Dr. Aceves, Mexicali, and Me!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

soon. I'd like to get this done before kids get back in school but my BMI is 56 so I will have special diet for 3-4 weeks. were you worried about crime near the hospital? All these drug lord shootings scare me. I was looking at Dr . Perez in Cancun. Not that they don't have crime too but more touristy. My friend is looking also and I would love to do this at the same time.

My mom was worried about the crime perception Mexico has but I wasn't really. I did my postop walking outdoors in the sun and fresh air. Of course it was March so the temp was mid-80's.

No incidents that we experienced. Mexicali is not a touristy place tho!

[Rox 200]

Amanda Rae, I will be in Mexicali, July 29th - Surgery on the 30th. Your post about Mexicali and surgery was one of the biggest reasons I feel good about having surgery down there.

[butterfly984 2]

Congratulations on getting your sleeve! I am interested in getting a band to sleeve revision and I am considering this surgeon. I really enjoyed hearing about your experience. When I got my band done here in PA, my surgeon checked on me once when I was out of it (according to my husband) and it took forever to get a nurse's attention. So it is wonderful to hear they are so attentive!

I have a question for you about pain medicine after surgery. When I got my band done, I was able to control the pain level with a machine. I didn't have to wait for a nurse to give me that medicine. How did they administer pain meds to you? Was it self controlled, did you have to flag down a nurse, and if so, were you in a lot of pain waiting? I'm scared about that. Thanks!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Congratulations on getting your sleeve! I am interested in getting a band to sleeve revision and I am considering this surgeon. I really enjoyed hearing about your experience. When I got my band done here in PA' date=' my surgeon checked on me once when I was out of it (according to my husband) and it took forever to get a nurse's attention. So it is wonderful to hear they are so attentive!

I have a question for you about pain medicine after surgery. When I got my band done, I was able to control the pain level with a machine. I didn't have to wait for a nurse to give me that medicine. How did they administer pain meds to you? Was it self controlled, did you have to flag down a nurse, and if so, were you in a lot of pain waiting? I'm scared about that. Thanks![/quote']

They used a slow continuous drip of morphine. But I stopped with the pain meds day two. I was feeling fine. The pain in my neck/back from throwing up due to anesthesia, which is status quo for me, hurt more than anything. I am a violent puker.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Amanda Rae' date=' I will be in Mexicali, July 29th - Surgery on the 30th. Your post about Mexicali and surgery was one of the biggest reasons I feel good about having surgery down there.[/quote']

How exciting! You will be in great hands! I hope you'll share your experience when you're up to it.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

And at last count I'm down 88 lbs! So close to the century club and leaving the 300's in the dust!!!!

[sherry24184 253]

Would anyone be willing to contact me phone? I would love to speak to someone that has done this in Mexico for peace of mind I can have mine in August in Cancun and my hubby will go with me. I need this so bad but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. God bless you all and much success in your journey!!! PM me and I will give you my # or you can give me yours. Thanks!!!!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Wow! Amanda... you are doing so amazing! You inspire me! Guess what? I will be in Mexicali on Sunday... having surgery on Monday morning with Dr. Aceves! Your detailed account of how it all went has really given me a road map to follow so I know what to expect... I believe he is the BEST surgeon for this procedure and how he and his team handled your crises was just another testament to why I chose to be in a hospital setting... thank you for sharing all of that. I'd like to Friend you on here if you don't mind? I want to follow your progress and hopefully make a new post op friend (you would be my first as of Monday July 8th! lol!)

Great to hear you are making such great health improvements!

How did your surgery go? I hope it was uneventful and as comfortable as can be expected.

[Oakleygirl 53]

How did your surgery go? I hope it was uneventful and as comfortable as can be expected.

