Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

i'm from western Oklahoma going to Tijuana Aug. 4th surgery on Aug. 5th home Aug. 9th . surgery at Florence and I'm using Dr. Garcia.

how long did it take everyone to get their passport/ passport card? Also, did you have it expedited? I'm ready to schedule with Dr. Alvarez, but not sure about how long it really takes to get this document.

HI...I want to know experiences bad or positive witht this company, or their coordinator Jessica?...I'm searching info, and I honestly didn't hear their name too much here....They offer sleeve surgerry in US too...any advise, experience? Pleaseee hellppp

Only one month from a year never thought I could lose as much weight as have in this amount of time was the best decision I ever made. This has been a hard year as far as personal life. The only thing that had been good is the weight loss. My sw. 451 cw 246 goal was 250 now I'm just going to loss as I don't look sick. I get to go back to Tijuana mx with a friend next month on my one year mark and I know dr ponce de Leon will so a great job for him.

Hi there, this is my first post. I am concerned that the only identification my husband has to get back into San Diego is his drivers licence and multiple bills with his name and California address. But his entire file full of important documents has gone missing. Getting his birth certificate from England will be rough. Getting his US military documents, also rough. 54 days Til surgery in Tijuana. For those who've come back through at San Diego border... Should we be concerned? Oh and we have our marriage license and I have my birth certificate and license and bills. What's the worst case scenario???

I will be traveling by myself for surgery and was wondering if the rooms at Florence Hosp are private and if they have a locking cabinet or safe in the room for my valuables?

Trying to find ppl who are having surgery on the 11th at Mi Doctor?

Well, I purchased my plane tickets and am feeling nervous, but very much so ready! Are any of you looking to have surgery done around the 9th in Tijuana?

This is not new pain, just the same left side pain near the incision where they pulled my stomach. The incision site and particularly right below it still hurt, a bit more when I drink anything. Finally seeing some progress in my swelling -- I am now only 2 lbs. over my pre-op weight! -- but my tummy is still pretty swollen. Is this pretty typical at this point in recovery?

Has anyone successfully kept your surgery a secret? I only plan on telling a few people. And I do not want my work to know. What can I tell them when I request off?

When we were going back to San Diego to fly home I wasn't nervous about crossing the border. Our lucky US Border Patrol decided to ask what kind of surgery, don't I have insurance?, His Aunt had that surgery, WHY would I go to Mexico for that?. HELLO- the deal was done! Proof was in the pudding already Anyone else get any questions or comments?

Can anyone tell about their experience traveling home from Mexico after having VS surgery. I will be flying and I have a three hour lay-over. Is there anything specific I need to be more comfortable?

Doing some research for a family member who has chosen Dr. Roberto C. Cisneros - Tijuana Bariatric Center Anyone help me out with some information or if you have ANY insite! Thank you in advance Friends! Missy~

I am on another forum for bariatric surgery. I saw a few posts about a person dying after/during surgery but there was no details. I would rather not mention the doctor. We all know there is risk in surgery. Any surgery. I just wanted to know if this is for sure true and what was the cause. Regardless I am having mine

Tomorrow, I have my VSG surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. I know there are several others coming to the same doctor/hotel in the next few weeks and months. Since I appreciated the feedback of others, I wanted to share my experience in hopes it will help someone else. When the plane landed in San Diego, I immediately had a text from Joel, the OCC driver. He was outside. The van was parked just outside of baggage claim and had my name in the window. While driving, Joel gave us the details about what to expect this evening and tomorrow. Joel is very polite and professional. We drove to the border, got out, scanned our bags and were not su…

I will be going to TJ to take my little sister to Jerusalem hospital to be sleeved on Sept 18, anyone else going or taking a companion? Looking for a buddy for a couple of meals, and walks. From taking my poor husband with me in May of 2012, I know how boring it can be!

Just curious, do you think your PCP should be told about your mexico vsg decision ? - I haven't told mine yet - I guess I am very concerned the man will try and talk me out of it or scare me, or worse, tell me I could just "follow a sensible plan of diet and exercise"

I have paid my deposit and booked my flight. September will be a long month! Mexico here I come.

my surgery was a wonderful experience with Baja Bariatrics. the nurses were great along with the entire staff, I feel like a brand new woman. Omar with Baja Bariatrics goes well beyond the call of duty! He is one of the best persons we have ever met, dont second guess anylonger! call him or video chat with them today, they have changed my life already? I would recommend to my family &friends. Im self pay and this was my only option to go to mexico. Call lookup baja bariatris today! God bless:)

I'm August 3. Would love to find a sleeve buddy. I'll be at Midoctor with Dr. Elias Ortiz.

