Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I was banded in June 2011 (NWWLS Dr. Michaelson in Everett, WA). I never was able to lose more than 20lbs. About a year ago I had finally gotten fed up with the acid reflux, stuck food, and vomiting so I had it almost all unfilled. I've gained about 30 lbs back and am above my prebanded weight now. Recently I've become very interested in getting a revision done but my insurance doesn't cover it so I've been researching Mexico Does anyone have recommendations on a surgeon? I'm also interested in the pre-op process for having it done there. What do I need to have done in the states prior to arriving in Mexico? Any advice or personal stories is appreciated.

Just wondering if anyone has had surgery in Tijuana, and if so who did you use? How did it go? Trying to find a surgeon. Insurance won't cover it, so I'll have to pay out of pocket, so...

Hey everyone, I'm new here but excited to be taking this next positive step in my life. I will be traveling to Mexico for surgery with Dr. Ramos Kelly in November for a VSG. I have only been at my job for 6 months so it is difficult for me to take off much time for the operation. I am planning on having the surgery on a Tuesday or Wednesday then going back to work the following Monday. I am only 28 years old and I am not severely obese. I have a BMI of 33 but several comorbidities, which is why I am doing this. I feel that these reasons put me on track for what I hope is a quick recovery. Has anyone here gone back to work that soon after surgery? I won't be doing a…

So, this is probably really dumb but what did y'all pack for the surgery in Mexico? I'm taking a wheelie carry on bag. The main thing everyone has said is gas-x strips but I want to know more about the clothing and anything else I may need. I was thinking yoga pants and some t-shirts but is there anything in particular I'll need in the hospital or for recovery?

Tell me your experience detailed with Dr. Garcia

I'm almost 2 yrs post op and I went to Mexico for my VSG 8/31/13. I'm down 177lbs!!!!!! I'm maintaining I'm so happy I found this site which lead me to my doctor and many friends I've met along the way. VSG works!

My mom will be traveling with me to Tijuana. Today she received a rejection letter for her passport because the birth certificate she sent was not the correct long-form birth certificate. We no longer have enough time for her to apply for a new birth certificate and a new passport. Has anyone here been able to cross back into the US with only a drivers license and a birth certificate?

I am from Canada and I donate blood every 56 days which is the mandatory wait time between donations. I went to donate this morning and they tried to deter me away from donating due to my surgery in 48 days. They dont think my body will regenerate enough of a hemoglobin count and Iron and will cause me to become anemic for surgery. I was not warned about this from my doctor who knows I donate blood regularity and read nothing about this online. I still went through my donation process I have not read any negative things about surgery with an anemic issue. Should I be concerned? Any tips to help raise those levels besides greens, and daily Vitamins?

I am in Phoenix, looking for fellow sleevers who have had the surgery in Mexico. I haven't picked a dr. yet, so any suggestions would be great!!

Anyone going to Dr Alvarez in May?

Hello, I'm new to this site and i was just wondering if anyone has went to mexico by themselves for surgery? I am scheduled for 8-18-15 and i am super nervous to go by myself. :/

Hi All ! I am flying down to Tijuana on Wednesday September 9th and staying thru to Tuesday September 14th. I will be joined by my mother in law. Simply looking for a walking partner at the hospital to pass the gas pains with and maybe someone to share a couple bowls of broth with during recovery at the hotel Marriott. Plus my mother in law could defiantly use a conversationalist while I am in surgery. Cheers !

This preop diet is horrible but I am a headstrong person. I just hope I'm making the right decision which deep down I think I am. Just a little nervous.

Hello everyone Im at Your service please If you want to schedule at skype with me here please send me an email at drlopez@bariatricpal.com or private msg me right here!!! cheers!!!

Did anyone use an HSA account to pay for surgery in Mexico? Are you allowed to use it for international surgery? I am assuming you can since it is set up like a regular savings account with a credit card and checks. We have a decent amount of money saved in our HSA, but our insurance has an exclusion and will not cover bariatric surgery. Anybody have advice?

My insurance will not cover me. Weight loss surgery is an exclusion. The private pay here in Jacksonville is $15,000. It is $3899 with BariatricPals.com in Mexico. So, I am going to Mexico. Surgery date is 8/10/2015 with Dr. "A"

I was banded and unbanded all within 2 years. Waiting patiently to be sleeved in Mexico when finances look right. Looking to go with Dr Zavalza. Any advice or encouragement greatly appreciated.

