changeiscomingsoon
Initial and 10 day update
Oct 25, 2010
I am glad you inquired. I will give you a blow by blow of the whole deal.
I flew into San Deigo, Ernesto picked me up and drove us to Mexicali. You need a passport to get OUT of Mexico..not into.
Ernesto has had VSG too. We crossed the border and went to the hospital. They greet you immediately and get blood and urine samples, EKG, and chest xray. Dr Aceves sat down with the whole group that came...there were 3 pts and each had a visitor with them. He explains in great detail what to expect and what you need to do. I have a long healthcare background and was impressed with the time he spent with us. Ernesto then took us to the Crown Plaza to spend the nite...super nice hotel..everything you would expect in the States..you will not be disappointed. We ate our "last supper" at the hotel restaurant and it was DELICIOUS..the pico was outstanding. You will not be disappointed with the menu selection.
Ernesto picked us up the next morning in at 7a.m. and took us to the hospital.We were shown to our rooms. The anesthesiologist and internal medicine dr come to see you. You get a versed pill to help you chill then in surgery you get IV versed during the surgery...as well as some diprivan and ramifentanyl. I never felt a single thing.The surgery only last about an hour, then recovery and to your room. I slept and rested most or all of the day of surgery. I concentrated on not being nauseated or in pain. The only time I was nauseated was when they gave me zantac IV....major dry heaves but that could be different for someone else. The Drs. all came to see me NUMEROUS times during the day. You simply cannot ask anyone to care for you better. The rooms are very nice...SUPER clean. The 2nd day you get to drink fluids and they give you a dye to drink to check for leaks....and then you get the chicken broth on the 3rd day..delicious. I walked on the 2nd day and third. On the 4th day you get to come home. I went on a thurs and came home on monday. OH, they do your flouroscopy on the day before you leave...it is an xray of you swallowing a contrast so that you can see your new 'tummy'...you will be surprised.
We had a group of three...one bypass and 2 VSG, there was another lady there for a VSG as well and then another. All from all over the country. Dr Aceves said he does about 8-14 surgeries each week. They are having Joint Commission certification next week..that should allow them to accept insurance for surgeries.
I simply cannot tell you enough that you have absolutey nothing to worry about....gather up your money, passport, and pack a small bag...pj's, the clothes you where there you can where home and basics for cleaning up. You will not need anything else....except some lip balm. I never needed a heating pad or anything. They give you meds to help with soreness, pain and nausea. You will be in better hands than you would ever expect based on all of our experiences as a group. I wish you well. Don't hesitate to reach me again if you have any questions. Happy to help.
Oh, and I promise that I had huge reservations about going to Mexico but I PROMISE once you are in the hotel and then to the hospital..you don' t even know that you are in Mexico..HONEST.
Good luck with your decision..you will be surprised how easy it really is.
I have had very good days. I have not had pain meds since the 4 nite..long travel back home. I am drinking. Had one day I did not drink as well and HAD to get back on track. If I drink too fast it does not go well. It really is a retraining of the mind and habits. I am eating about half the amount Dr Aceves said I would(the size of a computer mouse). I am still at 15 lbs. I will weigh fridays. I am just beyond thrilled about how I FEEL!!! I have noticed a DRAMATIC decrease in swelling of my lower legs. I would have 3+ edema in them most all of the time. It really made me worry about future heart problems. My goodnes....the clothes I can actually wear in my closet now...just 15 lbs.....WOW! I feel 30 lbs lighter when I walk already....I mean I actually feel skinny. My weight I had gained in the last couple of years was most noticeable around my waist and it was really making me feel swayback and just plain TERRIBLE. I am so very happy with that change. I really love not eating so much all the time. I never in a million years would have thought that a computer mouse or HALF that much would ever satisfy me. It is very liberating...like the world has been lifted off my shoulders...quite literally.
This evening I even felt a less tight feeling at the incision over my belly button. That is the one that I have had the residual soreness at since surgery. I am glad that seem better right now.
I am drinking Pure Protein ready to drink and they are good. I was not looking forward to yucky protein drinks.
I really like SKINNY WATER from TARGET...the orange flavor. I have not tried any of the others yet.
I chew chew chew to eat everything.
