Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I am 5 weeks post-surgery, and just ran out of my medicine from the Mexican Pharmacy. I believe this is some sort of heartburn, acid reflux/antacid type pill. It has worked great (I take every morning and I can definately feel the acid reflux when I wake up until I take this pill), and I am hoping I can find something over the counter to replace it. Any suggestions? Maybe a prescribed pill (I have to see dr again soon anyway), and something over the counter that I can go buy today without a prescription that has worked well for others. Thanks in advance for the advice, and everyone have a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!

Hi, I am really getting nervous as my sleeve date approaches quickly...so hard for me to put it in the back of my head so I can enjoy the holidays first! I would really like to have someone who has been sleeved by Dr. Kelly RECENTLY to discuss things. If you are willing to share your experience with me, I would SO much appreciate it...and it would really help settle my nerves to be able to communicate with a healthy post-sleever. Thank you so much for considering taking the time to write back. Happy Holidays!

I can't UNITL JAN 1, 2015. I am hoping that my FSA Visa card will approve the money for my surgery. If so I will be headed there sometime in January.

I can't UNITL JAN 1, 2015. I am hoping that my FSA Visa card will approve the money for my surgery. If so I will be headed there sometime in January.

Has anyone had their surgery at the Mexico Bariatric Center? If so, which doctor did you use and what was your experience? I have turned in my health assessment to them and to Ohio State University. I was accepted through OSU, but it's more expensive and takes forever. I have not heard back from MBC yet, so I'm waiting on pins & needles.

Hi there! I am just searching to see if anyone will be traveling to Mexico on December 8th to be sleeved on December 9th? These are the days that I will be there (Dec. 8th-13th) and I wanted to be able to have that buddy system for support. Thanks

Anyone else?

I am ready to book a package, and curious why I see no reviews or discussions about the 4 TJ doctors that BariatricPal pushes? Dr jaime Ponce de leon Gastric Sleeve $ 4299 Dr Sergio verboonen Gastric Sleeve $ 4199 Dr Juan Francisco Zavalza Gastric Sleeve $ 3899 Dr Jesus Lopez Gastric Sleeve $ 3799 Obviously the price looks great, but this is one of the only cases I would rather spend a little more if it meant better. Any experience with the above doctors? Sounds like I should also strongly consider Illan and Quinones?

Ok, so I've done all my research and it's down to these 2 doctors in Tijuana. I'm reaching out to you guys, if there is anything you know negative or positive, please share.... I am trying to schedule my surgery end of November.

Mine is basically a "slim fast" diet where I have to drink two shakes and have a salad daily. I wonder if it would be ok to cook the veggies instead. Sauteed spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, etc. It'd be nice to be able to just for the variation. Anyone try this?

Let me preface by saying we have done everything we can to help our daughter. Dr.'s, nutritionists, personal trainers etc, since she was 8. Nothing has worked. We think she's beautiful the way she is! This is something she has wanted and been begging us for! She wants to enjoy her teenage years, make friends and enjoy life. She doesn't feel like her physical appearance reflects who she is in the inside and feels like it holds her back. She is very depressed and begging us for surgery. We cannot afford a US doctor. I need to know who you would go to in Mexico if this was your 13 year old. This would be for sleeve.Please I don't need mean or critical comments. Thank you

I wanted to start by introducing myself and saying hello and thank you to all the wonderful people in this forum. My name is Sunshine and today was the day that I decided that the gastric sleeve is the route that I need to take. I have been reading over a lot of the old posts and am becoming more excited( and nervous) by the second. I really don't even know where to start. I live in Nevada and making the trip to Tijuana would be my best option financially since I could drive and eliminate airfare costs. I am not insured, so I will have to self-pay. As far as my next step I am still at a loss even after reading through so many of these posts. Thanks for any help that you c…

I'll be at Hospital Angeles from the 11th till the 14th getting sleeved by Dr. Jose Rodriguez, and would appreciate the opportunity to "buddy up" for support.

Wondering if anyone has advice on how to stay safe while in Tijuana. Thanks!

