Dr. Kellys staff change..

[rdoactv 218]

Well' date=' do whatever you feel is comfortable. You can always switch if you don't feel comfortable with him. So I guess Omar was your coordinator, and now he's not anymore?[/quote']

Yep. Then Alina, CeCy (his wife)and now Lori...and I guess he's now partnered w/ Mexico Bariatric Center and scheduling thru them as well...? Coordinator is Christy I think according to those who took that route.(Head spin) lol Does kinda make you start wondering after awhile.

[Jesser 295]

Yep. Then Alina' date=' CeCy (his wife)and now Lori...and I guess he's now partnered w/ Mexico Bariatric Center and scheduling thru them as well...? Coordinator is Christy I think according to those who took that route.(Head spin) lol Does kinda make you start wondering after awhile.[/quote']

Wow! So who has kept track of his schedule then? That seems like it would get confusing lol

[rdoactv 218]

Wow! So who has kept track of his schedule then? That seems like it would get confusing lol

Lol I don't know..but in perm ink I'm writing across my stomach "VSG here"..just in case.

[KatInFL 216]

I was so certain of my decision and now I want more information. At the end of the day, price will certainly be a factor but not the deciding factor. It does help to have ya'll to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together, though. It makes me feel better about the Dr's office just going through some changes rather than things being flaky. I, admittedly, have issues with change so the change of coordinators part way through the process is something I'll just have to talk myself through, if I do end up going with Dr. Kelly.

~Kat

[rdoactv 218]

I was so certain of my decision and now I want more information. At the end of the day' date=' price will certainly be a factor but not the deciding factor. It does help to have ya'll to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together, though. It makes me feel better about the Dr's office just going through some changes rather than things being flaky. I, admittedly, have issues with change so the change of coordinators part way through the process is something I'll just have to talk myself through, if I do end up going with Dr. Kelly.

~Kat[/quote']

I've been around for a year. Lots of rumors, lots of drama..coordinator wars..ect. I've read every piece of info on probably every forum about Dr. Kelly dated back late 2010-current. In all honesty, while all these changes make me nervous, I know the positive as well as the negative. I highly doubt I will change my surgeon. I do tend to battle any nervousness with humor..so writing which surgery I'm having on my body is still possible... smile. Good luck in your choice. I hope you find peace whichever u choose.

[KatInFL 216]

I've been reading for right around a year, too. Part of the reason I was/am leaning towards Dr. Kelly was because I've seen the BS that has occurred with coordinator/coordinator companies and I was hoping to avoid all of that. Plus, I feel better about using a coordinator that works directly for the doctor. I can't help but think that coordinators that work for multiples doctors will always have their own experiences and agendas that impact potential patients making a decision about which doctor to use. I've done a TON of research, at this point well over a year. A coordinator change won't be the deciding factor in which surgeon I ultimately go with. It's just nice to have the information vs changes with no explanation.

~Kat

[Andrea8967 25]

Hi everyone,

I was sleeved by Dr Kelly on 1/18/12 and didn't use a coordinator. I went straight to the doctor and that was it. I had his cell phone number and when i had a question that i couldnt find an answer to in the forums i simply sent him a text. He answered me in a matter of minutes. The coordinator, in my opinion, is highly over-rated and shouldn't have any weight in the decision of whether or not to select a surgeon. The only thing I was concerned with was the reputation and skill of the surgeon and what hospital I was having the surgery in.

There's a lot of drama on this and other forums about various coordinators. Don't worry about that. Do your research, select the doctor you feel most comfortable with and then enjoy the journey. I had a wonderful experience down there. The nurses were all terrific and whole thing went by so fast. I don't know why coordinators switch from one doctor to another but I'm sure money has a lot to do with it. A lot of the doctors have new coordinators. No big deal. Some of them live in California so you never get to meet them anyway. Good luck to everyone having surgery. You are in for the best time you ever had!

