measureofme

My Mother-In-Law (MIL) was my traveling companion, I love her to bits. I might have preferred my own Mom to be there but she and I both know seeing me hurting or struggling would have been hard… I needed someone with a cool head and a tiny bit of detachment. We boarded a plane on Friday morning, February 1 from Seattle to San Diego. I had back up phone numbers and instructions for arrival time. The flight was quick and before we even hit the terminal, Cecy called to reiterate where to meet her outside. Cecy is the Gal Friday of Dr. Kelly’s business. She’s his wife, a nurse, a nutritionist (her passion) and the driver right now. Her English is not extensive, but we got on just fine… her English is better than MY Spanish! We were met with a large white Chevy passenger van. My only complaint was that with my size and weak legs, I had trouble getting in and out of it. We had to have a curb right next to the van or use a little step stool. So, be sure if you have trouble pulling yourself up that you ask to be sure there’s help for that if a van is how you will be traveling around. The border crossing was quick even with an inspection stop. It was great to arrive in the daylight and really look around at the transition from San Ysidro to Tijuana. There were vast changes in a short drive from obvious poverty to more middle and upper class areas. It’s clear to me that Tijuana, like any larger city, has its safer places and its places you need to exercise more caution. It took about half an hour to reach our destination: florence Health System’s Oasis of Hope Hospital. This hospital is best known for its alternative Cancer Care program but it also caters to many Amish folks from the US and a variety of other groups. I’d known from YouTube videos and the interview I’d had with Dr. Kelly’s former patient that the hospital LOOKS were aged. The building on the outside appears to be a 1980’s office building and the décor inside was expected to be dated about the same. I was surprised! They’re remodeling! We came in a set of doors by the Emergency Room and operating theaters into the lobby and the look is being transformed into more modern aesthetics and is warm. I had some more papers to fill out, administration stuff for the hospital (these are independent of Dr. Kelly’s papers)… things like liability and agreement to pay overages if they happen. These were in Spanish but I had enough Spanish vocabulary to know that what I was being told they said was accurate… besides, was I going to come all this way and get this close to not sign and go home? Uh… no. Sign away! I was given my hospital band and led to my room. Again, they’re in the process of remodeling and the patient ward I was in had only just started to get attention. Regardless of aged décor, the room was clean and comfortable, very simple. My Mother-In-Law had a daybed arrangement for her comfort and she said she was indeed comfortable and happy with the accommodation. My hospital bed was exactly that… however, for a hospital bed it was comfy too! I was pleasantly surprised by that. We were introduced right away to the shift Nurses and Doctor. Some spoke better English than others but again, we’d get it right in the long run. They were especially happy when I attempted short replies in Spanish, they appreciated it. Dr. Kelly was going to greet me later that night. Not long after arriving I was told that Chemistry would be coming in soon… AKA “Labs”. There was to be a blood draw that night. We put in a request for our room to be cooled down, coming from Seattle, 72 degrees in the room was hot. A knock at the door and a gentleman came in carrying what appeared to be a tool box. He was in a flannel shirt, jeans and casual shoes, crew cut. He smiled and we genuinely thought he was maintenance to work on the heat. He opened the box and pulled out a band like they use to find veins and I said, “OH! You’re from Chemistry?” Si Si! I don’t remember his name but he was great. He took time to find a good vein and I did not feel a single thing when he did the blood draw. Best darn phlebotomist I’ve ever had! He confessed to me that my veins were “rolling” and he was praying hard as he placed the needle that God would see fit to make it stay put. LOL

I had not realized that I was crying out inside; to God, the universe, or anyone that would listen… but I was quickly becoming tired of living in my uncooperative body. I was fat, very much so, but my only comorbidity was pain. Bone deep and getting worse. My life was quickly contracting such that I didn’t go out for fear of ridicule and unforeseen challenges… like arms on chairs and seatbelts that would not reach. I had to strategize a trip to the grocery store around my pain threshold. On November 9, 2012 the final straw came. It does not matter what it was. It happened. God had heard the crying I didn’t realize I was pouring out and a solution was presented. On Sunday, November 11, my mind was all but made up that I would undergo the VSG procedure in order to provide my body with a powerful tool to reshape my life. With many hours online and a face-to-face interview with a former patient of his, I selected surgeon Dr. Jaime Ricardo Ramos Kelly of Tijuana to perform my VSG. Much has been noted on the VerticalSleeveTalk boards about recent changes with Dr. Kelly’s staff and I was in the thick of the transition. I started out working with Omar who left the practice (friendly separation), then came Alina who was lovely but learned quickly her heart was elsewhere, and finally working with Lora Lee, an American they hired who was also a recent Dr. Kelly VSG patient. I had moments of paperwork confusion through this, but NEVER concern for my surgeon or what I would experience once there. And Lora Lee worked HARD in the days before my surgery to be sure I was no longer confused and on the “right page”. Enough about that! With the decision made that Dr. Kelly was the surgeon for me, paperwork began. I weighed in and learned that my weight, the highest I’d ever seen it, was 529lbs. I worried this would preclude me from surgery but, again, Dr. Kelly has experience working with very high BMI patients and he was confident that with his experience and my dedication this would be a good match. We settled that I’d be operated on Saturday, February 2, 2013. I had all the “normal” up and down emotions… I’d done my research and the risks scared (still scare) the heck out of me, then the moments when I allow myself to dream of the moment when I can shop without being stared at, with less (or no) pain made me excited and happy. At the heart of it, I had PEACE that this was the right decision and God-led. I was scared of the post-op pain and drains and how it would be to not really eat for days… But I knew that I had loved ones to hold me up and encourage me, and really… would the post-op pain really be worse that I was living with right then? Onward!

