My surgery w/Dr. Aceves in Mexicali
It's been 19 days since I & my husband had VSG with Dr. Aceves & I've finally chronicled it for those interested. It was a GREAT experience & I would highly recommend him & Almater Hospital. I was on a pre-op diet for 2 wks (lost 8#) and have now dropped another 22#. I know I am "on my way" and oh, so thankful, for the surgery.
Day 1 - Arriving in Mexicali
We got up at the crack of dawn, downed a protein shake, and caught our flight to San Diego. We ate nothing more all day, because you need to be fasting for at least 6 hours before your pre-ops are done. My husband, daughter, and I were met at the airport by Ernesto (who also had a VSG done). He picked up 2 more patients (and their support persons) – one having a VSG & the other having a band removed.
After a 2-hour drive to Mexicali, we were met at the Almater Hospital by Yolanda and Lucy who spoke perfect English and were very efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable (as was everyone on Dr Aceves' staff). Almater Hospital is a regular hospital (not a clinic) with an Emergency Room, ICU, etc, so they were doing “business as usual" with the general population while Yolanda guided us through all of our necessary pre-op stuff. We found it to be an excellent facility, and they are expanding and doing construction on another wing.
Our pre-ops included a urine test, blood test, EKG, Chest X-ray, and a physical by an internist who assessed our medical risk. My blood pressure was found to be high (I'm not on meds & have been borderline for years), so they were going to re-take it the next morning before I could have surgery.
We also met with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Campos (nutritionist who has also had WLS), and Dr. Aceves. Dr. A & Dr. C talked to us as a group for about 30 minutes concerning WLS & lifestyle changes. We were given an antibiotic pill and a sleeping pill for that night.
After about 3-4 hours we were all done and Ernesto transported us to the lovely Lucerna Hotel where we had GREAT chicken fajitas (even though they weren't on the menu – just ask) & a margarita. There is a beautiful pool and the grounds were well kept. We got on-line for an hour or so and then took our 2 pills and went to bed (nothing more to eat or drink after 10pm).
Day 2
Ernesto picked us up at 7am and drove us to the hospital where we were all shown into our individual rooms. They gave me another blood pressure test (much lower, thank goodness). We changed into gowns, they put in IV's, wrapped our legs (to prevent clotting) and we waited for our happy pill. The anesthesiologist had already explained that after we were out, he would be giving us a spinal shot of morphine for pain. This pain relief lasts about 24-36 hours before you have to ask for pain meds.
My husband's surgery went first, and he did fine. My surgery was next and lasted about 1 ½ hours. I did fine as well (as did the other 2 people we came with). I spent an hour or so in Recovery – no pain to speak of, just uncomfortable & sore (that morphine is a GREAT painkiller!).
By evening, both my husband and I were up walking the halls and sucking on our breather ball apparatus (prevents pneumonia). All of Dr. A's patients were in our wing, so it was nice seeing them. Peeing was weird getting started, but no problems with that. Farting & BM's were much later, but no problems there either, just infrequent & not much (course, we're only on liquids, for heaven's sake). I'm also saving a lot of money on flossing!
Our first nite was uneventful, nurses floating around every couple of hours checking vitals. My daughter slept in my room where there was a really comfy daybed.
Day 3
I woke up feeling great! First off, we got 4 shots of dark apple juice that we were to drink within 30 minutes or so. It tasted wonderful! This was to check for any leakage from the Penrose drain tube and was uneventful. Lots more walking, sucking breather balls, and sipping. By afternoon, I was tired and asked for my first pain pill as I wanted to nap. I woke up more alert & took a shower & put on my own gown/robe. Had great chicken broth for supper & hot tea & Gatorade. Of course, you only sip bits of it all, and most of it gets tossed! Other than feeling soreness & pressure (like I had run a mile too fast & had gotten a stitch in my side), I was doing fine! I even got on my laptop and worked for a few hours before bedtime. The hospital has wireless internet (just ask Dr. A's staff for the code beforehand). The hospital is only about a block or so from the US border. My AT&T cell phone sometimes had US service (and I made quick phone calls) and sometimes was in roam.
Unfortunately, my husband didn't fare quite as well as me. He has always been a FAST eater and drinker and did not heed the sip, sip, sip rules and that evening, he gulped, gulped, gulped. He thought he was going to throw up and “foamed and the mouth". They gave him meds for nausea and kept checking on him all nite, taking vitals, more meds, etc. He said that each time he pushed the call button, someone was in the room within 60 seconds. My daughter & I had a good night's rest. By morning, he was fine and sip, sip, sipping. No more nausea.
Day 4
About 8 am, we went for our fluoroscope test where we drank NASTY stuff (similar to Barium) and got to see our new tummies as the liquid went down. They took x-rays. Eveyone passed this leak test, and they even let my daughter drink the liquid & see her 2-yr old WLS tummy (what American hospital would do that?)
Did lots more walking and visiting with friends and staff – felt like family in our few short days. Saw Lucy and Yolanda everyday bringing in new patients. The hospital staff spoke little English, but communication was really not a problem. The hospital was immaculate. There was a lady cleaning and mopping and emptying trash all the time. I did not want my bed linen changed yesterday but did let them change it today.
Got our leg wrappings off mid-day. What a relief! Got in another 2 hours on my laptop. Finally took out my IV and put on a hopsital bracelet (kind of after-the-fact). I had pain meds off & on throughout the whole hospital stay. I did NOT want to experience anything other than soreness, and I didn't!
Each meal was pretty much chicken broth, apple juice or hot tea, and some flavor of Gatorade. All quite tasty and satisfying, but you never drink the whole thing.
