Sleevesdropper

It's just disgusting that a coordinator would lie & smear a surgeons reputation to try to get another contract.

Agreed, 100%.

My surgery is on the 11th of Nov. I will be at the "mushy" stage by Thanksgiving. My NUT said that since I should eat 5 meals a day, they could all be Thanksgiving. One meal could be a little mashed potatoes and gravy, another sweet potatoes, another a little of the center of a pumpkin pie, etc.

This made me laugh out loud from joy. What a great solution! Kudos to your NUT!

I know, I'm halfway between "Whee Ha" and "What the Hell am I thinking?" And a woman (who works in my surgeon's office) asked if I was sure I wanted to do this during the holidays. I told her if the options were big butt and high blood pressure or no pecan pie, I'd skip the pie. I'm ready, and feeling ferocious! Damn the turkey, full speed ahead!

AMEN, LET'S GO!!

I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to this question, both here and personally by private message. All of your input has been helpful.

I have been able to research "The Insider" and know who this person works for. While this was a real event, I have some concerns about the way it was presented by The Insider.

I am certainly extend my condolences to the family and for the WLS community when a tragedy strikes, but I feel satisfied that I am in safe hands and I can now move forward confidently. I will be staying with Dr. Aceves, and I'll be sure to update everyone following surgery!

There is a Mexican surgeon that has a bad rep, but I don't remember who it is. I just recall reading about a complication he had and someone posted, "I can't believe Dr. ??? is still doing surgeries?"

If I knew a doc had a patient die, there is no way I'd go there, even if it was free. But that's just me.

Thanks for your comment, Sassy! What are your doc's complication and morbidity rates?

The "bad rep" surgeon is definitely not Dr. Aceves. I'm very pleased with his stats as they are better than the average "1 in 400." Dr. Aceve's' reputation is as a caring, experienced surgeon with great surgical skill and bedside manner.

Just wanted to put that out there to clear up any doubt for anyone reading!

You people are absolutely CRAZY to start your pre op diet early!!! Take it from someone that is in the middle of a 20 day torture session (pre op diet: 4 shakes and a dry salad), only do 2 weeks if that is all you are asked. You will thank me later!!!!!!!!!!!

The pre-op diet my surgeon asked me to follow is not like that at all! Actually, it's very much like how I eat normally: high Protein, low carb. Not a liquid diet.

I'm so sorry that you're not enjoying your pre-op diet! I'm cheering for you! It's all going to be completely worth it!

I can only tell you that I went to Dr. Aceves last August and it was a great experience. I had no complications and was treated very well. I think there is a risk in every surgery, and while I am sorry if it happened to someone that was Dr. Aceves' patient, I also know it can happen to any surgeon, in any country.

I was willing to take the risk, and am really glad I did. He changed my life. Feel free to PM me and I'll give you my phone number if you want to talk. Amy

Thank you!

I was just thinking about asking her earliest today. Thanks so much for reminding me!

Uh, "earlier today."

I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Aceves. Why don't you pm *Susan* who is a moderator/administrator here at VST and she also works for/with Dr. Aceves. I am sure she will tell you the truth.

I was just thinking about asking her earliest today. Thanks so much for reminding me!

Oh and a little prayer next Friday might be kinda nice

You got it!

Day 4 of preop diet down 8.5lbs. Woohoo. But im still starving. Dill pickles have no calories!

Vlassic garlic dills are saving my life right now!! NOM!

Congratulations on your 3lb loss! It is a lovely start to your journey. I am planning to start my pre-op diet tomorrow...3 weeks out from my surgery on 11/14. Doctor only demands two weeks but I feel three will help me get 'in the zone'. :-) I feel relieved when I see how difficult it is for American 'sleevers' to get insurance cover for their procedure. We have none of those issues here, as such.

Thanks! My doc demands 10 days, but may as well get started, I say!

Congratulations!!

Happy Weekiversary! So glad to hear about your good progress!

I believe there is stuff on this site about that death, but not enough for anyone here to tell you what truly happened and why... there's so much rumour and conjecture, and it sounds like an independent process of investigation might not occur as readily as it would in many other countries. You need to be confident in your surgeon - put your concerns to him directly and if you are not fully reassured then move on. Many people seem to get a "word of mouth" recommendation to a bariatric surgeon. Perhaps a WLS support group in your area might allow you to meet some people face to face and discuss their surgical experiences. I'd happily recommend my surgeon, but it's a long way to come... And surgery in Aus is similar in cost to USA. Good luck.

Sydney is just a tad far! I have felt extremely confident and happy with my surgeon choice. I'm sure not going to panic and cancel before getting some facts, but at the same time, I definitely value the experiences and knowledge this whole group of folks on the board possesses. I'm glad you had a great experience with your surgeon!

Thanks girl! I am going regardless, and I too can talk to Nina! Its just scary, but I also know that I am very healthy with no co morbidies and I am not morbidly obese. I have 50-60 pounds to lose, and I also know that thereare people from other MX tourist facilities on here that try to make other bariatric surgeons look bad. Thank you for your support

Honestly, that deception is why I wanted to air this out. It's so difficult these days to know who is a legit source of information! I'm talking to as many sources of information as I can! Feel free to friend me--I'd love to hear about your trip!

If it were me I would take the word of a so called,"Insider" with a grain of salt. However, keep in mind that no matter where or what type of surgery you may have there are complications that may or may not happen.

Yes, absolutely.

I too have chosen dr aceves and aside from this one situation I have not been able to find anything else. Did this "insider" happen to say why or how this patient went septic?

I go in for my surgery on 11/4/13 and after reading your post im now a little nervous!

