Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Where do i get it and what do i need to get one price also

I knew that I would gain Water weight from the IVs. In fact they weighed me in MX 2 days post-surgery and I gained all but 1 lb back that I lost on the pre-op diet. I wasn't really that upset as I knew it would happen. But, I weighed this morning and I am still up 3 lbs. I have been eating less than 500 cals a day. I can see that I have lost weight. Why isn't it showing up on the scale yet? Grumble.... Mary

How far ahead do I need to buy plane tickets

Figured it was time to find buddies going that week so none of us are alone! Let's take this journey together...

Hey everyone! Im getting close to setting my surgery date (waiting on when the best time to take off work will be) and my one of me concerns is after care. I have no insurance and no normal PCP so I really am looking for advise from someone in my area that has one already who is used to caring for us self-pay TJ people

How long will it take , the longest amt of time

I was reading some older topics and saw a couple of people post about having the sleeve after having experienced back issues (rods and screws, etc.). I had a spinal fusion at L4-L5 approx 3 years ago. I have a question and a concern for anyone who has had chronic back issues then a sleeve... 1. Did you find some of your chronic issues with your back eased after losing the weight? My pain mgmt Dr swears it will be a fantastic benefit of having the sleeve surgery. 2. I'm worried about potentially having to go without medication for my back prior to surgery. I have a conference call with my surgeon later this week and will discuss it with him, but I'm worried that I'll …

Did anyone need it to go to mexico or what did you bring?

I knew it would happen. I was totally prepared to gain weight from the IV fluids. They weighed me 2 days post surgery and I was up nearly all of the weight that I had lost on the pre-op diet. I weighed this morning, a week post surgery, and I am still up 2-3 lbs. What gives? I can see that I have lost weight. When will it show up on the scale? Grumble. I know patience ... something that I don't have. Mary

Anyone else having surgery with Dr. Almanza on February 11th??

Tomorrow I will get my answer about getting the extra week I need off to have surgery on Feb 22. I'll be going alone and am wondering who else is going the same time. I'm planning to fly in on the 21 although I'll be flying in to Tijuana but would love to meet up with some of you when I'm there!

Good morning I am sitting at the Las Vegas airport waiting to board to head to Mexico I hope I am as successful as each of you There's no turning back now

So, since I've had to cancel my surgery I've been depressed... Even more so than what I was before. I felt like I finally found a solution to help me with my problem, and I had to just give up on that all together. I've been thinking of any way possible to come up with the money. But I do have good news! My income tax may be more than what I anticipated! if so, I still may not be able to go in March, but maybe in a few more months!! I hope...

I've learned from VST that some people recover from surgery easily, while others have a harder path. Since I'll be in Mexico alone (no one to run down to Walmart for me), I'd like to have things on hand that would help if I have yucky stuff. 1. I know that gas will be an issue, so I'll have gas-x strips, and I'll walk, walk, walk. How soon after surgery can I take a PPI? 2. My biggest worry is nausea and vomiting. I've read that some people have an ear patch, while others use reglen (spelling?). Any other options? 3. It is unlikely, but possible, that my pain level will require something stronger than tylenol. Since I'm in Mexico, what should I get "just in case"…

How do you get a doctors note to be out of work from a doctor in Mexico? Has anyone received a doctors note from Dr. Garcia before leaving for the trip?

I was under the impression that there was no need to exchange currency for TJ. As American dollars were accepted most everywhere there. But there was a recent post that said I needed to exchange for other expenses (tips, purchases, ect). Can anyone who has been there please advise?

Today I booked my surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia for 3/23/13 and I am sooooo excited!! Let the journey begin!! Anyone else have these dates?? Also, any who are already sleeved, would love to hear what to not to forget to bring with me!! Also... what "hidden" expenses $$$ should I budget for on my trip to Mexico??

