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Surgeon TestimonialAlberto Aceves M.D., F.A.C.S.My first impression was that this man knows what he is doing simply by looking at his website. There were not wheel and deal prices or cluttered advertisements, Dr. Aceves is first concerned about getting the information out to his patients and potential patients. He has been certified by INAMED which only 8 of 10 doctors in Mx have that, and he has had the same training as the doctors here in the US. What really impressed me was his time as a doctor in bariatrics, especially in the laproscoptic technique which is about 7 years.
His patient cooridinator Nina is awesome. She is very quick to answer any questions via email or telephone. We have a forum online and she is there giving advice, answering questions and giving LOTS of support both pre-ops and post-ops. I've heard that the rest of the staff is very professional and that the hospital is very clean and well kept.
Dr. Aceves is very caring and he has a strict regiment that he wants his patients to follow so they obtain the maximum weightloss SAFELY!!! He emphasizes that this is a tool, and that diet/exercise is very crucial to the weightloss management as well as how we "Think" about food. I believe you have to keep in regular contact for up to a year, via email/telephone. He offers 1 year free fills for his patients, though many live far away and few are able to make trips back to Mx. However, he does provide information for those that are unable to come to Mx for fills on which doctors in their local area accept his work. From I've heard many of the US doctors are very impressed by his work, once they understand the situation they have a better impression of the work done in Mexico. Dr. Aceves has a very structured pre-op diet for those that need their liver to shrink alittle so it is easier to operate as well as a structure post-op, they even give out information about the type of foods you can have.
Since, I have yet to have the surgery (Jan 27, 2006 is the date), I can say that what I have heard from many of his patients that he rates a 9 out of 10...I mean no one is perfect but he is darn close to it. I've heard how polite and courteous he is to the patient and their family and his bedside manner is ACES!
As well as addressing risks/complications: it's all on his webiste: www.mexicolapband.com
Again, this is based on my research of Dr. Aceves, I will post my own experience as soon as I come home from the surgery. Till then if you have any questions go to www.mexicolapband.com email and you can find out for yourself :)
Member Interests
- Cats - I have 4 cats, my world is surrounded by furballs :)
- Movies - I love all sorts of movies, comedy is my favorite along with horror.
- Dating - I'm looking for a guy in 30's to 40's to enjoy hanging out, must be in CA.
- American Sign Language - I am interested in getting certified in ASL and find friends that are deaf.
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I am a graduate student at California State University, Stanislaus...basically in the middle of Californai surrounded by Almond orchards and cows...ha ha. I love it here though, I am not too far from SF, Monterey, Yosemite and SoCal. I am working on my thesis which will look at bariatric surgery and the effects it has on people. I hope to go onto my doctorate but I feel I need to get my health in order before tackling on something that major in life.
Hobbies: Well, when I am feeling good and not hurting from all the weight, I love to go to Monterey and just veg out. I love the ocean, going to mountains and spending time with my boyfriend in San Diego. I am an internet resource junkie which comes from 4 years of finding resources for professors. I like to go out with my gal pals when I get the chance, see my great neices and nephews (which I cannot believe my neices already have kids!!!!). I collect Winnie the Pooh.
My interests are in Cognitive Psychology, primarily Alzheimer's disease. I am also interested in holistic methods towards treating patients with Alzheimer's disease. I hope to one day open a holistic day care center for Alzheimer's patients in the Central Valley, which I can say there are very few of them here.
I am gearing up to have the Lap Band surgery, hopefully by the first of the year. I'm new to the forum so I would gladly love to hear from anyone with a Lap Band, especially those that have had their's done in Mexico (Dr. Aceves). However, I would like to hear from anyone in general about their experience, the good and the bad. I would like to know more about post-op what to eat and all that good stuff.
I will update when I can and I am so grateful for a forum like this! :)
1/9/2006
Well, it's the New Year and I'll be getting a new release on life come the 27th of this month. I had made my date back in November which seemed like forever before I would have surgery but now here it is only a few weeks away!!! I've been going through the "last meals" syndrome which I am pretty much done and over with now. Pretty much my body or shall I say stomach has made its own mind to change. There are certain foods that I cannot tolerate anymore, I wonder if my body knows that I am about to make a drastic change so instead of being surprised it's slowly making changes so I won't miss certain foods.
