Hi all,

I've posted on here before....(you can read my thread under the this is my story section). Anyway, I cant believe that I am thinking of going to Mexico for my surgery. Not because they dont have good doctors or anything, its basically fear of the unknown. However, I know a great package when I see one.:001_smile: Im also a nurse and I am well aware of the appropriate level of care and skill that is needed for a safe surgery.

I am tenatively scheduled for my surgery on 9-15 here in Houston, TX with Dr. Alanis. I am impressed by him and I enjoy being home with my family (If GOD forbid, anything was to happen). But I have been researching Dr. Aceves for about a week and I am overwhelmed by his good reviews, success rates, no leaks, etc. That is SOOO important when you are considering a surgeon and I know this. The two big things that made me start thinking about going to Dr. Aceves are: His stats and you get 3 nights in the hospital after surgery as opposed to one night in the hospital if I have it here @ home. Now, those of you who chose Dr. Aceves is it true that if you have complications that you wont be charged? I think I read something like that. (Please explain, if you know more)

My dilemma is: my family WILL have a cow and two calves if I tell them that I am going to Mexico to have surgery. LOL. So I want advice on HOW to deal with this? To tell or not to tell? I feel that I am an adult but I would really like my family's blessings on this. My fiance however, is so supportive and told me that whatever I chose he will support my decision and travel along with me regardless where I chose.:confused1: So that helps.

So to make a long story short, how did you all deal with your family and/or friends when trying to make a decision like this? I guess @ the end of the day, you have to DO what is best for YOU.

Thanks for all of you guys support and answers on my pre-sleeve journey thus far.

I don't have a clue where the mall was. It was about 15 minutes by taxi. The taxi driver drove like a crazy person and I got to see quite a bit of the town.

There were nice stores in that mall. One was like Macy's. I thought it was really funny that I tried to order a burger king jr. whopper with Water and no fries at the food court and got "No habla English" I had to got and get the lady I was with to order for me. She was off looking for a phone charger.

I don't have a clue where the mall was. It was about 15 minutes by taxi. The taxi driver drove like a crazy person and I got to see quite a bit of the town.

There were nice stores in that mall. One was like Macy's. I thought it was really funny that I tried to order a burger king jr. whopper with Water and no fries at the food court and got "No habla English" I had to got and get the lady I was with to order for me. She was off looking for a phone charger.

I speak very little - not enough to survive on my own that's for sure. I should take lessons as we have a lot of spanish-speaking clients. Luckily, there are 2 attorneys and 2 support staff in our office that are fluent.

They ( the passport cards) take longer to get however so apply for it a couple of months ahead. I had a regular passport expedited. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a regular passport without expediting. Expediting is expensive but its good if you want to get the surgery done in less than 6 weeks. Right now there seems to be a rush since the new rule went into effect the 1st of June. Alot of Mexicans cant go home to visit the family without one for the whole family.

They ( the passport cards) take longer to get however so apply for it a couple of months ahead. I had a regular passport expedited. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a regular passport without expediting. Expediting is expensive but its good if you want to get the surgery done in less than 6 weeks. Right now there seems to be a rush since the new rule went into effect the 1st of June. Alot of Mexicans cant go home to visit the family without one for the whole family.

I guess we got ours before the rush...it only took about 3 weeks. I was expecting it to not arrive until right before I had to leave. I was very relieved to not have to wait until the last minute.

You know, I love Dr. Aceves and his staff! It really is not like going to Mexico, don't let that scare you! You drive up to the border, drive through and you are in Mexicali, the hospital is 3 minutes away! Don't let the fear of being in Mexico keep you away! I have only been home almost a week and I can honestly say that I would never go anywhere else or let my family go anywhere else! Best of luck!

You know, I love Dr. Aceves and his staff! It really is not like going to Mexico, don't let that scare you! You drive up to the border, drive through and you are in Mexicali, the hospital is 3 minutes away! Don't let the fear of being in Mexico keep you away! I have only been home almost a week and I can honestly say that I would never go anywhere else or let my family go anywhere else! Best of luck!

I agree with you 1 MILLION PERCENT!!!

The more I read, the more I learn. This is truly a great site for sharing stories and giving advice, etc.

I appreciate all of you all's support.

I have another question for Dr. Aceves patients?

Okay, here is the nurse in me again.....

1. Did you receive blood thinners after surgery? Some surgeons use this, some dont. Most say, just ambulate.

2. Did you receive constant IV fluids? If so, what kind if you can remember?

3. Did you have SCDs on after surgery (They are these things that wrap around your legs and squeeze the blood up and down) they help to prevent blood clots?

4. Were you provided an incentive spirometer? (A little thing that you breathe into that helps to prevent your lungs from collapsing, etc.

Okay, I think that is all I want to know. Thanks

I have another question for Dr. Aceves patients?

Okay, here is the nurse in me again.....

1. Did you receive blood thinners after surgery? Some surgeons use this, some dont. Most say, just ambulate.

No blood thinners - just ambulate, ambulate, and then ambulate some more.

2. Did you receive constant IV fluids? If so, what kind if you can remember?

Yes. I have no idea what was in it though - and never thought to ask - I received constant fluids from surgery through Sunday morning -- I think my operative reports says 90 hours.

3. Did you have SCDs on after surgery (They are these things that wrap around your legs and squeeze the blood up and down) they help to prevent blood clots?

YES ... I remember the first time I went to get up and threw back the covers I said "Well look at that I've got on knee highs" ... LOL ... they put them on in the OR room and I don't remember ANYTHING that happened in the OR room. They felt really good though and I didn't take them off until Sunday evening (I left on Monday)

4. Were you provided an incentive spirometer? (A little thing that you breathe into that helps to prevent your lungs from collapsing, etc.

YEP sure was and told to breathe into it 10x every hour. They don't stand over you to make sure you do it; they ask if you're doing it and I did - although not every hour - for some reason it only made my headaches worse ... I did do it as often as I felt I could and still use it at home (they recommend for the first 10 days home) It's sitting right next to me on my desk.

Okay, I think that is all I want to know. Thanks

Well, if you think of any other questions, ask away, on or more of Dr. A's patients will surely have an answer.

They gave me a heparin injection before surgery

They gave me a heparin injection before surgery

Wow really? I didn't see that listed on my post-op report.

I have another question for Dr. Aceves patients?

Okay, here is the nurse in me again.....

1. Did you receive blood thinners after surgery? Some surgeons use this, some dont. Most say, just ambulate.

2. Did you receive constant IV fluids? If so, what kind if you can remember?

3. Did you have SCDs on after surgery (They are these things that wrap around your legs and squeeze the blood up and down) they help to prevent blood clots?

4. Were you provided an incentive spirometer? (A little thing that you breathe into that helps to prevent your lungs from collapsing, etc.

Okay, I think that is all I want to know. Thanks

He gives you Lovenox SQ the morning of surgery.

IV fluids are Lactated Ringers Soln.

They have their own version of TEDS.

Incentive spirometer yes, they request that you use it 10 times an hour while awake.

Well, if you think of any other questions, ask away, on or more of Dr. A's patients will surely have an answer.

Thanks for your report, your information made me feel more comfortable.

He gives you Lovenox SQ the morning of surgery.

IV fluids are Lactated Ringers Soln.

They have their own version of TEDS.

Incentive spirometer yes, they request that you use it 10 times an hour while awake.

Cool, all I needed to know. Thats for the details, just wanted to make sure I won't become dehydrated or have a PE. LOL

I am sure the heparin is different from patient to patient, they may have given it to me because of my previous surgery. I remember the injection into my stomach area though.