- Name: Russell Erlandson
- Age: 39
- Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery date: 4-13-2012
- Testimonial date: August 16th, 2012
Would I do it again? Yes I would. Once I decided that I had to do something and P90X wasn’t cutting it for me, the cost of the surgery in the USA was just too expensive, the choice was easy. I was able to make payments and had the procedure paid for in no time. I scheduled the trip, flew to San Diego, was met by the clinics van, and delivered to the clinic in Tijuana MX. Things move in a different speed in Mexico, so at times the wait is long. A few hours after arrival we (the group having surgeries that day) met the surgeon and spoke with the administrator. Then it was off to a new beginning. The clinic is in a strip mall between an Office Max and a Hardware store. Sort of makes you nervous when you see it. Once inside is a real surgery center, with everything that is required to provide the best care possible. I was the only male in the group so I got my own recovery room close to the bathroom. There was little pain, some nausea, lots to trips to pee, walking around to. I Stayed overnight in the Clinic as was tended to by a very competent nurse who spoke good English. My wife stayed in the Hotel the Toucan, very nice for $50 bucks a night, there is a bar and restaurant. The Second day I was taken in the van to the Hotel and just hung out. You have to ask to the pop sickles at the front desk. Late in the Afternoon the Van picked us up and took us back to the Clinic for Pain and nausea medication, then back to the hotel. This went on for three days, on the last day you have to drink the nasty juice before the x-ray, so that you can be cleared to go home, then the last trip to the clinic, where the small drain tube thing is removed( that is when the Nausea Stopped for me) felt fine after that. You are given to meds and instructions and taken back to the hotel. New it time to go to the airport, the van picked us up and delivered us to the airport. The hardest part was to decide to do it; the next was the three day fast before, I cheated and had Tomato basil soup the day before. I moved to mushy foods very quickly, then to solids. Chew your food 25 times or it will come up. You will be full after 2 to 3 bites. As you heal you can eat a little more with no problem, I have my first happy meal just the other day, I ate the Fries, then the burger an hour or so later. I have lost over 50 lbs with little effort, I am more active now, but my job is very not active, so when you are board you still want to eat. I eat microwave popcorn 94% fat free and that keeps me feeling full. I do not have the hunger that I had before the surgery, my life is better, I would go back and have other procedures done if I needed it. I am encouraging my mom to go. You have to take control of your life, just get it done, the best stuff is never easy to get, and it takes sacrifice and determination.