I'll be going on my pre-op diet on the 13th, which is Friday the 13th...how fitting can that be?? Will I be like Jason, trying to slash my way through a nice piece of cake...I hope not! Only bummer thing about this diet is that my friend is having her house warming party and is going to make some really great food and there I'll be just sipping on some Crystal Light...I hope she makes some veggie platter so I can have some veggies!! :) Well, I am excited but I am sure that will turn to anxiety as soon as get on the Amtrak to make my way down to San Diego to stay at my bf's apt then wait a few days to be taken to Mexicali to meet Dr. Aceves and get my life back. I'll update weekly....
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Your Birthdate: November 11
Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world.
You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm.
Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche.
Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done.
Your strength: Your inner peace
Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds
Your power color: Emerald
Your power symbol: Leaf
Your power month: November
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1/15/06
Well, I did a first NSV! I was able to attend my friends housewarming party last night without going over to where the goodies (cake, pie, brownies and cookies) were at and scarf down on them. I actually held myself off from taking that big slice of cake or a few handfuls of cookies...which was a big surprise to me. I ate from the veggie platter, just taking small amounts of dip to have some flavor, ate from the fruit plate and few meatballs that were cooked in low fat sweet/sour sauce. My friend said she bought the better meatballs with very low fat in them knowing that I could eat meats that were low in fat...so that was nice of her. I really abstained from pigging out. The only bum deal about the party was there was plenty of liqour but no bottled water...I should have brought my own! So, I had 2 sodas which the second one I never finished off..which is another first for me! I had a great time and enjoyed the company. I am back on the Slim Fast Optima shakes this morning and plan to stay true to the pre-op diet my doctor has prescribed. Luckily, the diet is not a liquid only diet...so I am happy about that. :) I go over to my dad's today to pick up the rest of the loan for my surgery and this Saturday will be on my way down to San Diego to spend time with the bf before going to Mexico for the surgery. I'm excited/nervous but I know in the end I'll will have made the best choice.
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VIEW MY BLOG: http://psichikel.blogsource.com/
I've decided to keep up on blogsource for my pre-op and post-op information. Please visit there and leave a comment if you are interested in my blog. Thanks!
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2/25/2006
Purring like a kitten. I haven't had any major complications, though I had thought I had a seroma which proved to be false...Thank God! I've been losing weight steadily, I am now around 318 from a hefty 360 prior to surgery. I walk now with alot more ease and I enjoy being out in the fresh air. I look forward to eating solids soon...in a few more weeks but right now I'll enjoy the egg, cream of wheat, tomato soup and so forth :) I do not have any regrets and whatever weight I end up losing in the end, I'll be satisfied with because I know without the surgery I wouldn't lose weight at all...so any weight gone is a blessing! I plan on doing the 3 day, 60miles Walk for Breast Cancer in 2007, that will be a major NSV for me. I am not so bent on the weightloss but what I can acheive physically that I have not been able to do in many years. Please email me if you have any questions about the Lap Band or Dr. Aceves...also check out my blog..the address is above! I try to do my best to post reguarly. TTFN OBTW, I hope to attend the Mid-State Convention in Visalia, I hope to meet some OH members there!
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3/29/2006
Doing very well, I am not sure if I have lost anymore weight I am down around 308 lbs but haven't weighed myself in a few weeks. I try not to weigh every day cause I see how it affects others that I talk with on Dr. Aceves forum; most are upset with weight fluctuation, whereas I know it will happen but would rather not deal with it on a daily basis. I'm already obsessive as it is, I don't need to add more to the fire. I am walking whenever I can, well when the weather allows for a nice stroll around the area. When I cannot walk, I get on the trusty stationary bike (YAWN) and ride for about 40mins, usually during American Idol.
