Gilly

I was hoping you would update us on your experience there. I am glad that you are back home and healing. Gilly

Hi Karen! I had my revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) at Star Medica with Dr. Rodriguez in april 2012. I was a little apprehensive about going to Juarez due the the violence going on in Mexico. We agreed that we would stay in the hospital and not venture out. The hospital has a small cafeteria so my friend didn't need to leave at all. I felt very safe with our driver (Sergio) and in the hospital. Sergio picked us up at the El Paso airport. We arrived on Thursday and was scheduled to stay until Sunday. We ended up leaving a day early on Saturday. I was feeling really good and all the post op tested were fine. The border crossing on the way home was much longer especially on the weekend. Star Medica Hospital was great. Clean and Modern. The staff was great. Every doctor that I had contact with spoke english. The nurses spoke english to varying degrees. There were a few nurses that did not speak english. However, I didn't have a lot of difficulty understanding them or being understood. I haven't had any complications. I bounced back from the surgery really well. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to message me. Gilly

You are welcome! There are a few folks that I recall were sleeved in Juarez with Dr Rod. You might want to use the search bar and see what comes up. I was revised from a Realize band to VSG. I was not in any real pain or discomfort. For the most part, surgery doesn't knock me down too much. I always recover better in my own home. So we talked to Dr Calderone and he arranged for us to leave with the other patients that were scheduled to leave that day. The border crossing was much longer coming home so keep that in mind. My weight loss has been what I consider slow. I am down about 25 pounds. I would like to lose another 25 or so. I have been told that revisions tend to lose slower. Regardless, I am happy to have the band out and to not have to deal with all the food getting stuck, throat spasms and major acid reflux. I had all of that and more. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to answer them. Gilly

I had my revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) at Star Medica with Dr. Rodriguez in april. I was a little leary about going to Juarez. From where I currently live, Juarez is only about a 4 hour drive away. TJ would have been 14 hours or more in the car or a plane trip. I didn't think I would be up for that on the return trip especially. I believe that Dr Rod does surgery in TJ only once or twice a month so there was more availability in Juarez. I felt very safe with our driver (Sergio) and in the hospital. Sergio picked us up at the El Paso airport. My friend and I stayed in the hospital the entire time. We both agreed that we would not venture out of the hospital. We arrived on Thursday and was scheduled to stay until Sunday. We ended up leaving a day early on Saturday. We were both ready to be home. Star Medica Hospital was great. Clean and Modern. The staff was great. There were several doctors and nurses that spoke english to varying degrees. I didn't not have a lot of difficulty understanding them or being understood. Gilly

I had my revision surgery at Star Medica with Dr. Rodriguez in april. I was quite a bit aprehensive about going to Juarez. From where I live now, Juarez is only about a 4 hour drive away. TJ would have been 14 hours or more in the car or a plane trip. I didn't think I would be up for that on the return trip. I believe that Dr Rod does surgery in TJ only once a month so there was more availability in Juarez. I felt very safe with our driver (Sergio) and in the hospital. Sergio picked us up at the El Paso airport. My friend and I stayed in the hospital the entire time. I arrived on Thursday and was scheduled to stay until Sunday. We ended up leaving a day early which was Saturday evening. We were both ready to be home. Star Medica Hospital was great. Clean and Modern. Aside from the spoken language, it was almost like any hospital I have been in here in the US. Gilly

Hi! I have experienced some of the same issues. I was sleeved on 4/27 and so far I don't have any physical hunger. I do battle head hunger. Although, I don't feel like I have a tight sleeve I do feel restriction. After post op day 3, I was getting all my Protein and fluids in. Now, I easily get in 80 plus grams of protein and 100 ounces fluids daily. Three ounces is my total limit of dense foods. So far, I haven't had any issues with the foods that I have eaten. Some things do feel kind of heavy in my stomach at times. When I had the leak test the day after surgery, my surgeon pointed out where the band was previously placed and the dilated area left behind. I was told that it should return to its previous shape. Even if it doesn't I love life without the crap band! From what I have been told and have read the hunger you feel after eating could be acid. If you are not taking a PPI you might want to try it and see if it helps with that hunger. Gilly

I had my revision surgery at Star Medica with Dr. Rodriguez in april. My experience was awesome. The hospital was clean, modern and comfortable for me and my companion. Dr Calderon met us in the lobby and explained the process each step of the way. We saw him several times each day. I saw the anesthesiologist, I can't remember her name, and Dr Rodriguez everyday. They came to my room and chatted and answered my questions. I do have to mention that many nurses spoken varying degrees of english. Some of the staff spoke none. However, I never really had any issues making myself understood or understanding them. Everyone was very nice and very caring through the whole process.

I had my Realize band surgery June 2009. Dr Rodriguez did my revision at Star Medica on 4/27/12. I had a wonderful experience with Dr Rod and his staff. I am just a month out so I haven't been really adventurous yet. However, whatever I eat, it sits comfortably in my stomach, not my throat! I haven't yet slimed or thrown up. So far, I haven't had any acid reflux issues. I didn't really notice but I was eating a lot of soft foods, Soups and sliders with the band. If I had a lunch or dinner date, I would have to scope out the menu in advance just to make sure there was something that I could eat that I wouldn't get stuck on. With the sleeve, it's not an issue. I am adding in veggies and salads back into my diet. Although, I haven't tried any fruits yet. But my goal is to focus on getting to my goal weight before I start adding in more fruits.

I would love to connect with my fellow sleevers on Myfitnesspal. Please add me, gillnaty!

Surgery Date: 4/27/12 - Band to Sleeve Revision Weight the day of surgery 206 Weight today: 190 Total weight loss 16 pounds. I have been stalled for about a week and a half. I'm getting my Protein and fluids in regularly but I still need to fine tune things.

gillnaty, feel free to add me

gillnaty - add me!

I am a band to sleeve revision too! April 27 is my date. You've have done awesome! Gilly

How exciting! Good Luck! Gilly

Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery! I can't wait to read about your experience there. I will be having surgery there April 27 with Dr Rodriguez. Gilly