Move over, I'm sleeved!!! (Star Medica Dr. Rod)

[NC Redneck 0]

Well, I have made it! Flew down yesterday and had my surgery after blood tests, EKG, chest e-xray, blood pressure checks, etc. When I came to, after surgery, I was in a lot of pain and was nauseaiated. I didn't have any shoulder pain as some has had. I am roughly 12 hrs. out of surgery and I already feel a 100% better, well maybe 70% lol. I have made a few laps in the hall but still have some gas and feel bloated. I also feel like I drank a cup of "dirt road". Gas-x has somewhat helped with that too.

Star Medica is a nice hospital which is spotless. Dr. Rod and his staff seem very professional. I have an unexpected surprise to have internet in my room. I only have but two bars and it takes forever to load a page. Maybe it won't time out when I submit this.

A lady, from Kentucky, that rode with me from the airport has a lot more "guts" than me. All combined she had her first flight, first trip out of the country, and surgery yesterday. I don't think I could have been that brave. I came by myself, but I have been on a lot of flights and actually worked in Mexico for 15 months in 2005 and 2006. It was in a different area but I don't think I would have had the "guts" to make my first flight and trip out of the country to have my surgery. So, I tip my hat to her!

[Maddie 9]

Woo Hoo, gratz. So glad to hear all went well. Take care and keep us posted when you can.

[Miss Lili 0]

yahoo!!! congrats! I am going there in September, so please feel free to feed me any and all info (down to smallest tidbit) as i am starving for info info info!!!

hope your day goes well!!!

[NC Redneck 0]

I agree with everything Missy says. I too was sleeved July 1 by Dr. Rod at Star Medica. I came by myself, so I got a calling card from Nobel, to call my family. I had a hard time figuring out how to call out. I had to get a nurse to call someone to open the line. Then, once I called the Nobel number they gave me another to call that is local. After calling the pin is not recognized or the call can't go through or try again, etc. I would get through about 1/3 of the times that I tried to call home. I just thought this info might be good info for anyone that buys one of these calling cards to call home. They work but you have to be very patient lol.

I was able to take a shower the day after surgery. The first day after surgery they wouldn't allow us to drink anything. They will give you gas-x strips. That helps with the gas and also helps with the dry mouth.

Another thing that has surprised me so far, I seem to be able to drink without much restriction. I have read a lot of people had trouble getting enough Water in the first few days. I don't think I will have that problem.

Also, your first meal will probably be orange Jello, some kind of hot tea, and apple juice. The first two meals were the same for me (not very good). Then, the next meal had a cup of chicken broth too. Man, it was good!! That chicken broth "hit the spot".

Anyways, good luck. I hope you have as good of an experience as I have had. I will be going home tomorrow afternoon.

posted this in another thread too

[Miss Lili 0]

thanks for the info. I am thinking that I will forget about the calling card, suck it up and use my cell. I am in Canada anyway, so probably not the same cards!

Wow.. it is so great to talk to someone who is actually there.. hope your trip home goes smoothly!

[mellifrits 25]

I am so glad to hear things are going so well for you. You have no idea how wonderful it is to read your post since my big day is only 8 days away. Did you get the super sleeve or the vsg? I would love if you keep updating me on how you are doing! I have yet to find anyone that is getting sleeved that same day as me but I honestly think it would be better to pen pal someone that is a little ahead of me.

[NC Redneck 0]

I had the VSG not the super sleeve.

Liliy the card works for Canada too and it's less than $.05/min. They have all kinds at Noble. I call it a card, but really they just emailed me access numbers and a pin number.

[Miss Lili 0]

oh excellent! thanks! I will definitly check it out then!!

[GunaBASexyMamma 0]

:thumbup:CONGRATULATION!!! FEEL BETTER SOON.

April

[JudyM 2]

Firstly, congrats on your operation, and I wish you a full and speedy recovery! Do you mind me asking .... what is a Super Sleeve?

x

[ANITALOU 2]

??? Hey I'm new to this...what is a super sleve opposed to the vgs????

[steve-o 0]

LOL at "dirt road", Mr. Redneck. Brings back the memory of my post-surgery hours when I could hardly speak due to my dry tongue.

Those first sips of Crystal Light and of ice Water the next day were so delicious! And my first "meal" of beef broth was like fine dining.

Like you appear to be, I was lucky in that I never had a problem with liquids (although I always went slow). I was afraid the first time I swallowed a pill... not knowing what would happen... but it was a non-event.

For me, the story about it getting better every day was absolutely true. By a week after surgery, I even went by work for a couple of hours. I could have come back full-time then, but decided to baby myself.

[ANITALOU 2]

Where were you sleved? I am thinking that I am going to st joes..heard lots of good things, but I can't help but be anxious. I know two girls that have had RNY there but after reading I think the sleve is for me. Have you heard anything bad about St Joes?

[NC Redneck 0]

thanks for the info. I am thinking that I will forget about the calling card, suck it up and use my cell. I am in Canada anyway, so probably not the same cards!

Wow.. it is so great to talk to someone who is actually there.. hope your trip home goes smoothly!

Well, I'm home and I feel great. I can't believe how good I feel, seriously. I know it has a lot to do with being glad that I made it through the surgery and had enough courage to make the decision to have the surgery. I was mentally ready but not without "fear" and not without being nervous. I was prepared to not feel very good for a few weeks after surgery. I never dreamed that I could/would feel as good as I do now. I don't have any trouble drinking and I am not physically hungry.

I didn't have an option for a direct flight to or from El Paso. My flight out there I had a connection in Atlanta and the flight back the connection was in Phoenix. After landing in Phoenix, I thought maybe I should check the cost to go to Vegas for a couple days while I am this close. I didn't check on it because I remembered I didn't have enough clothes packed.

I think everyone that is considering sleeve surgery should consider surgery options in Mexico. You just can't beat the experience and the care that you get. I can only speak for Dr. Rodriguez but I don't think you could go wrong with Dr. Aceves, Dr. Alvarez or some other Dr.'s in Mexico. Just do research and read peoples testimonies here on this forum and others.

I am thankful for this forum and it's members. They are the ones that gave me the courage to do the sleeve surgery.

Edited July 5, 2010 by NC Redneck