I hope to be getting a new job here shortly, it will be full-time working at a group home with boys. My only concern is if they get aggressive and try to punch me in the stomach, since I have the lapband I worry about the port area. I hope that I can keep vigilant and make sure they dont have access to that area, punch anywhere else except the stomach. I am glad that I have lost the weight I have since it gives me the energy to deal with little munchkins. I know I'll still be the brunt of many fat jokes since it will be a LONG time before I get to my target weight, however I will just let it slide off my back.
I'll try to get my weight posted on this site, however most of the time I try to post at blogsource.com (Kelli's Belly).
I am in the process of becoming a Support Group Leader through OH, and I have had a great time listening to the information. I've learned alot about my surgery as well as the different types of WLS. I am looking forward to starting a group close to my area, as I already have about 5 people interested in attending!!! :) Wish me luck!
Take Care and will try to post more often :) Bye!!!!
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June 7, 2006
I finally lost over 100lbs!!! I believe I am at 110lbs lost, though could be more but I haven't weighed in for some time now. I got a new job working at a psych facility, which keeps me busy all day long!!! I am hoping to get to 240lbs by the end of summer (currently 260lbs), and I hope to be 200lbs before Thanksgiving and working on being in Onederland before Xmas...or by New Years! :) I'll keep plugging away. I am going to check out a few gyms right now to see about losing more in the belly, which is the hardest to lose. I am excited that my collarbones are showing some faint signs of being there...cant wait till you can see them WOO HOO. I'll be working on my thesis during the summer and hopefully have it finished by Xmas. I plan on celebrating by going on a cruise to Mexico sometime in February :) I also want to save up for a trip to Alaska to do some camping there. Anywho, I hope everyone is doing well...and I wish everyone success in their weightloss journey.
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10/22/06
Wow, it's been a VERY LONG TIME since I've updated on here. I now weigh in at 210lbs, so my goal of getting to 200lbs by Thanksgiving is really an acheivable goal right now. Being 160lbs lighter is soooo nice. I have alot of energy and I love being able to fit in normal type of clothes, in fact, the other day was the first time I wore Levi's jeans since 15yrs ago. It was weird not pulling up the pants like I have been doing for such a long time with the elastic band jeans I used to wear, but now I had to button things up :) My body has totally changed, I love having a face now. I am hoping that by Xmas I'll reach into Onderland...wish me luck. I am planning on going to Oregon to visit my cousin the first of the new year, then later on in the year go to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. It will be nice having a thin body by then :)
Catching Up! on January 21, 2008 4:04 am
Hello Everyone!! Happy 2008!!!!
Wow, it's been a very long time since I posted on here. Life is going good, as I have met someone really inspirational in my life, he has been a good friend and lover. We met online and were friends at first but when both of the people were dating failed on us, we met up with each other...and the rest as they say is history.
Now, onto the band and I. Well, lately the band has been good but not the port. I think I've lost so much weight that I've irritated the port site through the exercise, laying on stomach...uhhh sexual fun has caused like a blister on the site...like a blood blister, and it's been concerning me cause I thought it was infected but come to find out that this can occur when you have the older bigger port and it's a blister that occurs from irritation just have to either deal with it...take care of it or get the low profile port. I want the low profile port but want to wait till I have some time off from work to relax, I work with kids so I need to make sure I am up to snuff when I get back to work. So, come mid Feb I'll have it changed out and hopefully this will work out.
Weightloss, I am at a size 6 in pants and I am happy with it..>I dont weigh cause that can get on my nerves with the changing weight of water weight and crap like that...so word to the wise...just go by your clothes!
I am happy otherwise and hope this year brings on greater things. I am taking my CBEST to begin teaching later on in the year, and I hope to get the thesis done this year as well. Wish me luck!
Kelli
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SF Giants on June 9, 2007 8:47 pm
Hello Everyone,
Today, a friend and I decided to go see the Giants and A's play in SF. We had a good time, though baseball is not my favorite sport. But, what was really neat was being able to sit in the middle of the row, and when getting up to use the restroom, not having my big butt in others faces while I walk passed them. I didn't feel claustrophobic (sp?) neither because now I have lost alot of weight, I don't feel pinned in amongst others and then worrying what they might be thinking.
