Krista2653

Hi Sleevesearch! I am scheduled with Dr. Aceves for 08-27, so you and I will be there together! I'm glad I have found someone who will be there at the same time as me! I would email Dr. Aceves' office back and find out when it is acceptable for you to discontinue the meds. My husband was on it and I know his doc didn't want him coming off cold-turkey due to the risk of seizures, etc. Find out if it is okay to just stop the day of/before surgery. That is a tricky thing...trying to balance what the PCP wants and side-effects of coming off abruptly and what the surgeon wants. Krista

Skye, Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll be flying out on 08-26 for surgery on the 27th and I am 100% terrified of the epidural. I had the epidural when I gave birth and it was the most awful experience of my life....yes, the circumstances are different, but my belly is just as big (for other reasons of course lol) as it was almost 10 years ago!!! For whatever reason, them poking around in my spine made me vomit and I was shaking terribly WHILE contracting and all I hear in the backgroud is "You are going to have to stay still!!" Like I could help it.... I could have slapped that doc.... I was feeling a little better about it because everyone else who I have spoken with who went to Dr. Aceves said that they were out when it was done....until your story!! AGH!!! Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the honesty so I know what to expect! :confused1: I'm glad you are feeling great and I can't wait to join you on the looser's bench!!

I asked Monica with Dr. Aceves' office about the Nexium mups and the cost - she told me that she believed they were $40 for a 2-week supply. Thanks for the tips, Brenda on the other PPI meds and the broth cubes for the flight home - good thinking! I'll have to add that to my list to pack! My "carry on" is quickly filling up....I hope I can make due without checking a bag with all of this stuff I keep adding!!

Whew! I thought I was the only one! I'm totally obsessed - I want to read and absorb EVERYTHING!! I have surgery scheduled for 08-27-10 and I can barely stand it. I already had Protein powder, 3 packages of bottled Water, an entire pantry full of broth for my liquids stage, a list of things to pack for the trip (some of which is ALREADY in my suitcase!), all my "skinnier" clothes are organized and in size order - just waiting (thank goodness I didn't throw them out - I knew they would fit me again one day!) It is exciting!

Great stuff! Thanks for the pics Tiffykins!

I am scheduled with Dr. Aceves for 08-27-10. I did a lot of research and knew he was my first choice. I can't tell you personal experience when it comes to the surgery itself, but I have had 437849327403 questions since scheduling and I can always get an answer!!! Dr. Aceves also has a Yahoo! group where you can sign up and speak with other people who have gone to Dr. Aceves. It is a very active group and they are very helpful with telling you what to expect and how to cope post-surgery. I'm coming from Orlando, FL. I am self pay and probably could have scheduled here in the US, but why if I can get one of the best physicians and save some money??

Awesome! Thank you Frankie and delawaregal for your personal experiences. I really do like everything I've read about Dr Aceves and I do like that recovery is in a hospital and not partially in a hotel. I also liked that he conducts 3 leak tests to be absolutely sure you are sealed up tight! Great follow-up care is a bonus, too! I guess I just need to schedule a date!

Hello! My name is Krista and I have been following this forum for a few months now, absorbing as much information as possible after I made the decision to have WLS. Since I'm here - I have obviously decided on the sleeve! I have always been one to research and like to obtain as much information as possible, whatever the topic (love my iphone and ability to Google search whenever I want, wherever I want!). For whatever reason, these last few months have been crazy for me...it seems like the more information I read, the more CONFUSED and indecisive I am! :svengo: My insurance does not cover surgery and with the costs involved, I'm headed to Mexico. :thumbup: I have (at least I think I have, lol) settled on two different physicians, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez or Dr. Alberto Aceves - both of these physicians have greats reviews on the boards, I haven't found anything bad....not that this is a "bad" thing, but I can't imagine that everything is always roses and warm fuzzies. Does anyone have any helpful information for me to help with my decision from what they have seen, read, heard, know firsthand, secondhand - anything! Thanks much!

Thank you Tiffykins for your input on Dr. Aceves - I am glad to know that you considered him as well! I wish my insurance would cover these types of things and I could be closer to home, but then again - being self-pay adds that much more motivation and determination because I've had to spend my own money! thinoneday - I have really soul searched this decision...I KNOW that I am going to miss the same things you speak of and I KNOW that there is going to be some regret at times, but I have never been so sure of something as I am with this surgery in my entire life (my confusion and back-and-forth with myself comes only when deciding WHO I trust to do this for me!) I am absolutely, 100% ready for this challenge. I know that I won't always like it, but I'm crossing my fingers that I will feel the exact same way as you do when it comes to the pros outweighing the cons... I will be 30 in October, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) due to my weight (which also makes my body act as thought it was type II diabetic) and although not officially diagnosed, I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea because my husband will tell me about how I'll stop breathing at night....I can't have children right now due to my weight and PCOS and I have never really "known" the meaning of the saying "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired" like I do right now. I'm not doing this so that I can strut my stuff down a beach in a bikini in a few years - I have a husband and no reason to impress anyone, I just want to be healthy and start a family!! This is just a "tool" to aide in my "recovery" as an "addict" and I have never wanted something soooooooo badly! As my boss and mentor always says...."If you always do what you always do, you will always get what you always get". It is time for a change......a permanent one! I can't think of anything else more "permanent" and motivating then this procedure. Thanks for the good luck wishes!