Im scheduled to have my procedure with team Ismael Cabrera and Louisiana Valenzuela in Tijuana, Mexico the week of feb 20th. Any sleevers who will be there around this time who would like to team up? Also i heard these two work together as a team in assisting the other. Know anyone sleeved by either? There isnt alot of info on the net about them.

Congratulations! I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

Thanks ag88 I'll keep u posted

I had mine on there Feb 5th. Great experience! I'm just on day 6, but feeling pretty good

That's great, Kandi! Did anyone go with you? How was the room at the hospital?

I went alone, but met great friends going through the same thing. It was my first time flying r being alone like that. Staff was very reassuring. The hospital rooms was average, but the staff was great. Better than any hospital I've stayed in. As far as taking care of your needs quickly. I had 2 tell em no more pain meds. Lol! N most of em spoke English. After 2 days they put u up in the Marriott. It's great!

Fantastic! My partner is going with me and just wanted to make sure that while at the hospital she's not stuck sleeping in a chair or on the floor.

They had couples there. They had 2 beds in a room n a chair

Not every room has two beds. Some rooms have one bed and a recliner.

The room I was in had two beds, however. When I went back with my sister, they had initially put us in a room with only one bed until we requested to be moved to another room, on a different floor (3rd floor instead of 4th).

Very helpful, thanks! I need to make sure she gets a bed I can't imagine making her sleep in a recliner

I am scheduled w/ Dr. Cabrera for valentines day 2/14/14! I'm soooo excited, happy, nervous, terrified! This will b the best bday gift ever! Any other feb sleevers I can shoot the breeze with? I will b traveling alone.

I will be getting sleeved in 72 hours and tomorrow i start my 3 day liquid diet. My nerves are starting to take over but also excited at the same time. Anyone sleeved in the last week or so, please share your experiences.

Just got sleeved on 2/11/14 by Dr. Cabrera.

My husband and I were picked up on time by Victor at the airport. Went straight to hotel Marriott, which was beautiful. Tuesday morning we were taken by hotel shuttle to hospital. The hospital is clean and safe. But from the outside looks more like a clinic building or outpatient center than your typical hospital. It does have a cafe that is open from 9-4, for Breakfast and lunch..We were immediately taken in to the lab for bloodwork, then signed consents-paid, were taken to our rooms for ht,wt, EKG... The rooms are simple but very clean. It has a chair in it, but they brought my husband a hospital bed to sleep..the bathroom in our room also had a shower, which was nice for my husband....Then Dr Cabrera and anesthesiologist comes in and talks, explains, and answer any questions. From there the nurses(not sure what level of education they have as a Nurse) come to start IV... They missed my veins 2x...( I am a very easy stick)!!!!. I then said that no more and to have the anesthesiologist start my IV.. Once they came to get me, I was wheeled down to surgery room. There was Abt 6-8 people in room and all were very very nice and comforting. The anesthesiologist was awesome! Happy to start IV and rubbed my face until I went under... Woke up into recovery and wheeled to my room Abt 2-2 1/2 hours later....... Procedure takes Abt 1 hour. And recovery Abt 1 1/2 hr.. Dr.Cabrera came to let my husband know that surgery was success!!

You sleep quite a bit of the day away.. But dr's and nurses are very attentive. The pain was not bad.. I stopped taking pain meds that night because I get very nauseated from them. The drainage tube was a pain for me...(others didn't have a problem)--I just think it varies from patient to patient...Surgical day you walk very little. 2nd day I was walking the halls well. My stomach was a bit tender but totally tolerable.. Drains were still a pain.. In the afternoon, dr Cabrera came in to check in and decided to take it out a bit early. I went for my barium leak test in the afternoon and by 6pm we were given apple juice and Water to sip... Walk walk walk.. It helps release the gas!!!!!!!!!! By Thursday morning, got up, showered and Dr's come in with postoperative instructions and medications, and to discharge you. About noon(once hotel rooms were ready) we were picked up by hotel and taken back to hotel.. My husband and I walked around abit and sat by pool and enjoyed the warmth. I walked lightly on treadmill for Abt 5min to help with gas.. Went up to the room for the night..we were picked up next morning by Arturo to go home..my 4hour flight home went well...