Hi All, I am looking to start a support group in Cornelius, NC. I own a coffee shop in Cornelius and am looking to host an evening for both those you are about to have surgery and those that have already had it. I had surgery in Mexico and find that I am falling off the wagon so to speak, I just think it will be good to swap idea's and stories. Anyone interested please let me know. Thanks, Charlie

HI everyone, I am in Charlotte, NC. I need to find a PCP that will take me on as a patient and will do my labs. Met with my PCP last night and she was not on board. PLEASE HELP! I know someone out there is in Charlotte NC or near by and has had surgery in Mexico and has a PCP - please don't keep it a secret! Thank you!!!!!

I need some help. I am so nervous about making this decision. I have been doing a lot of research and these are the 2 final places I have decided to have my procedure done. Can anyone give me some experience or advice for either place? I am the type of person that has to be 100% sure...I am just so nervous. Thanks.

So I am starting to feel frustrated with this whole post op diet!!! Wednesday will be three weeks since surgery and I feel great incision wise and can't say enough good things about dr. Aceves and his team, they were wonderful!!! My frustration comes from now being lactose intolerant.... There's so few things I can eat and now everytime I drink milk my stomach kills!!! Starting to feel very frustrated, please tell me this gets better!! I know in the long run this will be all worth it but struggling to get through this stage!

I just want to give a rave review to the A Lighter Me staff. My surgical experience was terrific. We, my sis and I, were picked up on time at the airport by a very curteous driver. He even called me before we got ready to exit the airport. We went to the hodspital first, to meet the other driver (there are 2) that would be driving us the next day. Then, our driver got us all registered at the hotel, and we relaxed poolside. The Marriot is a very nice, quiet and clean hotel. I can't say I liked their chicken broth, but my sis had alot of good meals there, with the exception of the hamburger. Early the next morning, our dirver took us and other patients to the Hospit…

Hello everyone. Well the surgery date is set, plane tickets purchased, pass port has arrived, the hotel is booked and last but not least I am beginning to have some severe anxiety. I want so much for this to work. As a self payer this is costing a lot, but most of all I am still scared to death of something going wrong. Or that my weight loss won't be as successful as some of you. Please don't get me wrong I am so grateful to be able to do this, but so many things have gone wrong in my life that its hard to think positive. For once I am really doing something for me and I just pray to God it's of his approval and that he won't let anything go wrong.

This sh@# has just gotten real... I've purchased my plane tickets and deposit made.... I'm nervous and excited all at once.... Finally i'm in the race to great health and a happier life..I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel... Just thinking about being able to see my "girl"( u know what girl.. the girl".. lol without having to hold up my belly... geesh.. that's a big deal..lol.. I like to laugh at it and not cry about it.. im sooo ready to be on the loser bench...TEAM OCTOBER!!!!

I am having my surgery on Sept 25th with Dr Garcia. I am going alone so I am hoping to meet someone before I go that is going at the same time. Getting so excited for my life to change.

Hello everyone, I am looking for as much guidance as possible. I am very excited for this VSG surgery (September 9). I am feeling a little uneasy for many reasons. One, I am doing this alone. I am getting it done in Mexico, where my mother had hers done. I have only heard exceptional things about all aspects of the journey there. The staff, doctors, drivers, the stay itself etc. I am 23 years old and am still kind of a baby when it comes to going out into the unknown, so far from home (Oregon). I have a million questions, even after doing a bunch of research. I suppose I will list some and see where this goes. 1. I am a smoker, and as much as I would like to not b…

Who's going to see Dr. Ortiz for there sleeve on the 18th of September?? I need company.

Monica, my cousin who is with me, wants to go to Walmart but not alone, and I don't really feel up to the uphill trek. Anyone from y'all's camps want to plan a field trip? Message me and I'll give you my room number, if so! Hope you guys are feeling well and on your way to the Marriott at this point. xoxo Katrina

Hi all! I'm going to be flying into San Diego in October from Kentucky. Where does everyone go to purchase plane tickets? I'm looking for my cheapest option! Thanks!

My girlfriend and I are booking tmrw with OCC and Dr. Ortiz. I was sooo excited leading up to it, but now, I am terrified Am I crazy? Can't I lose weight myself? Is it worth it? What if it doesn't work? Ahhhhh. I know I can't be the only one that has gone through this. What did you say to yourself?

If so, check in here with first name and sugery date and I'll look for you in the halls! I'm Katrina and my surgery is August 27. Would love to "see" who all will be there at the same time! The information is all spread out on the boards in different posts and I'm having trouble remembering who is with me.

