buffygirl

I'm absoultely astonished at this post and it should be deleted! I'm here for advice and support, not for someone who claims "they have it all figured out" to tell me how I am supposed to do things and if I don't do it that way I won't ever lose. Clearly you don't have it all figured out or you would realize that the sleeve is a tool that will last forever when used correctly. June13sleever stop posting... come back when you have a medical/nursing degree so you can actually be informed about what you are telling people.

You were the one who mentioned that you wanted to get down to 150, not me! If you were already skinny as you said then why would you want to lose even more? Also why do you keep saying that you eat nothing? I think you're the only person on this forum who says that because I've seen people say that they hardly eat anything, but nothing? nope, only you. I take every post as literal especially if they don't put in lol or just kidding or not srs. I didn't notice any sarcasm font. If the sleeve only works for the first 2 years then we should all expect to be obese again, according to your thinking. Heck why did any of us bother to get this tool if it only works for so long.
Only a idiot would mention something as silly as exercising for 4 hours as soon as they pop the baby out. Like I said earlier you didn't add a disclaimer, so me and others had no idea that you were just kidding. Thankfully now I know not to take anything that you say seriously from this point on.

Good luck working out 4 hrs a day with a newborn, especially if you plan on breastfeeding!

Once again this thread makes me want to vomit (not literally). I can't stand the self righteous behavior either, or the "my way or the highway" or "if you don't do it this way, you will fail". Threads like this reminds me of why I try to stay away from this website.

Is there a BLOCK button? If not we need one!

Ladies, this is a SUPPORT website.

Yea I wouldn't go spouting off about common sense until at least you've had your surgery. It's just as hard being on a liquid diet after surgery as it was before surgery.

Using medical malpractice claims as an example of why not to go overseas isn't always a great argument.
My mother was given a totally bogus diagnoses for numbness and tingling in both legs (was told it was a kidney stone pressing on the sciatic nerve) that resulted in her being partially paralyzed, wheelchair bound and on Warfarin for the rest of her life. She'd had an aneurysm. She spent nearly two months in a medically induced coma once they finally figured out what was wrong. She had to go to a different hospital to get someone to acknowledge that blue feet and numbness in her legs was a serious concern! And she HAS insurance.
When all was said and done she was saddled with over a hundred thousand dollars in medical expenses. She lost her job...or rather, still has her job but is only given about ten hours of work per week. She is still fighting for disability, two years later.
The state she lives in caps malpractice suits at $150,000 so lawyers will not take the case. Three separate malpractice lawyers told her she had an excellent case because the very idea that a kidney stone would cause paralysis is laughable, but nobody was willing to take on a complicated case for what amounts to a pittance in lawyer fees.
So please, let's not pretend that even American citizens, with insurance, in America, are fully protected under the law. This is not always the case. My mother is wheelchair bound for life, has lost her independence completely (she now lives with my sister and is only 49 years old) and she has been forced to live below the poverty line without any help from the government or recourse with the medical hospital and doctor that put her in this predicament.
Furthermore, it is comparing apples and oranges to point at overseas medical training programs and say "Americans train longer, and therefore are more experienced." In other countries, even in Europe (Germany and Italy, where I've personally lived and received care) doctors are not generally educated on all medicine - they are specialists that focus their education on one medical specialty for several years instead of learning about general medicine for several years AFTER pursuing a general degree. This cuts their training time down considerably. Many foreign doctors have expressed to me (not doctors providing my care, but rather those I've personally known on a social level) that they're amazed that American doctors can be proficient at any one skill, since they're learning so many different areas of medicine before narrowing into a specific field. This is also a reason that becoming a doctor overseas is not the status profession it is in America. Your education does not cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars and you are not paid an extremely high salary to compensate for your twelve years of education. Doctors are respected, yes, but no more so than any other professional.
In fact, in Germany, Italy and especially the former Soviet Union there is no real glamour in being a doctor. It is far more respected and admired to be a professor in a university, for instance, than a doctor.
In any case, I think that these continual anti-Mexico posts are a bit redundant and in many cases, far too biased. Nobody coming here to criticize care in Mexico actually had a negative experience there! They're just afraid that it could happen. I could say the same for doctors in the US. It's a silly round-and-round.
And frankly, instead of providing information and being supportive, it turns into a battle for-or-against that does nothing to change anyone's mind or even to disseminate information.
Truly, if you don't believe people should go to Mexico, there is no need to post about it beyond stating that you wouldn't and why. Hearsay helps nobody. Saying "I've read horror stories" could apply to any doctor in any country. I'm sorry, but the medically induced comas and leaks on VST lately were all AMERICAN SURGEONS.
So please, accept that some people will go to Mexico whether you think they should or not. And some people will be more comfortable in the states. Sometimes it's a money thing but not always (as I previously stated I could have gone anywhere and many others face these options, too) and likewise it is not always a "last resort" option. Accept that some people are more comfortable with something you are not.
There are dozens of these threads on here and what ultimately happens is despite the good intentions of some of the posters, it turns into an us-vs.-them debate that DOES border on prejudices that are most often based in hearsay and rumor than actual fact. Everyone has "heard of someone" or "saw a 20/20 report" or "knew a doctor that said" or "ran into one case that proves this is the norm" and honestly, I hardly see anyone with personal experience that is negative contribute to these conversations.
People are so happy with Dr. Aceves that they rave about him without being compensated. We happen to take unfair criticisms of him, due to the fact that he's operating in Mexico, as offensive. If you don't know him and he didn't operate on you, what right do you have to say that his care is substandard? Basing it on rumor, hearsay and assumption offends his many happy customers on here, sorry to say. And you will not convince those of us (hundreds of us!) that had a positive experience in Mexico that it's more dangerous or terrible to go there, so there is no need to continually refresh the argument with a new topic!
Vent over, I'm just annoyed that I'm repeatedly posting these same logical arguments and it keeps coming up over and over again. If you're not comfortable with Mexican surgeons the answer is simple: don't use one!
~Cheri

