Elisabethsew

Thanks to everyone. I left Mexico at 5:45 AM yesterday and made it home at 9:45 PM... a LONG trip. The worst part was sitting on the plane so long but I felt much better when I got off and walked the entire length of the airport to the baggage area. My advice is to keep moving. Sleeping in my own med was heaven! The hospital gives you a 2 week supply of dissolvable nexium and 8 sublingual pain pills. I took nothing for pain today (post-op day 4). For the first time in years, I laid flat on my back on one pillow and had no heart burn and no regurgitation. The most discomfort is on my left side where the drain was and where they took the port out. It's not unusual to be able to sleep on your left side for several weeks. My suture lines are all healing nicely and the sutures are dissolvable. Continued drainage from the penrose drain is to be expected for up to 10 days or so. I shower and wash with soap, pat dry, and fold a gauze pad over the wound and paper tape it in place. It doesn't drain through. I'm sore and tired and still am trying to move the gas out of my body. Yesterday, my back hurt and now that's gone. Today, it's my left shoulder and when I get up and move, the pain lessens. As for work, I am already correcting dissertation proposals from my students (my P/T job). I will return to work in the hospital on Wed. No heavy lifting is allowed for 4-6 weeks post-op and no swimming or soaking in a tub is allowed until after 15 days (don't want bacteria entering the drain site). I guess that's the update for now.

Hakun seems to believe "support" is telling a person who picks a surgeon with bad outcomes that it's OK to go for it. Madame provided a wealth of links showing why Betancourt/Emmanuel clinic is NOT a good choice.

I just did the last test to make sure there were no leaks and passed. The penrose drain will be coming out in a few hours and I've been walking a lot. I'm packing for the return trip and will be leaving Mexico at 5:45 AM. Dr. Aceves gives you copies of ALL the tests/results you had and writes a brief note so you can give it to your primary physician. They also give you a 2 week supply of Nexium and some sublingual pain medication in case you need it. I've only needed pain medication a total of 3 times since I arrived. Ilovejames, you'll be in good hands with Dr. Aceves and his team. I'll definitely post to keep you updated.

Susan is sleeved and tired. I am sure she will post when she's up to it.

Thank you to everyone for their support. I took a 6 hour flight to CA on 3/31 and arrived in San Diego at 11:30 "their time". The driver, Ernesto, was waiting for me at the baggage area and put my luggage in the van and drove me, and another passenger, to Mexacali. This drive was about 2 hours long. I was taken directly to the hospital where they were waiting for me and had blood work, urinalysis, EKG, chest x-ray, and then an esophagram to evaluate and completely unfil my band. The last stop was meeting with the coordinator to get pre and post-op instructions and to pay the balance for the surgery. I was told I could have anything I wanted to eat (was on a 30 gram/day carb diet for the week prior to surgery) and driven to the Lucerna Resort which is beautiful. As I worked the night before, I elected to have the sandwich and protein bar I brought with me, showered, and fell asleep. I took the antibiotic they gave me before I went to sleep but did not take the ativan. At 7 AM on 4/1, I was picked up and taken to my room in the hospital. I was seen by a medical internist who reviewed my tests (all good), an assistant surgeon (who was sleeved the day after me), an anesthesiologist, and finally, by the surgeon, Dr. Aceves. All questions were answered and I was the second sleeve of the day. I got dramamine and versed to take 30 minutes prior to the OR and that knocked me out. LOL. My IV was inserted in the OR and I had spinal and general anesthesia. The spinal dramatically decreases the amount of general needed. Since I don't do well with general (severe nausea), I elected for the spinal too and had NO problems in the recovery room. All I remember about the recovery room was being asked if I had pain... nope, and being told I was going back to my room. I got some IV pain medication at @ 4 AM and then had sublingual (under the tongue) toradol @ 1 PM. For me, this surgery was a lot less painful than the band. At noon, I had to drink small sips of water. An hour after that I drank apple juice with a blue dye in it. This is the second test (first done in OR) for leaks. I have a drain near where the port was and the hope is that no blue color comes through to the bag. I passed. After that, I was brought hot tea, tang OJ, and apple juice. My IV was taken out this evening. Tomorrow morning, I go for the last leak test and will have to drink a radiograffin substance. If I pass that test (and I have no doubt I will), the drain gets removed at noon. I will leave the hospital at 5:45 AM on Saturday to make my flight in San Diego for home. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience. As a registered nurse I was very watchful and am impressed with the care, cleanliness, and professionalism I observed.

