This is what I recall from last week. I was sleeved on Tuesday the 16th. Hope it helps.

My experience with Dr. Kelly and Hospital Nova.

Day 1 –

Flew into San Diego and was picked up at the airport by Cecy (Dr. Kelly’s wife). She drove all of us across the border to the Hotel first. There was a mix-up somehow and scheduling and one lady was a day early. So we dropped her off at that time and that is when we met Dr. Kelly for a few moments.

We then went to Nova. I will tell you that if you are looking for the exact same environment as in the states you will be disappointed. However, don’t get ahead of yourself and wait till you get inside and meet the people. We filled out paperwork and then went to a semi-private room to start with (the private rooms weren’t quite ready yet. Met with nurses and orderlies. Had blood drawn and had to answer numerous health questions. Went down for x-ray, put on the compression hose, got the IV line started. Then Dr. Kelly came in and visited with my wife and I. He really put us at ease. You will not find a more genuinely nice person in a surgeon. Then the Cardio Dr. came in and read the EKG. All of this happened really fast. Next thing I know I’m in the operating room.

I woke up still in the operating room. Surgery was completely over and I was being wheeled to a private room where my wife was waiting for me. Not much pain at the time still too out of it. As it wore off I started to get sore and feel the gas pain. About 3.5 hours after surgery I was up walking. It helps a bunch. Nurses took great care of me overnight. On call Dr. stopped by more than once.

Day 2 –

Walk, walk, walk. Best advice anyone can give you. The on call Dr. came by again and checked on me. Dr. Kelly came by a short while later. Nurses still taking great care of me. Got my ice chips and water to sip on. Watched a lot of TV on my Ipad. Felt better every hour that went by. Took a shower and got my bandages changed. They hurt more than anything. You will lose some skin.

Day 3 –

Got up feeling great. Took a shower and got ready to leave the hospital. Went to hospital Angeles for the leak test. It is state of the art. This is where Dr. Kelly’s office is located. But it is too expensive to do the surgery at. That being said the stuff you drink is god awful! When it is done you will be glad. Dropped our luggage off and went across the street to Casa de Mole. Awesome broth! Hotel broth is free but it is worth it to get the broth at the restaurant instead. Also, the hotel popsicles are ok and free but the convenience store across the way is better. Got checked into our rooms and rested a little and then went to the “mall” to get out for a little bit. A good thing to do is let your card companies know where you are going before if you plan on using them out of the country. It will help with confusion. Went back to the hotel and set by the pool and relaxed.

Day 4 –

Decided to go sightseeing/shopping. Went to Revolution street with the other people that were in our group. Get with Jr. at the hotel he can hook you up and make sure you are safe. Went into the various shops and had broth at the famous Caesar’s Restaurant. Pretty awesome. Got wore out pretty quick but hung in there. Make sure you let Junior take you. He knows where to drop you off and all the ins and outs. Got back to the hotel and crashed. Dr. Kelly came by and signed our paperwork and visited with all of us. He brought his son with him. Had a nice visit.

Day 5 –

Return trip. Had to be downstairs to catch our ride back across the border. Our flight wasn’t until 3:20 although some were earlier. Got to tour the USS Midway which was awesome. Caught our flight and the rest is history.

FYI –

Hang on for the ride when you are with CeCy. She drives like everyone else in Tijuana. She is very sweet and on top of things.

Walk, walk, walk, walk.

Get restaurant broth when you can. It is much more satisfying. Same with popsicles get out and walk to the store.

The hotel is nice and people are very accommodating.

Get with Junior if you want to go anywhere once you are at the hotel. He is great. Go to Revolution Street and do some shopping. It is fun and you can get some cool stuff. Junior will drop you at Ray’s store. Ray is great and will take care of you.

If you have a tablet or laptop take it! Get a translator app. The Dr’s and lead nurses are bilingual. However, the regular nurses and orderlies are not.

I could tell you about the stories I heard while I was there about other Doctors and Hospitals. But, I would rather brag on Dr. Kelly and how great the treatment was while we were there. It is worth the extra money to be in a real hospital with a really great surgeon.

Thank you,

Jeremy

Thank you JpWill, I'm just trying to get as much info as I can before making my final decision. Did you use a coordinator or direct with him?

Direct book. I can give you #'s if you would like.

Jpwil, I am here at Nova now. The care is gret but the as pain is awful. When does it go away?

 

 

Mean to say gas gain is awcul

Walk walk walk. It will go away soon. I think nearly all of mine was gone by Wednesday afternoon. I had my surgery Tuesday afternoon. Gas x strips help. But nothing helps like walking.

For everyone going to Dr. Ramos Kelly, you will be very impressed with his care , the hospital and the nursing staff. The people here really do care. I Am a surgeon I the US , and can genuinely say I have seen and re diced better care here than in the States. You are in great hands.

 

Thanks Jpwill, the gas pain does go away. The walking, Gas x , and heating pad for me through that rough period.

How long after the surgery does he allow you to walk,walk,walk?

JpWill, post a prophile pic...it's nice to see members faces

Hope2.... you walk as soon as you can after surgery and keep walking as often as you can thereafter. Lots of good for your body.