I had gastric sleeve surgery in Puerto Vallarta on December 12, 2013 with Dr. Lopez and his team. I would highly recommend surgery with Dr. Lopez. Prior to arriving in Mexico I had a patient coordinator who very quickly responded to all my questions. Once I arrived in PV, one of the doctors picked me up and drove me to the hotel. The hotel was very nice and right on the beach. The next morning I met the surgery coordinator, the anesthesiologist, Dr. Lopez and a second surgeon. They answered all my questions. The hospital was the cleanest, most modern hospital I've ever been in. I live in Toronto and have a very high standard of health care. A team of nurses did my pr…

I think I have settled down to Dr. Sergio Quinones at Santa Fe or Dr. Alejandro Lopez at MI Hospital im sure both Dr. are good but what about the experience please share yours, Thanks

I am self pay so I decided to go to Mexico. I think i found my surgeon.... Dr Sergio Quinones....I will be getting my sugery in Jan 2015...Anyone have DR Q or scheduled for surgery with him?

I am set up for surgery in Jan 2015 and have been approved for financing with Citerra. My credit score isn't great, but its not bad either. I make decent money and was approved within 2 hours. This morning, I got the paperwork today to sign and am SUPER bummed because the financed amount has basically doubled! My procedure is going to cost $4600...but after the $800 fee from Citerra (to use them I guess) and another $2000 fee for 'Provider Adjustment Amount'- I am now looking at a $7300 loan!!! Yikes. I just called a local credit union and applied for a personal loan through them and should hear back today. However, I am super nervous. I hate applying for credit bec…

Anybody gotten metal or clear braces while in Mexico for suregry? I want to get it done but can't find enough information online.

This morning I made it to goal , well made it passed goal! From 215 to 134.4 in 7.5 months. I am so thankful to Dr. Illan for my new life. Will figure out how to post pics from my phone..

Does the Marriott have Wi-Fi? Food onsite for my husband? What's close by when we get bored? We leave Thursday starting to get a little nervous.

Any one going during these dates?

I was thing about this as the sleeve and airfare ( I am driving however) might be a nice deduction. I am not sure what ACA will.do to taxes . I'm waiting for ssa back pay to schedule and a passport. Let me know if anyone has thoughts or advice.

Are there any gastric sleever's who went with Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico? If so how was it? I know he is much higher but he does sew over the staples to make sure it doesn't leak. Thanks

So I am ready to book my surgery. I am 35 years old and have 3 little boys. My wife is on board with me going to Mexico, but is unsure of me going alone (my Mother also just had colon surgery here, so my wife cannot leave 3 boys). So a few questions. Is it a big deal for a grown man to go alone? It seems many talk of growing close with fellow sleevers while they are there, and is it safe to say that will become part of my support system down there? Or do I need to put it off a few months when my wife can join me? Second, my parents, coworkers, and others all think I am crazy for the Mexico thing. I am sure you were all in the same boat with people close to you. It…

Has or will anyone being sleeved by Dr. Alejandro Lopez. If so what has been your experience with him. Is any getting sleeved on Dec. 20th with him?

I am tiring to pin down who to go to but everyone has good and bad or people recommending them who has never even met the Dr Could some true sleever post your experiences and recommendations, Thank you

Just a quick update. I just got my sleeve yesterday and am feeling pretty good so far. No complaints. Dr. Garcia said I had zero complications during surgery.

Any one going during these dates?

Ran across this on Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst//most-efficient-health-care-2014-countries Mexico is number 12 and the US is 44. Hmmm.

Anyone here with Dr. Alvarez? Can you tell us your experience? I have researched alot of surgeons and this guy appears to down right AWESOME at the sleeve and even does an over-sew to insure no leaks!! Please post any experience you have going over the border and how well you liked your experience.. Thanks !!

My Husband wants to have his WLS in February, We are going through Alma @ www.ready4achange.com. We wanted to go to Cancun for the surgery but haven't seen any reviews on Dr. Hector Perez Corzo or Dr Perez in these forums. I also do not have a link to the mexico forums and would like to look in there for more info. If anyone can help me with this it is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Karen DaBell

Finally, decided to go with A lighter me and Dr. Elias Ortiz

Am looking for current info on Dr Juan Lopez Corvala . . . I would love to hear from patients who've gone to him for VSG surgery. I would also love to hear comments on the hospital and staff at Angeles Hospital International. I did a search and nothing current came up so I thought I would ask. Thank you!!

