Dr Ponce De Leon and Trish. ( long)

I am on day 3 and feeling amazing!

I'm from Manitoba, Canada and our wait lists are so long . I was tired of waiting so I booked with Trish. ( WLS for better life) and Dr Ponce De Leon. I feel so good about my decision. It was $5500 and included pretty much everything except my flight ( paid $500 for return)

My sister came with me and we landed in San Diego around 1 pm . We were picked up by our driver who met us right by the baggage check. Jonathon kept us entertained the whole ride to Tijuana , It didn't take too long. They have a special lane to get us through - although the lines to get back looked horrible.

We got to the hospital ( INT) and met by Trish. She got us settled into the room and shortly after the cardiologist Dr Leal (?) came by did a history, a ekg and took some blood. He gets the results back in within the hour.

The nurse ( Sonja ) came in and set up an iv. I was so amazed ... she got it right away. I have horrible veins- usually take several attempts.

Dr Ponce came and answered any questions I had. I told him I was concerned with nausea as I usually have it after I come out of surgery in the past.He assured me it would be taken care of and if the first meds don't cut it- they would add something else. 

| walked up to the third floor and into the operating room... Lots of people there. One of the drs had to get me to re position and made a comment about me being big... lol.. I said that is why I am there ... he laughed and indicated he meant TALL - I'm 5'10 .... I laughed and it felt good to relax a bit. I was out before I knew it  and the surgery was over. I got a video of it and it looked like it took 42 minutes. Was neat and kinda gross to see it on video lol...

I was back in my room soon after and the weirdest issue. I was so hot and sweaty . I actually thought I had wet myself. lol.. my whole gown was soaked. I realized it was sweat when I felt it on my head and neck. I changed gowns and my sister brought me a wet cloth and i felt more human.  I think I was walking in about 3-4 hours after the surgery. The goal is 3 hours. It felt fine to walk ....

I didn't sleep much that night - an hour at a time... just couldn't get comfortable since I am normally a side sleeper, and with the incisions and drain I couldn't . The nurses were excellent. They answered the bell so freaking fast - I mean it would take them less then 30 seconds to be in the room helping. Im a nurse and I have NEVER seen that in Canada. lol

They kept on top of the pain and nausea. I did throw up ( dry heaves ) that first night and it wasn't as bad as i expected. Trish was right there patting my back . She is such a wonderful person. She made sure anything we needed was there...

She and my sister ended up going out for dinner. Pizza . My sister said it was really good. The next day she went and grabbed tacos at a little store that she raved about ( right near the hotel)
 
The cafeteria was pretty cool according to her. Open air and really tasty food, quite inexpensive.

I changed into my own pjs later that first night and again it made me feel better. The gowns are huge and actually give good coverage which is unlike most gowns I've used.

The day after the surgery I walked alot and hung out on the 3 rd floor- they had a nice lounge with comfy chairs and windows that were open - very relaxing. The pain was very light. I could feel the gas moving around and the drain was sore. Actually after I was going on about how well I was feeling - the drain started hurting - figured I was getting ****y. It felt like a cramp. not that bad though....

I ended up throwing up a total of three times. The first time was dry , the second two were bile/blood stuff from the surgery . I was so freaked out prior to throwing up that I was so relieved it wasn't painful .  I got to have ice chips on day 2 and they felt so good going down.

Day three ( today) was the best so far. Got up , did my first leak test ( apparently they do 2 in the or as well.) which was the blue dye.  I passed ! then I did the contrast dye in front of the xray ( they give you a video of that as well) that drink was a bit nasty . I think I drank it too fast - it was gross lol...I passed that and got to have my iv and drain removed. The drain was a weird feeling but felt so much better being out. It is very quick getting it out.

We packed up - Trish went out and got my perscriptions filled. along with a goodie bag of juice and my cool t-shirt.....  Hector came by with the diet instructions and medication instructions.  And then we were FREE. Trish got us loaded up and drove us to the hotel ( which is right across from the hospital but a crazy traffic circle) we got checked in to the hotel , which is beautiful.  We decided to go out and do some shopping and lunch outside.

Trish took us to a little resturant where my sister had a margarita ( they ended up saying 2 for 1 and gave her two lol) and I had the best broth I've ever tasted! I could only eat about 10 spoons of it though ... What a great tool this sleeve is!

We ended up buying bracelets from a man walking around and selling them ... I got a couple for my step daughters. He twisted them and spelled their names.

We walked around looking and shopping . So much fun. They were filming an italian movie on the street . Felt like so much fun ... like a holiday rather than I just had surgery.... Trish really made this experience fun and cared for us throughout the whole time. We came back to the hotel and rested. The beds felt so comfortable .... later in the evening we ventured out to the taco stand Trish and my sister went to earlier and she grabbed some dinner to go. I ordered my broth from room service- very tasty stuff.... again filled up so soon .

Tomorrow we head to San Diego where we are going to do a little shopping and hanging around since our flights were so early in the morning and we really didn't want to get up THAT early to cross the border.

My experience here was amazing. I can't get over how clean, professional and caring everyone was. I saw my surgeon and other dr's far more than I would ever in canada.

Highly reccommend this amazing team ( I know I sound like an evanglist but it was such a positive experience I want to scream from the roof tops. )

I;m on the loser's bench now and so looking forward to my new more active life!

 

 Hi!
When you get back to Canada, will you see a bariatic surgeon to follow up with?  How about all your labs you will need?  Just curious. 

Glad you had such a great experience with WLS for betterlife.  I went thru Trish but that was when she worked with Dr K.  Best of luck with your journey.

Thanks for the update...makes me feel even more reassured about my decision. Did you get to talk/ask about the surgery itself? The bougie size and how tight the stitching/staples are? I have been reading alot about this being part of the success of this surgery( and of course how you follow the guidelines) . S glad to hear all went well.

 The boogie size is 3.5 oz.  if you are going from Canada and want someone to support you from start and forever I a, the Canadian advocate for Dr Ponce De Leon.  I have a whole program from pre-op and post op eating guidelines and am available to my clients 24/7. I even travel with my clients for reassurance.

I am going to start the process for this in Mexico can you please message me I need some support....

 My follow up can be done by my family dr. There aren't many labs or things that need to be done with vsg ( compared to lap band or rny) . I can get any prescription done by him for my acid reducers and stuff.  I didn't ask about the boogie size but I think it was a 34 or 36 ? And he sews and staples . I think personally the differences between the boogie sizes are so minimal it doesn't make a huge difference. 

 Thank you for your Post there is not much Info on Dr Ponce De Leon

Sonja

You should be having your blood checked every month for follow-up the first year.  YOu need to be taking vitamins daily as well.  Dr. Ponce De Leon's boogie size is 3.5 oz.  There are things you need to be doing at home for follow up and ongoing support is key in this whole surgery.  If you have any questions or concerns contact me anytime.  You do need follow-up at home with your family doctor it is very important. 

The follow up for a sleeve is much less than would be with an RNY.

Which labs do you reccommend? 

so 3.5 oz will be what size bougie?