OneBigTeddyBear

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.

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.

I can absolutely attest that Dr. Aceves in Mexicali is a fantastic, very very qualified surgeon who has done many revisions. I would not hesitate to recommend him and his team to anyone. It's a real hospital with ICU, Blood bank ER etc..., private rooms, excellent nursing care and it's safe. Wish you the best in making your decision.

As long as you're mindful of what you're taking into your body, and focus on protein first, you'll be shocked at how fast the weight comes off of us big guys.

110 down in 4.5 months

Wow...this is fantastic! I'm inspired...started a bit higher but now I can see it's possible! Great work!

I met my surgeon for the first time today. He was very nice and answered any question I asked. He was so happy that I have lost almost 40 lbs already and the fact that I lost 180lbs a few years ago (even though I gained it back, it shows my willpower). My surgery date is 11/14/12!!! He believes my sleeve can help me get down to 200lbs and the rest is up to me. He reminded me my sleeve is a tool and it is up to me to use it properly. I am SOOOOOOOO excited. I have an upper endoscopy on 10/18... yuck! Hate them!
Thanks for "listening" to me gush... I am so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OBTB
I can drink small sips with no problem so far, I just had a 8oz glass of gatorade over the past half hour, now Im working on the apple juice. You will definatly know when you hit full, it is a little painful, Ive been burping after almost every sip. Not the bear growls im used to, but little bursts. They took my IV out today and then I headed straight for the shower. That was a real turning point for me, getting clean and shaved, and in my own PJ;s.

Hi All
We got picked up at the hotel at 7 sharp. Ramon brought us to the hospital and he ushered us to our rooms. I changed into my Hospital Gown and the parade of doctors and anesthesiologist etc came through. I met Dr Aceves and he seem like such a genuine guy, he informed me that there would be 5 additional doctors in the OR to observe. At first I was a little put-off by it, abut then I thought "I am never gonna see any of these people again, so what.
The anesthisis came in and explained how he would put me under. They use an epdural and general anesthesis. They sedated me to the point that I did not even remember getting the Epidural. The next thing I knew I was in recovery. They would not let me out of recovery until I could move my legs. So I started with a toe, then a foot and then the other toe and so on. I wanted that oxegen mask off my face, so I was working it as much as I could. I have been very itchy ever since surgery.
They brought me to my room and I dont remember too much of the next cuple hours, I can remember mostly after 3pm. My wife called and was very upset that Yolanda had not called as promised, and then she told me that I had a Hiatal Hernia repaired also. They kept asking if I had urinated yet and I was still dead down there. it took until 2am to start urinating, but then every half hour I had to go again. My bladder normalized this morning.
At around 7am, the newbies showed up (met Moonrisen) and we did our blue dye leak test. I passed and so I got the tray with tea, cranberry juice and apple juice. I am working on the tea right now.
Good so far: I speak no spanish but have been able to communicate fine with everyone. Dr Campos and Dr Aceves are great and I have seen them both 3 times so far (along with the 5 other doctors).The hospital is clean, and always being cleaned. So Far a well oiled machine.
Not So Good: We had night staff that were either cutting up loudly or completely asleep. I had to go in the hall to wake the nurse after 20 minutes of my drip machine beeping, she was out cold.

You would really question someone on their post?? Who cares if the chick had sex right out of surgery! Some people want it and some people don't. She was replying to the question that someone asked. If you don't believe it then move on to the next question, why start a "I don't think your telling the truth thing". ...Good Luck to ya.

