Readyfourchg 19 Posted November 8, 2012 Wow thank you for all the replies. I am excited and was planning to do this right at the end of the year. However, I just found out with Alvarez I will have to do a liquid diet 7 days prior and this would be during Christmas. Can anyone tell me about their experience with the preop diet and the difficulties. I will be at my inlaws during the holidays and am trying to keep this "quiet" but at the same time being realistic about being able to do a liquid diet during the holidays. UUGGHHHHHH!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amykins 202 Posted November 8, 2012 I hope the original poster doesn't mind me rabbit trailing a little bit. I am wondering, if any of you only had $6000 to spend toward your surgery, would you go with Dr. Garcia or Ponce de leon if you could not afford Aceves or Almanza? Or would you wait an entire year more!? I have heard excellent things about both of those doctors, but they are not as well recognized as Aceves or Almanza. I am the worrying type, As much as I try not to. Speaking for myself, I personally waited and saved for Dr Aceves. I am a worry-wart and a bit of a pain-baby. I travelled alone. I liked that Dr Aceves used a shot for pain control for the first 24 hours. The drain didn't bother me at all. I didn't even notice it like the one when I had gall bladder surgery. It's not a bulb like that,I don't think. I wanted to know I had a nurse hovering outside my door if I buzzed. They were there in seconds. I had nausea the first two nights so bad I was heaving into a trash can. The night nurse sat beside me and patted my back until the increased meds kicked in. I loved my hospital bed so much I would have taken it home if I could. To me, all those things were worth waiting for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Readyfourchg 19 Posted November 18, 2012 Thank you everyone!!! I made my decision and agree both surgeons are excellent. I am going to Dr. Aceves and my surgery is 11/28! I am very excited and scared! I apprciate everyone's advice it was very helpful to understand others journeys!! 5 robin805, lana1228, amykins and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frza 194 Posted November 18, 2012 Congrats, you made a great choice. Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 1 lana1228 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Readyfourchg 19 Posted November 18, 2012 Frza, thank you. How was your flight home? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amykins 202 Posted November 18, 2012 Congrats! You will be well taken care of from start to finish. The whole staff is amazing. As for flight, mine was only an hour, but I really recommend bringing a stuffed animal to put between your tummy and the seat belt. I used it in the van ride to the airport and on the flight and I think it made a huge difference. I had no discomfort at all from road bumps or the plane landing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mausi 7 Posted November 20, 2012 Thank you everyone!!! I made my decision and agree both surgeons are excellent. I am going to Dr. Aceves and my surgery is 11/28! I am very excited and scared! I apprciate everyone's advice it was very helpful to understand others journeys!! You won't regret your desicion! I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves last week Monday (revision band to sleeve) and I think he's the best - he really, really cares about his patients, as does the whole team. No pain whatsoever, way easier recovery than with the band/removal. For me .... He's worth every penny! 1 amykins reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allnewme 262 Posted December 11, 2012 Dr, Alvarez is a wonderful surgeon and I would choose him again over anyone. I never had any issues at all and his staff treated us like royalty. No complications at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lana1228 2 Posted December 12, 2012 Thank you guys it is so great to read your experience with Dr. Aceves. I'm scheduled for VSG 12/28/2012 with him, very nervous. It took me some time to decide which Dr. to go with, i liked both of them Dr Alvarez and Dr Aceves they were at the top off my list. It was very hard to make the decision. 1 amykins reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Readyfourchg 19 Posted December 12, 2012 HI All, I had my surgery on 11/28 and am almost 100%. I feel great have lost about 15 lbs. Dr. Aceves was great and so was the staff. They take care of you and the hospital is clean. I have NOTHING bad to say about Dr. Aceves. My recovery has been awesome, scars very small, and I honestly feel good! 2 lana1228 and amykins reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frza 194 Posted December 12, 2012 Frza' date=' thank you. How was your flight home?[/quote'] The flight home was great! No pain or discomfort (other than my neighbor crowding into my seat!). I actually just returned from having my 3 month check up done in Mexicali. Again, the staff was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond my expectations. 1 lana1228 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites