Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Hi my friends, I'm going to pack this weekend for my VSG procedure on Wednesday (06/12) . I will be traveling and staying in the hospital for 3 nights. What did you pack? Is there anything you would recommend? I appreciate any words of wisdom. Thank you!!

I had surgery just over 1 week ago. I am no expert, but I thought I would post some tips for VSG in Mexico, based on my experience. I hope others will post their tips too. These are my personal suggestions, but as always, the old disclaimer applies…”your mileage may vary!” The top 5 criteria for choosing a surgeon in Mexico are usually location, price, the DR, the facility, and the coordinator. You can narrow down your choice by focusing on answers to these criteria. Location-It seems that most people on the forum go to Tijuana/Mexicali, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta. There are other locations, too. Location is a good criteria to start narrowing down your choices if the lo…

Hi guys, wanted to know opinions of the two! I was told I could choose either one or for an added fee another hospital. Wanted to hear feedback to make my decision by my August date!

I've noticed many doctors use drains, but there are few that do not. Of course I'm not looking forward to having a drain, but is it really a necessity to have one? I would think that having a drain would alert the doctor of any kind of infection etc. So, if I don't have one how can they tell? Just curious is all. Did any of the Dr's or nurses explain to any of you why it is (or isn't) important to have a drain? Thanks!

Holy Christ on a cracker! Best thing I've had in ages! I might be addicted

Did you guys feel better after your drain was removed? I'm hoping once they pull this thing out tomorrow some of my stomach pain will go away! I've been walking like crazy and that does help too

I'm new here and want to have revision surgery from band to sleeve at the end of the month. I'm trying to decide between Dr. Garcia and Dr. Illan. Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts about th, as well as your results so far? Thank you.

Looking closer at Dr. Illan for my sleeve surgery. He uses the Florence hospital and the hotel Lucerna. Can anyone share their experiences? Care, cleanliness, comfort, etc.

My insurance doesn't cover the sleeve surgery here in CT. I am at a loss with what I should do. My friend recently had the weight loss surgery and introduced me to this site. I have been doing research on getting surgery in Mexico. It seems everyone has a good experience getting surgery with Dr. Ponce and that is who i am looking into. I just have concerns about have surgery in Mexico. I seems a little sketchy because it is so cheap. Any Suggestions?

Do you think the dr. That does your procedure makes a difference in your weightloss?

I was just looking at the thread below with pics of the evacuated stomachs removed during surgery and omg. Huge. My somewhat dumb question is, what happens to the space left in our abdomens? That is a big cavity left behind! Do the rest of our organs shift and fill up the space or what? Can't things get twisted and/or caddywampus in there?!

I've had acid reflux for years - not due to a hernia. A friend warned me that the sleeve could make it much much worse but when I've asked the coordinators, they don't seem to think to a problem. Does anyone have experience with acid reflux both pre and/or post sleeve and can share personal experiences, please? Thanks!

I chose Dr. Perez to do my vertical sleeve in Cancun in June 2013. I can’t say enough good things about Dr Perez and Alma and Gail, with Ready 4 a Change, and Abraham, our driver. The hotel and beach was fabulous. My experience was pretty similar to all the others that have been reported in detail, so I am not going to repeat all that, but you can send me a private email if you have questions. I had minor gas pains (none in the shoulder), with the worst issue being regular-type gas pains accompanied by diarrhea. That didn’t happen until I started with the ice and the blue dye. I quickly realized that GasX helped to ward that off. I took some light days pads, which came in…

I had my sleeve done yesterday by Dr. Kelly at Hospital Nova. I have nothing but great things to say. I'm a little sore this morning. I wish my back didn't hurt so bad from gas, but it's all good. My doc in the state missed that I had a hernia which was apparently pretty bad. I'm grateful that's fixed also. I was walking to the loo last night. I'm hoping things continue to get better today. Negatives: the couch for the hubby sucks. They never brought him blanket or sheets, so he's constantly peeling himself off the vinyl. No bottle Water to brush teeth. I'll write more later.

I just started my 7 day pre-op today diet. By dinner I could have eaten a horse, but I settled for salad and chicken! .

Good evening! As I get closer and closer to submitting everything to my insurance (Aetna), I fear I'll be denied. However, my husband has agreed for us to pay for the surgery regardless because he knows it means the world to me. I was very happy about the decision until this morning. My best friend, a doctor of general medicine, called and told me to make certain my insurance would cover me in the event there were post-op problems related to the surgery. Anyone have any advice/experience in this matter?

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Illan? If so, I would greatly appreciate any feedback you have, good or bad! Thank you!

