Kimmes

Ladies! Congrats on your decision to make a major change in your lives! Dr Kelly is an excellent and kind surgeon. Best wishes on your journey. Please keep us updated on your progress! Hugs- Kim

Excellent choice in my own opinion and based on my personal experience! You go Nana-Nanner!

I am a 48 years young and was sleeved on Jan 6th!

I am back! Sorry if I worried anyone by my delinquent update! So here is my story: I left Minnesota for Tijuana Mx on Jan 5th to have VSG with Dr Ramos Kelly on Jan 6th. I arrived safely in San Diego and just like Trish ( Dr Kellys patient coordinator) said the driver was waiting for me with my name on a sign. The driver was also picking up the other ladies from Canada who were having survery in TJ that very day with another doctor. The driver took me directly to the Hotel Lucerna where Trish had already booked me and was waiting to take me to my room. For those using Dr Kelly - this hotel is very nice - has a nice gym (which I did not use but my sleeve sister Pam did), a beautiful pool area and 3 dining options. Trish got me situated and I tried to relax while I waited for my Sleeve Sister Davida (how also posts on this site) to arrive. In the mean time Trish went back to the hospital to pick up Pam to take her for her final leak test and bring her to the hotel. Trish wanted me to meet Pam so I could hear from her about her VSG which took place 2 days prior. Pam arrived and I was amazed at how she said she felt little pain, no hunger and was pretty relaxed. She loved Dr Kelly and Trish and the new hospital that Dr Kelly is using. It really relaxed me talking to Pam! Dr Kelly came to the hotel to meet me and just introduce himself and to find if I had any remaining questions. (What US surgeon would meet you at your hotel (or home) the evening before surgery to go over questions??? None! Around 9:30 Davida arrived!!!! We had been exchanging phone calls, emails and texts for over a month and now we finally got to meet! She had brought her mother with her - Mom agreed to adopt me for the next 4 days. These ladies made this experience so much easier! I was blessed that they were there with me. We all settled into bed after 11:00 - the next day was surgery day! 8:00 Trish arrived to take Davida, Mom and I to the hospital: Florance Health Care/Oasis Hospital. I had at least 3 doctors visit me before I was rolled to the OR for surgery. All I remember is being on the table and then next thing I knew - I woke up and I am back in my room. Had I just really had surgery?? Mom was there rubbing my hand and saying a prayer and told me - it was all over. AFTER SURGERY: Day 1 & 2 - No one could have properly prepared me for the pain/medication/gas etc. Remember everyone is different - but I thought childbirth was much easier than this surgery! I do not like pain meds - I feel nausea from just about everything and the nurses where right there on a schedule giving me pain med, antibiotic, nausea meds etc. Never had so many meds! The hospital staff was amazing! They were there within seconds of me pushing the beeper! All except one could speak perfect English so that was never an issue. Day 3 , Dr Kelly removed our drains and Davida and I were discharged and headed for our final leak test (3 total for me). After the leak test, which is very interesting to watch, we headed back to Hotel Lucerna. Every day Dr Kelly and Trish would come by no less than 3 times to check on us, bring us Gatorade, Jello and our take home drugs. Pam was still at the hotel when we returned be cause she chose to extend her stay and take additional time to heal before returning to Canada. (no complications or issues - just her personal choice). It happened to be Pam's birthday so Dr Kelly and Trish bought her a beautiful flower display ! That evening we all gathered to share one bowl of chicken broth (Mom got to eat a yummy meal). It was hard to believe that 3 of us split a bowl of broth! lol. Day 4: Trish and Sam (Dr Kelly's son) took all of us shopping and out for dinner. It really blows my mind how quickly you feel better after this surgery! We each had a bowel of Tortilla Soup (after Dr Kelly was called for approval) the soup was strained and there were no tortillas but it tasted perfect! Then we returned to the hotel and prepared to leave the next morning. Later that evening Dr Kelly came to the hotel to check on us one last time and to say our goodbyes! I arrived back in cold Minnesota at 8:00 pm. That part of my journey is complete! Thoughts: Dr Kelly - I cannot even begin to explain the kindness and care he provided to each of us. I have never received this type of treatment before and possibley never will again. He explained in detail what he was going to do during surgery and then after surgery he talked about how my surgery went and what he found inside me (my blood was thin and he had a harder time getting me to stop bleeding). He is very professional, thorough and patient! Trish - This woman works more hours than I can imagine. She is so organized and also so comforting. She made this trip so much easier for me! Hospital - The new facility was very nice - better than any hospital room I have ever been in. My room was clean and had the following: Hospital bed, dresser TV, comfy recliner and an extra full sized regular bed for patients who may have guests. The room had a very large bathroom and a nice window that let in the light. I think that 2 levels of the hospital are called florence Health Care and the remainder is dedicated to Oasis of Hope an alternative cancer treatment center. There were lots of US patients in the cancer center. Now get this - your guest can eat in the hospital cafeteria the entire time for free!! To sum it up - I would do the exact same thing over in a heart beat! I weighted 217 on surgery day and today weigh 211 so I am down 6 pounds. I am working hard to get my Water and fluids in. Dr Kelly gave us a detailed take home diet to follow and I plan to stay as close to that as possible! Thank you for all of your prayers and messages while I was gone. I appreciate continued prayer during the next few recovery week.s. For anyone considering Dr Kelly send me a message if you have questions! Kim

