Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Dr. Illan with Baja Bariatrics did my surgery 8/31/13. HW 326, SW 301, CW 209! 117lbs down and loving my sleeve Check out bajabariatrics.com. Best thing I've ever done for myself

Hi Guys, Sorry for the delay in responding. Ive been tying to get accustomed to my new sleeve and also trying to muster up some energy from somewhere. Here is my story about Dr.Garcia and Ready 4 A Change: ARRIVAL - Monday April 7, 2014 - Arrived at San Diego airport at around 10:30,10:40ish am. My driver Samuel Jr. was already there waiting on me. Let me tell u, Sam Jr. is sooo cool!! I loved him. I was the only one that he needed to pick up at that time, so it was just him and I on the trip. He told me what apps to download for free telephone calls, he took me on a tour of Tijuana and went over some of its history, etc. I asked him to correctly pronounce Tijuana for …

In 11 days I will be headed to Juarez for my VGS with Dr. Rodriquez. I am filled with nervousness and excitement. I have a question about having someone with me. My mother-in-law will be joining me. I was told that the rooms are set up for a guest to stay with the patient. I'm wondering about these accomodations. Will there be a bed or at least a sofa for her?

How did you choose a facility? I am hoping to be sleeved by Dr Lopez in May between 16-18 anyone else down at that time?

I'm going to TJ for the sleeve with Dr Ortiz. Anyone else around the same day? Maybe I'll see you at the Marriott!

Hi everyone, I've been on this forum for probably about a month now and just got sleeved about 5 days ago. I normally don't post things but I felt this was a very important experience and a great one as well especially about my doctor whom their isn't much info about in the forums yet. I had my surgery in Mexico in Cancun with Dr. Hector Perez. AMAZING doctor, very well educated as well as very knowledgeable about the sleeve process. He has been doing surgeries for over 7 years and is one of the top rated bariatric surgeons in cancun. He speak perfect english as do all the other doctors I came across (anesthesiologist, cardiologist and even some of the nurses) I stayed at…

Hey Guys! I am new to this site I finally decided to get Gastric Sleeve surgery. I have been up and down for many years now, and really need some help. As my insurance does not cover WLS, I am self-paid. After months of research, I have narrowed down my options to Dr. Kelly-Ramos and Dr. alejandro lopez in TJ, Mexico. Can anyone share any comments or recommendations?

I am having my gastric sleeve on Friday, April 11th by Dr. Cabrera anyone else?

Hi guys! Real quick: I'm in Tijuana. Did my pre op testing today and a few hours later I got a call from one of the doctors saying my bloodwork showed that my hemoglobin was 8.9 and that the dr. said I will need a blood transfusion. Did anyone else have this experience?

Here is a bit about my surgery... Prior to surgery I did about 5 days of a liquid diet with a regular Protein dinner. The week before surgery I was allowed 1 Protein shake a day, sugar free Jello, sugar free pudding, broth and I ate Dannon light & fit yogurt. I got in the night before surgery to the hospital. I was allowed liquids until 10 pm which they really encouraged to make getting an IV easier. They came in the morning asked me to get a shower and change into hospital gown. Then then put in my IV. I first got blood work and chest x-ray, after the cardiologist reviewed those things I then got an EKG and was cleared for surgery. I met all of my team the anesthesio…

Having surgery the 21st. Dr. Kelly is my surgeon. Anyone else going to be there around that time?

Hi. Is anyone going to use Dr. Joya in PV Mexico?

Hello everyone! I am having my surgery on Mary 29th with dr. Ponce de leon. I am so nervous about going down to Mexico, I was hoping someone would be down there around the same time with the same doctor or coordinator of Trish. Anyway, hope you all have a good week! Lots of love, Alex

Hello all, I am new to this forum and trying to slowly figure everything out. I was hoping some of you would have some insight on the gastric sleeve in Mexico? Unfortunately my insurance will not cover anything related to obesity (no labs, nutritionist visit, follow up visits) so I am going to have to go to Mx to achieve my dream of hopefully getting thinner I'm thinking about going with Dr. Fernando Garcia due to my budget having to be under $5,000.... Does anyone have any thoughts? Input? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I thought I would do a day by day review of my experience in Tijuana through Mexico Bariatric. Everyday I'll do a recap with pictures =) I thought it would be very helpful for people. Background- surgery scheduled with Dr. Lopez on April 8th and traveling with my husband. Yesterday we arrived in San Diego and immediately called Victor our driver. Victor is a bit difficult to understand on the phone, but he is aware of this and very patient with repeating himself. Our plane arrived early, so we had to wait maybe 15 min. Victor is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the area of San Diego and Tijuana- if there is extra time he will even stop along the …