[rdoactv 218]

Hi everyone Yhis is Lora' date=' Dr. Kelly's new coordinator...Thanks for all the great feedback. It makes me feel like I have made the right choice. I too, am a patient of Dr. Kelly's. I had my surgery January 9th 2013. I am more than happy with my choice. I am still struggling with learning what I can eat, but that is to be expected...right? Regardless of who any of you choose to go with, it is a hard life altering choice and I wish you all the greatest success![/quote']

Hi Lora,

Nice to see you making contact and being open about your coordinator status. Much appreciated. And congrats on your sleeve.

[salsha 114]

Hola Loralee,

Estaba hablando con Alina pero no senti muy confidente con ella. Me dijo que Mi Doctor no es un hospital solo un clinica sin 24 hora ayudantes pero yo lo se que no es cierto. En verdad mi preferencia es Dr Kelly... entonces me ayudas? Es possible para el 22 de febrero o necessito mas tiempo para la dieta?

[salsha 114]

Hi everyone Yhis is Lora, Dr. Kelly's new coordinator...Thanks for all the great feedback. It makes me feel like I have made the right choice. I too, am a patient of Dr. Kelly's. I had my surgery January 9th 2013. I am more than happy with my choice. I am still struggling with learning what I can eat, but that is to be expected...right? Regardless of who any of you choose to go with, it is a hard life altering choice and I wish you all the greatest success!

Hola Loralee,

Estaba hablando con Alina pero no senti muy confidente con ella. Me dijo que Mi Doctor no es un hospital solo un clinica sin 24 hora ayudantes pero yo lo se que no es cierto. En verdad mi preferencia es Dr Kelly... entonces me ayudas? Es possible para el 22 de febrero o necessito mas tiempo para la dieta?

[rdoactv 218]

I've been struggling with my weight for years. The last 4 years has been the worst. I was always about 20 lbs "overweight" in everyone's opinion but after have three of my four kids back to back to back I couldn't drop the weight. I travel for work and we are in remote areas so we have to eat the food we are fed and none of the choices are ideal. We work long hours' date=' 12 -14 a day, 7 days a week when we are away and so often I'm too tired to work out after.

I had finally taken a few months off of work 2 years ago and I stuck to a 1200 calorie a day diet and spent 3 to 4 hours a day/5 -6 days a week doing intense workouts. The result, I lost almost 65 pounds in 3 months. I went back to work and over 6 months gained it all back. Since then I have had times of deep depression and lost all self worth. I have an amazing group of friends who I will often lie to in order to avoid seeing them. I don't feel like they will judge me but when I'm in that dark place in my head I will spend the whole night focused on how out of place I am around them and judge myself. When I do that my anxiety gets so high and so I don't even want to be around them and put myself in that position.

As all these feelings started piling up I began considering gastric sleeve surgery. It always came back to me feeling like I want to do this "on my own". I knew I could, I was on the path but yet I never finished the race. I started feeling like my only choice was to sacrifice myself, my health or to sacrifice my family's needs. I'm the breadwinner in my home, so I have no choice but to work, and work out of town. So what do I do? Look after myself and my pathetic emotional needs, or after the loves of my life? Besides, if I didn't do it on my own then I was a failure. That's what I told myself.

Then one friday night at one of our regular ladies' nights one of my absolute best friends got really drunk. Extremely drunk. I've never even seen her buzzed before. We were having a deep talk and she said there was something that she wanted to talk to me about but it wasn't the right time. I told her it was the perfect time thinking it was going to be more of her drunken nonsense. She still didn't want to tell me but I pressured her. She told me in no uncertain terms (and this was without me EVER discussing surgery with her) that she wanted me to go for gastric bypass. She said to me that my body was out of control. I sobbed. She was right. I knew it, she knew it, everyone knows it but she was the only one brave enough to not sugar coat it for me anymore. She told me that there was no way I was going to do it with the schedule I work and the traveling and that I couldn't keep prolonging it till I have time. I told her that I have always felt like it's been my choice, myself or my job. She said to me, if you don't do this for you, you won't be able to do anything for them. I cried more. I told her I felt like if I had surgery I was failing. She told me that surgery is not failing, it still involves a lot of work and life changes. I told her I feel like by saying I don't have time I've wondered if I was making excuses for myself. She told me she would have never been able to have that conversation with me if it wasn't absolutely necessary. I cried more. Secretly I always wanted someone to tell me that I had to fix things. I was sick of people pretending they didn't see what I see in the mirror. I was sick of people not loving me enough to be honest. And here she was, telling me the thing I had been researching just a month before but put off because I didn't want to be a failure.

