Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

To those who have been sleeved by Dr. Lopez... How many surgeries does he do per day? This is a question I've asked my coordinator, but I want to hear it from recent patients too. Amanda Rae

When staying at Jerusalem Hospital, where does your guest stay for the first night? Are they with you in the clinic, or do they go to the hotel? The other nights I hear they are with you if you pay the extra for a private room. Any info is always helpful.

Has anyone delt with patti lissberger from dr Fernando garcias office

Booked the surgery date: March 8th Just went to the post office and bought my passport card- it should arrive in 6 weeks or so. I sure hope so because that's going to be cutting it close. Lol Now all that's left to do is get the plane tickets and I'm all set! I just hope my income tax is enough to pay a big portion of this surgery, if not, I will have to take out a loan and I hope that I would get approved. If it comes to that, and I don't get approved, I will have to postpone the surgery. How are all the other February/March sleevers coming along? Have you booked your flights and passport yet?

So I'm 2 months post op and some days I feel so normal that I forget that I've been sleeved. Case in point, last night. I spied some leftover chop suey in the fridge and I ate about 3 bites of it, but quickly. Didn't feel so well after that, it felt heavy in my chest. So since I'm so brilliant I decided to drink some water to help the food go down right. A few minutes later, I coughed, and all this beef flavored brown water came spurting out of my nose and mouth, my husband was quite revolted I'm pretty sure I'm never having sex again. Learn from my mistakes!

I'm looking for others that may be having surgery on the same day as me

Made mistake, should be dr fernando garcia tijuana mexico

Hello I'm new here and found this forum looking for information. How do you decide on what doctor or hospital you will use in Mexico? I will most likely be self pay and may have to use financing. Also, how do you pick your financing company? Do most use their own bank or do most use a medical or weight loss financing company? Any info will be helpful. I don't know anyone who has had this surgery and I don't want to talk about it with any of my family/friends yet. Thanks!! Jacque

Good and bad experiences please.

Good and bad experiences please.

My intent is the be sleeved by Dr Lopez in March, as long as the funds are available (it's been a Murphy's Law kinda year). I would love to hear people who've used Dr. Lopez offer their thoughts and experiences on him. And how you're doing now, postop. Thank you in advance. Amanda Rae

Hello everyone, I am at the Mi Doctor hospital in TJ. My surgery was yesterday at 11am. My mom and I were the only surgeries done by our doctor, Dr. Lopez, yesterday. Starting from the beginning...we arrived in San Diego airport on Dec 12 around 4:45 pm. No one was there to pick us up, but luckily I had Ronda and Janese's numbers. We called them after a half hour or so of waiting. Around 5:45 pm, we were being picked up by Ricardo (a new driver for the company). Then we crossed the border quickly and were soon at the Marriott. I booked with "a lighter me" and the hotel provides 3 servings of chicken broth a day...which by the way is delicious , 2 bottles of Water IN YO…

SUPER EXCITED!! (and a little nervous) Getting sleeved by Dr. F. Garcia --- hoping to find some new friends!

Anyone getting sleeved 1/14/13 with Dr. Almana

I have a stupid question but both my husband and I are having surgery and I know we will Rx's and we are worried about bringing cash but Ronda for alighterme said they have fees for international charges in credit and debit cards that can be pricey. And since we both well have surgery we don't have a place to store cash. What would you all suggest? And how much was the meds that you had to get?

Where did everyone stay if they arrived the night before their surgery? What hotels?

I know I read this somewhere, but now i can't find it. How much cash do I need to bring for tips? I read that the driver expects a tip, as well as the nurses. I know this isn't standard at hospitals here - so how much to I give and do I tip all the nurses or just the one taking care of me the day of discharge? Also, at the Mexicali Hospital (Dr Aceves) is there a restaurant for my husband to eat at or does he have to fend for himself for the 3 days. 10 days and counting!

Do the surgeons/docs prescribe blood thinners? Amanda Rae

Anyone else going to Tijuana of gastric sleeve with Dr. Lopez?

Our Group of 5 has made it, we all will be enjoying a new lighter lifestyle soon...We were all given a clean bill of Health with none of us having any leakage into the abdominal Cavity as they do an X-ray using contrast to verify 0 leakage..... Dr. Almanza and Bettencourt are great, we were made to feel very safe and all the folks were very knowledgeable.and professional..I am down 18 lbs "living the dream"..Take Care

Hey guys! So my surgery is on the 11th of February with Doctor Garcia and I am all set, bought my airplane ticket yesterday and I have all my protein shakes for my 2 weeks prior surgery diet! I am very very excited!! Only 36 days left!!!! I am so ready for this change!

