Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Well, I had a physical done here in the states through a bariatric surgery place and they said all my tests came back normal and I was cleared by the doctor for surgery. Now since I am a self pay I have decided to go with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana but I needed to know that I would be eligible medically for myself. Now all I am waiting on is to get my FMLA approved then I will schedule. This is getting so real, I don't know how to take it!

On way to airport

Waitinf to board the plane

Seats are tight I weigh 272 lbs

Just wondering, when we check into the hotel the day before surgery, do we check out the day of surgery or does our room just sit empty until we return? Also to the people travelling alone, where did you keep your passport and electronics while at the hospital?

HURAY!

Got on the scale this morning and 20lbs down from surgery! Exactly 2 weeks from the day of my surgery, that makes 32lbs all together!! I'm so excited.

Hi All: Add your's to the list. April 9th Dr. Ariel Ortiz - Healthy & Skinny

Hello everyone.... I know spending money prob depends on spending habits and if I will even feel up to shopping after surgery(hope so), but how much cash to bring?? Sounds like its not needed to convert so cash it is and small bills for tipping (1sand 5s) are mostly used.... But how much for each and who did YOU tip? Driver to and from airport? Shuttle driver? Taxi? On top of what they charge? Bellboy? Room service? Bueller? Am I forgetting someone? Did you tip the driver who offered a ride to shopping??how much?

I'm scheduled for surgery in a week, and I've lost my passport!!!! I have torn apart my entire house and cannot find it!! I'm doomed.

Just got the nicest email from my uncle, that i would like to share. I am having surgery on Monday and am so blessed to have a family that fully supports me on this journey. His email totally made me feel better Here's the email he sent. Jenn, I know that you must be going through mixed emotions on your upcoming surgery. Just wanted to let you know that my heart and prayers will be with you through all of this. You a strong young woman and will get through it with everything you expect. I will be with you in heart, spirit, and hope. This will just be another chapter that will make you stronger, more determined, and successful. If I had great words to tell…

My surgery is on Wednesday and I had to be under a 49 BMI in order to avoid the $1,000 charge for high BMI. I started at 335 in December and this morning I weighed in at 291.2! My personal goal was to make it down to 290 and I still have a two days to go so I think I'll make it, but I'm just happy to be under the doctor's cut off which for me is 294.5... 44 pounds gone in 3.5 months doing an 800 calorie VLCD.

what should i wear going down tomorrow and what should i pack to walk around during the day?

got me. Actually, it was less procrastination and more hoping I'd get an awesome deal on plane tickets. Anyhow, when I looked at plane tickets today they had doubled in price. Ack!! I called my surgeon's office right away and we decided it was best to just push surgery out for a week. I also found out that I'll be having surgery at florence Hospital rather than Mi Doctor. I haven't read too much yet, so not sure if that's a good thing or just a neutral thing. So...I'll be headed out on 3/28 with surgery on 3/29 with Dr. Illan. It actually works out better this way, as my best friend will be able to come stay with my son while I'm gone. ~Kat

I am flying in this Thursday. Surgery on Friday (3/15). And I have no idea how to pack for this. I am a tried and true over-packer. I don't want my suitcase to be too heavy, but I also don't want to forget something important. And what kind of clothes should I pack? Shoes? What will I even want to wear? Are there any good tips that anyone has about stuff I should bring with me? Maybe something that you were glad you took or something that you wish you had packed? I am having a packing crisis.

I'll wait til a good sized group of people raise their hand and I'll share. It's pretty gross and I'm thinking "buh bye"

Hi, is anyone having surgery in Tijuana on January 24 or 25? Thank you!

Size 14 from size 18!! Size 14 Jeans and 3' inch heels today on my way to the beauty shop! I feel great!

Is it allowed during surgey with dr f garcia on march 13

I am feeling so anxious about all of this and may feel better if I speak with someone that went through dr Ortiz at occ. anyone out there willing to help me out?? I'm a mess!

I am being sleeved in April and not telling anyone but my boyfriend and a close friend. So, for those of you out there that have kept this a secret, how do you explain the weight loss and different eating habits? And , although I am not concerned about not being able to drink alchoholic beverages anymore, I'm not sure how I explain that I won't be at social events. I'm concerned that there will be questions about the changes and family concerns over them.