It appears his mind was set on this before he even posted so, it's his life and he can elect this surgeon. I stand by my postings.

After my 13 hour shift tonight, I'll be heading to the airport to have my revision to the VSG on 4/1. Yes, it will be a marathon day for me with no sleep until Wed evening. Three years ago today, I was banded. I am so looking forward to this revision. I'll post when I can.

I think her name is Felicia Rashad.

If you have never had any weight loss surgery, you can have the band, or the sleeve (VSG), or the bypass, etc. I am having surgery on 4/1 also. However, mine is called a revison surgery. They are taking this band out of me (thank God) and then doing the sleeve procedure. From a personal perspective, I would advise you to have the sleeve. Weight loss is superior to the band and you don't have to deal with all the problems associated with the band. Please keep us posted on how you do.

Unlike most people, I just never got the restriction I was supposed to. I followed ALL the rules and, with each fill, kept hoping that it would be "the one" that would allow me to FEEL restriction. Well, that never happened. What did happen was increasing heart burn, acid reflux, and not knowing if I would be able to sleep through the night or wake up choking. I now have heart burn after every meal despite taking Nexium and Tagamet. Before deciding to get this band out of me, I went back to my surgeon's office and they did another fill. Surprisingly, the fill did not cause an increase in heart burn. It also did not provide any noticable difference in the faint restriction that I have. I can eat anything and everything and always could. I lost 70 pounds because I dieted. The band is not for me. I am very happy for the people who have had success but know I will never be one of them. So, on 4/1, the band is leaving my body and I'm revising to a VSG. I can't wait!

I think the consensus has been established and it's overwhelmingly recommending you keep the fill level when you travel. The reasons have been numerous and on targert. At this point, it seems like rehashing the same points. You've got the opinions you wanted, should get the opinion you need (your surgeons), and stop worrying about something that isn't happening for over 8 months from now. Geeeeeeeeeez... get on with life!

Congratulations! Have you picked out your summer bikini? LOL. Seriously, you'll be looking great this summer. I am hoping for the same success you're getting.

Congratulations on the loss! I'm doing the 30 carb/day diet and am down 4 pounds. I miss fruits and veggies. LOL. Everything has soooooooo many carbs... 3 days to go for me and 4 for you before we begin a new life... band complication free!

SOMEONE has to look good! LOL. Enjoy the new doo!

I'm working a 13 hour shift Monday night, leaving work 2 hours early, and heading to the airport. By the time I get to sleep I think I will have been awake around 36+ hours not counting the 3 hour time difference. LOL. At least I don't have a lot of time to worry. I made a packing and "to do" list and will get the packing out of the way today. The mantra is "pack light". LOL. The "to do" list is nearly completed so I guess I'm good to go. I look forward to seeing you in a few days and to a new life without the band.

A few years ago I was in Ireland and was shocked when I saw a commercial about obesity. The rate of obesity in Europe is on the rise and many of the fast food companies that we have in the U.S. (McDonalds), etc., have opened there. The commercial actually ended by telling the Irish people NOT to become a obese nation like the U.S. Europeans eat differently than we do. Breakfast is often meat, eggs, fruit, or a hot cereal. Portion sizes are MUCH smaller. Lunch is often a bowl of soup and bread during the work week. On weekends, the "main meal" is served at lunch time. This main meal consists of small portions of a protein, a larger portion of veggies, and a portion of a starch (potato) equal to the size of the protein. Europeans are not big dessert eaters or snackers. I am SURE your family will respect the fact that you are trying to get to a healthy weight. Europeans linger over their meals so you'll have plenty of time to eat a reasonable portion of food while conversing with your family. I'm sorry but, to me, it sounds like you're looking forward to eating without restriction and want support to do just that.

