lil lee

Many of your issues mirror my own.
1) I miss Pasta terribly....I have dreams about it. Truely. And bread. Neither of which I have any tolerance for.
2) My breasts look TERRIBLE. I'm back to turning off the lights for "adult time" because I'm so embarrassed!
3) My hair continues to fall out in huge, noticible clumps. Patients at work comment that I must be "shedding", because no matter how dilligent I am, I always have stray hairs all over my scrubs, my back, etc.
4) I REALLY despise when people ask how many lbs I have lost....if I tell them an actual number, I can see the mental calculations taking place. I've had a coworker comment that I was lying about the amount. If I tell people "some amount", they keep pressing. I admit, I've become a bit bitter and have inelegantly snapped back, "You never told me - are you a nazi or a communist these days? Because that's about how offensive your question was to me".
5)It has reduced my already miniscule social life - I never get invited out now, because "we know you can't drink, and it wouldn't be fun for you"....BS.
6) I sag everywhere....like a candle left out in the summer sun. I knew that there would be some loose skin, but I wasn't prepared for this.
And last...
7)I hate the running commentary from those who know about my surgery, and feel the need to contribute their opinion as to the morality of an operation that has already taken place. "It goes against God's design!".....well, guess what, buster! Surgery already happened. So unless you have a time machine, feel free to put a sock in it. Or two.
/endrant
That being said, I would never have reached this weight alone. And for that, I am greatful.

People on the boards are telling people that muscle weighs more than fat. That is the most wrong statement there is. a pound of muscle weighs the same a a pound of fat. Muscle is more dense and takes up less space, but weight is weight.

Just returned 3 days ago from having the procedure with Dr. Aceves. HE IS EXCELLENT! I paid $8750 and was on the schedule within 2 weeks. I honestly can't say enough good things about my experience. The fee covered all preop tests, a night in a nice hotel just a few miles from the hospital, the surgery and the entire team, 3 overnights in a fantastic hospital post-op, transportation to and from San Diego Airport and medications to leave home with. The facility is top notch, super clean, nursing staff is on top of things and everyone is incredibly kind and attentive. Most of them speak English and if they dont you will have someone nearby to translate. I'd go back in an instant and would recommend him to my closest friends and family. Best of luck on your choice. PS....Nina and Karla the coordinators are knowledgeable and extremely responsive..usually within a few hours and definitely by the next day if you email.

^Exactly what teddybear said!^ I work in hospitals for a living, and I have never seen any of them have staff who cleans all day and night. You could eat off those floors! Well, your companion could The staff were so nice and helpful. When I had nausea so bad I was retching into a trash can (very clean btw) the night nurse sat right beside me patting my back and talking to me until the nausea meds kicked in. My surgeons and anesthesiologist came by daily afterward to say hi and check on me. I have had 3 prior surgeries and never saw the surgeons after the surgery. When Frances and I wanted to go to the pharmacy across the street, one of the nurses insisted on coming with us to help us cross the street. It's like New York traffic; cars stop for no one.
He is more expensive, but in my opinion,worth every single penny.

I luv dr aceves I'm a happy happy customer also 6/30/12 was my surgery date. I don't regret ever going alone to Mexicali for surgery with him and I don't regret paying more money.

I luv dr aceves I'm a happy happy customer also 6/30/12 was my surgery date. I don't regret ever going alone to Mexicali for surgery with him and I don't regret paying more money.

You will never be alone! Ramon picks you up and takes you strait to the hospital where Karla and Yolanda await you and walk you everywhere in the hospital you need to go
For the pre ops! Then Ramon drives you to the lucerna hotel which is lovely and the bellhops take your luggage to your room! Just relax you will be in great hands!!
Ramon picks you up at 7am and drives you to the hospital where you are met by Karla and Yolanda !! They are completely organized!!

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr Aceves on Friday. I am so excited and ready to do this. I have researched, researched, and researched and feel very comfortable with my surgery and choice of surgeon.
ready2beskinny, Dr Aceves is more expensive than Dr Garcia. I am paying $8750. There are many excellent surgeons out there, most are cheaper. I went through the list, narrowed it to my top 5, then top 2 and finally prayed about it, and woke up one morning feeling in my heart that he was the best choice for me. I have been saving for nearly a year for this, and feel that I personally have the best chance of success with Dr Aceves. I could have had the surgery months ago with a cheaper surgeon, but I was willing to wait and save and pay more money for my own peace of mind. I am not trying to be negative about anyone else's choice. This is my own gut feeling. You have to go with yours.

Another Aceves fan here! Sleeved 5/21. Down 55 lbs in 3.5 mos from surgery weight of 250 (5'7"). Went to Mexicali by myself and couldn't have been a better experience!