I flew from Puerto Vallarta to Calgary, Canada in Oct. the flight was 5 1/2 hrs, had no problems. just make sure you walk alot after your surgery it'll be ok

hi I had surgery on Oct 20 in Puerto Vallarta with Dr Lopez and I had wonderful care from him. He is wonderful, he came to see me before after and that evening of my surgery. He even drove my husband to our hotel that night. I saw him the next day and during my leak test and then after that. He was great, I dont have any complaints at all and I had no problems after. I cant think of better care unless he stayed in my room the whole time. I would for sure recommend him. thanks

I used ALighterMe, I had no issues, and they never bashed any other surgeon or company. I do know they had an issue with someone internal talking their database, I think it is all cleared up not, but I don't know. As far as Mi hospital, Dr. Lopez, Abraham and Eduardo, I felt the hospital was good, it was clean, and I never felt at risk. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz were really great, and friendly. Abraham and Eduardo went above and beyond. My mother was afraid to leave my side the entire time; she wouldn't even leave to eat. Abraham and Eduardo went out of their way to bring her food, and take great care of her. The day I was operated on, one of the ladies was supposed to have band to sleeve revision, she was in for over 6 hours, and her band had eroded into her stomach and was sitting at the bottom of her stomach. She had been 2-3 different surgeons in the US that had lied to her and told her everything was fine, her band was in place, which was why she had chosen to come have revision surgery. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz went above and beyond, and opened her up and removed the band from the bottom of her stomach (they didn't know it was there until they started her surgery). They could not sleeve her, but she was just grateful they had saved her life. (She scheduled to return later to be sleeved) I also felt they had saved her life. They took extra care of her, and kept her longer at the hospital and in TJ for her to recover since she had to have full open surgery. My understanding is that ALighterMe paid for her extra nights stays in the Marriott, and also helped her to reschedule all of her flights. None of this extra care was a part of her 'contract'. ALighterMe from my experience and everyone involved are upstanding, honest, caring people. When I was in TJ, I met many people with other companies, when we were there, we didn't care what coordinator we used, we didn't care what Dr. we were using, and we cared about EACH OTHER which is what we all should be doing. We are all in this journey TOGETHER, don't listen to gossip, and don't tear each other down. I recommend everyone do their research and pick a Dr. be confident in your choice, and help others to do the same. Please don't turn these boards into a gossip fest that scares people away from a lifesaving procedure for the sake of yourselves feeling like you need to hen peck each other.

