Hi All!

I was 'sleeved' on August 23, 2012 and although I did a lot of research there was a lot I still had/have to learn!

I've struggled with my weight my whole life. A few years ago I seriously considered getting the lap band but didn't go beyond researching options. My weight has steadily crept up and these last couple of years have been depressing; I could not lose the weight. Most recently I tried adipex, lost weight temporarily, and then gained it all back.

My health insurance does not cover weight loss surgery so I knew I would have to pay for the procedure my self. I considered lap band, and then gastric plication, and then through research decided on gastric sleeve.

I researched doctors in the US and Mexico, cost, expertise, etc. I choose (verified) a doctor in Mexico that is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery; and the surgical center is designated as an International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. I felt comfortable with my choice, as the credentials of the doctor and surgical center in Mexico are the same as in the US. I considered purchasing 'catastrophic/complications' insurance but figured that I'm healthy and need to save money for the procedure and follow up back in the US. (NOTE--This was just one of my misjudgments,)

I was to arrive in Mexico, have the procedure that same day, stay two nights at the surgical center, two nights at a hotel, and return to the US on the fifth day.

I went to Tijuana, Mexico, by myself, for the procedure. (NOTE--I do not speak Spanish.) I arrived on Thursday around 11 am and was picked up by the surgical center at the airport as planned. I had the procedure early that evening and the doctor said all went well (good surgery, no enlarged liver, etc.). The next day (Friday) I was informed that during the night when I was moving around I must have pulled stitches loose (or something) because there was abnormal/excessive bleeding from my drain; the doctor would need to go back in to resolve the problem; the doctor cauterized all the surgical sites and said all went well. Saturday, the doctor said there was still bleeding and needed to go back in to see/resolve the cause. At this point I was SCARED! I had to have blood transfusions, plasma, etc. Saturday evening the doctor informed me that they would be transferring me by ambulance to a US hospital in response to several serious complications that had developed: liquid in lungs, breathing, etc. The doctor called my sister in the US and told her to come to the hospital where I would be transferred. (I found out later that the doctor had my sister pay $2500 additional for surgeries, blood transfusions, etc.) Saturday evening I was transported by ambulance to the Mexico/US Border, met by a US hospital ambulance, and transported to a US hospital emergency room.

(I have to admit at some point I thought that the ambulance would stop, roll me into an alley, and leave me. Moreover, I thought, "I'm so out of it, I can't even run to save my life". )

I was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on Saturday evening. I had every test imaginable and I was seen by every type of specialist: cardiologist, pulmonologist, internist, infectious disease, surgeon, etc. I remained in ICU for three days while they resolved my complications (pneumonia, pulmonary, etc). The specialist 'cleared' my sleeve and indicated that all digestive processes were fine. (That was relief!) I stayed in the hospital two more days and was released on Thursday to go home (with the recommendation not to fly). We flew back to the Midwest and I’ve been adjusting to the sleeve ever since.

I don’t regret the surgery, or even going to Mexico; I would however recommend taking a friend/companion and having a plan for complications/transfer to a US hospital if one ever wants to engage in any type of Medical Tourism. I wish the doctor would have sent me to a US hospital sooner, I don’t think I would have been in such a critical condition, I could have received acute care, and had potential for insurance (or indigent) pay.

I’ve lost about 23 pounds since my surgery. Initially I felt somewhat discouraged but then I read postings on the message boards indicating that 20-25 pounds is an average weight loss for the first month.

I’m hoping my medical bills and follow up care is covered by insurance and that I continue to lose weight and get to my goal of 140 pounds!

Did I mention that I have a $5000 health insurance deductible? After all is said and done it may have been less expensive to have stayed and had the procedure in the US!

Sadly' date=' attending a church makes you no more of a christian than standing in a garage makes you a car. Some people don't get what they're supposed to out of it <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> As we've seen here.[/quote']

Totally!!! At the end of the day Church does make Christians....Jesus does, and not everyone that attends church knows Jesus...

Scrolling around on here the past few months, I have rarely seen anyone have complications. This is actually really terrifying to me.... I'm glad that you are alright now! Did they ever figure out why that happened exactly?

Scrolling around on here the past few months' date=' I have rarely seen anyone have complications. This is actually really terrifying to me.... I'm glad that you are alright now! Did they ever figure out why that happened exactly?[/quote']

Actually my story (posted in the story area) is very similar to the OP except my care was much worse, hence my complications were much worse. Our stories aren't that rare sadly

Scrolling around on here the past few months' date=' I have rarely seen anyone have complications. This is actually really terrifying to me.... I'm glad that you are alright now! Did they ever figure out why that happened exactly?[/quote']

Actually my story (posted in the story area) is very similar to the OP except my care was much worse, hence my complications were much worse. Our stories aren't that rare sadly

Sadly' date=' attending a church makes you no more of a christian than standing in a garage makes you a car. Some people don't get what they're supposed to out of it As we've seen here.[/quote']

Each of us is an individual and should be treated as such. It s not fair to judge anyone on the basis of color or if they proclaim to love and believe n God. Leave the judgement for God. And Christians claim only to believe in God , we are human and do make mistakes. I was not one who was name calling but wanted to explain a bit better about what it means when you address yourself as Christian. There is a growing process involved... Newer Christians aren't in the same place as one who has been in a learning position longer ...

Please don't judge people by their BMI and try to decide if they should have the surgery or not... You don't know their story and haven't we all been judged in this way for far too long? Ok back to why we are here:)

As Susan stated yesterday, please allow this thread to get back on topic. We kindly request that all responses to anything regarding racist remarks by anyone discontinue.

I am also moving this thread to a more appropriate area, in the complications. Many can benefit from knowing all aspects surgeries like this can bring on. Good or bad.

To the OP, I am deeply sorry for your illness as a result from you surgery. I will pray you continue to heal! Please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

Ok back to why we are here:)

Edited October 9, 201213 yr by *susan*
Comment removed by staff due to off topic and argumentative.

True that sister! And don't get me started on them colored folks. We should just ship them all back to Africa' date=' amirite? Of course, the Mexicans and blacks are just a drop in the bucket compared to the fatties! I mean, talk about bringing our country down, they just sit on the couch and eat bonbons and watch Jerry Springer all day...

Seriously, coming from a group of people (obese) who are routinely discriminated against and judged by their appearance rather than the content of their character, how can you spew such hate and bigotry? By any chance were any of your nurses Hispanic? Sometimes you reap what you sow.[/quote']

Haha!!!!! I was thinking the same thing....this person is an idiot looking to get everyone all excited...ignore this jackass!

"A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." Proverbs 17:10

and

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly' date=' or you will also be like him." Proverbs 26:4

(gosh, Proverbs certainly talks about being foolish a LOT)[/quote']

I love it!!!stop throwing pearls to swine people. This person doesn't get it.

I'm a native too' date=' and I have more than a Master's degree...so you really can't turn it around. I was not referring to the subject matter of education, rather the rest of of it. Really, learn to think, and leave me alone, because you really don't know what you are talking about.[/quote']

Yeah right!!!! Roflmao....ha!

Genuinely sorry about all your problems and I do hope you are well now.

In my opinion, this is all the more reason to stay in the United States of America when having surgery, home to some of the best doctors in the world. I would never go to Mexico, if this surgery is something you know you NEED to be happy and health and for all of us here it is, then I would find a way to pay for it, never go to Mexico. But this is just my opinion and you know what they say, opinions are like gas, everyone has it and then they just fade away. Good Luck to you