VSG

Hello everyone, I am interested in getting the sleeve done. I am thinking of getting it done with Dr Kelly. I am just wondering for anyone that has had it done by him, what were your concerns in general and if you had any about going to Mexico? How was your recovery? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I tried to PM a few people lol but my computer wouldn't let me actually post anything sooo that's why I am asking in here.

I tried replying to your PM but it appears it won't let me send anything either.  How frustrating.

I am still deciding between an RNY and a VSG.  If you go with Dr. Kelly - contact their office directly instead of going through a third party coordinator.  It'll save you some money and some time.  If you want contact information I sent you my email addy in the header line of a  PM.

Personally, I chose Dr. Kelly because I liked that he had practiced in the US (doing transplants and trauma care not bariatric).  He has all the right credentials (F.A.C.S., American Society for Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastro and Endoscopic Surgery).  I've heard he's performed several thousand procedures and has had only one death from a patient that had a major clotting disorder they weren't aware of (it was the patient's first surgery).  I read around on several boards and couldn't find anything bad about him.  And saw some reviews from people in the medical field (RN's and EMTs) that were thrilled with his care and the hospital.  So those are the reasons I chose him.

For the RNY it is 2 nights in the hospital and 2 nights in a resort.  If you deal directly with his office and fly in before 2pm then you can have surgery that same day after they run the preop tests.   They pick you up from the airport in San Diego and bring you back at the end of your stay.  If you deal directly with his office you don't have to prepay any deposit so there is no fear of losing any money.   They'll email you a medical form that you fill out and send back to them.   He'll look it over and let you know if there are any concerns or any reason he can't perform it.  Then you'll coordinate with his office staff to schedule it.  He does have a diet for the 2 weeks prior like most surgeons. 

If I can answer anything else, I'll try.  Haven't actually had the procedure yet so I can't give you any reviews.  :)

Thank you for these details! I am currently waiting for an e-mail reply from there... I hope I found the right e-mail.

I had my VSG with Dr. Kelly Nov. 2012. I went directly through his office. I had such a great experience.

Dr. Kelly is an excellent surgeon.He is very easy to talk with and very kind.His team are also exceptional.

I spent 3 nights at the Oasis of Hope hospital(it's usually 2 nights but I went in on a Sunday). Then We spent 2 nights at the beautiful Lucerne hotel. A friend went with me. We are both nurses and were very impressed with my care. Don't worry if you have to go alone. The nursing care is great and at least one nurse per shift speaks English and all the doctors speak English.

Tijuana is very safe. You are never left alone. we were taken out to shop twice and felt very safe.

My recovery was great. After leaving the hospital I did not require any pain meds. The first day out of the hospital I walked around shopping for 5 hours with no problems. we were in the car for some of that time also so there were short rest periods.

I felt fine when I returned home and had no problems with the food plan. The fellow who was done the same day as i was had pretty much the same recovery. He had his band removed and the VSG done.

We were treated like gold by Dr. Kelly and his team. You will be making a great decision if you chose him. If you have any questions before you chose him you can call his office and he will talk to you when he is available.

In case you need his phone numbers they are 1 619 793 4869  and 1 619 395 5347. I agree definitely go directly through his office.  also will try and message you with my email address.

Thanks for the replies :) I received both of your emails and have sent you both email messages. I do want Dr Kelly to do my surgery, Im kind of impressed with what I have read about him. I'm currently just trying to sort out on how to get my papers back to him so that I can go onto the next stage of possibly being accepted for surgery. On a side note of course no one in my family is very thrilled with the idea that I am going to go down to Mexico and have the procedure done, which sucks but I guess that's a part of going down to a different country to have something done

If they don't research, they wont understand. I haven't had my surgery yet but I am waiting for a reply from his office... however I have researched Mexico for surgery before and even in my world business class I had to take it spoke of traveling for healthcare and how great it can be. People just have images of the back alley in Mexico with a shady looking guy in a sombrero (very stereotypical). I think images from movies have made this worse. Just remember you are doing this for your health. My family (my mother and husband) are finally on board. I am not telling my dad (but I wont even mention the surgery to him... he has been skinny his whole life, he doesn't understand) and I probably wont tell my close friends until its over. Trust your research. Keep us posted!