Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I've come across what seems like hundreds of websites in my research. WHat are some of the best/most helpful sites you have come across? I'm always looking for more info Thanks!

So I am self-pay and I'm feeling really guilty for draining our savings account for me to have this surgery. My husband seems supportive and just wants me to be happy. But I just feel so selfish!!

chicken with its head cut off! Amanda Sexton

Hey you guys, I was diagnosed with diabetes about 5 mos. ago, which is when I started thinking of doing the sleeve. Other issues: I have serious sleep apnea, high cholestorol (on meds for this, plus the diabetes) I am 50, BMI of around 32, family history on dad's side of serious diabetes and heart disease/triple bypass-valve replacement. Was hoping that my insurance, Kaiser would cover the vsg surgery, but they only do so with a min. of 35 BMI, even with co-morbidities. I do not want to gain weight to get coverage, I am already noticing some vision deterioration in one eye. Maybe it is not diabetes related, but it scares me enough that I really don't want make an…

Im just wondering if anyone used the company above ^^^^ and dealt with Ron to schedule surgery for Dr. Lopez. I'm scheduled for 2/4/12 - 2/9-12. Looking for other experiences or any input. Thanks!!!

Hey guys, just thought I would pass this little tidbit along. I called TSA in regards to bringing powdered Protein in my carry on luggage. They said that is fine in a sealed zip lock bag. If u plan on bringing ant liquid Protein drinks there or home such as Isopure, then they will allow, but you will need to let them know and they will put it through additional screening in a separate bin. U don't need a Dr note

I am at INT hospital all prepped for surgery and I am next!

I've applied for financing, emailed Omar from Dr. Kelly's practice, checked and rechecked works schedule, and hoping everything comes together so I can have vsg on the 18, 19, or 20 of December! I'm ready!

Hi All, I reside on the East Coast and am flying to MX for surgery on 11/27. I am starting to get anxious about the return flight home. The flight is about 5 hours, but I am worried about getting blood clots. I am going to Aceves and I do not believe he gives a blood thinner post op. I would appreciate if others would share their story with me.

My Husband and I are planning to have surgery in Feb 2013. We wanted to go to Dr. Preze in Cancun but because of our BMI Dr. Lopez is the better surgeon. I have been very impressed so far with the communication with his office, but i was wondering if anyone else had surgery by him?

i just went to see my PCP and ask for a full panal to get on top of me post op care and she sat there and tried to talk me out of it for an hour. She would come back to it 4 times. she is like my hands are tied of anyhitng goes wrong and you have complications. I said great I will just die then. those are my options. Die a slow fat deathor die a little sooner maybe thinner.. Jesus.

Is anyone else going to Dr Joya around this time? Looking for other sleeve sisters/brothers!

Hey guys! I am a female 20 years old, from Montreal,Quebec and I will be getting my surgery in February 2013. I will be going alone.. Kind of nervous that I would be going alone... This will be my first and hoping the last surgery I have. I am EXTREMELY nervous! I can't believe I am doing this! I have told a couple of friends and My family. At the beginning they were not very supportive with my decision to go to Mexico and get my sleeve.. But then I showed them this site where I have actually lived in since I decided that I wanted to do my surgery. I will be going with Dr. Garcia, in Tijuana. I am a little nervous but at the same time very sure with my decision. The …

I booked my surgery with Dr. Garcia and I am giving my deposit next month. I initially wanted Dr. Alvarez but learned he was 8700.00 plus flights. I bought his booked and he has a HUGE following on Facebook, blogs, web. I started saving but then read about Dr Garcia. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him. Has anyone else been thinking of waiting and save for other Doc's?

Has anyone used dr. Ortiz with a lighter me??? I originally wanted dr. Lopez but he won't be in TJ at that time. If he assisted you in your surgery with dr. Lopez or you had him can you please share your opinion on him. Thanks

Hi all, ive been reading all the threads but I dont see my doctor and i am getting nervous. I see a fernando garcia but not my doc. My coord is regene and i havent seen any mentions of him. He is TJ. Dd i make a bad choice??? Have any of u used him? My surg is nov 2nd

Have happy and safe Thanksgiving! Amanda Rae

For those of you who have gone to Mexico, can you help make a list on what to bring. Anything you where thankful you brought or something you wish you had brought. Or maybe things you brought that was totally unnecessary. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience. Sent from my iPad using VST

I told my Dr of my fear of clots, especially when flying. My flight is only 3 hours, but I am not sure if I will be able to walk up and down the isle. He said if not, while sitting in the seat just lift your leg off the ground and do ankle flexes, forward and downward, so you are stretching your calf muscle. He said that when you walk, its the stretching of that large muscle that really pushes the blood through, so you can simulate that while sitting. Try and get up and move, but this might help if you can't!

