So yesterday I wrote that I was happy with my decision. Today...not so much. I am at the Marriott where I've been since yesterday morning. Like everyone else who's had the surgery, I left Mi Doctor Hospital with a drainage tube. The staff at the hospital did not change the dressing, so I awoke from a nap yesterday to find that I had bled through the bandages and soiled my clothes, the sheets, the comforter, and a couple of the pillows. I immediately contacted the driver, Abraham, who told me this was normal (I highly doubt it) and that someone would be there later to remove the drain. He also told me to change the dressing myself. I attempted to do that with the thin gauze they had given me, but I promptly bled right through that within the hour. I spent the rest of the evening with a hand towel pressed against the wound. By this morning, that too was soaked.

When I awoke this morning, I promptly called both Abraham and Janese Pitcher, the Patient Coordinator. Abraham promised to be in touch with someone and call me back within 15 minutes. After an hour had passed, I called him back and got the same story. In the interim, I placed two telephone calls to Janese on both her mobile and work telephones but I never heard back from her. As of this writing (12:22pm) no one from A Lighter Me has followed up with instructions, questions, concerns, or anything about the issue. I am both shocked and appalled at this, considering that prior to the surgery (I.e, before I paid the balance), I could get ahold of Janese at the drop of a dime.

Rather than take a taxi back to the hospital (which is what I was planning to do, I took a taxi (with some new friends who were also here to be sleeved) to Walmart and got some new gauze, bandages, and Mexican neosporin. Who knows when this drain will be taken out? I just want it to be clean and sanitary while it's in.

If there is a silver lining to this story, my new friends and I stopped at Yogurt Bling (think Pinkberry) after we left Walmart. I got the tiniest bit of frozen yogurt,which I was unable to finish. So this sleeve thing is actually working!!

I never attacked anybody I was only standing up for gettinsleeved because I met her in the hospital and her sister. So I know for a definite fact she is NOT a coordinator. I just don't want people freaking out about a decision they have made or are about to make. I joined in March' date=' after finding out about it on you tube. I followed quite a few stories and was sleeved tues the 9th. I found out so much good information. It was exactly like what I have read. There were things that came up I would have not known what it was except I had read about in stories such as the shoulder pain. I never attacked the ordinal poster[/quote']

I'm really glad your experience was a positive one. If you didn't not attack the OP then my comment was not directed towards you.

I hope your recovery is going well.

Wow... All if this just because 1 poor woman said that she did not have a good experience with her stay and treatment while in Mexico?

Makes me wonder...

Wow... All if this just because 1 poor woman said that she did not have a good experience with her stay and treatment while in Mexico?

Makes me wonder...

It is shocking But yet a little entertaining Hopefully peoples feelings don't get hurt enough to believe just because of this please check other posts. I know of one lady that looks up the messages that I post and purposely argues on those contradicting what I wrote on every message that it

Sad because we all have the same goal. We are here to help each other. We are here to ease the pain of worry. Support is something that I don't take for granted. I am very thankful for the people on this sight for their understanding and being there for me when I need them the most.

I believe that when someone goes through WLS and they have a good experience. They are forever thankful and loyal to the ones who helped get them there. I love to see people praise their doctor, coordinator and company for doing a good job.

If you are unhappy, I believe you should speak out. Everyone on here has that right. Should have that right without being judged. Good or bad we all need to know what each others experience was like for them. That's how we learn to make the decision of who we want to trust with our life. At first I was so confused about who to use for my doctor. I did research and still changed my mind. This forum really helped me get through a lot of fears that I had. People on here wants to support you. I am forever thankful.

At this point I just hope she is home, safe and on the mend.

I hope also that she knows there are lot of supportive people here rooting for her.