A couple days later we went to lunch where she apologized profusely for telling me when and where she did but I thanked her. I told her that I wasn't going to do gastric bypass, but get the sleeve instead. She made me promise. I'm trying to hold true to it because I believe that everything happens for a reason and that her timing of telling me was a sign because I was so afraid to talk about it before.

So here I am, trying to book surgery for the end of this month. I JUST had my gall bladder removed the first week of Jan which was my first surgery ever and despite having to stay in the hospital for 4 days with the drain, it wasn't bad. It makes me feel less nervous about this surgery but there is still that little voice in the back of the head that makes me think I'm being a bit selfish and a bit weak by doing this.

I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone else felt this way?

My plan is to probably use Dr Ramirez in Puerto Vallarta or possible Dr Kelly or Dr Garcia in Tijuana. Has anyone else had their surgery done by Dr. Ramirez?

Lastly I just want to say that I have been trolling these boards for a few months and feel so proud of many of you even though I don't know you. You all inspire me so thank you.[/quote']

I'm a single parent. The only income in my home. I have a 13 yo son. Ive struggled w/ weight my whole life..up. down, up. Low self esteem..self hate. I kept saying "If I can do____, I will be happy." I put myself thru 3 yrs of school so I could hold my head up and support my toddler son without assistance. Great, did it. Decent career,but not happy. I said if I could buy a home for him, I would consider myself successful. I did, 22 months ago. Still didn't give me my self worth. Then, I realized, I can give my son a home, food, clothing..what he doesn't have is me. I've never been able to physically play with him, swim at the beach, enjoy our hikes without struggle. I tried to give him all. What I left out is me. I get self conscious in public. I had a ministroke Nov 2011 at the age of 37 due to high BP. So, my point here is that by taking the steps to better YOUR health and YOUR life...and YOUR happiness you are also giving to your children, your family and friends. Without it, you may not be here as long, or as engaged in life as you could be. Its not an easy decision. Its a surgery, and a life changing one...it requires you to change alot too. Its a tool, not a cure. So to me, wls is not a selfish decision, but in some cases, a selfless one. Case in point: my son asked a month ago "If you have surgery, can we go camping and hiking?" I told him I may not have it. He asked why and I said I had bills I needed to catch up instead. His response was "I don't need cable tv that bad." And angrily walked away. He wants his mom, even at his age. My surgery is in March.

[rdoactv 218]

You both are not alone! It is so sad how many of us have been through this struggle. There is absolutely nothing easy about being fat...despite what anyone says. My story is pretti simalar. I am a single Mom of 5 adult children and grandma to 1 with another on the way. I have struggled most of my adult life. I've played the yoyo diet game and I think back in 2003 I got down to 145 pounds with phen-fen...which is why I had my first heart surgery in 2007 due to leaky valves...all I wanted was to be skinny and accepted. It's such a shame that I have been so judge based on the outside... Finally...after a pretty crappy long (9 years) relationship with a man who was so embarresed of my size that he refused to tell anyone about me...I sold everything I had to pay for the surgery...I was so worried that I wass making a mistake and putting my family at risk financialy. I still have a 17 year old at home and my oldest son and his 7 month pregnant wife (money is tight) All the way to Mexico I had so many fears and doubts...I didn't know if I was making the right choice. I boarded the plane in Atlanta' date=' doubts flooding my mind...Of course I wass seated between to younger men. I hate the "oh God, please don;t let the large lady sit by me look" that i was soon met with. I just sat and prayed, The question I kept asking myself was, am I making a mistake. When from behind me I heard "can you take up anymore room fat ass" at first I ignored it, but the pretty girl behind me wasn't abput to let me ignore her. She repeated herself. I slowly turned around and said "I am sorry that you are so unhappy with your life that you need to bully a complete stranger". Her responce? Whatever b***h. It was at that point I realized, that was my answer, what I had been praying for. I sat there determined not to cry and the burning I felt inside my soul made it possible for me to continue on by myself, without fear. When I stepped off the plane and met up with Dr. Kelly and his wife Cecy, I felt at home. I knew I was where I should be.