Later in the afternoon, we decided to purchase Nexium and Supradol (sublingual pain meds that you cannot purchase in the US) at the pharmacy which was only a few doors down from the hospital. There is also a pharmacy across the street, but it was higher priced. My daughter & husband (who by then was dressed in his shorts & t-shirt) walked to the pharmacy. Then, later my daughter went there again with the mother of the other patient.
Dr. A gives you a 2-week supply of Nexium to take home with you and a box of Supradol (8 tablets). The Nexium is about $30 for a 2 week supply, and we got a month's worth for both my husband & I since our insurance won't cover it. Dr. A really wants you on Nexium for 3 months, but we are going to stay on it for a month and a half and then switch to generic Prilosec for another 6 months. My daugher took PPI's for almost 2 years and has been off of them for over a month now with no problems.
Dr. A & Dr. C were in and out too many times to count, each and every day. I don't think they have a home, and I did comment on that to Dr .A when he checked on me that evening close to 9pm. He said he really enjoyed his work and cared about his patients and felt they needed to be checked on. He was getting ready to go to a US Bariatrics conference the following week. He is President of the Mexican Society for Bariatric Surgery and was gone to conference the week prior as well (we had tried to schedule our surgeries for that week). We said our goodbyes and he gave me my medical records to take back with me (a huge envelope containing the chest x-ray, fluroscope tummy x-ray, EKG, 2-page blood/chem labs, and a 2-page summary of the surgery).
Then, I took another great shower, my sleeping pill and pain pill and off to sleep!
Day 5
Woke up chipper at 6 am and was packed by 7 am. Went to the Lobby to meet Ernesto, wheeling my carry-on, and carrying my Gatorade to sip, sip, sip on the drive to San Diego. The border crossing took only about 30 minutes. Ernesto said it sometimes takes an hour. We arrived at the airport shortly after 10:00 am and had a LONG wait for our flight. It was delayed because of flooding at the Houston airport! However, I got on my trusty laptop and was able to work for a couple of hours.
This was actually the worst day because of the flight problems (flooding in Houston) which delayed everything. We had to practically run to catch our connecting flight to OKC. There was also the time change, and we did not reach home until midnight! Then, there was the fact that the flight from San Diego to Houston served a meal (free)!!! The smells were head-hungry overwhelming! We had cranberry juice and survived! We were quite exhausted by the time we reached home and took a pain pill and went to bed.
Day 6
We slept until noon, and it feels so good to be home! I had purchased a lot of Crystal Lite, Propel, Isopure, S/F popsicles, S/F jello, etc., before we left for Mexico, but had no antibacterial soap (recommended for showering), so we did go and get that. We vegged for the next couple of days, and got a follow-up e-mail from one of Dr. A's staff. She sent us a few after-care details, reminded us to stay on Post-Op diet, and asked if we had any questions, etc. I e-mailed her with a couple of questions, and she returned my e-mail within a few hours. I was disappointed to find out that Day 1 was actually the day AFTER surgery (for Post-Op diet purposes). It may be head-hunger, but I am soooo ready for something other than clear liquids!
7-18-10
My husband and I are both doing fine, and I FINALLY made the time to get all of this on Obesity.com. It would have helped us if someone had detailed their experiences for us. Our incisions are mostly healed, and we've had no problems. I'm finally able to sleep on my side, and my stomach area feels more & more normal with each passing day.
We still feel low on energy at times, but we are NOT getting the recommended 60-70 gms of protein a day, and are still having trouble getting in the 64 oz. of fluid. I have also started walking for 30 minutes in the evening. We have both lost 30 pounds in a month & 4 days (since the day we started the pre-op diet), so we are ecstatic!
We are on Phase II (Full Liquids) of our Post Op diet which involves cream soups, protein drinks, watermelon (yummy!), applesauce, s/f puddings. We're anxious to start Phase III next week when we can finally have soft foods - eggs, beans, & oatmeal!
After surgery, my husband cut his diabetes meds in half, his blood pressure meds in half, and has quit taking his cholestrol meds totally. Five days ago (14 days post-op), he stopped taking his diabetes meds altogether. He's testing his glucose daily and it's been averaging 96 (it used to average 117 pre-op WITH MEDS!). We're also watching his blood pressure daily and think he'll be off those meds shortly. We have a visit with our PCP in August.
I would highly recommend Dr. Aceves. Our surgeries and experience with Dr. Aceves was EXCELLENT. I can't say enough about him and his staff. We sent numerous e-mails before our surgery, all of which were answered in detail. We even called a couple of times and got either Monica or Nina (no voice mail, but I'm sure they have one). His staff kept us informed at all times about what was going to happen and what we needed to be doing. We felt we were in great, caring hands. We are supposed to be checking in with them every 10 days, but I haven't done it because we've had no problems. Dr. Campos called last week to check on us (which was very nice), and I did ask him a few questions.
Dr. A is very professional and takes time for all his patients. I believe he is a highly skilled surgeon (my opinion), because of our surgeries, his credentials and the fact that none of his patients had any complications while we were there. I've never heard anything negative, although I know there is always a small percentage of risk & problems.
Our surgery was such a breeze & I still can't believe how easy & efficient it all was. They have this down to a fine art!
It's just shameful that ourt insurance companies here in the US can't see that this is a good procedure and would greatly reduce health risks and would benefit them to accept it. It's like they enjoy shooting themselves in the foot, Right?
band 12-29-06 revision to sleeve Alberto Aceves 4-29-09
I love my sleeve!!
Lost 107 lbs and maintaining
Thanks Patty! We're glad our information helps you. I feel you will really like Dr. Aceves and his group. You are definitely making the right decision to upgrade to Sleeve. It is the ultimate in FINAL success in weight loss. I have seen so many charts that people post, indicating there progressive weight loss, post lap band surgery, and I gotta tel you .... they can't compete with us Sleeve folks.
I do hope you go through with it and wish you luck! Jim
