My Mexico Story

[maybaby 17]

8 Days Postop

Dear Vertical Sleeve Friends,

I wanted to do my part in giving back to you, to let you know how my Mexico Sleeve Surgery experience went. I so appreciated reading all your posts that I feel I needed to do the same!!

After months of checking out as much information as possible, my daughter and I headed to Mexico on May 16^th. We both had our Sleeve done together. We flew down separately and met at the San Diego Airport. My daughter arrived about an hour and a half before me. The driver (with Ready4aChange) Samuel was there to greet her. While waiting for my flight to arrive he showed her around the SD area, drove around a large park much like Central Park in NY City, NY. When I arrived they were waiting for me at the curb as I walked out of the airport building.

It took about 30 minutes to drive to the Marriott Hotel in TJ. The border crossing into Mexico was a breeze but coming back we were told, could have delays. The Marriott Hotel was beautiful. With gorgeous marble floors, high ceiling, all beautifully appointed. Valet service was superior. The Bell Boys were kind, gracious and very service oriented. The rooms were second to none! The pool and restaurant were beautiful. Not that we got to fully enjoy either one!! Check-in/out was a cumbersome process and unfriendly, it left us with the only black check mark for the Hotel. Later we found out that the hotel is so popular they are usually book out at 100% all the time!!

After we had checked into our room, we had a visitor, Irene, our hotel contact person from Ready4Achange. She was so nice and caring and eager to make us feel at home. She went over all the information regarding the hotel stay and our itinerary for the next five days. She gave us more hospital forms to fill out, they were all in Spanish so either you sign or you don’t go!! She told us that she would call back at 9:30 that evening to make sure we were comfortable and if we had questions. Sure enough she called as promised. She called us every time that she said she would!!

The next day the Marriot Hotel transported us to Florence Hospital which is about 30 minutes away. It was an interesting drive but once we were got close to the hospital we could see the Pacific Ocean, which is just an easy walk from the hospital. I wish we had but we did not take in the luxury of walking the beach while we were at the hospital.

When we arrived at florence Hospital we were greeted by Ana, our hospital contact person from Ready4 aChange. My daughter and I had decided to room together at the hospital so we were escorted to our double person room. My heart sank to the ground upon seeing the room, it was disappointing.

The room was spotlessly clean and sanitary but right out of the 1940’s with 2 old hospital beds, 2 old mismatched bed tables. The room’s only window looked out into an area that appeared to be a walk through for workers. Unfortunately what looked like a large green plastic garbage container was permently parked about three feet from our window was a shock to me. At first I did not know if the window was obscure or not. I asked the nurse and she could not understand what I was asking, later I assumed it was obscure.

As I examined the plastic green garbage container closer it looked like a large landscape/debris container, unfortunately the entire time I was in the room my view was a landscape/debris container! Being that I was already on the seriously high side of anxiety and nervousness ready to bolt at any moment, seeing this container outside my window did not help! This will be my only back check mark for the hospital. We did discover that the beds worked wonderful and were extremely comfortable so in the end no complaint on the beds or the room!! Later as we discovered that our double room was the least appointed of all the rooms. All the other single rooms appeared wonderfully appointed and some even had gorgeous views.

We were given our hospital gowns and told that we would be doing our lab work soon. Ana came back and went over all that we would be doing; she gave us more paper work to fill out. Ana was so comforting and caring and eager to please us with whatever we needed or wanted. A nurse came to put our IV in and then gave us medication (pill) to relieve any anxiety.

We had a visit from the floor physician; he was on duty for 24hr. Then Dr. Luna came into see us, he was incredibly kind, friendly and very knowledgeable. He was genuinely eager to share every step we would take between then and the surgery. We felt that he really knew his stuff but wasn’t stuffy!! In fact, in less than five minutes time he had us giggly and laughing… Dr. Luna did tell us that we would be delayed maybe 2 or 3 hours! He went on to explain that a gentleman who had been there for a week preparing for the Sleeve would be going first.

