Timeforachange

Hey everyone. Just rounded the nine month mark... weight loss has slowed down to 5 pounds a month. In total, I have lost 116 pounds. It hasn't been easy... but it has been worth it.

Hey everyone. Just rounded the nine month mark... weight loss has slowed down to 5 pounds a month. In total, I have lost 116 pounds. It hasn't been easy... but it has been worth it.

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello February Sleevers,
Thanks everyone, for continuing to post about your journey here - it is really important to me. I just had my six month "surgiversary" this past weekend. I am happy to report that I am 95 pounds lighter! I reached "onederland" a few weeks ago. I went from a 4X/5X on top to a size 14/16 (XL), and from a 22/22 on the bottom to a 12/14. I no longer fit anything in my old wardrobe. I am almost completely out of the plus sizes. People I know are starting not to recognize me.
I still have a ways to go, but my weight loss so far is fantastic. I am still dealing with the complications from my blood clot, and my hair continues to fall out (although it has slowed down a bit), but other than that, no complaints. I am walking at least 25 KM every week, and I feel great. A lot of my back pain has disappeared, and I can move around much more easily. Travel on airplanes is a breeze! I am sleeping better, too.
It hasn't been easy.... but it has been worth it!
Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello fellow Sleevers. I enjoy reading everyone's posts, and the trials and tribulations of all the changes happening to our bodies. It is nice knowing that I am not alone. I was sleeved in Tijuana on Feb. 9. I started out at 282 pounds, and am now down to 217, which is a loss of 65 pounds (includes pre-op). Although I had a range of 3 sizes in my closet, very few things fit me anymore. It seems like body changes everyday!
It has not been an easy journey for me... I developed a complication of surgery which was a blood clot in my liver, and have begun anti-coagulant therapy. I knew there was a problem when I returned to Canada, as I was in more pain than I was after surgery. It took a month to diagnose, and was only caught because of a CT scan. I ended up being off work for 2 months. This condition requires a lot of extra care and doctoring, but things seem to be getting better.
My weight loss seems to go in fits and spurts. I will lose rapidly for several days, then stall out. Every time my medication gets increased, I seem to stall out for a while. I, too stalled out at 4 weeks, which was a combination of the complication, medication, and change from liquids to solids. I have only had two incidents of vomiting, once early on because I ate too fast, and once a few weeks ago, but I believe that was an allergic reaction. My hair fell out a lot right before surgery, and occasionally it does now, but it's nothing I'm worried about.
I had difficulty with Protein Shakes, and I think I would rather starve before I ever touch another one of those shakes again. EVER!!! I started eating eggs at 3 weeks, and eased into soft foods and solids way ahead of schedule, but I couldn't get my Protein any other way, and was tired of how sweet everything seemed to be. I am not always good at getting in my Water and protein, but I do manage at least 1 litre of water, and about 40g of protein. I don't count calories, I pretty much eat whatever I want within reason, and never more than about 3/4 cup. I rarely snack between meals, and I go nowhere without a bottle of water. I have a soy, nut, and seafood allergy, so this limits a lot of food choices, as does not being able to have green leafy vegetables until the anticoagulant therapy is done in a few months. The more time goes by, the less issues I have tolerating foods. I still have not tried steak, but seem to be doing well with most things. Anything with artificial sweeteners make me ill. I stay away from bread and Pasta as much as I can, and try to stick to protein and produce. I have had treats along the way, but small amounts and usually only once or twice a week. I had soft ice cream for lunch on Monday! I am relearning how to cook for the new me. i am rarely bothered by hunger anymore, but still have trouble remembering to slow down when I eat. I don't think I'll ever get used to the no drinking and eating at the same time.
I have a congenital spinal issue which caused me a great deal of pain, and was the motivating factor for having the sleeve surgery. I have been able to cut out all pain medication, with the exception of occasional use of extra-strength tylenol. My blood pressure is now on the low side of normal instead of the high side of normal. I try to walk about 15 km a week, go to aquafit twice a week, and don't experience any pain when walking. Moving feels great!
