Sleevesdropper

Enjoying my family so resonates with me. I'm sure I'll deal with some head stuff, but when I think about Christmas day, I think about sitting around the dining room table with gorgeous blue skies and a breeze (we live in Florida), and laughing with and loving my family! Thanks so much for saying that!
I'll admit it--the volunteer aspect is not one that I had thought of. We used to live in Memphis, and I really enjoyed working with the homeless; this seems like a lovely opportunity to give and serve food to someone who needs it way worse than I do! That seems somehow very balanced.

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!

Thanks so much for sharing this, Suzanne! I have also chosen Dr. Aceves, and I'm a self-pay. I've been investigating weight loss surgery for almost 20 years, so I knew when I found Dr. Aceves, I felt good about his practice and outcomes. But today, I started to have my doubts. Am I crazy for going to Mexico? No, I'm not, it's an informed decision in which I feel extremely confident. But those doubts can creep in!
My surgery date is November 21, and I can't wait!

Good luck with your surgery. I remember (as in, "it's burned into my brain!") the feelings I had as the surgery date approached. I found the secret is to stay in a state of denial - no kidding. I refused to let myself think about it, right up to the point where I was transferred from the gurney to the OR table.
Here's my video on my pre-op freakout. :-P

You've had two posts. Both are trying to negatively impact doctors. Really,we're not that stupid. We know a troll when we see one.

[Long Post...]
Perhaps this should be in a Post-Op forum, but when I was considering the Sleeve, I wanted to know what recovery was like, so I'll write a few notes here... I was sleeved Oct 14th in Tj by Dr Garcia, and it was a good experience in Mexico! Hospital was clean, personnel very helpful, Marriott was great. I had a lot of nausea the first 24 hours but it passed. My tummy was really sore but not too painful, and I didn't use a wheelchair at any airport on my way home as I felt I should walk. (I won't repeat details about the first week from an earlier post.)
Now 11 days later, I'm doing good -- I feel almost 'normal' again! It's just been BUSY around here lately: Three days after I got home from Tj, we had company show up for two nights (long-time friends who are like cousins) and then ANOTHER couple arrived who we hadn't seen in years and they stayed three nights! No visitors for months, and we have TWO couples arrive the week after my surgery!!! Crazy.
However, I started feeling a LOT better after that first week, and now I'm amazed that I'm doing so well. It was strange fixing foods for everyone and then eating soups/shakes/yogurt, but I haven't been really hungry and it wasn't too much of a challenge. Altho I'd planned to keep it quiet (just say I had stomach issues so was eating soups), I ended up sharing with both couples what I'd done, and they were supportive and one friend is very interested to learn more. I don't intend to be a commercial for WLS but I'm also not going to hide it, especially if it's someone who might benefit. I'd never heard of the Sleeve a few months ago, until someone told me about it and I started researching, so I want to pay it forward.
Anyway, my tummy is hardly sore at all now, I've been able to zip up my jeans (my tum was too swollen at first), and my energy level is much better every day!
I'm tired of liquids but not in any rush to push my stomach to do more than it's ready for, so I'll take it slow. We went out to dinner last night and I forgot to take anything with me! and the restaurant had NO soup! So I got mashed potatoes & gravy and it was fine. I even treated myself today to a tablespoon of my homemade guacamole -- I just made sure I didn't swallow any lumps or tomatoes. Yum!
I've lost 16 pounds from my starting weight, which is amazing to me cause I haven't seen this weight in YEARS. I can see a difference in my face in the mirror, so it's starting to be real to me. I'm wearing a top today that I bought a year or two ago; it was very snug but I told myself I would lose ten pounds and I'd wear it... Never did until today!!
So -- for me -- the first couple of days were nauseating & sore, the first week was tender & slow, but every day since then has been an improvement! If you're getting ready for the Sleeve, be prepared but know that "this too shall pass" and you'll soon be feeling good and looking forward to being slimmer & healthier for the rest of your life!
I am. :-)

With any surgery there are risks, especially with general anesthesia. You couple that with patients who already have obesity & comorbidities, there will be complications & deaths sometimes.
When I was first considering different surgeons, I got accepted by 3. I got the constant call backs from coordinators I had given preliminary info to. I made the mistake of telling one the surgeon I was considering - she made up this horror story of how dangerous he was & made up a lie about how he had been her surgeon. I had her name & checked with the coordinator I ended up contracting with - none of it was true. It's a small world for Mexico bariatric tourism, and believe me they know the other reps working that business. I lost all respect for the one who made up a tale in order to try to get my business. I did not end up hiring that surgeon, but not because of a scare story. My coordinator knows & has worked with many surgeons, she told me that the surgeon the other coordinator had maligned was highly skilled & completely safe - and would never have done what this person had accused him of. She had good to say about even a surgeon she no longer worked with - who if I contracted with she would get no profit out of. To me, that was reason to trust her. I ended up contracting with her, MBC and Dr. Lopez. It's just disgusting that a coordinator would lie & smear a surgeons reputation to try to get another contract.

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:
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.

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

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

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.

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!

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

Officially joining the November sleevers! just got my date yesterday and it will be 11-12-13! 9lbs lost on my preop so far!

I have that too. It will deflate and hardly be noticeable, but it's super tough waiting for it to go down. It helps if you avoid clingy materials like t-shirts and go for button-up cotton shirts or tops with an empire waist or ones that flare out a bit near the bottom. And high-waisted jeans help too. I find that wearing a belt keeps the jeans from slipping down.

First time post, be gentle!
I have settled on the sleeve and that I will have it done in the Dallas area. I am having a hard time picking a surgeon. It is really hard to find solid information on them. Of course everyone loves their Dr (assuming they didn't have problems) and their websites all say they are great.
Is there an unbiased source for true numbers such as how many procedure completed and complications?
How do you educate yourself and make the choice?
By the way, I am a self-pay (insurance excludes WLS) so I don't care about insurance issues and such.
Thanks for your input. I welcome all responses about Dr's in the DFW area.

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

Day 2 of my pre op diet and i've lost 3 lbs

I know exactly how u feel. Lol I like pickles but now it seems like I like them more!

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

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

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.

THere are definitely risks with any procedure. However, that being said, my surgeon is not in Mexico (although that has nothing to do with anything, just stating he is not in Mexico) and his stats are better than those in the original post. If I remember correctly, he told me he had done around 1500 surgeries and had 1 leak 5 years ago and no deaths. Disregarding where they are both from, if I was choosing between 2 surgeons, I would be apprehensive of one that had more complications than my surgeon. No matter who the surgeon is or whether or not they ever found out the exact details in that very recent death, his higher number of any incidents (only compared to my surgeon) would cause me to inquire about other surgeons.

Oh and a little prayer next Friday might be kinda nice

One week from tonight I will be packing to go to the hospital to be sleeved on Friday at 5:00am!! How crazy is all of this. It seems like just yesterday I found this site reading every bit of information I could find regarding the sleeve and now here I am almost a week away from getting sleeved myself. Thanks to all of you for you support and information that has helped me get to this point. Good luck November Sleevers we can do this!! .