Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

So, I was scheduled for March 8th with Dr. Lopez, and I had to cancel my surgery due to lack of $$$. I've applied for 2 loans and both no luck. I'm going to have to use the money from my tax return to fix my car that decided to break down on me this sucks.

When I started my pre-op diet 10 days ago my BMI was almost 47. I was hoping to drop below 45 to save some extra money on my surgery and today I weighed in and have lost exactly 10 lbs which dropped my BMI to 44.99!! I'm thrilled! My liquid diet starts today so hopefully I can lose a few more just to make sure I stay below until surgery on Friday.

Mine yesterday was saying that my surgery will be tough to do because we have to move by summer I told him that is why I made the surgery date for april 5th I would make it sooner if I could

I wanted to go through a lighter me but was told they don't accept fsa cards for payment....did anyone use ur card to help pay for surgery?

Ok today I started my puréed foods any other ideas on what I can eat .... Please help lol

Alright y'all GAME TIME!!!! "SEE U ON THE FLIP SIDE MUTHA*****S!!!" Lol

UP EARLY N ANXIOUS THAN EVER!! TONIGHT I FLY TO SAN DIEGO TO GET MY SEXY BACK!!!! ♥ EEEEEEEEECK!!!! =D ONE LAST BBQ GET TOGETHER TODAY WITH MY BABIES N FAMILY BEFORE HEADING OUT!! Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using VST

Just giving a quick update, Im doing fine. Waiting to be sleeved. Surgery was delayed a bit cuz another surgeon is still performing his surgeries. Blood work, EKG, n IV r already done. Chilling watching movies till then. =)

After reading post for the last two months and learning every thing that I can I will be taking a van from san antonio to eagle pass in route to dr a. The next day I will cross the tx border into mexico in route to my new life....I pray that the dr and staff have an uneventful surgery and that I make it home safe to start the real work of diet exercise and emotional recovery.

Just curiousif I should go ahead and talk to my family dr. About getting a script. If dr. Garcia does, about how much does it run in mx?

I am at the airport leaving to go home. I cannot believe its done and my journey has started. Crossing the border both ways went well for me. I met tons of fellow sleevers and the staff and Dr. We're all amazing!!! I liked the nutritionist a lot. The hardest part for me was I felt tightness, left side from the drain was sore and I was dizzy off and on. And the first time going to the bathroom was hard because I was so looped up on meds. Each day did get better and as I type this I feel pretty darn good. Low cal Gatorade goes down smooth. Thank you all for your thoughts! Mine are with you as well. Here's to the loser's club soon:) Tami

Plane tickets are expensive

I'm trying to figure out what to pack for my surgery next week. I'll have the two nights at the hotel, and then a full day of travel back to my home. What will I be able to drink...especially for protein? I'm packing some Injury chicken soup, and wondering if protein powder would be a waste of space in my suitcase. Plus, if I have to bring all those packets of powder back to the U.S. because I didn't use them, the Border Agents might pull me aside! .

I am going alone for my surgery. I am so scared..I need any and all advice to make it easier

I may be nuts, but isn't there a doctor in Mexico that finances directly? I seem to remember reading about one, but don't remember how far back I read it.

For now, no pain no gas!

Hey everyone! I am trying to research Dr.'s / facilitators. However, I am having the hardest time finding different websites for the different facilitators. I keep getting the same facilitators and same Dr's as I am researching, but after reading forums, I am seeing many different Dr's names. So if you guys could just let me know what website you used to find your Dr. that would be amazing. Just to give you a little bit of my story, I was banned August of 2010 and went with (Oh I don't remember the name of the "company") but the facilitator was... lets just say I do not want to go with her again. I had complications with my band since the very 1st fill that I receiv…

I just officially schedule my appointment with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am very nervous but know this is something I need to do for myself. Anyone else going to be there during this time

I received my surgical report and learned I had a moderate hiatal hernia, which they repaired and a moderate peri-esphagitis (inflamation around the esophagus, liver with no abnomalities. They used a 32 French Bougie. Blood ranges for everything was normal except potassium which was a bit elevated. My brother thought that might be from being dehydrated when they took my blood. Oh, and they diagnosed me as morbidly Obese ... Hey, there I had a lower BMI dude. I am obese ... but ... Oh, well "pecaahn" or "pecaan" is still a pecan. I thought it was odd that no one told me that I had the hiatal hernia or inflamation. The good news is that I wasn't charged extra for the…