Surgery Friday. At the airport. Plane just landed. No one to pick me up. Called & texted Trish... No answer. Is there a certain place I'm supposed to go to? I figured someone would be waiting with my name on a big sign.

So excited. I booked my date with Dr. Garcia for 2/14. Thank you all for your posts and great replies. That has helped me in my journey thus far. I am getting excited. I know it will be here before I know it but it seems like forever. Tami My story thus far.... http://tamivgsjourney.blogspot.com/

From day you scheduled, deposit, flight arrangements, flight, stay b4 cordinator or assistant picked up from airport, travel time, final payment, time spent in Mexico b4 u could come home, etc...

Those who have had surgery in Mexico, what questions do you think are crucial to ask your doctor before coming back? Thanks

I'm having my surgery with Dr joya and wanted to know who else was having surgery around this day so we could support each other, share our victories and see how it goes for all of us who choose this on December.

Ok, so found out my insurance will cover complications which is nice, but obviously not hoping for any! My question is once we get back, for normal post op care do we just see our regular PCP or does it have to be with a specialist?

Has anyone encountered criticism about using sugar substitutes post surgery? With the whole "aspartame causes cancer.." etc etc argument? A friend sent me a website a few weeks ago and posted this on her facebook, which basically summed up the article "Drink diet soda? Artificial sweeteners? Anything containing aspartame? I would stop now. It used to be on the biochemical warfare list, took decades to be FDA approved, it's an excitotoxin that causes brain cell and receptor site death which causes neurological disease. When exposed to temps over 85 degrees it is converted into formaldehyde. Your body temp is 98.5 degrees. And to top it all off it is a leading cause of …

My doctor ran some test to make sure I was good for surgery and found out my Iron saturation is very low, 5%. The Dr in Mexico still approved me but now I am nervous. Flight is booked and deposit is paid. Did anyone go into surgery with a similar issue? I would really prefer to not get a blood transfusion in Mexico. Sent from my iPad using VST

Is anyone aware of any specials running for surgery in December with vsg in mx? Dr. Kelly, Dr. Garcia, Dr. Alvarz, etc...And are surgeries ever done on 24th, 25th, or 31st of December?

I will have a 7 1/2 hour flight home (two connecting flights with hour layover in between) and am worried about blood clots as I am at increased risk for them due to my varicose veins. I will be wearing compression hose but have NEVER flown before and am wondering if I will be able to get up and move around any while on the plane or will I be stuck in my seat?? I had myself convinced I would be okay but my SIL just told me today about some story she had seen on CNN about a lady traveling home on a plane after surgery somewhere and she died of a pulmonary embolism

I'm looking to form a private facebook page for patience that have had their sleeve or going to get their sleeve done by doctor Garcia in Mexico

So, my family is really concerned with my after care in the US. What if I have some kind of life threatening complication, would they still treat me here even though I went to Mexico for my surgery? I keep telling them that I don't think they can deny me because of that?? Or can they??

My surgery is booked for March 4th in Puerto Vallarta... my brother just found out what I'm doing and my mom hasn't talked to me since I told her I was going to do this 2 weeks ago. I have no support from my family, and my brother told me to include him in my will :| Here is the website... http://www.mexicovacationawareness.com/mexicostory.html Comments anyone? Please god let someone have some positive comments!!!! I'm thinking I'm going to wake up with no organs left... or that they're not actually going to do the surgery.. lol someone help me please!

So I've lost just about 26 pounds on my own.... got kicked out the bariatric program in Ontario because I no longer fit a new model they decided to implement after they put me through the rigamarole and testing and after they told me I was a perfect candidate for months during the process. You think they would start their new model with the new referrals, however, that's a whole other story. Fast forward 2 weeks, after researching, I booked my surgery for March 4th, 2013 with Dr Joya in Pureto vallarta. Perfect right!? Sat in the car for 30 minutes and cried before i could go into the bank to do the wire transfer (my mom is no longer talking to me due to the surgery,…

It seems that every surgeon has slightly different recommendations but I happened to come across this... it has everything layed out really nicely and it's super easy to read. books in general for post op sleevers? I have come across a few when I was looking a few months ago, but I'm hoping to get some reviews from people who might have them? Where they useful or not to much?