I am so very disappointed in Bariatric Pal Website. They continue to remove the post about Long Term VSG simply because they don't want to pay to advertise on the site. That is quite ridiculous considering it is a weight loss forum. So in other words, unless a company advertises on the site, we can't share our journey on the site. How sad is that?

Has anyone done plastics through the Ariel Center at OCC? I just scheduled my tummy tuck and breast lift/implant revision but haven't seen much about this part of the practice. My sleeve experience was great and I hope the plastic experience is as well.

Hello! has anybody heard of Long term vsg?? They have the gastric sleeve surgery for $2999. It just sounds too good to be true. Please let me know! thank you!

Today is the big day. At the airport now, we'll be arriving in Tijuana at 11:30am. Excited but nervous, I hope everything goes well. I miss my kids already.

Anyone had him before or going to have him. I've done a lot of research but I am still scared

Newbie fat guy here, definitely going to Mexico for a bypass but i am totally lost on how to choose a doctor and facility. They all sound good. Just wondering how others have decided. Any recommendations are very welcome. I don't really care where in Mexico or cost (they seem very competitive anyway) just want to be safe and have a good experience with a great Surgeon. Thanks all y'all

Oct 3rd is my surgery date. Going to Mexico. I don't know which scares me more, flying or surgery. This is my first post, so be easy on me please.

Has anyone used their fsa in Mexico to find their surgery? I would love any information you have.

May 28, 2015 at 1 pm I woke up a sleeved woman! Finally this step of my journey is behind me. 12 hours into my new life and my biggest issue has been torrential hiccups. Dr. Altimirano had to place a JP drain, which he explained is rubbing against my diaphragm when I move around, stimulating it to spasm causing some pretty miserable hiccups. They are very uncomfortable and last from 5 to 10 minutes before abating. I'm a RN and understand the importance of walking after surgery but as of right now getting out of bed and going to the restroom is almost more than I can bare (which is every hour due to IV fluids and my pea sized bladder). I have also had some pretty wicked na…

Anyone from Georgia?

I am from GA. I am planning to travel to Mexico in the upcoming months for lapband revision to sleeve surgery. I would love to hear about your journey. What day did you have surgery?Recovery time?Preop/Postop tips?

So I am heading to Tijuana Mexico for the Gastric sleeve surgery with Dr Garcia this May of 2015 the last week of the month and I'm interested in finding out if there are others traveling to get their surgery done around the same time? And maybe by the same doctor Fernando Garcia?

Do you know of any doctors in Mexico who sews over the staples on the stomach to help prevent leakage? I'm trying to narrow it down and start the payment process but I'm scared to hurry and choose without finding this out first. Thank you

Hi all. I'm just starting to research surgery in Mexico, and one of my concerns is having adequate aftercare once I arrive home. I'm in western Arapahoe County and was wondering what you've chosen to do for your aftercare options. Would love to hear your plans! Sending only good wishes.

Hi All- Any experiences with Mex Baratric Cntr? I feel like I've read many good things about dr. Ponce de leon. Any experience with Dr. Altamirano? My goal is to book something within the next seven (7) days. Anyone willing to talk with me over the phone this weekend about their experience in Mexico or the experience with the sleeve in general? I'm suddenly worried that I will be the person who can't eat for the rest of my life. I know that's unreasonable. Just having a high anxiety day. Thanks!!! Jaclyn

I was trying to delete this but since this site won't let me, I have questions. I have never flown before and I don't know what the airport allows us to have as far as medical devices are concerned. I have to wear knee braces on both my knees and I use a cane to help me walk. Will I be able to take them with me or will I be made to leave these things behind? I will be flying to San Diego next month and I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row lol.

Hi everyone, Can you tell me if the Marriott in Tijuana has hair blower in bathrooms? Thanks

Have you done it????

I was beginning to think that I would never be able to have the VSG done. After having to re-schedule my surgery twice and then just postponing it due to personal and financial issues; I finally set a date that I can keep! I will definitely be flying to San Diego on August 20th and having surgery in Tijuana August 21st! I prayed real hard about my issues and my prayers were answered. I'm ready to start my new journey.

