wash

Had my surgery on 3/30. Lost 40 lbs from my heaviest so far. Visited my doctor today and asked about exercise. He told me to go for it. Now my questions is who plays golf and how soon did you start hitting golf balls?

I was sleeved on Jan 6th. I went to the driving range about 6 weeks later and walked 9 holes by the end of March. I walked 18 once this month but was wiped for 3 days. I find I just don't have the stamina to walk 18. I now ride 18 but am still very tired when I'm done. I usually come home and nap for 2 hrs! I'm having some slight anemia problems so that might be why I get so tired.

Priscilla

3-12-11, UPDATE: My doctor ordered the upper GI & blood work tests, they all came back perfect plus my insurance paid for them--no questions asked!

[/quote

Hi Luanne,

Congrats on passing your Upper GI & blood work with flying colors. I have mine scheduled for April 11th and then my blood work the following week. I'm hoping my insurance pays too because I also have reflux (even before surgery) and I'm scheduled for a Physical on May 2nd so the blood work is pretty much standard anyway. I love my new PCP (Internest).

Priscilla

Great news! I got a new PCP today...an internist who also has other bariatric patients that he follows and does the routine testing for. My 1st appt is next Fri for a 40 minute "establish new patient" visit, then I have an appt for a physical in the beginning of May.

Thank you everyone for encouraging me to find a new PCP.

Priscilla

Priscilla[/font][/size]Hi,

I had my VSG done in Mexico 7 weeks ago. My surgeon suggests an Upper GI and certain blood work be done at 3 months. I saw my PCP last week and she agreed to order the tests. However, today she called me and said after speaking with her administrator, she would not be able to order the tests because she is not familiar with bariatrics. She said I would need to self refer myself to someone who would follow me in that aspect. The best she could do would be to have their referral coordinator send me a letter with a list of possible Dr's that might follow me and I could make the necessary contacts myself. She said I could also look on the internet to see if I could find someone since I found my surgeon that way. She said she would still follow me for my high cholesterol, HPB, and pre-diabetes and order those blood tests. I have other co-morbidities too.

I would really like someone to follow me because I also have severe GERD for which I'm taking medication but has been worse since surgery.

Has anyone else run into this problem? What did you do?

Thanks,

Priscilla

Maybe that is a Mexico doctor protocol because I didn't have to have one either. Just my ordinary labs to make sure everything was ok.

Hi -

See my answer to "groovearmada."

Priscilla

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering, do you really need to have the upper GI three months after?

My surgeon recommends your 1st check up 3 months after surgery. It consists of an Upper GI (check for strictures & leaks?), and the following blood worK:

CBC (to check for anemia and lack of Vitamin B12)

SMAC 24 Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (sugar, cholesterol, Calcium and hepatic functioning)

I know my surgeon has many patients that don't bother with the Upper GI if they are not having any problems. I am having severe reflux so I think it would be best if I had it done.

Priscilla

Please post your experience with the drain incision with Dr. Aceves. Some patients say they got a couple stitches and others say it is left open to close on it's own.

Just curious what your experience was...THANKS!!!

Mine was left open to close on it's on and I just had my surgery with Dr Aceves on 1/06/2011.

Priscilla

Thank you for all your replies. I'm going to find a Gastroenterologist to follow me and I'm also going to start looking around for a new PCP.

Priscilla

Priscilla[/font][/size]Hi,

I had my VSG done in Mexico 7 weeks ago. My surgeon suggests an Upper GI and certain blood work be done at 3 months. I saw my PCP last week and she agreed to order the tests. However, today she called me and said after speaking with her administrator, she would not be able to order the tests because she is not familiar with bariatrics. She said I would need to self refer myself to someone who would follow me in that aspect. The best she could do would be to have their referral coordinator send me a letter with a list of possible Dr's that might follow me and I could make the necessary contacts myself. She said I could also look on the internet to see if I could find someone since I found my surgeon that way. She said she would still follow me for my high cholesterol, HPB, and pre-diabetes and order those blood tests. I have other co-morbidities too.

I would really like someone to follow me because I also have severe GERD for which I'm taking medication but has been worse since surgery.

Has anyone else run into this problem? What did you do?