One thing that was torture was the wonderful smells of all that FOOD there!!! It was another time where i wanted to take the band out and go nuts on eating. But, my friend and I decided to go in halves on a Brautwurst Dog...with Saurekraut...mmmm yummy. I had maybe 3 bites of the Braut and a few bites of the saurkraut that I was done. I haven't had a Braut in ages, so I thought this was a nice treat...but 3 small bites...I savored every single bite too...mmm.
The day was nice but the Giants lost 6-0, which was a bummer but at least they lost to another local team.
So, NSV's come in different packages and it still amazes me the things I am able to do now 200+ lbs lighter.
Kelli
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Cardio Test on June 7, 2007 7:46 am
The last couple of days have been sore!!! I've been riding my bicycle the last two days, nothing major but getting out into some fresh air and trying out my body outside. I loved it!! I haven't ridden a bike in ages, and when I did I was obese but still moved pretty good, but now with all the weight off, I was flying.
My days at the gym are going good, and I got my measurements which I will post when I get a copy of them. Believe me, my trainer and I laughed at the fact that now I do have a waist whereas I didn't have one when I had started. I know that June 21st will make 1 year at the gym, and I weighed in at 269 (100lbs down from 370 when I got the surgery), so I lost 100lbs in 5mths at that point...whoo hoo, but NOW I am at 154!!!
Now, during the time we spent going over my measurements Travis (trainer) decided I needed to check my Cardio Test. The last time I did it was in the beginning and it was way below and I was walking it at that point. So, off we go for the 5min test where I was running this time around and I did it without any problems and I was talking while I was running...whoop whoop!!!
Life is good without so much weight bearing down on you. So what have you done today to make you feel proud? Kelli
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Owwww!!! on June 1, 2007 6:41 am
I honestly think my trainer is trying to kill me off slowly with his happy grin as I work out doing my strength training. He is very handsome and a great guy, but boy am I feeling it today in my left calf. I have to go to work and I'll be hobbling...lol. No, workout for me today that's for sure!! I have to say I do enjoy the fact that now I can do push-ups, I can do 20 of them!!! I haven't been able to do that since like jr. high? I know I push myself alot at the gym, but I tell you when you start seeing definition in your body, it excites you alot. Yesterday, evening I went to my friend's MSW graduation and it felt good not feeling weird about sitting in the middle of the row and not worrying about moving across 12 people to get your seat. I can remember dreading moving along in front of people when I was 370, can you imagine a 370 lb butt in your face?? Not pleasant that's for sure, but now that I've lost the weight I feel more confident. So, I sat in my chair next to my friend's sister and mother, and as they were not able to sit right cause of being heavy, I sat comfortably like a little kid with plenty of room on the sides of me. Although, my body aches it's a good feeling at the same time knowing that I was able to move in a way to make it ache, and not be aching because of having to bear so much weight on it. Anywho, those of you looking to change things up in your weightloss, look into getting a trainer at the gym and working different muscles. I have yet to weigh because my trainer told me not to until the end of the month, so I am doing my best to try to stick that, but last I was at 154. 24lbs to go!!! Wish me luck!!!
K
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25lbs to GO!!! on May 29, 2007 8:39 pm
Why are the last 25lbs hardest to lose? Geesh, I mean I should totally be satisfied, but then again when are we ever satisfied with who we are??? Never, right? I just want to get to goal, stay there and never budge again. I've decided to get a trainer, and let me tell ya he is FINE!!!! Talk about a motivator, his hazel eyes and nicely formed body, makes me not mind the fact that I cannot feel anything from my shoulders down. I decided I needed to get into strength training and not rely solely on cardio like I have been. Cardio is great when you are first starting to work out, and I will always do cardio but I do need to boost up my muscles and get some definition...so those of you a 7mths to a year out and have been working out, try getting into strength training, it's hard but you'll see a difference. I already see a difference in my ab area and those batwings are tucking in more. Anywho, life is good...I am just being impatient about my weightloss now, but where I am now is a heck of alot better than where I was.