Hey everyone! I just wanted to keep you guys posted on my progress since I know i really enjoy reading other peoples. I am now 24 days post op (just over 3 weeks) and have lost 25.6 pounds!!! It's looking like I will probably have a 30 lb loss for my first month, which as a lightweight, was completely unexpected for me! The transformation has already been amazing, and i will be posting before/1 month post op photos on the 22nd. I will also be retaking measurements on the 22nd as well (I'm doing this each month) but so far I am down from a snug 18 jeans to a loose 16 and I am only about 1/2" away from buttoning the 14s. It has been so cool to "shop" in the deep abyss…

Hey everyone. This is my first post on VST. So in short I am in my mid-twenties and have bounced between a BMI of above 40 and below 40 the past few years. Now I am at almost 42. Because of this and lack of "serious" co-morbidities my insurance (Aetna) won't pay for the surgery. I do have what my insurance company considers less serious conditions because of my weight - chronic back pain, hypoglycemia, chronic fungal infections, mild sleep apnea (yet no diabetes yet, I know). My ultrasound was also negative for gallstones so I won't be getting any help whatsoever. The money for the initial surgery (I will have it in the US I think because I prefer the laparoscopic app…

Anyone going to Tijuana March 7-8? I arrive march 7, surgery is march 8. I'm looking for a sleeve buddy. I'm flying from fl.

Well, I'm almost up Feb 26th, the time flew by, then it's off to Mexico to finally see Dr. Garcia. I hope getting the sleeve is the right choice. It's getting closer and closer....

I know that there are quite a few of us scheduled for surgery in Tijuana the week of Feb 18th. If you'll be there, please post your dates so we can try to meet each other while we are there (and also help each other through this, including the nervous days between now and then!) Here's my info: scsleever Arrive in San Diego: Wed. Feb 20 Check-in Marriott: Wed Feb 20 Surgery : Thurs Feb 21 Back to the Marriott: Sat Feb 23 Heading Home: Mon Feb 25 Traveling alone Yikes..this is really happening!!

Still excited! I fly in, same day surgery!

Calling all February sleevers

On the way to the airport sleevies!

Couldnt take pics at the border crossing (that's heavily frowned of in all countries), but here are two photos from my room at the Tijuana marroitt. Sorry it may be blurry, blackberry isn't the best camera, but there's a beautiful club and fancy houses up the hill. The other direction looks like Los Angeles to me. And excuse my sloppy word use (working off an iPad).

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had to deal with having an early flight. Alma told me I may have to stay in San Diego the last night in order to make my flight. I am wondering if once released from hospital. Do you go back to hospital during the last 2 days at hotel or does someone come to your room. Where do they remove the drain and when do they remove drain? Besides rest what exactly do we do those 2 days at hotel? Thanks for the input!!

I changed my mind. I can't handle another summer obese, I just can't. 6 months is too long to wait and jump through hoops and continue my life this way So.... Drumroll please!? I just paid my deposit and booked my flight. I leave march first and am scheduled for march 2nd with dr. Garcia at MiDoctor. I couldn't be more excited!! But I'm also nervous and freaking out, you know? Did I make the right choice?! Am I crazy?! Will I get trampled like a field mouse in a stampede @ the airports, etc. (first flight,ever) Phew. So that's me. Anyone else going march 2nd?

3 weeks from today my surgery will be complete and I will be on my way to my new skinny self. Whoohoo!

Bring a notepad for your questions and write down the answers! Also have them give you the medication instructions in writing. Why? Because your memory is shot after anesthesia. I just had to email my doc because I couldn't remember the bathing/ hot tub wait time, and I asked that before surgery! I had my questions written down, but failed to write the answers.

