[*Butterfly*Girl*]

Hello, Hello,

I am 8 days post-op, today and I feel absolutely FANTASTIC! I can't believe how little pain I am experiencing. My incisions are itchy. The moment my drain was removed I was able to lay on my stomach. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience. The doctors, the 24 hour private nurses, the english speaking guides. EVERYTHING. I could not have asked for a more textbook perfect surgery. I feel absolutely fantastic, if not emotional. I'm decompressing. It was a huge brave thing for me to do all by my ownself and now that I'm home I'm just emotional! I'm sure all that I'm experiencing is normal in light of having the surgery and having my crutch removed. I would not change a single thing though.

[LittleLisaMarie]

Congrats!!!!!!!!

LittleLisaMarie

[beckamarie]

Woohoo I am so happy everthing went well. Where did you go to have it done if I may ask

[Kat]

Very cool! I have been wondering about you and how things went.
That took some pretty large kahoonas to do what you did...you should be proud of yourself. Glad your OK and can't wait to hear of your continued progress. You proved to yourself and others that there is always more then one way to do get things done!

[fr1endly2]

oh thats great that your home and doing so well!
GLAD it worked out for you.
WELCOME to the looseing side!!!
YES the emotional part is normal.
YOU lost your best friend in food.
YOUR going to find many ups and down
thru the journy but its still worth it.
I never fully understood the moods i went
thru along the way...but when ever i got to
lo i went shopping and tried on clothes and
it picked me up!
KEEP us updated!
weigh to GOO!!!

[earthygirl]

Welcome Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooooooo proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy things went well. Isn't it great to be back home though. Man I didn't know how much I missed being home(other than missing my hubby).

What an incredible journey you have begun....


{{{{{{{{{{HUUGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSS}}}}}}}}}}}}

[*Butterfly*Girl*]

Absolutely I'd love to share my story. I've already had so many inquiries from others wanting to have the surgery in Bogota, Colombia that I've written my story out. If you don't mind I'm just going to c&p. I'm not looking to offend anyone's good sensibilities, I'm just sharing MY experience, okay? The total surgery cost out of pocket was 12.5K and it included everything. It included airfare, hotel accomodations, a 24 hour private nurse, a private hospital room. A full battery of tests with the cardiologist, the pulmonologist, a pyschiatrist, an internist, the surgeon of course, a gastroenterologist, and a nutrionist. The nutrionist's meal plan is near exact to the same that of my nutrionist here. I'm following my nutrionist plan here in the states and I'll follow up w/her and my internist. I know that my surgeon will not see me as a f/u patient, and the nearest surgeon that will see me is 250 miles away. Things may change when we move to MN in a few months and I may find an ASBS surgeon that is willing to see me. All of the ASBS surgeons agree to see patients that have been operated on by other surgeons even out of the country. Anyway - here's my story. I haven't edited it much.

Thank you Kat, my sweet friend. It did take a big load of cajones to do it and I still can't believe that I did it BY MYSELF. My husband says that I am glowing. I think that it will be a huge boost to my self esteem once I decompress. Right now I'm just bombarded with the rigors of being a SAHM, FEEDING my family, and finally relaxing after having to be the strongest one for myself, kwim? I'm pretty emotional right now. Had I the choice I would have done it in the states, of course, but this option was an answer to prayers. I did my research EXTENSIVELY.

Anyway - here's the email I have saved for those that are already contacting me abt my experience in Bogota. Again I am sharing my experience. I would advocate this option if you are in a position of needing the surgery and you have no other resources.

Ooops my reply was too long - I'll c&p in another reply!

[*Butterfly*Girl*]

<<So, I'm 36 y/o and I've been obese for abt 16 years. I have been successful at losing weight three times in my life. The 2nd time is when we concieved my daughter Elizabeth. In June of '06 my PCP suggested that I have GBS. I was offended b/c at the time I was doing WWs. My Mom had had some success and I was again frustrated w/my level of inactivity. At that time my weight fluctuated b/t 290-300. I had never gone over 300 in my life. I had ankle reconstruction surgery in August of '06. My weight by Christmas time had ballooned to 333. Those 33lbs changed my life drastically. While I was never too keen on going out in public, etc., I found myself NEVER wanting to go out in public. That extra 33lbs made me a prisoner. It also gave me 'permission' to weigh 400lbs if that makes sense. I mean, at 333, I had no hope for my future and no hope for being able to lose the weight myself. When you hit super obesity you become a statistic. Statistically I knew it was going to be next to impossible to ever lose that weight by myself and my outlook on life was shattered. I went through alllllllllllllllll of the steps to have the surgery here in the states only to find FOUR days before my surgery that my insurance policy has a direct exclusionary policy. I was crushed.

