I was sleeved Oct 2008

Hi Everyone,

I had sleeve surgery Oct 2008 by Dr. Aceves--he is the best in my book.  I had given up ever getting any insurance company to pay for it.  I am happy to say that I have lost 105 pounds and maintained my weight loss.  It took me about 14 months to lose the weight.  It was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I was happy when I saw that we have a form for Oregon.  If I can be of any help to anyone, or you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I have been down this road ahead of some of you. I had such great support when I had this surgery from some friends on some of these boards. 

It is never too late to have WLS.  I did it when I was 63.  It has changed my entire life and all for the better.

Take care,

Do we have weight loss surgeons in Eugene again?  Eugene Bariatrics kind of went to hell in a handbasket a few years back and all their patients had to find service elsewhere.  Are they at Sacred Heart?  I've had an RNY but am considering a revision, largely because I have severe reactive hypoglycemia and dumping syndrome.  To the point that I've been offered a drug that I would need to inject before each meal so I don't get sick.  I don't want to deal with this.  I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I'm assuming I will need to go back to Portland for this.

Hi,

I think I read that they may have a Bariatiic doctor at Riverbend.  But, I would NOT have this surgery done in Eugene.  I highly recommend Dr. Aceves in Mexicali Mexico.  He is top rated by far and a much better surgeon than anyone that I found when I did my research. He has done over 1000 of these surgeries.

I was working with a friend of mine who is an nurse and she checked out Dr. Aceves--and that is how I found out about him She had lost weight and so I asked her where she had gone for this surgery.  I respected her and her judgment so very much since she was a professional. At first I thought she was crazy for going to Mexicali, Mexico when she first told me.  So I started checking on the Internet to find out what he was like. She told me to check him out and go on some of these boards and see what his previous patients had to say about him--and that is just what I did.  I learned that he has done more weight loss surgeries than most US doctors.  He is highly educated and has taught some US doctors the "sleeve" surgery that I had.  His hospital has less of an infection rate that any US hospital.  I was a self pay patient, so I wanted the very best I could find for my money. 

Dr. Aceves does the revision surgery that you want to have.  He and his team of staff are the most caring,kind surgeons and well educated medical people I have ever been around.  He does his surgery in an excellent hospital and they take excellent care of you.  While I was in the hospital I saw 2 doctors 3 times a day. I had the surgery on a Tuesday and flew back to Portland on a Friday.  They tested my new "sleeve" 3 times before they would let me come home.

The cost was by far less than any US doctor and hospital wanted to do this surgery--if I could have found a doctor with the skills that he had I probably would have had it done here.  I think he has lower his price now or has been running some specials.  I paid $9,000 for my surgery.  I would NEVER consider having WLS in the US after some of the things I have heard.  Dr. Aceves's fee covers doctors, hospital stay, medication and all test that they run. Also one night in a very nice hotel before the surgery. 

I flew into San Diego--which was the only thing I paid extra for.  They send a driver to pick you up and others who are having surgery all at the San Diego Airport--it is about 1.5 hours drive and the time goes fast because all of us were talking about the surgery we were going to be having.  Ernesto is the driver and he is excellent and has also had "sleeve" surgery and when it is time for you to come home he drives you back to San Diego.  They would NEVER send you home if they didn't think you were going to be OK. If I had any questions once I got home I could call and talk with them.  I also was very lucky that my primary care doctor here in Eugene did any after care that I might need.  All I needed was a blood panel run every few months. 

I am off of about 90% of the medication that I used to take.  Having the sleeve was the best choice I have every made.  You will never have any of the problems that you are having now.

If you would like to get together sometime I am more than happy to meet with you and answer any questions that you might have.

I also went back to Mexicali with a very dear and close friend of mine who had the same surgery that I had with Dr. Aceves.  She feels the same way I feel about him.

Thanks for asking me, but if it were me I would NOT have any doctor here in the US do this surgery.  You have been sick and I understand your wanted to have the revision.  This is about your health and why not have the best doctor you can have when it comes to your health?

Hugs,
Suzanne

You couldn't get me to travel to Mexico for anything.  Nothing disparaging about the WLS docs there, just basic instability of the country.  Not worth being shot by some drug cartel idiot to get WLS.

Glad you had a good experience.

Linda

Hi Linda,

I do understand what you are saying, and I know this is how so many people think.   But Mexicali is a very very safe boarder to cross.  Believe me I did my research before I went. And there are places that I would NEVER go to in Mexico.  Thousands of US citizens go to Mexcaili every day for medical things.  Many senior citzens can get excellent medical care there for a lot less than any US docotor or hospital will give it to them.  They also go there for most of their dental work, so it really is a safe place to go, I speak from experience.  You are listening and hearing what the Media is saying about the areas that are NOT safe.  I do understand your feelings and I am not trying to tell you were to go.  I can only speak about my experience and what I know for a fact to be true. 

I checked the US State Departement which issues all warnings of place that are NOT safe to go and travel  to and Mexicali was NEVER listed.

I wish you great success on your revision.  Good luck in find a doctor here in the US.

Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne.  I'm not sure yet what they will recommend for me.  I know I can't take these blood sugar swings.  I either get a severe headache from it going up, or get shaky, dizzy, nauseated, and confused when it dips low.  I'm basically on a diet of protein and veggies.  Most fruits are too much sugar for me.  They've offered me Octreotide, but I don't want to have to inject myself every time I eat and I don't like its side effects.  We'll see what the doc says.

I am going to have the gastric sleeve done in Dec. 2012. I am looking for a doctor to do my follow-up care here in Sale or Portland. I am having a hard time to find someone who will take you as a patient when your surgery was done in Mexico. Any suggestions would be great!! Plus I would like to know if there are any support group since I will need help with my diet.

Thanks Rae Damm

Hi,

 

I honestly did not need any kind of support group.  I had found a few people on Dr. Aceves board who were fabulous help.  There must be some kind of support group in Portland.  What kind of doctor are you looking for.  Before I went, I just talked to my regular Primary Care Doctor and she was more than willing to do what I needed and that was no more that a full blood panel after about a month and follow-ups when she thought I needed them.  She took me off so many of my meds as I lost weight and didn't need them.  I would NOT want any doctor who was not willing to take me as a patient.  YOU are doing something to save your own life.  You do NOT need any kind of specialist at all.  Do you have a PCP?  That is all you need. 

 

I have a different doctor now because my other doctor retired, and he is really wonderful.  So there are great doctors out there to help you for the simple things that you will need.  Your health will just keep getting better.  I am not sure why you think you will need help with your diet.  YOU have to be willing to make a lifestyle change.  YOU can NEVER go back to eating like you used to.  They will tell you exactly what you should be eating.  But, if you think you need the support of a group, check around at the local hospital where you live and ask if they have any support groups for people who have had Weight Loss Surgery.  I know they have a support group at my local hospital here in Eugene, but I have never gone.

 

I am always out here to help you if you need anything.

 

Hugs,

Suzanne