amykins

I wore my own nightgown as soon as they let change. Theirs just seemed too hot and heavy. I brought a bra that I planned to wear but I was so swollen in the rib cage area that it hurt to breathe when I wore it. I would recommend getting one a size larger if you can. I would have been more comfortable doing my laps if I had been able to wear a bra. I was finally able to wear it on the flight home 3 days later but it was about a week before it felt comfortable again.

I had the same surgery date & surgeon as Frza and agree with her completely. I work in hospitals for a living and I can honestly say the hospital I stayed at was cleaner than any I've been to in the Vegas area. My territory is 5 hospitals. Also, Dr Aceves has more sleeve experience than all the gastric sleeve docs in this area put together. The staff is so friendly and helpful too. When Frza and I wanted to go to the pharmacy across the street, the nurse insisted on going with us to help guide us as the traffic can be tricky. We were treated like VIPS from airport pickup to airport drop-off. I would recommend Dr Aceves and his staff to anyone, no reservations.

Glad you're feeling better. A heating pad helped me with the gas pains. Even at 4 weeks out warm drinks turn my stomach. They have to be icy cold. To the point I was sucking on ice chips. It really made my stomach feel better. The first few weeks-month will be full of ups and downs but you can do it!

Thanls for checking in. Every day will get better. The more walking you can do, the better. Even if it's just a lap awound your wing. It will get the gas moving.

I had surgery with Dr Aceves on 8/31. I went by myself but was lucky to have 2 sleeve sisters (Hi Frza!). The staff is amazing and so kind. I had moments when I felt so nervous I wanted to vomit and others when I didn't want to wait another hour. I can tell you I am so glad I went through with it. You will be treated like a VIP from the moment you are picked up all through the process. It was nice for me to talk to others in the same wing who were in various stages of recovery and to see how well they were doing.

Oops, so sorry. Yes he is in Mexicali. No idea what I was thinking...

It's probably just gas from surgery. I had the same thing, felt like I couldn't take a deep breath. Keep walking every hour or so and try a heating pad. Worked wonders for me.

I has surgery with Dr Aceves in Monterrey. I can't say enought good things about my experience. The night prior to surgery in a beautful hotel and 3 nights after surgery in a cleaner-than-clean hospital. Cost was $8750 and worth every penny. Feel free to ask any questions about my experience here or by PM.

Just wanted to wish you well and a good recovery. I preferred to be by myself too, just wanted to make sure my head was in the right place. You'll do great!

I had Dr Aceves and they did the spinal block after I was under anesthesia. Last thing I remember was talking to the anesthesiologist about living in Vegas and poof! I was in recovery. The staff was so comforting and friendly. The thing about the epidural is that is blocks the pain for the first 24 hours. I honestly never had any pain post-op. I did get nauseous the first two nights and I was glad to be in the hospital so they could put the meds in my iv and then I felt better. Even when I was so sick I was dry-heaving in a trash can the night nurse sat right beside me and patted my back until it passed. I don't blame the staff for the nausea, things happen. I'm 3 weeks out and still have nausea problems occasionally so I know it's my body, nothing to do with the surgery.

I got a second job and saved for nearly a year to pay for the surgery. I don't do debt anymore (except my house).

My surgeon was Dr Alberto Aceves. He has done over 6,000 WLS procedures including the band. He has done more than 1500 sleeves. I did not have a band revision, but when I was in the hospital, there was a patient who had just had one by him. She looked great.

I wore a cotton sundress that was very loose. My stomach was so swollen I looked like I was pregnant. Also, I put a stuffed animal between myself and the seatbelt. Made any turbulence and the landing much better, Good luck on your surgery!

I use unflavored in my crystal light and broths and I can't taste it. I didn't like it in jello though. It left a foam on top that turned me off.

Jesser, if it will help, please feel free to PM me. I'll give you my phone number and you can ask any questions you want. I understand exactly how you're feeling. It took me at least a month to make my decision. While you decide, ask lots of questions and do your research on this board and others. Don't let one person's opinion sway you one way or another. You have to make the best decsion for YOU. Everyone has different factors that are important to them. Most of us think our surgeon is fabulous, and they are, but like ice cream, we all like different flavors for different reasons,

Jesser, most of the surgeons speak excellent English. In my case, the coordinator at the hospital, the anesthesiologist, and his assistant all spoke excellent English. I believe there is one surgeon in TJ who speaks limited English. I'm sorry I can't remember his name, but I'm sure someone else will know the name. I work with physicians for a living and spoke to a couple this morning who told me they pay alot more to go through the hundreds of hours of credentialing, testing, and internship than they do to have the FACS behind their name. You don't just walk in and pay for the title, you have to earn it and continue the studies and tests to keep it.

I thought it was just me! I'm 12 days out and I am breaking out on my chest and collarbone area. Never had this happen before. I'm guessing it's just my body reacting to the changes I'm putting it through. I'm putting acne stufff on it.

Welcome! I researched, researched, and researched while I was deciding, and even after I made my decision. I read success stories, I wrote alot about how I felt when I was trying to find clothes before my cruise, and yes, ate alot of ice cream and drank my favorite soda. I wish you the best in your journey. Keep a positive attitude and you'll do great.

What I did was literally put the top 10 names on a seperate piece of paper and wrote everything I could find about each one, good and bad. I was pretty easy after that to narrow it down to 5, then 2. Might sound silly, but I really prayed about the two choices and the next morning I woke up and knew who was the best choice for me. Yes, he was more expensive, but I knew in my heart he was the best choice for me. Hope this helps a little. Take your time and make the best choice for you.

It was a big factor for me. But so was experience, number of reported complications and leaks, and of course prior patient reviews. I wanted someone who I could completely trust and I felt I found it with Dr Aceves. It was worth waiting and saving a few more months for my peace of mind. I'm not putting down any else's choice. I work with physicians for a living, so I am probably a little more particular in my choices. But ultimately, I went with my gut feeling.

I'm 5'2 and started at 36 bmi. It's only been 12 days but I am very, very happy. I have lost 14 pounds and I feel great. I have put 130 as my goal, but we will see when I get there if I want to go a little lower (5 pounds or so). I don't want to be a twig, just healthy for my body type. I have only told 2 people who I trust. Not my family. They would have issues with me having the surgery in the first place (my mom makes everything about her, so in her mind I would be saying she needs the surgery. Yeah, crazy I know). My family on both sides is extremely obese and have numerous health problems. I have lost and gained more times than I can count and I can see my future. It's not pretty. I did this for me. I deserve to be healthy and happy. I was excited one minute and feeling like I was gonna vomit the next. I had serious stomach issues the night before from nerves. But I knew that I was going to a surgeon I trusted and that if I didn't go through with it, I'd be back in a year, 10-15 pounds heavier and more unhappy that I already was. Just take it one step at a time.

I paid $8750 for everything including pre-op night in the Lucerna, a beautiful hotel. He also repaired my hernia, which I didn't even know I had. It would have been $23000 here, one night stay if I was lucky (at least one doc does it as outpatient) and they have at most 1/3 of a local surgeon's experience.

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.