I still have a long ways to go, and sometimes I get frustrated because it doesn't seem like it's happening fast enough. Sometimes it's hard to focus on how far I've already gone. I am anxiously awaiting my passage into "onederland", which is 17 pounds away. So close, yet so far away! I have encountered some interesting judgements about my decision to have surgery, particularly in the medical field, but those close to me are very supportive. Sometimes people give compliments that really don't seem like compliments, but that's ok. They don't my journey and I don't know theirs. I will continue to enjoy the rest of my journey, wherever it leads me.
The first picture was the day before surgery, and second one was at the end of April, so about 11 weeks later.
Take care all. Thanks for sharing.

Hello fellow Sleevers. I enjoy reading everyone's posts, and the trials and tribulations of all the changes happening to our bodies. It is nice knowing that I am not alone. I was sleeved in Tijuana on Feb. 9. I started out at 282 pounds, and am now down to 217, which is a loss of 65 pounds (includes pre-op). Although I had a range of 3 sizes in my closet, very few things fit me anymore. It seems like body changes everyday!
It has not been an easy journey for me... I developed a complication of surgery which was a blood clot in my liver, and have begun anti-coagulant therapy. I knew there was a problem when I returned to Canada, as I was in more pain than I was after surgery. It took a month to diagnose, and was only caught because of a CT scan. I ended up being off work for 2 months. This condition requires a lot of extra care and doctoring, but things seem to be getting better.
My weight loss seems to go in fits and spurts. I will lose rapidly for several days, then stall out. Every time my medication gets increased, I seem to stall out for a while. I, too stalled out at 4 weeks, which was a combination of the complication, medication, and change from liquids to solids. I have only had two incidents of vomiting, once early on because I ate too fast, and once a few weeks ago, but I believe that was an allergic reaction. My hair fell out a lot right before surgery, and occasionally it does now, but it's nothing I'm worried about.
I had difficulty with Protein Shakes, and I think I would rather starve before I ever touch another one of those shakes again. EVER!!! I started eating eggs at 3 weeks, and eased into soft foods and solids way ahead of schedule, but I couldn't get my Protein any other way, and was tired of how sweet everything seemed to be. I am not always good at getting in my Water and protein, but I do manage at least 1 litre of water, and about 40g of protein. I don't count calories, I pretty much eat whatever I want within reason, and never more than about 3/4 cup. I rarely snack between meals, and I go nowhere without a bottle of water. I have a soy, nut, and seafood allergy, so this limits a lot of food choices, as does not being able to have green leafy vegetables until the anticoagulant therapy is done in a few months. The more time goes by, the less issues I have tolerating foods. I still have not tried steak, but seem to be doing well with most things. Anything with artificial sweeteners make me ill. I stay away from bread and Pasta as much as I can, and try to stick to protein and produce. I have had treats along the way, but small amounts and usually only once or twice a week. I had soft ice cream for lunch on Monday! I am relearning how to cook for the new me. i am rarely bothered by hunger anymore, but still have trouble remembering to slow down when I eat. I don't think I'll ever get used to the no drinking and eating at the same time.
I have a congenital spinal issue which caused me a great deal of pain, and was the motivating factor for having the sleeve surgery. I have been able to cut out all pain medication, with the exception of occasional use of extra-strength tylenol. My blood pressure is now on the low side of normal instead of the high side of normal. I try to walk about 15 km a week, go to aquafit twice a week, and don't experience any pain when walking. Moving feels great!
I still have a long ways to go, and sometimes I get frustrated because it doesn't seem like it's happening fast enough. Sometimes it's hard to focus on how far I've already gone. I am anxiously awaiting my passage into "onederland", which is 17 pounds away. So close, yet so far away! I have encountered some interesting judgements about my decision to have surgery, particularly in the medical field, but those close to me are very supportive. Sometimes people give compliments that really don't seem like compliments, but that's ok. They don't my journey and I don't know theirs. I will continue to enjoy the rest of my journey, wherever it leads me.
The first picture was the day before surgery, and second one was at the end of April, so about 11 weeks later.
Take care all. Thanks for sharing.

Hello fellow Sleevers. I enjoy reading everyone's posts, and the trials and tribulations of all the changes happening to our bodies. It is nice knowing that I am not alone. I was sleeved in Tijuana on Feb. 9. I started out at 282 pounds, and am now down to 217, which is a loss of 65 pounds (includes pre-op). Although I had a range of 3 sizes in my closet, very few things fit me anymore. It seems like body changes everyday!
