Disney

I agree that the most important thing is surgical skill. That's why I chose Dr. Aceves. His excellent bedside manner is just icing on the cake. Assembly line-ish is not great, though, when it comes to relating to your patient and taking care of concerns after the surgery. That is the part that's important when you have questions afterwards. I mean, the surgery itself lasts less than an hour, it's the long haul after that you need your surgeon to be there for you

Good for you for really doing it! I am in the beginning stages of my journey, just 2 weeks out and I am already so glad I did it. It is hard, for sure, but I am losing and it's getting easier every single day. There will always be naysayers no matter WHAT decisions you make, but I can assure you, from personal experience, there is no 'assembly line' feeling whatsoever with Dr. Aceves and his team. Good for you also for getting first class tickets. Gonna be an easy trip. Good luck to you!

You say "easy" like it's a bad thing. I had all the pre-op workups that my friend had in the states (except for the psych eval) the only difference was that I had them all in one day. Easy? Yes, just the way it should be. "Assembly line-ish"? No. I had more attention paid to me than with any other surgery I have had in the states. And by two doctors, I might add. They also required me to stay in the hospital for 4 days. They wisk you outta the hospital in much less time in the states. At least from what I've read. My friend only stayed 2 days and I have seen where some stayed only overnight. That may be fine for some, but I personally was happy to be monitored that long. Surely you are not suggesting that the surgeons in the states DON'T make "A LOT" of money doing this surgery, are you?

I got mine at CVS pharmacy. Could not find it at walmart. I have to say, it is VERY strong tasting and feels like nyquil used to feel going down. Like a warm, too sweet feeling. But it does work and pretty fast, too! Hey Smof4, just in case, check your blood pressure if you haven't already. High BP can cause a headache, too.

Thanks Diva, I did get a response back from Gaby and she said Dr. A said it was ok to take the lactaid pills, so I will try that. I am going to start the lactaid milk, too. Thanks again!

I had that stuck feeling too, and my Dr said to up my Nexium to twice a day and so far it has helped a lot. Hardly feel it anymore. Good luck to you!!

You're right AutumnLily, the count I saw when I started researching Dr. Aceves was over a 1100 back in November. I am sure it is over 1500 by now. He did about 10 in the 4 days I was there, and the day I had surgery, he only did me, the only other patient was getting bypass. His post-op is days 1-5 clear liquids, days 6-10 thin liquids (not much different than the clear stage), days 11-20 full liquids (so basically THREE weeks liquids) then days 21-30 soft foods (mushies), then days 31 forward solid foods. And to comment on Kinky's post, as she said, the Dr.'s in the states are so thorough so that they are harder to "sue" if something happens. And it's true, you pretty much cannot sue a Dr. in Mexico but if you can't win a suit in the states, how are you better off? I was self-pay and could have gone to pretty much any surgeon I wanted, (within reason) but I chose Dr. Aceves because of his track record and skill. He has proven himself over and over. I wanted a surgeon who could do this surgery with his eyes closed. I trusted him and he did not fail me. I have also never met a more caring Dr. in my entire life. Or with such a good bedside manner. I have no tolerance for Drs who think they are gods. I like a Dr. who will sit right down with me and look me in the eyes and explain things to me, and help me when I have questions, etc. Not just breeze in and breeze out in about 2 minutes. The day I left the hospital, the last thing Dr. Aceves said to me was, "Thank you for your confidence". He KNOWS how most people view Mexican Drs and he is trying, one patient at a time, to change the negative rap that most of them get. I will gladly tell everyone I see who did my surgery and recommend him to all.

I believe you have absolutely made the right decision. More experienced doctors than Dr. Aceves are few and far between.

