Sherri297

Yes! Yes! Yes! This surgery saved my life. At 50 years old I found myself with uncontrolled diabetes, (on 3 meds just for that alone). I'd had a heart attack at 46, and saw my life as being very short, with very little quality to it. At 6 months out, I'm not at goal yet, still have another 25-30 lbs. to go. But I'm off all diabetic meds now and getting healthier every day.

I IIII I I agree with the above post. Ensure drinks won't hurt you, but its better to go for protein shakes and GOOD vitamin supplements.

There is a tiny little gift shop down stairs to the left of the front desk. If it's closed just ask the front desk and they will open it up for you. I think they have tampons. They had much needed Pepto Bismol when I was there. They also had terrific lime popscicles.

As a former Atkins dieter, I loved pork rinds for snacks. They have some crunch without the carbs. At 3½ months out I'm still scared to try them. Before surgergy they were something that you always wanted to have something to drink close by incase they got stuck in your throat......maybe in a couple of months I'll give them a try. That being said, everyone is different. Good luck.

Hi Kim, My name is Sherri and live in Idaho Falls. I just had my sleeve done on Oct. 8th. in Mexico. I'm not sure what to tell you.....there are no Dr.s here in the area that do the sleeve, very few have even heard of it, closest is SLC or Boise. Just before I had my surgery I started seeing Dr. Shawn Spiers (an internist) here in Idaho Falls, and like him alot. I think any good general family practice Dr. could do your follow up, I just choose to go with an internist since I have a history of heart attck and diabetes. If you have other questions just message me, it's nice to know I'm not the only one in the area :wub:

Hello fellow Idahoans. It appears there aren't to many of us. I live in Idaho Falls (other side of the state from most of you). I was sleeved October 8th, and down 35 pounds! It's still all very new to me but I'm thrilled with my decision to do this. I was destined to live a short and unhealthy life, I now have a lot of hope for the future. I'm already off of most of my diabetic meds. Is there anyone from South Eastern Idaho out there?

I've purchased prescriptions meds in Mexico several years ago in Cancun and Cozemel, antibiotics & muscle relaxants. For some reason when I went to Tijuana in October these were only available with a prescription. I'm not sure if the laws have changed or what, but I was surprised.

The Walmart does accept US currency, but they don't love it. Especially not bigger denominations. At the entrance to the shopping center where the Walmart is, there is a currency exchange where they can give you pesos for dollars. I'm not wealthy by any means but I do tip very well in Mexico. These people work extremely hard for very little. You can tip either in US or pesos, they are just greatful for anything. I would advise you to bring a fair amount of small bills just for this purpose, I brought about $400, but the majority of that was spent downtown shopping for jewelry. I went to Walmart both pre and post surgery, a cab from the Marriott will run you between $3-$5. My support person was my mother, so we spent extra money for a room at the Marriot for the entire stay, Stocked up on bottled watter, Jello, broth. etc, before surgery, which made it nice after surgery. They also have safes in the rooms at the Marriott.

Hi Amy, I was sleeved in Tijuana by Dr. Lopez on Oct, 8th ....well really the 9th, because it was 1:30 in the morning,I was his 5th patient of the day. The morning of surgery Dr. Lopez and his wife made their rounds, checking in with all the patients, seeing if they had questions, etc. They were both very caring and compassionate. The Dr. decides which order his patients have surgery in, evidentaly it is the most complicated first. Surgeries started around noon, by 5:30 pm patient #3 was getting testy with the nurses and raising a stink. Unfortunatly the first 2 patients were very time consuming with abdominal hernia's, etc. I don't remember seeing Dr, Osana in the operating roomat 1:30 AM, but I do remember Dr. Ortiz being there when I woke up. He's very nice, somehow I get the feeling he's been assisting Dr, Lopez on quit a few surgeries. He was also the Dr. that came to the Marriot to take out our drains. ( I can't help but wonder if possibly Dr. Osana is pregnant??) They are a young couple after all. Anyway I feel my surgery went well, although they still rushed me out of the hospital Wed, morning. I really could have used another day. They definately have very busy schedule to keep. The hospital was extremly clean (no frills and small rooms), the nuses were very effeciant and took good care of you. I just happened to land on a week that wasn't scheduled the best. I was very glad I scheduled 2 extra days at the Marriot before flying home. I think Dr. Lopez is a fantastic surgeon and you'll be fine with Dr. Ortiz as assisting surgeon.

Please let us all know what ends up woking for you/

Aww man I feel for you. My stomach muscles were so very sore after surgery, that has got to totally suck. This my work for you, I saw it on "The Doctors". The worst that can happen is you'll throw up. Try taking a spoon full of regular granulated sugar, the trick is to swallow it before it dissolves. It's not fun, but I swear it works. Good luck.