It has not been an easy journey for me... I developed a complication of surgery which was a blood clot in my liver, and have begun anti-coagulant therapy. I knew there was a problem when I returned to Canada, as I was in more pain than I was after surgery. It took a month to diagnose, and was only caught because of a CT scan. I ended up being off work for 2 months. This condition requires a lot of extra care and doctoring, but things seem to be getting better.
My weight loss seems to go in fits and spurts. I will lose rapidly for several days, then stall out. Every time my medication gets increased, I seem to stall out for a while. I, too stalled out at 4 weeks, which was a combination of the complication, medication, and change from liquids to solids. I have only had two incidents of vomiting, once early on because I ate too fast, and once a few weeks ago, but I believe that was an allergic reaction. My hair fell out a lot right before surgery, and occasionally it does now, but it's nothing I'm worried about.
I had difficulty with Protein Shakes, and I think I would rather starve before I ever touch another one of those shakes again. EVER!!! I started eating eggs at 3 weeks, and eased into soft foods and solids way ahead of schedule, but I couldn't get my Protein any other way, and was tired of how sweet everything seemed to be. I am not always good at getting in my Water and protein, but I do manage at least 1 litre of water, and about 40g of protein. I don't count calories, I pretty much eat whatever I want within reason, and never more than about 3/4 cup. I rarely snack between meals, and I go nowhere without a bottle of water. I have a soy, nut, and seafood allergy, so this limits a lot of food choices, as does not being able to have green leafy vegetables until the anticoagulant therapy is done in a few months. The more time goes by, the less issues I have tolerating foods. I still have not tried steak, but seem to be doing well with most things. Anything with artificial sweeteners make me ill. I stay away from bread and Pasta as much as I can, and try to stick to protein and produce. I have had treats along the way, but small amounts and usually only once or twice a week. I had soft ice cream for lunch on Monday! I am relearning how to cook for the new me. i am rarely bothered by hunger anymore, but still have trouble remembering to slow down when I eat. I don't think I'll ever get used to the no drinking and eating at the same time.
I have a congenital spinal issue which caused me a great deal of pain, and was the motivating factor for having the sleeve surgery. I have been able to cut out all pain medication, with the exception of occasional use of extra-strength tylenol. My blood pressure is now on the low side of normal instead of the high side of normal. I try to walk about 15 km a week, go to aquafit twice a week, and don't experience any pain when walking. Moving feels great!
I still have a long ways to go, and sometimes I get frustrated because it doesn't seem like it's happening fast enough. Sometimes it's hard to focus on how far I've already gone. I am anxiously awaiting my passage into "onederland", which is 17 pounds away. So close, yet so far away! I have encountered some interesting judgements about my decision to have surgery, particularly in the medical field, but those close to me are very supportive. Sometimes people give compliments that really don't seem like compliments, but that's ok. They don't my journey and I don't know theirs. I will continue to enjoy the rest of my journey, wherever it leads me.
The first picture was the day before surgery, and second one was at the end of April, so about 11 weeks later.
Take care all. Thanks for sharing.

Hello fellow Sleevers. I enjoy reading everyone's posts, and the trials and tribulations of all the changes happening to our bodies. It is nice knowing that I am not alone. I was sleeved in Tijuana on Feb. 9. I started out at 282 pounds, and am now down to 217, which is a loss of 65 pounds (includes pre-op). Although I had a range of 3 sizes in my closet, very few things fit me anymore. It seems like body changes everyday!
It has not been an easy journey for me... I developed a complication of surgery which was a blood clot in my liver, and have begun anti-coagulant therapy. I knew there was a problem when I returned to Canada, as I was in more pain than I was after surgery. It took a month to diagnose, and was only caught because of a CT scan. I ended up being off work for 2 months. This condition requires a lot of extra care and doctoring, but things seem to be getting better.
