Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

When choosing a Dr in Mexico there are so many different aspects. I had read about deaths, infections, crime... It started scaring the crap out of me... Guess what, most of these Mexican surgeons have performed such a large #of surgeries that of course infections are going to happen. I'm sorry, but when someone has performed THOUSANDS of surgeries compared to MAYBE A HUNDRED AT MOST IN THE USA, then yes...Ur gonna see infections. When a surgeon takes high risk patients (for example someone with a bmi over 50) then the chance of complications increases as does deep vein thrombosis. You have to do your research. Dig dig dig...and then dig some more. Only you know who feels …

Anyone scheduling or thinking of scheduling with dr. Kelly in August?

I am having my sleeve done in Tijuana by Dr. Almanza on 7/23. I am debating about whether or not to get the optional "insurance" they have on the procedure. It's reassuring to know that I would be taken care of if there were any complications by them flying me back down for corrections, but it also seems unlikely that one would fly all the way down to MX again for help if something serious goes wrong (like a leak). What does everyone think? Is the insurance a wise purchase? What are the odds that one might really need it? THANKS!

I have to decide asap... but i've heard nothing but great things about both..... so i'm not sure who to pick. ha ha

Why was I just informed that Louise is no longer with the hospital. This has caused upset because its already risky going out of country to have a surgery but when the coordinator or liaison you've been working with and gained trust in disappears from the company immediately before you surgery you might just freak out as if you didn't have enough to think about. Ughhh. Trying to keep calm and praying this isn't an sign from God to reconsider. This is the worst possible timing 30 days till I'm to be sleeved...any thoughts?

In the post op instructions that Cecy gave me, it says there should be steri strips over my incisions, but I don't have any. I took a shower today, and my SO changed my bandages. My incisions are glued, but no steri-strips. I planned to ask Omar today when I see him, but it will be a few hours before he comes to the hotel.

No turning back! Will be Mexico bound very soon. Please say a prayer for my sleeve sister Faganberry as there has been a problem with her flight. Pray she can catch another one today!

I'm second in line for surgery today they just gave me my happy pill. I luv it here with dr. aceves it's more like resort than hospital

I can't believe it's almost here! Just wondering if anyone here besides Girlfriday and I are going to be with Dr Garcia on Monday

Did anyone just take a carry on and were you ok to carry it after? I just have 2 changes of clothes it's not heavy at all.

I have my sleeve done in monterrey mexico on the eighth! doctor javier delagarza did my surgery! he was so professional and a little hospital was great! I paid a total of 7500 dollars for the entire procedure from post up all the way to the hospital stay! upon completion of my sleeve I did not even required to use of drains! and I actually got to go home a day early! I'm walking around with no problems have already driven! since thursday I have lost a total of 12 pounds!

OK - I am so confused on what to take to use while in Mx. It seems that there is no point in taking our cell phones which will be so weird being as I do everything on my phone, but I dont want to get home to hundres of $ in roaming/international fees. So, Ive heard take laptop because the hospital/hotel has wifi.....but we are trying to pack really, really light and a laptop although flat is heavy in weight (mine is anyway). And we are literally going to try and pack in 2 large backpacks or something we can just carry on. I am not sure we want to take up that space. Ipad - much less space/weight and my brother in law has one he would let us borrow while we are ther…

Hi everyone, I have been hanging around reading posts for a while now and thought I would finally join. Thanks for all of the great info, this site has been so helpful! I am scheduled for August 11th with Dr. Kelly, and I can't wait!

Hi all. I have been lurking on these boards for sometime now. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it has given me a certain peace of mind in going through the decision process. I have finally committed and set a date. I will be getting sleeved by Dr. Kelly on August 10th. I would love to hear from any other patients who will be there at that time.

IM still trying to pick Wondering if anyone will be a surgery buddy

Hi there - Just wondering if anyone had any dental work (really just an exam and evaluation) while already there? I need quite a bit of work done and Ive been researching dentist in Tijuana and the one that looks like a great place to start does the exams for FREE. I know we would/could not want to have any "work" done since just having surgery, but wondering if just going in for an exam while there, to know what to expect on work and cost when/if I want to go back for that? I dont see the harm in just an exam....anyone else?

I have made the decision to forgo my insurance (united healthcare) and get sleeved by Dr. Kelly. I have been trying to get the insurance to approve me for going on three years now! I have a young family with 4 kids one beeing a disabled 3 year old. My husband wants to go with me but due to our daughters medical condition no one is comfortable watching her....and there is no way flying with her would be possible. I'm wondering if anyone else has drove down and how it worked out for them?

Hello, I will be sleeved by Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana, Mexico on April 11. I'm starting to get nervous (and excited). I was wondering how those who were sleeved by Dr. Garcia in March or in earlier months are doing. I would love to hear some updates. It would help alieve some of my aprehension. I am grateful for this site. It is so informative and supportive.

Every time I look up dr. Kelly I always get a lighter me... He's not with them anymore right??? Does anyone out there have any contact information for him???

Hi all....just wondering about the water in Mx? You always hear not to drink the water, but I know we have to drink water while we are there not to mention the broth that may have water and our support person.....any experience with that or suggestions?

was this a concern to anyone? Esp. traveling alone......

My family and I were sleeved on Monday, and each of us had a different experience! I had very little pain, my aunt had a little trouble coming out of anesthesia, and my cousin, had lots of gas pain and freaked out a bit, but she's never had any major surgery. Right now my aunt and I are relaxing in the lobby of the beautiful lucerna, until our ride arrives. My cousin went into town with cecey to get somr new sunglasses. Everyone is great, the broth at the hotel isn't great like the others have daid, but we have been spoiled by Omar. He has taken us every dau to casa de mole for luncj, amd their soup is beyond great. Dr Kelly is phenomrnal, he treated us girls to a wonderf…

I Have surgery scheduled for July 2nd with Dr Garcia and I was wondering what if any pain meds you are discharged with. I have a non cooperative pcp back here at home and I'm concerned about pain management for the first few days as I have a very low pain tolerance. This is my countdown week, just one more thing to fret about! 8 more days, eeeek!