Thanks,

Priscilla

Priscilla[/font][/size]Hi,

I had my VSG done in Mexico 7 weeks ago. My surgeon suggests an Upper GI and certain blood work be done at 3 months. I saw my PCP last week and she agreed to order the tests. However, today she called me and said after speaking with her administrator, she would not be able to order the tests because she is not familiar with bariatrics. She said I would need to self refer myself to someone who would follow me in that aspect. The best she could do would be to have their referral coordinator send me a letter with a list of possible Dr's that might follow me and I could make the necessary contacts myself. She said I could also look on the internet to see if I could find someone since I found my surgeon that way. She said she would still follow me for my high cholesterol, HPB, and pre-diabetes and order those blood tests. I have other co-morbidities too.

I would really like someone to follow me because I also have severe GERD for which I'm taking medication but has been worse since surgery.

Has anyone else run into this problem? What did you do?

Thanks,

Priscilla

I keep hearing that Dr. Aceves has special technique. Anybody know what is so different?

He use a 36 bougie and then oversews the staple line to a 32.

Yes definitly let me know how it goes for you. I'd love a step by step as you progress how it goes. I'm really on the fence, still not deciding as I agree w/one of the other posters that it seems to be a bit 'overkill' on the amt of stomach that's removed. I think that I'd like a bit more left like they used to do (from what I read). But thank you for replying & yes, plz let me know how it goes! Thanks!!!

--SK.

Hi Slowkat,

I promised updates on my VSG 1/06/2011 (2 weeks out today) surgery with Dr Aceves in Mexicali Mexico. I lost 13 lbs pre op from around Thanksgiving till surgery day. Since surgery, I have lost another 9 lbs for a total of 22 lbs. Note I'm only 4'10" and started out at 174 less 22 lbs = 152 lbs. I have another 42 lbs to get to goal so the sleeve is working for me.

I had a bougie of 36 which got oversewn to a 32 and is the standard size my surgeon uses. Another woman who had surgery the same day as I did requested a bougie of 40 which got oversewn to a 36 so I know my surgeon accomodates his patients after discussing what difference the size would make for them.

Did you make any decsions yet?

Priscilla

Hey, well at least you know tomorrow you can have full liquids! I have 2 days to wait. Know what you want to have yet? I am going to have an unjury chocolate milk, Soup, and some sf chocolate pudding on my first day of full liquids. I sure am looking forward to a little more variety! I have been reading postop diet of other surgeons and it sure does look like Dr. A has a strict plan for us, but considering he's in Mexico and we're back home in the US I am sure he doesn't want to take any chances with problems with our new sleeves the first few weeks. Enjoy your last day on clears!

Kris-

LOL...no, I don't know what I'm going to have yet tomorrow but that chocolate pudding idea sounds great! Did you get the E-mail that Gaby sent to me? Seems like an awful lot more on there that what had been given to us so far. I starting to wonder if maybe it's for band patients instead of us. Think I'll write to Gaby again just to make sure! I'll let you know what she says.

Priscilla

I am a surgeon (not WLS) and we always consider the day of surgery to be day zero. Day 1 is the day after surgery. But, Dr. Aceves has about the strictest postop plan I've seen. Most seem to go to full liquids right out of the gate.

Hello,

I really appreciate your response. I finally contacted Dr Aceves' staff and they set me straight, just as you said...day of surgery is day zero.

Thanks Again,

Priscilla

Hey Priscilla, this is Kris, I met you at the hospital! I definitely want to know the answer to this because I have been counting 10 days as starting the day after surgery, like you. I tell you I never thought one day would make so much of a difference, but it does! I have been wanting something other than clears for a few days now and am really getting really fed up with clears!

Kristin,

I just sent you an E-mail I received from Gaby today, that day one is considered the 1st day after surgery. His E-mail also included an more detailed post op diet than what we have received so far. You must have sent this note while I was composing mine to you! Are you kidding, of course I remember you! You're a sleeve buddie for sure.

Priscilla

hi jamie, i'm 33 and new to this site. i get sleeved on wed jan 19 *yay* how r u doing after yours?

Nikki

Hi Nikki,

I'm 61 and had my sleeve surgery on 1/06/2011...wish I could have had this available to me 30 years ago...LOL!

Priscilla

VSG 1/06/2011

Dr Aceves

Mexicali, Mexico

LOL... I would say day of surgery was Day 1 (did they give you clears in the hospital?). Lots of us were on full liquids right out of the gate so I think you're good to go today. Enjoy your Soups and smoothies!

