WorldTraveler

Good to meet you! I'm happy to hear your vsg went well I'm looking forward to positive results!

Thank you so much for the info-I have a Capital One Card that I could use.

USEFUL PHRASES WHILE IN Mexico (1/2) 1. I am in pain. 1. Tengo dolor. 2. More pain medication please. 2. Mas medicamento para el dolor porfavor. 3. Water please. 3. Agua porfavor. 4. I need to go to the bathroom. 4. Necesito ir al baño. 5. Another pillow please. 5. Otra almohada porfavor. 6. I feel nauseas. 6. Tengo nauseas. (Pronounce like it is written) 7. I want to take a shower. 7. Me quiero bañar. 8. Another towel please. 8. Otra toalla porfavor. (“ll” pronounced “y”) 9. Soap please. 9. Jabon porfavor. 10. I wet the bed. 10. Moje la cama. 11. More tea please. 11. Mas te porfavor. 12. Call Dr. Aceves please. 12. Llama al doctor Aceves porfavor. 13. May I have a sleeping pill? 13. Puedo tomar una pastilla para dormir? 14. Can you raise the bed? 14. Puedes subir la cama? 15. Can you lower the bed? 15. Puedes bajar la cama? 16. I am cold. 16. Tengo frio. 17. I am hot. 17. Tengo calor. 18. Another blanket pelase. 18. Otra cobija porfavor. 19. Can you bring me a fan? 19. Me puedes traer un ventilador? 20. Can you bring a remote for the tv? 20. Puedes traer un control para la television. 21. The remote doesn’t work. 21. No funciona el control remoto. 22. Can the IV come out? 22. Puede quitar el suero? 23. It bothers me. 23. Me molesta. 24. It hurts. 24. Me duele. 25. I am sorry. 25. Lo siento. 26. It came out. 26. Se salio. 27. Is this OK? 27. Esta bien? PHRASES THE NURSES MIGHT USE(2/2) Possible answers 1. Como se siente? 1. How do you feel? Fine – bien 2. Sientese porfavor. 2. Sit down please. Bad- mal 3. Necesita ayuda? 3. Do you need help? Yes - si 4. Siente dolor? 4. Are you in pain? No - no 5. Donde? 5. Where? A little -poquito 6. Le voy a dar un piquetito. 6. I will give you a shot. A lot - mucho. 7. Abra la mano. 7. Open you hand. Here - aqui 8. Cierre la mano. 8. Close your hand. OK - OK 9. Tiene que levantarse a caminar. 9. You need to get up and walk. Thanks- gracias 10. Si necesita algo llameme. 10. If you need something call me. 11. Vamos a rayos X. 11. We are going to X Ray room. 12. Trae pantuflas? 12. Did you bring slippers? 13. Hizo sus ejercicios de respiracion? 13. Did you do your breathing exercises? 14. El doctor viene en camino. 14. The doctor is on his way. 15. Buenos dias. 15. Good morning. 16. Buenas Noches. 16. Good Evening/ Good Night. 17. Le ajusto la cama? 17. Should I adjust your bed? 18. Despacio. 18. Slowly. 19. Le voy a cambiar los tapes. 19. I am changing your tapes. 20. Le voy a preguntar al doctor. 20. I will ask the doctor.

I'm paying with check and credit card (the credit card will add a 3.3% interest charge).

Dr. Aceves' patient info guide lists both as (PPI) and I'm confused. Is the Pantoprazol a type of Proton Pump Inhibitor or are they 2 different meds I need to take for 3-6 mos (post-sleeve)? Help and Thank you!

I'm not sure, Lylabelle...I don't get sleeved until May 26th. I'll email Nina and ask Thank you for the info/clarification, 1day1ife4now

I'm scheduled for May 26th also...where and with which doctor?

I'm headed to Mexicali over Memorial Day weekend for VSG with Dr. Aceves.

Oh, as far as passport: I was advised to bring one to cross back into the US-you don't need one to cross into Mexico. If you have applied and don't have one, you can bring your driver's license and your application for a passport (details in the patient guide form I linked in my previous post). Payment is tricky-I don't want to finance (usually medical cards have ridiculously high interest rates) except just use my credit card. I saved half the cost, so I will finance the balance. For Dr. Aceves, there is a 3.3% interest charge to use a credit/debit card. However, he also accepts traveler's checks, cashier's checks, wire transfers, and medical financing (through a company, not through them). I was considering Dr. Alvarez (Texas border) but he only accepts medical financing or cash. I did not have $8,500.00 cash nor did I want to go through medical financing when my credit card has a low interest rate. I hope this helps!

I did a lot of research and called/emailed different doctors with my list of questions. I checked credentials and read testimonials. I combed through various forums looking for other patients and their experiences. I watched hours of YouTube videos of people who were sleeved in Mexico to get an idea of the hospital/doctor/staff/rooms/aftercare. I decided to go with Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali for various reasons: credentials, patient success and satisfaction, hospital/facilities, leak tests performed during and after surgery, willingness to accommodate my requests, experience, and acceptance of credit card payment (I can't pay cash for the whole procedure and didn't want to wait until I could). The process: I called and spoke with a patient coordinator who answered my questions, took my email info and sent me 2 emails with information and a link to click on an online form to fill out= Pre-Operative Assessment (important health questions/medications you are on) and the Pre-Surgery Questionnaire (more health questions and important info for them). You can fill out the forms online or download these, fill them out and return them to the coordinator through email or fax. Here is a link to download the forms: http://www.mexicalibariatric.com/apply_surgery.html I have been emailing the coordinator with questions and she has responded promptly. I like having her responses in writing over email vs. the phone (where I forget details). They have penciled in my request for a sleeve on May 26th (pre-op May 25th) while Dr. Aceves evaluates my medical forms. They will contact me to confirm surgery. At that point, I will mail in a $500.00 deposit (can be a personal check) to his PO Box. They will send me a receipt for this and an updated bill reflecting my new balance of $8,250 due when I arrive to the hospital for pre-op tests. I have a patient information guide with detailed instructions to follow before surgery/what to bring/etc. http://www.mexicalibariatric.com/apply_surgery.html The more you explore and research, the better prepared you will be to make the right decision for you. I have a few anxieties but they are tied into the fact that the surgery is permanent and I am worried about acid reflux which is common for sleeved people. However, I think it's worth it so I will work through those issues in the next 2 months. Here's his website if you want to peruse; it has good sleeve info.: http://www.mexicalibariatric.com/ Total cost: $8,750.00 (does not include flight to San Diego or additional take-home meds) I'll stay on here and continue to update as I progress to surgery and after-care. All the best to you in your decision

I'm pre-sleeve right now, but reading up and preparing. I have been on Ideal Protein diet and used Syntrax nectars to replace the costly Ideal Protein packs: you can order a bunch of sample packs through Nashua Nutrition: https://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/syntrax-nectar-grab-n-go-12-servings.html There are lots of bariatric Protein Drink choices on this site. For Syntrax: I love Twisted Cherry, Vanilla Bean Torte, Cappuccino, Double-Stuffed Cookie and Crystal Sky. I'm stocking up on a variety of flavors for my pre-surgery/post-surgery liquid diet.