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Surgeon Testimonial Jaime Ricardo Ramos-Kelly I left Minnesota for Tijuana Mx on Jan 5th to have VSG with Dr Ramos Kelly on Jan 6th. I arrived safely in San Diego and just like Trish ( Dr Kellys patient coordinator) said the driver was waiting for me with my name on a sign. The driver took me directly to the Hotel Lucerna where Trish had already booked me and was waiting to take me to my room. For those using Dr Kelly - this hotel is very nice - has a nice gym (which I did not use but my sleeve sister Pam did), a beautiful pool area and 3 dining options. Trish got me situated and I tried to relax while I waited for my Sleeve Sister Davida (who I met online) to arrive. In the mean time Trish went back to the hospital to pick up Pam (PtheG) to take her for her final leak test and bring her to the hotel. Trish wanted me to meet Pam so I could hear from her about her VSG which took place 2 days prior. Pam arrived and I was amazed at how she said she felt little pain, no hunger and was pretty relaxed. She loved Dr Kelly and Trish and the new hospital that Dr Kelly is using. It really relaxed me talking to Pam! Dr Kelly came to the hotel to meet me and just introduce himself and to find if I had any remaining questions. (What US surgeon would meet you at your hotel (or home) the evening before surgery to go over questions??? None! Around 9:30 Davida arrived!!!! We had been exchanging phone calls, emails and texts for over a month and now we finally got to meet! She had brought her mother with her - Mom agreed to adopt me for the next 4 days. These ladies made this experience so much easier! I was blessed that they were there with me. We all settled into bed after 11:00 - the next day was surgery day! 8:00 A.M. Trish arrived to take Davida, Mom and I to the hospital: Florance Health Care/Oasis Hospital. I had at least 3 doctors visit me (Cardiologist, Anesthesiologist and Hospital Unit Doctor) before I was rolled to the OR for surgery. All I remember is being on the table and then next thing I knew - I woke up and I am back in my room. Had I just really had surgery?? Mom was there rubbing my hand and saying a prayer and told me - it was all over. AFTER SURGERY: Day 1 & 2 - No one could have properly prepared me for the pain/medication/gas etc. Remember everyone is different - but I thought childbirth was much easier than this surgery! I do not like pain meds - I feel nausea from just about everything and the nurses where right there on a schedule giving me pain med, antibiotic, nausea meds etc. Never had so many meds! The hospital staff was amazing! They were there within seconds of me pushing the beeper! All except one could speak perfect English so that was never an issue. They were so kind and attentive. They got me up and walking and helped me shower. After a shower you feel so much better! Day 3 , Dr Kelly removed our drains and Davida and I were discharged and headed for our final leak test (3 total for me). After the leak test, which is very interesting to watch, we headed back to Hotel Lucerna. Every day Dr Kelly and Trish would come by no less than 3 times to check on us, bring us Gatorade, jello and our take home drugs. Pam was still at the hotel when we returned because she chose to extend her stay and take additional time to heal before returning to Canada. (no complications or issues - just her personal choice). It happened to be Pam's birthday so Dr Kelly and Trish bought her a beautiful flower display ! That evening we all gathered to share one bowl of chicken broth (Mom got to eat a yummy meal). It was hard to believe that 3 of us split a bowl of broth! lol. Day 4: Trish and Sam (Dr Kelly's son) took all of us shopping and out for dinner. It really blows my mind how quickly you feel better after this surgery! We each had a bowel of Tortilla Soup (after Dr Kelly was called for approval) the soup was strained and there were no tortillas but it tasted perfect! Then we returned to the hotel and prepared to leave the next morning. Later that evening Dr Kelly came to the hotel to check on us one last time and to say our goodbyes! I arrived back in cold Minnesota at 8:00 pm. That part of my journey is complete! Thoughts: Dr Kelly - I cannot even begin to explain the kindness and care he provided to each of us. I have never received this type of treatment before and possibley never will again. He explained in detail what he was going to do during surgery and then after surgery he talked about how my surgery went and what he found inside me (my blood was thin and he had a harder time getting me to stop bleeding). He is very professional, thorough and patient! Trish - This woman works more hours than I can imagine. She is so organized and also so comforting. She made this trip so much easier for me! Hospital - The new