I started doing internet research on getting some supplemental insurace. I would google "gastric bypass insurance," and at some point I don't know how I ended up at the AB site, but I *did.* I talked to an onsite operator that day only to find out the next day when I asked the operator's name that it was a doctor! The next day when I talked to Dr. Silva I pelted him with a bunch of questions. I then proceeded to call about 14 of people on the list of those that have been to Bogota and I emailed every single person on the list, lol. The "comforting" thing abt their list is that they don't make it pretty. It includes the names of EVERYone; I talked to one person that had issues with needing the opening to be dialated apparently for two months he was throwing up non-stop; anyway they flew him down at their expense and did the dialation and repair. I never would have made the choice had I called and talked to up to and possibly over 14 people. I lost count after that. I continued to pelt Dr. Silva w/questions for the next month right up until my arrival, lol. I was armed with knowledge since I had planned to have my surgery in the states. I was well-educated and I suggest that you do the same. Arm yourself with education. Find out what american surgeons are doing - ask questions ask questions and then ask more questions. Can any of you even imagine a DOCTOR in the states answering a direct line of communication to a random person??? That proceeded to impress me all the more. I never felt nervous for my safety prior to going. I didn't feel nervous about my airline flight, either. I had figured that if I had made it this far in the process God wasn't going to fly me all the way down to Bogota only to have me die in a plane crash. As far as death odds on the operating table I found that my surgeon here in the states had been outperformed by Dr. Valencia in surgeries to the tune of over 250 surgeries! I realized that I faced the same risk of dying on the OR table in Bogota as much as I did in the states. Anyway. Both DH & I felt that our prayers were answered when we found AB. We are a devout Catholic family and I told both Doctors that I firmly believe that my Guardian Angel led me to the website. I also, believe that St. Rita (The Patron Saint of the Impossible) also led me there.

My flight to Colombia was painfully long, but I was very gooooooooood and did my leg exercises and stayed hydrated. For those of you with upcoming surgeries this is very important!! 14 hours on a plane is just plain torturous. Again, imagine my surprise to find not only Paulina my english speaking guide (that was with me 24/7) waiting for me, but Dr. Silva, too! I know that I sound like a broken record, but that is just unheard of here in the states. I've often had to call my doctor after hours and I don't recieve a call back sometimes for up to and over an hour. Dr. Silva's unwavering committment to AB is what makes it successful. Do you that he has not only a medical degree, but I think Paulina told me he has a speciality in surgery AND a Masters Degree? He is very well pedigreed, and yet, he took the time to pick me up at the airport at 9:00 p.m. on a Sunday night! Very impressive, indeed.

[*Butterfly*Girl*]

The hotel is so pretty! It is a five star hotel, and they put you up in a jr. suite. It's gorgeous on the inside. Fresh flowers, artwork, and impeccable service. AB picked an amazing hotel in which to host their patients. For those of you headed to Bogota you will be so surprised. The incline into the hotel was abt to kill me everytime though. I immediately fell in love with Bogota. It's like Mexico City on speed, lol. I had done enough research on the internet to know that it is a huge city of contrasts. You've got the rich and the poor and their all mingling. I loved the entire city and it's character. The traffic is unreal! It's like the lights and stop signs are only a suggestion! It's such a hoot! I loved the views from my hotel window and would spend long periods of time just staring out them. There are street vendors everywhere!