10 days to go until the dreaded 23 hour trip to San Diego (and on to Mexicali). Today I started thinking about some of the things I'm really looking forward to after surgery: - Smaller boobies! I've been packing double Gs around for far too long. There is nothing cute or sexy about these big mamas or the ugly bras that cover them. There are 2 styles of bras at Nordstrom that can handle the job and neither of them are cute. Can't wait to burn them! - Seeing results of my workouts at the gym. I'm strong, freakishly strong, and love lifting weights and doing crossfit. I know I have some hardcore muscles underneath the layers of fat and I can't wait to be able to see them…

That is my question! So my plan after having surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on 2/17/14 was to come back to my local hospital for follow up care. I called the hospital Before surg yet and told them my plans and the patient coordinator said it would be no problem in that there are many people that go out-of-state and out of the country for surgery and came back for follow-up. However I was very disappointed when the came back for my first follow-up appointment 1 month later. The surgeon was so rude! She wouldn't give me the time of day and I left very unhappy. I'm now debating - should I keep following up and schedule a nutritionist appointment? Or just forget it and cont…

I am leaning towards going to Dr.Garcia for my single incision sleeve and Im looking to hear from any Dr.Garcia patients, single incision or not! Anyone…?

Surgery in 6 days! Just hoping someone could give an account of their pre-op testing at Hospital MI Doctor... I'm sure it varies a bit from doctor to doctor, but it should be pretty similar. Just wondering what to expect

Hi guys, So I've chosen Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC and now I just need to choose a date. I'm leaning towards August as that'll give me time to save more and not have to rely on financing. I'm unfortunately going to have to go alone due to my boyfriends work schedule and he's the only one I told about this. I would feel much more comfortable if I knew another one of you will be going solo, or even with a friend around the same time. I know I don't know any of you personally, but we're both going for the same purpose so i figured that makes us friends!!

looking for new friends

I'm on day 3 of pre op diet and have a horrible lingering headache. Does anyone know any tricks for caffeine withdrawal??

Hi all, I'm eight days out of my VSG surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and wanted to share my experience with anyone still trying to make the decision. I had questioned on these boards if he was really worth the extra money and let me say, without reservation, that he and his staff is worth every penny! I'm sorry this is so long - I tried to keep it brief but failed miserably. Day 1-2 pre-surgery: Of course the day before my flight out I had to work til 9pm, because I had to be up by 4am the next day to get to the airport. Nothing like starting out a long trip tired! Total travel time from my residence to San Diego was 24 hours, since I got delayed in LA. Ernes…

Hi- If anyone has a copy of a Patient to Nurse / English to Spanish guide from Mi Doctor Hospital to share, please do. I've been searching and can't find one, please help. Thanks!!!

Dr. Alberto Michel or bartatricsgroupsolutions.net ?

Good Morning, It seems like everyone stays at the Marriott. My doctor (Dr. Illan) puts everyone at Hotel Lucerna. Is there anyone who will be there on the 16th and 17th? My surgery date is 4/14/14 so I won't get to the hotel untive 4/16/14. Thanks, Kathryn

Here is some info I got directly from TSA.gov regarding flying after surgery. (Sorry if this posted else where.) ==================================================================== Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Traveler Information TSA Cares is a help line to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during screening. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, de…

Hello there, I'm day 6 post-op. When I lie flat, a strong, burning sensation comes on in the middle of my esophagus. Anyone, given anything for this? At discharge I was given Milk of Magnesia, and told to take it for an the anti-inflammatory properties. However, side effects of MOM is diarrhea which I still have. SO, anyone out there that experienced this same symptom, and what did you take for it? I don't have an MD back here in the States, following me.

I know there were some post-opers that were up and shopping after surgery. What stores are in walking distance to the Marriott? Any gas stations or grocery stores? Thanks!!

Last night after getting home from work and I finally just get to sleep my dad calls. My step mom had saw about my future surgery on FB. She wakes him up to tell him. He calls and just goes off on me telling me all kinds of stuff like I'm going to die , to exercise, push away from the table, ect. Ect. After explaining about an hour I finally calm him down. Now he wants SPECIFICS..LOL..I KNOWbeing a parent you worry about your kids but geezzz I'm big enough to make my own decisions!!! Now at work for 13 hour shift on 4 hours sleep. Think I need to silence my phone at night:))

Hi fellow Mexico sleevers! My surgery is in five days! March 3rd in Tijuana with Dr. Lopez. I am going through Mexico Bariatric and my coordinator is Christy. I've been preparing for months but now I'm gettting a little scared. Has anyone went through Christy with Mexico Bariatric? I'm paranoid now that I could be getting ripped off although I'm sure it's fine. Just starting to get a little scared and questioning everything as the date quickly approaches. I'm trying to double check with references here as I haven't seen hardly anyone mention Mexico Bariatric. I've seen a lot of people go through A Lighter Me and others so I'm just checking. If anyone has gone t…

My surgery is mar 27 with dr ponce. Anyone else on that day?? I'm super excited and nervous. This site is the only thing that's keeping me going! I feel I know about the sleeve then anyone just fr reading these posts lol

Any sleevers for Dr. Kelly at Nova hospital in May? I'm thinking about scheduling my gastric sleeve the end of May. Would love to have someone to share the experience with!

