goofycathy

Sleeved by the great Dr Kelly in Tijuana Mexico!

I thought ulcers were caused by bacterial infection and not coffee, spicy foods or stress. I am drinking coffee withou incident.

TJ is like anywhere else in the world. If you don't make yourself a target, you won't be one.
Don't go into "ghetto" areas flashing expensive jewelry, don't flash a bunch of cash in public.
You'll be fine. Common sense goes a long way.

Sleeved Jan. 16, 2012. Lost 70 pounds in 195 days, about 1/3 pound a day. I am now 10 pounds from goal. I am off of apnea breather, diabetes meds, and BP medicine.
What we need is a super-star who was sleeved to make an over-abundance of skin a fashion trend. But until that happens my Roux-N-Y wife, (who has also lost a bunch), and I have decided that loose is lovely in our private society. Beside that, if we ever need a skin graft we have plenty to spare.

I agree on the fb tagging. I freak when someone tags me!
One of the things I look forward to the most is to stop worrying about seats so much. Everytime we are going out somewhere i scope out to see if i am going to have a hard time fitting in booths or chairs. I even skipped my sons high school orientation because it was in the auditorium and i knew the chairs were small and the arms didnt move up and down. I have avoided flying anywhere because I dont want to be humiliated when they tell me I need to buy a second seat.
And i want to be able to go on rides at amusement parks with my family and not have to pretend i am scared of them....because i am not! I just know i dont fit!
I can go on and on! But mostly, i just want my family to be proud!
I would love to be under 160. Right now i am 340.
I was at a public pool last year with my kids and i heard a jerky teenager says "God, why do they let fat people in the pool....its so gross!" i was thankful that my kids didnt hear it. But my goal is to never have to have my kids hear that. And i am sure they already have at school--they say they havent. But kids can be mean-- never again should they have to be embarrased by me!!

I had my surgery with Dr K. on 6/11. Fown 32 pounds and feeling great! Dr. K and his entire staff were nothing short of amazing! I keep in touch w/ Omar weekly, and hope to go back with a friend in Feb/Mar. Cant wait to show off the new me to them, and have a follow up with Dr. Kelly. I honestly miss him and the others

I too love hearing stories about dr Kelly. I'm not scheduled until nov 17th... All about taking time off work. Can't wait to hear how everyone does!!

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps?
Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy with my decision to go to Mexico and have surgery with Dr. Kelly.

Hi StillLooking -
I probably took more than I needed...
Be sure you use a rolling suitcase(s)! Also, get GasX strips. I couldn't find these at Target but found at the grocery store and I'm still using them.
I brought a robe for the hospital but ended up wearing two gowns which seemed easier. Just put the second one on backwards like a robe. Some people wear their own gown in the hospital, up to you. As far as anything I wish I'd taken, maybe more hair products, between the humidity by the beach and laying in the hospital bed, my hair was a mess! You may not have the same issue...
After the swallow test we were out alot. Out to dinner, shopping and sitting out by the pool so add sunscreen to your list. You will be amazed at how good you feel, especially once you get back into your own clothes. Be sure everything is loose fitting or has low waistbands. My incisions are just above so no real trouble with that.
Congrats on your decision to get the surgery! You'll be so happy once it's done!

I got some tonight from Trader Joes- All beef, uncured, no nitrites or nitrates, etc...and DEEelicious!

If anyone having surgery with Dr. Kelly needs a companion I'm more than happy to go! Just give me enough notice that I can get off work! Would love to see Dr K again and be a shoulder to lean on for support! Absolutely 100% serious about this!

You will do great - good luck! Don't be shy about asking for pain meds tonight. Ask for the one they shoot in your upper arm not the iv if you are in pain. That's what I needed, but only the one time. Really had minimal pain after that. Never even took my pills after leaving the hospital.

No heparin shots, we wore compression socks for a few days and I think those help a lot. There were a total of 7 of us, I think, and none of us had any issues with blood clots.

If anyone having surgery with Dr. Kelly needs a companion I'm more than happy to go! Just give me enough notice that I can get off work! Would love to see Dr K again and be a shoulder to lean on for support! Absolutely 100% serious about this!

They showed us a fine technique during the pre-surgical meeting. Roll onto your side (the direction off the bed) and start to slide the legs off the bed first, the gently push yourself up with your arms and voila` you are up and out of the bed. I was up and out of that hospital bed constantly as well.
The pain was minimal for me (other than the gas pain which will go away with walking after your surgery) so it was not hard to get out of bed.

Mexico could care less if you go there at all. To be honest they welcome us citizens with open arms and when they see you coming in the van or shuttle or whatever they couldn't care less. They thrive on medical tourism.
The USA is where you will need documented proof that you are from the US, but again they won't deny entry to a fully documented (passport OR birth certificate and drivers license) plus if you ate going back to the US your driver SHOULD have a medical pass which allos him to bypass the regular line into a much shorter and faster line. Ive heard of MANY people only going thru with a certified birth cert. and their drivers license!

Ha ha ha. Skinny people would never understand this one.

I made chili tonight that was very similar to this! It was fantastic!

I emailed Omar. He is quick to respond! Even though I told him I wouldn't be ready until around march of next year and not to rush(I know he's busy with more immediate patients), he still sent the info and said I could send the info, get approval from Dr. Kelly and tentatively schedule a date immediately. He could have easily put me on the back burner but he didn't. That says alot. Im impressed. Thanks for the info. Im glad I decided to contact him and look into Dr. Kelly.

Your face looks so much smaller! Way to go!

Why would you not be able to go camping? This is a new life with a sleeve -- you should still do the same things you have always done. Those things may need careful planning and preparation but I can't see any reason why you couldn't go camping. As far as having a good time, being with friends and family should be a good time as long as everyone has the right attitude : including YOU! Do you think you will be too worried going camping? Do you think you will be too pre-occupied thinking about your life changes? I would encourage you to go and be around loved ones during such a big life change regardless of where it is!!

I'm going this week (wow that sounds strange!!)
To have surgery with Dr. Kelly and he doesn't use a coordinator. Omar is his assistant and it has been a pleasure communicating with him over the last few months. Can't wait to finally get over there and meet everyone!!