Hey eveyone! Just got approved today and after several weeks of just lurking decided now was a great time to get on here! On August 7th I will be having the surgery with Dr Illan. Cant Wait!! Anyone have any tips or helpful advice? I am SOOO nervous and want to make sure I dont forget anything.

Just seeing who all is here.

So im having surgery on June 28 with Dr Garcia, I really didn't have to complete a pre op diet but I'm doing so anyway. (HCG Injections) wondering is this a bad thing or what???

Hey everyone! I decided to create another post about my surgery so I can go in full details. However let me first DISCLOSE THAT I PAID FOR MY SURGERY AND I DON’T WORK WITH MY SURGEON by recommending patients or him.. I GAIN NOTHING! HOWEVER I DID MAKE DR. ILLAN PATIENTS A PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP BEFORE I EVEN 100% Decided to go to him! Anyways since I felt the need to disclose that and get that out of the way… Let’s get in details… We flew in Wednesday afternoon and were picked up as soon as we arrived at 5:09 PM. Our Driver took us straight to Omar. (WE ALL LOVE OMAR) We met him outside the hospital and he got our stuff and took us to his truck. He was so excited t…

Hey family, I had my sleeve done on Friday the 28th. I just left the hospital and will be on my own tonight I can't sleep, and my mouth will not stop having to SPIT. I have filled up a cup already and it's seems thats the reason I can't sleep.... Somebody help me please...

I would like to know what happened to the thread that was started yesterday about this dr conducting himself in a very unprofessional manner?

Man tomorrow is the day I'm scared and nervous.... Surgery is tomorrow please keep me in your prayers.... Thanks

To those who have been to Midoctor hospital...are the electrical plugs normal? I haven't seen anything about needing an international adapter, but thought I'd ask.

I'm looking into seeing Dr. Quinones for my surgery. Has anyone else used him? If so, what was your experience like?

My apologies if this gets a bit lengthy, but I hope to give a full story of my sleeve experience and include some details I hadn't read much about in other reports, After reading many reports on this site, and speaking with 4 coordinators, I chose Dr Garcia and Ready4achange in early May. I was particularily impressed with Alma, who I spoke with over the phone. Whereas some of the other coordinators gave a hard sell or wouldn't stop talking long enough to answer any questions (and 1 wanted to charge a 15% surcharge if i used a credit card!), Alma was very professional, answered all my questions, and also explained that I would only be accepted if I agreed to their die…

Since I am traveling alone I though I might bring my laptop. Would this be an issue at the border? And would it be safe with my other belongings while I am having surgery? I will go straight to hospital (Nova) so I am not sire how my belongings would be handled?

Did anyone gain weight the first day of surgery from the IV water weight I suppose??

Does Dr. Kelly put in a catheter or drain tube? I think I'm most freaked out about possibly having a catheter. I've never had any kind of surgery before so I'm completely new to this whole experience.

Just picked up the check for my final payment! We leave Sunday!

I'm still saving as much as I possibly can. I'm about $1,200 away from having it all! I can't wait! I haven't scheduled a date yet because I'm afraid I won't have all the money by the day I pick. I've changed my mind so many times its ridiculous. I thought that I was for certain going to go to Dr. Aceves, but I just can't afford that right now in my budget. I'm about to have to get a new vehicle and I need as much money as I can at this point. So, I've decided on Dr. Fernando Garcia. After annoying him and alma for months with my questions, I'm just going to try and push all of my anxieties to the side and go with it! I'm scared out of my mind, but I know this needs to…

My doc gave me his blessing to have surgery in Mexico. Upon that I started my 2 weeks pre-op diet and scheduled my surgery for 2 weeks later. I am now 4 weeks out. A total of 30 pounds and he said my incisions, my vitals and blood work great. I'm off sugar meds He was sooo pleased and so am I

I don't know if I'm overreacting or what. But I've been working with a certain coordinator of a certain well known WLS company since April. Everything is set up (at least on my part anyway). My "Plan A" is set in motion. I have my doctor's picked out, hotel, hospital, passport, my tests done, plane ticket bought, surgery date, time off work, etc. The coordinator and I have been in constant contact the entire time...until recently. I don't know what's going on, maybe it's nothing. But I have contacted her several times last week by phone, text and emails and she answered one of them. Plus, I got an "undeliverable" message when I tried to text her. After ignoring my…

I'm researching doctors in MX, and a big part of the decision is airfare prices. If I use Alvarez, I'll be driving (which will take a day) but I'll have to fly for any of the others. My question is for those of you who flew for surgery in MX: What doctor did you use, and what airport did you fly into, so that I can compare ticket prices?

