phil

Moosc, im over a year and it was the best thing I could have ever done. Down 100+ lbs. And I feel gr8. No more diabetes,high blood pressure, heart burn, just keep in mind its not a diet its a whole new way of life. If u want to talk id b happy to talk to u. Email me ur phone to philcuccia@yahoo.com. ..

So my first post also a truck driver company looking at this procedure. Any updates still a viable option or has something better come out. Biggest question how long before you returned to driving. Thanks

Hey Scotty, I was sleeved on the 1st. And having the same problem.I'm feeling well, a little weak, but all and all doing good.I sometimes think about the 24oz. Porterhouse, the double portions of lasagna w/meat balls and pork and half a loaf of Italian bread to go w/it (I'm Italian), the Chinese buffets, and wonder what did I do. I talked to my wife of 42 yrs. About it and she told me to just step out side ur self and look at all the food I used to it. 1000's of calories a day. I was killing myself. I'm slowly getting into the mind frame of food is to sustain not to gorge. After only 14days I'm off my B p. Meds, my Water pills, my heartburn Med., and down to half my diabetis Med. I should b off diabetis soon. I'm down 30+ lbs. Already. We will b able to go out to dinner again and I will b able to eat almost everything I like again but smaller amounts. I'm OK w/that knowing I probably added 10 yrs. To my life.its not fun being fat, but it does make me happy for every lb. That I lose. I live in so. FL. So its going to b gr8 going to the beach again, being able to play w/the grand kids, getting out of my recliner without help, even putting on a pair of socks w/ ease. Good luck w/ur journey and I hope all goes well 4 u.....phil

Hey hazelsmrf,Are you staying at the Marriott, or do the Dr Ponce Sleevers stay elsewhere?

u will be at the lucerna hotel. very nice. i had surgery w/ Dr. Ponce 8/1. every thing went well...phil

I received the news yesterday that my DH's employer does not offer bariatric coverage. Needless to say I was devastated.

In another forum that I was browsing, I started hearing about Mexico and someone mentioned this forum. I've been reading some of the posts and am now intrigued. I have some questions that right off the bat, I couldn't find answers for - and am hoping ya'll can help!

1. What is needed in the way of referrals, PCP documentation, or pre-op diets (outside of liquid in the weeks prior)? Anything?

2. When the price is quoted as all inclusive, has anyone experienced any "oops" charges? Or expenses that you weren't prepared for? So all inclusive is surgery, hospitalization, physician fees, hotel after surgery? What about before surgery? Did you go straight from the airport to the hospital?

3. How long were you there post-op?

4. How is follow up care managed?

5. What about support? The doctor I had chosen state side has a support group for his patients (I have a friend checking to see if it's open to outside folks for me next week!), but if that wasn't an option for you, did you get active anywhere else with support or just through VST?

6. How was the language barrier in your experience? I may be traveling alone - and am a social creature - I need interaction - and this is probably, off the bat one of my biggest fears.

7. Flying is also scaring me. I used to love it - but hate it now (one bad flight to Salt Lake City) - and am always fearful I'm going to get to the airport and they're going to make me buy another seat. I would be mortified. But, beyond that - how was the flight home? I'm east coast (VA) so it would NOT be a short flight at all.

8. Medication - did anyone having trouble filling scrips in the states from a mexican physician (I really just don't know how that works - I would assume it's ok but not confident enough not to ask). For those insured, but not covered for WLS, did insurance cover the scrips?

9. Is there anyone who used their own hotel or lodging? My family has quite a bit of time share in Mexico, all throughout Mexico. I'm curious as to whether or not there's a discount or if they would take the lodging part off my bill if I can provide my own lodging at a condo?

10. Is there anywhere that I would want to avoid (considering I may be traveling solo) for safety reasons?

THANK YOU!!!!!

i also had no coverage and went to mexico. i will tell u of my experience but do as muc h research as u can. i used dr. jamie Ponce de leon in tiajuana, he coordinaters name is trish. i choose dr Ponce because of recomdations from this forum. i found orther o.t.r. truck drivers that had used dr. p. and knew i wasnt reading bogus blogs. the price was all inclusive, hospital (not clinic) all tests, and hotel. i did not want to make a vacation of it, just done and home. the only thing extra was airfare, west palm, fl. to sandiego, $375.00 rd. trip. trish, my coordinator was wonderful, she was there for me every step of the way. she spoke perfect english. i arrived on mon. the 1st. of oct. and was picked up at the san. airport. the driver spoke english and drove me to the hospital. i settled right in and had surgery that day. most of the people there did not speak english but there was always one that did. i had no problem with the language difference. all the staff there where absolutly wonderful. remember their patients are mostly american and canadian.im going to be honest now, the nite after sugery was terrible, lots of pain, gas and blouted related. the staff was there and i did get pain medication which helped a lot but it was still a horific nite. the next day u need to walk, walk, walk to help get all that gas out. day 2 was better but still not gr8. every day after got a little better. i am in day 8 now and going back to work tomorrow. would take anothercouple of days if i could but cant afford it. istayed in the hospital mon. tues. and on wed they took me to a very nice hotel. that afternoon trish came and picked me up and we went shopping, some things for the grand kids and wife. thurs. i was picked up at the hotel and off to the airport . although i am afraid of flying the flight had no affect on the surgery. my total out of pocket was $5600 plus airfare. i didnt pay anything untill i arrived at the hospital and i paid w/ credit card. i did have to fax my flight itinery ahead of time to show i was coming. as far as medication, they gave me every thing i needed to take home w/ me. i am lucky in the fact that my pcp was very suportive and is doing all ny followup. already been to him twice. i had 4 days of pre op diet, no referrals. i brought $100.00 in cash w/ me but other then doing some shopping i didnt need any money except for a couple of tips at the hotel and my drivers. i packed very, very lite. i suggest a over head compatment bag w/ wheels. leave a little room for med. etc. on return trip. the airports were gr8, wheel chairs between connecting flights, just tell ur flite attendant and she will call ahead and have a wheel chair waiting for u. dont think of it as a vacation, pack lite go get it done and then home to relax. im in day 8 and a little weak but i feel gr8 and im down 24 lbs. already. everyday gets a little better. if u have any others questions ill b happy to help and if u want email me direct. philcuccia@yahoo.com.....phil

