Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

So after what seems like an exhausting amount of research. I finally booked my surgery. I booked the special with Dr. Illan at florence Oasis for August 22! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. There were a number of Doctors that I considered, but felt like I couldn't commit for one reason or another. I really liked Florence over INT or Mi Doctor, but wasn't feeling like some of the other surgeons were a right fit for me. I'm happy to have made it through to the "next step" in this process. I've booked my flights. Now I need to pick up some recovery items and I'll be all set to go!! Feel free to add your experience with Dr. Illan if yo…

How much is the cost if you are getting the surgery in Mexico?

First of all I want to apologize for this being so long but I wanted to put down all my details. Also I am sure I jumped around in my story a bit but it's late and I'm tired lol! I flew down to San Diego airport on June 17th and Samuel was there a few minutes later to pick me up. He drove me to the Marriott hotel and we waited in a long line to check in. While waiting I met another girl checking out who had been sleeved and she looked fine! That helped to ease my nerves a little. When it was our turn the driver Samuel spoke to the hotel people for a while. I could tell something was wrong but could not understand what they were saying. Samuel finally told me that there …

Would love to hear about anyones experiance with Dr.Valenzuela and Mi Doctor hospital

I have surgery scheduled at Florence hosp in TJ with Dr Garcia June 27, anyone gonna be there around that time?

Hey y'all. This is my first post here (I've kinda been lurking for awhile though lol). My husband and I have both scheduled our surgeries for August 3rd with dr.kelly in Tijuana and I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. We've both always struggled with our weight but it has really gotten out of control. My sister (who is 150 pounds smaller) actually inspired me to go to Mexico. She was looking for a plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck in Mexico and opened my eyes to the fact that people everywhere travel for procedures. So here we are, a little over a month to go and our new journey begins. In looking forward to making some new friends here and encouraging one anoth…

It costs $ 47,000 dollars to have the VSG in Vermont and the maximum lifetime insurance benefit is only 10,000 dollars. The cost for all the pre op appointments and post op appointments plus appointments with the NUT, any testing (esphagus, upper GI endoscopy required) are all additional costs. Again I said Lifetime benefit of 10,000 dollars! I'm headed to Mexico and Dr. Kelly.

I'm scheduled for September 10th in Tijuana with Dr. Valenzuela/Dr. Cabrera. I'm actually now thinking about switching to Dr. Carlos Diaz because of the single incision surgery that he performs. The idea of a single incision is VERY appealing to me for the quicker recovery time as well as the cosmetic aspect. Anyone here thinking about using Dr. Diaz? I've been looking for reviews but can't seem to find much about it.

Surgery date: August 10th with Dr. Alvarez We have insurance at work but bmi was not over 40 for 2 years but had bmi of 39. I am not going to waste any more time.... denied twice. This was my sign.....

I have been through a series of tests. I've seen many doctors, ex. Cardiologist, pulmonologist, psychologist, etc. I've done testing like EKG, chest X-ray, etc. I'm now at the nuclear stress test and I'm terrified!!!! What is a nuclear stress test???

Oops

Has anyone ever heard of the POSE procedure...and if sobhave you heard of them doing it anywhere out of the US?

Does anyone have any experience with MX doctors or their hospitals that have been recognized by the Surgical Review Corporation under the Center of Excellence program? I have notice a couple of doctors who have either stated that they had been approved as a Center of Excellence or as a Surgeon of Excellence or even display the CMCOEM logo, yet when you go to SRC website, they are not listed as such.

Ok so here we go... ( sleeve date 5/22/13)I am going to post this on both forums that I belong to so all can see. My journey started months ago when my friend brought up getting WLS done in Mexico. I thought she was crazy!!! So I decided it would be my job to set out and do the research to prove why she should absolutley not do this. The more research I did the more my piece of humble pie grew. I spent countless hours researching and researching and researching... I found nothing wrong with Mexico. I actually decided it was safe enough that I would go also and have it done. So now the research shifted to what surgeon would we choose. I looked at all the surgeons that …

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone happen to be at the Mi hospital or Marriot today. My mom and her best friend flew down yesterday and are scheduled to have surgery on Thursday with Drs. Valenzuela and Cabrera-Garcia. I got an email last night saying there was a change of plans and that my mom was now having surgery today. I haven't heard from either of them yet today. And wanted to find out if anyone had run into them. Rosanne and Joan are their names. Or if maybe you had any contact info for the doctors. Thanks for the help. Amie

I had my surgery Tuesday with Dr. Garcia. I will post more when I get home but I finally feel good enough to post this. First day was really rough throwing up blood and in terrible pain but everyday has been getting better. I'm at Florence hospital just waiting now to get my iv taken out and my drain. Can't wait!