I'm driving into San Diego tomorrow but haven't heard from Samuel the driver. Question when did you all hear from him? I don't know what time or where to go. Not sure how much longer to wait before I start making calls

... was sleeved yesterday. Any word on how it went? Amanda Rae

I am up early. I live in SD and have decied to drive to the border park my car, walk into TJ and catch a cab to MI doctor hospital. Having surgery with Dr. Garcia. My best friend and my Mom were sleeved 2 years ago with Dr. Vamboonen. I was there for both. I chose Dr. Garcia because of all your comments and my experience as a guest for the other sleeves I went to on TJ. I will keep everyone posted. Right now im starving! Gonna get my babies off to school then I am on the road! Food doesnt taste as good as it feels to be thin and I am ready to be on the loser bench with all of you.

On 2 day if clear liquids and feeling very anxious and lightheaded and dizzy. Anyone feel like this in clear liquid diet?

Just wanted to take a moment to share my sleeve journey so far!! I researched and really searched for a docior and place could feel good about!!and after many weeks if researching and talking with a ton of companions with doctors everywhere!! I went with Dr. Aceves and I am now 12 hours out and I know I am going to be ok!! And I love my decision!! Just has to share !! If this doesn't make sense remember I am on a lit of pain meds

I am finally here just waitinf for the dr. Just met the the Dr. he said about 5 minutes and I will be going back. Everyone please say a prayer for me and for my mom since she is here with me and as soon as I feel up to it after surgery I will get back on and let everyone know how it went and my experience...

Does anyone here know if a passport is absolutely required since the flight will be local? Has anyone went to MX without a passport? If so, did you have any issues?

Anone used him lately?

Is there one or does he book up fast? Is it unreasonable to get in with in a month or sooner? Calling but curious!

I am trying to book a hotel room in San Diego and am wondering if there are any reviews or good experiences that anyone can share. I am going to need a shuttle from the airport at 9pm or so and would like to be able to see the Bay and have a safe early morning walk before being picked up for my trip into Mexico. I don't know if this is possible on my budget ... but I have not been back to my home state of California or the ocean for 17 years... I really need to see it... smell it and I would probably die happy if I could put my toes in the sand before the van arrives to start my WLS journey. I need to book something soon or I will be sleeping in the airport!

Alright, so I've started fare searching now that my passport has come in the mail. I'm flying out from Atlanta and I'm kind of amazed at how many flights require a layover or multiple stops. One flight would have me go to SEATTLE before dropping me in San Diego (Although I love Seattle, I don't really want a 12 hour flight the day before surgery!). Does anyone have any advice for finding a better way to get to San Diego? I'd prefer to fly Delta, but only because I have skymiles and I'm an (brand loyal) Atlantan. However, I'm also cool with flying someone else. Or maybe someone's aunt has is a travel agent and can help out? Another thing that worries me is that the ear…

So I've been reading posts on this forum for months now and am just getting around to setting up an account. I am currently scheduled for surgery on March 15th with Drs. Cabrera and Valenzuela at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana, MX through Mexico Bariatrics. I am mostly nervous right now because I am planning to travel alone and it doesn't help that I have a pretty unsupportive family. My mother has told me I'm selfish for not thinking about the fact that I could die from having this surgery and my beautiful 22 mth old baby girl would have to grow up without her mother (I'm a single mother). My dad has told me I just need to exercise and that weight loss surgery is crazy an…

I just downloaded a few that you can speak into and it will convert English to Spanish or Spanish into English. Didn't know if anybody has tried it and if worked out.

Okay I am not all that tech savy. I am wondering what the best way of communicating with my family back here in states while I am in Mexico having surgery. I have an iPhone. I am wondering if as long as I have wifi will it be free to text my husband who also has iPhone. Or we both have a what's up app. I have a netbook but don't really wanna bring it unless its better to use it. If I just use my phone can I disable it to where people can't call me and rack up a huge phone bill. So what's the best way to stay in touch with home?

Looks like I will have to reschedule from my march 20th date ... I am so ready to get this done and start my new life

I'm posting this on the orginial post as well, but wanted to start a new thread for those that might have missed the original post. Here is the RECAP of dates for those headed to TJ for VSG so far for 2013. There are several who have dates for THIS WEEK, so I am hoping you guys post your experiences here as well. I think I got everyone that added their dates to the original thread, if I missed you please let me know. Peppy234- 1/16 BigePC- 1/17 MrsReady2BSLeeve- 1/17 Icon23- 1/17 ArmyWife29- 1/22 MikeRoss- 1/22 LuLu1513- 1/25 SexyBack517- 2/5 Kortolano- 2/8 Tessies- 2/8 DIamondEyed- 2/15 AmyTug- 2/18 SRS82781- 2/18 ShrinkyThinks- 2/18 ByeByeFatGirl- 2/…

Finally got up the courage to pay my deposit. I'm all set for March 18th with Dr. Fernando Garcia. Anyone else going to be there around this time?

