amykins

I researched, researched, and researched some more. I narroed it down to three and honestly prayed about it and when I woke up I knew Dr Aceves was the best choice for me. I know there are other excellent surgeons but the gut said Dr Aceves. My 2nd choice was Dr A below Texas, but San Diego was a much closer flight for me. All I can say is go with your gut. We are lucky to be able to choose our surgeon. Here. we get whoever our insurance dictates, whether they've done one sleeve or 100. I like that most Mexico surgeons have done more than 1000. Mine was over 1500.

I agree. Dr Aceves has more experience than all the sleeve surgeons in my area combined. Here you stay one night. There I stayed three nights in a beautiful, so-clean-you-can-eat-off-the-floor hospital where I was treated like a VIP. He also over-sews and does three leak tests. The surgery staff stopped by daily to make sure I was doing well. Two years ago I had gallbladder surgery in a Vegas hospital where I worked, never saw the surgeon after surgery and the nursing staff warned me to wear shoes when I got out of bed cause the floor was so dirty. The staff acted like I was invisible and wouldn't make eye contact. I practically had to beg for Water. I haven't had a single problem.Even if my insurance would cover it, I would pay to go to Dr Aceves any day of the week. Edited to add: I felt so good that I was back to work in 5 days. My PCP was shocked that I was (in his words) so bouncy 10 days out. He has many WLS patients and said I'm a poster child for the sleeve. I credit my surgeon and his staff. Also I never needed pain meds after my iv was removed and still haven't.

What?! I thought that was pinch was just for me.

My surgeon gave me supradol after surgery and it is amazing! I've never had anything that worked so well. My PCP here said he can prescribe it for me too if I want it. I was a 2-drink under the table person, and Oxy, vicadin, Tylenol 3 are like candy to me. Weird. Your plastic surgeon can probably work with you to find a pain-killer that works for you.

I hear you. I come from a family of big eaters. I think it will be easier this year since I will still be in the "honeymoon period." My plan is to have a little turkey and a bite of my mom's unbelievably delicious homemade rolls. One bite, not 3 rolls like usual. I will just push the other food around, and maybe slip some to the dogs :ph34r: Honestly, most people are so busy eating and talking, I don't think they will notice. Worst case scenario, I will sit at the kids table with my neices and no one really will notice. I'll just keep so busy with them I won't even have time to worry about food. We can do this! We are stronger that food!

I'm 10 days out and am on clear liquids. I drink better than boullion, crystal light, SF hawaiin punch, and eat the SF popsicles like crazy (about 3 a day). I add unflavored unjury to all drinks and soup. I tried SF jello with protein but didn't like it. The jello was foamy on top from the protein and it turned my stomach. I'll try again with another flavor in a few days,

My surgeons directions actually recommend the straw to reduce air intake. When I take a sip, I drink till it touches my lips, block with my tongue and exhale before I drink. It takes a while sometimes, but no air bubbles :-) Other people have recommended a baby's sippy cup. I bought one at the Dollar Tree but haven't had to use it.

Glad to hear you're doing good. Just take it slow. I keep having problems where I feel so good I start doing too much activity and wear myself out. No pain or anything, just whupped. It's hard, I feel almost back to normal, but my body reminds me every now and then that it's still recovering.

I live in the Vegas area (Henderson) but went to Dr Aceves in Mexicali for my surgery. I'm a self-pay so to go to a surgeon who has done more than 1500 sleeves for 1/3 the price was a no-brainer for me. It was an excellent experience.

Thank you very much. The ones with a ball looked better for some reason. So glad I have y'all to answer my questions :-)

I had surgery on 8/31 with Frza. Dr Aceves and his staff are incredible. I was pretty nervous but they were so nice and friendly it really calmed me down. I went by myself but met Frza on this board and she helped a lot. If she hadn't been there, I know I would have been fine. They were just outside my door and came in seconds when I buzzed them, There were several other people in different stages of recovery. I was really glad to stay in the hospital and my hospital bed for my recovery. Ernesto picks you up at the baggage claim and Carla greets you at the door when you arrive at the hospital. I had no pain and went back to work 5 days after surgery with no problems. My scars are so tiny and neat. Excellent experience. :wub:

Is that just one of the bottles at Target? I see some have a strainer-type thing at the mouth and some have a ball. Is there a difference?

