4 days post-op from Mexico and I feel amazing!

Wendy B · 07-02-2008, 05:04 AM

Hi there,

I'll write more of my experience in Mexico later, but right now I wanted to say that I had my surgery 4 days ago, and I could literally hula-hoop, if I could keep the damn thing on my hips.

I flew from Vancouver to Puetro Vallarta on Friday, by myself I might add, and had surgery that evening with Dr.Joya. I can't believe what a smooth pain free operation it was. I never expierenced any gas pains, though I brought two boxes of Gas X with me that I never opened. I also never had to use the heating pad I faithfully packed.

That evening I slept peacefully in the hospital on my side with a pillow tucked under my tummy. The next night at the resort I was back to sleeping at my stomach like usual. I could put lotion on my legs and tie my shoes, though I was in Mexico so I had flip-flops!

I have 3 insicions about a centimeter long and 1 about 4 cm. There is slight bruising around them, but I was able to wear my big old wire support bra home from the hospital.

I spent a couple days at a resort and got some sun, and have felt no discomfort.

I made the long trek home to Canada today, and I'm sitting here tonite and absolutely amazed at how quick and pain free this has been.

Of course going to Mexico, for my first time and staying at an all exclusive resort where I couldn't swim in the Ocean, relax in the hot tub, have a Maragarita in the pool bar, or stuff myself with all sorts of yummy dishes, is a whole nother story!

I hope that everyone has such a great Lap Band experience.

Wendy

kamicola · 07-02-2008, 05:50 AM

I too went to Mexico... but went to Dr. Kuri in Tijuana... had also a fabulous experience and no pain at all... now one month post op, I am down 30 pounds and feel the best I have in years! My diabetes went into remission the day of surgery... no more meds and blood sugars normal and consistent. I have tons more energy and am so excited! Glad you had a great experience too.... if you have aftercare resources available to you in your area, I would recommend Mexico if you have to self-pay, it's a breeze!

Kammi in Everett, WA
335/302/180
DOB 5/27/08
Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

vanman · 07-13-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi Wendy;

Have been watching your posts because I'm leaving Vancouver on July 23 08 to Dr. Joya as well. Don't want to bug you but could you update me a little on your experience in general and how you feel now. I'm traveling alone and have not told anyone at all. Feeling nervous and uneasy, never thought I would do this especially in Mexico.

Thanks VANMAN

flowers · 07-13-2008, 04:52 PM

I went to Juarez with Dr. Naketa, that was easiest for me. I had broken my shoulder at Christmas so I cant turn over and was just kinda getting onto my side when I had the surgery. I sure dont think I could sleep on my side now though.

I felt fine in the hospital, but they had me on IV drip and pain meds. I felt so fine I decided to go home the next day and know that was a mistake, the long day of travel really got my energy sapped.

Im also exactly 4 days post op, and cant say I feel as good as you do. It hurts to tie my shoes, left shoe especially or to get in and out of bed. I have to say Im glad its over!!!

... another 4 days post op from Mexico and successful surgery (as far as I know so far).

Wendy B · 07-13-2008, 07:40 PM

I Know exactly how you feel. I never thought I would go to Mexico by myself for surgery either..it's crazy.

You will get picked up at the airport and taken to the hospital. Everyone was very nice and talked me through everything.

I am two weeks post op and feel fantastic, but as I have the Lap Band and it has no fills yet, I am hungry and am trying hard to continue losing weight before I get my first one. It does feel like bandster hell. I know I had surgery, but right now everthing feels the same as before and I have NO restriction.

I'm sure that everything will go just as great for you as it did for me. If you have more questions I would be willing to talk to you on the phone. Just let me know.

Wendy

vanman · 07-14-2008, 01:13 AM

Thanks Wendy;
Your support is appreciated. I'm not sure about how to get you my number but i think we both add each other in each others contacts or friends. Let's see if that works.
Vanman

hopeendures · 07-14-2008, 01:26 AM

I, too, went to Mexico. Monterrey, with Dr. De La Garza. The experience was wonderful, and hassle free. I haven't had a fill yet either, but do have some restriction. Tonight I ate some lasagna, the closest thing to solid food I have had so far. It all was going fine. Slow, but fine, until I took one bite too many. It wasn't horrible, but I definitely knew I was done after just 3/4's a serving. It's moments like that when I know this will work. In the past, I wouldn't have finished that serving, and then snacked on the rest until it was gone. Tonight, I have had NOOOO urge to snack on the remaining lasagna.

