VSG in Mx with Sergio Verboonen

[journeyjen 3]

Hey, sleevers! This is my 1st Post in quite a while. I had started a conversation last year at this time, regarding my decision to go for surgery in Cancun. But I postponed, bc I had a physical and ended up in the hospital with acute hypertension. 200/129! After changing my diet immensely and taking natural supplements I got my BP down considerably (but not my weight!)

First I'll give you my stats then tell you all about MX.

Surgery date: 9/23

HW: 229

SW: 217

CW: 201

GW: 130

Height: 5'4"

Ok so....After lots of research, I opted for Sergio verboonen. And at this moment, I super glad I did. But the whole experience wasn't without it's downfalls. I don't want to go on a crazy long detailed rant. So I'll give you a pros and cons list ending with a synopsis.

Pros:

1. Dr. V was a pro! I read about people with their pain days later and not being able to function. Surgery area-wise, 100% pain-free!

2. The nurse staff at Victoria Medical. Went above and beyond to monitor my blood pressure before and after. It was quite elevated @ 160/90. They gave me meds and in the 48 hours I was there were so attentive, but not excessively so that I couldn't rest.

3. Private room was nice, considering I got up every 40 minutes to pee with my butt hanging out of my gown. You can have a friend or family member stay with you, but I told my BF to stay at a hotel. I really wasn't up for company.

4. Results! I've lost 28 pounds! Mind boggling! I've been dieting and working out for years. But, I stuck strictly to a liquid diet for 2 weeks. Super effective and it's melting away.

5. My incisions are friggin tiny! After I got out of surgery, Dr. went down to talk to my BF and explained that I only need 2 incisions, usually he needs a 3rd to pull the liver to the side, but my liver was clean and tiny. He still made the hole but didn't end up using it....

6. Like most sleevers state, the gas pain subsided by the 2nd day. My BF put on a little jazz in the room so I would get out a bed and dance in place a do a little swaying to work it out. I've never been so happy to fart! Haha!

7. Transportation. Abraham and his driver was there for me every step of the way. I was picked up and dropped of for every step. Never having to get a cab anywhere. Such a relief.

Pros:

1. In Stark contrast to Dr. V's obvious expertise, his bedside manner leaves much to be desired. But honestly, I didn't really care as long as he did a good job. But his general lack of interest in the pre-surgery meeting left a slightly bad taste in both mine and my bfs mouth.

2. Nursing staff was great, but there's def a language barrier. I'm actually pretty understanding of Spanish, I just really suck at speaking it. But we all got through just fine. Very minor con.

3. Gas pain was CRAZY! I got gas trapped in my neck and shoulders as well as my chest. It was unbearable and it was that day...the day of, that I had those regret thoughts.

4. Good and bad....I was constantly connected to a saline drip. Which was great, but it randomly through me so rapidly I had to get up 20 times a day and drag my iv into the bathroom with me. It was so annoying and I could not wait to become detached to that darn apparatus!

5. I opted for an upgrade in hotel stay, by staying at Beachscape in the hotel zone rather than Later Quinta in city central. Ugh, they suck! We arrived, I argued the room was paid for, but the lady insisted it wasn't. So I was super mad at my coordinator. Paid for the room. Got to the room and it was dirty. Like as in, not made up. Dirty coffee cups on the sink and in the shower. It looked like someone had been lounging on one of the beds bc the pillows were tussled and there was used soap and a used towel. Finally got in touch with my coordinator. Went and got my money back with serious stink-eye from the desk clerk. We decided to take a loss and stay at the Real inn on my last night in Cancun. Much more pleasant.

6. To make the hotel situation even worse and this also goes hand in hand with Dr. V mannerisms. My coordinator texts me after everything and says he forgot to charge me extra for Beachscape and that the doctor was mad at him for not charging the extra $200. So I had to text my CC # for a terrible experience and a night I didn't even stay there.

7. Oh yeah...reception at Victoria. You stink too. They are worst than grumpy Brooklyn baristas.

I hope this answers some questions about the choice of Medical Tourism. Feel free to ask me anything!