christina420

Has anyone ever experienced any pain and burning type sensation about 3 inches below the large incision. I don't know if this is where the pouch is located. Feels a little swollen. I am two weeks post of.

Do not worry it a totally normal. I went to doctor cuz I thought maybe I tore something it hurt so bad. It's where they had to cut thru muscle together to tummy. I am 2 months out and it is still soar. Not much pain anymore like before, but tender.

I actually talked to Dr Ceringle about this issue yesterday. My acid is so bad and the constant burning in my tummy keeps me up all night. He said go ahead and take my prilosec OTC if I want and it won't hurt me but that the acid mostly comes from eating too much or too fast. Eat three tiny bites that you chew a million times in no less than 15 minutes. I told him I would eat 3 bites in about 7 minutes and he said that was WAY too fast! That it was jjust a matter of practicing eating extremely slow. And practicing and knowing what you can and can not eat and this takes about a year to finally get it right.

Anyone else feel sore or tender like a deep bruising under the place where the drain tube was? It's like a soreness way deep inside. It was gone 3 weeks post op but now it's back. How long does this last? I'm a little worried, I'm 5 almost 6 weeks post op

32 oz. That's more than I could get in. I went to hospital too. Got some fluids and things started getting better after that

I went to dr Almanza and I can not say enough great things about him and his staff. He has done thousands of surgeries. He is only charging $4,250 to $4,500. I LOVED him.

Thank you. Had no idea it could last 3 months post op. I feel much better. Thank you.

Yes prilosec OTC put an end to my dry heaving/ vomiting. IRS been a miracle!

I was wondering if anyone else has acid reflux after surgery? Im 3 weeks post op but still having acid reflux. Prilosec OTC takes care of it but I have to take it everyday. If I miss a day the acid returns with a vengeance! Does anyone know how long this can last? Should I be worried that it's lasting this long. I'm only able to drink liquids. Even if I have a yogurt I feel the acid so I'm still sticking with liquids. Sometimes it would be so bad it would make me gag and dry heave.

Ok just found out for sure a surgeon recently lost a patient in Mexico, but does anyone know who the surgeon is? I check it out and was surprised to learn there has been more deaths in the US than in Mexico. I'm still all for Mexico so I guess that's good to know but still so scary and sad. I guess the surgeon nicked an artery and the patient died on the table. Omg tragic !

I was sleeved two weeks ago. My bmi was 29.8. I did it because I was sick of being so tired and out of control with my eating all the time. I have sleep apnea and high cholesterol and i hated looking in the mirror!!!!! My weight was holding me back in life an I wanted to live again. Nothing is more important than feeling good and being happy, nothing! I wanted to feel good ad be happy so I did it. I went to Dr Almanza in TJ Mexico. They were the best ever! Just go for it. It is worth it.

Ten days out and I was still feeling really really weak, nonpain just very weak and tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. Went in to get my stitches out and almost passed out. They took my blood pressure and it was 70/48. Dangerously low. Doctor was very worried and wheeled me downstairs to emergency room. Turns out I was dehydrated and didn't even really know it. I had to stay and get to fluids. Blood pressure went up to normal. I had no symtoms of dehydration except that I was weak and extra tired. I was peeing I was drinking but only half of the recommended 64 oz. So be careful and be sure to drink ALL your fluids everyone. Remember 70 grams of Protein and 64 oz of Water. It makes a huge difference when you follow doctors orders

Ten days out and I was still feeling really really weak, nonpain just very weak and tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. Went in to get my stitches out and almost passed out. They took my blood pressure and it was 70/48. Dangerously low. Doctor was very worried and wheeled me downstairs to emergency room. Turns out I was dehydrated and didn't even really know it. I had to stay and get to fluids. Blood pressure went up to normal. I had no symtoms of dehydration except that I was weak and extra tired. I was peeing I was drinking but only half of the recommended 64 oz. So be careful and be sure to drink ALL your fluids everyone. Remember 70 grams of Protein and 64 oz of Water. It makes a huge difference when you follow doctors orders

What's a PCP?

Remember that some facilitators that work for some surgeons will start rumors and put doubt in peoples mind about certain surgeons, then they will talk great things about the surgeons they work for so more people will go to their surgeon because they get commission. This just happened. Someone from one surgeons office slandered Dr Almanza but dr A and Bettencourt proved she lied and sued her In a slander lawsuit.

Dr Almanza is the best in TJ. And no one has died!!!

Im sure there are others that are great surgeons too but yes it's like a cattle call and it is different in Mexico. But safe, clean and an excellent surgeon is what's important.

With this said. I have researched deaths in Mexico and can not find any truth to it.

