njsleever

HI everyone - First - thank you for the support. Second - I am still hospitalized and NPO. We are having second and third reviews on all tests, films and records. I wanted to note to a previous comment that the "suture contamination" I was told by Emmanuel Medical was presented to me as not Manufacurer - but their own contamination and the box was finally "gotten rid of" not resent to manufacturer. At least that is how i took it because she never mentioned Manufacturer. Thank you to everyoone. Between here and OH - the horror stories are coming out and I cant beleive no one posted more details so we can share and protect each other. I know that I am making them unhappy. ISIS said to me "We have a excellent reputaion and will not let it get ruined." Their in room documentation said to SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE with verticalsleeve.com so I am. MUCH LOVE TO THOSE THAT ARE PRAYING AND WISHING ME WELL!! you are what is keeping me going! HUGS HUGS HUGS

I posted before about my infections and wanted to provide an update. DOS Thanksgiving 09 stayed 2 days @ Facility and 2 days @ recovery house. I dont want to interject emotion but rather present the facts that have occurred to me thus far. The last time I posted I mentioned that I was disappointed that none reached out to me and surprise - the day after a posting here - i got a call from both Shirley and ISIS - but only spoke to ISIS. ISIS was sweet but made it clear that an infection is a risk of surgery. I agree HOWEVER the fact that there have been consistent infections coming out of that facility leads me to belive that there is either a procedure or instrument that is allowing contamination, That they had a responsibility to address that. I reminded ISIS that Shirley did not want me spread it but that she said that Dr. Betancourt felt that there was probably a package os stiches was "compromised" and they were throwing them away. No patient knew about that! I was hospitalized December 3rd and I AM STILL HERE. I am being transferred to a larger facility. 1) Post surgery I NEVER WAS WITHOUT A FEVER 2) The largest incision was the first to get infected but afterwards, FOUR out of FIVE became infected 3) I was immediately placed on hi doses on the strongest antibiotics. Some of which included ampicillen, vankomicin, jeez i have so many if you want i am happy to list as i am getting a copy of everything before the transfer. 4)in the battle of fighting the infection - my fevers never relented! with last night being 103. My White blood counts have been as high as 18000 and are currently 15,000 5) i have had FOUR CT Scans where they see the stomach enflammed, pancreas enflamed and liquid in my lungs. The reason for this is one of 2 reasons - side effect to mega doses os antibiotics or 2 there is a leak or problem with the sleeve itslef. OMG I am scared I am angry. I have 2 autistic children at home and one asked me yesterday crying if i was going to die. Yes I wanted to be thin YES i asked the right questions about leak rates, suturing vs stapling i felt i did my research, I AM NOT ALONE. I ave PM's that the facility has asked patients not to post about their infections. IF THATS TRUE SHAME ON THEM. I am willing to provide personal details to anyone who feels they need it. I LOVED DR BETANCOURT, SHIRLEY, DR ALONZO AND DR HUGO. The FACILIY WAS JOLLY and you felt cared for. The residence house was not as plesant because we had no heat on (just my luck a 65 degree night) Shirley took care of that right away! There was not 24 hour care because the 16 year old nurse was not in our house. We fenned for ourself for the most part - but no matter what she was a SWEETIE. I am sooooo HURT and disappointed but mostly ABANDONED and SCARED. I SWEAR I HAVE NO MOTIVE AND LIKELY HAVE NO RECOURSE - I SAY THIS SO THAT ALL CAN CONSIDER THIS INFORMATION, EVEN IF I aM one in a million - i would have wanted to know. MARIA

i had my surgery done at emmanual medical with dr almanza. todays update is that the organism is very resistant to antibiotics. I will need dressing packing for two weeks after release. i will need a pic in my arm so i can do at home iv antibiotics for the next 2 to four weeks. as far as hospital release - i need to be fever free for 24 hours. as of an hour ago - despite all meds and in the hospital stay of 6 nites - i had 104 fever/ this has been painful, costly and generally a horrid experience. unless i reach out - there hasnt been much reaching out to me from the coordinator. I must say though that the surgeons have done a ct scan and beleive th eoperation was done well. They are not impressed with 4 out of 5 incision infections though. I will miss my sons bday - the doc has asked that i stay home from work 3 weeks so the scar is not aggravated and i minimize and possibility of reinfection, i cry and feel so alone. i am in isolation. thanks for listening

i am on night 5 in the hospital for a post op infection. after cultures, blodwork i am now in isolation because they found an organism. four of my five incisions were infected pussy and need painful packing and draining. i followed all post op diretions. i stayed 2 days in recovery house then went to spotless hotel in san diego before going home. i am typing with 2 fingers bc i have ivs in both arms. bc of fevers i am dehydrated and my veins keep blowing. i was poked 12 times y today . i dont know expenses but i havent seen my kids for 5 days now two others returned with site infections as well but i was most severd. this is so sad and maddening. i am even to weaak to be mad. gretted

both other patients i was with have same infections. I am 102 and headed to ER - THANKS

I could use some help. I had surgery in Nov 26th in Mexico. I came home with antibiotics which is the Docs standard post op care. Unfortunately, I have an infection at the largest incision and my post op doc had to open the suture and begin drainage. This is VERY painful - pressing down on a tender belly to make lots of pus and blood clear out. At home, hubby has to do the same twice a day. I am also on and off having low grade fevers - as high as 101. Has anyone else experiened this - should I go to ER. MY doc in US was very standoff about dealing with me - the usual - didnt want to deal with a nut who went to mexico - so i doubt i am going to get anything there. Im scared - I have 3 young boys who need there mom and i cant let anything happen to me - is this life threatened? Also, does anyone have a doc in NYC or NJ that might do follow up? My doc seemed standoffish - and didnt offer meds or bloodwork or anything. I prefer to find someone else if possible

Hi - How are you feeling?? I had surgery with Dr Almanza on the 26th and returned with an infection on one of the incisions too and experiencing the same low grade fever - soooo scared Marie

thank you everyone for the replies. i dont think i will sleep from now to Thursday. Every day I get closer to sleeve but still have nightmares that it will be like the band and fail me so miserably. i pray i make the right decision!

:thumbup: O boy - so excited - so nervous I have scheduled surgery with Dr Almanza in Mexico for the 27th. I weight 193 and have a failed 1999 lap band in me he will remove. I have become more of a carb addict with the band and definately lean on sweets and carbs as my primary diet. That said, i know I dont have alot to lose but I would like to know that what I get will finally get me to a "normal" weight. I have been as high as 267 but I got the band at 234 and got down to 220. The rest of the yo-yo dieting has been Alli (Xenical) and Hydroxycut, starvation combos. Not a way to live. Since I am a sweet and carb junki - should i go for the RNY? i would like to not take all those Vitamins and finally learn portion control - even for the foods i love. The only good thing i have going for me is I love to exercise. (i figured I would end on a positive note!) Thanks for any advice and good luck to all in their journeys!