Dr Aceves Surgery Experience and Blessings
Ok, first things first....Thanks to all of my OH family for your support, prayers and thoughts during before and after my surgery. Now for my journey story.
My husband was very apprehensive about going to Mexico for my procedure. Now not for the reasons you might think, he was fine with the hospital and surgeon. He was more worried about being shot in a drive by, by the Mexican drug cartel. LOL, we didn't see any gun weilding bandits while we were there. We were picked up at the airport and driven to the hospital (Almater) by Ernesto for preop testing, chest xray and initial paperwork. Then taken to a 5 star hotel where we had a fantastic last dinner experience with my sleeve mate Zach and his wife Christina. Then next day we were taken back to the hospital and 3 doctors came in to see us each for about 30-60minutes. The anestiologist spent a ton of time explaining every step of what he would do to keep me comfortable and even agreed to take pictures of my removed stomach and some of the procedure (gross huh, but I am a Nurse Practitioner so I think that it is kinda cool). The Internal medicine doctor (Dr Campos) came in and did a physical examination and cleared me for surgery and then Dr Aceves came in a counseled on surgery expectations, post op instructions, diet and answered any last minute questions.
I was the first to go back was moved to the OR and my IV was started and I truely do not remember another thing until I was waking up in the recovery room. The first 36-48 hours after surgery, the nurses gave routine injections of antinausea medication and pain medication whether I ask for it or not ( I think this went along way in my being completely pain free) after this time I was given oral medications as I asked for them. I have not required anything stronger than liquid tylenol since 4 days after surgery. The facility was so clean that you could have eaten off of the floors. The doctors made rounds 3-4 times a day and spent time making sure that all of your questions were answered and that you were being well cared for.
3 days after surgery we were taken back to San Diego to catch a plane home to Montana. We left Mexicali at 7am and we arrived in Montana at 1130pm no trouble with travel at all. Never required a wheel chair. The next day we spent all day shopping and I was a bit sore but nothing that tylenol wouldn't handle. Finding appropriate first foods for stage one liquids is a pain when traveling so be sure to take crystal light packets and some sort of broth packets/bullion cubes.
Some unexpected surprises- 1. I got a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) prior to surgery to help to prevent blood clots. Very important. What I didn't really think about, is that if you are still having periods between the stress of surgery and the Lovenox you will likely start and let me tell you if was the mother of all periods. 2. I am amazed that I am not in the least bit hungry. Not even a little bit.
I am home now and am so very thankful to my Lord Jesus that I have had such an uneventful surgery procedure and recovery. I am also thankful for all of the support and friends that I have made on OH.
For anyone who is considering going to Mexico for surgery I would highly recommend Dr Aceves and the Mexicali Bariatric Clinic. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have practiced in many US hospitals during my career and can tell you that I got as good (if not better care) in Mexicali as I would have gotten in any US facility.
Sharon
My husband was very apprehensive about going to Mexico for my procedure. Now not for the reasons you might think, he was fine with the hospital and surgeon. He was more worried about being shot in a drive by, by the Mexican drug cartel. LOL, we didn't see any gun weilding bandits while we were there. We were picked up at the airport and driven to the hospital (Almater) by Ernesto for preop testing, chest xray and initial paperwork. Then taken to a 5 star hotel where we had a fantastic last dinner experience with my sleeve mate Zach and his wife Christina. Then next day we were taken back to the hospital and 3 doctors came in to see us each for about 30-60minutes. The anestiologist spent a ton of time explaining every step of what he would do to keep me comfortable and even agreed to take pictures of my removed stomach and some of the procedure (gross huh, but I am a Nurse Practitioner so I think that it is kinda cool). The Internal medicine doctor (Dr Campos) came in and did a physical examination and cleared me for surgery and then Dr Aceves came in a counseled on surgery expectations, post op instructions, diet and answered any last minute questions.
I was the first to go back was moved to the OR and my IV was started and I truely do not remember another thing until I was waking up in the recovery room. The first 36-48 hours after surgery, the nurses gave routine injections of antinausea medication and pain medication whether I ask for it or not ( I think this went along way in my being completely pain free) after this time I was given oral medications as I asked for them. I have not required anything stronger than liquid tylenol since 4 days after surgery. The facility was so clean that you could have eaten off of the floors. The doctors made rounds 3-4 times a day and spent time making sure that all of your questions were answered and that you were being well cared for.
3 days after surgery we were taken back to San Diego to catch a plane home to Montana. We left Mexicali at 7am and we arrived in Montana at 1130pm no trouble with travel at all. Never required a wheel chair. The next day we spent all day shopping and I was a bit sore but nothing that tylenol wouldn't handle. Finding appropriate first foods for stage one liquids is a pain when traveling so be sure to take crystal light packets and some sort of broth packets/bullion cubes.
Some unexpected surprises- 1. I got a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) prior to surgery to help to prevent blood clots. Very important. What I didn't really think about, is that if you are still having periods between the stress of surgery and the Lovenox you will likely start and let me tell you if was the mother of all periods. 2. I am amazed that I am not in the least bit hungry. Not even a little bit.
I am home now and am so very thankful to my Lord Jesus that I have had such an uneventful surgery procedure and recovery. I am also thankful for all of the support and friends that I have made on OH.
For anyone who is considering going to Mexico for surgery I would highly recommend Dr Aceves and the Mexicali Bariatric Clinic. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have practiced in many US hospitals during my career and can tell you that I got as good (if not better care) in Mexicali as I would have gotten in any US facility.
Sharon
Sharon, welcome home and to the loser's bench. Sounds like you had a great experience. Remember to take it easy, you did just have major surgery.
66 yrs young, 4'11" hw 220, goal 120 met at 12 months, cw 129 learning Maintainance
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Abby- I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on Monday. My experience with Dr A was truely senstational. I am an Nurse Practititioner so in the back of my mind I kinda worried about everything my colleages thought about healthcare in Mexico. In my opinion, some US hospitals/doctors could take some lessons from the type of care and service that I got in Mexicali. Now this is not to say that there are not good and bad facilities and doctors in both the US and Mexico. I just think that Dr A and Almater do a stellar job!!!! :-) God's speed in your recovery. Sharon
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