Does metro PC work in mexico

I'm headed to the airport, on my way to San Diego, with a final destination of Mexicali!!! I'm scared, excited, nervous and tired (didn't get much sleep) all at once!! Wish me luck

Hi everyone. My name is Amber. I was planing on having my vsg done here in the states, but right before scheduling I got laid off work. Now I have to figure out how to do this with the $ I have saved... but I need some help. I don't know where to start. Please, all the info u can send my way I can use. How much was it to have vsg in mexico? How long did u have to stay there? Who is a good trusted doc? What do I have to do? This and so many other questions are in my head rite now I am going crazy..lol. thanks to everyone in advance... best wishes Amber

Day 4 of Liquid Preop Sooo...... I've been at a stall for 2 days now... N I HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN SLEEVED YET!!! =( I can feel my body getting smaller but the scale isn't moving PERIOD!!! GRRRRR!!! < Im pretty sure it's my water intake cuz I barely drink any, just felt like venting. Any pointers welcomed!! Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using VST

So, in my OCD attempt to make sure I'm prepared for surgery (just about 5 weeks away!!) I ordered some Protein powder samples on Sunday. I ordered three sample packs based on a thread in the food & Nutrition forum. First, I ordered powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. I am most looking forward to trying this one, especially the unflavored and chicken Soup flavors. I also ordered Chike and Syntrax nectar. I wasn't particularly looking for the best deals, just knew what I wanted and was hoping to get them relatively soon. I received a follow up phone call from Chike within 24 hou…

Ordered them today

Arrived bright and early at OCC. nice facility. Lots of waiting. Saw dentist, nutritionist, cardiologist and had my band x-rayed to make sure there werent complications. Now in my private room. It's 10:40 and got here at 7. So be prepared to wait! Room is nice and comfortable. I think bathroom is down the hall. No idea where in the surgery queue I am but they are doing a heavy load today - 7. I was told they do 6 but today is 7. Nit overly thrilled about that. Haven't met the doc yet. Surprisingly calm.

I am on the van. Drive is nice and talking with a couple of other patients. Count down is on!

Talked to Rosie last night, made it more real! Packed and ready!

I know I read somewhere that the marriot is now charging for wifi, does anyone know how much and is it a one time charge or daily rate? Also is the wifi at midoctor free? Thanks!

I am leaving early tomorrow morning and will be sleeved at some point tomorrow. Thank you all so much for posting and sharing all the stories. The good the bad and ugly. I am going to try and take videos and post when I get back to log everything. We shall see how that goes. Loves ALL!

I figured I'd do a little update. 3 months ago today I had VSG with Dr Ponce de Leon in Tijuana. I'm down 51 pounds since surgery day. Seriously best decision I've ever made. No regrets whatsoever. None. I was SO scared pre surgery. I knew that the odds were in my favor but it's hard not to go into a surgery without thinking "what if". I hardly slept the night before. But it went very well for me, I woke up in recovery a little uncomfortable but ready to start walking asap. There was pain, but not cry out loud pain. And even that was gone within 2 days. I remember sleeping a lot the first few weeks, but I will use any excuse for a nap The post op …

The scale went up today. Not really understanding this. Between the anger from feeling half starved and the scale I decided to walk the 2.25 miles to work this morning. It was cold, but I warmed up quickly. I stopped at HyV for some Isopure. I'm so close to having my BMI under 50 that I know I would be really irate if I have to pay the extra $1,000 just for a few measly points. Its supposed to be really cold the next few days, but if I go ahead and walk to work until I leave for surgery I would bet that would make the difference.

My husband and I are going to be in Tijuana for my surgery from March 8-13. Does anyone have any suggestions on places to see or things to do while we are there? I know I won't be up for much but would like to do something. We have 3 kids so it is not often we get away for a week alone. I also hate to make my husband just sit around in the hospital or hotel when he is taking his whole vacation for this. Please send me ideas and let me know what you did while you were there!

I need the vsg done on april 5th, saving money, getting scared about having surgery, but I can not live at the weight I am now, I am unhappy with it, just venting

when I get dressed and see my underwear size so high it reminds me why I need the surgery

My credit is not prefect and I applied for medicalfinancing.com...they sent me an email stated I did not qualify for the traditional loan but I was pre-approved for the "no patient left behind" program. I don't want to give me info if this is not a legit program. So has anyone heard of this????? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey Everyone, I am also going with Dr. Fernando Garcia, aiming for a Feb 2013 date as well. I have been speaking with him an his staff for over a week now and am pretty confident in my decision. BUT, I have to most likely go alone. Which I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't want to do that. SOOOO, I was hoping there would be someone(persons) that wouldn't mind "buddying" up through this process. I live in the Washington DC/ surrounding areas. So it would be lovely if someone from this area is considering him during the same time. But anywhere is okay I just don't wanna do this alone. If that's cool with anyone we can go through it ll together. If interested let me know what date…