Like Leslie01 I too - the OP - am withdrawing from this thread because of the amount of negativity being spewed. Perhaps I was wrong in believing this forum was designed for people to do real research on the companies in whom we are entrusting our health and our lives. I thought the purpose of the forum was to show the unbiased truth. If I only wanted rainbows and gumdrops, I would have simply visited the Medical Tourism websites. My post is entitled MY Poor Experience...not YOUR Experience, not EVERYBODY'S Experience. MY experience. It was nothing more than an honest retelling of what happened to ME. To attack me for airing my honest story, which was intended to help people get a first hand view of what could happen to them, is irrational. I wasn't the only person who posted a less than stellar account. I did not feel a need to disparage those people - or the people with positive experiences - simply because their experiences were different. Rational people read an experience that differs from theirs and if they feel the need to respond to it, it's in the vein of "I had a very different and positive experience" not the vitriolic and nonsensical attacks that were posted here (suggesting this happened because I wasn't personable; suggesting that being upset because I couldn't immediately reach the coordinator and, therefore, the doctor after having drained through bandages, clothes, and a folded hand towel was making a mountain out of a molehill). You chose to overlook the real issue, which was this: I had just had major surgery in a foreign country, I was draining excessively, I NEEDED to contact the doctor for medical guidance, I was at the mercy of the coordinator in order to get in contact with the doctor, and the coordinator was unavailable for a number of hours, during which time I was left with no option other than sit and wait (and drain, perhaps get an infection, die in Mexico, etc.). I never disparaged the company personally. Hell, I agree that Janese is a very nice person. and Abraham is awesome. But being nice, personable, and generally awesome does not change what happened to me any more than your great experience equates to everyone having a great experience. I'm glad that folks wrote back to say my experience differed from theirs, as people researching this surgery should get a global view - the good, the bad, and the ugly. But there is no need to attack me or my account. It doesn't negate what happened.

Now on to the reason for this particular post: thank you to those of you who were concerned for my welfare. I made it back to Atlanta late last night. I'm still draining but not excessively. I feel great and I'm still happy with my decision. I'm pleased to report that I got a message from the owner of ALM and I plan to follow up with her shortly.

Good luck to all who are still researching the surgery. I hope you take my post as only one element in your decision making. If you've read this entire thread, I'm sure you know by know that you can't rely solely on this forum. As my son would say, some of these people are "7:30 cuckoo crazy". Make the decision that's best for you. I read some other not so pleasant posts about ALM but I weighed my options and still chose to use them.

The proverbial fat lady has sung. Please, let this be the last word.

DawnDenise, don't forget to keep us posted with plenty of pictures of your up and coming skinny body. Hope your recovery is a fast one.

Dawn Denise ...Thank you!! Let us know how your doing...

Officially will never go to Mexico for surgery. Wow- so sorry to hear about this. Get back home to see another doctor ASAP

Please, don't take this one person's poor experience as a reflection of all the doctors and coordinators in Mexico.

I left the hospital with no drain (my doctor only uses them when removing the gallbladder at the same time as performing the sleeve, I believe) in the care of my coordinator. I saw my coordinator AT LEAST twice every single day I was in Mexico. When I mentioned that my incisions weren't quite scabbed over the day I was discharged, my coordinator, within hours, brought me guaze and medical tape so I could actually change the bandages vs cleaning around them.

Additionally, I could have contacted my coordinator and/or doctor at any time of day, during my stay.

I still email my coordinator with questions and get a reply within a few hours, at the very most.

The care I received from my doctor and coordinator far exceeded any surgical or specialist care I've ever had in the US. Given that I've had 8 prior surgeries for various things, that's pretty significant in my opinion.

The lesson here should be do your research before you choose a doctor and coordinator. Read reviews!!

~Kat

I disagree. The doctor should be automatically checking on her regardless. not relying on a coordinator. From what I have read across the board is there are many doctors who voluntarily check on their patients throughout the day. Doesn't sound like Ortiz is one of them.

I think maybe you misunderstood. She stayed at the hospital 2 days and her doctor did check on her. This is after she left and went to the hotel. I haven't read anyone's story where their doctor checked on them the first day back in the hotel.

What other posts are she referring too? I can't find any negative posts other than this one and I don't think this one is that big a deal. (Just my opinion as far as weighing the good and the bad. I had a TT in the US and believe me, when I called and left a message for the doctor, his nurse got back to me at the end of the day and I definitely didn't have the doctor's number to call).

But I would be interested in reading about other difficulties people have had.

Like Leslie01 I too - the OP - am withdrawing from this thread because of the amount of negativity being spewed. Perhaps I was wrong in believing this forum was designed for people to do real research on the companies in whom we are entrusting our health and our lives. I thought the purpose of the forum was to show the unbiased truth. If I only wanted rainbows and gumdrops, I would have simply visited the Medical Tourism websites. My post is entitled MY Poor Experience...not YOUR Experience, not EVERYBODY'S Experience. MY experience. It was nothing more than an honest retelling of what happened to ME. To attack me for airing my honest story, which was intended to help people get a first hand view of what could happen to them, is irrational. I wasn't the only person who posted a less than stellar account. I did not feel a need to disparage those people - or the people with positive experiences - simply because their experiences were different. Rational people read an experience that differs from theirs and if they feel the need to respond to it, it's in the vein of "I had a very different and positive experience" not the vitriolic and nonsensical attacks that were posted here (suggesting this happened because I wasn't personable; suggesting that being upset because I couldn't immediately reach the coordinator and, therefore, the doctor after having drained through bandages, clothes, and a folded hand towel was making a mountain out of a molehill). You chose to overlook the real issue, which was this: I had just had major surgery in a foreign country, I was draining excessively, I NEEDED to contact the doctor for medical guidance, I was at the mercy of the coordinator in order to get in contact with the doctor, and the coordinator was unavailable for a number of hours, during which time I was left with no option other than sit and wait (and drain, perhaps get an infection, die in Mexico, etc.). I never disparaged the company personally. Hell, I agree that Janese is a very nice person. and Abraham is awesome. But being nice, personable, and generally awesome does not change what happened to me any more than your great experience equates to everyone having a great experience. I'm glad that folks wrote back to say my experience differed from theirs, as people researching this surgery should get a global view - the good, the bad, and the ugly. But there is no need to attack me or my account. It doesn't negate what happened.