Overall experience was wonderful.. The doctors and procedure was better than I thought...

The nurses in the morning and afternoon were amazing--especially Samantha... The nurses on the night shift lack patient care.. They don't understand English well.. Be clear on what you want or don't want...

Other things....

I brought Snacks for my husband to munch on..the cafe is fine for brfast and lunch but he walked around the corner to the market for a couple tacos for dinner ....

The coordinators are awesome and always have answers for your questions.

Also, if you need any meds or supplies the hotel will give u a pharmacy that delivers!! Even in middle of night...

I suggest bringing a heating pad!!!!! It helps with the gas!!!

Bring your own pillow!!!!!

Bring Gas X strips!!!!!! It sorta helps with the gas.. But walk walk walk...

I am a cardiac nurse... I was pretty comfortable with my decision to get sleeved. But the experience was great!! Hospital was clean and accredited by the Joint Commision board , so I felt safe and protected.. Everyone made you feel safe, comfortable and a priority!!! I can't say enough!! I am home now for 2 days and feel great. Moving great! Day 1 home-went to daughter dance recital... Day 2-- sat at volleyball game for 3 hours!! Gas is pretty much gone, except a few bubbles when I drink my broth.. I have had 2 loose bowel movements with no issues.. My stomach at times just feels a bit tender. I am going to work a light day tomorrow(I know I'm crazy). All is great! I have lost 10lbs since 2/11! Feel great!!!

I will be getting sleeved in 72 hours and tomorrow i start my 3 day liquid diet. My nerves are starting to take over but also excited at the same time. Anyone sleeved in the last week or so, please share your experiences.

I was sleeved on 2/16 by Dr Cabrera. It was a very easy and smooth process. Heating pad helped greatly with discomfort. Get up and start moving as quickly as you can tolerate. The staff is awesome, it was a top notch procedure all the way. Try not to be too nervous, it will be over before you know it, and you'll be on the road to recovery soon.

Just returned. Was sleeved on 2/26. It's really a no brainer. I'd have no hesitation to do it again.

I just had my sleeve done on 2/26 by Dr.Cabrara at Mexico Bariatric in Tijuana. I did see Dr.Lopez while I was there. He checked in on me during day 2.

I had the same last minute panic attack that it was a scam, etc. I am here to tell you, they are legit. Good people, great service and very compassionate. I received better care and attention in Tijuana than I ever received during my c-section or gallbladder surgery in the states. The facility, Mi Doctor, is not by any stretch what I would consider opulent. It is a basic clinic, no frills but they have defibrillators at each end of the hall and an abundance of support staff including around the clock nurses that are readily available.

It's very clean and everyone practices excellent personal and professional hygiene.

I do have some advice regarding luggage. KEEP IT SIMPLE! Pack a few pairs of yoga pants, flip flops, roomy t-shirts and of course undergarments. However, the only time I wore a bra and underwear was when I arrived and when I departed. Trust me, it's way more comfortable this way. You'll want to pack trial sizes of conditioner for sure. I relied On The hotel for my soap and shampoo. From past experience, I can tell you DO NOT SHAVE ANY BODY PART OR APPENDAGE 24 hours or less prior to surgery. You increase your odds exponentially of contracting a staph infection through a nick or cut. Trust me.

I went back to work this morning without incident. Just be careful about bending and stretching too much. Good and awesome luck to everyone pre and post op! You've made the right decision. Be patient with yourselves. Your world will change overnight however you will take much more time to adapt to your new lifestyle.

Much Love!

Judy

PS: beware of Isopure. Please, I am begging you, buy a bottle BEFORE you buy the case. At first it appears to be a run if the mill sports drink. NOT SO FAST! I've never, ever tasted anything like it. UGH! that being said, it's the easiest and most convenient delivery system for 40 grams of Protein per serving. I'm committed to choking this stuff down because of that reason alone. Oh yeah, no sugar, no aspertame and ZERO carbs. Reason #2 I choke this stuff down. Did I already say ugh? Just brace yourself.

2/26 Pre Op weight 205.00

3/3 post Op weight 197.00

62 Lbs to go!