Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

So excited/anxious/nervous... finally getting rid of my band (well, my second band!!) and revising to sleeve with Dr. Fernando Garcia at MiDoctor Hospital on May 3rd!!! Anyone else scheduled for early May or thinking about it? Where?

Today is my fly day and I just found out that they are going to do my surgery tonight instead of tomorrow! I went from calm as a cucumber to holy sh*t in 0.0000001 of a second! Don't get me wrong, I'm excited but now I'm anxious!

Why does it hurt so much

I supposedly have an appointment with DR. Garcia on March 15 to get the sleeve surgery. However, it seems like you have to go through some type of agency. Somehow I got connected with Ready4Change but I am talking to a person in Texas? Is that correct? Here I have given out personal information to someone and I cant even verify if they are legitimate or not. I dont want to send money to someone I cant verify...just too many scams out there.

Im getting sleeved the 26th arriving in tijuana at mi doctor hospital the 25th. Who else is going to be there? im going by myself, and getting nervous! would like to know someone when i get there. who to look out for and so on.....

Once we deal with when/what we can then focus on where. Pick a month and a destination. Example - if you want to go in May and take a cruise: 1/A would be your pick. Majority rules? Pick a Month. 1. May 2. September 3. October Pick a destination. A. Cruise - easy to book and everything is handled. food could be a problem and the vaca is pretty regimented. B. All-inclusive Resort - also easy to book and everything is handled. Food could be a problem here as well. Will we be up to better choices? C. Private Beach Condos/Rentals - private and laid back. BYOF - Bring your own food or dine out. Not sure how easy when booking for a large group of indiv…

Just double checking on what I need to pack for Mexico. Got the gas-x strips, tums, crystal light packets, and my blankie. Anything else I should pack? 2 more days - Yay!

Did anyone have a hernia that the doctor saw during surgery? If so do they fix it? Or leave it and tell you about it? Fix it, then charge you for it?

Was wondering if the Marriott has a microwave, coffee pot or mini fridge in the rooms?

Alright. I feel semi-unmanly admitting this to the world, albeit anonymously... but I am very nervous about this procedure, and for many reasons. I am thinking that I will use Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana and would love to hear from any of his former patients!!! I know that ultimately it is the best thing for me to do. I am 24 years old, 5'10", 265 pounds and have struggled with my weight literally my entire life. My sister, who is 22, had gastric bypass and has had great success. She had the surgery and qualified with insurance due to her BMI. My BMI is around 38 and I am not going to qualify for insurance to pay it, according to every hospital I've talked to s…

Has anyone had surgery in Mexico and kept their acrylic nails on?

Does anyone know what type of compression stockings you would wear?

Ughhh, I'm so tired of drinking! And this clear, liquid diet makes me feel like I'm gonna drown!! Anyone have any suggestions?

Mine is leaks and strictures.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4608374/One-Month-Post-Update-WITH-PICS/ I posted my official one month post op update here complete with photos. Enjoy! I'm so thankful to Dr. Garcia and his team. They are truly changing my life =)

Does anyone know if dr Garcia does an EKG prior to surgery? Thanks

Hey all --- has anyone who has been to Mexicali know if a grocery store is close by? Not a corner store, but a big one - a Ley or Gigante? My supply of vanilla is running low and I need to get some before I'm sleeved and unable to do anything I also want to pick up some Clight (Mexico version of Crystal light but with some great flavors), chile and lime chips for my brother and a few other things. Just thought I'd ask before I go down (March 7) but can always ask when I get there. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!! Alana

Is anyone planning on having surgery in June?

Anyone had bad experience with a lighter me in Tijuana Mexico. I am trying to decide either should I go & take the trip on my own. But my mom is making me try one more time in the states. If I do this will be my third time resubmitting my tests. But honestly I don't have a bad vibe about a lighter me.

Does anyone know if the Mi Doctor Hospiotal has wi-fi? and if so is it free?