Now on to the reason for this particular post: thank you to those of you who were concerned for my welfare. I made it back to Atlanta late last night. I'm still draining but not excessively. I feel great and I'm still happy with my decision. I'm pleased to report that I got a message from the owner of ALM and I plan to follow up with her shortly.

Good luck to all who are still researching the surgery. I hope you take my post as only one element in your decision making. If you've read this entire thread, I'm sure you know by know that you can't rely solely on this forum. As my son would say, some of these people are "7:30 cuckoo crazy". Make the decision that's best for you. I read some other not so pleasant posts about ALM but I weighed my options and still chose to use them.

The proverbial fat lady has sung. Please, let this be the last word.

I am glad you posted your experience for people like me who are scared about making the wrong decision. I am wanting to come across true reviews and just not some crap about use this doctor he is great! I need to know why a doctor is great and not great lol.

I am so sorry you had to go through that! I could only imagine how terrified I would be in a foreign country and my bandages were soaking through and I was unable to get help from anyone! In reality, how WOULD I get medical attention if I was back at the hotel and bleeding excessively? Just call the hotel staff? I wouldn't know and these are the thing I need to know. I don't want to die over there!

I want to know peoples true experiences over in mexico and not some fake ones posted by people that may be working for these companies because this is my life I am placing in their hands.

By the way I will come back after I have my surgery in Mexico (not sure who I am going with and hoping for June!) and I will post a detailed review of how it went.

I am glad you posted your experience for people like me who are scared about making the wrong decision. I am wanting to come across true reviews and just not some crap about use this doctor he is great! I need to know why a doctor is great and not great lol.

I am so sorry you had to go through that! I could only imagine how terrified I would be in a foreign country and my bandages were soaking through and I was unable to get help from anyone! In reality' date=' how WOULD I get medical attention if I was back at the hotel and bleeding excessively? Just call the hotel staff? I wouldn't know and these are the thing I need to know. I don't want to die over there!

I want to know peoples true experiences over in Mexico and not some fake ones posted by people that may be working for these companies because this is my life I am placing in their hands.

By the way I will come back after I have my surgery in Mexico (not sure who I am going with and hoping for June!) and I will post a detailed review of how it went.[/quote']

Here is a link to my thread giving the play by play deets on my Mexi-Sleeve adventure.

There are many detailed accounts from other ppl who used other surgeons as well. Many satisfied customers. Dr. Garcia has a strong base of satisfied patients... You will need to go back to older threads and find them. Or search different surgeons' names.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/74149-dr-aceves-mexicali-and-me/

So far I have found nothing but good experiences from this team of doctors Lopez and Oritz. I have been researching for about two months on most all the doctors. I had chosen one before and changed to Dr. Lopez.

Believe me, I would not be going into surgery May the 8th with these same doctors as DawnDanice if I thought for one minute there were going to any problem with

"A Lighter Me" and their team.

I understand that one bad experience does not delete many many good experiences that I have read, about this whole team. I have found that most people will much quicker tell about their bad experience (rightfully so) much quicker than their good experience. That along tells me a lot.

I believe these people that are posting their experience are being honest. I can see where there could be fake post also. I correspond to a lot of people on here and I know that they are not fake. You have to do your own research so that you will be comfortable with whom you chose for your surgery. Good Luck and a happy adventure to you and to me to come soon.

I still think its a sad day at VST that this woman

(The op) posted her experience and is getting slammed by all these people still....

Let her words stand. This was her experience.

I noticed one of the girls here that gave the most grief to this woman (the op) posted her glowing review of her experience on a new thread..

No one went over there and tried to belittle her experience. At this point I feel so sorry for anyone trying to research Mexico because of all the questions about who's real and who's just a paid flunky trying to drum up business by slamming others...