Three coworkers just returned from San Diego and said there were signs posted at the border warning Americans it is unsafe to travel to Mexico right now. Any recent sleevers see anything like that?

Have you heard of anyone not getting approved for surgery in MX? I'm wondering what sort of conditions are cause for rejection. I'm concerned because I have been diagnosed and received residential treatment for binge eating disorder and am hoping that doesn't rule me out. Thanks, sleevers!

Sooo I have a surgery date….June 10th!! I am still trying to not get my hopes up though because I'm afraid my loan could fall through On the loan application when it asked for income I put our household income because my husband and I have been married for almost 10 years. But I'm thinking they may only of wanted my personal income, which probably wouldn't make me eligible for the loan. Does anyone know anything about this?

Hello! I'm new here. I've been looking into having VSG surgery this summer. My insurance will not cover any WLS so I'm looking into Mexico. I've researched Dr. Rodriguez with Belite Weight Loss, Dr. Ariel Ortiz with OCC and Dr. Alvarez. I realize there will be good and bad opinions about each one. Tell me your choice and if you were happy with any of theses doctors. Thanks!!

Anyone else going to be at Florence/ the TJ Marriott between the 13th and the 18th? I'm getting sleeved with Dr. Garcia on the morning of the 14th and am going without a "support person", so it would be great to know someone else who will be there. -Q

I finally arrived at the marriott after a long flight. I'm lonely and very hungry. I called and ordered some broth and Water but the lady only brought me water then left. Does it take them awhile to bring the broth? Cannot figure out why they would bring it separate. Btw my surgery with Dr. Garcia is tomorrow. So scared right now.

It really doesnt look too bad..12 days postop Still have all the tape residue lol

Well its been a little over 3 months since I made the lifechanging trip to mexico and had surgery with Dr. Garcia. As of today I am down 41 lbs. I just wanted to say I am doing GREAT! At this point I can eat most anything without problem (although plain water still makes me sick) IF I wanted to I could easily eat quite a bit, HOWEVER having the surgery and seeing the weight loss has become an AMAZING motivation to stay on track. I now actually LOOK forward to exercising, it's become a time for quiet and to destress. I exercise at least 3x a week doing strength and cardio. As for food, I found myself eating too many carbs these past few weeks and decided it was tim…

I'm officially starting my preop diet today leading up to my surgery on July 1st! Who else is gonna be at the marriot in Tijuana on 4th of July?...I doubt we will be seeing any fireworks:( I'm glad I get to avoid all the bbqs though!

What do you think the best option would be to get a passport before three weeks, and honestly I would like to have it in about 2 weeks because I will be anxious if it gets into the third week and I haven't gotten it yet! I can either order my passport and expedite it. Or I can wait another week then set up an appointment in a passport office (an hour from my home) where they guarantee you can pick up (another 2 hours round trip +2 tanks of gas total) your passport within 5 business days. I believe both ways cost the same because the appointment is free and they still charge the expedited fee.

I had surgery on the 21st. Still working on fluids and I'm really not getting much protein. I simply cannot stand the shakes. My tastes have changed definitely! So I haven't weighed in yet. I'm kinda scared I haven't lost anything. Im actually afraid to get on the scale. What if i went through all this pain and money and dont lose a thing? I might wait til 2 weeks post. Lucky my batteries are dead...

Ok I am writing this post to show my parents and my husband that Mexico is a safe and GOOD option for weight loss surgery. My parents are in the medical field and I know when they find out I want to go to Mexico they will just completely count it our without finding out more about it, they already freaked out when I told them I was going to California for the Surgery. I was hoping to have this link set up where I can come directly here and have them read s few peoples first hand experiences having surgery in Mexico. Any information would be great, how much you researched, anything about the trip, the surgery itself and how your recover was there in Mexico, outcome after r…

http://youtu.be/lPYdwKac14c http://youtu.be/OURT6hA_bfQ

Leaving on Thursday for TJ and just wondering if anyone had any problems using US dollars while there? Not really wanting to deal with money exchange and the required fees if it's not necessary. Thanks in advance.

hey guys im trying to see if anyone knows of a good site to get flight tickets from...a good price at that... every where I go all I see is 450.00+ I know it has to be a site where there are some tickets cheaper than that...I;m schedule to have surgery on the 28th of this month next friday I know right...

