Sleeved in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez

[Brandilynn]

I will write a comprehensive post like MzJo the supah has done, but I figured I would pop this in here now, so if anyone had questions about Dr. Alvarez that I could answer, I would avail myself!

I was not sad to not be covered for WLS by insurance, considering the options I had locally at that point and the experience they had with the sleeve. I wanted a doctor who specifically had done more than 5 of the procedure *I* wanted, and that was not happening around here.

My husband was against surgery in general, surgery in Mexico specifically. Dr. Alvarez and his team made it so that every time fella comes home from a doctor appointment he always fusses about how well we were treated there, and not so much here.

Non issues were safety of Piedras, speaking or not speaking Spanish, cleanliness of the hospital, nor the amount of surgeries done in a day.

Swine flu was nearly an issue - it waS HUGE in my husbands head, but he was looking for ANYTHING to throw up road blocks. :} Poor him, he was just afraid for me.

I was just afraid to be left as I was.

Anyway, like I say, I will be more in depth and/or am glad to answer any questions.

Right on.

[Brandilynn]

A few more thoughts on things I really appreciate/appreciated about Dr. Alvarez.

I was given tons of information. I printed it all out, highlit stuff, and put tabs so I could know where to find it. All of the information given to me was important and used. It went thru the phases of food pre and postop, and had a list of comprehensive labs to have drawn to watch my labs.

Little if any pain. Some folks feel like somebody has been rummaging in their innards and I didnt have that at all. I only had pain when I forgot to pull the bed to sitting before I tried to get out, or when my big stitch was healing and did that pull and burn thing every once in a while. Other than that, nada. When I became lucid, the first think I asked my husband was if I had surgery or not!

I had my IV and therefore whatever narcotics I was on removed the day after surgery. Surgery Monday afternoon, early Tues, IV out. It was just bugging my hand. Was only on Toradol/Supradol for the remainder.

On Wednesday, when Rosie took us back to SanAntonio, fella and I went and walked the River Walk for a few hours and I started walking a few miles a day when I got home.

I didnt have pain, nausea, or issues with food. He doesnt have us eat solid foods until we are a solid month out, so I think that slow progression helps.

Even to this day, if/when I communicate with Susan or Dr. A, I get answered back in a timely fashion.

That's all I can think to add for now!

Quite honestly, if I had it to do over again, I would do it just as I had done it. I know some folks really lean heavily and love their docs and nuts and such, but I have done my research, I keep up with my labs, I found what my body prefers to eat to run best, and so its all been good for me.