There is a chance my insurance won't cover me because I only have pre diabetes and not full blown type two. I was wondering how much self pay is including the flight there and back and if you can do payments? I'd also like references as too good programs/surgeons and where to start. Thanks

My surgery is on July 1st and I'm scared! Kinda having second thoughts about the whole thing. Also...I've been sick with the stomach flu for the past 3 days...leave it to me to get sick a week before major surgery. Did anyone else almost back out at the last minute?

This is what I'm looking for in a surgeon. Additional desirable features include: -performs surgeries in a hospital (not a clinic or strip mall) -has packages under $6000 (excluding airfare) -requires a 2 night hospital stay -performs daily follow ups ater hospital discharge -is in Tijuana -is a Virgo who enjoys fine dining and long walks on the beach (optional) So far, I'm considering Ramos Kelly and Ariel Ortiz (OCC). Your input greatly appreciated!

I was wondering how much people were tipping the drivers and hotel staff. I head down beginning of July and wanted to start planning everything ahead! Thanks!

Ugh. Can't decide between 3 doctors. Dr. Kelly Dr. Garcia Dr. Lopez I would like to finally decide by tomorrow. Can anyone comment on the following questions on either one if these Doctors. Pre-op diet Post-op diet Does the Doctor provide pain meds Does the Dr./Nurse speak English clearly. I will be on my own Is there a TV and internet in the hospital. Do they give a leak test before leaving? How were incisions closed? Will I need a follow up in the states to have something removed I know there a lot of questions. My head is swimming and I can't decide. Thank you !!!!!! N

I am scheduled with Dr. Ramos-Kelly next month. Can anyone tell me about aftercare with him? I am really having to work at getting my wife "on board". She was very supportive till my passport and credit card showed up to pay for the surgery with no interest until 8/2014. Now, she is having second thoughts as the reality sets in. Can anyone enlighten me about the aftercare, safety, and success with Dr. Kelly? Thank you for any help you can give me.

I was curious for those of you that were sleeved at Florence, what kind of food was available for your support person at the hospital? Was it all Mexican food or was there also American food options available? Thank you!!

I know they use your card to put a hold in case something happens to the room but they supposedly took it off when I checked out. Now on my bank statement they have a charge of 78.05 on there. Wtf!!! How do I get my money back? I didn't purchase anything while staying there.

So, I lurk and post in here abit but saw the hospital change for Dr Kelly - who I am booked with in 5 weeks. I figured it was ok, the coordinator likely has a months worth of patients to notify if it was official. I didn't hear anything so wrote to her and she confirmed the rumors are true. I can't judge any of the facilities based on youtube videos and pictures so that isn't my issue as much as would I have been told if I hadn't asked directly, are there other things not being communicated or understood etc... She did detail out what I had written (I was exact in dates/flights/hospital/leak test location and than hotel). It sounds like I meet Dr Kelly in the OR and …

Before you scold at me... I know its a MX forum but all the peeps that I chat with are right here. lol So... can you only get this soup online? No retailers or health food shops. Looking forward to your replies.

So I went and got my passport picture taken and filed my application! In my eyes that makes it official! Yay for moving in a positive direction!!!

Anyone else going to be in TJ?

So I just sent in my health report in today. When I was 12 yrs old, they discovered I was born with my pancreas wrapped around my stomach/ : google annular pancreas . I am now 51 and Dr.Valensuela said it would be considered a "revision" due to possible scar tissue . So, it would be another $1000.00 has anyone else had anything similar ? Crap, it wasn't weight loss surgery and I have never had problems since. I don't know who to try next, I really can't go above $5,000. Help, I wanted this done in July on my vacation. Thank you for your responses.

Ok... had my surgery a week ago with the "NOW VERY FAMOUS DR. KELLY" haha All is good and I can’t say enough about his team... but When I booked I booked with MBC they told me and advertise that they are "The Official Site". blah blah blah Not only did I want a certain surgeon, I wanted a particular hospital and hotel as well. My husband has been in TJ to assist other patients many times and he recommended Florance\Oasis. When we were picked up the morning of surgery we found out that our reservation had been changed to MI Doctor Hospital The difference in the cost of these two facilities for operating time is $400.00 MBC said it was the surgeon that changed hos…

Hi All. I'm wondering if anyone has had this issue in the US. I'm a self pay and the hospital my doctor performs surgery at is not in-network with my insurance. My insurance excludes weight loss surgery, but they are subsidizing it in part because I will also be having a hernia repair. My concern is that, while my fee to the doctor and the hospital has gone down for the weight loss surgery, I'm going to be hit with a fee for having the hernia repair at a hospital that is out of network. Both the doctor's office and the hospital have assured me this is not the case, but I'm still worried. I don't know if this is the proper forum for this because I'm a newbie. Would …