PABR463

I was sleeved last July at age 61, no complications at all and life has never been better. I'm five months out and I've lost 94 lbs. I love my sleeve! Patti

Hello July Sleevers, I can't believe its been five months either. I'll be five months out on the 26th. I'm down 88 lbs and I'm only one pound away from Onederland. I love my sleeve and have not had one single problem. Thanks to Dr. Aceves for his fine work! Patty

Hi Ginny, I was sleeved at 61 years old in Mexico by Dr. Aceves. Love him and his staff, but I digress! I was 3 months out on October 26th and I've lost 70 lbs and 33 inches. I feel absolutely wonderful and I'm off all my medications. I walk 2-3 miles a day and I don't think I've felt this well since, well, I can't remember! Good luck to you and hope all goes well for you. Take care! Patti

and I couldn't be happier. I've lost 41 lbs. and 19 inches. Life is good! Gotta love the sleeve! Patti:biggrin0:

Blackberry, Don't know if it will help much, but my PCP gave me a prescription for Nexium powder. Comes in a box with 30 individual foil packets. I just put it in some Water or juice, stir and drink it down. Might help you out some. Hope things get better soon! Patti

That includes approx. 7 lbs. pre-op. I only had 7 days for a low carb diet between the time I called Aceves' office and was scheduled. Have a good day!

Well today is my one month anniversary (July 26th) and I've lost 41 lbs. and 19 inches. Gotta love the sleeve! Patti

I was looking at the thread after this one and any mention of Mexico is underlined in blue and when you scroll over it, it's Jerusalem Clinic. That's just wrong! Patti

To begin with I had a BMI of 40.4, so I was on a one-week Protein only low-carb diet. Very doable! Took measurements, pictures and bought a few things to drink for my return. Please don't eat after 6:00 a.m. on the day of your pre-op testing! Arrival in San Diego was a smooth process. The weekend driver (Frederico) was standing there just where they said he'd be with my name on a sign. We picked up one more couple then loaded up and headed to Mexicali which is about a 90 minute drive. Frederico took us directly to the hospital for our pre-op testing. We were met at Hospital Almater by Yolanda who was extremely helpful. I was given a shot of heparin in the tummy (didn't feel it), an EKG, chest x-ray and gave a urine sample. Yolanda gave us a sleeping pill and an antibiotic to take that evening along with some paperwork to be filled out and returned the next morning. I paid for my surgery and was on my way. All of this seemed to be really quick. After our testing Frederico took us on a tour of the city showing us points of interest. We went to a huge pharmacy and bought some extra meds for our trip home. Frederico was really great at the pharmacy because no one spoke English. I bought two more boxes of the pain meds Dr. Aceves sends you home with but haven't needed them at all. Frederico checked us into the hotel, we tipped him and said our goodbyes. I had my last meal before surgery. I had a delicious Pasta dish and took my antibiotic with bottled Water the hotel restaurant serves (water at the hospital is also bottled). Next morning at 7:00 a.m. Ernesto picked us up at took us to the hospital. I was assigned my room (number 24) and we settled in. Rooms are nice, mine had a couch and a chair that reclined. Private bath was very adequate. The shower had a seat in it and a hand held shower spray (that first shower after surgery is a little bit of heaven). The anesthesiologist came in to get acquainted and talked about his part in my surgery, any and all concerns were answered. Sergio (so sweet) an operating room nurse came in and introduced himself and assured me he'd take great care of me. Last but not least Drs. Aceves and Campos came into my room and talked about the procedure. Very thorough instructions and what I had to do when I returned home in order to be successful. I got a little chill pill and was taken to the surgical suite where my IV was put in (best one I've ever had placed, one stick). I know I received a spinal but don't remember anything about it. LIGHTS OUT!!! My surgery was around 11:00 a.m., when I woke up the clock said 12:00 noon. I was in no pain at all. The nurse asked me if I could wiggle my toes and I did, moments later she asked if I could lift my legs and I did. Was back in my room at 2:00 p.m. I felt fine and was walking the halls later that afternoon. I was so hydrated I never once used my lip balm. Doctors in and out the rest of the day. I had a sleeping pill that night and had a good nights sleep, was able to go back to sleep each time someone came in to check vitals. Second day, more walking in the halls, still feeling good considering...nurse brought in four very small cups (like a pill cup) of apple juice that was very dark purple, took my time and drank each one down, this is to check for a leak in your drain bag. Later I got a tray with chamomile tea, apple juice and gatorade. The apple juice was so sweet I heaved three times but felt OK once I put a cool cloth on my face. No more apple juice for me, now I received cherry kool-aid. That evening the nurse took out the IV leaving just the port. SO much better not to drag around that IV stand for walking and showering. Day 3 I woke up still feeling well. Today I got cherry kool-aid, hot lemon tea and gatorade .No way could I drink all that liquid but I did manage to get all my tea down and some of the kool-aid. Dr. Campos took me to radiology for my x-ray. There was a larger cup of liquid to drink before the test. It didn't taste bad to me. My husband and I got to see my new sleeve and the liquid going down into it. The best part....NO LEAKS!!!!! Later that day, in the early afternoon and evening I got a bowl of chicken broth that was so delicious I did manage to get all that down, I didn't want to leave a drop. Ha! Day 4, time to say our goodbyes and be ready to leave at 7:00 a.m. Hugs from the staff then we were on our way. The stop at the border was quite short that particular day so we got to the airport in plenty of time for our flight home. Got home that night at 8:30 p.m. and after traveling all day I still felt really good. I would like to add this....if you can possibly swing first-class tickets do so. It's so worth it. I was so much more comfortable. That's my story folks. I hope in some small way it will help someone else. I know I always enjoyed reading about someone else's experience picking up information along the way. Thanks for reading. I know it's long. Take good care. Patti:biggrin0: P.S. I got in my 64 ounces of liquid yesterday (four days post-op).