You know, I've seen people pretty darn ignorant of the world outside of Seattle, WA but you do kinda take the cake, you know?
Where to start...
You know what? I did just that! I originally had a lap band and the doctors locally to me were $16,500-$19,500 for a band. Mexico at that time was $8K. Now, the money really wasn't the only issue, the issue that mattered to me is that with all my local surgeons they were band factories. After surgery you never seen your surgeon again, you see the follow up staff. You are treated like cattle being herded in and out of the office. Got a problem? Tough, you are made to feel like you are causing your own problems and shuffled out the door.
When I went for a consult in the US with a very well known surgeon who is the editor of OH magazine I made it quite clear to the staff that I did not want them telling anyone I was there. You know, medical privacy and HIPAA issues? Yes, they didn't seem to feel that was important in my case as the Office Manager made it a point to contact my husband (because she knew him) and tell him I was there for a consult. *I* had not told my husband what I was considering yet. HIPAA doesn't really mean a great deal in this country, does it? Not to mention basic ethics. And keep in mind, this is the best of the best in my city. Gotta love the band mills, right?
Guess what? Seminars exist all over the world! YES! Amazing but true, seminars exist outside of Seattle. Cool concept, eh?
You know, I thought about that. Almost did it. But I decided on my doc. He has more experience, more hospitalization, a better reputation, more compassion, and better stats than the "leading" bariatric surgeon in all of Arizona. My doc is in Mexico.
I agree that you have to research your surgeon, you are chanting my mantra but to suggest that someone is good because they are in the US and they are bad if they are outside the US, that's nothing but sheer bigotry. What's the matter? Is business slowing down and you need to come to support boards to push the US for surgery? You guys are losing a lot of business to MX. Perhaps instead of jealousy you should consider offering better patient care and more value for the dollar. But we'll really get into more detail on that later.
I went to a Bugitti Veyron level doctor in a Cadillac country. Maybe you shouldn't have settled for a mere Cadillac.
Honey, we can already see that you didn't think for yourself on this one, we want to know why you didn't think and research, not why you assume nonsense.
You bring up a good point here. One of my frustrations with my US primary care doc hires all Spanish speaking people. Wouldn't it be great if they all spoke English as well? I mean, we are in the US, right? Yet my MX bariatric surgeon's staff speak both English and Spanish.
Now, here you go again! We are talking health care on this board and you are talking banking. Are you aware there is a difference in the two types of services?
Kewl Beans, we are back on topic! Health care!
Do you realize that when you copied and pasted this mess you repeated yourself? Really, proof reading saves so much embarrassment.
We'll skip all the repeated nonsense and move on:
You really didn't do a great deal of research here. I neither converted my money to pesos or brought cash. I paid with a US cashiers check. Really, a little education on the world around you wouldn't kill you.
Not according to our very own US CDC. Do you know hospital infection rates are higher in the US than MX? It is your silly opinion that the US is best for medical care. I believe there is good and bad about every country and their medical care and being IN the health care field in the US I can list the bad all day long.
Did you know that people from all over the world go to Mexico for medical care? I guess according to your logic that makes Mexico best, yes?
Not so much, I know of 4 people that had 4 different US surgeons and they put their lap band around a wad of fat instead of their actual stomach. They can't find an attorney to sue these doctors because it's not worth enough money. You are making assumptions again instead of doing a bit of reading and research. Perhaps someone could help you do that next time you have a need for medical care and you won't have to base your decisions on ignorance, bigotry, and assumptions?
Let's explore that, shall we? Just for fun let's do a bit of a comparison:
US vs. MX, okay? Now, the US is where you are and Mexico is south of you. Just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page here. I mean, I've seen your research and I'm not very impressed so I just wanted to clarify a bit.
Let's use the Lap Band for an example because that was my first surgery.
Dr. S vs. Dr. Aceves
Dr. S sees you one time before surgery, sometimes the day of surgery, and then as soon as you wake up you go home.
Dr. Aceves sees you the day before surgery for an extensive discussion as well as a discussion with the Asst. Surgeon. Then he sees you usually three times daily while hospitalized.
If you travel to see Dr. S for surgery you stay in a hotel for recovery. If you travel to see Dr. Aceves for surgery you stay in the hospital for two nights after a lap band (three nights for a sleeve).
Dr. S does not check on you after surgery. Dr. Aceves does rounds three times daily while you are in the hospital, as does his asst. surgeon.
Dr. S is a bit of a bigot... well, he's a big 'ol buggar of a bigot. Dr. Aceves is not.
Dr. S does not do follow up care on his patients, Dr. Aceves does.
Dr. S charges for follow up care, Dr. Aceves does not.
Dr. S works out of a nasty little surgical center or a dirty hospital if you prefer (I used to work there, I know). Dr. Aceves works out of a very clean hospital - only.
Dr. S's office does not maintain patient confidentiality, Dr. Aceves' office does.
Dr. S is $16,500 for a band on an outpatient basis, Dr. Aceves is $7K for surgery and 2 nights in the hospital.
Darl'en, drop the bigotry and expand your mind! Just because a surgeon is in the US doesn't make him any good. There are a many excellent surgeons throughout the world, amazingly they don't all congregate in the US to practice their trade.
Get out, learn about the world around you. No need to show such ignorance about a topic you obviously have not researched.
Cheers.

