My Sleeve Experiences with Dr. Aceves

[serenity1959 67]

Friday night, we flew from SC to San Diego, CA. We spent that night, all day Saturday and the next night in San Diego. Sunday, we were dropped off at the airport. We were told we would have about an hours wait, but Ernesto got there in 15 minutes! Ernesto is a sweetie, but it was difficult for me to understand him as I don't speak Spanish and he has a slight speech impediment. This is the point where I started getting nervous. We were driving straight to the hospital, with Ernesto talking about the sights, etc. He and my DH talked -- I was too nervous to join in. When we got to the hospital, I met my surgery sister there (she was having a band) and we got our blood drawn for tests. Next came the ekg and then the xray, They were very puzzled when looking at the xray machine and asked, "does she have a zipper in there?" LOL I have a steel rod fused to my spine that was showing up in the picture. Next, we were taken to the hotel. It is a very nice hotel and full service -- you can get a massage, etc. but that has to be booked ahead of time. It was too early to eat dinner and we were hungry so walked to the 7-11 for Snacks and drinks. It is HOT in Mexico in August. Finally it was time for dinner. Only one of the three restaurants was open because it was Sunday, so we had to go with the Mexican one, which was fine as I love Mexican food. Our dinner was marvelous and we split dessert. Then, the next morning, it was on to the hospital. I had assumed since my surgery sister was having an easier surgery that she would go first. Wrong! I was up first. I remember being in the OR with a male nurse or dr. named Sergio. He was very nice and spoke with me right before I went under. There were others in there, but he stood out as he spent time talking and explaining things to me which helped calm my fears. Then, they put a mask on my face and I don't remember anything until waking up in my room. I was only supposed to be in recovery for two hours but was in four as the anesthesia really put me under. (A good thing!) My mouth was dry the day of surgery but I was allowed to swish and spit Water so that helped a great deal. I had IV fluids, a drain, and morphine for pain. My surgery sister and I did a small amount of walking at some point, either that day or the next. The hospital was very, very clean. It is small, but you get such good care there. If I needed something, I got it immediately. I can't say enough good things about the level of care I received. After my second leak test, I was brought my first "food": Gatorade, hot tea and apple juice. I drank more of the hot tea than anything else. I also got chicken broth the second and third days. Yuck. I am sure it was cooked well, but I am just not a chicken broth fan. That generally went back untouched. The thing that surprised me the most was pain when I drank. Did not know it would hurt to do that. The day of departure, Ernesto was there bright and early to pick us up. The plane ride home was brutal. The delays were brutal. That was my worst day painwise and I only got half a bottle or so of water in all day. I HIGHLY recommend upgrading your return flight tickets if at all possible. I am on day six after surgery and feel much better. There is just a tiny bit of pain when I drink now. I am tired and feel a bit weak from time to time but am much better. My DH and I are very pleased with the care we received from Dr. Aceves and Almater hospital in Mexicali.

[BellaItaliana 57]

Thank you for your post. I'll probably be in surgery exactly one week from right now with Dr. Aceves, so your post is very helpful to me. Can I ask you-- when you say you had (and still have a little) pain when you drink, can you tell me what kind of pain? Like is it in your throat, chest or stomach? And is it when you swallow or afterwards? I'm just curious. Thank you!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Friday night' date=' we flew from SC to San Diego, CA. We spent that night, all day Saturday and the next night in San Diego. Sunday, we were dropped off at the airport. We were told we would have about an hours wait, but Ernesto got there in 15 minutes! Ernesto is a sweetie, but it was difficult for me to understand him as I don't speak Spanish and he has a slight speech impediment. This is the point where I started getting nervous. We were driving straight to the hospital, with Ernesto talking about the sights, etc. He and my DH talked -- I was too nervous to join in. When we got to the hospital, I met my surgery sister there (she was having a band) and we got our blood drawn for tests. Next came the ekg and then the xray, They were very puzzled when looking at the xray machine and asked, "does she have a zipper in there?" LOL I have a steel rod fused to my spine that was showing up in the picture. Next, we were taken to the hotel. It is a very nice hotel and full service -- you can get a massage, etc. but that has to be booked ahead of time. It was too early to eat dinner and we were hungry so walked to the 7-11 for Snacks and drinks. It is HOT in Mexico in August. Finally it was time for dinner. Only one of the three restaurants was open because it was Sunday, so we had to go with the Mexican one, which was fine as I love Mexican food. Our dinner was marvelous and we split dessert. Then, the next morning, it was on to the hospital. I had assumed since my surgery sister was having an easier surgery that she would go first. Wrong! I was up first. I remember being in the OR with a male nurse or dr. named Sergio. He was very nice and spoke with me right before I went under. There were others in there, but he stood out as he spent time talking and explaining things to me which helped calm my fears. Then, they put a mask on my face and I don't remember anything until waking up in my room. I was only supposed to be in recovery for two hours but was in four as the anesthesia really put me under. (A good thing!) My mouth was dry the day of surgery but I was allowed to swish and spit Water so that helped a great deal. I had IV fluids, a drain, and morphine for pain. My surgery sister and I did a small amount of walking at some point, either that day or the next. The hospital was very, very clean. It is small, but you get such good care there. If I needed something, I got it immediately. I can't say enough good things about the level of care I received. After my second leak test, I was brought my first "food": Gatorade, hot tea and apple juice. I drank more of the hot tea than anything else. I also got chicken broth the second and third days. Yuck. I am sure it was cooked well, but I am just not a chicken broth fan. That generally went back untouched. The thing that surprised me the most was pain when I drank. Did not know it would hurt to do that. The day of departure, Ernesto was there bright and early to pick us up. The plane ride home was brutal. The delays were brutal. That was my worst day painwise and I only got half a bottle or so of Water in all day. I HIGHLY recommend upgrading your return flight tickets if at all possible. I am on day six after surgery and feel much better. There is just a tiny bit of pain when I drink now. I am tired and feel a bit weak from time to time but am much better. My DH and I are very pleased with the care we received from Dr. Aceves and Almater hospital in Mexicali.[/quote']

