thinasiwant

Hi I posted alot about my experience with Dr. Almanza on my blog. I didnt go to Jerusalem, however Lolalucy just returned. Good luck!

Pretreatment- 3 days before mupriocin up both nares to kill any colonized MRSA. Took two Hibicliens showers like open heart patients do . Washed hair with it as well. December 30th Day 1- Leaving for San Diego with Eric tonight. I took one of my sleeping pills for the ride and woke up in at San Diego Airport. We drove through the Badlands We were picked up in the hospital van and went to Hospital Vida. (See accompanying pictures)Jerusalem was not open yet. It was small, clean, and nice. Nothing big or special, but I felt comfortable and ready to get my surgery. Met Dr. Betancourt and Dr. Almanza and felt very happy with my decision to have my VSG with this team. My surgery friends Bill (Wingrider), Bernadette(FabBy50) and Clarissa (Running Mom 3)are here. I was surgery in with my gown and panties, got on the table and that?s all I remember. I woke up in recovery, slept then did some midnight walks with the group. I requested pain meds @ 6 p.m. By midnight I was lapping the halls. December 31rst-Day 2 I can hear my stomach growling and making snap, crackle, pops. Pain feels like I have done many sit-ups. We got ice today at 4 pm! Changed into loungewear and wishing I brought more books and magazines. Cannot tolerate much liquid. I have great hope for the first time in my life as I am not hungry. Tonight my nurse and I had a communication breakdown. My friend and I wanted pain meds and she seemed to be saying no. I got on the phone to my coordinator Patti using the free phone they give us and in about 5 minutes we had the medicine. Dr. Betancourt also came in and gave me a booster pain shot in the am. I liked how that was handled. Also on the itinerary, walkin? with my pole?.. January 1, 2010-Day 3 Drank the blue liquid to test for leaks. Success! No blue in my jp drain. Now the swallow test in the x-ray machine. Also good! We all packed up and went over to the guest house. When we arrived we were shown around. Today I drank Gatorade and broth and kept it all down?.it?s difficult! I had a migraine all night and tossed and turned.-I think I am in a serious withdrawal from caffeine. In the evening, one of the patient?s husbands cooked a bacon burger. I barely noticed. It?s like the connection from my brain to my stomach has been rerouted. Every day of my life before this, I have woken up hungry and then proceeded to either fill or fight that need. It was a tiresome and consuming process and I am currently free from it-miraculous! January 2- Day 4. The medical assistant Servetto took my drain out. It hurt, but now that it is out, I feel much freer and more human. Driven to border and then a 6 hour drive to Arizona! My bf took great care of me. If you go to Mexico, bring a best friend or husband to take care of you-it made all the difference. Mild soreness and some bruising at the five puncture sites. Sutures look good and not a sign of infection. I was worried before and the whole time I was never even approached without gloves! I slept well in my own bed tonight.

:thumbup1:Hi everyone! Since my VSG surgery on December 30th I have been busy losing weight and starting back to school. Tomorrow my stitches come out and I have lost 15 Lbs. since the DOS. I feel great and I am NEVER HUNGRY. What a big relief that is. I am now like one of the people I used to hear about who eat to live. It is a HUGE relief let me tell you as I have been consumed with hunger and thoughts of food. Everyday I step on the scale I have lost more weight. I feel fantastic!The only difference is that I am a little more emotional...i am unable to eat emotionally any longer. I go through the motions ...walk to fridge, open it, think of it, just never do it anymore. I guess this is the real me

OMG congratulations

Hi Wingrider! Hi Stoongal! Everything has been great so far! I just got my IV out and I am feeling great. Tests today and then to the house. I have taken alot of pictures and am excited to share them. So far, very happy with the experience overall. Fab and Clarissa here also!

OK Bernadette...see you in San Diego. I think we are both going to do well and get our dreams! I am having my procedure at the new jerusalem facility on Dec 30th...i look forward to meeting you.

Thanks for sharing your story....you've been thru alot. Hopeful for better times ahead

Bravo! Well said Carolyn. Thanks for the suggestion re the masseuse! I already know I will need him!

Nonsense. If you still persist in these lies, support yourself with some facts. 1) Name your coordinator phone # so every member here can speak to her if they like. 2) What hospital and unit are you staying in for almost a month so GRAVELY ill and yet you have time to leisurely correspond on the computer? Does your hospital have wi-fi for the patients or are you corresponding from the Hospital Cyber-Cafe (LOL) 3) What is the organism that is supposedly infecting you so we can all be aware It's wrong to do what u r doing. People on this site were even praying for you....YOU ARE SICK!

Point taken and thanks for your truthful response. As I said, I will be going there myself in two weeks and I dont take anyone's testimony about infections lightly. Thank you for what you said and I go there with eyes wide open. The main reason I know the Maria's story is fake is that I showed it to my coordinator IMMEDIATELY and she looked at the details with the Emmanuel team and there was never a patient who had that surgery as claimed on the date Maria stated. What else seemed so strange to me is that the patient name on OH was similar and the location and the dates as well as details we similar with little differences! It came from a mentally ill poster with borderline personality disorder that is known to despise Dr. A and has been banned from several sites, yet keeps coming back as someone else. What is in it for her is that she is attempting to get people to go to her Dr. and then she gets to be right. The reason I cared was 1)I would hate it if someone was making up things about me as a professional 2) I wouldn't subject myself intentionally to a bad situation.3) Really wanted to know the truth and then to share that truth.... I just got in from a 4 month nursing assignment in Gallup. Last night my BF took the car and it was stolen so I am dealing with that now. Plus moving into a new place and surgery on 12/30.Needless to say I have alot going on. I wanted to respond to you and say that if you PM me I will gladly tell you or anyone my phone number and we can really talk at length...No one can get any details from "Marie S." or "Maria"....because she doesnt really exist. I intend to post my own account of surgery when I get back.

Hi. See above post between Wing Rider and me:)

Hey....I never said YOUR story wasnt true and btw, I am very sorry to hear it happened. The other one with njsleever is COMPLETELY FALSE.I know you from OH....remember Marie S. and her post "i never expected this?" ...same fake story. Dr. A and his team are dealing with this, however I have it on good authority that there was no surgery that occured on the day "Maria" said was her DOS. I am a patient with surgery scheduled 12/30 and I will provide my own honest review at that time...and u may anytime PM me and confirm my identity! Njsleever cant talk to you....she doesnt exist...btw who was your coordinator?

Bill I am having mine the 30th so I am so game to have a buddy. My bf is going too, maybe keep ur dad company while we recover! Call you in a bit

Hi Bill Sounds like we will be at Emmanuel with Dr. Almanza at the same time. I'm a patient...vsg...What are you having. For one thing, this story is totally fake as there was no such surgery done on that date... I have forwarded the info to Dr. A, his staff, and the site admin. Another fake story was posted on ObesityHelp by a Maria S she altered the details, but mostly the same...total BS! These posts are part of a smear campaign by a poster who gets kickbacks from the mx dr she supports. She attemptst to instill fear in anyone who uses Dr. Almanza. I think it was removed as it could in no way be substantiated. Go back and read NJSleever's posts----doesnt ring true....I am a nurse (17 years ICU) and what she said DID NOT ADD UP whatsoever. If you ask njsleever her for info she cannot, will not provide it. If you'd like to talk please PM me and we can exchange phone numbers. I cannot give all details publicly as this serious case of slander/libel is under investigation. As a man in business, you can certainly understand that all a man or woman has is his or her good name. Bill, I hope to hear from you and it sounds as if we will be meeting in a few weeks.