Memilie80

I'm 3 weeks out and I find it really hard to get thru a meal without a couple sips. I've not had any dumping and I'm getting in all my Protein.

I started back on pills 24 hours after surgery with no problems. I take an extended release anti-depressant, and I haven't noticed anything that would suggest I'm not absorbing it well. I also take an extended release NSAID for tendinitis occasionally, and my surgeon cleared me to take that one week post-op.

The flight was no problem for me. When I checked in, I told them I just had surgery and requested a seat with an empty seat next to it. I'm normally very uncomfortable on airplanes because of my size, so that extra seat really helped. I gate-checked my bag, but otherwise I would have asked someone to put it up for me. I was glad to have an aisle seat so I could walk to the bathroom easily. Also, requesting a seat belt extender so it wasn't too tight was helpful. Hopefully it's the last time I will have to do that!

After they took my drain out, I had very minimal pain. I think a binder rubbing against me would have caused more irritation on the incisions.

Eek! If my surgeon would have insisted on using birth control, I would have had to find a different surgeon! I can manage my own fertility without the use of birth control lol.

I had my sleeve 6/19 with Dr. Garcia at Hospital CER. Honestly I would stay far away from that hospital. My mom and I are both RNs and we were completely horrified with the cleanliness of the facilities as well as the nursing care. When I got to my hospital room, there was bloody tissue filling up the bathroom garbage and something green all over the shower chair. My bed did not work right and the nurse call button was inconveniently zip-tied out of my reach.

The nurses would come in my room wearing gloves, empty my bloody drain into a basin with all the other patients' blood in it, then leave the room still wearing the bloody gloves. They also never cleaned off my IV port before hanging secondary medications.

My medications were never given on time, and when I had significant pain, there was no effort to help me until my mom went and found the doctor. What I have since learned is that narcotics are either never used or used very sparingly. Even when the doctor ordered a second pain medication, it took four hours of repeatedly asking to receive it.

My IV constantly backed up with blood (which is very easy to avoid) and my temp was only taken once over three days and then only after I insisted.

When I returned from surgery very nauseous, my mom asked for something to throw up in, but she was told there had nothing to give me. I ended up throwing up all over the sheets and into her hands before she dumped out her coffee cup and let me throw up in that.

My mom repeatedly asked for a clean sheet do she could change my bed, but we never got one until I went and found a doctor who told the nurse to change it.

Also, after the first day, no nurse ever introduced herself, called me by name or even showed a hint of compassion. I speak enough Spanish to clearly make my needs known, but the nurses always waved me off or shook their heads.

I honestly feel pretty traumatized from this experience. All the patients I was sleeved with had similar complaints about pain, dirty rooms, and horrible nursing care. I only saw Dr. Garcia twice, and I feel like he did a good job with my surgery, but I don't respect him for bringing his patients to such a terrible hospital.

I was up to a bmi of 51 and I was just a bit squished when flying, especially when I was next to another heavy person. When you check in at the airport, you can ask if you could switch to a seat with an empty seat next to it. If the belt doesn't fit, the attendant can give you an extension. They have always been very discreet about it with me.

I just had my sleeve done with Dr Garcia in TJ at Hospital CER. I liked my surgeon, but felt like I got horrible care at the hospital. All the patients from my surgery day felt like the nurses ignored us, and didn't give us appropriate pain medication. Also the nurses would carry a bloody basin around emptying all of our drains into the same basin before cleaning it. My temp was only taken once after I had asked several times, and no nurse checked on me after surgery until my mom helped me hobble out to the desk.

I will post more later, but so happy surgery is over!!!

Checked into the hotel no problem. Ate some delicious broth and met with the CER Hospital coordinator. Only problems are the headaches and nausea. Excited for tomorrow!!!

The day before the day is finally here. I'm sitting at DFW waiting to board my flight. My mom is flying from Seattle and will meet me at the SD airport. I lost 11 lbs the first week of my liquid diet, but only one pound on the last week. I'm so excited, but soooo anxious. Prayers appreciated!

I'm an RN as well. My co-workers know I'm having a sleeve, but not that I am going to Mexico I just couldn't stand hearing any more rude comments beyond what I was already told.

I had to do 10 weight management phone calls over 6 months. I found it demeaning and patronizing. But I use the time to talk about more emotional eating problems than anything else and felt like I made some progress with that part of things.

Thanks so much for sharing! Im scheduled for the 19th there and it really helps to hear all the details and see pictures.

I've only told my mom and my husband. Everybody at work (I'm an RN) thinks I'm having it done at home. My mom was skeptical, she's also a nurse, but agreed to come with me. She said she feels better seeing it up close and feels like she can 'protect' me if she sees something she doesn't like. We live far apart so it will be a little mini-vacation for us as well. I'm 34 but four days with my mom taking care of me sounds amazing! I will tell other people only when it is over and done with.

Congratulations and good luck! I'll be doing the same thing in 3 weeks.

I'm having my sleeve with Dr. Garcia on June 19th, can't wait to hear how it is!

My date is June 19th in TJ with Dr Garcia. Sooooo excited, but so nervous about flights, money and everything coming together. Started my pre-op diet of shakes with one meal per day a couple days ago. My insurance failed to approve me last week, but I haven't told any of my colleagues that. We are all nurses and surgical techs and surgeons and I don't want to hear their naysaying about going to Mexico.