Keeping my fingers crossed that your passport will arrive tomorrow or soon! Best wishes on your journey - I just returned on Monday from Dr Kelly! AMAZING - that is all I can say about the care and attention that I received. They provided the best service I have ever received from any Doctor! Let me know if you have any questions about Dr Kelly - I would be more than happy to answer! Sending prayers and best wishes to you for your upcoming journey! Kim

Great job! I am pretty sure I will a slow loser also.... but you are losing so you have to be happy! Way to go

I am back! And fine sorry I made you worry! I will be posting an update shortly. Everything went exactly as planned, Kim

Best wishes tomorrow! Sending prayers and hugs your way! I am right behind you on Thursday! Kim

Best wishes to you tomorrow! I have my surgery this week also!

Our time is almost here! I don't know about you guys but my emotions are out of control! Excited, nervous, anxious! This little fellow is what I feel like! Best wishes to everyone as we travel this journey! You all will be in my prayers as we head into the new year! Hugs and blessings to all of us January Sleevers! Kim

Sending by very best wishes and prayers your way today, along with a big hug! Save room for me - I join you one week from today! Kim

Julie - I love your videos and as since I am pre-surgery It has helped me understand a bit about the emotions, challenges etc that I have ahead for me. You have been a mentor to me (and you may not even know that!). So thank you for sharing your personal journey with us! Kim

Here goes SN............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.........Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.......235..................235.............220..............15 MRSKOUBIK....317..................283.............267..............16 Sleeve 4 me...166..................166.............154..............12 LeslieH...........212..................212.............199..............13 Cwalker..........250.................180..............170..............10 Moni luv..........190.................190..............178..............12 Yolanda240.....236.................203..............170..............33 Mommy2Girls....275.................240..............228..............12 Kgremmy.........225.................210..............199..............11 Sailorgirl...........240.................220..............200..............20 Ibejjo.............249..................249..............229..............20 Juliarh.............230..................230..............215..............15 Kimmes...........239..................222..............200...............22 This was a little hard for me to predict as I am starting my pre-op liquid on Saturday and have surgery one week from today. I also leave on vacation to spend valentines day in sunny/sandy Caribbean St. Martin on Feb 11th - so I am going to post my results either late or early because I don't plan on hitting the internet while on vacay! But since most people see a nice drop after surgery I am going to shoot for the aggressive side! Good luck everyone! Kim

WHOOT! Can you believe you day is almost here! I am so excited for you! Please keep us updated on your journey. I will be leaving one week from today and have surgery on the 6th. But I will be checking it - so please post when you are able! Sending my best wishes and prayers your way! Kim