Anyone going to Juarez Mexico for their Sleeve?

[minnie78 17]

I'm glad u told me cuz I thought we could leave it at the airport lol

[minnie78 17]

Thank so much for telling me I just reserved with fast stop!!

[skdemirtas 5]

No problem!! Drive safe!!

[PeacockMama 119]

Skdemirtas plz update us as soon as you feel up to it!!!

[skdemirtas 5]

Hey Peacock! I had my sleeve yesterday afternoon and haven't felt to much pain since - just a couple "stitches" here and there! I finally got some ice chips - thanking God for small kindnesses at the moment for that!!!

How are you doing?

[PeacockMama 119]

Im just waiting...march 12th is my date. Im counting down the days when you get a chance cld you give us a run-down from your arrival there through now? I would love a play by play

[skdemirtas 5]

Will do!!!

[PeacockMama 119]

Hey hun, how are you doing???

[skdemirtas 5]

Hey there!! Sorry for the delay - have been trying yo get back in the grove of things!!

So here's my story!!!

My Mother and I drove to El Paso - it was a long 8 hour drive - and with every mile closer butterflies seemed to make a home in my gut!!! LOL!! We arrived a day early in El Paso (Thursday) and spent it shopping(hehe)!! The driver for BeLiteWeight called me around 7 pm to check on me and made sure i knew where and when to be! Friday afternoon we made our way to the airport and dropped off my truck ( Fast Spot is wonderful - good price and courteous staff) at long term parking. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours early (just to be sure we didn't miss the transport to Juarez) and then around 4pm loaded up with another couple. The driver was very friendly, have us a mini tour and most importantly got us to our destination safely(it took less than an hour to get across the border and about 10-15 minutes to get to the hospital).

At first sight the Star Medica looks like a top notch hotel. The driver took us passed alittle security point and parked next to the ER entrance. From there he escorted ( oh yea - and carried alot of the luggage) all of us inside the building. The first thing I noticed upon stepping inside was the smell - it was wonderful - it smelled fresh and clean. Second thing was how pristine everything and everyone was - nurses wore immaculate white uniforms with white nurses hats. Anyway - from there the driver took us to two huge double glass doors, which brought us to registration. He deposited our luggage and gathered our IDs and gave it to the intake personnel. He made sure we were comfortable and then said his farewells to us.

A few minutes later Dr Couldon( probably not spelled right) appeared in front of my Mother, the other couple and I and discussed with us step by step what would be happening to us. He facilitated our registration - even translated some things for us while signing the few papers required to check in!! He then escorted us to the third floor and got us and our items settled in(the other couple was right next door to us). He then came back ( about 5 mins later) and escorted myself and the other lady downstairs to star our Pre op testing. We got down there and we're both immediately admitted for it - I to X-ray and she to get her blood drawn and then we switched. It took a total of 10-15 minutes from start to finish( when we got back to our rooms).

Dr Couldon brought us back upstairs and advised us we were free to go out and enjoy our last (big) meal and even offered some choices. There is a wonderful restaurant right next to the hospital (2-3 minute walk); it was first cheap, wonderful food and the service was phenomenal!! After dinner we went back up to our room ( by the way the room was bigger and more comfy that a lot of hotel rooms I've seen) and turned in - the next day was going to be my surgery so I wanted to try and get some sleep!!

At 600 am sharp on Saturday I get a knock on the door and its the nurses to put my IV in - first stick was a charm and he got it put in!! From there we waited (no food or Water since the night before either) until about 830 am and the when Dr Rod and the other Doc came in. They asked if I had any questions, shook my Mothers hand, held my hand and patted me on the shoulder( something most American docs don't do - they don't touch their patient) and then left. Then about 30 minutes later the anesethologist came and held my hand and explained to my Mother and I what to expect - she even gave me a mini hug. About 2:30 we get a knock and it's a nurse coming to get me to Prep me for surgery - he wheeled me down on my bed ( I was the 4th out of 5 surgeries on Saturday). I get down stairs and they put the stallings on and even gave me alittle something for my nerves - about 30 minutes after that I am wheeled into the operating room and transferred to another bed. They fold out some arm rests and put my arms gently on it and then the anesethologist comes to my head and is smoothing my hair and talking to me saying everything will be all right, that I will be asleep in a minute and that she would be there when I woke up - from there I wake up in recovery after 2 1/2 hours ( I'm told) and am wheeled back up to my room - at that point I remember asking why I am having hunger pains and where I am at - I then see my Mother and wave at here and then I fell back asleep!!! LOL!!!!

I woke up about 3 hours later and immediately had to go to the rest room so the nurses brought me the wheelely deal for my IV and I took off running!! HaHa!! I did not have any major pains - mainly just acid and gas but it was all bearable - I only asked for pain meds at night because they seemed to put me straight to sleep! I walked as much as I could and tested a lot - I have been having hunger pains but that was due to the acid build up and of course gas- it had since gotten much better!! All the doctors came in to see how I was doing and checked on my cuts! The next morning they came again and approved my ice chips and said I could take a shower. Which I gladly did and of course I enjoyed the ice chips - nothing tasted better at that point!!! After that I was brought lunch and dinner which consisted of broth, Jello, apple juice, tea and huge bowls of ice chips. Later that night Dr Couldon came in a asked what time on Monday I wanted to depart - told him 8 am and he aggreed! Then Dr Rods co worker ( c any remember his name off hand( came in and took my down for the X-ray to make sure I had no leaks - I drank that nasty stuff and then he should be everything in real time and even had a DVD burned of what I saw for me!! He then escorted me back upstairs and told me he'd be back in a few minutes to take my drain out! He was true to his word and Came back - he had me sit down on the recliner and I of course asked if it was going to hurt and he smiles at

Me and asks if I want the truth - so at that point I am gearing up for some pain - he takes ice cold alcohol and rubes around the bandage and then says ok I will count to 3 - he goes 1....2...how u feeling - I'm done!!! I did not feel a darn thing!!!!! After that we just had a few nurse visits to replace some IV fluids, bring my meds and to gave me a shot!

The Next morning they came in sharp at 9 and we were loaded into the van! It took us about 3 hours from the hospital to where we parked!!

I am currently 7 days post op and have not weighed myself yet so not sure if and how much I loss!

The whole experience was wonderful and I would definitely recommend using BeLireWeight!!

Ask if you have any questions.

[Ericabrown 5]

This is great news. Just to hear of your experience eases my mind. I'm glad that your surgery went well. Did the restaurant next door and the hospital cafeterias take U.S. Dollars ?

[skdemirtas 5]

Thanks! and yes they did rake US dollar on both places! The restaurant even listed both the Dollar and Peso on the same ticket!

[PeacockMama 119]

Omg thank you so much! Your experience sounds WONDERFUL! And...GO WEIGH YOURSELF!! Haha! A week is a long time with this surgery and you've probably dropped more weight than you realize! Im curious to know how you're doing on weight loss )