THANK YOU everyone for this forum!!!! I'm grateful each day that I can come here and participate in this amazing journey with you!!!! I was so depressed after being denied by my insurance, but with the information you provided and shared here, I'm 100% confident in my decision to go to MX and to do it alone. THANK YOU!

Who else is going to MiDoctors hospital in Tijana March 4th surgery date?

What is the earliest anyone has started their preop diet? I have a BMI of 57 and I'm trying desperately to get it under 50 by 3/18. I've been given the okay to start it now by my coordinator. Thoughts and experiences? Amanda Rae

Have any of you flown American Airlines? What were your experiences like? I'm 5'8", 350. BMI of around 51. Hope to be around 330-340 by time for the surgery. I've never flown before. The main reason is because I've been afraid I won't be able to fit into an airplane seat and might be embarrassed or forced to buy a second seat. (I even turned down an all-expenses-paid trip to Seattle last year for this very reason.) I'm actually more anxious about the plane ride than the surgery itself. I'll be flying American Airlines on Sun March 17th from Dallas to San Diego, and then back to Dallas on Fri March 22nd. I'll be sitting next to my mother and another friend who will …

F.Y.I.--- Instead of getting a passport, you can go to your Secretary of State office and purchase a passport card or " enhanced drivers license" as long as you are traveling by land or water across the boarder. It was only $45.00! AND you get a temporary card (stapled to your current license) that will (according to the Secretary of State) in conjunction with your birth certificate, allow you to cross the boarder immediately, incase your passport card doesn't arrive in time.

Waiting for tax return now

I know a several folks have had surgery this week (or very recently) with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Just checking in to see how it's gone or going.

Does Mi Doctor have a cardiologist on site? Amanda Rae

And I've lost exactly 14 pounds! I seriously can't believe it! I went in as a lightweight starting at 215.4 on surgery day (was 221 pre op and lost about 6 lbs on pre op diet) and this morning, exactly one week after surgery with Dr. Garcia I weighed 201.4! So exciting! I assumed since I was a lightweight I would lose slower, so I am thrilled with the results so far. I am anticipating a stall soon since I know one around three weeks happens to like 90% of people, but I okay with that I'm still doing Clear liquids including clear Protein drinks, but tomorrow I start full liquids. I have a bunch of sugar free pudding to make tonight and unflavored whey protein isol…

I'm from Ontario, how much was it for you to get travellers insurance. My mom is convinced it's super expensive.

The last 70 days have flown by. I remember when I first decided to do the sleeve kept thinking...HOW AM I GOING TO WAIT that long??? Well the truth is that time does go by very fast. Scary fast even. 12 little days from now I am going to be sleeved and start a journey of a lifetime. Hope everyone is doing well!!

I am on day one of my pre op diet for Dr. Fernando Garcia. I just want to be honest right now and say.....I HATE THIS! I know I can do it, but I don't like it and I feel a bit like a child who has had their toy taken away. I never realized how completely addicted I am to food until now.

Any one have surgery recently how did it go

Hi all, I am interested in scheduling surgery with Dr. Perez in Cancun, but have not been able to find many reviews on him. Have any of you used him? How was your experience?

I am so excited!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a bad movie title, eh? I fly out early tomorrow and realize that I don't know how to pack my bottle of Tums and GasX strips... We are trying to go as carry on only... Can I just pack the tums or does it have to meet the 3.2oz rule? It's not a liquid but I am paranoid!

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Garcia on 2/4 and I just want to see who else will be in Sexycity that week. Just a few more days! If you are, please post your date and we could all meet up.

I would have to say i am more focus on a size rather than a number on a scale. I would love to be able to walk in wet seal, body shop, charlotte russe, rue 21 etc and buy things other thanjewelry...the shoes dont even fit me half the time. I am 5'4" 273 btw

How do we get pain medicine to take home with us in Mexico? I went to a border town once to see a dentist while we were on vacation. When we went back across the border into Texas they asked us what we were bringing back from Mexico so I naturally told them about the pain medicine the Doctor gave me. They told me you cannot bring narcotics back with you even with a prescription. They let me keep the antibiotics but they confiscated the pain meds. So do we get pain meds to take home or do we have to see ourPCP when we get home?

