Friday night, we flew from SC to San Diego, CA. We spent that night, all day Saturday and the next night in San Diego. Sunday, we were dropped off at the airport. We were told we would have about an hours wait, but Ernesto got there in 15 minutes! Ernesto is a sweetie, but it was difficult for me to understand him as I don't speak Spanish and he has a slight speech impediment. This is the point where I started getting nervous. We were driving straight to the hospital, with Ernesto talking about the sights, etc. He and my DH talked -- I was too nervous to join in. When we got to the hospital, I met my surgery sister there (she was having a band) and we got our blood drawn for tests. Next came the ekg and then the xray, They were very puzzled when looking at the xray machine and asked, "does she have a zipper in there?" LOL I have a steel rod fused to my spine that was showing up in the picture. Next, we were taken to the hotel. It is a very nice hotel and full service -- you can get a massage, etc. but that has to be booked ahead of time. It was too early to eat dinner and we were hungry so walked to the 7-11 for snacks and drinks. It is HOT in Mexico in August. Finally it was time for dinner. Only one of the three restaurants was open because it was Sunday, so we had to go with the Mexican one, which was fine as I love Mexican food. Our dinner was marvelous and we split dessert. Then, the next morning, it was on to the hospital. I had assumed since my surgery sister was having an easier surgery that she would go first. Wrong! I was up first. I remember being in the OR with a male nurse or dr. named Sergio. He was very nice and spoke with me right before I went under. There were others in there, but he stood out as he spent time talking and explaining things to me which helped calm my fears. Then, they put a mask on my face and I don't remember anything until waking up in my room. I was only supposed to be in recovery for two hours but was in four as the anesthesia really put me under. (A good thing!) My mouth was dry the day of surgery but I was allowed to swish and spit water so that helped a great deal. I had IV fluids, a drain, and morphine for pain. My surgery sister and I did a small amount of walking at some point, either that day or the next. The hospital was very, very clean. It is small, but you get such good care there. If I needed something, I got it immediately. I can't say enough good things about the level of care I received. After my second leak test, I was brought my first "food": Gatorade, hot tea and apple juice. I drank more of the hot tea than anything else. I also got chicken broth the second and third days. Yuck. I am sure it was cooked well, but I am just not a chicken broth fan. That generally went back untouched. The thing that surprised me the most was pain when I drank. Did not know it would hurt to do that. The day of departure, Ernesto was there bright and early to pick us up. The plane ride home was brutal. The delays were brutal. That was my worst day painwise and I only got half a bottle or so of water in all day. I HIGHLY recommend upgrading your return flight tickets if at all possible. I am on day six after surgery and feel much better. There is just a tiny bit of pain when I drink now. I am tired and feel a bit weak from time to time but am much better. My DH and I are very pleased with the care we received from Dr. Aceves and Almater hospital in Mexicali.

Fived!!! Darn auto correct lol!

He's not only an excellent surgeon, he is a very caring person.

Oregondaisy, he does have one detractor that posts a good bit on another board. I was very, very puzzled about why this person had him do her band, and sleeve revision and then privately messaged me that he is "not that great." When I was in Mexico I asked Yolanda. After I told her the years of her operations, she was able to pinpoint it. She didn't name names, of course, but said that this individual wanted to be a coordinator for him and her services were refused. She even showed up at the hospital with some folks saying she was his coordinator and they had to have her removed.

Serenity1959, yep, we know exactly who you are talking about. It is sad, because she used to be his greatest supporter. She is now very anti Dr. Aceves, and feels the same about VST as well. She seems to have a lot of anger, and none of us truly understand it.

I know exactly who you're talking about. She is very arrogant. And I know exactly why she is so anti VST. She is a very strange person.

Serenity, would you be able to lead me to some of her posts? I know she is posting on

OH

I was just sleeved yesterday by Dr. Aceves and a, feeling pretty darn good... A little more pain today but I have been pretty active... Dr. Aceves even high dived me lol... Any questions please ask!! It's not any easy decision to make and I was sooooo scared

Hi there, so glad to hear you had a good experience, so far! It's definitely a difficult decision and I'm in the very nervous phase right now because I'm two days from surgery. Thank you for checking in! Hope it continues to go well for you.

I was just sleeved yesterday by Dr. Aceves and a' date=' feeling pretty darn good... A little more pain today but I have been pretty active... Dr. Aceves even high dived me lol... Any questions please ask!! It's not any easy decision to make and I was sooooo scared[/quote']

He's a genuinely nice surgeon. I had some violent postop puking which caused bad pain in my back and shoulders. It hurt worst than any postop surgical pain.

Dr. Aceves stopped in to check on me and actually massaged my shoulders and neck. He knew I had a lot of vomiting postop.

Hey sister SC sleever. I am glad everything went well with you surgery. I know you are glad to be on losers bench and on your way to shrinking. Congrats!!!!

I had my surgery with Dr Aceves and his team 2 years ago. I think I blogged about it here and I definitely remember posting. Dr Aceves, Ernesto, and Sergio were all there when I had my surgery. The hardest part was being so nervous the night before and the flight home. I was going to Georgia so I had at least one layover and was too proud or stubborn to ask for assistance. I will probably get in touch with them for a plastics referral in the next 18 months. The entire team is friendly, caring, and knowledgeable.