NadaMas

I believe that Dr Aceves typically does the traditional w/ 5 incisions. One thing to note - I followed the pre op diet (w/ a couple of slip ups) and my liver had shrunk enough that he didn't need to retract it, so I only have 4 incisions. So, he adapts to what he finds with each patient. Also, the scars are small & mine healed easily.

I wish you the best of luck! You'll be in great hands with Dr Aceves & his entire team!

I want to encourage you to do your best w/ the pre-surgery diet. I adopted a high Protein, low-carb diet a few months prior to the surgery in addition to the official 2 week idiet mmediately prior. I did have a couple of "food funerals", but tried to behave the majority of the time.

This paid off for me during surgery - my liver had shrunk enough that Dr. Aceves didn't even need to retract my liver out of the way. So I have 4 tiny incisions instead of the usual 5.

So please - keep up the good work - You'll be glad that you did!!

The driver met me at the baggage claim area of Terminal One. Its a relatively small baggage claim area so you don't have to worry about being on one end, and him missing you on the other end. Good luck to you! They take great care of you there!

Hi Everyone,

I'm having my sleeve w/ Dr. Aceves on 3/19 & I'm curious about your cell phone experiences while there. I've read about some who had great reception w/ no international charges, while others went ahead & got an international plan for their stay there. Please share your experience...

For what it is worth, I'm particularly interested in the experiences of Verizon users (so I'm being selfish, can you blame me?)...

All is well! Thanks for the prayers and support

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm so glad to hear that!! Congrats!! Welcome to the rest ( & best) of your life!

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties at work. However, I get the feeling that you are one determined lady & will arrive at a solution one way or another.

As far as your PCP is concerned, look at this as an opportunity to work w/ a more informed (and likely more qualified) PCP; so you're going to be better off continuing down this path - a healthier you!! (both from the surgery & from a better PCP).

On another note, I'm also scheduled w/ Dr. Aceves in March, so I share your excitement about this journey! Take care of yourself!!

Has anyone tried these? They are a healthier version of chips - made from either black Beans or a pinto beans/flax seed combo. I found them online & (after I finished laughing about the name) tried a couple of varieties -black bean Chipolte BBQ & black bean original.

I'm pre-surgery & tostitos are a weakness of mine - I thought that these might be a reasonable substitute for an occassional treat. And I was so surprised at how good they are! They may not work for everyone, but they work for me. I use them w/ nachos, dips, snacking, etc. Here's some of the nutitional highlights:

• Corn Free
  
• Low Glycemic
  
• Gluten Free
  
• High Fiber
  
• (Relatively) Good Protein
  

They say that a serving size is 10 chips & for that the breakdown is as follows:

• 140 calories (60 calories from fat)
  
• total fat - 7 g.
  
• total carbs - 15 g.
  
• Fiber 5 g.
  
• Protein 4 g.
  

Its not an ideal choice & obviously one that I won't eat for a while once I'm sleeved, but I was happy to find something to help get the tostitos monkey off my back.

I apologize if this sounds like a commercial, but I was happy & wanted to share.

Thanks for the reassurance. I appreciate you sharing your experience!

Yes, mine is scheduled for March 19 w/ Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I'm very excited, but a bit apprehensive as well. I'll be traveling alone & as you know, this surgery is a big step.

Here's to a great 2012!

Thanks for the tip about the heating pad - I'll add it to my list. I'm glad to hear that they are such pros about handling pain levels for their patients. You've added to my piece of mind (I'm going alone & a bit apprehensive).

Thanks again - I hope that you continue to do well & have a very uneventual recovery (except for those lbs. peeling away, of course!).

Hi Everyone,

I asked this question in another forum & wanted to pose the question here as well:

I have my surgery scheduled w/ Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and he & his team often use epidurals w/ the surgery. My question is for those who had an epidural or for those who did not - Did you notice any general differences between the 2 cases in regards to the level of pain experienced after surgery? I understand that you can only relate your own experience, but thought that you might have noticed how other patients seemed to be handling things - getting up, moving around & walking and general discomfort level if they did not have an epidural with their surgery.

I'm not a good candidate for an epidural due to previous back surgery which left me w/ considerable scar tissue over that section of my spine. I had a c-section & the anesthesiologist insisted on giving me an epidural & lets just say that it was not a good experience. I understand that my issues are due to my specific situation & epidurals are generally a wonderful means of controlling pain.

Anything that you want to share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi DanityChai,

I don't want to hijack SmilingGal's positive thread, so I'll start another one about experiences w/ epidurals. One thing that I want to emphasize is that they work wonderfully for the vast majority of those who have them - My experience is because of my specific back problems. And to answer your question - it is my understanding that yes, they do give you the epidural after you are under (if you get one).

I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well! If its not too nosy, did you have an epidural during your surgery?

I'm scheduled w/ Dr. Aceves on March 19 & am soooo excited to be changing the course of my life. I've had back surgery and have a lot of scar tissue over my spine in the area where they usually give an epidural, so I'm doubtful that they'll be able to give me one. I'm curious about post operative pain levels for those w/ no epidural.

Thanks & I'm sure that you'll continue to do well on your journey!

Hi Caiti,

Greetings from another Columbus gal! I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so well. I think that you are off to a great start! I hope that mine goes like yours. Keep up the great work!!

March 19 with Dr. Aceves here! Starting my pre-op diet soon!

Another comeback might be:

"I decided to work smarter, not just harder"

I've not yet had my surgery (scheduled for 3/19 - Yay me!), but my thoughts on this type of commentary would be something along these lines:

"Yes, you could consider this the easy way out - I'm using a tool that increases my sucess rate & quality of life - Much like I'd use a shovel when digging a hole. But I must admit - considering the hole you just dug for yourself - maybe you should go into the construction business..."

Is that too harsh?

Congrats! It looks like you're doing great!! I'm also in Columbus & am scheduled to have my surgery in March - very excited for this next adventure...

Dont assume about the insurance coverage... my family owns an insurance agency and i dont believe united covers it.. call and ask... its excluded out of my most policys... i know i am on bcbs of fl and its excluded.. luckily i was able to find a doc to do it much cheaper then most and was able to come up with the funds... check it out first before you switch companies...

Not assuming at all, but am trying to be hopeful. My employer is switching companies in 2010 - I really don't have a choice about it. If I want health insurance - United Health Care is my only option. I'm hopeful as my employer's plan is a self insured one - And that since it was a covered surgery under the 2009 plan, it will remain one in 2010. (again, being hopeful). And believe me, I'll be burning up the phone lines to customer service getting all the specifics as soon as we roll over to the new policy. Otherwise, I'll be a self payer as well.

Welcome! What part of Ohio are you from? I'm from Fairborn, Wright Patterson Air Force Base area. If you're close, I have a wonderful surgeon to recommend! :Yawn:

I'm in Columbus & would love to get any surgeon recommendations. Dr. Curry is one that I'm considering. Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone,

I'm so glad to have found this site. I am hoping to get lap banded soon as I am beginning to have health issues caused by my weight - high blood pressure, pre-diabetic. I've been one of those yo-yo dieters - with the scales continuously creeping up. At 45 yrs old, 5'9", 300#, I've decided its time to get this under control.

My medical insurance is changing from Anthem to United Healthcare at year end, so I'm looking to have the surgery in 2010. Gastic bybass (and presumably Lap band) was a covered surgery under the Anthem policy to I'm hopeful that it will be under the new one as well.

Anyway, I've enjoyed reading the various threads & learning more about this life changing surgery. Thanks to all for sharing so much!