I am scheduled to get sleeved in April in Juarez. Is anyone else headed that way at that time?

I work for a federal government agency and they are very particular about documentation when it comes to approved time off....my pcp is not supportive of my decision to go to Mexico so he won't write one for me. I talked to alma and she said that they will get me on I just need to tell them what to put I it....any suggestions on what to say without putting them in my business

anybody had a sleeve gastrectomy with dr cabrera at mi doctor hospital... please tell me of your experience.....thanks...

Hi! So I have decided to book with Dr.Garcia for surgery on April 8. I will traveling alone and Im desperately looking for others that will atleast be at the Marriott from April 7-April 12. Anybody?!?!

I have tried to contact Dr. Kelly several times via his website and have gotten zero responses. Does anyone have a good up to date contact info for him? I would love to talk to him or his coordinator. I am looking to have my sleeve at the end of May. Hoping to get all the information I could before booking. Any great stories are welcome. Or horror stories.

I am drawing close to my date with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. I am so excited about my surgery which is on 3/4. I've heard nothing but good about Dr. Kelly and just would love to hear from others who have had surgery with him. My best gal pal had surgery last July and she is doing just great. Anybody else want to share their experience.

Hola! Just a quick introduction. Like many of you, Ive struggled with my weight; yoyo dieting, diet pills (off the shelf and prescription) numerous weight loss clinics, etc. Now that I am a little older, I find it even harder to lose weight, and stay healthy (my knees hurt, I'm tired all of the time). Im tired of losing 40, gaining 60. I honestly believe I have totally screwed up my metabolism from all of the torture i have put my body through. I contacted the my local bariatric physican, attended the seminars, did all of the insurance requirements, and ended up paying 100s of dollar in copays and uncovered medical expenses just for the insurance company to deny me. (BC…

Back in October when i was testing for my medical clearance for my insurance company, my lab work came back positive for the H-Pylori bacteria. My surgeon called and said that I could not have surgery until it was treated and until I produced a negative blood test. Well the prescription never got filled because my insurance co denied the surgery before i filled it. SO…my question is, did anyone test positive for H-Pylori and have the surgery in Mexico? Did the dr in Mexico even ask about it? Thx! *Nic*

Did anyone pay with credit card for their surgery? If not, what method payment did you use? *Nic*

I am wondering about Passports, payments, health evaluations pre op, Who do you see after your back in the States? And how do you even go about setting up an appointment or even get accepted for the surgery? Im very curious.

When I was researching the sleeve. One of the coordinators sent me an email and it had an attachment for spanish to english. It was common phrases that are used in hospital having the gastric sleeve. I lost mine. Does anyone have it and can send it to me or post if on here. Thanks

Dr. Aceves' patient info guide lists both as (PPI) and I'm confused. Is the Pantoprazol a type of Proton Pump Inhibitor or are they 2 different meds I need to take for 3-6 mos (post-sleeve)? Help and Thank you!

I'M SCHEDULED ON AUG 6TH W/ DR.DIAZ & WANTED TO HEAR FROM OTHERS WHO HAD DIAZ & IF THEY HAD SINGLE INCISION & HOW WAS THE HEALING PROCESS? KAREN

I am planning to have VSG and am researching surgeons at this time. I am interested in which surgeons in Tijuana, Mexico perform single incision VSG and if there is an increased fee?

I'm so excited about getting it. NOT looking forward to the liquid diet before or quitting smoking but I know it will be worth it.

Hi everyone, So I’m in need of support. I’ve been doing all my research to find a good doctor and some of you gave me excellent recommendations. I’ve narrowed it down to about 4 that I will be calling to get further info and to see what vibes I get. I just have no one to talk to about my concerns, my goals, my fears. I can’t talk to my mom she doesn’t think I need it and even if she did she wouldn’t want me going to Mexico for it. My one line of support would be my boyfriend and he just doesn’t get it. He thinks I should do it the old diet and exercise way. He says if I diet like him I’d lose it just as fast as he did. His way is hardly eating while taking diet pills a…