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My surgery today. I am at hospital now. Flew from St. Louis to El Paso on Southwest. Very impressed. Flights were NOT crowded. Had the whole row to myself. Bring a sweater. Very cold. Buy a blow up travel pillow. Will also help with bumps on the drive to and from airport. Do NOT buy a cloudz travel blanket. It's a glorified sheet. You don't have to print out a boarding pass if you have it on your phone. When going through security have boarding pass and ID ready. Once you're to the scanners remove your bag of liquids, any laptops or game consoles, and your shoes. I bought slip on shoes for this and after the surgery I probably won't feel like tieing my shoes. Once you're through security find your gate. I arrived about 45 minutes before my flight started boarding (which is 30 minutes before takeoff) and barely had time to pee and find a seat to wait. Flights were wonderful. All the water I could drink since I had to be on water only for 6 hrs before preop testing.
Mince you get to El Paso, go to the baggage claim. Just past there you go out the door and see a little covered area. That is where Amigo Shuttle pickes you up. Don't listen to the little map Beliteweight gives you. There is no assigned parking and my guy didn't see me because I was on the other end.
Then we drove to Juarez. On the way to you just ride. There is no ID needed so just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Upon arrival to the hospital give the driver your drivers license. He will take you to Registration and give your I'd to them.
Then you sign standard paperwork. I had already paid my $4000 to beliteweight but if you haven't this is where you would give them your cashiers check or money order. After giving me a beautiful bracelet it was up to the third floor.
There I was weighed and taken to my room. They give you body wash, soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. So don't pack those. They also have a big towel to dry with and a hand towl to wash with. Not the softest but do the job.
Youve got you're own bathroom with a bottle water and huge shower with good water pressure. A small closet to hang up your clothes. A small chest of drawers beside the bed. A tv. Recliner and a small futon like couch. Comfy for sleeping.
Then the give you a gown. Change into it to get labs, chest X-ray, and ekg done. The ekg was different than America. The put these clamp like sensors on your ankles and wrists. Then they use these suction cup electrodes instead of our sticky ones. Be prepared to bare all because they had to expose my left breast to do this.
Change when you get all that done because they mostly leave you alone after that. I didn't see my nurse except like 2 times. One time to get ice and another to take my vitals before bed. Get Google Translate! The speak very very little English. Then a guy( louis I think) came and brought me coffee and got me a safe. My lunch was not free. Cost about 14 bucks for entree and dessert. Change brought back was pesos so bring small bills. Lol.
Then the anesthesiologist came and spoke to me. Mostly about getting up and walking after surgery or at least sitting in recliner because laying flat is going to make the gasses push on my diaphragm. He also talked about making sure I used my spirometer to clear the lungs.
Then dinner was served. Lemon Jello, camamile tea, and apple juice. I had some pantry select protein soup so I turned the tea water into soup instead. Apple juice was too sweet for my taste.
Took a shower and went to bed after I was told they would be starting my iv at 5:30. I set my alarm for 5:15. Changes back into my gown and brushed my teeth. They just started my iv at 6. Still no idea when surgery is yet. Probably won't hear from me until after. Wish me luck? Got questions? Ask.
Hello everyone....I came across a program, weight loss agents, I filled out the medical history questionnaire, and was pretty reluctant to do this but I have been waiting to get a gastric sleeve for freaking 5 years, but because I have Medicare they are dragging it out longer each time I go in...so I thought I'd just register and see what happens....the next day I got an email saying I was approved and the date I chose was available, they even called me and set up the actual surgery....This is a $4k procedure, with a $250 non refundable deposit, I scheduled the surgery today, but haven't paid the deposit yet, I have a week, I want to do a bit more research on this program and doctor. So far it seems legit but I'm really anxious about traveling to Mexico for this risky procedure. But I have been reading positive things, I was wondering if anyone here knows any info about if this is a legit thing or not, I don't want to waste my life savings on a botch surgery, and put my self in danger. But if I can just get some people who legit went through this and doesn't regret it, I'd feel so much better....
That's crazy, it sounds like things went downhill for them then. I had my VSG done there in 2010 and was very pleased with the facility, doctors, and overall care I got from them. Hearing this makes me sad because everyone was amazing when I was there and the surgeon was fantastic. The owner lived in the house across the street from the recovery house I stayed in and actually had us all over for dinner one night. I'm sorry you experienced all that. ð??"