facility was very nice - better than any hospital room I have ever been in. My room was clean and had the following: Hospital bed, dresser TV, comfy recliner and an extra full sized regular bed for patients who may have guests. The room had a very large bathroom and a nice window that let in the light. I think that 2 levels of the hospital are called Florence Health Care and the remainder is dedicated to Oasis of Hope an alternative cancer treatment center. There were lots of US patients in the cancer center. Now get this - your guest can eat in the hospital cafeteria the entire time for free!! To sum it up - I would do the exact same thing over in a heart beat! I weighted 217 on surgery day and today weigh 201 so I am down 16 pounds. I am working hard to get my water and fluids in. Dr Kelly gave us a detailed take home diet to follow and I plan to stay as close to that as possible! Thank you for all of your prayers and messages while I was gone. I appreciate continued prayer during the next few recovery week.s. For anyone considering Dr Kelly send me a message if you have questions! Kim Latest Surgery Support Comments
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Had VSG on Jan 6, 2011 with Dr. Jaime Ramos-Kelly Start weight 239.8/Surgery Day 217.6/Current Weight 149.0/Goal/155 I made it! journey start weight 10/21/10: 239.80 January 6 - Mar 6th, 2011 -24.4 March 7 - May 6, 2011 -15.8 180.4 May 7 - June 6, 2011 -5.8 174.6 |
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Maintaining! on April 28, 2012 6:26 am I met my goal back in November 2011 of 155 lbs. I went as low as 144.2 - today I am 145.2 - I bounce between 144 - 148 and don't allow myself to go beyond 148 - it's actually been pretty easy maintaining. I know what to eat to drop my weight back to where I am comfortable - Protein and water!
Be the first to leave a comment.Still wearing a size 6 - and small or medium depending on the brand. Sometimes 4's fit - but it depends on the brand there also. I am loving my sleeve and feel so blessed! Here I am in Feb on our trip to Mexico..Are those really MY arms and legs??!!  T
365 Days ago... on January 5, 2012 4:48 pm It's hard to believe that just 365 days ago I landed in San DIego and made the journey to Tijuana. Dr Ramos Kelly performed my VSG and what an amazing journey it has been!
2 comments | Leave a comment.Beginning weight: 239.8 Today 144.4 Starting size: 16 Today 6 or 4 I feel great - My health and engery have improved I feel 10 years younger! Only regret - I wish I had done this years ago. Here are my before & 1 year after photos! 
Coming up on 1 year soon! on December 27, 2011 5:45 pm Reflecting about my journey as I near 1 year...
2 comments | Leave a comment.Start weight: 239.8 Current weight: 144.4 Starting size: 16 Current size 6 and some 4's Today I bought a pair of Miss Me jeans - size 27 x 34 .... seriously... Had the girls start out with 30 x 34 and she said that will never fit you - I said that I thought that was my size. So we tried 30's then 29's then 28's and ended up with a 27! OMG I love my sleeve
Gallbladder - GONE on December 17, 2011 2:13 am I had surgery on Monday Dec 12, 2011 to remove my sludgy Gallbladder. Yeah - it is gone! Recovery has been relatively easy - incision pain is the worst of it - along with constipation. I always have constipation issues after anesthesia and who wants to push for a BM when you have 5 puncture wounds in your tummy.... not me!
2 comments | Leave a comment.I have lots of stones in my GB and mostly sludge. I got to the hospital at 6:00 am surgery was at 7:30. I was in recovery by 8:45 and headed home by 12:30... pretty amazing that they can remove an organ and send you home from surgery in under 5 hours but true... thanks insurance companies! So far so good. I went to the hospital weighing 149.5 - weighed 151.3 the next morning... water weight from the IV's Today I am 5 days out of surgery and weight has gone back down and lower to 148.4 - my lowest yet. Not sure where this will end... but really would like to stay at 145 or above - my honey said I am turning into a bag of bones!  I think I look just fine.Yesterday was the first day that I felt like leaving the house and went to the mall to walk and get a few last Christmas gifts. Decided to try on some jeans... started at size 7 juniors, then 5's and finally 3/4 and they fit.... what??!! vanity sizing! SO if you want to make yourself feel really good head to Maurices and try on their brand of jeans..... lol they are generous in size! Soon it will be my one year surgiversary.. how time has flown! I will do a one year update then with pics. Until then... I am looking forward to having all of my kids and family home for Christmas. The Lord has blessed my family this year with a new grandson, me with this surgery and newly found health. The Lord is GOOD! 