Hi Stacy 160,

I didn't have anything on the day of surgery except for the IV fluids. The day following surgery is when I had my first clear fluids such as gatorade and clear broth.

Thanks for responding,

Priscilla

Hello,

Can someone tell me what their DR considered day one post op - was it the day of surgery or the 1st day after surgery? I had my sleeve on 1/06/2011 and Phase I Clear liquids is for the 1st 10 days. If I count the day of surgery as day one, then yesterday was day 10 and today I could go on full liquids, otherwise I have to wait until tomorrow. Please answer ASAP because if I can start full liquids today, I'll be super excited to start Phase 2 today!

Thanks so much,

Priscilla

VSG 1/06/2011

Dr Alberto Aceves,

Mexicali, Mexico

Hi Priscilla, I am having surgery on the 6th too! I am also going alone. We can support each other. There is another lady on this site that will be there on the 5th.

How are you feeling about the whole thing? We only have two weeks to go.

Elizabeth

Oh that will be great Elizabeth! And your surgery is with Dr Aceves too? I arrive in San Diego at 10:33 a.m. on the 5th via AS Airways. How about you?

Hi All,

I am having my op in 11th January,

I have started with my diet so i can get use to the liquids.

New to all of this and would like to be able to communicate with anyone.

Who is doing your surgery?

Priscilla

Yes I have my date, it is 27 January. I think I am ready, as it gets closer I may get a bit more nervous, but it took me a couple of months to decide if I really wanted to do this. Once I decided, then I have been at peace with that and have only looked foward to it, but at the sametime enjoying some treats now, as I know that I won't be able to have them after.

Who are you having your surgery with?

Priscilla

I have hypothroidism (Hashimoto's) and am scheduled to have the Sleeve surgery on Jan 6th with Dr Aceves. He and Dr Campos have both reviewed my medical history because I have other co-morbidities but neither of them ever mentioned that it would be a problem. I can let you know how the weight loss goes for me after I have it done, if you like.

Priscilla

My surgery date is Jan 6th with Dr Aceves in Mexicali, MX. I'm flying in to San Diego on Jan 5th from New Hampshire. Anyone else going to Dr Aceves around that time that would be interested in staying in touch. I'm going alone.

Priscilla

Hi Priscilla,

My husband Greg is coming with me. Are you going alone?

Yes, Kris I'm going alone. Still working on getting my flights.

Hi ladies,

I am just behind you ... my surgery is on January 7th with Dr. Aceves. What day are you leaving? Hopefully our paths will cross at the hospital!

Hi Kris,

That's great! Nina gave me the 6th & 8th and then 4 days the following week to choose from. Will let you know when I finalize my date. Are you going alone?

Priscilla

Surely I am not the only person on this forum that is 60 or over having the sleeve surgery.

I would love to hear from anyone that has had the surgery and how you feel now.

My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 15th, Have had all the pre-op testing completed now just waiting for the big day to get here.

Hi Ginny,

My name is Priscilla. I'm 61 and in the process of scheduling my VSG with Dr Alberto Aceves in Mexicali Mexico during the 1st or 2nd week of January. My sister is 66 and she just had a Gastric Bypass in Aug'10 in the US. She is doing great now but she did get a very bad infection in one of her laparoscopic sites which was no fun at the time. She WAS diebetic but doesn't even have to take medication anymore. I just don't care to have my intestines rearranged so I'm going for the sleeve which has much fewer risks anyway.

I haven't heard about too many people having complications with the sleeve but of course a lot depends on the skill of the surgeon.

Good luck to you and Happy Holidays!

Priscilla

I am scheduled January 5th, 2011 with him! )

Happy Holidays to everyone! Your contributions to this board are "priceless."

To 'My Journey Begins,'

I haven't been on this board in quite a while but noticed that your surgery with Dr Aceves is on Jan 5, 2011. I'm in the process now of trying to schedule mine for the 1st week in January too! I had an original date of Dec 8th but had to cancel at the last minute because I came down with a Staph infection on Dec 6th...already had my boarding passes and everything! Are you going alone? I am. In case you're on some of the other boards, I am pas03064 on Dr Aceves' yahoo board and ecf1947 on the Obesity Help forum. Would love to hear from you.

Priscilla