Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I am leaning heavily towards Dr Aceves.. and have been for years that I have been researching and looking into having VSG done....Does anybody have their personal journey documented so I can be more prepared? Thanks

Has anyone used this company associated with Dr. Garcia? I've mainly talked with R4AC patients and Alma, but I've spoken with Alisha from Tijuana Bariatrics and like her a lot any reviews?

I was sleeved yesterday. I am doing really good according to the doctor. I have a drain, no pain, slight discomfort in my stomach but overall not bad! Thanks to this sight I was well prepared. I followed the pre op instructions completely. I was dreaming about being chased by a milkshake and fries jumping over the moon... Lol the temptation did not win. I'm in Tijuana and all is well. The staff is nice. The facility clean and the doctors are always checking in on you. Well off to get more rest. I will report back later.

Well here I am - still stuck in what I can only describe as a mental culdesac of indecision and frustration. I spend maybe 1-2 hours per day on this forum hoping to finally make my mind up. So far I've "decided" on several different surgeons. Except I haven't really "decided" anything - and therein lies the problem. Do you want to know what's been going on in my world of VSG madness ? - okay, first I wanted to go with BeLiteWeight - a little pricier but well reviewed (AND FYI their in house financing is easy peasy) but communication not so super but I can get over that. OH and NO DRAIN - me like that very much. So why haven't I committed with them ? - they tried a …

Any suggestions on what to pack and take with us for the surgery and stay in Tijuana?

I'm here at Hotel Locerna, if anyone is here and wants to talk/walk I'm in room 212!

So excited that it's finally scheduled! Just wondering if anyone else is having surgery on or around that date at Florence Hospital.

I must say I've only heard bad things about about 2 of the doctors in Mexico, so it seems I should just jump and schedule with one and do it. I don't know. Everyone is posting nothing but great about the doctors, facilities, coordinators.

One more week and I will be back in TJ . Exactly 3 Months and 1 week from when I was sleeved . I will be going as a support person. I can't wait to assist someone in beginning there journey

And I hit GOAL yesterday! Could not be more excited, although it seems a bit surreal that in 6 months and 2 days I have lost 81 pounds! Start weight was just under 220 at 5'4. Today's weight...138! I have gone from a size 20 jeans to a 6, and a 2XL top to a SMALL! My chest went from a 42DD to a 36D or 34DD depending on the fit! I am thrilled with my results, and while it hasn't been "easy" the whole time, the process for me honestly hasn't been that difficult. I log every.single.thing that passes my lips on MyFitnessPal and I workout for 90-120 minutes a day...running 3-6 miles 6 days a week and lifting weights with my amazing best friend and workout buddy, who h…

I'm thinking a thousand differenct things by now, it's been 2+ hours. None of the number I call are working for the driver, plus they are Mexico numbers. Also, the numbers I have for medicaltourismco are not working. Not the 1800 one or the other. 214-556-3524 or 1-800-661-2126 ext. 102 Nor the ones from the site at Cabrera. I am freaking out!

Why are these two physicians $4000 more than the other Mexican doctors? Alvarez is very convenient to me as he's in a Texas boarder town, but for $4000 I could fly anywhere in Mexico and still come out spending less.

Im on my 2nd day of Pre op & my head is splitting Can I take anything for it? I know that its caffeine withdraw. Any suggestions?

I like the idea of going through a company that will arrange everything for me. However, the negative reviews I've seen about the different Medical Tourism companies don't mention names. I like a balanced perspective, so I'd like to hear the good/bad/other for places like A Lighter Me, Ready 4 Change, etc.

Anyone going to get sleeved by Dr Garcia on aug 2nd

I will have folks at Nova on Aug 2nd, anyone else for that day?

With all the talk about Dr. kelly switching to Nova, I thought I would post a pic of the hospital. I have more as soon as I can edit the faces I will post the inside pics. Its clean and IMO its one notch above MI Doctor and the important thing is... they have doctors staffing the hospital 24/7 Might not be important to you but it was VERY important to us. More pics to follow.

Alarm is set for 3am to catch a flight out in the morning. I'm doing a same day, Dr. Garcia. I don't know why I don't feel more nervous.

I'm now at 4 months post-op. I had surgery on March 18th w/Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. For me, it was a great experience. He and his whole team went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. And, if you add him on Facebook, Dr. Garcia is awesome about answering any follow-up questions you might have. I've got a ways to go, but I'm very happy with my progress so far.

