June 15Th Plication - Hi, I'm Casey

[kcwaldrop 6]

I am 41 years old, female; I weighed 216 when I went to Mexico for surgery. I am 5'5". I have had many surgeries including a hysterectomy 6 years ago (and that's where my weight problems really began).

I had my surgery at about noon on Friday, June 15th at Clinicia Victoria in Cancun, MX. Dr. Sergio Verbooden was the surgeon and the surgery was arranged by International Patient Facilitators - Sherri Burke. I spent the night in the hospital and was released on Saturday morning. I stayed in Cancun until Monday. The night in the hospital was horrific - no nurses came to check on me unless my husband would go find one and tell them I needed nausea or pain meds. They encouraged me to walk so I did throughout the night and found the only nurse on the floor asleep! The hospital and others tried to get my husband to leave the hospital and go stay in the hotel room and he flat out refused - take someone with you that will push to get the best care for you. Saturday was pretty bad too. Lots of nausea and pain - the nausea was much worse than the pain though. Sunday was better, I went down to the pool (4 flights of stairs) for a while. I flew home Monday and with the help of my family (xxoo to my husband and daughter) made it home last night at 10:30 pm. I am at work today!

My advice to those considering surgery in a foreign county:

1 - understand what level of care YOU need and what's being offered. I had no post op diet, no info on how to care for the incisions.

2 - understand the medicines prescribed for you post op. I was given three prescriptions - one for nausea, one for reflux, and one for pain. None were effective so my husband went to the pharmacy three times and bought other drugs that were much more effective. Add another $200 to your spending money for Rx.

3- make sure you can travel home non-stop and with minimal baggage. Sitting upright in an airplane seat was very difficult for me. The turbulence was hell on the nausea, too.

4- have a recliner waiting for you at home! I can't state how much easier it is to sleep in a recliner than a bed right now.

5- Don't go alone. If I hadn't had my husband there to advocate for me, I think I would have emotionally crumbled. I'm not fluent enough in Spanish to understand what's being said all the time, most nurses don't speak English, and the surgery is painful. You need someone to stay in the room with you.

[Pranjala 36]

Hi casey! So sorry to hear your experience. Really, having a surgery itself is a emotionally challenging process. I had mine on jun 14, a day prior to yours. I am 27. My experience was fairly well. I went to Kolkata(India) for my surgery. My husband and my toddler weren't allowed to see me except visiting hours, but the nurses kept comming to check on my condition. I was under observation for 48 hrs. And wasn't given any oral liquid for the first 24 hrs post surgery. Fortunately , I had no problem even in the flight. I sincerely hope you get well soon and reap the benefits of this wonderful procedure. Keep us updated on your well being.

[Canadianprairiegal 12]

So sorry to hear about your experience, my hubby came with me when I got mine done, I had it done in Tijuana, with dr Cordova, my experience was totally opposite, nurses galore, they were absolutely very attentive, the dr would come and check twice a day, they had no problem with my hubby staying brought him blankets to make up a bed on the couch

Hopefully you can put this aside a think of the positives on the weight that will melt off, I am 3 months in 52 lbs down, so hang in there

[kcwaldrop 6]

The hospital experience was bad but I think a small price to pay for such a great life changing tool.

[kcwaldrop 6]

[sue 40]

It is scary traveling to another country...especially for surgery! I Had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center on April 17th! It is a smaller hospital/clinic setting...and at night it was really quiet...but I slept most of the night. There was a nurse there but I really didn't need her. My sister was with me until after the operation, then she had some facial plasma injections done there by the plastic surgeon. I saw her the next morning, then we both went back to the hotel..where we both rested. Went on a Cabo vacation for 10 days after! Actually a very good experience.