I am a blood donor. Any idea how long I have to wait to resume donating blood. Does Medical Tourism in Mx defer me for any amount of time? As much as I dislike the act of donating blood, it is important to me that I do donate blood. :-) I didn't see anything specific to it on their deferral criteria but Medical Tourism has only become trendy as of late. Amanda Rae

Just made it to the Marriott ... I'm to excited!!! Tomorrow is the day:)

My surgery is 2 weeks today and I had made an appointment to see my PCP 2 weeks afterwards. My PCP is currently on maternity leave, so I have not yet had the chance to tell her that I'm having WLS, but I fully expect her support because she is generally really supportive of me and my decisions. I just got an email from her office to let me know that she is extending her maternity leave to the middle of April and asking if I want to see another doctor in the meantime or to wait until her return. Obviously, I need follow up care before mid-April, so I am going to see another doctor, but now I'm scared because I don't know this person and I don't know how they will react. I …

I'm scheduled with Dr. A Ortiz on 1/21/13. Initially I wanted the Plication procedure which I was told was 1000.00 more than the sleeve. After doing further research I changed my mind and called to switch to the sleeve. I was told then it was the same price??? I reminded the coordinator that I was quoted a different price not two weeks prior and she denied telling me so. Now I'm questioning what to do at this point. I want the procedure done and don't want to cancel but I don't want to now be scammed??? Has this happened to anyone?

My mom and I are booking our flights right now!!! This. Is. Real... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amanda Rae

It's surgery day for me going into TJ Mexico. I'm so excited. Ill post when I'm out of surgery

What has everyones experience been with aftercare here in the states after surgery in Mexico?

I am an emotional wreck today, I have never been to Cancun and going alone for surgery sounded great months ago when I was preparing for this but now that the time has come I am scared. For those who went to Mexico alone, can you please give me some reassurance? Thank u

Is anyone else having issues with family? It seems like for me I have to be on the defense about this surgery with everyone. They always have to tell me why it's not a good idea, and how I'm making a terrible decision. Of course, I think otherwise, but it's getting exhausting trying to defend my decision. I'm not really the type to keep it to myself and sneak off and do it, but sometimes I wish that I would have just kept my mouth shut about it! Lol

I am currently looking for a PCP that are taking new patients. Particularly interested in someone who supports WLS and are willing to take someone who has had surgery in MX. Any information and help is greatly appreciated.

Can anybody who stayed at the Marriott tell me if u can keep ur hotel room for the 2 days that u r in the hospital? I am coming with 3 people. 2 of us r getting sleeved and the other 1 is coming along to help us. I would really like my friend to be able to go back to the hotel and get a good night sleep. Also WHAT THE HECK DO WE PACK ? We will be gone for a total of 6 days.

Hello so im considering geting sleeved by Dr Ponce de Leon and want Trish's contact info please !!!!!

... begins and ends today. I really want sauerkraut and pork! Did anyone else have an "official" food funeral? An unintentional food funeral? No food funeral at all? Tomorrow I begin my preop diet. I plan to focus on a very regimented and structured preop diet to maximize my efforts. Wish me luck! Amanda Rae

I live in Fullerton, looking for a good Doctor.

So I have made my decision to have surgery in Tijuana and came across Baja Bariatrics. I Have not heard any negative posts on them so far and would love to get some further info. Questions have been answered like experience and facility but would like first hand experience. Any info would be highly appreciated.

I am trying to figure out financing options to go to mexico..help!!!

Hi Everyone! Wanted to wish everyone a happy new year. Next month I am getting my sleeve. This is becoming a reality. Very excited and scared at the same time. I need to drop 10 pounds between now and then. Here's being able to watch all of us change in 2013! Loves! Tami

I hope and pray 2013 will bring us all safe and successful surgeries, recoveries, and continued healthy successes! Cheers! Amanda Rae

Anyone joining me in this crazy journey?! Dr. Lopez - TJ - December 12

Are there any sleeves having surgery January 20th through January 30th in Mexico?

So I am now scheduled and have paid my deposit...I am sooo ready to be on the losing bench and starting a new Chapter!

Feeling happy

And oh how the butterflies are fluttering in my max capacity belly! Amanda Rae

I've been reading various posts about people who've had some horrific complications after the surgery. I was wondering if anyone who has had the surgery done in Mexico (any surgeon) with complications afterward wouldn't mind sharing their complication story? I am NOT interested in hearing stories second hand, would like to hear from people who have experienced it themselves

So my mom said she's been hearing a lot about border issues. Not sure what she's talking about. I called and she was too drunk to explain. (Don't ask) Any idea what she's talkin about?

I have been looking for info on Dr Kelly and would like his email If anyone has it.

Surgery date Feb. 15th!!!!!!!!!

My sleeve buddy can't have her surgery in March, so now I'm on the hunt for another one anyone going to MI hospital March 10th-15th?

Looking for a sleeve buddy for jan 17 in Puerto Vallarta MX.