I'm right there with ya! I am 2 weeks out. This is definitely harder than I EVER thought. I am so on the verge of dehydration that I can feel it. I try so hard to get my fluids in, but I just do NOT want to drink or even eat, so I have to force myself. I know in a few months we will all be looking back on this thread and find it laughable (I hope anyway). But for now, it is no walk in the park. I agree about the feeling of pregnancy. It feels just like that to me! I hope you feel better soon. I hope all that responded with the same feelings, feel better soon, too BTW, I had a bloodclot after being on bedrest before having my daughter and I had to take lovenox shots twice a day for 6 MONTHS. No fun AT ALL!!!! I SO feel your pain. I had no where left on my belly to give myself a shot. Hang in there.

I was lactose intolerant before surgery, so I still have that problem. Do you know if it is ok to take Lactaid only 2 weeks out? I have not asked Dr. Aceves yet, just wondered if you knew since you had problems also. Thanks!!

So sorry to hear about this! Just think though, it's that much more time you have to lose pounds that will never return! Be positive, you can do it!

I am 13 days out and can get between 1/4 and 1/2 cup down and feel stuffed. My Dr. wants me on Full liquids till day 20. But honestly, I don't think I could get much more down (thickness wise) anyway. It's just a slow go for me.

You should be so proud. You look great and I know you must feel so much healthier being able to do that! Congrats and keep it up!

Wow! I am really late to the party, but just have to say you have done such an awesome job. Really impressive results!

I agree, you should call your Dr. Maybe you should just try going back to liquids only instead of the mushies. My Dr. told me to try each new phase of eating, (mushies, soft, etc) and if there was any nausea or pain, just go back to liquids for a few days and try again. It's really just trial and error in the beginning. Just listen to your new tummy, it will let you know. Hope you feel better soon.

That's so awesome. You deserve those $168 jeans. You earned them! Can't wait to see the pics

Good to hear. I am having the opposite problem! Almost daily, so I am worried about dehydration now.

Be careful with Miralax at the beginning as it draws Water from your body to help get you going. That could be bad when you're trying to get all your fluids in. Don't wanna lose 'em after you work so hard to get 64 oz in! Colace = stool softener Peri-Colace = laxative + stool softener .....if you're interested.

I was walking around 3 hours after surgery and it didn't do a thing for the gas. I was trying to adhere to the walk, walk, walk mantra I keep hearing. Like someone else said, in my case, it just took time. I enjoyed getting out and walking though and didn't want a clot or anything so I did it, but as for helping gas, no. There are many, many types of nausea medicines, ask you Dr. to change yours and see if that helps. Hope you feel better soon!

Me either, I cannot tolerate water AT ALL! One of my Dr's had this surgery and said he couldn't stand to drink water till he was 12 months out. They say your tastes change and then go back to normal eventually. Although, I never have been a big water drinker, so that might be part of my problem. I have been living off of gatorade and broth.

The day I flew out to San Diego then on to Mexicali, when my DH and daughter were seeing me off, my daughter had a very wet cough, stuffy nose, etc. I just knew I would get sick and not have my surgery, but for some reason, it held off till I got home. So, I have it now, and it is almost gone. So mine really only lasted a week. Hopefully you will be ok, too! Good Luck!!!

Just curious, why the non red jello?

I agree about the post-op schedules. I am on day 10 and can't start FULL liquids till tomorrow!!! Hard to believe. My Dr. is just very cautious and I respect that. Whatever works, though. I have a friend who had surgery a week before me and by the time I had surgery, she had already had eggs and fish even! I am going to stick to my surgeons plan for me, but most seem to do well with starting earlier. I think there is someone from overseas that started foods immediately post op. I think it's great if that's what works for them. (even jealous) but I couldn't even get gatorade to go down the first few days!! Wow!

Tara had bad lipo, she didn't get a tummy tuck. Also I think she had a bad boob job and her dress "accidentally" fell down at an event. I say go for whatever makes you happy. You have the right to look exactly how you want to look after all that hard work.

Congrats! You are doing so well and I love to hear stories like yours. It's such an inspiration