The first day of tests is looooooooooooooooooooooooong and I found it to be emotionally exhausting. The first test was the endoscopy and they thankfully put you out for it. They had a difficult time finding and threading my vein, but my own personal theory (b/c I'm so smart like that, <eyeroll>) is b/c of the altitude. I've never had probs in the states with phlebotomists finding veins, so I am running with the theory that b/c of the increased elevation my veins were just not as oxegenated as they normally are and they found it difficult to find one. I finally relaxed, said a little prayer, did some visualization and they found one. Paulina was with me all day and Dr. Silva popped in and out of our appts the entire day. My favorite doctors were the pyschiatrist, and the internist, and of course Dr. Valenica. Dr. Valenica is not your typical surgeon. He gave me a hug upon meeting him, and I was given many a cheek-kiss for my duration of stay! He is warm and affectionate and cares genuinely for his patients. Maybe I'm more of a crybaby than others, or maybe I realized the dramatic changes that were about to take place, but by the end of the day I was just wrought with pure emotion and exhaustion. I cried, a lot! I did not realize just how long the day was going to be, but I am incredibly impressed by the extent of their testing. AB is not out to make hard fast cash on anyone and everyone. They do their homework thoroughly. They are committed to QUALITY, and I know they would not compromise their integrity just to make some money. For those of you contemplating or getting ready for your surgery take comfort in that thought. They are committed to your health and well-being. They are not committed on taking your money (or your body parts to chop them up, as some may have you try to believe, lol). I heard from a lady that upon arrival was sick with a sinus infection. Both the anesthesologist and the Dr. Valencia would not perform the surgery on her. She had to stay in Bogota for 5 days longer, but everyday they sent a resp. therapist to her room and they gave her antibiotics and it didn't add to the total cost. They were even able to get the airlines to change her departure date for free b/c of her unique situation.

My day of surgery was smooth. I had a mild bout of anxiety in the OR. I had legions of people praying for me and I could feel their prayers. Dr. Silva was kind and accomodated my request to keep my Brown Scapular on his person during the surgery. He emailed both my Mom and DH once during the surgery and then when I was in recovery. He aptly won my Mother over who was very very AGAINST the surgery. My usual complaints when awaking from surgery is the pain, however, in the case when I awoke I was not in any pain. The first thing I recall hearing is some random nurse telling me that I would be beautiful woman now. I did have some nausea from the narcotics, but I did just fine all through recovery, and when I was transfered to my private room with my private nurse, Ruby. I had heard many complaints about the hard beds in the hotel and the hospital so being the fat, spoiled, american that I am I took my own pillows and I took a body pillow. They helped. However, no amount of body pillows helped with the drain. That was my ONLY complaint. I had zero incision pain. You do, however, in the beginning feel like you've been hit in the side by a big ol truck. Too, they do not offer you a morphine pump like they do in the states. They gave me narcotics for the first 24 hours and after that it was non-narcotics. I had no problems getting out of bed to walk and I found that it feels better to sit than it does to try and lay down. Once again I'm going ot take the opportunity to praise both of the doctors. Dr. Silva brought me a fan (americans are so spoiled, aren't we?), and a VCR and some movies. So, if you have DVDs that you love take them with you! There ARE television stations in english though that have definate appeal. The first night of surgery I had a lot of pain from the drain and was up most of the night. My night nurse Allejandra was a jewel. She rubbed my shoulder and would remind me to take nice deep breaths and was a great comfort to me. However, b/c I was up most of the night I was sleeping for most of the morning. I learned later that Dr. Valencia visited me several times in the morning. The best part though is that he continued to visit me until I was awake. Again here I go like a broken record....but that impressed me, too. Your private nurse stays with you 24-7! On the 2nd day I was just so bogged down by the emotion of it all and had myself a big ol cry fest. The nurses paged Dr. Valencia and he was in my room within 10 minutes. This was a language barrier, b/c they assumed I was in massive amounts of pain, but Dr. Valencia was right there immediately. My drain was hurting, I was missing my daughter and my husband, and well, it is a very emotional surgery to have.

My stay in the hospital was both slow and fast and by the time the drain came out my only complaint was being short of breath b/c of the altitude. Once my plane touched down in Houston, my shortness of breath was gone. I only used wheelchair assistance in Houston b/c it was my first port of entry and I had to go through customs, etc. I wanted to walk as much as possible to make the flights more bearable and to stave off the possiblity of DVT, and lung thrombosis. Anyway, the first day out of the hotel I had two nurses with me again 24/7, and it was nice. Though I did not need them, the comfort of having them there was a blessing. The liquid regimen is very much the same in Bogota as it is here in the states though I would imagine that it they all vary from surgeon to surgeon and nutrionist to nutrionist.