Kelli
370/155/130
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My Story I guess I can start from the very beginning, I was always a chunky kid which later turned to obesity. I was told by my mother that the instant I came out into this world, I was sucking on two of my fingers..yep, hungry already and only a few minutes old...ha ha. The doctor delivering me had turned to my mother and said, "Yep, this is Ernie's kid alright," meaning that my dad being overweight and loved to eat that the apple had not fallen too far from the tree. I know my mother had the hardest time dealing with my weight problem. You have to know my mother was forced fed as a kid to GAIN weight. She was 5'8, slender with a beautiful body and face to match, my siblings were all pretty much normal weight and here she was stuck with this chubby kid who loved to eat. I can remember the comments she had made to me as I was growing older and getting heavier. I distinctly remember when I was in 6th grade, she and I had gone shopping for new school clothes and she had told me that if I did not stop eating and gaining weight that I'd be fitting into the "Old Lady" clothes. Now, for those who can remember the 70's, old lady clothes are the polyester pull up pants, needless to say I was mortified not only to the fact that she had said this to me, but to the fact of the reality of that comment. I had kept myself from that area by going to men's clothing but it was difficult. I teetered on my weight throughout Jr. High and High School. My mother committed suicide my sophomore year, and that is when the weight just came on with a vengenence and had not stopped till my getting the Lapband. I have to say, that the only good thing about her death was that she never got to see me at my heaviest; 370lbs. So, I lived my life being morbidly obese and I was very unhappy and very unhealthy to my standards. I have never been diabetic, nor had to take medications but my joints and back were in constant pain and I knew eventually my body was going to give out, after all I am 370lbs and with a 5'3" frame...don't think so. Around Spring of 2005, I decided to start looking into Gastric Bypass as it was the latest tool for losing weight. I began my search here on OH, and a good friend of mine had the surgery and was doing well. As I searched the website, I found the Lapband and thought that I'd go that route since there were so many problems with RNY (especially a higher death rate) that I thought I would go a less intrusive route. I was told that I wouldn't lose the weight as those that have had the RNY, well sorry to prove ya all wrong...I've lost 182lbs not even in a year (Dec 20th: weight 188, suriversary Jan 27th). I think I've done quite well, but anywho back to the story...I decided to get surgery but couldn't figure out how I was going to pay for the darn thing. Mexico? Are you freaking nuts??? Yea, well that was what I had heard once I had made up my mind to do the surgery. People were telling me that I would end up with a botched surgery, that they would take my kidneys and sell them on the black market and that I would die over there cause they don't have the same equipment as the US. I was kinda scared at first, but then I started talking to people who had the surgery done in Mx and were quite happy, both RNY and LB patients. I decided to go with Dr. Alberto Aceves at Almater Hospital in Mexicali Mx. Now, I had made my decision it's now up to me to decide who I am going to tell. I told my family, most thought I was insane and was prepared to buy a straight jacket for me. I was determined to go, and the price for what I wanted was what I could afford...I know sounds bad to go by price but I needed something to help me shed these pounds and be something I could afford. January 27, 2006. On my way to Mexicali Mx by myself!! I was with my ex bf at the time whom lived in San Diego, so at least I had a place to stay and he wasn't far from the border only 2hrs. I was picked up at his apt by the driver for the doctor, I was nervous about getting in a van with someone who I didn't know but luckily for me there were a couple of other people there getting banded, so I was relieved. My stay at the hospital was great, the staff was very friendly and the hospital was very clean. In fact, the hospital was the cleaniest and friendliest that I've ever been to and I've been to quite a few so I was very impressed. The surgery went off without a hitch, I was up walking around 3hrs afterwards and it's been good ever since. Today, I've lost up to 182 lbs and I am going on strong. I look forward to getting towards my ultimate goal of 130. Well, that is my story in a nutshell so to speak. Any questions, please feel free to ask me. Thanks for allowing me to share my experience with you all. :)
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