measureofme

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!

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!

You're in my thoughts! May all go smoothly. You know I'm counting on your detailed review!! ; )

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!

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!

I've been reading for right around a year, too. Part of the reason I was/am leaning towards Dr. Kelly was because I've seen the BS that has occurred with coordinator/coordinator companies and I was hoping to avoid all of that. Plus, I feel better about using a coordinator that works directly for the doctor. I can't help but think that coordinators that work for multiples doctors will always have their own experiences and agendas that impact potential patients making a decision about which doctor to use. I've done a TON of research, at this point well over a year. A coordinator change won't be the deciding factor in which surgeon I ultimately go with. It's just nice to have the information vs changes with no explanation.
~Kat

They are not a liquid. Pack them in your carry on in the original container (preferably unopened) and you'll be fine.

Thanks rdoactv! I will definitely post updates.

The first ten days you probably won't feel hungry without Protein. You might feel tired and like you're lacking energy but I'm almost a month out and I don't think I've felt true hunger yet. The first week I couldn't stomach protien drinks but my energy levels were still pretty good but I don't think that's the norm. Since day 8 I have been able to get in a protien drink a day. On day 14 I was able to drink two a day. The idea that you won't feel hunger is something I think you can't truly understand until post op. I definitely feel deprived sometimes but not hungry.

I'm in my room, just took my first walk, the pain is not too bad, I am just so thirsty hopefully tomorrow will be better when I can drink

I *WISH* we got $ for every piece of spam posted on here. I'd be swinging on my hammock on some remote island by now

At the Mexican restaurants near my house (Atlanta suburbs) they have a delicious chicken and rice Soup. I've already talked to the mgr and he said he would charge me $1 a quart for just the broth when I get home because it won't have anything in it. My next door neighbor ate this for weeks after her VSG. She said it was so soothing on her pouch. Hoping for the same!

There certainly are docs out there who will work with you, just don't be discouraged if it takes a handful of calls to find him/her! Your stats and mine are quite close! It is excellent you are already on the weight loss road! That can only help. Good luck!

YEEEESSSS!!!! I travel Sunday, February 3 to San Diego for surgery in Tijuana on Monday the 4th! Can't get past the feeling of anticipation - really looking forward to spending the remainder of my life as a normal sized person.
All the best to you as you count down this week! How is your pre-op diet going? I'm so pleasantly surprised that I am not starving and am losing weight. My 8 year old took my pre-surgery "fat" pictures this morning!

I started my pre-op early (WHAT was I THINKING?!?) and the first week was a breeze, now in coming up on week two I'm ready to walk 4 miles in to town for a cheeseburger and some fries, with a nice sugary doughnut to chase it down!! OH MAN!! I've been in the kitchen so many times, open the fridge...stare. Close the fridge...frown. Open the cabinet...stare. Slam the cabinet! Open the pantry....stare......groan out loud!! I've been a basket case today with cravings!! Got.....to.....hold......out!!

iggy, trust me--I hear what you are saying...I had complications from surgery I had 3 years ago (was covered by insurance), and I stopped counting at around half a million dollars...I probably didn't clarify my meaning from that last post I made...I work for state government, and I've checked and know for sure that WLS is not covered and is specifically excluded...if I call with an inquiry about having surgery that is specifically covered by the plan, there is at least a 95% chance, they will tell me right up front that any complications as a result of the elective surgery will not be covered...now, if by the small chance of 5%, they actually say it could be covered depending on certain factors, I still won't have the answer I want for assurance, because I cannot anticipate what the factors would be...there is zero chance that they will tell me up front, pre-surgery that any complications will be covered...the downside is that if they tell me complications are not covered, and I unfortunately do have complications and try to make a claim, they will have record that they told me it was *not* covered...at least if I don't inquire, I can plead "ignorance" legitimately...am I prepared for a $500,000 hospital bill? absolutely not, and it would be financial ruin for me probably...should that risk of financial ruin impact my decision? I don't think so in my case, because I believe the chances of me living another five years even under my current health condition is pretty low...if there is some kind of supplemental insurance I can purchase up-front, I definitely will do that, even if it costs an extra $5,000...other than ruling out WLS altogether, I don't know what else I could do to prepare myself for a $500,000 or more hospital bill : (