149! - 11 months out.
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on December 6, 2011 4:15 am Today I am 149.0 - I cannot believe it! I am 11 months out today and wanted to share my progress charts - my goal was 155 which I made on November 1st - now wondering where I will end? My heighest recorded weight was 239.8 So I am down 90.8 pounds since October 25, 2010.
1 comment | Leave a comment.Date weight BMI
I have been a pretty consistant loser - but went through a slow period July - Sept lost a total of 3.6 pounds in those months. But then started losing again in September and have been averaging about -5 per month. This past month it was -6. I am pretty comfortable where I am at today size 6 and mostly mediums, some smalls. I dont really care if I lose more and would like to move into maintanance now. Just wondering when it will stop?! |
My Story
I have not always been overweight - it just crept up on me in my 30's and continued into my 40's. I would add 10 pounds a year then lose 10 then gain 15 - you know my story!
I can lose weight, just cannot keep it off!. In 2002 I was diagnosed with Graves disease and they radiated my thyroid, that is when the weight started piling on. Thank God I have a supportive husband and he believes in the "thick and thin" part of your vows! Darling hubby can drop 10 pounds in a minute! He is a workout freak and in wonderful (buff) shape for a nearly 50 year old man. I still love him like the day we were married!
I have tried every diet on the books - won't list them here, but you know them all! I have recently started pursuing WLS, but insurance will not cover it because my BMI is to low - (tell that to my over stretched jeans!). BMI 37.5 and weight 237. I think the day we got married I was 150... My goal would be to return to that territory.
Because Insurance is a no-go, I began researching Mexico. Thought I wanted lap band but quickly decided against that, and decided VSG was for me. Next I researched almost every Dr in Mexico (at least it feels that way). I decided upon Dr Jaime Ricardo Ramos-Kelly (if you want to know why just send me a message).
I officially will join the loser team on January 6, 2011. Happy New Year to me!
I am a wife, mother (3 boys, 2 girls ages 25-19) and executive at an insurance brokerage. I am 47 years old and want to feel 47 (or younger) again. I love to travel - we go to St. Martin annually to escape the Minnesota winters. I love to shop - but have only been buying shoes for the past 2 years because cloths shopping is depressing to me.
I cannot wait to feel good in shorts again, to love shopping for clothes again and to feel comfortable in my loving husbands arms!
I have not always been overweight - it just crept up on me in my 30's and continued into my 40's. I would add 10 pounds a year then lose 10 then gain 15 - you know my story!
I can lose weight, just cannot keep it off!. In 2002 I was diagnosed with Graves disease and they radiated my thyroid, that is when the weight started piling on. Thank God I have a supportive husband and he believes in the "thick and thin" part of your vows! Darling hubby can drop 10 pounds in a minute! He is a workout freak and in wonderful (buff) shape for a nearly 50 year old man. I still love him like the day we were married!
I have tried every diet on the books - won't list them here, but you know them all! I have recently started pursuing WLS, but insurance will not cover it because my BMI is to low - (tell that to my over stretched jeans!). BMI 37.5 and weight 237. I think the day we got married I was 150... My goal would be to return to that territory.
Because Insurance is a no-go, I began researching Mexico. Thought I wanted lap band but quickly decided against that, and decided VSG was for me. Next I researched almost every Dr in Mexico (at least it feels that way). I decided upon Dr Jaime Ricardo Ramos-Kelly (if you want to know why just send me a message).
I officially will join the loser team on January 6, 2011. Happy New Year to me!
I am a wife, mother (3 boys, 2 girls ages 25-19) and executive at an insurance brokerage. I am 47 years old and want to feel 47 (or younger) again. I love to travel - we go to St. Martin annually to escape the Minnesota winters. I love to shop - but have only been buying shoes for the past 2 years because cloths shopping is depressing to me.
I cannot wait to feel good in shorts again, to love shopping for clothes again and to feel comfortable in my loving husbands arms!
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