I had surgery on 8/31 with Dr Aceves in Mexicali. It was a great experience. The hospital was cleaner than most I've been to in the Las Vegas area, and I work in hospitals for a living. Every time I took a lap I had to walk around a cleaning person, day or night. I was picked up by a driver at the San Diego Airport and drove about 2 hours to Mexicali and the hospital. The hospital itself is less than one mile from the border.The staff was AMAZING!!! I don't speak much Spanish, but most spoke some English and I used the cheat sheet to ask for a shower. They have to tape a latex glove around your wrist to cover the iv. The website for Dr Aceves is http://mexicalibariatric.com/draceves.html. He has performed more than 1500 sleeves, 6000 WLS procedures. His assistant Dr Campos was sleeved by Dr Aceves and looks amazing. It was $8750, but worth every single penny to me. I had no pain the entire time, he and his surgical team came every day to check on me, and I stayed in the hospital until time to go home. Loved that hospital bed! I really missed the convenience when I came home to my own, If I can answer any other questions, feel free to ask here or PM me. I could have has the surgery a couple months ago with a cheaper surgeon, but I'm glad I waited to have enough $ for Dr Aceves.I can't recommend him and his staff enough.

I'm sure you'll be fine. You will have plenty of time to recover before Christmas. Just do your shopping ahead of surgery and decorate, whatever you do. Then you can just relax afterward. I was back to work after 5 days and now 10 days out I feel great. Plus, you will be having it just in time to start your New Year's resolutions :-)

The first day was fine. I was up and walking as soon as I could. The next day I had alot of gas pressure on my chest and lower back. I put a heating pad on each area for about 30 minutes and it made a huge difference. I got nauseous the first two nights around 10 pm for some reason. They put nausea meds in my iv and it went away. My first shower on day 2 wore me out because I was too stubborn to use the stool they provided. I used it day 3! I think my biggest problem was I'd start feeling so much better and overdo it, I didn't rest as much as I should have the first two days. Day 3 I rested all day except to walk every hour or so. By that night my nurse put me in "time out" because she thought I was bouncing around too much.

I had my surgery 8/31 and have no regrets! I have fought the weight battle for more than 10 years and finally decided I needed a new & improved weapon for the fight. Yes, I am well aware I will have to work at it for the rest of my life, but I believe this weapon will help me finally win. As for pain, I can honestly say I never felt much. Just kinda felt like I had done 1000 situps. I had some nausea the first 2 nights, but they just put meds in my iv and it was under control, I still have some gas, my stomach still feels swollen, but it doesn't hurt at all. My only issue (if I really had to look for one) is that I have suffered from insomnia for years and I cant take my sleep meds until I am on mushies. That's why I'm writing this at 2:17 am. But it's a very small price to pay. I still have the palate of a 12-year old so I'm very picky. I'm getting Protein in by mixing unflavored unjury in with my broth and in my crystal light and propel drinks. I can't taste anything but the drink flavor. I ordered sample packets of every kind of protein I heard was decent and am looking forward to trying them when I'm on full liquids. Is it a walk in the park? Depends on your point of view I guess. So far, so good for me. My surgery was last Friday, I went home Monday and was at work on Wednesday because I felt so good. Just took it easy and didn't try anything crazy. I have no regrets at all. I researched everything and decided that for me, the advantages far outweighed any disadvantages. I wish you the best in your decision.

I went by myself although I was lucky to find a sleeve sister on this site, And one more person was along with her hubby that we met that day. I had a friend offer to go with me, but I was glad not to have company. For the first 24 hours or so, I didn't feel much like making converstation and it would have been stressful for me, I would have felt like I had to entertain her when all I wanted to do was take a little nap. You will probably find someone who is already there too. There were several people already there in various stages of recovery.

I think you would be more comfortable in a plane. Plus a plane probably will get you home faster. I was so glad it was a straight flight. I wasn't in pain, but I was ready to lie down by the time I got home.

I can't have anything with milk while I'm on clears. I can try milk on think liquids, but I hear alot of people become lactose-intolerant after surgery.

I had nausea the first two nights. They put some meds in my IV to help.

Oh, forgot to answer your other question, For me, the broth turned into explosive diarreah. Sorry, but you asked. No nausea, just gotta go...NOW! I had the same problem when I added SF hawaiin punch to a bottle of water.

In It was definately the Unjury chicken broth for me. No problems with unflavored. I'm using "better than boullion" for my broth. I got mine from Unjury.com. The site has good recipes for WLS patients too. Jello is fine since it's clear.

Congrats to both of you. Glad you had such a good exprerience.

Ps the unjury chicken broth is good, but for me, it was broth in>broth out 30 minuted later. I am just adding unflavored to my boullion now. I have another packet so I'll try it again in a few days.

I'm drinking it right now in my Crstal Light and can't taste it at all. I also put it in my broth when it cools a bit (has to be only warm, not hot) and in SF jello I make myself. No taste and no thickening,