Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I was going to put this in the ladies forum, but am thinking it may be different in Mexico than the states, sooooo. . . When you were having surgery in Mexico was having your fingers and toes polished OK and were there any restrictions on shaving . I have read and experienced American hospitals not liking you to have polished nails due to monitoring oxygen levels, is this also true in Mexican hospitals or no ? I have no idea why you would not be able to shave right before and after surgery but that is what I am reading on the non-Mexico boards but I was not told of any such thing in my pre - op directions. Any one know anything about this . The idea of havin…

I am SOOOO excited. Finally picked a doctor and got a date. Started taking Vitamins and Calcium citrate and B-12. Almost done detoxing off of my massive Diet Coke addiction and slooooooooooooowly weaning off coffee. LOL Also sent out for a whole bunch of samples of various Protein powders and bariatric supplements so that I'll have some around the house when I get back from Mexico to try. Now it's just a waiting game - 34 days until I get sleeved!!! Anyone else going to be at INT or at the Lucerna at that time? would LOVE to have a "sleeve buddy"!

I've been looking for information on how to get in contact with this doctor or anyone who works with him. I've sent emails, checked out websites, and have not gotten a response from anyone. I'm hoping someone on here could give me the information I'm looking for? I would be so extremely greatful.

I know many have mentioned going to the beautiful beach or relaxing by the pool, but did anyone actually swim? Is that a no no due to possible infection ? I really really love the beach and swimming and can not seem to wrap my head around being at hot Mexico beach and not jumping in. So did anyone? Was it OK?

Hi All, I have read through quiet a few threads about being sleeved in Mexico. At first I thought this would never be an option for me because all you hear are horror stories about people getting procedures done outside of the states and normally it is you get what you paid for. But, this board and all of the positive experiences that you all have shared have helped me keep an open mind. My insurance recently changed and the new provider has weight loss surgery as an exclusion which as we know means if I would like to have this done I need to pay out of pocket. One place that I was looking into just called me today and mentioned it would be $22,000, well I do not ha…

Well, im setting here at Mi hospital in Tijuana watching the OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers basketball game. My wife and I got sleeved yesterday by Dr. Garcia. Our surgeries went great. The staff at the hospital are second to none. First class. We get to go back to the hotel tomorrow around 11am. We have never been treated as good as we are down here, at the hospital and the Marriott. The care that is given is so much better than anywhere we've ever been. It's unbelievable. It's very important to walk as soon as you can after surgery, this helps with gas pains. All of the doctors and nurses will stress this. It's also very important to follow and be strict on your…

I've briefly read up on the single incision sleeve, and I'm very interested in it. I just wonder why not many surgeons in Mexico are performing this type of surgery yet? Well, even here in the U.S there aren't many surgeons using this method yet. A few people have mentioned that Dr. Kelly does it, but I didn't see any info on his website about it. Is anyone else interested in this procedure?

Hey guys, Everything has been fantastic here in Tj. Dr. Garica and his staff were great, the Marriott has been great and since getting back to the hotel yesterday, I just kind of feel like we are on vacation. Surgery went well, no complications and feeling well enough today to do a little shopping at the open market with my hubby and some great friends we have made here (also had surgery with Dr. Garica). For us, from Texas where it is 107 degrees with humidity this weather of high 60's- low 70's with a breeze has been incredible. I never could have made it walking outside all we did today at home.... So, those of you with up coming surgery here either just in Tj…

Hard to believe that next Friday I will be flying to Mexico getting ready for my surgery. I can't seem to think of anything else right now and trying to 'prepare' myself. To those who have already gone to Cancun for surgery, or anywhere in Mexico, what did you bring w/you? I will be traveling alone and want to bring my laptop so I can have some communication although not sure I will even open it but want to have it there in case I feel up to sending emails and checking Facebook and of course, coming here!! I am not much of a 'traveler' and have no idea what the requirements …

There are just a few, I wanted to take more....but I was a little distracted with surgery lol. But, there are some pics of the hotel and hospital room/bathroom and some of the scenery, just for those that may want to see an actual photo of the hospital. I know they helped me. Just check my profile

Since I'm probably going to be self-pay (exclusion in my health plan), the prices for Mexico sound wonderful. My questions are though - who do you have to follow up with you once you get home, and did you have problems with your insurance/PCP once you got home? Thanks for your input!

I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has used Dr. Kelly and knows if he offers financing? Does he do some sort of inhouse financing if needed?

Hey everyone! I was wondering what everyone is doing to find a doctor back here in the States after being sleeved in Mexico. I have inquired to 2 different doctors and neither are willing to see me. I guess I don't really need one but I was hoping they could put my mind at ease about things. The last one just rudely stated that I should find me a primary care physician to just do lab work when needed. Is this what everyone else is doing? I just transferred to this area with my job so I'm sure I need to get on the ball with that anyway because I'm supposed to have blood work done in 4 weeks. Thanks for any input!