I just got to San Diego. My surgery is scheduled today with Dr ponce. I keep thinking I am going to change my mind. We are driving to Mexico with our driver Israel. Our coordinator is not with us. She couldn't make it last minute. So far no problems. My worry is that I will get to the hospital too late to have my surgery done today. Of course I don't want a surgeon who has been doing surgeries all day. We will see.

I am sitting in the business center at the Marriott Hotel in Tijuana. (now i am home) Thursday Day One: We used alighterme.com Left New Orleans around 8 am arrived in San Diego around 4 pm. Called Abraham To come pick us up from the airport. (person little story) We left home at 8 without eating or drinking and I forgot the snack pack at home so we went all day with just Water on the plane. By the time we landed in San Diego I was shaking and was about to pass out. So went went to a little place in the air port and some tortilla Soup and OMG it was soooooo good!!!!! But anyway Abraham came pick us up from the air and drove us to the hotel and OMG driving in Mexico is …

Hey everyone! Me and my sleeve sister coexist23 (Jessica) are currently in flight. We land in a couple of more hours! Then we will meet our driver and head to Florence Hospital to meet Dr. Illan and Omar! We are having so much fun! Lol we met off VST but you would have thought we knew each other for ever! Will update soon!!

My flight leaves this morning at 5:30. I'm having surgery with dr. Fernando Garcia. I've been up all night doing last minute things. I'm so anxious and nervous... Tried to lye down for a few but my eyes are wide open. I'm excited but very anxious. Wish me luck!! I'll do my best to post my experience and keep those of you soon to be sleevers updated! Stephanie

I asked to leave work about 15 minutes early today before something crazy happened or we got some crazy parent phone call (I work for a school system).They told me that I wasn't doing them any good anyway because I was so excited and to take my big smile and leave. All the lady's took me to lunch today(Salad with grilled chicken of course) it was sweet. They all also hugged me as I left and wished me good luck. I did leave with the biggest smile on my face and reality really sunk in that this was really happening. I started cleaning my house and packing as soon as I walked in my door today even know I don't fly out till Tuesday. I took Monday off so I could pack but its a…

I wasn't going to tell work the reason I am taking time off. I have told only my closest friends and 3 of my 6 siblings that I'm having the sleeve. Today, my boss asked why I was so set on having the particular days off that I requested. It's a neighboring county's school spring break, so apparently, I'm not the only one who asked for the time off. I gave the bare minimum for details...just said I'm having fairly routine abdominal surgery. My boss mentioned I might want to tell HR, just to cover my bases, since it's a medical need for the time off. I'd rather not if I don't have to, since I'm using vacation days vs any sort of leave. Did anyone have their employer reques…

After much consideration I had decided to go with ready for a change, Dr Fernando Garcia. So I arrived in Tijuana monday morning feb 25 by myself, 50 mins early which meant I had to wait for samuel my driver, I was ok with that because I was tired wanted to make a few phone calls and decompress. When Samuel came he was friendly and very nice took my luggage abd we were off. I had arranged to change my surgery from tues to Monday, I just wanted it done and felt as if i would back out. So alma was kind enough to make it happen. Samuel took me straight to the hospital, where Rosie met me, Melissa was unavailable but would be around in a bit. They got me checked in and I ha…

The smell of everyone's lunch is distracting... And tantalizing! I'm at work so I cannot just leave either... Sigh... Amanda Rae

I'm sure others have used it, but I'm not very familiar with Skype. I have it set up on my tablet which I'll be taking with me. What experiences have others have using this service while in Tijuana?

Dr. Garcia Scheduled 4/2 Arriving 4/1 Departing 4/5 Pretty healthy besides weight! Knees and back hurt occasionally (But Diabetes does run in my family) Tried HCG diet eating 1400 calories with shakes and bars and food, exercising 3 times a week, that is doing injections and lost 110lbs in 8 months! Felt great and now i have gained about 50 lbs back and feel horrible. Mostly disappointed in myself! Just got lazy stopped exercising! Finally decided on sleeve surgery as I was pretty disciplined on the diet! I know I can do this and thing the sleeve will be an excellent tool! Curious if anyone else will be there during this time???? Current weight 245 Height …

Headed to Tijuana on march 28 to be sleeved my Dr Illan:) what did y'all take or what are you packing? I want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything on my list!! Thanks in advance!

I already bought my plane tickets and I'm in the last part of the money saving stage! I went thru Trish and so far been very nice. Since my BMI is 55, surgery will be $500 extra bringing total to $5500. I have a good friend of mine coming with me who is a trilingual interpreter with both Spanish and ASL so there's my way around the language barrier. Super duper excited!!!! Anyone else going to Dr. Ponce de Leon sometime in may?!