Hi! I'm new here (obviously) and have some questions.

How did you go about scheduling your surgery with Dr. Aceves? Did you just call the number on the web site? Which website, b/c I see several and I worry about ID theft, haha.

Also, how do you get approved if he doesn't see you prior to the surgery?:clap2:

Oh, and how long did you wait from first contact to actual surgery? I'm thinking November might be a good time for me. Thanks!

Hi! I'm new here (obviously) and have some questions.

How did you go about scheduling your surgery with Dr. Aceves? Did you just call the number on the web site? Which website, b/c I see several and I worry about ID theft, haha.

Also, how do you get approved if he doesn't see you prior to the surgery?:clap2:

Oh, and how long did you wait from first contact to actual surgery? I'm thinking November might be a good time for me. Thanks!

Hello,

I got his information from one of the websites, I think it was obesity help. com. Anyway, I cant remember his exact website at this time, im sure some of the other patients can answer that. I called his patient coordinator and expressed an interest. I filled out medical history forms, etc. She contacted me in 2-3 days after Dr. Aceves had reviewed my past history and current co morbidities. From your history alone, he approves the surgery. In actuality, its not that different from how it would go if I had the surgery at home. I spoke with the doctor in person, he reviewed my history, he gave me a verbal approval and I would get my blood work done a week prior to surgery. With Dr Aceves you get labwork done the day before. I asked Dr A's patient coordinator, if there were any cases that they were not able to do a surgery and I was told that it has only happened once or twice and those persons were not truthful when filling out their medical history forms. For example, if you are severely anemic or have leukopenia etc. Of course they probably would not take the chance in performing surgery on you. But of course, you would most likely know if you had a condition like this prior to surgery (extreme fatigue, etc). Since I am going to Mexico, in a few weeks I am going to let me PCP do a head to toe physical on me with labs, so that I can feel comfortable that nothing has come up prior to surgery, thats just me though.

Good luck with your weight loss....

Yes , just call the number on the side of the screen. You will be assigned a patient coordinator. They will email you a lot of questions and a medical evaluation.

If you want November, they will tell you what dates are available.

Welcome Newmom ... you've selected an AWESOME surgeon - you won't be disappointed.

Here is the information for Nina at Dr. A's office -- she will work with you in seeing if you are eligible for surgery, getting you scheduled, etc. -- she's a wealth of information ... her infor is:

Nina Eguia

Patient Coordinator, Dr. Aceves

1888 344 3916

cell 760 646 1828

nina@mexicalibariatirccenter.com

If you don't want to call her, you can email her. I would say you would have a response today or tomorrow. She'll have you fill out paperwork for the doctor to review and then he'll make the determination if you are eligible for surgery. Then you can schedule it. At your pre-op you will have a complete panel of blood work, an EKG and a chest x-ray, and whatever other tests he might deem necessary. I see no problems with you having your surgery in November - sooner if you want - if all is okay with Dr. A.

Any other questions, please ask. LOTS of us here have used Dr. Aceves and we all love him and his staff!

I am thinking November b/c I just had a baby 6 months ago and while I am trying to wean him, he's not having it just yet! Plus I want him to be a bit older so he can stay home with daddy.

Did most people travel alone? I saw a few ppl did and regretted it but seems like most were ok? Thanks for the responses!

I am thinking November b/c I just had a baby 6 months ago and while I am trying to wean him, he's not having it just yet! Plus I want him to be a bit older so he can stay home with daddy.

Did most people travel alone? I saw a few ppl did and regretted it but seems like most were ok? Thanks for the responses!

Most everyone I know, except for 2 or 3, travelled with a companion - they can stay in your room with you the entire time -there are very comfy couches in each room. I am sure if you have to travel alone, you'll be just fine as Ernesto picks you up in San Diego - takes you to the hospital for your pre-ops- takes you the resort - where you can eat right there on the premises or order room service - then he picks you up the next morning, back to the hospital until you're released and then he takes you back to San Diego to catch your flight. You're never alone unless you choose to be. If you do go by yourself, take things to entertain you as it does get rather boring after a bit.

I went alone and honestly wish I had someone with me. I'm by no means a wimp (I work in war zones and travel alone to the far corners of the earth with no problem) but it helps so much just to have someone you know to simply encourage you to take a drink or walk down the hall. When Dr. Aceves put his hand on my arm, I almost cried because I realized I was just craving someone to comfort me after the surgery. It's not hugely painful or anything but it is a fairly major surgery to take a big part of your stomach out - and I think your body and mind knows that. If you can take a girlfriend or a sister or someone else close (if your husband is staying with your little one) - I would recommend it.

Other people zipped down there alone, had the surgery, went home and started back to work immediately. It's been a longer road for me.

Still wouldn't change it - I'm VERY grateful I had it.

Edited August 4, 200917 yr by independenceday
typo

I went alone because I had nobody who could go with me.

It was not a big deal. I was bored more than anything else. Dr. Campos let me use

his lap top and that kept me from going stir crazy.

I went alone......me and my breast pump. It was 6 months from birth of my lost band / emergency c section.

It all worked out well......and me and Emerson still ok and bf.

Wow. Great to have replies about going alone and also from a new mom. My baby is also 6 months. What is the restriction about holding him after the surgery? How long would I have to wait?

You are not supposed to lift anything over 10lbs. for the first two weeks. You will have to sit down to hold your child if he/she weighs over 10 lbs. I know that this will be VERY difficult but the risks of complication far outweigh the short term sacrifices.

You can do all of the snuggling in bed and on the couch that your heart desires!

I was told not to lift anything over 15 lbs. for the first 6 weeks, so if your baby is only 6 months old, I doubt he weights over 15 lbs. so you should be good to go after surgery.

Okay. I have a friend at home that has recently had the lap-band placed and the 10lbs for 2 weeks was what she was told. But every Dr. is slightly different. I would (and will) do what ever Dr. Aceves tells me to do. If Dr. Aceves says 15lbs. for 6 weeks, alright. Although it will prove to be more challenging since my 2 year old loves to play. Oh well...long term benefits.

Thanks for the correction VA.

Hi Newmom!

My process went very fast. I spoke to Monica (one of the coordinators) and we settled on a date that was convenient to me, which in my case was 3 weeks away. She had me submit the online health questionnaire which she then submitted it to Dr. Aceves for approval. Monica called 2 days later, telling me that I was approved. She emailed me all kinds of info such as pre-op diet, post-op diet, travel, costs and I in turn mailed in my $500 deposit.

My baby was 9 months old at the time and he did just fine at home. I started introducing the bottle more often in order to prepare him for while I was gone. I was able to nurse him as soon as I returned. I was told I had a 10lb. lifting restriction for the first week, and a 25lb. restriction for the following 11 weeks.

I went by myself and was just fine. I met some wonderful people there (Hi Kim! Hi Penny!) and didn't feel lonely for a moment. I felt tired and slept a lot and other times we would congregate in the hallways for our laps around the floor. For me it was better this way since I didn't have to worry about my mom or my husband being bored out of their minds.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

I have been wondering about how payment is done. I have heard that mail service in Mexico is very undependable. So do you mail the deposit regular mail?

How do you pay the rest? Does his office accept a personal check or do you have to take cash. I will be nervous carrying a lot of cash around for such a trip.

Will he accept credit card payment?

Cajun,

The deposit is sent to a P.O. Box in Calexico, CA which is right over the border. A personal check is okay for that. The remaining balance is paid by cashier's/official check or money order when you get there. You can also pay by credit card, however there is a 3% fee for that. I'm assuming it is because it is being charged in Mexico.