Blackberryjuice, I take OTC Simply sleep, suppose to be non-habit forming. At first I dissolved 2 caplets in low calorie grape juice. I had to have some sleep, if nothing else, to heal properly. Gaby, Dr. Aceves' postop nurse gave me permission to do this. Patti

I'm so happy everything is going well for you, that group is just the best! Continued success!!!! Blessings, Patti

Thank you, this is exactly why I gave a detailed experience. Before I was sleeved I always looked for these kinds of posts. It gave me more of a perspective on what would happen from airport pickup back to airport delivery, and everything in between. Patti

You're a single digit girl. Congratulations! Great job! Patti

Hi, I'm 10 days out from surgery. I researched this for 2 years and did my homework. I know I made the best choice for me. My husband was freaked out something fierce when I chose a surgeon from Mexico BUT he supported me 100% and now sings the praises of Dr. Aceves to anyone that will listen. Make your decision and go for it. You'll be so glad you did! Patti

:thumbup: Hello to all.. I got home last night around 8:00 p.m. It was a long day but I felt really well! I'll post my entire experience later but I just want to say I had an absolute fabulous experience with Dr. Aceves. Top notch doctor and staff. Pictures of the hospital on his website are just as you'll find it. Dr. Campos was so helpful also. What a cutie! He's on cloud nine, he and his wife are expecting a baby and he's brimming from ear to ear! I met some lovely people there as well who were also sleeved. We'd walk the halls and stop in and chat in each others rooms. A shout out to Utahgal, her sister and LapGryl, hope you're all doing well today! After being sleeved on Monday, I took my last pain pill Wednesday night and haven't needed another one. More later, and thank you everyone for the kind words, thoughts, prayers and hugs. It helped more than you can know. Patti PS. Down 15 lbs. since July 19th

Hello to all. Well tomorrow I leave for my surgery which is Monday. I'll looking forward to meeting the Doctor along with his staff. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Everyone, thank you! Patti

Shiftling, I'll just miss you. I fly out of San Diego July 29th. Let's keep in touch! Patti

Hi, I'll be flying into San Diego this Sunday, July 25th for my sleeve w/Dr. Aceves on Monday, the 26th. So excited. Hope all has gone well for you! Patti

with Dr. Aceves on Monday July 26th. I'm so exicted!!!! Patti:biggrin2:

Hi GeorgieGirl, Could you tell me about the complication insurance you purchased. I've been looking for some but have not been able to find out. Thanks in advance! Patti

Hello to everyone. Hope you all are having a great day! I'm new to the forum as of today and I want to have the VSG with Dr. Aceves. Just getting ready to fill out the app and see what happens! There appears to be lots of folks who have had their surgery with Dr. Aceves and had a really good outcome, hoping I can to the same. Patti Gayle

Thanks for responding! It wasn't his low price but his experience I was drawn to and I've heard that he's had no leaks (which is always good) and the hospital is a full service hospital. I looked into a doctor in Louisiana but I didn't want to go to a hotel after my surgery. I have to self pay and I'd like to stay in a hospital. That's just me though. Who are you considering? Patti Gayle