Hi so ready !
I am not familiar with dr verbonen but if it is anything near as organized and efficient as
dr Aceves... You will be thrllled!!
dr Aceves is so knowledgeable and kind .. I could not have had a better experience anywhere!
His staff all were hugging me when I left...
I feel I made lifelong friends!!

aren't they amazing?
i love them
and i live here in Mexicali, so i get to see them every month for follow up

Both my best friend and I said it did feel like a vacation instead if a surgery!! I was so well taken care of!! Every detail attended to!
I like that Dr Aceves has his own floor of the hospital so all the nurses know what they are doing! I like that they keep you in the hospital for three days and make sure every thing is as it should be... Then dc us on day 4 !
It was a wonderful experience!!
dr Aceves is warm and kind... Dr Campos works with him and has had the VSG... So he is a fabulous resource !!

Wow!! I just wanted to take a moment now that I'm officially on the losers bench to share my experience with Dr Aceves and his staff.... Wonderful is the only word I can find!! The entire experience felt like going to a spa!!
From beginning to end it was quick efficient and organized. From emails and phone calls with the coordinator Nina to the driver Ramon!
I was always escorted everywhere ... Anything my friend that went with me needed was seen to... Like she wanted her teeth cleaned... Yolanda... Ninas mom set it up!! The doctors come in three times a day! The housekeepers clean constantly and clean your room three times a day!
Almater hospital is a small efficient private clean hospital filled with really nice nurses and every staff that even passed me in the hallways always smiled and greeted me warmly!
I have been in USA hospitals as a nurse for 32 yrs and know good care.... This was a fabulous experience!
I highly recommend Dr Aceves !
The lucerna hotel we stayed at the night before surgery was so beautiful! And excellent service!

no pre-op
DOS
12/15/11
235 lbs
8 months since WLS
8/14/12
147 lbs
12 lbs til goal
century club, here i come

Highest: 300
Current: 175

All I will say is if your gonna cheat at least get the good stuff. You should have gotten a Haagen Däs bar.

My surgeon gives those, I don't use it. It's not something I feel comfortable whipping out. I really don't care for the choices on the kids menu. I just order on the menu and take home the leftovers.

I'm a newbie (9 days post-op) and had a BMI of 32. I've lost 11 lbs so far, which I think is pretty dang good. I'm excited to lose more but I'm actually ok if I lose slowly...I kinda don't want a ton of attention at work (I work at a high school). My doctor believes that in my first 3 weeks, I should be around 20 lbs, so we'll see...

I am 9 months out, never have any pain, gas pain or else. I actually walked 3 miles the day after surgery and went back to work 3 days later. My surgeon is a genius. Oh and no drain for me.

I had to send a $500 deposit.

I'm about a month and a couple days out and I have lost 30 pounds so far.. And gabby emails me once a week and I talk to dr aceves regularly. I just luv them

Hi Amy, I want to say the PPI was $18 a box for 28 doses. There are two pharmacies, one across the street that you can see from the ER entrance and one on the same side of the street around the corner from the main entrance. The pharmacy on the same side of the street is less expensive by a few dollars and you can use a credit card there or US dollars. Dr. Campos will write it down for you if you like but no prescription is required. I walked around the corner on day two to get it...so I was glad to have a track suit with me so I didn't have to wear my pj's.

Congratulations! on getting your date. I had surgery with Dr. Aceves July 14, 2012, he and Dr. Campos, the anestesiologist and the rest of the team are great and will take good care of you. I think pain may be a very individual thing but I can tell you my experience involved some discomfort but no real pain. When I asked for pain med in the hospital 2x I would describe my pain as being a 4 on the chart. The pain/discomfort I felt really came from my drain tube area which came out the second day. The gas pain that people describe can be very uncomfortable and for me I believe was minimized greatly by walking. As soon as you can get up and walk once you are out of recovery the better off you will be. My husband was a slave driver making me walk every hour and every 2-3hrs in the night. But I thanked him for it. I was sent home with pain med (Sucradol (?)) and picked up extra and the Pharmacy there just around the corner just in case. I also bought a 3 month supply of the PPI (Pantezol) at the Pharmacy around the corner. They will also send you home with a month's supply.I wish I had bought more because I am taking it morning and night now and will run out before the 3 months that I need to take it is up. It is cheaper there and in a little packet that you take instead of having to crush a Nexium or Prilosec or something.
I really haven't had a need for any pain meds since I've been home, except on day when I've over done it with my walking.
Don't be afraid to ask for pain med when you are in the hospital if you need it. Better to get up and walk the gas out then lay in bed with pain. Happy to answer any other questions you might have about my Mexicali experience. Best Wishes. Jennifer

I have been watching this site getting helpful information for months and just haven't signed up. Welp...I got my surgery date today with Dr. Aceves. I will be going to Mexicali to be sleeved on Sept 28th and I'm super excited~! This site is awesome for people who don't have a very strong support system at home, thank you so much I had a consult with a local surgeon but decided to cancel and be self pay because Dr. Aceves appears to be a much more experienced surgeon.... Can anyone tell me what to expect as far as pain and pain management?