Ann in St Louis

I was sleeved in MX in December and am looking for a local support group or would be willing to host a local support group for this area! Anyone out the interested or know of any place nearby that has one?

Fifty and Hippy: Congrats on your surgery date. My daughter had her surgery at Barnes, but she had the RNY. I live in O'Fallon, IL so I am also on this side of the river:) I would be willing to attend Eagon's support group if it's open to everyone else..or if you'd rather, I would love to meet you and go from there. My sister had the sleeve as well so we are all kind of sailing this together. I'm 52 my sis is 58 so we are all of a like age and prob with the same issues (don't we all!!) Let me know, coz it's been helpful talking with my family, but someone new with new insight would be great. Ann

Haven't found one yet, but my sister and daughter have all had wls and we support each other, but would be great to have others to share this with!!! Good luck to you, and keep me posted.

CLK: Thanks for your concern. My doctor neither cared nor asked if I smoked. I have been smoking for 8 years and have absolutely no desire to give it up. I was merely responding to the original question asked. I must have those incredible genetic capabilities to heal in spite of such dire probabilities of a non-healing suture line due to my nicotine intake. I feel great, my weight loss is good, I am eating regular food and I am happy. No sense spoiling that by increasing my anxiety and stress level (which also precludes healing) by worrying about or craving my cigs

I started smoking the next morning following my surgery (two weeks ago today) although I haven't found the taste to be as good as I remember. Subsequently I'm down from a pack a day to about 6. Doesn't seem to be doing me any harm as I am already eating real food and my weight loss hasn't stalled. I'm not saying you should smoke, just that it's had no adverse effect on me. Good luck in what ever choice you make..it's hard any way you look at it!

Jesser-I'm an RN so I watched with a critical eye when procedures were done. I'm not saying they didn't wash their hands, I just didn't see it and there is a sink in the bathroom. They went from me to my sister for procedures and didn't wash their hands, use gloves, or sanitizer between us. Maybe they thought since we were related? There appears to be no infectious ward and it is a small hospital (and VERY clean appearing throughout). In the surgical suite everyone was gowned and gloved and masked appropriately. Just watch the staff and ask them to wash their hands or use gloves if they haven't done so before your procedures. You'll be fine. Our experience was interesting, sometimes frustrating but mostly WORTH it!! Good luck to you.

Had the VSG 12-20-12 by Cabrera-Garcia at Doctor Mi hospital through MedicalTourismCo. My sister and I had it at the same time. Great Doc, no problems. Careful of your coordinators details. We were supposed to stay at Pueblo-Amigo Hotel the night before and have the surgery on the 20th. Instead, we were told by Victor, the driver, that we were going straight to the hospital and would stay there instead. Hmmmm...a little apprehensive at the sudden change of plans, BUT it all worked out and now I am post op with a good start at weight loss. Good luck to you!

Hey, everyone. Just had my VSG in Tijuana on December 20,2012. Not quite 2 weeks post-op. Doing great. Surgeon was Cabrera/Garcia and I was at the Doctor Mi hospital. Thought I would give you a few hints at making it a better place for you! 1. Bring your own Water. Lots of it! Our driver from the San Diego airport told us he would stop and have us buy some, but I guess forgot, so our coordinator sent us a few blocks over to this gas station/minimart where we picked up half a dozen bottles. (Watch the cars when crossing the street--like frogger, only you are the frog). 2. Bring someone with you at all possible. The emotional support is priceless, but it's also good to have someone run to get someone at night if you can't find the nurse (or Doc on call). 3. Bring earplugs. The first night we were there, at midnight the event house immediately next door serenaded us with ear-splitting Mexican fiesta music. Seriously, it's like a 120 piece Mexican cantina band was sitting bedside. It lasted til 3:00a.m. Mind you, we were offered a $150 discount to go to this hospital and I at that precise moment figured out why! Luckily our surgery was not until later that next morning, so it's not like I needed sleep or anything! At about 2a.m. I finally located the doc on call and he said "yes, they are out of control tonight". Later in my stay, after everyone I asked about it denied ever hearing this music, we were told that on occasion a late party was planned at the place and the music occurred OK, I can live with that...take the plugs just in case. It may have been an aberrant occasion, but better prepared, than not. 4. Bring Purell or other hand sanitizer and request the staff use it or wash their hands. Universal precautions were out the window at this hospital. What I realized is I researched the heck out of my doctor but neglected to research the staff. No handwashing was seen. No gloves were used to draw blood or start IV's. The nurse starting our IV's had a cold but wore no mask and would turn on occasion to sneeze into her armpit. YIKES!!! 5. Remember to request fluids when Clear liquids are OK. You take your own water, but if you want Apple juice, broth or gatorade you have to ask and ask and ask. For our entire stay we received 1/2 small dixie cup of apple juice, 1/2 small dixie cup of gatorade and a styrofoam coffee cup of chicken broth. That was it. We finally gave up, resorted to water only then made it up at the hotel. Anyway...like I said all is good. My sister developed a phlebitis above her IV site, but I had no complications at all and am 11 pounds down after 12 days. Good luck to everyone going down there!!!! Ann