I too used Dr Kelly at Oasis of Hope. I would do it again in a heart beat. Now this is just me and everyone has their own experiences....going to Mexico was absolutely no wait at all, not even a car in sight. Coming back took us 20 minutes with a medical pass. I was up walking next morning as we hadn't slept in about 24 hours and was just wore out. Flight in from Ohio...I did walk alot. At the first sign of a little pain between the shoulder blades, gas x strip and walk. You will meet lots of people in your walks. Dr Kelly came to my hotel twice. He told me I did not have to crush my meds with the sleeve, so I didn't and was fine. As for meds, I quit taking pain meds the next morning after surgery. The groginess I felt was worse than the pain. I also booked directly with him. You get a better leak test at a different hospital. Name escapes me right now. Good luck...best thing I have done for myself.

Yes JpWill I would really appreciate that

Thanks Measureofme & Cidmor...It's great to hear all the Info & the positives. It amazes me though how everyone mentions the gas...it must be awful! I don't think I will like that part at all. I already have gas issues and more doesn't sound pleasing...lol!

Actually, I was blessed... I slept through the worst of it when I was coming out of the anesthesia. I had very little if any gas pain after the first four hours. Some people do, some don't! Just better to be prepared and you have to walk regardless.

Thank You MeasureOfMe

This is what I recall from last week. I was sleeved on Tuesday the 16th. Hope it helps.

 

My experience with Dr. Kelly and Hospital Nova.

Day 1 –

Flew into San Diego and was picked up at the airport by Cecy (Dr. Kelly’s wife). She drove all of us across the border to the Hotel first. There was a mix-up somehow and scheduling and one lady was a day early. So we dropped her off at that time and that is when we met Dr. Kelly for a few moments.

We then went to Nova. I will tell you that if you are looking for the exact same environment as in the states you will be disappointed. However' date=' don’t get ahead of yourself and wait till you get inside and meet the people. We filled out paperwork and then went to a semi-private room to start with (the private rooms weren’t quite ready yet. Met with nurses and orderlies. Had blood drawn and had to answer numerous health questions. Went down for x-ray, put on the compression hose, got the IV line started. Then Dr. Kelly came in and visited with my wife and I. He really put us at ease. You will not find a more genuinely nice person in a surgeon. Then the Cardio Dr. came in and read the EKG. All of this happened really fast. Next thing I know I’m in the operating room.

I woke up still in the operating room. Surgery was completely over and I was being wheeled to a private room where my wife was waiting for me. Not much pain at the time still too out of it. As it wore off I started to get sore and feel the gas pain. About 3.5 hours after surgery I was up walking. It helps a bunch. Nurses took great care of me overnight. On call Dr. stopped by more than once.

 

Day 2 –

Walk, walk, walk. Best advice anyone can give you. The on call Dr. came by again and checked on me. Dr. Kelly came by a short while later. Nurses still taking great care of me. Got my ice chips and water to sip on. Watched a lot of TV on my Ipad. Felt better every hour that went by. Took a shower and got my bandages changed. They hurt more than anything. You will lose some skin.

 

Day 3 –

Got up feeling great. Took a shower and got ready to leave the hospital. Went to hospital Angeles for the leak test. It is state of the art. This is where Dr. Kelly’s office is located. But it is too expensive to do the surgery at. That being said the stuff you drink is god awful! When it is done you will be glad. Dropped our luggage off and went across the street to Casa de Mole. Awesome broth! Hotel broth is free but it is worth it to get the broth at the restaurant instead. Also, the hotel popsicles are ok and free but the convenience store across the way is better. Got checked into our rooms and rested a little and then went to the “mall” to get out for a little bit. A good thing to do is let your card companies know where you are going before if you plan on using them out of the country. It will help with confusion. Went back to the hotel and set by the pool and relaxed.

 

Day 4 –

Decided to go sightseeing/shopping. Went to Revolution street with the other people that were in our group. Get with Jr. at the hotel he can hook you up and make sure you are safe. Went into the various shops and had broth at the famous Caesar’s Restaurant. Pretty awesome. Got wore out pretty quick but hung in there. Make sure you let Junior take you. He knows where to drop you off and all the ins and outs. Got back to the hotel and crashed. Dr. Kelly came by and signed our paperwork and visited with all of us. He brought his son with him. Had a nice visit.

 

Day 5 –

Return trip. Had to be downstairs to catch our ride back across the border. Our flight wasn’t until 3:20 although some were earlier. Got to tour the USS Midway which was awesome. Caught our flight and the rest is history.

 

FYI –

Hang on for the ride when you are with CeCy. She drives like everyone else in Tijuana. She is very sweet and on top of things.

Walk, walk, walk, walk.

Get restaurant broth when you can. It is much more satisfying. Same with popsicles get out and walk to the store.

The hotel is nice and people are very accommodating.

Get with Junior if you want to go anywhere once you are at the hotel. He is great. Go to Revolution Street and do some shopping. It is fun and you can get some cool stuff. Junior will drop you at Ray’s store. Ray is great and will take care of you.

 

If you have a tablet or laptop take it! Get a translator app. The Dr’s and lead nurses are bilingual. However, the regular nurses and orderlies are not.

 

I could tell you about the stories I heard while I was there about other Doctors and Hospitals. But, I would rather brag on Dr. Kelly and how great the treatment was while we were there. It is worth the extra money to be in a real hospital with a really great surgeon.

Thank you,

Jeremy[/quote']

 

Thanks for this detailed account Jeremy and congrats on being sleeved. Which hotel did you stay at?