We found out later that this gentleman named Peter, (hi to Peter if you are reading this!!) was Dr. Garcia’s second highest BMI, Peter had a BMI of 84. All his vitals showed that he was a go….so they whisked him off in front of us…we were amazed and excited for him and we kept him in our prayers as he went through his surgery!! We later got to meet Peter and his lovely wife. They have five children together and needed help, Dr. Garcia was there for them!! Peter if you are reading this please keep in touch!

Back to Dr. Luna; I was still feeling over top anxious and unsettled and told him I just wasn’t sure about everything, he asked me if this is really what I wanted to do; I said, yes, but I couldn’t shake getting passed my anxiousness. He told me that everything would be fine that he would be there through the surgery with me.

Next, Dr. Garcia came to visit us; he was very nice, kind of on the shy side. He explained everything in detailed. He had a small white trick portable chalk board drawing out on his chalk board each step that would happen in surgery. We also found out that he teaches in the morning and does ‘Sleeves in the afternoon.

When the lab work was completed and indicated we were a go, another physician, the only female physician on the Dr. Garcia’s team. She also has had the Sleeve done. She came to let us know that we were cleared to go!! She was very friendly and I related well with her. By the way did any of you make a note yet of how many actual physicians we saw!! To be exact, within three hours we were visited by four different physicians!! Not to mention Ana our hospital coordinator!! Several nurses and techs taking our vitals, transporting us to X-Ray ….all the doctors could speak English proficiently, most of the nurses could get by pretty good with the English they knew but they were not proficient. We had plenty of help and assistance it was incredible. I found myself thinking after seeing all the activity in hospital that this was all really for real!!! And my fears were disappearing fast!!

Before we knew it, it was my turn! When I arrived in the surgery room I was greeted by Dr. Luna who stood by my side with his hand on my shoulder patting me, asking me questions about my grandchildren!! Then I woke up in my room!

The initial recovery went pretty well for me; my daughter had a harder time. I had the sensations of nausea pretty bad but I was able to breathe through the nausea waves and not vomit. My daughter on the other hand was not so fortunate. We got up and walked as soon as possible, it truly made us feel better!

Dr. Garcia and Dr. Luna individually visited us the next morning they told us that everything went really well for both of us. We did not see Dr. Garcia again. But we saw Dr. Luna the aftercare physician, we saw him at least four or five or times more during our 2 day hospital stay. Our drain was removed before we left the hospital. The stitches were removed on our last day at the Marriot Hotel by Dr. Luna. Irene with Ready4aChange was there and assisted Dr. Luna.

I can’t really put into words my sincere affection for Dr. Luna; he was just simply always available… with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, making every step of the sleeve surgery experience feel safe and secure with answers to every question and concern! Thank you Dr. Luna I am so very thankful for your gift of care, comfort, attentiveness and sweet kindness.

Additional Foot Notes: When we left the hospital we did not use or need any additional pain medication. We were given a supply of antibiotic, pain medication, and heartburn medication. Wal-Mart is a short walk from the Marriot Hotel. There is an American exchange at the Wal-Mart Mall. We used it to break down our larger bills so that we did not come home with too many pesos that we would not be able to use here in the States. Hotel front desk ran out of American money pretty early in the day. We did not have any problems getting through the boarder on our return. We understood that if pulled out it might be a 2+ hour delay so we had to leave five hours before our flight departureL.

Books I bought and read: The sleeve, by Pennie Nicola (loved); The Expert’s Guide to Weight Loss Surgery, by Garth Davis (didn’t care for); The Gastric Sleeve, by Guillermo Alvarez (liked); Skinnyjeans at Last, by Cliff Thomas (liked); The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve, by Alex Brecher (really helpful and very useful, I recommend everyone at least get this book its available on this site)

Putting aside my two black check marks, I would rate this entire surgery experience a 10!