How was your pain after the surgery, when you left the hospital? And do they provide pain medication for the first day or two after surgery? My sister had gastric bypass in the states, her insurance paid for her surgery. She said after her 3rd day at home, she her pain level was sush that she didn't need pain medication. I guess I'm just worried about pain. I hate being in pain.
How did your surgery go? What was the experience like in Mexico? I am planning to have WLS there in October. I'm still trying to decide on doctor and location. It gets confusing looking at all the different US companies offering packages which say they all have the best doctors.
I LOVE Dr. Alvarez! I've been watching his Youtube videos months before my surgery. He was very informative.
I am having a Gastric Bypass Revision. Upper and Lower so hoping my weight loss is like the last time but will be happy if I just get rid of the acid and bike reflux I've been having for years.
Everyone is worried about me going to Mexico, I haven't told too many people really, the ones I knew would support my surgery only. Those worried are only worried about me going by myself. I'm thinking it's like a vacation! No one to worry about but myself!
well I'm not sure what to write so I'll sign off! Ask a question?!
So I'm going to keep updating this post because I feel like there has to be others looking for the information I am.
First off I chose to go through Beliteweight. So far so good. I've paid my $500 deposit to reserve my date of August 12, 2017. I'm not entirely impressed with them but if they get me to and through surgery I guess that is what really matters. Sa is not very good about responding to emails. This only got worse after I paid my $500. I guess the sell was over. She did call me yesterday to see if I had started my liquid preop. I had totally planned on doing a liquid preop on Monday but only for myself. I was never told to do a liquid preop. The preop instructions sent to me did not mention a liquid preop. But whatever. Started today.
I bought a sample pack of soups from Bariatric Advantage. They are Pantry Selections and have lots of protein. I had cream of tomato. It was delicious. I also tried Click Coffee and Protein Vanilla Latte. Delicious too. I tried Matrix Banana and cream. I did not like it. Hardly any flavor.
Anyway, you're hear for info. So with Beliteweight I am paying 4500 out of pocket and they are financing the other 5600. They arrange the surgery, hire transportation from the airport to the hospital and, if I understand right, I'll have a personal guide/concierge. I'll let y'all know about that last one
I'm have a Bypass to Bypass Revision upper and lower. I had the old stomach stapling and my stomach opened back up. Also since I was young the surgeon left more intestine and I never had any dumping or anything.
I've got my passport card to cross the border from El Paso to Mexico. I've got my Flight to and from El Paso. I've started packing but only essentials since I will be alone and don't want to check luggage. I've got my shampoo, body wash, and lotion in 3 oz bottles. I've got Deodorant, tide, tooth paste, chapstick all packed in the baggie with them. I've got my medicines, 5 days worth. I've got headphones. I've ordered a charge bank, a blow up travel pillow to put against my stomach after, a heating pad, longer cord for my phone, cord for my headphones, a lanyard with a wallet attached that I'm going to keep on me and down my shirt with some money, a card, and my ids, and more of the Click Vanilla Latte. (What can I say? I love coffee!)
this week I'm buying new socks(I need them lol. ), a pair of gripper socks, slide on shoes, And front clasp sports bra. Then I gotta finish packing! I'm also staying in St. Louis close to the airport the night before and the night I fly in. They want me to be there befor two which means I have a 5:30am flight and they want you to stay until noon the day of departure so I won't get home until 6:40pm. So hotel here we come. Luckily my mother is bringing my babies and picking me up and taking me up there too.
Will write more tomorrow. Tired. Ask questions. I'll answer!
Hello! My name is Amber and i'm 25 years old. I had been overweight my entire life, and by the time I reached 18 years old I was weighing in at 350 pounds. I had health issues, depression, anxiety, and I just felt terrible about myself. I decided to have the VSG with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez and it was the best decision of my life!
SW: 350
LW: 149
Surgery: VSG in June, 2010.
If you check out my profile you'll find how to get to my blog. On my blog I have been writing about my entire experience on this journey. You'll get to hear about my experience with Dr. Alvarez and how this wonderful man gave me the best tool in the world that honestly saved my life. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