Hi All
I did not get to see a California sunset, but I did go to the beach early this morning. I took a few moments with my feet in the Water to speak to God, and hopefully he is listening. I have had an issue with the fact that I am permanently altering this body that he (GOD) made.I have no tatoos or piercings , I am healthy except for my weight, I dont want to push my luck. Oddly enough, I felt his presence on that beach. I recieved no reassurance, but also recieved no doubt that what I was doing was the right thing.
I returned my rental car and caught the shuttle back to the airport at 9:30am and the driver (Ramon) was already there. We waited on my 2 sleevemates, one showed up and the other one did not. We got in the van and headed towards Mexico. It took about 2 hours and we were at the Hospital. The hospital is small compared to most US hospials, but have no doubt it is a real working hospital.
Yulonda (Nina's mother) was waiting and quickly took us both through 4 tests. We gave urine and blood, did a chest Xray and an EKG. To show Gods sense of humor here....I pulled off my shirt for the EKG and Yulonda and the young (very attractive too) nurse started laughing and went out the door (just what a fat guy fears the most right....). A minute later the nurse comes back in with some shaving cream and a razor, apparently my chest was too hairy to stick the EKG thingies to.So now I have a spot about the size of a raquet ball shaved in the center of my chest. It looks like my third nipple now as I have hickies where the suction cups were!!!
We met with Dr Campos for about 30 minutes, then Yolanda came in and gave us final instructions, and we paid our fee. We were allowed to have a last supper and up to 2 last drinks (I had no drinks). She gave us an antibiotic and a sleeping pill to be taken no later than 10pm. Ramon then drove us to Hotel Lucerna and checked us in around 3pm. The hotel is very nice, has 2 pools and 3 resaturants. The rooms are on par with an older Crowne Plaza, with full tile bathroom. I went for a swim for a couple hours and then to dinner.
This process runs like a well oiled machine so far.....lets hope it goes that way tomorrow.

Hi to everyone!
I will be having my procedure on the 29th (10 days to go!!!!) with Dr. Aceves. This is actually my first post on the board, having lurked in silence for about 6 weeks so far. I live in Long Beach, CA which is about 1 1/2 hours north of San Diego. I've conversed a bit with 2 great people here privately, but wanted to introduce myself to you all and wish everyone a GREAT experience. I feel like Dr. Aceves is the right surgeon for me, probably for many of the same reasons you all do. From scouring these boards, I seem to be larger than the average patient, but feel confident that Dr. Aceves has the experience and expertise to safely complete my procedure. I am self pay and was originally going to have it done here in SoCal. However, given my proximity to Mexico and the outstanding reputation of Dr. A, I feel very comfortable going to Mexicali. Plus I'll save over $10,000!
I have struggled a bit with the pre-op diet. Because of my weight I was asked to do 3 weeks. I went through the first week pretty well, but then had a big slip up and went overboard for a day. But I'm back on track now and have made myself the promise to stick to it 100% until I go to Mexico for the surgery. After all, I'm only hurting myself and my recovery if I don't give it my all. I've seen many people say that the pre-op diet is the worst part.....so hopefully that is true!
Will anyone else be there from the 8/28-9/1 (or thereabouts)? Would be great to connect before we go down! I'll be coming with a friend, but would be great to have a sleeve buddy there who knows what I am going through. I know I'll see Frza after she arrives!

Hi to everyone!
I will be having my procedure on the 29th (10 days to go!!!!) with Dr. Aceves. This is actually my first post on the board, having lurked in silence for about 6 weeks so far. I live in Long Beach, CA which is about 1 1/2 hours north of San Diego. I've conversed a bit with 2 great people here privately, but wanted to introduce myself to you all and wish everyone a GREAT experience. I feel like Dr. Aceves is the right surgeon for me, probably for many of the same reasons you all do. From scouring these boards, I seem to be larger than the average patient, but feel confident that Dr. Aceves has the experience and expertise to safely complete my procedure. I am self pay and was originally going to have it done here in SoCal. However, given my proximity to Mexico and the outstanding reputation of Dr. A, I feel very comfortable going to Mexicali. Plus I'll save over $10,000!
I have struggled a bit with the pre-op diet. Because of my weight I was asked to do 3 weeks. I went through the first week pretty well, but then had a big slip up and went overboard for a day. But I'm back on track now and have made myself the promise to stick to it 100% until I go to Mexico for the surgery. After all, I'm only hurting myself and my recovery if I don't give it my all. I've seen many people say that the pre-op diet is the worst part.....so hopefully that is true!
Will anyone else be there from the 8/28-9/1 (or thereabouts)? Would be great to connect before we go down! I'll be coming with a friend, but would be great to have a sleeve buddy there who knows what I am going through. I know I'll see Frza after she arrives!