Dr. Alberto Aceves?

Awww, shux! Thanks, Emily!!!

Greetings! I am a brand new member to this forum. I just read your post and I am eager and excited to hopefully have my VSG in April! I am very nervous about this process and unfortunately my hubbie isn't as excited about this as I am. I am torn between Dr.Aceves and Dr. Alvarez? Any suggestions or recommedations?

 I'm sure others will have an input, but I am very happy with my decision to go with Dr Aceves! My surgery date is set for 16 March!!! I am soooooo ready! Have you sent any emails to Nina? THe has tons of info you can read through, and she responds very fast. I've even gotten emails from her late at night! To be honest, I would go tomorrow if I could! Flight and surgery scheduled!!!

Yes, I have spoken with her a number of times! She is awesome.....I am so ready to do this! I had the lap band in 2004 and had it removed in 2006 due to slippage. I did however, loose 85 pounds. Of course I have gained that back plus some. I am very concerned with having surgery out of the country, but feel more comfortable after reading these posts. I might be going alone, not ready to tell others and not certain if hubbie will fully support me on this one.....So I will stay prayerful...

Blessings to you!

 I've told my parents, brother, his fiance, and 1 friend. They all support me. All know I am going to Mexico for it except my friend. I don't mind telling people about it, but I am not one to put my business out there without it organically coming up in convo. I also don't want to continually explain myself about my decision to go to Mexico. I have no doubts in my mind about this decision. In fact, this is the strongest I've felt about anything regarding my weight.
Good luck in whatever decision you make! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you would like, you can message me after I have mine and I will help you as much as I can.

Yes! That would be wonderful!!!

Thanks so much~

 I am on my way to see Dr. Aceves tomorrow morning. Throughout my research process, the only negative things I have found is all petty things. Like complaints that the people in the recovery room are to noisy talking while other people are recovering. Has absolutely nothing to do with him or the staff. Pretty good if that is the worst thing you could come up with, in my opinion.

Nina is absolutely fantastic. I swear she never takes a day off and replies to my many emails within minutes of receiving them. I made the mistake of booking my flight before I received my patient info package and ended up having my flight arrive 2 hours later than they specify. Nina didn't get upset. She said it was no problem and made arrangements for the driver to be there when I arrived. So far I've had nothing but a great experience and anticipate the rest of my journey to be much of the same. Every step of the process is completely spelled out for you, which helps to take all the anxiety away. I  researched him for months and I feel completely confident in his abilities and am very excited to finally meet him tomorrow. 

Some things that I am bringing is a single 4 wheeled carry on suitcase. 4 wheels is very important if you will be going alone like I am. Also all your basic necessities, slippers, comfortable stretchy pants for the return trip home, slip on shoes, gas x strips for the pain from the gas build up and Imodium for diarrhea. Nothing worse than diarrhea on a plane when the seat belt sign is on or there is a long line up!  Another poster also mentioned to remember the bring some extra money for tips. Don't forget this is Mexico after all. Most importantly, travel light.

Good luck to you!

ND2BTHN-
    Thank you for replying. I haven't even found complaints of noisy recovery room, but like you said - if that is the worst, bring it!
    I got to talk to my aunt's friend who I found out went to Dr. Aceves a year 'n half ago for her sleeve surgery. Although I've found nothing but good about this doctor, it was kinda nice to have someone a lil closer than the internet to talk to. It really set in stone that this is the right thing for me to do. She is a nurse and has researched this to death, checked it out before she went there, etc. She even said she had returned home from the surgery only to end up having pneumonia and a collapsed left lung - which she in NO way attributes it to Dr Aceves or his staff - but her has a hx of lung/breathing issues. She got home and knew she had pneumonia, went to her doctor and he wouldn't touch her because she went to Mexico for her surgery. So, she got back in the car and drove back to the boarder where she was met by Nina, and driven to the hospital to be met at the front door by his staff and taken back immediate. She made the round trip back to Phx in 10 hours with antibiotics!!!!
     I just feel really good about this. I don't have any health issues, haven't had any procedures besides stitches and wisdom teeth extractions.... and I feel like I could leave tomorrow to do this! 
     You are right, Nina is fabulous!!! She has responded to each of my emails, sent me all the information asked, and answered every question that I've had. I hear the rest of the staff is just the same as Nina. All very caring, genuine people. 
      My mother is refusing to allow me to go alone, although I would do it in a heart beat. She is having the lap band done here in AZ 8 March and if everything works out well, I will hopefully be having the sleeve done the 3rd week of March. So, I will have her to help me with anything. I am an overpacker - but I am only going to be bringing carry on. Thanks for the tips about things to bring. 
      Goodluck on your surgery and keep in touch! If you need someone to talk to, feel free to message me!!!!! In around about way, I think through Dr Aceves, alot of people are going to come an extension of family!!!
 
-Nicole

 ND2BTHIN- just checking in to see how everything went. By the dates you may be getting home tomorrow? Let us know how you are when you get a chance!

 Hi! I am back! Came in late last night. Over all I am doing well. The 5 hour plane ride home wasn't fun. I am stuggling with the gas pain. I don't recommend taking the moriphine, as it knocked me out to point of not being able to get up and walk right away the first day. I was way too dizzy and nausious to even stand and walk to the washroom. I didn't get up until late in the evening, to walk and it was only for a little bit before I had to go lie down again. Everyone reacts differently to certain meds, so this is purely my experience. I think this made it harder for me to pass the co2 gas. I was and still am in a lot of discomfort from the gas. Oddly enough too, my lower extremities, (i.e) lower belly, and thighs, and the breasts and upper chests became very red. Almost sunburn light, but nowhere else. I think it is just my bodies way of reacting to the trauma it just experienced. I am 5 days out and the redness has now, turn to light pink.

I am trying to walk, but I guess not enough because I haven't found it to break up the pain as much as other people indicate. I haven't come anywhere near the daily amount of liquid needed yet. I've only been able to get in about 8 oz of liquid a day so far. I feel once I manage to expel the gas, I will be more able to get my required fluids in. Other than that, so far so good. I am happy to be home, and to start my new life.
Dr. Aceves was great. Everyone was super nice, and everything was exactly as I expected and heard of. I am still happy of my decision to go through him for my surgery.