I removed this post. Some of the info I was receiving was from disgruntled people. Im not sure how reliable it is

Someone on here was talking about a great translator app on the Ipad. I did not take note at the time because I didn't have an Ipad. However, since DH is going with me, and he doesn't like to read, I thought it would be a good idea to get an Ipad so he can surf the Internet and hopefully not die of boredom. Can anyone tell me the name of this app so that I can download it?

Hey all, K..so I am in a pickle. I got my flights booked which is good..but when I wanted to get medical/travel insurance, I was told that I would be covered going over to Mexico, but not coming home from Mexico. The reason: Because I am having surgery, according to the insurance people I have a "pre-existing condition" and as such the medical/travel insurance is null and void on the way home from Mexico. So..for you Canadians..how did you go about getting insurance that could cover you on the way home for mexico? Who did you get it through?

Will write more just wanted to shout out that im back and if anyone of you ever...ever have ANY second thoughts or misgivings about going down to Mexico to DR Alvarez...DONT OMGosh never been treated so well or taken care of in my life, the most work that i had to do for my self in the 5 days i was under his care was waiting for the shuttle to the airport. will write more soon.

I'm getting sleeved in Mexico next month at Mi Hospita! I'm excited and on pins and needles! So, for those who have already gone to Mexico and had the drivers to take you back and forth. What is the average for tipping? Who do I tip? The nurses? The coordinators? I just want to make sure I have what I need to show appreciation for those who will be taking care of me!

I have already created Mexico Trip Tips & Sleeve Bible(s) documents. I'm contemplating on starting a document for pre and post sleevers regarding exercise (cardio, weight lifting, toning, flexibilty, stretching, etc). I would love input especially from the gurus, experienced sleevers. I have a lot of advanced exercises; however it's really important for the pre-sleever or recently sleeved (after medical clearance to exercise). This information will not supercede medical instructions from their PCP or surgeon(s). Thanks in advance.

I contacted Dr. Michael Orris of Weightloss Institute of Arizona, who is known for taking complicated cases. On the website, they stated that they do an aftercare program for patients who have had procedures outside of the company, but they mostly spoke of the lapband. I emailed them and received a return stating they will do after care for patients sleeved in Mexico. I was quoted $500, but I'm not sure if that's one year or 3 years. They do on-site leak tests (as far as I know are included in price) and have a 24 hour emergency help line as long as you are a patient there. He's not listed as performing the sleeve, but I did read he has repaired leeks. The doctor seems hi…

So what if you had surgery in Mexico and there is a problem, what did you do and was it covered by them? Just wondering because I haven't read of to many having problems and was just wondering what happens if you do? Also can you fly after surgery, did it bother anyone?

I am looking for reliable information regarding physicians in Mexico. What I am finding is patient reviews or the physicians' websites. Would appreciate any help with this.

Can you tell me who your complication insurance is with and how much you took out?

Starting pre-op early, should. Start on the 26th , but I'm just ready, have my shakes ,protein , broth, surgery not till Aug 5th @ Florence with Dr Garcia . I hope they have a bed for my wife to sleep in or I'll be walking the halls lol

I can't believe in less than 2 hours I will be on my way to Mexico! This seems so unreal. I hope I don't freak out at the last moment.

I'M HAVING SURGERY @ MI DOCTOR HOSPITAL & HAVE PLANNED 4 MY HUSBAND TO BE WITH ME THE 2 NIGHTS I'M THERE. CAN ANYONE GIVE ME SOME INFO REGARDING THIS? I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE A PLACE 4 HIM TO SLEEP. I NEED MORE INFO PLEASE. DOES EVERYONE PAY THE ADD'L $200. 4 2 ADD'L NIGHT AT THE HOTEL?

Has anyone else been sleeved by Dr. Cabrera? What about using Medical Tourism. I'm scheduled to be sleeved on February 22nd and haven't heard much about Dr. C. I would love to hear the experiences of others.

Starting my Pre-Op diet today, so the countdown begins. So nervous and excited for this journey.

Just wondering if anyone has gone to Mexico alone for their surgery and if so how did you do. My husband needs to stay home to take care of our pets and I don't really want to put anyone else out by asking them to accompany me.