The beginning of this month my BMI was 52 weighing 248.8 (cuz of the holidays lol) I've been dieting n exercising to get it under 50 in order to avoid extra cost on my surgery. Today I weighed myself, 236 BMI 49.32!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! AWESOME BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO MYSELF!!! Now any weight I lose from here until surgery n 3 WEEKS is my GAIN!!!! Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using VST

Hi, Can someone post or PM me the contact information for Dr. Illan and/or his coordinator? Thanks! ~Kat

I am planning on using our tax return to get my surgery. But im starting to feel guilty, like maybe I should not get it and use the money towards bills. But then im worried I will regret not getting the surgery and have to wait another year before I will have the money to do it again. Help!

I'm 29 days away from my surgery in Tijuana. It feels like forever away. I haven't been doing a very good job of watching what I eat lately. I think I'm frustrated because I've been counting the days down for so long now. I plan to start my pre-op diet (again) on the 1st. Just want this to be over so I can start my life. Things just feel stalled right now and like I'm consumed with the waiting game. Everyday feels like it takes a year! I told my boss today about my upcoming surgery. I've worked with her for quite some time now and she's very supportive. I've only told a few people (my scrapbooking friends, my boss) because I've been so worried about their re…

Looks like quite a few of us will be having surgery in the next few months. To keep us motivated, excited and focused on the good lets tell what about the surgery or after surgery we are looking forward to I can think of a few things I'm looking forward to but I'll just share one. I'm looking forward to surgery because even though its surgery it's still a vacation and break from work

It came in today!! too bad I'm not able to use it when I wanted to. It only took about 2 weeks to come in and I also received my birth certificate back today as well.

I have a few questions for those who already traveled to Cancun. Can anybody tell me if you need to exchange currency from US dollars to Mexican pesos or you just used visa/MasterCard? Also if you we're up for sightseeing or something was this on your own or did driver help out as far as taking you? I am looking for any advice you guys can give me like what should I bring etc....thanks!

Hi guys! As my surgery day is fast approaching (17 days) I was wondering if there was anyone lurking on these forums who is scheduled around the same time as me for Dr. Aceves. I am booked for January, 5 2013! I would love to chat with like minded people who are on the same time frame as me so we can support each other, both in the hospital and out.

Hi there - I have not yet been sleeved, but have been researching for close to a year now. My insurance has an exclusion to Bariatrics for any reason, so I am in the self pay boat. I am in the Dallas/FW area and have found at least a dozen bariatric surgeons that cost about the same or just a tad more than Alvarez (if the $9,500 range is correct). Actually even found one yesterday that was $8,000 and right here in my area. From what I see, Dr. Alvarez is very impressive....his website, his youtube videos, his book, etc. and if I were to make the decision to go to Mexico I am confident I would chose him. Question is - is there a reason people chose going to Mexico …

I dreamt that I went to Mx for my surgery. That all the commonly used surgeons were there to perform my surgery. My surgery went well and I had no leaks. After I was released to the hotel I tried drinking diet Pepsi and started to panic. I couldn't find the surgeons. Only other WLS patients telling me I screwed up. Then I woke up. Sigh... Amanda Rae

Have anyone traveled in having surgery on the same day I will be traveling from Chicago to Tijuana and was considering having my surgery on the same day that I arrive being a nurse I thought that was pretty risky

Hi!!! I'm getting sleeved feb 16th in Juarez mexico are there feb 16th sleevers out there?? I'm nervous and anxious? Has anybody had surgery in Juarez??

Surgery date set for April 22nd with Dr. Garcia. Anyone else being sleeved on that date?

Anyone else going?