Hi everyone, Just curious, for those of you who work, did u request vacation time off or sick leave? Im planning to take a week off (my work is not physical) and would like to take it as sick but at my job, anything beyond two days requires a Dr's note. Did ur Mexican surgeon provide one? Im not telling anyone at work about my surgery so I would need a very discrete Drs note. Thanks!

I'm here now. Surgery tomorrow. Anyone want to not eat together in the restaurant?

Hi Folks, Anyone going to be at INT hospital between Aug 30th and Sept 2nd? My surgery will be August 31st and looking for company. I'll be with Dr. Ponce de Leon.

How far from the beach is the Marriott? Anyone know what a cab ride would cost?

The good, the bad & the ugly... Mexico Bariatric Center, Dr. Kelly, Mi hospital I have written this for information purposes only. I am trying to be as informative as possible to anyone that is considering surgery with Dr. R. Kelly, or using Mexico Bariatric Center or considering MI Doctor Hospital. We just got back a few days ago from TJ… so far so good! My wife is doing GREAT! I hope this is not found as advertising as per the Forum Rules. I accompanied my wife for VSG surgery; I had mine three years ago. My surgery was with Dr. Almanza and that is a complete other topic. Someday I will write about that gong show. THE GOOD Airport pick up in San Diego by a M…

Just paid my deposit through r4ac and set surgery date for March 4th with Dr. Garcia SOOO happy to have a date set to look forward to. Any other early March sleevers? I know theres quite a few going in Feb. haven't seen many for March.

Does anyone have any experiences they can share about this doctor? I just found out they are running a special for the sleeve. I have to make my decision by tomorrow morning. Right now I'm leaning towards Dr. Illan. Thanks!

Okay y'all. ..this is my first and finest NSV. I had my surgery with Dr. Illan on August 12th in Tijuana. I went to my PCP today and he took me completely off my diabetes medicine. I have been type 2 diabetic for 9 yrs. I have never been able to control it a good day for me was 250. The dr. Had told me my kidneys were going to fail if I didn't do something. I already had the numbness on my feet and my fingers. This surgery was my last chance. This surgery. has literally saved my life. Thank you Susan and Omar most of all thank you Dr. Illan.

I am new to the forums. This is one of the only ones I have found for people who went abroad for RNY. I had surgery on April 19, 2012 and will be 4 months post op in a few days. I have lost 76 pounds and feel really good about that, but still have along way to go. The dis-advantage to going abroad is the follow-ups. I am in contact with my Dr and Nut thru emails and such , but it still isnt the same a going to their office for a real follow up. That is were my GP has been a saint and doing follow ups and the blood work....ect. Would luv to talk with others who went abroad for RNY.

I'm having mine done Monday at Jerusalem Hospital. Has anyone else had yours done there? Of so what did ya think?

Ok so last Wednesday I mailed out my deposit. I have tracked it and know its there at the post office in Eagles Pass. My liquid diet is supposed to start by Thursday at latest. I guess they didn't go get mail today, which means I still have no clue as to what my liquid diet will be. I'm starting to really get upset. I have taken so long to plan this and like to be prepared for everything I do. This isn't my norm, I feel like it will have to be rushed now. Ugh!! Other than this hiccup the rest of the process has been pretty smooth. Maybe I'm just obsessing and being impatient. Either way, sorry for the vent but I have no support outside of this group as I have chose to kee…

Hi Everyone! I just made it back from tonight from San Diego after having surgery in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, August 19th! My experience was wonderful!! Thank you Lord!! My sister (support) and I arrived in San Diego on Sunday, 8/19 and was immediately picked up at the airport by Raoul with A Lighter Me. He took us to our hotel in Tijuana after a brief stop at Mi Doctor Hospital to pick up a patient that had been released that day. She looked great and said she was feeling fine. We got to the hotel, Marriott Tijuana and it is beautiful!!The rooms are big, clean and had a bathroom scale. Everyone went over and beyond, the staff was so friendly. As a part of my pa…

Chapter 1: My plane leaves at 7:15 am tomorrow, which means I must be up at around 4 am. Too excited and nervous to sleep. After all my whining, I actually did fantastic on the pre-op diet and lost 8 lbs. I am the only patient on Tuesday for Dr. Garcia and will have pre-op tests at 10 am and surgery at noon. Hoping for a surgeon with steady hands and a *yawn* boring recovery. Hope I haven't forgotten anything. If I have, I will get familiar with the WalMart that everyone talks about that is right down the street. Wish me luck, and watch for Chapter 2 tomorrow after I arrive in San Diego and get settled at the Marriott.

I am planning to have Surgery in Mexico. I still have not decided on Doctor. What is the average time spent in Mexico between hotel and hospital stay. Thanks

Does anyone know why Dr. Alvarez does not do EKG prior to surgery?