OK, this scares me. I was all for Almanza, even though I'm not thrilled with my choice. I'm hoping to make it out of the cattle call and be healthy and move on after the 3 days. I was considering Dr. Kelly, but now I'm hearing about deaths. I'd LOVEEEE Aceves, but he's just too expensive. Is there any middle ground Doctor in TJ who does a decent job? This scares me.... I always heard great things about Dr. Kelly.

You are so funny!!!!!!! Keep writing

Christina

My time is almost here. Tomorrow morning is the big day with dr Almanza. It feels like I've been waiting forever!!!! Pre op has been pretty easy except this afternoon when I was making my daughter a sandwich I, put of habit, took a big bite if it. I hope this doesn't cause any problems. Anyone else cheat on their pre op diet?

Going to dr Almanza in tj Mexico. For $4,500. Then they called me and told me they are having a special discount this month and gave me a $250 credit. So nice of them, I would have NEVER known about the special going on. They didn't have to tell me but they did. I'm having the sleeve on Saturday. Their price is really low because they do not have the overhead like some of the really large hospital. He also has done hundreds of surgery. I really feel he is one of the best.

Christina

This is the first thing I thought too. But I can say For sure that it is real. I'm am going on Friday to Dr Almanza. I have actually known people that have gone to him. Plus he has the best prices because his overhead is so low. keep researching until you are 100% comfortable with it. I have also heard good things about dr aceves. My email address is luvburds1230@gmail.com. I will be taking tons of pictures before and after. If you want email me and I will send you some. It might make you feel better.

Christina

Hi,

I am brand new to these boards. I have been researching, reading all the boards and watching youtube videos of people's experiences of having the vertical sleeve done in Mexico. The youtube videos all look professionally done. I have not found one negative post, well one where a woman complained they didn't give her any jello! So now I am beginning to wonder if it is all one big scam. That the posters on here are hired by the facilities to promote the surgery. I have talked by phone to a patient coordinator Sandy, of Dr. Ramous-Kelly in Tijuana. I am tentatively scheduled for July 12 th, but my family is having fits. The forms the office sent me to fill out list Bravo Development Group LLd as the person you send the initial deposit to. That is a company in California that develops websites? It is owned by Sandy Johnston. I am guessing they are the same person. I have two small children and don't want to lose a 1000.00 deposit if this is all a big scam.

If you guys are really patients what did you do to feel reassured? Is there any way to verify if this is all for real. My family all lives in Southern California I am in Indiana. Two of my sisters are nurses. They are going to ask doctors they work with if they have heard of Dr. Kelly or Dr. Aceves and what they know about the facilities. Is there anything else I can do. I appreciate anyones help or suggestions.

Thank you,

Cathi

This is so exciting. My day is almost here. Having my surgery in tj Mexico with dr Almanza. Today is the first day of my pre-op and so far so good. I had no idea how filling protien drinks were. I thought it would be much harder then this. Of course this is only my first day in a liquid only diet. But I am keeping a positive attitude. I'm counting on it to get me thru this. I am so excited for Saturday I'm going to burst!

I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza on 5-25-2011 and I am back home and doing great. I have had no pain and the gas has finally let up which is fantastic. The experience was great and went exactly as advertised, they could not have been more accommodating to my spouse. We had a group of five and I was the only male in the bunch. If anyone is thinking of going to Mexico and has any reservations, I would say do your research so you will know what to expect and you will not be disappointed. We had one person in our group that was surprised the clinic was in a strip shopping center, these are things you should know before you show up at their door. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me and I will tell you about the whole process with Dr. Almanza.

1) How long have you been sleeved? 8 months

2)Who was your surgeon?Dr Sonny Cavazos

3) What were your experiences with your surgeon? Extremely professional and caring. Would recommend him and staff to anyone.

4) Would you recommend your surgeon? In a heartbeat.

5) How much weight have you lost since your sleeve date? 107lbs

6) What type of sleeve do you have? Vertical sleeve

7) Would you recommend the type of sleeve you have? Yes

8) Do you find you still have the necessary level of energy to sustain a good workout? I have to want to workout that takes alot of energy in itself. . but after i get going I feel great!

9) Do you find it difficult to keep the weight off once you have lost it? No

10) Do you have trouble eating, such as getting “stuck”? If I eat too fast or too much.

11) What is the one things about getting the surgery that you regret? There are days i wish i never did it, but mostly i'm glad i did.

12) Would you do this surgery again, or would you have made another Yes I would do it again.

I just tried a sunkist Protein last night. Nasty!!! It burned and made me throw up and I'm not even sleeved yet

I'm going to put this out to a larger audience than just in the nutrition group.

I really need a new liquid Protein and was looking at the Sunkist. Has anyone tried it? I'm finding that the higher the quantity of protein the stronger the taste. Have others found that to be true? I have one that's only 26g that I like and if I can find it again I think I will buy more and just settle for the lower amount. I only use 1/2 a day so that's 13 grams. Better 13 I can get down than the 21g that's gagging me now.