I definitely don't want to make you worry, especially since this story is the only negative thing I've ever heard about Dr. A., and it's only one person that I'm hearing it from. I'll call Nina tomorrow to talk with her about it. I have not heard their side of the story yet! I've also corresponded with several folks who have had their VSG done with him in 2013, and they have all sad that the care was excellent and they've had no problems.

The Insider did give me lots of details. I will PM them to you if you'd like, though I think for your peace of mind, maybe I should wait until I talk to Nina? I don't want to spread untrue details. Yikes!

Rest easy and know that I'm looking for the truth and I've got your back for Nov. 4!

Update 10/25/13

I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to this question, both here and personally by private message. All of your input has been helpful.

I have been able to research this further. It was a real event, but I have some concerns about the way it was presented to me.

I certainly extend my condolences to the family and for the WLS community when a tragedy strikes. I feel satisfied that I am in safe hands and I can now move forward confidently. I will be staying with Dr. Aceves, and I'll be sure to update everyone following surgery!

Hi everybody--

I am not trying to be a fear-monger. I simply value your sober and truthful feedback and help on this difficult topic. Please refrain from contentious comments and be respectful to one another.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses and sharing your experiences.

___

I chose Dr. Aceves in Mexicali for my surgery and I'm scheduled for 11/21/13. I have felt very confident in my decision.

I was chatting in a Facebook group today, and a person in the group who works in the MX bariatric industry told me an "insider" story about a recent death with Dr. Aceves.

I know that complications and death are possible, and I have spent years--actually, two decades--deciding if WLS surgery is worth the risk. I know that stuff happens and it's not anybody's fault, sometimes.

However, this "insider"--who had 2 surgeries with Dr. Aceves--pretty clearly stated that while the complication was clearly just "one of those things" that happen, Dr. Aceves' response caused the patient to become septic and die. The insider then very plainly said that Dr. Aceves' office "made up" (insider's words) a story about a pre-existing condition so that they wouldn't lose future patients. The insider went on to say that Dr. Aceves' care has declined in the past year or so without explanation, and "everybody" in the MX industry knows this.

I researched the patient, and she did die of surgery complications, though I cannot find any further details than that.

I had previously asked Dr. Aceves' office for his statistics, and here is the reply:

Dr. Aceves has been doing weight loss surgery for over 10 years. He has done over 1800 sleeve procedures and over 5000 weight loss surgeries.

• Leak rate for the sleeve is .16 %
  
• Mortality rate for the sleeve is .05 %
  
• Overall complication rate for all surgeries he performs is .8%.
  

If my math is right, assuming 1800 sleeves, that's:

• 3 leaks (2.88 rounded up)
  
• 1 death (.9 rounded up)
  
• Overall complications for 5,000 WLS: 40
  

I'm interested in hearing from you:

• What you have you discovered in your research on MX surgeons?
  
• Do you know of any third-party organization who can verify surgeon statistics?
  
• What has your experience with Dr. Aceves been?
  
• Are you familiar with any negative cases or reviews of Dr. Aceves? I cannot find ANY negative reviews.
  

Again, thank you in advance for your knowledge and experience. I am grateful for your help.

Only 2 more weeks until mexicali! Abyone esle going?

I'll be there on Nov. 20. I'll just miss you! Please keep me posted on your experience!

Wow! What great prices compared to US! You have to have a passport to drive over, right? Sorry for that stupid question!

What is the wait time for a surgery date?

You will need a passport to get back into the US. If you don't have one, you can expedite your passport application for a fee--though I don't know what it is these days. I did read that you can get back in with proof that you've applied for a passport, but I encourage you to research that; it may no longer be valid.

I have also been a bit concerned abot the opinions of my social group about this course of action to reduce my weight and have come to the conclusion that the l;ess said the better...especially with non-significant people in my life. I think that people who have not had to make such a decision have really no idea the courage and despperation it takes to make such a decision. If we recall ourselves....it takes much time and research to come to the decision ourselves. How can we expect others to understand the reality of when they have no real connection to the situation.What does everybody else think on this????

I agree. I told DH, parents, and sister. I told my boss I negs to have a medical procedure. I won't be telling anyone else. I used to work at a super-safe, close-knit place, but not anymore. Nobody's business!

I'm the 12th of November, going to be in Mexico though hehe. Sorry we aren't surgery twins but still close enough that we could provide support

Me too! Which doc? I'm on the 21st.

I'm right there with you, scheduled the 21st as well! And we host thanksgiving at our house! I'm pre-cooking and freezing, and making myself something awesome full liquid, like cream of asparagus (which I love). All my folks are really supportive (though we have the emotional eating thing too), and I'm committed, so I feel pretty good. Are you worried?

Nah, I'm not worried. I mean, other than the normal "OMG what am I thinking?!" LOL!

I'm being sleeved before the holidays too. I know I could wait but I just don't want to. Think of the weight we could lose before the end of the year instead of waiting and gaining. So I've been wondering about this same thing. My surgery is November 4th so I'll be further out than you and on a soft to regular food diet. I know turkey will be fine but it will be my first time having it. I don't know if I should mix it with mayo to make it moist or what. Of course, I know I'm way ahead of myself but I'm still wondering. And will I be able to take a bite of dressing. All of that will be new to my sleeve and you're only supposed to intro one food at a time.....so I don't know. Plus, I won't want to get sick since my family isn't supportive of the whole thing anyway!

I thought exactly the same thing. Why wait? No time is perfect! I'm really sorry to hear that your family isn't supportive. I need to not get sick, too; DH's mom had RNY many years ago, then just ate crap all the time, so he remembers her throwing up constantly. He's extremely supportive of me getting the sleeve, but still trying to come to terms with that history/baggage. She passed away about 10 years ago. I would love to have asked her about her experience.