With Warmest Regards, Maybaby

[HopefulintheNW 16]

Wow - thank you so much for your detailed accounting! I really appreciated reading through it. I wish you and you daughter the best of luck! Congratulations!

[joannao74 112]

This was great details and very glad you and your daughter had successful surgeries.

[ashleep 22]

I was at florence that same time, but had my surgery the night of may 16th. I spoke with Peter and his wife too! They're so nice. Glad you had someone with you. I was by myself, which was kind of hard. Thanks for taking time out and sharing your story!

[LisaLoseAlotx2 147]

I was getting ready to leave as Peter arrived (sunday, May 12). His wife told me that he had to be there in advance for surgery on Friday to be monitored. This was truly their last hope is how she said it to me. I have done nothing but thought of them since leaving.

I am so thankful you have updated us on them and I am relieved to hear that Peter made it through the surgery okay.

my dear friend had surgery with a 75 BMI and I know how hard it initially was for her.

Peter, if you read this...you have had ALOT of silent warriors wishing you well on your journey.

keep up with the fighting spirit!

Good luck to you too MayBaby

I am now 15 days out and feel good.

I however was NOT expecting the four seasons, so I think we Americans get spoiled with everything having to be new, new, new all the time.

The care of the team was the best I have had of a hospital experience (I should know, I spent a week at UCSF for neurosurgery), 1940s interior or not.

Thank you!!! for the reading list. that is fantastic

I miss Dr Luna like crazy and would have taken him home if I could have

[maybaby 17]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all the comments. I was hoping to take some of the fear away for choosing to go to Mexico for surgery. I did want to make a change on the year from 1940 to 1960's I am not sure how to edit. ....for those who met Peter, we got to ride back to the hotel with them...he was doing great! They both were happy and so relieved! I too miss Dr. Luna, we called him our "Rock Star" because he is so naturally skinny!! Dr. Garcia is the perfect Doctor that I would want to do my surgery, he is the quiet studious/perfectionists type! Dr. Garcia and his entire team are the very best choice for Mexico Surgery!!

[Olivia23 68]

I'm am so glad to read your story because I am going to be sleeved by Dr. Garcia at Florence Hospital on June 10th. Hoping to meet some people down there because I am going by myself.

[maybaby 17]

You will be so well taken care of...between the Doc's and nurses etc coming and going you wont be alone and lonesome. If you need anything you have a call button and the nurses come right away to see what you want or need. Its easy to have quick chats in the hallway with fellow sleever's and become friends. My daughter talked to a couple ladies that came down together but they had separate rooms, she encouraged them on their first day. Later she got their names and email address and is in contact with them. Feel free to ask your coordinator or Dr. Luna to see if there is someone new like you that has come in...be assertive and introduce yourself to others, they will be glad you did! You may not have a lot of time to meet to many because you will be tired after your walk and want to take naps.... No worries, you will be fine!

[dork 114]

Thanks for your story. My surgery is this Thursday with Dr Kelly at florence. It's so reasuring hearing good stories. Thanks.

[Naija2atl 30]

I would love to hear the full story of Peter,is he on these board

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

I would love to hear the full story of Peter' date='is he on these board[/quote']

As would I.

[maybaby 17]

Before I left him I asked him if he was on the this Vertical Sleeve board, he said no, I asked him to check it out because I would like to stay in touch. I have not heard from him or seen him yet!

[losingit2013 48]

I have a question for the recent Dr. Kelly patients. Did you do liquids two weeks or just Clear Liquids the week before. My phone consult had different instructions than the packet. I supposed two weeks couldn't hurt, just curious on your experience.

[confidence 46]

Thanks for the information. I was also sleeved by doctor Garcia on April 25th had a wonderful experience. I am a month out now and so far no complications at all. Love Doctor Garcia team. You are right I can't remember all the physicians and nurses that I met. You will need a pen and paper to keep track. Glad to know that you and your daughter had a wonderful experience and is doing fine. Congrats!!!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

What a wonderful journey you had! Congrats! I wish my niece would go see Dr Garcia.