I'm a 51 year old, empty nester. I had my surgery Oct. 8 (Monday), with Dr. Lopez, I stayed at the Marriott for an additional 2 days, (until Sunday) and was sooo glad I planned it that way. Travel home was a 12hr. marathon. Very glad to reach my bed that night. I stayed home from work the following week, could make some short outings to the grocery store and such, but tired easily. Week 2... went back to work......was tough but doable. Still get tired, trying to get my Vitamins in, even got a Vitamin IV from my naturepath. Get a little excerise in when I have the energy but nothing consistant yet.

i sacharliem ! I meet you in the van the day Abraham took us all downtown to go shopping. Glad to here you are doing well. Congratulations on your terrific weight loss. I'm still taking it a little slow, I returned to work this week, just seem to get tired easily, I've been able to cut my insulin in half wich makes me very happy. My goal is to get off all my diabetic medication, plus some others. Now with my sleeve I struggle getting my meds down, there just isn't enough room down there to take 5 pills at once. I am also down 20 pounds. Doesn't it feel good to get into a smaller pant size?

I was sleeved in TJ on 10/9 by Dr. Lopez. Hopefully someone can help me. All of my incisions except drain hole were glued shut. Now that the glue is wearing off, I have stitch ends poking out of 2 incisions at the end. Does anyone know if these are ment to disolve? To me it doesn't appear that they should be outside of the skin but more like interior sutchers. Do I stretch them out and cut them off?

Thanks guys, I'll just cut them off.

On IV vitimin therapy, I'm sure state laws very, and I'm not sure if all chiropractors can do it or not. I live in Idaho and my chiropractor is also a licensed naturepath. I would check with naturepaths and possibly osteopaths in your area.

Yes, I'm tired!!! Supposed to go back to work tomorrow, I don't know how in the world I'm gonna push through that. I'm 2 weeks post op. It seems as though you have a good day and then 2 crappy ones. I talked with my chiropractor/naturepath last week and he suggested coming in for IV vitamin therapy every 4-6 weeks. I decided to give that a try. What can it hurt?

Zenoosh, I'd like to thank you for starting this thread and being everyone's cheerleader, you help keep everyone motivated and positive. I'm now 9 days post op and doing well. I should be 10 days, but I didn't actually have my surgery untill 1:30AM on the 9th. I was lucky I had no gas pain whatsoever, but made up for it in stomach muscle pain (I also had my gallbladder out) my stomach looks like I was the loser in a knife fight. 7 incisions including the drain. Honestly I don't care how many holes there are, the surgeries were successful and I'm safe and sound. I'm also down 20 pounds. Wow!

I had my surgery last week on the 8th with Dr. Lopez and Dr. Ortiz,I belive assisted in my surgery. He was there when I woke up in post op, and came to the hotel 2 nights later to remove my drain tube. He was very nice and personable, also spoke fairly good english, other than that I have nothing to offer.

It's a personal decision but I choose to keep no secrets. I'm 51 years old, had a BMI of 39, heart attack 4 yrs. ago, and recently diagnosed with diabetes. For me it was a choice for health, and a more active lifestyle. That's what I have told my whole family, co-workers, and clients. All have been extremely supportive of my decission to have WLS, but some have been somewhat sceptical of traveling to Mexico for it. If I could have afforded to have my surgery in the U.S. I would have, but after you have severe health conditions, private insurance rates and deductibles are out of this world. I am 5 days post op, doing fairly well, still in Mexico, but going home tomorrow. Looking forward to recovery and being on the losers bench.

Ditto on the extra panties, maybe panty liners? Lose fitting shorts and long pants with pockets, to go under hospital gown and to carry your drain. Slippers for walking the halls. A really comfy bra with no underwire. My lap top, phone charger, heating pad, and an extention cord to plug all that into. Gas X strips, very large bandages for your drain hole. The Dr. uses gauze and tape. I wish I had brought a binder of some sort to support my tummy. As far as what to drink, by lots of bottled Water. Crystal light, herbal tea, chicken/ beef boulion. I brought my own cup and little heating element to warm water and broth or you can use the hotels coffe maker. Believe it or not you really won't care that much about it. It's more of a "job" getting your liquids in. Thanks to everyone that posts here I was pretty well prepared.

I'll be in TJ, what is the best and most economical way to use cell phones in Mexico? Are you charged for roaming even if you don't answer your calls? and what about texting?

Thanks everyone for posting and bringing up some options I hadn't thought of. My phone is a business phone, paid for by my employer so adding an international plan to that phone was not an option. But my husband is self employed and has 2 phones, so I'm borrowing one of his and adding a limited international plan. Thanks again everyone.

Hi there, October 8th with Dr. Lopez in TJ at Mi hospital, So excited, I'm ready to start my healthier life. Thank you to all this post here.

Hi there, I'm on the other side of the state (Idaho Falls). My surgery is October 8th. I'm so looking forward to starting a healthier and happier life.