My weight loss seems to go in fits and spurts. I will lose rapidly for several days, then stall out. Every time my medication gets increased, I seem to stall out for a while. I, too stalled out at 4 weeks, which was a combination of the complication, medication, and change from liquids to solids. I have only had two incidents of vomiting, once early on because I ate too fast, and once a few weeks ago, but I believe that was an allergic reaction. My hair fell out a lot right before surgery, and occasionally it does now, but it's nothing I'm worried about.
I had difficulty with Protein Shakes, and I think I would rather starve before I ever touch another one of those shakes again. EVER!!! I started eating eggs at 3 weeks, and eased into soft foods and solids way ahead of schedule, but I couldn't get my Protein any other way, and was tired of how sweet everything seemed to be. I am not always good at getting in my Water and protein, but I do manage at least 1 litre of water, and about 40g of protein. I don't count calories, I pretty much eat whatever I want within reason, and never more than about 3/4 cup. I rarely snack between meals, and I go nowhere without a bottle of water. I have a soy, nut, and seafood allergy, so this limits a lot of food choices, as does not being able to have green leafy vegetables until the anticoagulant therapy is done in a few months. The more time goes by, the less issues I have tolerating foods. I still have not tried steak, but seem to be doing well with most things. Anything with artificial sweeteners make me ill. I stay away from bread and Pasta as much as I can, and try to stick to protein and produce. I have had treats along the way, but small amounts and usually only once or twice a week. I had soft ice cream for lunch on Monday! I am relearning how to cook for the new me. i am rarely bothered by hunger anymore, but still have trouble remembering to slow down when I eat. I don't think I'll ever get used to the no drinking and eating at the same time.
I have a congenital spinal issue which caused me a great deal of pain, and was the motivating factor for having the sleeve surgery. I have been able to cut out all pain medication, with the exception of occasional use of extra-strength tylenol. My blood pressure is now on the low side of normal instead of the high side of normal. I try to walk about 15 km a week, go to aquafit twice a week, and don't experience any pain when walking. Moving feels great!
I still have a long ways to go, and sometimes I get frustrated because it doesn't seem like it's happening fast enough. Sometimes it's hard to focus on how far I've already gone. I am anxiously awaiting my passage into "onederland", which is 17 pounds away. So close, yet so far away! I have encountered some interesting judgements about my decision to have surgery, particularly in the medical field, but those close to me are very supportive. Sometimes people give compliments that really don't seem like compliments, but that's ok. They don't my journey and I don't know theirs. I will continue to enjoy the rest of my journey, wherever it leads me.
The first picture was the day before surgery, and second one was at the end of April, so about 11 weeks later.
Take care all. Thanks for sharing.

I too had a blood clot... only it was on my liver, and picked up in a CT scan 3 weeks after surgery. Had it not been for the CT scan, I'm not so sure things would have turned out quite the same. I had a lot of pain in my left side, which was causing an issue because the actual problem was on the right side. The pain did not get better with any types of medication, including morphine. I also lost weight really fast - about a pound a day. I know the symptoms are different when the clots are in the legs and arms, and liver clots are really rare, but just wanted to share my symptoms if it could help others.

I am new and have not posted before. I had my sleeve done in Tijuana at Mi Doctor Hospital on January 26 of this year. I wanted to share my experience as honestly as possible and hope anyone who criticizes my comments will do so gently as not everyone has the same expectation or experience.
I started doing my research months ago to have my sleeve. I had a friend who used Dr. Almanza and had an excellent experience with him. However, when I saw pictures and saw it was a surgery center and not a hospital, I was not interested. I also ruled out several other doctors over time based on various reasons.
I chose Mi Doctor and Dr. Valenzuela based on communications with the patient coordinator, Christy with Mexico Bariatric Center. I chose them because they worked out of a hospital with an intensive care unit, and because they were the group I contacted that took my medical history seriously.
I have some special medical needs. I had surgery for a broken ankle several years ago and ended up with a life threatening pulmonary embolism as a result of a dvt from my leg being immobilized. I spent 10 days in ICU and ended up with a horrible case of panic disorder after the fact and I had been on blood thinners ever since. When I discussed the surgery with my own doctor, he actually coordinated with Dr. Valenzuela directly. I had heard nothing bad about the team of Valenzuela and Cabrera and looked forward to my surgery with optimism, especially since Christy answered every question thoroughly and built up my confidence in them.