[*Butterfly*Girl*]

The 2nd day back in the hotel Paulina took me sight seeing and we did some shopping. I got some gorgeous Firenze (italian) religious statues, and saw a gorgeous church. It was so beautiful it took my breath away. She reminded me to keep sipping my water and my gatorade. We then went to a very clean and nice flea market where I picked up some trinkety items for DH and DD. I also got some tshirts for myself in sizes L and M. I can't wait to fit into them. Nothing better than clothes for motivation! At this time it was all I could to but to hurry up and wait. I was so ready to see my baby girl and my DH. I got back to my hotel room at about 1:00ish and waited for Dr. Silva and Dr. Valencia to visit me. They visit you every day. The following day Paulina took me high up on the mountain to take pictures. Again my only complaint was my shortness of breath. I just felt like my muscles were rubber. I was very weak. We went to a grocery store b/c I wanted to buy DH some coffee and DD some traditional candies or cookies. I settled on Oblais (waffle cookies with a con leche spread b/t them). Oh and I got some migraine medication that isn't available in the states that tastes like bitter dirt-weed, but works like a charm! I went back to my hotel room at about 1:00. I was again playing the hurry up and wait game. Dr. Silva and Dr. Valencia visited me for the final time on Sunday night and they took their time in answering my questions even though it was later in the evening on a Sunday night. I took some pictures of them and off they went. I got a call from my DH shortly after they left that Elizabeth had been hospitalized so it made those final 24 hours painfully long. It was all I could do to get a good nights rest, or to even rest on the plane. But, here I am! I'm home, and I'm doing well! My ears won't clear (grrrrr), and my throat is sore. I'm still trying to figure out if it's from being intubated or if I've caught a cold.

I would not hesitate to send anyone to Bogota for the surgery. The service is top notch 100% of the time, and anyone at anytime will go out of their way for you. They treat you like you're a patient, not a number. I have real big complaints about medicine in america (none of which transpired AFTER my service in Bogota - they're all beefs I've had for years now...), and I was impressed that both Dr. Valencia and Dr. Silva are DOCTORS first, and businessmen a far off in the distance second. They are committed to quality of service, your personal safety, your personal comfort, and your health. They are committed in making your life changing surgery a reality. I can't wait to visit again. I can't wait until Dr. Silva gets a plastics package going either. ;0)

I am so excited to welcome my new life. I'm so excited that this opportunity was given me. I was completely lost and sad when I discovered that my insurance would *not* cover my surgery. I was devastated and I felt that a life of type II diabetes, heart disease, and reclusivity was what was in store for my life. Instead I am looking forward to being an athlete extradonaire! There are so many things I can't wait to do! I can't wait to cross my legs like a feminine woman, I can't wait to climb a rock-wall, I can't wait to play basketball with my family, I can't wait to bound up stairs without being winded, I can't wait to look in the mirror and not turn my gaze away b/c I've grown to loathe the body that I carry around. I can't wait to run in a 5k fun-run. I can't wait to ride a horse! I can't wait to ride an amusement park ride! My life awaits me! I can't wait to visit Bogota AGAIN as a tourist and to show off my new body. I am so excited! Please feel free to call me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX as I would love to share my experiences with you in person. I know that it helped me tremendously to talk on the phone with former patients. Too, I have to plug the importance of following up with someone in the states. Keep trying until you find someone that will follow up with you. That kind of support is paramount in the success of this kind of surgery. Find an online support group; I've started one for those that have had the surgery in Bogota, but it's always nice to connect with a larger group as well. I am an oftentimes visitor of Renewedreflections.com. There is a girl on that board that has had her surgery out of the country as well. Prepare yourself mentally. You are not going to be met with support by much of anyone. Prepare yourself mentally that by going out of the states it puts the onus of responsiblity for follow up directly on your shoulders. This is a lifetime committment and you have to be willing to do that. The doctors ask that you keep in touch with them once a month, but that is not enough. Do the research and make a sound decision. Again if I can be of any assistance to you please contact me. >>