jeanieG

I had my VSG last April. In November (the day before Thanksgiving) I fell down basement stairs and broke my ankle in 4 places and broke my wrist and had to have surgery. That was the 1st thing I told medics to write down in case it was important and if I passed out and had to have surgery. I didn't know if it had anything to do with anything but I wanted to take no chances at all. I had surgery 3 days later. The doctor never asked where. I did fine as far as the anesthesia goes while under. I had a long time coming out of it and for some reason I was very scared and cried a lot but that had nothing to do with the VSG. I also had mine done in Mexico and I always hear a gasp from people once they ask me where I did it and I tell them. I think it's funny. Mine gain that I found Dr. Kelly there. My niece had it done at the same time as me and we live in a very small town. When she told her doctor he was very happy for her and said he had heard of other people doing this there and asked for the doctor's name so he could refer other patients there. So not all doctors think that way. Any time I will need any medical attention I will tell them I had a VSG done so there is no danger in anything happening...I don't care what they think if it's negative, that is their problem. I would highly recommend where I went to anyone looking for a VSG with no insurance. Don't worry, just make sure they know.

I can give you a referral. Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana did mine (revision from lapband to VSG) and my niece's vsg and was great, the whole experience was great. They treat you wonderful and you can talk directly to the doctor if you want, that isn't a big deal at all. I did a lot of research before going down there and there were about 3 I had decided on and narrowed it down to him. I have heard about many good ones in Mexico. After doing research get on all the forums you want and search out that doctor's name and communicate with people who have actually had it done by the doctor you are considering...that is the best referral system, a testimony! There might be people not satisfied with him, I don't know. Everyone has there on priorities and needs look into who fits their wants and needs. I appreciated all the names and numbers I could get when I was doing research. Try and book directly through the doctor not an agency if possible.
Here is their email for information: wls-clinic@hotmail.com or website http://www.ramoskellymd.com/ the coordinator there is name Omar and he is exceptionally nice and helpful.
I am not saying just go to him but I'm just giving you a start on your research. everyone
needs to pick their own doctor of course.
Here is my video of our time there.
Good luck with your research and decision. feel free to ask me any questions.

I've HAD my passport since 2006. That was an act of congress to obtain. I dont live where I was born and didn't have a certified birth certificate. barely got the passport by the time I needed it!

I can't say enough about Dr. Kelly and his staff! I am NurseMichele's sleeve sister! lol Everything she said about the staff, well I say it too. Dr. Kelly surprised us with operating on us the day we got there instead of the next day. We thought that was great so we didn't need to stress another day.
Being a lapband revision I had a little tougher time than the other two (I was first also). It took 1.5 hours for me including the endoscopy I had to have before they started because of the lapband. They had a little problem with my stomach because of the lapband but they took care of it fine. I had a rough time coming out of the anastasia also and started to go into to shock but they brought me out quickly. My sister was there at that point and said she got worried because I was pastie white and shivering bad. She did a good job helping out when needed and I'm glad she was there right then. I had to have a drain tube for 2.5 days but that didn't bother me, I thought it would if I had to but it didn't. By day three I think I was caught up in heeling with the other two. Cece (Dr. Kelly's wife) and Omar, the coordinator, took us to Lucerna Hotel. Beautiful! And then they took us to lunch for a nice bowl of broth and then to the board walk on Tijuana beach and we all stuck our feet in the ocean. It wasn't that warm of a day though. A bad day on the beach is better than any good day at work though. Then they took us shopping and back to the hotel. We did a LOT of walking and all of us did good. The next day they gave us pedicures compliments of the Dr.! Cece gave us each a massage and plucked our eyebrows! lol My niece and I also chose to buy the manicure. Each day we felt a little better.
I'm not hungry much at all and just been drinking broth, juice and Water as told. I have a little pain in the area where my tube was but it might be a gas pain from being operated on. scale of 1 to 10 it's only a 2-3 and it is very seldom....good! Tender where the incissions were is about all.
We got home Friday night. The flight was 2.5 hours and then we drove 4 hours, a little tiring though but glad to be home. Today my niece and I went garage sale-ing and then to a Vintage Fair and walked around for 3 hours and then I visited my uncle for 1.5 hours and home to rest as I have to visit my aunt in another hour. I might go to bed a little earlier than my normal time. I do feel good though.
I would truly recommend Dr. Kelly and his staff. The other doctors were very nice too and obviously competent since we are all doing good.
Michele was so much fun to have around with my sister, niece and myself; we had a lot of fun together; she's a hoot! Nice to have a Sleeve Sister that you care about and want to keep in contact with. Good luck to you! We will all do good I'm sure.
That's my update with no sugar coating on it. I will post my progress also.
Good luck to all that have this done, I'm feeling it was a good choice for me.

MGM: August will be here before you know it! Good luck and you'll be fine.

Hi MGM, my surgery is one week from tomorrow, I'm excited! You stay tuned and I'll let you know exactly what my experience was like, becareful I haven't been known to sugar coat it so you'll get the truth about the whole trip! lol I'm praying it'll all be positive and no sugar coat needed anyway. when do you think you might be having this done, if you do?
Good luck.
NurseMichele613, So I'm guessing you are a nurse and your name is Michele? My sister will be with us and she'll be good help as she understands, she had a gastric by-pass done a few years ago, she'll be the skinny one with us. lol! Can't wait to meet you and your company. Nice to have someone on the same journey, hope we'll keep in touch. :-) My niece, Kristi, started her liquid and mushy food diet last week and has lost 10 lbs today and is very excited about that. I'm going to be on a that diet for a couple days and then to the clear liquid diet for the 3 days pre op.
ONE WEEK TO GO! YAY! Can't wait to be comfortable again. :-)

Who did your sleeve? I'm just now looking into having the band out and sleeve and didn't know that could happen. I'm going to Tijuana and was thinking Dr. Garcia but really don't want that to happen to me. Is that who you used? I'm sorry to hear that.