Day 1

I paid the deposit, and booked the flights, here we go!

I will be departing Feb 14th for Juarez, Mx and will have the Sleeve on Feb 16th!!! I am going through BeLiteWeight and using Dr Rodriguez ... Anyone else going in the same area or using the same Doc?? Thanks!!

I'm going to the bank tomorrow to get the money for the surgery and was wondering how much cash to take to Tijuana? Im hoping I can use my visa for things at the hotel Marriott and hopefully for my moms meals (does anyone have experience with using visa down there. is it widely accepted? are there fees to use it?) thinking taking 50-75$ cash just for tipping. I really want to take as little cash as possible. What did everyone take or plan to take?

my surgery is march 13 th!

I have 6 more wks n i head off to tijuana.....I leave on apr 10 from fort myers fl to san diego to be picked up!!! I cant believe how fast the wks are going by!!!!!

I'm sure this thread as been asked before and I did search back a ways.... but I need some help from all the new skinny ones out there who've already done this. I'm scheduled 2/26 with Dr. F. Garcia (yayyyyY!!!) Tijuana and want to start getting things lined up for packing.... so what do I need to bring? What can I just leave at home?? Help!!

I can't believe the time is so near. It is incredible how quickly the time has passed. I started looking into WLS 3 months ago and it's already here. Monday is the day. I'm anxious but mostly so excited. I just want to congratulate everyone that has already gotten their sleeves and wish everyone luck who is going to be getting it. LETS DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!! (: (: (:

I am getting so excited for my revision! This last 2 years without my Lapband after having it for 6 years has been so difficult! I'm on a constant diet with no results. I know the sleeve will still be hard work, but I can't wait to see some results! I got used to my smaller weight after losing with the band and now I feel like Gwyneth Paltrow in Shallow Hal since I regained it! Time to unzip this fat suit! Any other Tijuana sleeves happening on the 15th?

Great flight!

Down 8 pounds since surgery on the 16th!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sitting here waiting to board my flight home. All is well, feel really good. Alma and ready4achange arw great. Dr. Garcia, is a very skilled amd caring surgeon, Dr. Luna is awesome, Melissa is awesome, Dr. Paola, Dr. Zavalza, and Samuel the driver down the nursing staff and the great staff at,the Marriott....everybody is entitled to their opinion, but If I had to do anything different, I wouldnt. I was 100% safe at all times and treated like a star! My pain level is zero right now! I was cared for to the max. I would only want to stay at Marriott after passing by the other hotels, like lucerna and others ive seen on the blog....you have a nurse at all times, you hit that …

Very happy surgery in 8 day in Mexico Dr Garcia

Who will be in TJ for surgery this week? I've only been able to find two other people, there has to be more of us?! Only 5 days till surgery for me, I'm excited!

I sometimes walk by mirrors and have to do a double take!! I have had friends not recognize me if they haven't seen me in a while! I am filled with gratitude for Dr Aceves and his staff.... Six short months and I am down 160 lbs! No complications! I have not reached my goal yet but I am confident I will do so! My life is so much better now... I wish I had not waited so long!!

This has been such a great experienced. I got sleeved about 2:00 yesterday. woke up and asked if was done. It was that simple. The only issue I have had was going to the restroom. My left side was hurting. I feel much better now and I do get a little dizzy but they say that's normal. I am very happy thus far! Tami

Do I started my Clear liquids today. So far, not so bad. I picked up several different things from HyVee for variety sake and am allowing myself one can of low sodium chicken broth per day. I've been on the liquid diet for more than 2 weeks at this point and that was really tough. I'm supposed to leave for Tijuana on Thursday and be sleeved on Friday. But the weather is supposed to turn bad and I'm worried about my flight status. I've been in touch with my coordinator who said that if my flight was delayed or canceled, I would be rescheduled for the 25th or the 4th. Ugh! I can't go thru this liquid diet stuff again! I'm mentally ready for this and if there's a…

For those of you using Ready 4 A Change, how quickly did you find R4AC/Alma responded to email or phone messages? Last night Alma said she had emailed my medical questionaire and information to me but I still have not received it (and I checked my spam folder). I used the email "contact@readyforachange.com" (from the website) to let her know and still have not heard back...is this normal? Everyone has raved about how quickly they get responses...BTW, I cannot call during most business hours, we have an "open office" environment so everyone can hear my conversations, yuk!