Im from AB, I was sleeved on Oct 20 in Puerto Vallarta with Dr Lopez. Everything went great, the hopsital is amazing, the hotel is very nice. Only problem I had was heartburn after but that went away with meds. Everybody was so nice. So far lost a total of 21 lbs.

Hi, Im from Alberta and Im going to Puerto Vallarta to be sleeved by Dr Lopez on Oct. 20. Can hardly wait

Im from AB, I was sleeved on Oct 20 in Puerto Vallarta with Dr Lopez. Everything went great, the hopsital is amazing, the hotel is very nice. Only problem I had was heartburn after but that went away with meds. Everybody was so nice. So far lost a total of 21 lbs.

Hi, getting sleeved on Oct 20 in Puerto Vallarta with Dr Lopez

I used Dr. Lopez. I went to Puerto Vallarta and I paid an extra $500 for that location. I had my surgery in a brand new hospital. It was the best medical care I've ever received. I would have had my surgery in TJ if I had gone by myself.

hi I'm in PV right now had my surgery yesterday, Dr Lopez is great, the hotel is amazing. My only problem is heartburn, actually had Jello, tea, and apple juice after leak test. The hospital is top notch and quiet. Going to hotel tomorrow is that'll be nice

hi I'm in PV right now had my surgery yesterday, Dr Lopez is great, the hotel is amazing. My only problem is heartburn, actually had Jello, tea, and apple juice after leak test. The hospital is top notch and quiet. Going to hotel tomorrow is that'll be nice

Had my first today. Never trust a fart. First i peed the bed while vomiting. Now nearly pooped the bed farting. Good thing I an still in the hospital. Talk about tmi

I think sometimes people forget this forum is multicultural and is made of people from all walks of life. I am offend by the comments and I am not Latina; however I live in a Latin American country. That was a very bigoted statement and unfortunately because we are on a forum people feel the need to say what ever they feel no matter who's feelings are affected. I have seen posts from particular individual on VST and I try to stay clear. I am reporting this post.-

3 months ago today I had my surgery in Tijuana Mexico with Dr Almanza I have had a great experience over the last 3 months I started at 280 pounds I was wearing size 46+ pants I refused to buy anything bigger I was wearing 2 XL shirt had a circumference of my stomach of 56 inches
Today I weigh 190 pounds I wear a 33 inch waist pants size medium to LG shirt my stomach circumference is 35 I am no longer on any blood pressure meds it has returned to normal I have a lot more energy now and no more Motrin or other meds for feet and ankle pain my knees no longer hurt I feel so much better