Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I could have sworn Dr. Aceves told me I could begin lightly working out when I got back home. So, yesterday morning, I went to the gym and did the elliptical trainer for 20 minutes on the lowest level (I am 7 days post op). Today, I feel like crap - super tired, no energy, etc. I happen to peruse the post op info I was given, and it says to wait until at least 4 weeks post op before exercising!!! I know I was a bit loopy down in Mexico when I spoke with Dr. Aceves about this, so I must have heard him wrong - have I totally screwed myself up? I'm worried that I've put myself at high risk for a leak. Any help appreciated.

So I've read a few things on here stating some doctors do 2 leak tests before you leave and even give you a DVD with proof of the results which raises 3 questions: 1.) once you are found to be leak free, are you good to go or is it possible to develop a leak further out? 2.) if the doc finds a leak does he wheel you back down the hall and throw a few more stitches in? 3.) is the test done with X-ray and contrast? Do you swallow/ drink something or is it injected down your throat? I know leaks are very rare and I hope I don't sound paranoid, just covering the what -ifs, ya know? Thanks in advance.

I am sitting in the business center at the Marriott Hotel in Tijuana. Thursday Day One: 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 CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY!!!!!! We checked…

Anyone had surgery by him lately

I will be sleeved in four days! Thank You God! and to all my sleevie family thanks for the unconditonal support!

I can't sleep!!! Thinking about this surgery 24/7!!! Lol

Not enough of a delay to be sad...but date changed from 2-15 to 2-18...leaving out 2-17....still super excited! Dr. Garcia here I come! #teamsexy!

So today was my first day of my liquid preop... It went pretty well, just a lil frustrated to smell really good food cooking in my house n I can't have any.. Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using VST

April 5th!

Hi everyone! My best friend and I get sleeved next thurs ( Valentines day!). We are traveling to puerto Vallarta Mexico. Dr. Castaneda is doing the surgery. Anyone familiar // heard of him- please let me know!!. Thank you!!!

How do you get one on way to renter mexico

How much do i bring

Anyone going to Dr Garcia on 3/20???

So I was going thru my information I have compiled together for my future surgery in Mexico and when I came to Dr. Garcia,...... it seems there is a Dr. Fernando Garcia and then a Dr. Ismael Cabrera Garcia, ........ so then I thought, ok I need to clarify this... Can anyone clarify the two, have you used either and if so which and your experience with them please. I want to make sure I am making a decision based on the correct Garcia as I see so many posts with the name Dr. Garcia and I want to make sure I know who is who. My questions would be: 1.) Who did you book thru, cost and which Garcia? 2.) Your experience and facility and hotel used 3.) Would you recomm…

23 days until I leave for Tijuana. I was running out of time to tell her and it was stressing me out so bad keeping it a secret. My mom is one of my best friends and I just did not want to stress her out or make her worry with the fact that I am going to Mexico for surgery. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Things went way better than I expected. She is 100% confident with my decision and where I am going because she knows me well enough to know that I have done my research. She just hates that I am going to be so far away if something was to go wrong (from one side of the state to the other). I feel so good now. I love my mom.

I have pretty much decided to see Dr. Aceves. Everything I've read about him is extremely positive. However, I do wonder if his higher cost for the sleeve is worth it. To anyone who has had their surgery by him, what exactly made you decide to pay more to see him? Are his results that much better? Just curious; I think he sounds great, but money is a concern for me. Thanks! Ann

Where on internet can i find best rates

My husband has me worried about getting kidnapped in Tijuana crossing the border. Seriously. I tried to look some things up online, which gave advice to not dress in expensive clothes or wear expensive jewelry, and be aware of your surroundings. For those of you who have already made the trip, how did you FEEL crossing the border?

Has anyone driven to trenton nj and have their address

Heading south tomorrow (Sunday)! Packed my super tiny light weight suitcase (10 lbs packed!) so no lifting issues for me and nearly ready to go. I live by myself and am going solo so I've been in a cleaning frenzy today. Yard work and laundry done and everything sparkling clean. Now my distractions are done and it's time for me to just be anxious! Only downside is the border crossing into Mexico is at a high alert and is taking lots of time due to the horrible manhunt we have going on in Southern California. Ex cop killed several people and is on the loose. Uhm, so yeah, it's safer in Mexico. Looking forward to being on the other side!

Hi Everyone, If you have been sleeved by Dr. Ariel Ortiz, can you tell me what you suggest to bring. I am 15 days away from being sleeved. I am getting nervous and excited and my emotions are all over the place. Any advice or tips would be very much appreciated as well. Look forward to hear from you!! Tami

Patiently waiting to hear from you.

Has anyone stayed at the PPA hotel in Tijuana? Originally, I was told I was going to stay at the Marriot, but for some reason this has been changed to the Plaza Pueblo Amigo. Not quite sure why the change.

Mine is not getting his butt in gear to get the paperwork ready for his passport card I am tired of arguing, my mom wants to go with me instead, the boyfriend does not want to be alone with the twins while i am away, any suggestions? He is their stepdad, my husband died from cancer when I was three months pregnant. He does love me and the kids.