I just posted an introductory message on the main forum but I expect to be spending most of my time here.....I doubt I would be having VSG at all if it weren't for the information and thoughts you have all shared and I can't say how much I appreciate it. Because I am just under 40 BMI with no co-morbidities, I will have to be self-pay. With the support of my PCP, I started looking into WLS last fall but was so put off by the attitude of the programs in this area (Des Moines), I felt no way were these people getting up to $30K of my money (yep, that's what we were quoted at the informational seminar). I was very discouraged because I had no information about procedures i…

Everyone is different....I had no gas pain......and I did not take Gas X with me.....Dr Garcia is awesome! You are in excellent hands!

... there was a way to have a Surgiversary getaway next year for our fellow Mexi-Sleevers? Say in, Puerta Vallarta or Cancun? Or a cruise? Idk... Just thinking out loud. Amanda Rae

Diamondeyed and I are in Tijuana and doing great. I had my surgery earlier yesterday and she had hers last night. Everyone here at Mi Doctor is wonderful! Dr. Garcia has done a wonderful job! Diamond wanted me to help send a update for her because her phone isn't working that well here. I will try to post more details a bit later, but did want to make a quick update saying we are both well and sitting on the losers bench!

I know my insurance will not cover sleeve surgery. (already denied) I am trying to find out self pay cost and locations near me. Or am I going to be traveling. Thanks for any input

Just wondering if I will really need this? Also where can I buy it? All I can find is children's or stuff for colds

Where would we Mexi Sleevers get this? I don't want to be stuck ordering Soup always to avoid large portion temptation. Amanda Rae

Well I made the big trip to Mexico and had my band removed and after 4 1/2 hours of surgery with doctor Rodriguez and two other Doctors I was luck to get my sleeve. I had my band done over 6 years ago. I had lots of soreness in the port area but did not get sick often . I had no clue my band had slipped . It was like that for many years I guess, just no clue. It took all three doctors working 4 1/2 hour to remove band scar tissue and clean any areas with infection. I was so lucky to have such a great team of Doctors fighting for me. I woke up very sick due to amount of medicine used to keep me knocked out. They also did the upper GI at the same time so my throat was so s…

moved my surgery date earlier to march 13 th, now i am getting scared again because i am having surgery it makes me nervous, but i know i am FAT and need this surgery to be happy with my body, I hate to look at my body right now and i do not feel sexy at all, luckily my boyfriend still loves me for who i am inside and out, I WANT TO BE SKINNY AGAIN!

I'm so confused right now... I'm having a hard time sleeping at night because all I think about is trying to figure out what I should do. I try talking to my family about it, but they are against me going to Mexico, so every bit of advice they offer to me isn't beneficial one bit. I feel completely alone. Almost to the point that I just want to forget about the surgery all together because it's causing me more stress and I haven't even had it yet! My Mother won't even look at surgeons websites with me so I can talk to her about my options. I know with my son, if he was thinking of doing this I would be researching left and right with him making sure he was content with hi…

Well sleevies, its done! I get in Saturday, and had surgery maybe four hours later, did preop and EKG and had some issues with my blood pressure but they handled that quickly...Surgery went will, had a little more bleedjng than,usual, but Dr. Garcia handled that quite quickly even coming back to the hospital 12:30 Saturday nite. I feel great, the hospital is nice and the nurses are great they stay on top of medicine and vitals. The Marriot is gorgeous. Of course I will give another update, right now Im just tired, not really in pain but kind of sore, like three thousand crunches...love you guys....talk to you later

March 13 th!