I am going to Cancun on August 24th, having surgery on the 25th and am going alone and am so nervous. I thought I would at least be able to contact my friends back home but TMobile doesn't provide international service from Mexico to the US UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also a little uncomfortable w/the drain they leave in for a day or 2. I am a barrel of nerves I guess you can say, traveling alone to a place I have never been, to have a surgical procedure is not something I am looking forward too but yes, the after...feeling better is going to be well worth it. Thanks for listening

Has anyone had surgery by Dr. Verboonen, in Tijuana, Mexico

Hi.!! I live in Katy tx.. I'm schedule for my surgery on Aug.25 in Mexico. I been looking for a doctor to go after surgery. I ask three doctors but they don't want to see me. I have two weeks to find a doctor. Any recommendations who already had their surgery.? Any body that you can reccomend that already saw you.. I'm looking for doctors in Houston or Katy.. Hopefully somebody can help me.. I still have two other doctors to see.. crossing my fingers hopefully they will .. Thanks guys.!!!!

As the title suggests, I'm going in the last week of August.. and I have ZERO idea what I need vs. what I don't need! HELP!

Has anybody used magnesium citrate to cleanse their colon before surgery? Were you glad you did it? My doctor is not requiring it, but doesn't disapprove. One of my friends did it before her surgery. What do you guys think?

Omar asked for two checks both payable to Dr. Kelly. The first check I pulled from one bank and the second from another. However, my second bank was having an issue and couldn't fit his whole name in the payable to line so I put in Dr. Jaime Kelly. Mistake. Make sure you put in the full name no matter what. Very long story and all is well now but it would have been a major problem had i gotten to TJ. PAYABLE TO: Dr. Jaime Ricardo Ramos Kelly.

I leave in two weeks, I will be in Tijuana with Dr. Kelly. So, not to be too nosy up in everyone's business, but can everyone who already went give me an estimate of what amount of "extra" money I should be bringing. We will be staying one extra day due to unavailable flights on what would have been our normal departure date . I will be traveling with my husband(so there are two of us) He is going to want to eat that I know for sure. Did anyone feel well enough to go out and do anything while they were there? Go get a massage, go shopping in the market, anything ? Also, I read somewhere people talking about tipping the hospital staff ? Is that correct and if so what i…

Super excited and yep....nervous too!! I arrive in Cancun on Friday, August 24th. If there is anyone else going to Cancun, Mexico for surgery please let me know My surgeon is Dr. Hector Perez Trying to get "prepared" for this. I am going alone and I am okay with it. I think the only time it is really going to bother me is right before I go into surgery and when I wake up and no one I know being there but after that, I think I'll be alright I worry about the pain I am going to feel but PRAY it isn't too bad. I can't wait for the transformation to begin. It is going to be great to look in the mirror and see the person I haven't seen in so long Congrats to ever…

I am scheduled for a sleeve with Dr Garcia in Tijuana on August 31, anyone close to that date?

Anyone going to dr. Rod in July? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm just wondering about how much each doctor charges for the surgery? I've gotten a few quotes, but would like to hear what others have paid. Thanks!

I'm Melinda, I have recently decided to go forward with the gastric sleeve. I planned to originally do the lap band but then decided that since I am self pay, the follow up visits for fills, etc.. would be additional costs and plus I want the weight loss to be a little faster than the lap band. So here I am. I am currently trying to figure out which doctor to use, etc... Any advice, suggestions I would greatly appreciate. I am 5'8 and weigh 238lbs, and have lived the past 10 years NOT living and need to do something about it and truly have thought of this for many months now and am ready. I guess the most important right now is finding the right doctor. There are so…

I came across a great list of suggested items to take for surgery, but since I'm travelling (7+ hours air) I was trying to slim my suitcase down. 1. did you carry on? 2. If you carried on what were the necessities? --I want to take my laptop because I want to be able to watch a movie or two but I haven't been in the air in 12 years so i don't know if that's really necessary. -- shampoo/cream rinse, etc. are the travel bottles acceptable for carry on or is it the total amount of liquid?

Hello All! I have been lurking around for a couple of weeks and decided to officially become a member today. I am scheduled to be sleeved by Dr. Garcia on August 10 and the nerves are beginning to kick in! I'm so excited, but nervous! I am so ready to begin this new chapter in my life, but scared of potential complications while in Mexico. I will be making the trip on my own, which definitely does not help my nerves! I look forward to following others' journeys and share in the excitement of new beginnings for us all.

Hi! I was wandering, is it normal when you go to schedule your appointment, for them to ask for a deposit?

Should I take my everyday jewelry? Watch, ring, earrings or leave home for fear of being robbed?

I just recently started researching going to Mexico to get a Sleeve Gastrectomy. I don't have any insurance and will probably use my income tax from next year to pay for the surgery. My family is saying that I'm insane for even considering going to Mexico for the surgery. I've read other reviews and I'm feeling more confident about it, even though I haven't contacted them to get the ball rolling. I'm worried about a few things and would like some input from others that have had the surgery, or is anticipating getting the surgery. Thanks!