Any last minute advice. I'm flying to TJ in the morning. Surgery on Sunday. This liquid diet is killing me hope I'm ok to fly and feel this crappy. I'm down 17 pounds though and feel like I'm well on my way

Hello, I am new to this site. I have been researching about the surgery for about a month now. I am self pay my bmi is just at 35. I dont evwn want to hassel with the insurance company. I want this for my future health. My father, grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousin has/had diabetes. The majority of my fam has high blood pressure and weigh 250 and up. I just want to be in the normal bmi and live a health life. I don't really know what to look for in a doctor but i have decided i want this surgery. I would like to get it shortly after the new year.

Today is the day and I'm currently sitting on an airplane on my way to San Diego. From there i get picked up and taken to Tijuana to be sleeved by Dr. Quinones. I'm not as nervous as i thought I would be but there are a few butterflies around. I just want to get it over with and start my weight loss journey. See you all on the other side!! ????

Hello all! I am having a vsg October 9th with Dr. Garcia at the Florence Hospital. I am super excited but very nervous. For those of you that had surgery with Dr. Garcia any suggestions? Does anyone know if the hospital has wifi?

We fly out tomorrow. Starting to hit me and I'm getting a bit nervous. Any words of wisdom?

Should I wear my wedding ring or even bring it with me when I go to Mexico. I feel weird not wearing it but just wanted to know

266-175, I'm six feet tall and so grateful. Having Mexico and an awesome doctor as an option saved my life.

My husband's insurance plan will not cover any bariatric surgery, even with co-morbities, so I am doing a cash pay VSG. Does anyone have experience with insurance covering complications AFTER surgery, hospital stay, post op office visits, etc? I mean, can insurance deny ANYTHING related to the surgery or just the surgery itself? I assume prescriptions will be covered so that's a plus at least.

I had my surgery with Dr. Hidalgo in Puerto Vallarta back in May 2014. The Gastric Sleeve so far has been very good for me... I started out weighing 245 pounds and I am 5'4. Today 5 months later I am 195 pounds. Dr. Juan Francisco Hidalgo and the staff at his office Weight Loss Team have been such a help. They are great! Not only do they provide me with followup calls and video conferences, they really do care about my success. Whenever I had a question before surgery, they were quick to answer, and postop it is the same. Surgery was fantastic, I paid $4500 in Puerto Vallarta, and there were no hidden costs. The other doctors were charging thousands more and the ho…

Has he performed anyone's or is anyone scheduled for surgery with him?

I told my employer today that I was having surgery and she told me I had to get the FMLA paperwork completed by me and my doctor. Has anyone ever had any issues with taking FMLA for having surgery in Mexico?

Anyone with Dr Alvarez in May? Heading down on the 14th.

Friday is my day!! I am so excited and scared at the same time!!!!! All the what ifs are driving me crazy! What if I just ate less? What if I just exercised more? What if I just ate better? What if I have complications? What if a doctor won't help me in the US if I do have complications? BUT WHAT IF THIS WORKS!!???!!!

Hey there to all the previously sleeved... Would you be so kind as to touch base with us? When were you sleeved? Who sleeved you? How much success have you had? Any complications (sure hope not)? Would you do it again? Amanda Rae Ps: Remember, when you go on hiatus, we worry!

(Also posted in gastric sleeve main forum) I was waiting on ultrasound results to check a lump on my stomach and also check my gallbladder before booking my sleeve surgery. I got my results and while my gallbladder looks ok (two immobile stones)...I do have an umbilical hernia. Actually 2 of them...One bigger and one small right beside each other. Now my problem seems to be that the surgeon in Mexico that I was considering only does Hiatial hernias....not umbilical hernias. So now I'm on the hunt again to find a surgeon in Mexico that will do both at once. My health care in Canada would cover the hernia surgery but I really don't want two separate surgeries and rec…

Hello I was wondering if anyone has had VSG with Dr.Almanza in TJ Mexico?....