So I told a friend of mine last night that I was going to Mexico for the surgery - she asked what part and when I told ehr Tijuana - she flipped .. Are you fu@#*&* kidding me - that place is a shit whole - why would you even go there. Like how do you responde to that. I am so hurt and so upset - I thought she was a friend of mine - my other friend looked at me and said Patty you are a smart lade I know you did your research and if this is what you are choosing to do then I support you 100% - Just wondering how you handled the negative nellies as I like to call her

July 31st for me with Dr.Jesus Lopez and I'm going alone. Anyone else scheduled this month?

Anyone purchase complication insurance? My insurance company tells me they won't cover complications. I'm not necessarily expecting any...but they can happen even with good surgeons and adherence to post-op instructions. If they happen, it will get expensive very quickly. I'm willing to pay for the surgery if insurance won't approve me, but not sure I can expose my family to the risk of complications. Even if it is statistically a small risk.

I finally scheduled my appointment. I will be sleeved on July 2 with Dr. Zavalza. Are there any other Dr. Zavalza patients on here? If so how was your experience?

Hi Everyone. I am flying out to San Diego on September 9th for Gastric Sleeve surgery wiht Dr. Garcia on September 10th. My mother will be joining me on my adventure but am also looking for a buddy who will be there at the same time as us. Also if you are traveling with a partner as well, maybe my mother will have some company for coffee or taco's while pacing up and down the hospital hallways while I am in surgery. Cheers !

Hello everyone! I hope someone is able to help/guide me because I'm not sure whether or not I'm missing something. I have had my skype consultation with Dr. Altamirano, filled out his forms PLUS the forms here on Bariatric Pal but I am no closer to knowing whether or not I have a surgery date! I'm like... ready to pay and I can't find where I'm supposed to pay. They gave me some bank info but I feel a little awkward just transferring money there without actually speaking to someone about a surgery date and whether or not they received my forms. So, am I missing something? Do I really just go ahead and transfer money to the Chase account and hope someone will contact m…

Any recommendations on what to travel with

I am excited, need ideas for 7 day preop

I had a bariatric consult approx 2 months ago and was told that my insurance would not cover the surgery. (My husband had me convinced it would) I have a BMI of 31.5 with some other medical conditions. During my consult, the physician offered to see my husband, who had Gastric Bypass 1 1/2yrs ago. (We just moved from another state) To be pro-active (I don't have a date set yet) I called that doctors office and asked if they would follow me if I went to Mexico for my surgery?! They called me back a couple days later and told me NO! I live right outside of Omaha, Nebraska now... My primary doctor is okay~ But she wants to send me to a specialist for everything!! Ha…

Since I went to Mexico I don't have a NUT to check up with so I'm curious who is weighing food and how much are they eating!? I'm 3 1/2 weeks post op! TIA!

Please tell me your about you experience and the doctor. Pictures of incision to plz. I'm debating on Dr. Jaime Ponce De Leon or Fernando Garcia

I have read that a few people have recommended wearing some sort of binder after surgery. Can any of you veterans speak to whether that is helpful and whether someone should bring one with them? And also, any recommendations as to kind? Thanks!

I wanted to share my journey for my surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Fernando Garcia. As I was in the process of deciding if I was going to have the surgery or not, I had the opportunity to read a step by step story of someone who had a VSG. It helped me a lot to visualize the journey ahead. That had an important impact on my decision. I would have liked to read one on my specific surgeon and his team. So I will try and do the same here for Dr. Garcia's future patients. I would like to mention my first language is French…so please be indulgent while reading me. First of all, everything went well!!! From the start until the end. Linda, the coordinator has been very hel…

I'm scheduled to fly to Mexico next Wednesday and have the surgery on Thursday. I am worried about everything! My current worry is about the pre op testing. I'm worried that, since the testing has not been done in advance, I will get to Mexico, have the testing, and have them tell me there is some reason I cannot get the surgery done. I have no reason in particular to think this will happen, but I'm worried that I'm about to spend a bunch of money, fly to Mexico, get my hopes up and then it won't happen. Does anyone know people who have been turned down once they arrived? I did fill out my health questionnaire but have not had blood work, etc. done. I am a worrier…