Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Well went in for surgery around 230 first time awake I remember was 430 . Ready now ro get up and walk

Hi, i was just wondering if it would be a good idea to get my teeth cleaned a couple days after surgery while im down in mexico . Has anyone done this?

I have bad credit from a previous marriage. My new husband has wonderful credit, but is on unemployment. However he is graduating air condition school in 2 weeks and will be going back to work. I have a surgery date of June 22 and I have my money in place except $2,000 in which I need a loan on for any issues that my arise you never know. Any ideas before I just start filling stuff out? Thank you in advance

I was looking in to Dr. Almanza but have switched to Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz at the Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana. I am scheduling tomorrow for June 11th.

Has anyone used A Lighter Me and had Dr. Alejandro Lopez as their surgeon? I'm interested in hearing about experiences with this doctor and this coordinating company.

Is anyone from here going to be at the OCC around the 15th?

I was wondering after I get my sleeve surgery is there anyway I can get Botox or fillers on my face? I really need fillers under my eyes because eye bags are horrible and I'm sure it would be cheaper there.

I'm leaving Texas on May6th and heading to Tijuana for surgery with Dr. Alejandro Lopez at MiHospital. Anyone else having surgery around that time?

I was just wondering what to expect like.. I am leaning mostly towards working with alighterme and dr Lopez. Anyone who as worked with them, what is the process like from when you first contact them? Is it all on the phone? Skype? Email? What kind of timeline is it? Do they reply quickly? Is there an approval process like with insurance? How long was it from the time you first made contact to when you actually had your date scheduled? The reason I ask is because I want to get my surgery done before my 24th birthday on October 31st. Would that even be possible?

I was sleeved with Dr. Garcia on 4/11 and had a great experience. I DO NOT promote ANY coordinators/doctors but I just want to let others know about my experience and that they will be in good hands. I HIGHLY recommend same day surgery to get it over with and I stayed at the hotel for two nights only and I am so glad I did! Dr. Garcia and his team are phenomenal...Any other questions please feel free to ask

Hey guys I'm in the early stages of planning my surgery...I am finding that the more concrete the plans get, the less I want to talk about it. I feel like there is such a stigma attached in going to Mexico for surgery and I really don't want to hear other people's negativity. That being said, did you tell your employer? What about your family and friends? I kind of want to just go have it done and not tell anyone...like star jones.

I have narrowed it down to these 2 docs.. any suggestions or comments to help me make my final decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks@

How do you know if you will need a seat belt extender on the plane? I would prefer to buy one ahead of time if I need it.

I'm wondering if there were places around for the companion to walk to and/or eat near the Hospital or hotel? The co-ordinator said yes there was somewhere to eat but didnt supply any detail. Also wondering how the companion thought the TV and Internet availablity were. Was there anywhere close enough to walk to if you felt like it yourself once you were in the hotel? Thanks

Helllo everyone...so i decided to save 7000 bucks and decided to have surgery with Fernando Garcia in Tijuana..:-). So happy..june 6th is my def date..Alma reserved for me..all i need is my vacation approved..anyone else going for June?

Hello to all, I am in the waiting process right now to see if insurance can help with the cost of the surgery in the states. However, I am really considering the idea of going to Mexico to have it done. My wife is VERY skeptical of doing this. I just look at the difference in cost here and there. If insurance pays all I can do it for around 4,000. If they pay for the "hiatal hernia" which I'm not a 100% I have it is around 8,000. If they dont pitch in at all it is a little over 10,000. My wife is just worried about after care and safety. I don't blame her but I have fought my weight all my life. At one time I was 330 and made it down to 202. For a while I could keep it a…

What should I.pack ????

I'm having my surgery June 22 in Tijuana with Dr.Lopez. Mine is same day surgery, I didn't want to sit around and think what am I doing. I just want to get it over with. Anyone planing for that day? May we can meet up I'm flying in from Houston.

Have anyone who been to mexico lately n stayed in the marriotts had to pay a depisit? I was just imformed i had to.

Think about going to the dentest while.in MX. I did when I got my band and Im going again for my sleeve. I cant afford a denteSt.here in the states. A filling usually runs.$30_$45 depenfing on the dentest

Ok, I'm one day post op with Dr Kelly and I know tomorrow I'll have a leak test at a different hospital. The thought of me swallowing anything but water, even something yummy, sounds awful. How much stuff do you need to drink for the test?

