The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly TRUTH

[Movinon 33]

Hi. I was sleeved June 27, 2014 in Juarez, Mexico by Dr. Rodriguez through the BeLiteWeight.com program. I just wanted to tell you my experience thus far, and I am also a nurse so I was very observant during my hospital stay. I was advised to be there on June 26, 2014 and was picked up by a taxi at the El Paso, TX airport. I was scared to death when I saw the taxi which was a bright orange van, very dirty, with hardly no air-conditioning. The driver was pleasant, courteous, but did not speak English. I was pleasantly surprised when another lady from Arkansas boarded the van with her young daughter and we immediately bonded and my nerves were eased up. The trip across the border was no big deal and it was a short trip to the hospital. The hospital was Angeles Hospital which was in a nice area that was surrounded by fencing and security at the gate. The hospital was beautiful, and was exactly as it is represented on you tube, if you would like to look. We were taken straight to admitting and never left alone at any time.

Some advice for those of you that are admitted a day early, bring plenty to read or keep your self busy, it is a long night. In reference to pain, expect it. This is a major surgery and there is pain especially the first post op night, however they will give you morphine and will respond quickly to your light. The best thing you can do is get up and move as soon as possible, this will help you a great deal. I was fortunate that I did not have any GAS pain any place other than occasionally in my tummy. But most all patients have gas pain and it can be in your back, shoulders, chest, etc. (gotta move)

STICK to your diet, do exactly what you are instructed to do and you will be fine. Your body will quickly tell you when you have taken too much in, so you will learn quickly to take in small sips. I am not hungry, but I find myself very exhausted so I push fluids and it does make you feel better. I am less than a week out and I am sleeping well, taking very little pain medication, and can get down my pills with no problems.

PROS: The hospital is beautiful and very clean.

The surgeons and anesthesiologist are very compassionate, and will visit you daily.

The staff seem very happy to be there, and have a desire to please.

All the staff are dressed in nice matching uniforms, with starched white jackets.

The towels and dishes are monogramed, it almost feels like a 5 star hotel.

Security is everywhere, and they do watch the elevators. No one comes or goes unless they check you out.

I felt completely safe.

Call lights are answered quickly.

They will have food brought in from the outside for your guest.

Almost everyone I came into contact with had a smile on their face and had a good attitude.

CONS: Communication is terrible, even if you use a translator on your I phone.

Not one person that entered my room washed their hands, and the hand sanitizer outside my door was empty.

No one wore name tags or identified themselves as a nurse or a tech etc.

No one wore gloves, except maybe one time as I remember and there are no gloves available in the rooms.

There are no paper towels in the bathroom, even if they wanted to wash hands before care.

No one ever cleaned the hub of the IV port with alcohol before push medications.

The T.V. only has 1 English channel, boring.

So basically the staff needs additional training in infection control.

Things to take with you. Wash cloths, large hand sanitizer (and make them use it), magazines, chap stick, all your paper work, music, toiletries, Gas X strips, chewable antacids, liquid Tylenol, and any comfort things...

I have no regrets, I am glad I did this.

Hope this helps some of you.

Qmovinon

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Wow - you cannot cure that level of infection control malpractice with hand wipes and sanitizer. It sounds like it should be avoided.

Seems like they are catering to what most will find attractive while not noticing the underlying cost-cutting measures. It would make me wonder how well they are trained. Most people I find, once they are adequately aware of microbiology and infection control by sheer self-preservation will keep their hands clean, at least.

Very glad you did well! welcome to the losers bench

[StephanieRR 131]

I am in disbelief over the sanitary conditions. I am however, delighted that everything went okay for you and you are doing well. I had mine in Cincinnati as an outpatient. NO PAIN. I went in at 7:45am and was on my way home at 1:45pm. They made you feel comfy and you had several nurses there to help you at any given second in the recovery room. They got you up and made sure you were comfortable and able to walk around within an hour. It was surprisingly easier than I ever imagined. I'm sure your price was unbeatable, but the price of getting an infection is way more costly. Once again, I am excited for you & your new journey and glad all went well.

[Movinon 33]

Thanks !!!! I should have specified it was the staff on the floor, the surgeons seemed very well trained, and they do have an entire youtube video of the surgery if anyone wants to watch it.. As I was being pushed into the surgery room it looked like any surgery room in the U.S., everyone had the appropriate PPE on......