Thank you for that advice. I'm going to take full advantage of the first 6 months and will continue with the resistance training ASAP post-op. I am guessing that weight training is restricted for a few weeks post-op?

Happy Birthday to both of them and have a wonderful time celebrating. I can't believe the time is nearly here. I'm leaving work early on Tuesday, driving home, and getting a car service to the airport. My "to do" list before I leave is getting smaller and keeping busy is helping with the mild anxiety. LOL.

Toolow asked a question when he started this thread and I answered based on two facts, the United States is advising citizens of the dangers at the Mexican border and Tijuana is one of the two most dangerous cities warned against. Second, the experiences of past patients at Betancourt/Emmanuel. Far too many have not had good outcomes. Toolow can make the decision to have surgery wherever he wants but should do so only after careful research. Mexican surgeons are dependent on American customers and the American economy is bad. Having surgery based on who's doing it the cheapest should not even be one of the top considerations. Obviously, as a paid employee, you have a vested interest in drumming up business for Betancourt/Emmanual. I do not. Thank you

The problem with people who are paid to post is that they quite often cannot keep track of the stories they tell. Two threads have been closed so far. If YOU read closely, you will see that it was NOT posted that this mother and daughter tag team got MRSA. They both went in for a band and came home with a sleeve as per you. Another patient who had surgery at Betancourt/Emmanual, an RN, stated that MRSA infections are common there, that she contracted it there, that she had to get IV antibiotics, and that she has not been off antibiotics since having the surgery in Jan! Madame posted that the surgeon does up to 10 surgeries a day. You counter that he only does 3 sleeves a day. How many other procedures a day does he do in addition to the 3 sleeves? I am a health care professional and would NEVER advise anyone to have bariatric surgery in a clinic where recovery takes place in a hotel and no ICU care is available. When you're own patient, an RN, posted that MRSA is a common infection and that she has been on antibiotics since her surgery 3 months ago, why would anyone in their right mind book surgery at your clinic?

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f281/describe-your-post-op-recovery-please-85507/ Here is the link.

Hi Bob, Since you asked for opinions, mine is that you reconsider where you're going for surgery. On the practical side, the Mexican police and drug lord/gangs are fighting on the Mexican border as you can see in the news. Tijuana is NOT safe and Americans are being advised to steer clear. Since you are pre-diabetic, 47, and obese, you should select a facilty that is a hospital rather than a clinic. Should you need ICU care, Betancourt/Emmanuel clinic would have to get you to a hospital. I can't speak to the surgeon you're considering because I don't know him. I do know he's not one of the experienced, top, surgeons in Mexico. There is a thread in this section of the board that has to do with VSG recovery. Two people posted that they went to Emmanuel Clinic and came out with a Sleeve when, in another thread, they posted that they went for a band!!! Another patient, a registered nurse, got an awful MRSA staph infection (see the recovery thread) from Emmanuel clinic and has been on intravenous and oral antibiotics since she had the surgery in Jan!!! There are MANY good surgeons in Mexico who boast low infection rates and excellent patient outcomes. Low price should never be the deciding factor and I'm glad you realize that. My advice is to quickly reconsider and look into another surgeon.

Cheesecakes are evil. LOL. Hang in there with the liquids and keep yourself busy so you don't dwell on food and hunger. I'm 4 days into the 30 grams of carbs and woke up with a stomach ache and heartburn. I know people complain of a headache with carb withdrawal but what about stomach aches? I think I'm just weird! LOL.

Thank you so much. Sunday is my 3 year band anniversary and April 1 is my sleeve birthday. Knowing people are happy and successful with the sleeve is helping calm my nerves. LOL.

Congratulations on your GREAT success at losing weight and on the new addition to your family.