Many of you know that I had my surgery earlier today--sometime around noon--at Mi Doctor with Dr. Elias Ortiz. My coordinators are Ronda and Janese with A Lighter Me (ALM). Before I tell more about how surgery went, I'd like to back up a little to give a more complete picture of the experience. Sorry to keep you all waiting, but between feeling tired after surgery and also dealing with spotty Wi-Fi for a while here at Mi Doctor (not sure if that is normal or if there was just a random problem earlier), it has taken me a while to be able to have the time to do this. First of all, my experience with ALM has been great--Ronda and Janese were both very responsive and helpfu…

I think I'm going to miss my morning Diet Coke more than anything else. I don't drink coffee, so Diet Coke has been my morning source of caffeine for years. I know the carbonation is a no-no post-op so I will weaning myself over the next 3 weeks or so, until I start my pre-op diet. What do you think you'll miss the most, post-op? ~Kat

Hi everyone! I've been lurking around for a while, reading and absorbing as much info as I can! My name is Lisa, I'm 26 and I live in Vancouver, BC. I'm having my surgery on June 4th with Dr. Aceves. I'm excited and looking forward to this journey. I have PCOS, insulin resistance and hypothyroidism. Aside from that there is diabetes and hypertension in my family history. I've struggled with my weight since I hit puberty and I haven't been able to keep it off since. I'm half white and half Filipino and grew up in the prairie city of Winnipeg. I have a really close relationship with my Dad and he has been super supportive and is coming with me. I've decided to start a…

So we leave on friday .. we have been matried for 20 years and together for 21 and this is the first time we will hav flown together .. so excited he is able to go with me

Will anyone in here be in TJ on April 26 with Dr Garcia ???

I haven't seen anyone going to Dr. Alvarez for surgery recently. have I just missed it or is there a reason? I have been considering going to him for surgery. Thanks.

April 30th MI Doctor with Dr Cabrera/Valenzula

Anybody else gonna be there around that time? I'll be in the Florence/Oasis hospital.

Ok, so here is my experiance in a nut shell... I arrived in San Diego Monday April 8th, as the plane landed I turned my phone on for the driver to contact me and before we were even off the plane he was calling, he was there waiting and was promptly picked up by Abraham ALM driver right outside of baggage claim and driven across the boarder to the Marriott, durin the ride we were given the option of going in for surgery early or late and we (myself and another pt also in the van) chose to go early, so we were told to be in the lobby at 6:45 am the next morning for pick-up and ride to the hospital. Once at the Marriott we checked in and chilled for the night. On Tuesday …

I made it through the pre-op diet! I fly out from the east coast 7:15am and arrive 11:05 pt. I can't believe it is finally here! Did anyone get any sleep before? Lol

I guess I picked one of the higher cost surgeons (Dr Aceves $8,750). And while I am not saying that saving 2 or 3 $thousands$ is not worth considering ? In my case everything sort of "washed" when I factored in some other considerations. My original plan was a surgeon in Cancun because I could fly non-stop from south FL (approx. 2.5 hrs) But the air fare to Cancun was MORE than the air fare to San Diego. Or in my case Meza AZ using SPIRIT (booked business class seats in their econo section) . Also my wife and I wanted to combine this trip with some real estate searching near Prescott AZ. I have concluded that given the declining future of Medi-Care and the ov…

I made it through the pre-op diet! I fly out from the east coast 7:15am and arrive 11:05 pt. I can't believe it is finally here! Did anyone get any sleep before? Lol

For those of you having surgery by Dr Aceves ? Here is something you can do during your post-op recovery. If you have any dreams to build your own house "someday" ? Then you definitely need to consider trdipanel construction, which are convienently manufactured in Mexicali. If you don't use these panels ? then you are just building a new house with old technology. Figure $200 barrel oil someday and you quickly see the advantage. Visit www.tridipanel.com.mx and be sure to click on technical information where you can click on the video presentation. If you are serious you can contact juan who is the general manager and architect. As I have said, I intend to do some r…

Well I had a seminar I attended today at a hospital in NC. It did not go well. The price looks to be for self pay 20,000 or so. Also they want 100 dollars to join some personal trainer at a campus where students are physical trainers. That part is required. Also they said I need to do a lot of tests before I can have surgery. It's not worth all the money and waiting. I want to go to Mexico! I need details on where to go in Mexico. First do I need a passport. I'm looking into getting a passport card, just hope I can find my birth certificate. Also how long was everyone in Mexico for? I wouldn't mind getting there the day before surgery, then staying of course that day, b…

Has anyone used Google voice on their smartphone in MX with the free Wifi at the hospital/hotel? It's free and works over wifi and it just hit me that it may work. I'm trying to dodge the 50 cents per minute.