Since surgery I have kept my caloric intake at 800 a day, closely monitoring my protein, and everything. I'm feeling great, and looking forward to continuing to learn how to use this new powerful tool I've been given!

bombaman · 07-15-2008, 06:46 PM

Why go to Mexico? Price?

hopeendures · 07-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombaman

Why go to Mexico? Price?

Price. I paid for everything myself. Going to Mexico costs me $8K, (Including airfare for 2, and all expenses). If you have checked it out, you know it's a tad higher here. And honestly, the care was amazing. Given the choice of that hospital over the one in my hometown, I would go there if everything else was equal.

flowers · 07-15-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombaman

Why go to Mexico? Price?

The surgeons have more experience. Lap Band has been legal in other countries for much longer than the U.S. Care, I was one of three with 2 doctors and 5 nurses and a nutrionalist. The General Manager came over to shake my hand when I checked in. Instead of a nurse monitoring me, I had a real doctor, hard to find in US hospitals. Price and convenient for me. I live in TX, so it was only a few miles over the border.

Ill bet 99% banded in Mexico will tell you they were treated like a Princess and pampered. I was on a IV for 24 hours, here in the US you recover for an hour and are sent home to take care of yourself.

hopeendures · 07-15-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Ill bet 99% banded in Mexico will tell you they were treated like a Princess and pampered. I was on a IV for 24 hours, here in the US you recover for an hour and are sent home to take care of yourself.

yep....that was my experience too. IV for 24 hours, with pain meds, and doctors checking in, and nurses. Loved it. Recommend it to all.

eisermanr7 · 07-15-2008, 08:38 PM

I definitely have to concur with everybody on here so far!!! I think Mexico (hospitales angeles) was great!!! I would go back there in a heartbeat!!!

kamicola · 07-17-2008, 04:12 AM

My experience too was fantastic at Hospital Angeles with Dr. Kuri.... the only thing you need to do if you go out of country for surgery is make sure you have a support system and aftercare where you live or you have financially prepared for returning to Mexico for all aftercare.... but besides that... excellent care and I would do it the same way again if I had to! It's a 25ish minute laproscopic surgery... and it costs almost 20,000 up here in Seattle... a littls rediculous... especially if they release you a few hours later... at least I felt like I got my $7,500 worth down there!

Kammi in Everett, WA
DOB 5/27/08
335/302/180
Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

CARRIE-NAH · 08-08-2008, 01:40 PM

Wow finally someone who has used Dr. Joya. I have been trying to find someone for 3 days. I am planning on going in November to be banded, I might even have to go by myself and I am very SCARED! Please tell me everthing about your expierence with Dr. Joya, My mom is not to big on the Idea and I would love to be able to tell her. Also were you ok to drive back home? I would have a 2 hours trip home?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy B

Hi there,

I'll write more of my experience in Mexico later, but right now I wanted to say that I had my surgery 4 days ago, and I could literally hula-hoop, if I could keep the damn thing on my hips.

I flew from Vancouver to Puetro Vallarta on Friday, by myself I might add, and had surgery that evening with Dr.Joya. I can't believe what a smooth pain free operation it was. I never expierenced any gas pains, though I brought two boxes of Gas X with me that I never opened. I also never had to use the heating pad I faithfully packed.

That evening I slept peacefully in the hospital on my side with a pillow tucked under my tummy. The next night at the resort I was back to sleeping at my stomach like usual. I could put lotion on my legs and tie my shoes, though I was in Mexico so I had flip-flops!

I have 3 insicions about a centimeter long and 1 about 4 cm. There is slight bruising around them, but I was able to wear my big old wire support bra home from the hospital.

I spent a couple days at a resort and got some sun, and have felt no discomfort.

I made the long trek home to Canada today, and I'm sitting here tonite and absolutely amazed at how quick and pain free this has been.

Of course going to Mexico, for my first time and staying at an all exclusive resort where I couldn't swim in the Ocean, relax in the hot tub, have a Maragarita in the pool bar, or stuff myself with all sorts of yummy dishes, is a whole nother story!

I hope that everyone has such a great Lap Band experience.

Wendy