So, I am 52 yrs old and I need to loose 50 lbs. surgery is scheduled for Aug 16th. I finally busted out and told my oldest sister, (R.N.) who is flipping out. She said she went on line to all the "cons" and talked about the dumping syndrome, and her friend who had the lap band who has to bring a change of clothes with her everywhere. ( do to pooping uncontrollably ) her friend is even heavier than before. Is there anyone out there who went from the lap band to the sleeve that can tell me the difference in your experiences ? My sister doesn't even know I am going to Mexico, she assumes I am doing it locally. I am single, my boyfriend is going with me, he isn't crazy about…

My incisions haven't been healing well, and at first I thought it was because I wasn't getting enough Protein. My dad's 2 week-old giant open knee incision was healed better than my 6 week old tiny lap scars. And the biggest one was actually getting wider! I applied silicone pads to try and head of the worst of the scarring, and I think it's lucky I did. Turns out, it's my internal sutures, which rather than breaking down, are working their way up and out of my belly. Gross! Think the silicone softened the tissues enough to let the filaments finally emerge, which is better than sitting in there, wearing away the tissue like they were doing...especially in two spots, w…

Thought or experiences with this doctor? Narrowing down my search!

Has anyone had any complications with Dr. Fernando Garcia in TJ, Mexico ? Please share!

I am going to give a very detailed experience. It was the one thing I would search for and want to read when I began my search for my options of going to Mexico for my surgery. I am not going to give details of my surgeon, as we have all researched (or will) our Dr.'s and make the decision best for ourselves. I have only seen a couple of posts concerning who he is on these forums, and they were VERY vague and people having questions, no information. I am NOT a paid employee, nor do I work for free. My surgery was on Friday, January 11. I chose my surgery to be in Cancun. I opted to not to go to a border town, because I wanted scenery and beaches and a mini-vacati…

Is 2 nights in the hospital mandatory!? I know here in the states the procedure is sometimes done as a same day outpatient procedure! Just trying to figure things out thanks!

I can't wait to get sleeved! I am trying so hard to get stronger for the surgery, hoping a nice little bonus would be a few lbs knocked off the scale, but no such luck. Poop.

At the hospital angele waiting to have my leak tests

I have insurance that covers weight loss surgery. I just found out today that it may require a 6 month diet plan. I am barely able to qualify as of now and I'm afraid I will waist all that time and money and get denied. How was your experience? Which doctor did you use and are you happy with your results? Also if there's a problem that occurs how do you deal with that? (Where would you go) Any info would be greatly appreciated!

So yesterday I wrote that I was happy with my decision. Today...not so much. I am at the Marriott where I've been since yesterday morning. Like everyone else who's had the surgery, I left Mi Doctor Hospital with a drainage tube. The staff at the hospital did not change the dressing, so I awoke from a nap yesterday to find that I had bled through the bandages and soiled my clothes, the sheets, the comforter, and a couple of the pillows. I immediately contacted the driver, Abraham, who told me this was normal (I highly doubt it) and that someone would be there later to remove the drain. He also told me to change the dressing myself. I attempted to do that with the th…

SHOULD I USE US CURRENCY OR DO THEY EXPECT YOU TO TIP & BUY WITH PESO'S? CURRENT EXCHANGE IS $1.-US = $12.65 PESO'S , I THINK -NOT SURE. CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? THANKS KAREN

First I just want to tell everyone how helpful this site, forum,blog is to those of us that are just finding it. I am a self pay, and having surgery with Dr. Alvarez on March 13th....I'm so excited! I do have a low BMI and knew insurance would never pay for me to have, what I'm considering to be (or at least hoping) a life changing choice. I have about 55 - 60 lbs to lose, but want to do this before I have 100 to lose. I have read so many times on here that the only wish would be to have had the surgery sooner. I have fought the yo-yo diets for years and I'm just ready to not have that worry on my mind 24/7. As i am preparing mentally for my surgery I often wonder w…

I'm always hearing about all of these other Dr's in TJ and their experiences with them but never any about Dr. Rodriguez at the INT hospital....anyone have any stories to share that I might have missed?

Did anyone use either of these items after surgery? I want to have time to order them if they are necessary. Thanks!

WONDER IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT SIZE OF BOUGIE DR DIAZ USES & WHAT INFO COULD BE GIVEN TO GIVE BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO ITS PURPOSE. THANKS KAREN