I am getting scared and anxious . I am afraid of my inability to have what I want..

March is approx 1 week away. When are you being sleeved? Where (city/hospital) are you being sleeved? Who is Sleeving you into your new beginning? Amanda Rae

Dr A Ortiz did my sleeve. I am now looking at having just a Panni done in TJ. Does anyone have a suggestion for a plastic doc. Also, can anyone give me an idea of what it will cost?

Ok, I'm arriving in San Diego Monday at 11:05. I'm opting for same day surgery since I have a 2 year old I've never left before :/ If you've done the same thing what was the time between landing and your surgery? I'll be at Oasis.

Oh goodness, I have 3 days to go. Well 2 1/2 technically. I am so, so hungry. I leave for TJ Monday morning. Tell me about your successes and how you made it through the pre-op diet. I just made my daughter a grilled cheese and almost lost it

Good evening, everyone. First, I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone that has taken the time to share their detailed stories. I have found them both informative and inspiring. Deciding to have surgery in Mexico is a daunting decision, and family/friend support is a bit....minimal. It's so great that there is a forum here to read about other peoples experience and feel the support that might otherwise be lacking. In addition, it is so helpful to learn from others who have "been there, done that". Real people with real experiences really help. My name is Veronica, and I live in the Pacific NW. I have decided to have the VSG in Mexico for two reasons: financ…

Hey guys I would like to start a forum topic specifically for people going to Mexico to have their VSG in April 2013, so we can share our concerns/questions and our journeys!!! I would also like to start a private facebook group for those who would like to join!!! Just private message me with the email associated with your facebook account and I will send you an invite! A little more about me... Surgery date: April 9th Location: Tijuana Mexico Surgeon: Dr. alejandro lopez Ortega and Dr. Jaquiline Osuna Agency: alighterme Current preop weight: 280 Goal weight: 150 Age: 31 Ht: 5'6"

I've just seen a glowing review of the Florence hospital where the nurses speak English & its was very clean and the bedside manor were top notch. (Free wifi is a bonus) now I'm confused, I was booked into Mi hospital and have heard good reviews - I know not to expect state of the art facilities but there seems to be a few more things attracting me to the Florence now... Any words of wisdom from people who have been to either? Thanks ????

Has anyone had any complications with Dr Garcia doing the sleeve? I get my sleeved done with him April 15, I am starting to get little nervous and and scared but excited at the same time.I just hope everything goes good and I don't have no major complications like some of the stories I have read on here.

My name is Charla and I am having surgery tomorrow and was just hoping for company! My surgeon is Dr. Illan, and Omar is my coordinator (he has been great!). After two days at Florence, I am booked into the Lucerna Hotel. I'm so excited that I doubt I'll get much sleep tonight, but no matter, I have to be to the airport by 5 AM. I'm so ready to begin this journey! I also want to say thank you to everyone on this board. This community is amazing and your willingness to share has answered every question I could think of and more!

I leave for Mexico tomorrow surgery is Monday, What should I take? Is there any certain kind of food or drink I should take? Anything that will help me, Please help?

This is my experience with my surgery recently in Tijuana Mexico.Before embarking in this surgery I did a lot of research about the surgery and then about the Self-pay option in Mexico. I did not get approved by my insurance due to my insurance saying that my co-morbidities are not severe enough in their opinion. I could have appealed this decision and still had my surgery in the US, but after a lot of research I became convinced that I would be doing myself a disservice by using the Us doctors with very little experience in the procedure. I wanted to give this background so that it is understood that I did not go into this naively. Also I do have a medical background, I …

Hi everyone, I am trying to get in touch with a coordinator for Dr. Quinones. I filled out an eligibility form on his website, but never heard from anyone. I also tried messaging someone that I think works for him on a different forum, but no response. I'm so ready for this, if someone would just speak with me!! Thanks, SK

Surgery tomorrow dr Ortiz in tj...so excited...will post how everything goes