on the phone. She texted me back and told me Dr. Kelly had personally called her after the surgery. This put my wife at ease, and I was very impressed by this. Dr. Kelly checked on me at least two times per day while in the hospital, sometimes 3 times. Never in a rush to leave, and he speaks to you as an equal. I stayed in the hospital and did the regular things you are supposed to do like walk around, but thats been beaten to death on this forum so I wont re-hash it. On Wednesday we were transported by Dr. Kelly's wife and Anna to a different hospital for the swallow test. Literally took 30 seconds, and the small amount of liquid goes right down. Again Dr. Kelly is there explaining everything and showing you the monitor with your image on it. We then checked into the Hotel Lucerna, it is as nice as everyone says it is. Dr. Kelly told me he would be stopping by here to check on us later today. I feel teriffic, and if it was not so expensive to change my flight I would go home tomorrow. Dr. Kelly and his staff provided each of us with several drink choices to bring into our rooms, and all the medication we would need to take home with us. Dr. Kelly's program is like a well oiled machine. If I could think of even one thing to complain about I would let you know, but there just is nothing to complain about. (If he could get a masseuse to come to the hospital that would be sweet). Well that ends my story for now. I know it has been said before, but if you are thinking about this surgery, but are nervous about it being done in Mexico, don't be. If you need help choosing a doctor, do your research and include my little rant in your decision making. Thank you to Dr. Kelly, Cecilia, Omar and Anna. Tony from Florida

I am at Hospital Florence. Minutes away from surgery with Dr. Kelly.

Hello...I am in the same boat...April 9 with Dr. Kelly. I applied for my passport 2.5 weeks ago, and they obviously have my birth certificate. Hope to get it in time...I am going either way. Today I called the Department of State and paid $12.00 extra to have it overnighted...there was no option of putting a rush on it at this point.

I wasn't aware that a leak could develop anytime. I was under the assumption that once the stomach healed it was permanent. Does anyone know? Thanks

Couple of people mentioned they had a hernia repair during VSG surgery...what type of hernia was it, and are you a male or female. I think I have a small Inguinal hernia. I wanted to get the VSG surgery done first, but was worried they would not do it if I told them I thought I had a hernia. I plan on going to Tijuana for the VSG. Please advise on your individual cases of hernia repairs. Thanks Tony