Now, almost a month after, I have had moments where I mourne the beautiful fat girl that I am...I feel like I have adapted my body to make others realize how beautiful I am, how beautiful I have always been...it's a shame that others are more concerned about my outsides than my insides. Needless to say...Here I am and I would make the same choice over and over again...I am so greatful to Dr. Kelly for showing me such love and compassion. When he offered me the job, it was a no brainer...I want to be able to help others create the life they want...I will be moving to Mexico in July, I am so excited that then I can meet all of you that I talk to in person and be there to love and support you through this HUGE change in life....[/quote']

Wow. Thanks for sharing Lora. Very moving and a story we can all sympathize with. Sorry I will miss the chance to meet u next month. But, Ill be in touch and best wishes on your own journey. : )

[salsha 114]

I'm a single parent. The only income in my home. I have a 13 yo son. Ive struggled w/ weight my whole life..up. down, up. Low self esteem..self hate. I kept saying "If I can do____, I will be happy." I put myself thru 3 yrs of school so I could hold my head up and support my toddler son without assistance. Great, did it. Decent career,but not happy. I said if I could buy a home for him, I would consider myself successful. I did, 22 months ago. Still didn't give me my self worth. Then, I realized, I can give my son a home, food, clothing..what he doesn't have is me. I've never been able to physically play with him, swim at the beach, enjoy our hikes without struggle. I tried to give him all. What I left out is me. I get self conscious in public. I had a ministroke Nov 2011 at the age of 37 due to high BP. So, my point here is that by taking the steps to better YOUR health and YOUR life...and YOUR happiness you are also giving to your children, your family and friends. Without it, you may not be here as long, or as engaged in life as you could be. Its not an easy decision. Its a surgery, and a life changing one...it requires you to change alot too. Its a tool, not a cure. So to me, wls is not a selfish decision, but in some cases, a selfless one. Case in point: my son asked a month ago "If you have surgery, can we go camping and hiking?" I told him I may not have it. He asked why and I said I had bills I needed to catch up instead. His response was "I don't need cable tv that bad." And angrily walked away. He wants his mom, even at his age. My surgery is in March.

Thank you for sharing your story as well. It's good to know that I'm not alone, even though I wouldn't wish these feelings we share on even my worst enemy. Like Loralee I had been praying for a sign and when my friend came to me I felt that was it.

Unfortunately I still question it but each day I feel more sure about it. I know I have to stop thinking and just do it because it will only improve my life. The only thing holding me back is fear of the unknown.

But beyond fear I am determined to give my 4 sons, my husband, my friends and myself the real me back, not this body and feelings that I can't stand.

[ritaanitzel 4]

Hi everyone Yhis is Lora, Dr. Kelly's new coordinator...Thanks for all the great feedback. It makes me feel like I have made the right choice. I too, am a patient of Dr. Kelly's. I had my surgery January 9th 2013. I am more than happy with my choice. I am still struggling with learning what I can eat, but that is to be expected...right? Regardless of who any of you choose to go with, it is a hard life altering choice and I wish you all the greatest success!

Heeyyy Lori, Sooo Nice too meet you..this is Rita Rita lol.. keep us posted in your recovery and please give us some tips!!! i will send you my email first thing monday..

[SKgirl27 41]

Hey Lora,

Good to see you on here.

I too have been stressed about the staff changes with Dr.Kelly. I am glad that you are going to be coordinating for him. It seemed like they were short staffed and I am glad you joined the team. It is much easier to get a reply now and one that I can understand. It is also awesome that you have had the sleeve yourself! I am excited to start my weightloss journey- I am booked with Dr.Kelly for March 1st.. Still a bit nervous but pushing through the anxieties.

Nikki