Surgeon decisioning. Am I the only one? I make up my mind. Submit my paperwork, sans deposit... Keep researching and change my mind. Submit my paperwork, sans deposit... And change my mind. Amanda Rae

Just had surgery on the 16th by Dr.Lopez and alighterme. Dr.Lopez is awesome and so are his associates Annakaren, Janice and Rhonda. The hospital is great and the Marriott is a dream. Thank all of you for making this possible!

Of obesity issues or surgery complications.... Especially in another country... I'm scared. I probably shouldn't stress, I'm not sure when I will have the funds. But... It's a big decision. And this is not an ethnocentric, anti-Mx, Americans do it right (although I am patriotic and think the USA rocks!!!) rant. Amanda Rae

Good Morning all. I have a lapband but researching a conversion to VS. A friend of mine is going to TJ to have a VS. I am here to support her and find others who are going at the same time. She will have Dr Fernando Garcia as a surgeon and today she will get a date. I am going to Mexico with her. I had plastic surgery done with Dr Carmina Cardenas and she does have a Bariatric surgeon on staff Dr Filipe Garcia. The reason my friend did not pick him is lack of information on here about him. He performed VS on Dr Cardenas and her assistant. Believe or not, they only had 20-30 pounds to loose. They did it for life maintenance. With that said, her sugery will be ar…

Has anyone tried to buy other meds while in Mexico? I am wanting to purchase Provigil while down there. Is there a way ahead of time to know if I need a Mexican prescription and also are there any issues bringing things across the border?

Hey all u Mexican beauties!! I am not sure about how much money to bring and do I tip in pesos? I know there is a Walmart there but do they accept American ? I would love tips/feedback from anyone who has gone. Thanks!!

So I live about 5 hours from San Diego and was think it maybe cheaper for me and my husband to drive . Has anyone ever drove to San Diego and if so , how was the ride??? Surgery is December 7th so I'm getting close:)

I'll be getting sleeved Jan 18th wanted to see if anyone else would be there??

I'd love to see photos of your trip to Mexico! Did anyone take any?

I have decided on Cancun for my December sleeve surgery (“relieved sigh”). After requesting info from the three coordinators that work out of Cancun I have discovered that the group of doctors that work there are only doing procedures on the 14th and 15th so I assume the doctors work as a team (verboonen & Perez). After researching both of the Doctors, I am really comfortable with either one. So, my question is…how do I decide which coordinator to use? I have info from Ready4Achange, Medical Tourism Corp, and International Facilitators. All prices are close and honestly I care more about having a good experience than saving a few bucks anyway. I am leaning towards …

This date needs to hurry up !!! I'm ready to be sleeved already!!!! Who out there is feeling the same way as me? I'm to excited!!!!! New Beginnings:)

Hi Everyone! I am having my surgery on December 12th in Mexico and I've seen a few comments related to the doctors switching over to single incision procedures. Can anyone provide more info and/or confirm this is the case? Thanks!!

Who has had their Sleeve done with Fernando Garcia??? What's your story?

At the complication board. OMG. now that scared the pants off me. Other news I went and saw my pain manager today and kinda brought it up. She said I am going to call this doctor right now and find out more details for you. Her husband is an anesthesiologist and worked in Mexico. Maybe I can get some good info On dr. Ponce de leon. It didn't hurt that I made her a knitted scarf either! Don;t go reading those complication boards!

Decisions! I feel that either surgeon is perfectly skilled and wonderful but now I'm down I these 2. I think. Lol I like the idea of puerto Vallarta though. If I go there, how do you get across the border? Do you fly or does the driver drive you that entire way? Seems like a very long trip. Also, What hospital and hotel are in Puerto Vallarta?

hey guys so i am in the process of speaking with Trish to get everything set up but I of course am worried about the financing situation. I have pretty bad credit so I don't even know if I will be approved or not but I just got a much higher paying job recently? Do any of you other Ponce Patients have bad credit that got financed?