I was supposed to fly into Tijuana Friday morning and have my surgery Friday afternoon. My son and I were picked up at the airport as scheduled, and really enjoyed Victor, our driver's easy going nature. We arrived at the hospital and so far so good. There was construction going on all around the place and there was no parking, but no harm no foul so far. We sat in the waiting room for a short time and then Victor escorted us to a room one floor I believe above the surgery floor and the floor we were to stay on. He said it was the room I would stay in until MY room was ready. In the meantime, our Mexico coordinator came to introduce himself. It was the only time I would see him that day. Dr. Valenzuela came in and introduced herself, she is such a beautiful woman. She is sweet and gentle, but has only a cursory mastering of the English language. She explained that though my surgery was scheduled originally for that day, they were going to put it off until the next morning. NOT what I had arranged, but what was I going to say? I was a captive audience.
I wasn't overly impressed by the hospital. For a brief moment, I started to panic and almost changed my mind. But then I realized I was NOT in the US and just because the equipment they used didn't look like what I was used to, didn't mean it wouldn't work. I held my breath and waited for things to improve. They did. A nurse came to take my blood and for the first time in 10 years, someone got my blood on the first stick. After the blood draw, I was visited by the internist who said he felt there was no reason for me to wait for surgery, especially since my flight was less than 2 hours long. Then, the anesthesiologist came and he too said we should wait. While I trust the doctors, I was a little irritated, but I obviously didn't have a choice.
I was taken to my real room. Again, not overly impressed. In fact, I started feeling panic again and wanted to run. My room was depressing as hell. The only window was very small and was over a crawl space between buildings. It was raining and there was a drip the entire time that sounded oddly like a heart monitor. The bathroom was clean, but the light was so dim I could hardly see what I was doing in it. At one point I got bored and went for a walk. I was horrified to find that their "intensive care unit" was nothing more than a room with two beds in it. Here comes the panic again!
I found the nurses to be very friendly, although it was difficult to communicate with them because most of them did not speak English. However, I was in their country and do NOT count that as a negative whatsoever. In fact there were several I really liked.
The next morning, I was given an IV, again, they got it on the first poke and I was LOVING that! The anesthesiologist came in and spoke with me again and then after I donned those gorgeous and uber sexy compression stockings, I went into the surgery room. I have to admit, I was impressed with that room, especially when the anesthesiologist put me to sleep so easily while listening to the Eagles "Hotel California." I think I spoke with Dr. Valenzuela, but I never got to meet Dr, Cabrera.
Before I knew it, I was awake again and being taken to my room. It hurt, I won't say it didn't, but it wasn't unbearable or anything like that. What was unbearable was the nausea, but it was short lived. I slept most of the day, in and out and did see my coordinator Daniel once while I was still kinda funky. He asked me for $20 for medication he said wasn't covered in my fee???? I didn't remember hearing anything about that, but okay, I guess so.
By late afternoon, I was up and walking the halls. Oddly enough, I never really paid attention to others who were there. I couldn't tell you who other patients were, though my son could. Dr. Valenzuela came in that night to check my drain. It was full of a nice red liquid, she said it was that red because I was on injectable blood thinner at the time. She said she would see me the next day and that I would be discharged to the hotel. I wasn't sure if I was ready to go to the hotel or not, but the next day would tell. During the night, my IV stopped twice. I called a nurse who came in and took it apart. There was a nice big blood clot in it, and she put it back together, flushed it and then it started again. The next time it stopped, I tried to tell her to remove the blood clot before reconnecting the tubing to the IV, but it was futile, she couldn't understand.
The next morning after endless rounds in the hallways during the night, Daniel came in with the medication I paid for. He said I was being discharged and that he would be back later to get me and take us to the hotel after he picked up a new patient at the airport. Dra. Valenzuela came in and checked my drain again and said the Fluid in it was normal now. She said she was letting me go. I had only been there one night post op and wasn't sure I wanted to go. I asked if I should stay one more night in the hospital and she said no. So that was that. It was on to the hotel. She did not remove my drain, she said she would come to the hotel to take it out the next morning.
