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Good luck!!

Why not.. Hw 206 SW 203 3/28 CW 186 6/1 goal 160..26#s

Hey! Yes I remember. Im doing great. Still not feeling hungry, good on fluids. No pain or discomfort. Down 14# as of yesterday. How r u doing?

7days post Surg 3/28 Mexico. 14lbs down yesterday. No problems. I've been blessed also with an easy recovery. Never any pain, no hunger still. Small sipping fluids all day, especially coconut water which has a few cals and lots of potassium to help with that weak, dizzy feeling. Been out walking everyday, and a relaxed 2.5 mile trail walk yesterday. Eating about 4 Tblsp thin soup/broth or 2 oz protein shakes per "meal". Good luck all.

Just had mine done 5 days ago w/ Kelly. Very happy with my choice. Good luck w/ your decision.

Long flight from Virginia. We arrived a day early at San Diego. I called Lora who seemed very sweet and was told Alina was picking us up. She was helping out as CeCe (Dr. Kellys wife) was at a sport competition with their son for a few days. Alina showed up, very nice and spoke very good english. The hospital wasnt going to be ready for a few hours, so Alina took us to grab a quick bite (broth for me)and gave us about a 4.5 hr tour of San Diego and TJ. Filling in history and telling us about the country. She's very pleasant and friendly. My mom and I really enjoyed the day. Arriving at Florence, everyone was friendly. It was clean, a bit dated as others have said, but adequate. My room was functional. I got the room others spoke of with the cafeteria trash view. Lol Some other rooms have a nicer view. It felt a little less private with the guys spraying down and dropping trash there in the evenings, but still it worked. Im not one to need plush or hand holding so the amenities and equipment were fine.They ARE renovating Florence, so I expect future patients will see rooms more up to date. Dr. Kelly came in that evening to meet me. I can't speak more highly of another physician. He is very personable and caring. Willing to explain and answer all questions. I didn't feel uncomfy at all and actually felt completely at ease with him. Next day: I have horrible veins, but they got it started on the 2nd try. Surgery at 10. There were alot of surgeries there due to Illan and Garcia now using the facility, but Kelly only did 3 that day I think, me being the first. It was quick..joking with the anesthesiologist and surgical team one minute, woke up in my room the next. First day was rough. I've never been put under, and my reaction to the drug was nausea. I threw up on and off the first day, even with nausea meds, but NEVER had pain. Kind of a funny spasm or tight feeling under the diaphragm from the gas, but not pain. I walked as much as possible and slept. The nurses were nice and most spoke atleast some english. Anna and Sara were especially sweet. Communication wasn't a problem. Next day..Vein blew, and many attempts over the day for IV access not their fault really, my veins had run for the border. Finally got it in late afternoon. I was better, up walking, going outside and so ready to leave the hospital. Barely feeling like I had anything done. I met several other patients including other VSTers and the support and camaraderie amongst us was really cool. Almost like we knew eachother. : ) Saturday...Leak test at Angeles Hospital..this is a modern, very nice facility. The dye was horrible, no lie..have some sugar free gum available for afterwards to get the taste out....then off to Hotel Lucerna. Wow. Beautiful is all I can say. I will stay again when I go back to visit TJ. The hotel broth isnt bad, its a standard broth. The menu for guests is good. Popsicles are comforting. But the restaurant across the street (Casa de Mole..I think)is amazingly good both for broth and guests. I was rarely in my room, but out wandering and walking. Alina picked us up Sunday and we went shopping in the market place for a couple hours and rode along the beach area which was crowded due to spring break. I got coconut water still in the nut, it was refreshing, hydrating and gave me a bit of variety. I managed atleast one 20 oz gatorade a day and some water(small sips constantly in hand), 2 tblsp chicken broth at dinner if I set my spoon down for a moment between bites..maybe 4 tblsp over a 30-40 minute period. Even today, 5 days postop, I feel no hunger and I feel great. Dr. Kelly checked in everyday, even at the hotel and took the time to connect and chat. I really liked him and will visit in the future. I am very happy with my choice. With surgeon, coordinators,facility..I would do it exactly the same again. CeCe picked us up on Monday, stopped for coffee across the border and we flew home with no issues. I really enjoyed my stay and my experience. Best of luck in your own choices and journey.

Got back home last night. Doing great. Ill post a full experience in a bit. It was really great to meet my co-sleevers. The comraderie at Florence was awesome.

Well after a year of waiting and saving, Im on my way. Surgery tomorrow. Good luck fellow sleevers.

And you'll probably receive the best service now due to no over crowding. Lol

So, I was reading a thread earlier about many people switching from Mi Doctor to Oasis. I can only assume that spurred the dream which now has me lying awake in bed typing this post. I'm to have surgery on the 28th, and thought I wasn't that nervous..but, I dreamed a large number of us arrived at Oasis, Dr Kelly, Dr Illan, and Dr Garcia lined up to greet us like a receiving line. We stood in line, were issued a gown and a number painted on our foreheads. Then put in rooms, 4 beds each. Later, we all stood in line outside the OR, occasionally a nurse coming out and calling "Uno, Dos, Tres"..people were then wheeled out on cots and lining the hallway for recovery. Next..about 20 of us walked around a circle of chairs cake walk style to the tune of the Mexican hat dance until the nurse hit the stop button and we had to sit to rest and sip gatorade until the music started again. Lol..I think my subconscious is telling me I'm more anxious than I thought. Had to share. : )

28th for me too. See u guys there maybe.

Why? Im headed there next week. Do I need to pack a bigger bag??

Thoughts and prayers. So sad. RIP Fred.

3/28 w/ Kelly here. I'll just miss you as you'll be headed to Hotel as I get there on the 27th

I read everyday. I just don't post anymore for the reason you stated. Been on the board for a year and am now 2 weeks preop. I will post my story after surgery for those looking at Mexico, but will go back to lurking afterwards. Hopefully, I too will be too busy enjoying life.

Dr. Kelly..Oasis (Florence hospital). Flying in 3/27, surgery 3/28. Good luck!

March 28th, flying in for early admission on 27th

March 28. Kelly

I edited my original post...the person apologized, and honestly the podter doesn't bear all of the weight of the original post. This site has changed, and not for the better. I hope maybe my edited post will find reception among VSTers. I know there will always be ruffled feathers when you toss hundreds of ppl together from all walks of life, but we can atleast TRY to turn around the negative changes here. We have lost alot of good members recently. Many veterans. When they do come to post an occassional update, they too cite the negativity as a reason. Best wishes.

I've been here for a year. Watched everyones struggles and victories. Im now on the verge of finally joining you on the losers bench. Other posters have written about the negativity and aggressive posters here and have moved on to other sites. I defended the site. But after reading through many controversial posts today I do see alot alot of inflammatory posts, alot of quick posts fired from the hip. We are all here because we are all in a battle against ourselves. Be it present, past, or future struggles. We are all there or have been. This site can be an awesome support resource, or it can take a concern or question and rip its poster to shreds and even send emotions in turmoil. Alot of power for an internet forum, but we come here to commune with kindred spirits and maybe gain insite and strength from the only group who can understand. Its not a debate of " my surgeon is better" or "eat that cookie and be excommunicated from VST". Yes, we should perhaps give some tough love on occasion..but still make the mistaken feel supported. That's what this site was when I first found it. It has been instrumental in my sleeve education and my confidence that I WILL be successful. I hope everyone takes a step back before typing out a reply. You have more power here than you realize. be kind. You don't know the real struggles beyond your screen. But behind the post is a real person. Luck to all.