Truly a first-class hospital with exceptional doctors and staff... can't say enough good things about Dr. Aceves and his wonderfully personable and knowledgeable rapport. And man... did you notice how many male nurses there were?! Yay me! I left with mostly pain on my left side where drain was and am now post-op day 6... feeling good, but still using 1 or 2 pain meds a day so I can be mobiile. I was really weepy leaving Mexicali... think it was just the whirlwind of how fast it all happened and sad to say goodbye... very sweet Ernesto gave me a hug at the airport as i was the only one leaving that day... like a dad! So now my next big hurdle is to POOP!!! Oh yeah... TMI! Everything else is healing up nicely... getting up to my Fluid goals (59 oz today and 74 g protein)! Battling the hunger demons b/c I AM hungry... 350 calories a day, even with a tiny stomach, is NOT enough to survive on! Can't wait to get past the liquids stage, but am following dr instructions to the letter b/c I cannot afford to have complications if I can help it!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a Dr. Aceves reunion sometime with all the 2013 sleevers he's done? That place was smokin' busy... I was done on Monday Jul 6 with 3 others (the MOST he ever does in a day) and every day, two new people arrived! Just so grateful to have had a great experience with a dr who truly cares!

[zoftig 18]

Thanks Amanda for your original post. Seeing all the positive thing said about Dr Aceves made the choice easy and made telling worried family members easier too.

I am getting sleeved on Friday July 19th. Am starting to freak out a bit, mostly grieving an old way of eating (whatever I want!) and worrying that this will be another weigh loss attempt I will fail at.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Truly a first-class hospital with exceptional doctors and staff... can't say enough good things about Dr. Aceves and his wonderfully personable and knowledgeable rapport. And man... did you notice how many male nurses there were?! Yay me! I left with mostly pain on my left side where drain was and am now post-op day 6... feeling good' date=' but still using 1 or 2 pain meds a day so I can be mobiile. I was really weepy leaving Mexicali... think it was just the whirlwind of how fast it all happened and sad to say goodbye... very sweet Ernesto gave me a hug at the airport as i was the only one leaving that day... like a dad! So now my next big hurdle is to POOP!!! Oh yeah... TMI! Everything else is healing up nicely... getting up to my Fluid goals (59 oz today and 74 g protein)! Battling the hunger demons b/c I AM hungry... 350 calories a day, even with a tiny stomach, is NOT enough to survive on! Can't wait to get past the liquids stage, but am following dr instructions to the letter b/c I cannot afford to have complications if I can help it!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a Dr. Aceves reunion sometime with all the 2013 sleevers he's done? That place was smokin' busy... I was done on Monday Jul 6 with 3 others (the MOST he ever does in a day) and every day, two new people arrived! Just so grateful to have had a great experience with a dr who truly cares![/quote']

Hooray! I'm so glad your experience was so great!!! They really are the best team. I did notice the handsome nurses! But I was crushing on Dr. Campos! And all of the nursing staff were so kind and attentive.

The "hunger" is tough but once you transition to purée foods it helps a lot. I quickly discovered most of the hunger was in my head.

It would be nice to have an Aceves reunion. Leaving Mexicali was rather bittersweet for me as well.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Thanks Amanda for your original post. Seeing all the positive thing said about Dr Aceves made the choice easy and made telling worried family members easier too.

I am getting sleeved on Friday July 19th. Am starting to freak out a bit' date=' mostly grieving an old way of eating (whatever I want!) and worrying that this will be another weigh loss attempt I will fail at.[/quote']

I'm familiar with grieving the food. It's a tough and major transition. I got so mad when I made stir fry for the 1st postop and got full after four bites. I wasn't "ready" to be full but I knew if I pushed it I would suffer!!

Dr. Aceves is a great surgeon and his team rocks. You'll be in good hands. Avoid the Buffalo Steakhouse for your final meal... Trust me!!!!

[zoftig 18]

Where should I go for my all-important 'last meal'?

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Where should I go for my all-important 'last meal'? <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

The concierge recommended a Chinese restaurant in the same plaza.

[zoftig 18]

Yeah, I remember from your post, but Chinese in Mexico sounds sketchy. I'll post in the forum and see what people say.