Jitters

[KikiHill]

I have booked my sleeve surgery with Marcelo Hernandez at the HMN Hospital. I was told he was new to the team but I can't find a single testimonial on him. I am going alone and I am starting to get a bit scared. My surgery date is June 15. Traveling to Mexico alone for surgery is getting to me. I desperately want and need this. I have a five yr old that I need to be around for. Can anyone give me some good vibes, stories, personal journey stuff to help me out?

[WANAGL]

I had my surgery in St Augustine, FL. So I have no experience with Mexico surgery.
You may be able to get some support by using the search feature at the top of the page or searching the groups.

Best of luck as you embark on your journey!

[Lanette]

I had mine at hmn on may 9 th. With dr almanza. It is an amazing place and amazing people. Very professional. Mine went smoothly. May like everywhere else please and thank you will get you much farther and much better service.

[KikiHill]

Thanks so much for replying. I am excited and super nervous at the same time. How are you feeling now? Any tips on what you wished you knew before and after traveling and surgery? Carry on or checked baggage? Private room or not? Extension cords? Heating pad? I have read a few things on what to bring but there are many conflicting stories. Did you go alone? I haven't flown in about 11 years so the flight home is something of a concern. How do you feel now?

[Weesie867]

I signed up for him and didn't see anything either but I met a lady that said that the main dr is in with him and he actually did their surgery. I paid the $700 extra but she said I didn't have to. It really is safe. You will meet people from all over and the hotel staff are really friendly. I just went the eighth of May.

[shparks]

This was the first time that I had any kind of surgery. Once they gave me the drugs, it seemed like the whole thing was over instantly.

I was expecting a lot more pain during recovery than I ended up feeling.

[Healthmyself]

Just put ' hernedez" in the "search the forums " above and you'll get quite a few hits about him and people you can contact.

I just went, alone. Surgery may 11. But had Almanza. I paid the extra money for him for my peace of mind and because I had prior extensive abdominal surgery and wanted someone who would be able to professionally manage my scar tissue. You may want to consider the same if you are worried. I have to say the docs in Mexico are doing this at such a rapid and practiced pace ( thousands of times each ) they are a well oiled machine...and yet the U.S. Docs are considered " very experienced " if they have done a few hundred.
Bottom line I think you'll know what YOU feel comfy with and that's what matters.
Another tip, I looked here at the surgery dates section and found someone who was having the surgery the same day at the same place and we connected prior to going via phone. Then requested to be roomies before we left. So in essence we both had someone there for each other and also made a friend for life!
If I can help please let me know, I'm happy to talk on the phone and answer questions about what I've learned thus far.
Another HUGE part of your success is your compliance. You are going to get tired of doing the directions exactly. The pre-op, the post op, taking the bitter meds, pushing in that protein and fluid, It's often not comfortable or its annoying or even painful. One big plus is if you can say " I'm willing to do what it takes. End of story ". And.....just do it.

Make a decision to set yourself up for success at every turn....you've got this!

[KikiHill]

Thanks so much Heather! It's nice to have some input. I have only had gallbladder surgery before so I'm not worried about scar tissue. I just feel out of place but you have made me feel so much better. Plus you gave great tips for this site. I will definitely try those. I appreciate the advice again.!!!!

[Lanette]

I also went alone. Tell them at the desk that you want to share a room so they don't charge you for a single. You will be surprised that the people you talk to you may never see while there. They keep you on a pretty tight schedule. I would even encourage my children to do it worth Almanza if they wanted to. The waiting was the hardest for me. I had no pain, very little discomfort. Meanwhile in the room next door they were throwing up a lot. I also noticed that the people that already take pain pulls on a regular basis had more problems than those of us that did not. I alai thought that the gal bladder surgery was way worse than the sleeve.

[KikiHill]

would you rather have had a private room or not? I ask because of the throwing up next door. Ive been debating about that.

[SomeGuyJeff]

i went alone - about the private room..

im glad i didnt... because i had someone else to talk to and walk with

i wish i had... because he snored like a friggin freight train and i was about to push him out the window if i didnt get sleep

[KikiHill]

Lol. I know about the snoring. My husband is louder than a train. He finally got a breathing machine and I like him way better!!!! lol Anything you wish you know before surgery? Like what to take? Questions to ask? What to expect? SInce I'm going alone I have major reservations but so totally commited! Ya know?

[Lanette]

Defunately have a room mate. You will find yourselves pushing each other to do the right thing.

[Shirl]

Hi KikiHill! Welcome to the forum and Congrats on you decision to take your life back.

I am week post op and wanted to share with you that my only other surgery was a gallbladder removal back in 2014, and let me tell you that experience was horrible compared to this one. I don't know if it was because I have been preparing for the gastric sleeve for six months or what. Either way, just a week post op and my wounds have healed completely! my gallbladder wounds took a month! recovery was a lot worse than what I have experience this week. I had a scare with acid reflux and constipation yesterday, but it seems like the problems have been solved THANK GOODNESS!

I would definitely as surgical team about acid reflux post op! also do not ever go more than two or three days with out having a bowel movement!!! I do not recommend it, and avoid the agony if you can. I wrote a whole thing on my blog is you care to read it lol!

Congrats again! and best wishes on your travels! Happy and safe returns too!

Keep us posted.

[Weesie867]

She was talking about at the hotel. At the hospital you can't have your own room. There are only five rooms that are used. You are onky there one night and then you go back to hotel for the remainder. I am the one Lanette was talking about throwing up. I was dry heaving cause of meds and the my room mate I think had sympathy pains so she started lol.