Phil, I am taking Chantix and it has worked quite well smoked for 25 years.. I haven't had any outlandish dreams or homicidal or suicidal thoughts so I am doing well.

good for u. I tried chantix but it wasn't for me. I can't believe that I quit but its getting easier every day. Will be off the elec. Cig. Soon.....phil

I was sleeved on Oct. 1. Dr. Jamie Ponce DeLeon. My coordinator was Trish. Trish was absolutely wonderful. She was there for me every step of the procedure, she went above and beyond making me comfortable. Bei in Mexico by myself it was very comforting having her there. The hospital was gr8 and the staff there for me. The last d ay was spent in the hotel, 6th. Floor w/ pool side balcony. Complementery broth and popcicle. In te afternoon Trish came and took me out it shopping....

I have the same problem with smoking. Quit a couple of weeks ago so I will be ready for surgery in Jan however my husband refuses to stop smoking in the same room with me....

I when I decided to go for it and have the surgeryi decided to quit smoking also, I was a smoker for 49 yrs. And I quit a week before surgery. I did it w/ the help of an electronic cig. It works for me, if ur having trouble maybe it could help u also..phil

I have the same problem with smoking. Quit a couple of weeks agoi so I will be ready for surgery in Jan however my husband refuses to stop smoking in the same room with me....

My surgery date was the 24th. I feel sore but am up and moving. I am walking 1 mile a day. My problem is I am on full liguids till October 11 and I want to eat just a little real food sooooo bad.

I had surgery on 10/1 and yesterday I had some watermellon and creamed Soup and today I had a scambled egg, could only eat half, but it was gr8. I am chewing until the food was almost liquid, but that's where all the flavor is, in the mouth. Tomorrow I'm going to try some stage 2 baby food. I'm not saying its right for u but I have not had a single problem.......

I was sleeved on 10/3. I'm enjoying beef broth, sugar free Jello and EAS low carb Protein drinks! Especially their cafe latte. I have 2 weeks liquid then 2 weeks soft. Good luck!

Ihad surgery on the 1st. And yesterday I started cream Soups. Chix, mushroom. sugar free ice.this morn. Had a scambled egg. I had no problem w/any of it. Tomorrow I'm going to try some grits 4 Breakfast....phil

Than,ks. For all the replies, this is the greatest website. So many friendly people. My surgery is set for Oct 8th. W/ dr. Ponce de leon. I cant wait. Wish it was tomorrow.....phil

Those of u drinking coffee, do u drink it hot? I think I read somewhere not to drink any thing hot for a while. That would b great if I could have my morn. coffee right from the get go....Phil

I am so happy I found some other drivers out there. I guess my biggest question is where did u guys go, who was ur Dr. I'm thinking about Dr. Garcia or the husband n wife team Dr. Lopez n Dr. Osuma, both out of the same hospital in Tijuana. I'm a Co. Driver n trainer. I do have a 12volt cooler which works very well. I did the Atkins yrs. Ago so I'm down w the carb thing. To arathpon, if u decide to go ahead maybe we could go together, if u want lets corispond by email also.. I'm philcuccia@yahoo.com. thanks people. My biggest thing is finding the right Dr. I'm so afraid that some of the blogs I am reading may b from bogus people. This for all the reply....phil

I'm an over the road trk.driver and I stay out 5 weeks at a time. I basically live in my trk for 5 weeks and then go home for 5 days. I was wondering if there where any other drivers out there who have had sleeve surgery or were looking into it?

I biggest concern is am I going to have any problems that a person at home doesn't have to worry about. If ur reading and r not an or driver but think u could give me some advice plzzzzzz. Do.

HELP! I have been reviewing surgeons and various facilities and now am a little confused. I have looked into A Lighter Me who works with Dr. Lopez and Dr. Garcia. I have been contacted by their coordinator Louise. I also looked at Dr. Almanza and have been contacted by Sandy and then Melissa. On the A Lighter Me website, Melissa is mentioned as a coordinator. Does Melissa work for both surgeons? Also, Almanzwa is listed as operating out of Jeruselum hospital (which is really a clinic) but Melissa contacted me and signed her email from Mt. Zion. When I checked Mt Zion's website, it is actually Jerusulem hospital. I have also seen past posts where Dr. Almanza operated Emmanuel Hospital.

Do you see why I am getting confused? I am just looking for a surgeon who is experienced, has low infection and leak rates, has good reviews and uses a hospital. Can anyone help

me sort through this and is Almanza a safe surgeon?

I to have been looking toward Dr Garcia, Dr. Lopez n his wife Dr. Onsuna,but

how do u really know?u read the blogs n wonderwho really wrote them.its like the only ones that r real for sure r the blogs written by someone who did not have the best to say. I wish someone could tell us how to really chk. On a Dr. Instead of how great their experience was...Phil

I was looking up Osuna and on another site there are fake testimonials for her, that puts me at unease... :s

How do u know when a testimonial is a fake? What do u look for? Is there any official web site u can go to and find out the real info on these surgeons...phil

Shifting, how do u know they were bogus reviews. I was pretty much set on Dr.osuna and Dr. Lopez. Now u have me wondering....phil