The entire time we have been planning this we just figured my husband would come with me. But He started a new job last week and is thinking it will be hard to get time off of work. On top of that we thought we could save about $100 on an expedited passport for him, about $500 for a plane ticket and maybe $200 on food and other things he would be paying for while he was there. So we could save about $800 by having him not come with me and I don't think the money is the main problem anyway that is just a bonus of him not coming. We wouldn't have to leave our kids with my parents and we wouldn't have to worry about getting off of work. I'm just a little worried about it, I …

Hello all! I have just joined and am researching both VSG and gastric plication, though I seem to be leaning in the direction of VSG at the moment. Years ago, when I researched the lapband, I did a rather exhaustive graph/chart comparing the Mexican doctors doing the band, their experience (number of bands they have performed), location, cost, and contact info. I posted this over on yahoo groups, and I think a lot of others found it useful. Being the ultra cautious (read scared) person I am, I never got the band and now I guess I am glad i did not. My question is: has anyone done this yet for the Mexican doctors for VSG? I hate to reinvent the wheel if this has …

Does anyone know of any good places to go for facials or laser hair removal near the Marriott?

I am ready and financially able to do the surgery in Mexico. My only hold up is I hs e to apply for a passport. I can take up to 2 months. I thought a pass port was necessary to travel into Mexico. My plans are to fly to San Diego and cross over with driver from Doctor. I have seen a few posts on this board that said they used original birth cert and drivers license. Any thoughts?

I'm wanting to see world war z which comes out while I will be in TJ. Is there a theater close to the Mariott? What are the chances they would play movies in English? I never get to see movies at home because of my babies. I'm hoping to get some good "me time" in while in mex.

Can anyone tell me about their experiences with Mexican surgeons post-op? How easy was the surgeon/staff to get hold of to answer questions? Did they cooperate with your PCP in providing records, x-rays, etc. once you were back stateside? The only negative thing I've read about Dr. Kelly is that patients were not able to attain their surgical records and this makes me very nervous. If there were post-op complications, having surgical records and other information could be a matter of life or death.

I found this guide online and its so helpful and it answered most all my questions. It's great for us that are self-pay and are not meeting with a NUT or Bariatric surgeon Enjoy!! http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/docs/Gastric-Sleeve-Patient-Manual.pdf

I was wondering if anyone knew the number to the Marriott hotel that ready4achange puts you up in. I was just wondering what it was in case my husband needed to contact them for any kind of emergency. I looked on their website but could not find it.

Hey All.. My surgery isn't till October, but I just found out that my hubby wont be able to accompany me.. So i will be going ALONE!!!! Its freaking me out..considering that the furtherst I have travelled is Colorado. So i was wondering if anyone can share there experience of travelling alone to TJ and going to Mi Doctor. What was a single room like in the hospital? Did you have a call bell if you needed a nurse? 'Im really worried about being alone!

I am off to Mexico next week for my surgery. I was hoping some of the veterans on this board could give me some info on the Marriott. My husband is coming with and I just wanted to know some of the features of the hotel and room. Thanks!

I was wondering if I needed anything for pain in Mexico would I be allowed to bring it back across the border?

I know I'll be on liquids after my surgery but what type of liquids? Clear only? I have a 7 hour flight home and I'm worried about what to"eat". Will I even be hungry or would buying some Gatorade be all I need.

Does anyone know if there are televisions at Florence Hospital?

It has been 8 months since my surgery and feeling great not on any medications any more. Sw:451 cw:271 180 total. Ive went from size 56 to 40 and probably could fit in a 38. This was the best decision I ever made.

I'm leaving for Mexico this coming Monday the 17th and this is the 4th week waiting on my passport. I'm so worried I will not get it in time!

I flew in around 10:45 am, and Samuel was already outside..he took me and hubby straight to Oasis, i checked in was given a room, was told to undress they gave a gown and thigh high compression stockings to put on. Immediately after i was taken to get chest xrays, lab work, ekg and was taken back to my room..all the doctors and nurses were awesome there were 4 of us waiting for surgery..they advised me i would be last because the 3 before me already have complications..which was ok with me.. I was in no hurry because i chatted alot with the staff..oh before i forget they weighed me.i was 242 lbs...down 14 lbs while on my preop diet.. At 8 pm Dr. Garcia came into my ro…

Is anyone else having surgery July 1?

I am back. Had VGS with Dr Aceves on May 28. I made my real estate post-op drive to Prescott AZ and returned to WPB, FL on June 6. I suspect that I am healing faster than most, or at least faster than I might have expected. I can eat small amounts of cambells chicken rice soup (the RED can) and greek yogurt without any problems. I burp, fart, and have taken a few "dumps" which might be a bit faster than other patients? I was the first surgery of my day, and I was up and walking around before the second patient was back to his room, and that fast track recovery has sort of continued for ME. I still feel a bit weak, but don't have that ravenous hunger that I used to…

Has anyone cross the border and did t have a passport only had DL and original birth cert. if so was it easy did they hold you up etc... Reason u ask my passport has not come in yet so idk what too do surgery is the 28th I still have time but just curious...