I'm glad you made it home safely and had a quality experience.

They're a great team, at Almater. I hope your pain is gone now. Traveling home was rough for me too. Not much pain, but it was a misadventure!

[Speedbump 38]

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I was sleeved by Dr Aceves on August 20, 2012. They are a great team, I have recommended them to at least a dozen friends or business associates.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I was sleeved by Dr Aceves on August 20' date=' 2012. They are a great team, I have recommended them to at least a dozen friends or business associates.[/quote']

My mom, the Mexico surgery skeptic, is now recommending Dr. Aceves to coworkers and friends if the express interest.

She was that impressed with the team at Almater.

[*susan* 1,709]

He is definitely amazing. I credit him with saving my life. When he did my sleeve, he found three tumors on my liver and removed them. Who knows how long before they would have been detected if it weren't for him.

Sent from my iPad using VST

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I've never seen one bad post or any complaints about Dr. Aceves.

[serenity1959 67]

Bella, the best way I can describe it is to say that it is a sharp pain going down. Also, I have a stuck feeling that goes away pretty quickly. It is much, much better now and I can almost drink my 64 ozs! I am getting up to over 50, now. The clear diet is rough! Can't wait until Thursday. Of all things, I am craving a chocolate caramel Protein shake!

[serenity1959 67]

Oregondaisy, he does have one detractor that posts a good bit on another board. I was very, very puzzled about why this person had him do her band, and sleeve revision and then privately messaged me that he is "not that great." When I was in Mexico I asked Yolanda. After I told her the years of her operations, she was able to pinpoint it. She didn't name names, of course, but said that this individual wanted to be a coordinator for him and her services were refused. She even showed up at the hospital with some folks saying she was his coordinator and they had to have her removed.

[*susan* 1,709]

Serenity1959, yep, we know exactly who you are talking about. It is sad, because she used to be his greatest supporter. She is now very anti Dr. Aceves, and feels the same about VST as well. She seems to have a lot of anger, and none of us truly understand it.

[Karmamamma 6]

Thanks for sharing with us. I am going to Dr Aceves hopefully beginning of Oct. I am so excited and scared to start my new journey and enjoy life to its fullest! I am concerned about travel back to FL. but many have traveled even farther. I cant wait to be on the other side..

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Thanks for sharing with us. I am going to Dr Aceves hopefully beginning of Oct. I am so excited and scared to start my new journey and enjoy life to its fullest! I am concerned about travel back to FL. but many have traveled even farther. I cant wait to be on the other side..

He's a fabulous surgeon.

[*susan* 1,709]

Thanks for sharing with us. I am going to Dr Aceves hopefully beginning of Oct. I am so excited and scared to start my new journey and enjoy life to its fullest! I am concerned about travel back to FL. but many have traveled even farther. I cant wait to be on the other side..

I traveled from Jacksonville to there and back and did great. Coming home, the airlines out of San Diego are actually very used to having Medical Tourism patients fly with them. If you tell them you just had surgery, they are very good about looking after you, making sure you get plenty of Water, etc. In fact, Dr. Aceves sent some broth with me for the trip home, and the steward had no problem with heating it up for me.

Sent from my iPad using VST

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

I traveled from Jacksonville to there and back and did great. Coming home' date=' the airlines out of San Diego are actually very used to having Medical Tourism patients fly with them. If you tell them you just had surgery, they are very good about looking after you, making sure you get plenty of Water, etc. In fact, Dr. Aceves sent some broth with me for the trip home, and the steward had no problem with heating it up for me.

Sent from my iPad using VST[/quote']

I was sent home with bottled Water, Gatorade, juice, and broth. Every discharged patient was. Very thorough and thoughtful.

[serenity1959 67]

Susan, she sounds a bit mentally ill and probably would benefit from some therapy.