We went to the Marriott. My son was thrilled, he had never stayed anywhere as nice before and it was his birthday. He went out and went shopping while I settled in and tried to rest. I was really apprehensive about the next day. It was the day we were to fly home. I had not checked to see what MBC's shuttle schedule was and the latest we could be picked up and taken to the hotel was 11:00 am for a 4:00 pm flight. Christy had not told me there was certain times they would take us back and forth and Daniel said there was no other time we could go. That meant a 4 hour wait in the airport terminal.
I read somewhere on here after I was there that my support person could eat in the restaurant at a discount by just presenting the room key. I also saw where the patient was given free Water, popsicles and Jello. There was no Water or any other beverage in the room, and nobody bothered to tell me that I could have popsicles, etc. I did however get free wi-fi. While I settled with Jello, I was tormented by my son devouring a gorgeous chocolate cake for his birthday Daniel was kind enough to get for me to give him, along with the cheesiest cheese pizza I have ever seen. I took only Tylenol and in spite of the fact I had just had surgery and was on the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in, I couldn't sleep. It was a looong night for sure.
Next morning, Dr. V came and took out my drain, which did not hurt even for a moment. I told her I felt weird about going home so quickly and she said I could stay another night if I wanted. I had already paid for two nights, but I really needed to get home, so I said no and at 11:00 as promised, Victor showed up to get us. We stopped at another hotel and picked up another woman and her daughter who were in the hospital the same time I was, though we never spoke until the ride. SHe had some complications with her surgery. She said her drain had migrated down into her pelvis and that she had debilitating nausea after her surgery. I told her my only complaint was my surgery was postponed. She told me that a man who had surgery and was released to the hotel had been back at the hospital the night before I got there and had almost died. In fact his condition was so grave he was transferred to a US hospital. Christy told me the same thing but added that the man had survived, but had not taken his insulin and that was where the problem started. She also offered this as a reason my surgery was postponed, because Dr. Cabrera had been up all night with the man at the hospital he was transferred to.
We got through customs in no time flat and were at the airport. I upgraded to first class for my son and I for almost nothing because we arrived so early for our flight. A rare and most welcome treat. One could get spoiled flying like that! It was very comfortable. After what seemed like the longest day, we were finally in the air and on the way home. I stayed home one more day and then went back to work. I felt good albeit a little sore.
I ran into complications a week later when my arm that held the IV inexplicably started to swell. It was hot to the touch and red. Heat, redness and swelling means only two things, infection or blood clot. Well for me it just HAD to be blood clot. In my arm! Who gets a DVT in their arm for chrissakes? I do. So, I was hospitalized for three days for that. I don't know that it was connected to my surgery, but I couldn't help but think about that nasty looking blood clot in my IV tubing that got flushed back into my arm.
Ironically, my surgery was perfect. No complications with wounds or anything else. I ate normal food while in the hospital though it was soft. Cream of Wheat, scrambled eggs, things like that. The hospitalist that was taking care of me said that it appeared the doctor in Mexico had done an excellent job, and in spite of the "little things" that irritated me, I am down 30 lbs in my first post op month and feel great.
I have been asked if I would do it over again, The answer is yes I would with Dr. Valenzuela though I would be smarter planning my travel and I would try to be more open minded about the differences between US and Mexico equipment. If it were not for Mexico being available, I would not have been able to have the surgery as my insurance did not cover it. All in all, I would recommend Mexico Bariatric Center. The doctors are just now building their reputation and the kudos they have accumulated online are well deserved.

Follow up.... CT scan revealed a blood clot on the portal vein of my liver, which was backing up my spleen and other organs, and causing the pain. I'm now on anti-coagulation therapy and the situation is slowly resolving. I had to do a lot of advocating for myself to get the care and the tests that I needed. Had I not, I would not have had the CT scan, and the clot may not have been found in time, so please, make sure you speak up for yourself!

Time for Change - I'm so excited for you! Especially because you are going through the same doctors! They really are both good at what they do! I know you must be anxious..... February will come before you know it, then it becomes a surreal moment. Good luck to you, and let me know if you have any more questions! By the way I am 8 days post op, and I am having NO issues....my cuts are almost healed up.... and I'm now onto Full liquids (rather than clear). This will be easy for you!