I had the Tuscan Herb chicken broth by Progress and and use a splash to liven up reg broth. I just tried Spicy Coconut Curry Chicken Broth by College Inn. Way too much sodium, but again, a splash will help a low sodium broth and make it a little different.

Hello everyone,
Not only am I new to this forum but new to this process. I have my very 1st appointment on Jan 24. I am so glad that I found this forum. It has really eased my mind about the decision that I have made to change my life. I look forward to reading all of your success stories. Good luck to all that are awaiting and congrats to all that are succeeding!!

** Sorry to hijack this post a little **
rdoactv: I'm with Dr. Kelly on Feb 2nd. I understand your nervousness after these changes but I'll be sure and post how it goes. While Dr. Kelly is not so "popular" on this board, I know there are a few of us and I want to help ease minds. So far Alina, the new coodinator, has been pretty cool to work with. I wish she was a little faster to reply to me but I know I'm not the only patient and that they have work outside of email.
From all the VSG message boards and Mexico doctor threads, it seems that musical coordinators is just the name of the game. Go with the flow is my mindset.

Personally, with all the rumors out there and coordinator games, I take everything I read about doctors with a grain of salt. Obviously, these docs perform the surgery well or there wouldn't be so many people going. (And succeeding) I'm comfortable with my choice in Kelly and don't care if they are the real life Peyton Place. I would just as quickly choose one of the many other qualified surgeons I've seen on here if Kelly were unable to do it. If you are comfy with your choice, ignore the drama. We have no way of picking out the truth and fiction or knowing the stories behind them. I'm sorry to miss Omar and his wonderful reputation but he's not performing my surgery. I can only hope the icing is as sweet, but as long as the surgery goes well, it will be worth the price.

I was quoted $6200 for my high BMI, but watch for specials... One he has had going for the fall is just ending.

Yep...I was surprised. I looked at the email and it came on Dec 15th. He said he is working with Dr. Illan now. He said this doc has been assisting Dr. Kelly for 5 years and was in on my surgery and has done 500 of them on his own. He also said that this other doc would do my hubby's surgery for $4000. While I love the price and Omar...and I'm sure Dr. Illan is great...I just don't think I could send my hubby to anyone but Dr. Kelly. I had such an easy surgery and recovery, not to mention results, and I want the same great experience for my husband. Plus 500 surgeries doesn't sound like a lot and I want someone who has seen it all and will knows what to do if God forbid something bad happens. I have complete confidence in Dr. Kelly and you will be in great hands! If I HAD to complain about anything it might be that pre/post op diets were a little unorganized. I got a different one than my sleeve buddy that was sleeved the day after me and mine said to stay on Clear liquids for 3 weeks! I emailed them and asked them if the were custom diets and they apologized and said they promise they weren't trying to starve me to death lol. If thats all I have to complain about I'm doing pretty darn good Good luck on everything! The sleeve will be the best decision you ever made

I'm so very sorry that a "professional" treated you that way! Ready4success took the words out of my mind though... if it's possible, I'd consider another surgeon after being treated so roughly. The circumstance and decisions you've made should never be taken in such a cavalier way... in my humble opinion anyway. Past that, I am sorry that they need you to reduce before they'll schedule you.

makemyownluck... I know everyone's journey is different but you took the words out of my mouth about the irony of what I'd call 100% success being other's starting weight!
I agree, I'm very blessed to have a date... I wouldn't if I hadn't found a way for self-pay (a miracle all its own). My insurance does not cover WLS and the plan manager said specifically they'd not make any exceptions.