Peace to you and yours!

lessisomer of me, you made me giggle. Found my tears finally... First bout of nausea tonight and it all just slammed into me. Being home safe and sound may have helped too. Ahh we'll. still happy even if the "shiny" has worn off!

At the San Diego airport now, on my way home in about two hours! Feeling fine and quite euphoric actually. Hoping that feeling lasts a long while. I have done this and now have HOPE for my dreams! Again, will post a proper story soon as I can. Thanks again for the good wishes.

Just asked this to my surgeon last night... I leave today to go back home, two and a half hour flight. Doc said walk on the plane if I could or at least move legs a bit during flight especially sice I don't have compression socks. But he also said not to be overly worried as the Heparin/blood thinner used in surgery and after is in your body for many days to help keep away clots. Hope your worries are eased!

I am in NE Tacoma. Regardless, we are here for ya!

Where are you in Wa? I am not far behind you, I was in on Feb 2.

I am 3 days post op and so... Happy? Euphoric? Hopeful? I sometimes want to giggle. I expected depression at worst and acceptance at best... This feeling was not on my radar. Endorphins maybe? Anyone else? I am soooooooo not complaining, just worried for a flip side. Hah! I may just be excited Togo home tomorrow. LoL

I echo what oneless said... St Francis Center for Weight Management folks are wonderful and at least at Federal way have support groups you can join. As for PCP... I don't have one anymore, they kept moving away! So I have been using a CarePlus clinic for care. They are mostly urgent care but mine is happy to act as PCP and will be doing follow up labs and other monitoring as needed. Good luck!

Hey crew! I am alive and kicking! Everything is getting easier but I wil post a proper story later on. Hard to type on the iPad and still sleepy,

Uneventful flight! Cecy found us easily and easy across the border. I have signed a mountain of concent forms and just was visited by the phlebotomist who performed the most pain free blood draw I have ever had! Still dreading the IV though. I am told they have me in for 9am tomorrow. I may need help to sleep. All the staff have been SO warm and friendly too. Thank you for all the good wishes!

Sitting in the airport and waiting for this journey to really get going! 21 lbs down pre op diet and ready to meet Dr Kelly and staff. Wish me luck. God speed to all those leaving these next few days!

Thanks! You guys always help. Means the world.

Sounds like a bad movie title, eh? I fly out early tomorrow and realize that I don't know how to pack my bottle of Tums and GasX strips... We are trying to go as carry on only... Can I just pack the tums or does it have to meet the 3.2oz rule? It's not a liquid but I am paranoid!

... Forgot to add, the reason for the change from Alina to Lora is that Alina was meant to be temporary I believe.

Good Morning KatlnFL! I have the low-down on the staff changes. My surgery is this Saturday. So, basically, Omar was there and established. That's who you would have been working with in the Fall. He went to another doctor in December. Alina took his place and her English was okay. The Office Manager, Cecy started answering my emails for a short while and she definitely does not have good English. I too was very confused and worried with these transitions... not for worry of the surgery, but making sure I had good information and was preparing myself right. Well, last weekend, a new coordinator started on the job. Lora is her name and she's FANTASTIC. She's an American they've hired and is also a Dr. Kelly former patient. I had an hour on the phone with her Tuesday and am totally at ease. Make sure you're using the info@ email address and that will reach her, or call the office number and you can talk to her. Unless something else has changed in the last 24 hours this is!

Thanks rdoactv! I will definitely post updates.

Thanks all! I will try the juice and a good night of rest.

Hey all. This is my first day of the pre-op Clear liquids only diet. I have a headache growing. Of course I cannot take Advil/Tylenol... did you have this and how did you combat it? Thanks!

I was going to ask if yours mentioned lethargy as a signal to revisit the protien. I'm on clear liquids in prep for Saturday now! You'll do just fine.

Anyone want to chime in about your level of boredom? I keep thinking about bringing a crochet project (but will I be able to focus?) or a book? Bringing our tablet and it has some games on it. How much "busy work" did you need to help the hours pass? Or your companion?

Thank you thank you everyone! I've bought some of both the Swanson's broths and the Better Than brand to see which I like. I've also got some HMR chicken Soup. Some folks don't like it on it's own so I might try mixing it with the straight broth to get the protien quality in as well. The nakid protien is a good tip too. Oh, and thanks for posting the homemade instructions/recipes! Talked to the family over the weekend and we may just try this out! woohoo!

Feb 2nd for me!

I feel you completely... I too have GAD and we took me off my meds to actually help this process along. I seem to pick one thing each day to obsess over LOL. I wish I had fool proof advice for you, but all of us are different... I think you are normal. I try to name my anxiousness and reassure myself with the preparations that are in place. You will do fine. Best wishes!