Hi folks, I am in the infant stages of planning out how I will get my WLS. I will be self pay, getting it done in Mexico because my insurance completely excludes it...So my questions are: Alvarez or Aceves? Have any of you financed your WLS and ran into any issues when having your surgery in Mexico? Should I be worried about walking up post/ op with one of my kidneys missing and sold on the black market…LOL Any wisdom you can provide would be appreciated! Gracias!

I noticed that a lot of surgeons have summer specials. Is getting the surgery usually cheaper in the summertime? I'm having to save up for the surgery and may not be able to get it until next March or so, but I may hold off until next summer if that's when the deals are!

I will be making this trip alone. I called Sprint to add Mexico to my plan so I could talk to my family. They don't do it. $2.39 per minute even calling sprint phones on my own plan. And texts are pricy too. Any suggestions?

I'll go first... As a divorcee who shares custody with my ex-hubby, I have found myself not wanting to meet in public places but rather just send the boys out to his car at the curb. My ex is 6'5" and 300 lbs so it's not like I have anything to prove and I am not any heavier than I was when we were married BUT he is about to marry his 3rd wife and she is thinner than I am - I have never met her only seen a picture. She is no beauty but I do find myself challenged that she is thinner than me. I know it's petty. I am usually pretty confident in most situations but I have had a wicked fantasy about being at goal weight and waltzing into a place dressed to the nine's. …

I was just sleeved yesterday by Dr. Garcia and what a wonderful experience. The facility is very clean, and they provide a private room with an extra bed for your companion. The nurses go above and beyond as far as making you comfortable and seeing to nausea meds or pain meds. There have been no language problems at all. Dr. Garcia took a long time explaining the procedure to us, and today he came by to tell me about everything that he told my husband. Also to let me know about going to the Marriott tomorrow and all the meds and paperwork they will give me for my doctor at home. Now I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Garcia and his staff to anyone:)

Ok, I know I saw contact info somewhere but I can't find it anymore. Ive heard so many good things about him and Omar would like to get info, maybe skip the whole coordinator thing. Thanks : )

So after months and months of reading post I finally think I'm going to have surgery with Dr Garcia at the end of September!!! Yay!!! I'm am going alone, do you think it will be ok? How does the pre op diet work and will they send me that information once I've paid my deposit? Has anyone been through alighter me? I'm so friggin excited, I just can't wait!!!

OK, so I already know I will not be bringing any "valuables" such as jewelry and hubby will have any cash we bring in his wallet with him, but we will have iPhones and laptops, etc. When I am in surgery, unless hubby stays right there in room they will have to be left unattended. Also, when walking the halls and any time I may not be in the room, etc. Has anyone felt unsafe leaving these things or any advise on where to leave, etc.? I am just winding down these last few days and getting everything in order. I know I wont think of everything, but it certainly helps to have already asked these type questions and seeing responses from those of you that have been there!

I know that is hard to find a good doctor in Mexico, but I had my surgery with Dr. Francisco Gonzalez in Tijuana Mexico, I contacted him through MexMedTours.com and everything went amazing, they answered all my pre-op questions, the transportation, hotel and clinic services were very absolutely amazing. I just wanted to recommend this doctor because I know how hard it can be to do it by yourself.

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps? Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy wi…

Hi everyone, I was originally planning on going to Tijuana to have Dr. Kelly perform the surgery but since I am in Florida, I would prefer to go a little closer so I am planning on going to Cancun, Mexico and have Dr. Perez do the surgery. Has anyone else used him? My surgery date is August 25th.

Hello everyone ... just wondering if anyone is having surgery around this time. Thanks

Do any of the doctors in Mexico perform the spider method? If you know of any that do, please share the information. I'm interested in learning more about this operation and how much it costs. Thank you

Hi, I'm having lap-band surgery August 28th 2012 wit Dr. Almanza. I'm trying to find someone who's having surgery on that day. I'm a member on lapbandtalk.com but couldn't find anyone with the same date for wls. Just thought it would be good to find someone to know a little before going as i'm going by myself. My best friend will be staying in San Diego that night to prevent her from having to get a passport just so that she could sit and watch me sleep, probably... Take care and good luck to all of you!

Did you or do you plan on going alone? At first I was thinking about bringing my husband and kids but i have serious doubts about bringing the kids. I think i would rather them stay in the states. I hear that the area is not as bad as people make it sound, but i have never been there.

I am planning to have my surgery with Dr. Kelly and Omar said that I don't need a passport, just my drivers license and birth certificate..is this true? I would HATE to get there and can't get in or out. Has anyone gone into Mexico without a passport?

Not trying to start any crap, but did y'all look under the vsg complications forum about peoples experience with Almanza? I just finished reading the posts. It gets ugly

I am making myself a little ( big ) chart to compare Dr Kelly & Dr Aceves as I make my final choice. I can not figure out in my research though what hospital or hotel for that matter Dr Kelly is currently using. Anyone know ? Thanks !

8.21.12 with Dr Aceves!! Nina his coordinator has been wonderful to work with this far!! I'm scared and joyful all at the same time!!

I had my visit with my surgeon to sign consents today and the surgery date is set for August 16! Woohoo! Hang in there everybody! It will happen!