We (my sister and I) have decided to go with Dr. Lopez. Please share the good, the bad, the interesting, the helpful... pretty much everything about your experiences with him as a surgeon and A Lighter Me. Please private message if you are more comfortable with that. I am so grateful for everyone's contributions and insights here! <3

Yep, you read that right. I really haven't run into any real problems. I am 1.5 weeks out from Surgery and things have been smooth. -- No major pain after surgery, other than my wrist arm swelling from the vein they blew -- still hurts -- No major gas pain -- No nausea -- No close calls with throwing up -- Able to drink fluids relatively easily, albeit slowly -- Moved to full liquids per my Dr's plan easily -- I am getting 60+ grams of Protein, and close to the 64 oz of Fluid (remembering to sip Water and waiting the 30+ minutes after is annoying) -- Since moving to full liquids, I am been getting 600 to 700 calories in, is that too much? -- Finally lost the …

I have been shocked by some of the other patients choices immediatly after surgery. I am now thinking that the 6 month evaluation period that the USA makes people go through might be a good thing. Two patients are on the top floors in the Mariott so they have access to food they serve there. They have been eating sushi, peanuts, pretzels ... "oh, but we are chewing them up really well." Another patient had a beer and a margaritta 4 days out of surgery. She is a nurse who was successful with the lapband until it slipped and had to be removed. Then, we went out to eat outside of the Marriott and she ordered chicken. I ordered a broth Soup. It came with shredded chick…

for 3/23 with Dr. Illan at Mi Doctor. I had a Skype call with him and Omar last night (I've talked to Omar directly several times previously). My boyfriend was there and is feeling more confident that I will be well cared for, after our chat. I am impressed with Dr. Illan's education. Also, for those questioning the difference between hospitals and clinics in Mexico, I specifically asked that question. I've been certain my needs would be met with Mi Doctor, based on my own research, but was curious since it was a recent topic of conversation here. Dr Illan said the difference in Mexico is whether or not the facility can respond to emergency/complications from treatment.…

In three Weeks I will be sleeved by Dr. Garcia.......! Wow!

I've just gotten my surgery date! I'll be in for a VSG on February 2nd of 2013 (not so far away!) with Dr. Kelly at the florence Clinic. Anyone else?

What is the best airline

I'm looking to go to Mexico for surgery but am so afraid to fly afterwards. It just doesn't seem safe to me and I'm sure my family dr will be completely against it. I know the chances are slim but I can't help but be hesitant. I have a family I can't afford to die doing something I have the choice to do.

Is there a tv in the hotel room

I just got to Mexico everything is good so far. Everyone is really nice

It's been awhile since we heard from you, akwitham72. You've been through some tough times, and I'm a bit worried about you. Please post and let us know how you are doing. Sending good thoughts your way..... scsleever

I am looking into going for the sleeve with Dr. Almanza, however I am curious how others experiences have been with him. Any comments, good or bad, are appreciated.

They are having an awesome special going on right now! Starting at $49 for one way depending on the mileage. If you need tickets, definitely check it out and save some money!!! Lol

Hey everyone! I just wanted to update everyone on my experience so far. I know on the roll call there were some questions about the Marriott, so I will start there. We arrived on 1/21 and everyone was very helpful, I DID opt to give them my credit card number to hold for incidentals, but I believe this was optional. My total bill for the first night was $27, and that included Internet for my mom (the complimentary code is only good for me device, and I wanted her to be able to use her iPad as well), my moms room service Breakfast ($13) of an omelet, fruit plate, toast, coffee, and orange juice, and my mom buying a soda from the mini bar later that night. I didn't thi…

April 27th!

So for those wanting to get to know Dr. Garcia and his team a little better, here is his Facebook... From time to time they have patient updates, inspirations, tips and so forth... I think since I am pre-surgery for him, it is helping me feel a bit more connected to him and his team... Thought id share! http://m.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Fernando-Garcia-Govea/278151442218211?id=278151442218211&_rdr#!/pages/Dr-Fernando-Garcia-Govea/278151442218211?id=278151442218211&soft=jewel%3D0&__user=1423035508

Can anyone tell me about your experience going to mexico, for surgery, alone. I am going to go at some point at the end of winter, probably alone. Husband will have to stay home with kiddos. I will be going to MI hospital in TJ and Dr. Garcia will be my surgeon. I am going through Ready4AChange. Thank you for any help and support.

My surgery is March 28th. I had become quite comfy with Omar, and confident with the service provided by him detailed by previous patients. Alina is the lady now answering emails. She seems nice, and answers promptly. Can anyone give a testimony to their experience since Omar's departure?? I just want to know that the full experience is still a positive one, part of my decision besides Dr. Kelly's reputation.

I was sleeved yesterday afternoon. I have been fighting throwing up all night long. Seems like every two hours, I literally vomit a bit in my mouth (sorry if this is tmi), and then swallow it back down. I was just sound asleep, my mouth filled with bile/acid, then it went back down (waking me up). The nurse says that this can happen, and not to worry. Has this happened to anyone??? I'm so tired cuz I can't seen to get more than 2 hrs sleep.

When in april to have surgery, the biggest thing is the passport cards

Sitting in the airport and waiting for this journey to really get going! 21 lbs down pre op diet and ready to meet Dr Kelly and staff. Wish me luck. God speed to all those leaving these next few days!

This may be a really stupid question, but is there somewhere we can see a surgeons stats besides their own website?

Good morning Everyone, Super excited... Even though I am trying to down play it to everyone else. Tijuana today and tomorrow I will be a sleeved woman! Praying all goes well.

Hi, I've decided to go to Mexico to get sleeved and I'm trying to decide on a surgeon. I was originally thinking of dr Alverez or Acceves. Now that I've been reading this forum for a while it seems there are other doctors who do a lot of surgeries for about half the price. I am in a position to afford Alverez or Acceves, but spending less means $ for plastics later. Can anyone explain the basis for the price difference? Is it experience, qualifications, hospital level? Or is it just that competition in tj keeps the prices down? I'm also trying to understand the whole coordinator thing... A lighter me, etc? What role do they play? Are they necessary? Is there a cost? …

Why must a person need a new one? Birth certificate

My boyfriends is from jersey city nj and he needs a new one who can he call