NewLife2011

I was sleeved by Dr Aceves so this doesn't apply to me directly but based on everything I've read here I'm rooting for Trish too

Good luck to everyone, you are going to do amazingly! Tomorrow will be 1 week for me and I'm feeling fabulous! Back at work, and down 10 pounds already Of course, I didn't do the pre-op diet so the weight will come off fast initially but I'm not complaining!

Gorgeous! (Bikes and view !)

I ride a HD Sportster 800L. Well, haven't ridden in a while as it's been way too HOT this summer in SoCal. Looking forward to some cooler fall weather

I know! That's exactly how I felt too - some of those nurses looked like models!! I liked Dr A, Dr Campos is very very cute but WAY too short for me at 5'8". Mind you, that would only be an issue standing up.

Update: I am now day 6 post-op and having no issues with the clear liquid diet. Unlike before the surgery, it helps that I don't get hungry and that I'm sipping slowly all day. Seeing as I am unable to stomach the artificially sweetened Protein drinks it's probably a good thing I didn't do the pre-op diet, as it is I will have only 10 days of almost zero calorie intake rather than 24. I can't wait for the full liquid phase to begin

Lisa, I am feeling great! So glad with my decision to have VSG and with my choice of surgeon!!

OK, I'm hyperventilating here. I am probably going to switch to Dr Aceves and have the surgery this Saturday. If any of his patients have some words of encouragement and/or advice I would REALLY appreciate it! I'm a bundle of nerves, as if this whole thing wasn't nerve wracking enough!!!

One more thing I now know that NOBODY warned me about be careful of your cats! My two were thrilled to have me back and one of them immediately jumped on my tummy! Ouch!

I had the surgery on Saturday and drove back to Los Angeles yesterday. Everything went as smoothly as I could have hoped. The doctors and nurses are wonderful, the hospital is modern and clean, and I always felt that I was in very good hands there. I would recommend Dr Aceves to anyone considering this surgery, thank goodness for this board and all the information that is available about all the options.

I had mu surgery yesterday with Dr Aceves and I'm feeling great! Just take deep breaths, focus on why you're having the surgery, and remind yourself of how many hundreds of these are done every day. You are going to do magnificently!

I think the lesson here is that there is no "one" right way and it doesn't mean your surgeon is from the dark ages or less competent if he does things differently than another surgeon at a well known hospital. Fotrunately Dr Aceves had no issues with my liver and I'm recovering well. Thanks to everyone for the support !

Glad that things worked out for you guys. Sounds like a back office glitch and not a reflection on Dr Kelly.

I feel like I've been In a zoo the last few hours! Woke up feeling like a small horse had kicked me in the chest but fortunately the very foxy looking nurse came and made it all better. Then when I started drinking my Water and blue dye I was burping like a piggy! But oh boy did it feel good Spirits are good, no regrets, looking forward to the rest of my life!

And feeling great! Surgery went well. I've been up walking the halls and doing my breathing exercises. No pain, no nausea - maybe they forgot to take my tummy out??!) Nurses are amazing and so are Dr Aceves's staff. Thanks to all the rock stars on this board for the support, encouragement and information! Oh, BTW, I asked Dr A how my liver had been and he said it was fine, no problems (NOT looking to start a debate on the lack of pre- op dieting again thouhgh

Great post, thanks,

Iegal, you're right - I shouldn't have responded the way I did, sorry,

Leaving tomorrow morning at 6:30 for the drive to Mexicali. Pre-op tests at 1:00, surgery Saturday.

Thanks for the tip,

Well, I'm at the hotel. Pre-op tests are done, now I'm ready for lunch. The trip down was quick and uneventful, got here in 4 hours from LA. People at the hospital are very friendly and it's very clean. I am feeling very comfortable with my decision and can't wait for tomorrow!!! And, I'm loving the iPad I bought with some of the money I saved by having the surgery in Mexico

Congrats! You look amazing!!

Actually a 1 to 2 day hospital stay was required with the Dallas surgeon, I have never heard of any US doctors doing VSG as an outpatient procedure. Did some research and the drain usage is not based on "modern" methods. Some things I found from current USA bariatric surgery doctor web sites: feeding tubes. Some surgeons use these as a matter of routine, and some do not. If you need to have a feeding tube, it is easy to put in during the surgery. After surgery it is harder to put in. The same can be said for a drain. Those who don’t use them say the odds of needing them are small, and they can be placed later. There is no right or wrong answer here, so do not ask your surgeon to change his way of doing things. This is from the Johns Hopkins web site for gastric bypass (they didn't have anything for VSG): Surgical drain, placed during the operation if you have had an open procedure. The drain will be removed in 48 to 72 hours, or when drainage is minimal And - no pain meds needed - with "modern" methods?? ROFL!

Well, I kinda thought without most of my stomach I would be able to handle eating less food. That's the idea of the surgery, right??

Congrats! My journey begins on Saturday and I can hardly wait!!

Dr Aceves takes only a $500 deposit up front and you pay the balance when you get down there. Hopefully you get your money back!