I am having my surgery in Mexico and am wondering what others have done post op for labs back here? Any suggestions?

I'm having surgery on july ninth with doctor ponce. I'm trying to find a lasik doctor for my husband so he can get his eyes fixed while I'm down there. Has anybody had this done in tijuana? Can anybody recommend a doctor? Thanks

I have to self pay (no insurance coverage for this) and obviously Mexico is more doable for the budget. The guy in my area seems fine/nice but I think has only done about 100 surgeries too... there seem to be about 5-6 "popular" doctors in Mexico.. so I'm curious-- what was the deciding factor/s for you in the one you picked. It likely wasn't location or personality because you would be traveling regardless and probably didn't meet the doctor...) I hear great things about so many... so i'd love to hear why you picked who you did... was there something that made you rule out someone else? (i.e. bad feedback, something negative/) Thanks!

Do all dr.'s perform a leak test before you leave? If yours does.. who did you use? If not... did they say why not?

I am starting my preop diet for surgery with Dr. Kelly on the 29th. This is what I got as far as preop diet instructions go: Allowed foods (7 day pre surgery diet) All kinds of liquids Water, tea, lemon water (take at least 3.5 litters a day) Water, tea, fruit juice drinks, natural fruit beverages, chicken stock, vegetables, cream soups, skim milk, yogurt, jelly (gelatine desserts). Same liquids plus pureed foods a day (a first stage of Gerber sized, strained). Mashed fruits, vegetables, cereals (oatmeal, rice, potato, noodles, mixed). Am I correct in thinking that I can have oatmeal and mashed potatoes? What did other Dr. Kelly patients eat during their p…

Did anyone just use US dollars instead of getting pesos? A friend of mine just went to visit and said the she didn't exchange her money because a lot of places take dollars.

I see that everyone is having their surgery in Mexico. Had anyone dealt with Dr. Lieno in The Dominican Republic?

My bags are packed and my flight leaves at 5am! Can't wait to get this show on the road!! Sleeve sisters... Can't wait to see you tomorrow!!!!

I had my band-to-sleeve surgery on june 16 with dr Ponce de leon. He had to do a repair due to a malfunction i had from my band before performing my sleeve. I went for my leak test today (the one that you drink contrast in front of the xray). Basically where my band was is SUPER swollen, so it took FOREVER for the contrast to move down into the sleeve. So today i finally get to eat ice chips (yay!) And they have upped my anti-inflammatory to bring down the swelling. I will be having another contrast with xray tomorrow, im praying its better!! If its not, i might have to get another surgery, or another upper-endoscopy at the minimum! Im feeling really scared and lonely. I …

Getting sleeved by Dr. Kelly on June 27th!! I'm a little scared and hoping to contact others who will be there the same time as me. I'm not exactly alone, my 19 year old daughter is coming with me. We haven't traveled much and are pretty sheltered where we are from. Although we are excited to spend some time together it's scary not knowing anybody!!! We will be arriving June 27 and leaving July 2.

Hello, pretty new to this side of the board...had my heart set on the band and then watched how the weight just didnt come off for a friend of mine and then watched my cousin have the VSG and watched the lbs just literally melt off in months. Made my decision alot easier! Anyway, if all goes right, I will have surgery with Dr Garcia in TJ on June 14th. Was hoping to connect with other people having surgery on or about the same time! My support system right now is my husband, who is leaving in less than 1 month to go work in Alaska for 6 months :-( The only other family I have is my sister, who doesnt approve and my father who has other things on his plate to worr…

I'll start by saying that I am a registered nurse and hold a PhD in education. Given my medical and research background, you can be sure that I did a lot of searching before deciding on who I would allow to operate on me. Because I was a self-pay for the VSG revision (banding was via insurance), I looked into Mexican surgeons. The three U.S. surgeons I explored wanted $22,000 - $26,000 and that only included the surgery and one night in the hospital. I wanted a surgeon who was certified in bariatrics, one who had done over 250 revisions, one who operated out of a clean hospital with an intensive care unit in case I needed that level of care, and one who insisted that …

When having surgery in MX are you required to go there more than one time before surgery? What about after...? Does it depend on MD chosen? Thanks in advance for answering! Sorry typing on phone is not so easy...lol

Hi I am super new to this forum but have asked a few questions over on obesityhelp.com I am trying to decide on a doctor and i keep thinking i have it and then i find another great one. I have narrowed it down to 3. Dr Garcia, Dr Kelly or Dr Alvarez. Dr Alvarez is the most expensive. 3200$ more expensive. That would pay for my husbands lasik surgery. I have no insurance. I lost it half way through the process in the united states so i have been to support groups, informational meetings, surgeon consult and a few other things lol. All three of these doctors seem to be pretty amazing. They seem to really care about their patients. One thing that really made me put…

Does anyone have pictures of their incisions (specifically with Dr. Kelly)? I have some incisions from having my gallbladder removed, and I have already talked to Dr. Kelly about reusing some of those.

Im scheduled for surgery the 4th of july with Dr. Kelly... I wasnt worried but now I am starting to. I have a lap band to be removed I have had for 7 yrs no symptoms but worried about complications or not being able to do surgery for things like a erosion... Now my kids are getting worried, im a single mom and they are scared I am going by myself. I have to admit, I am also. Id love to know how your experiences are, crossing back into the boarder and any other info would be appreciated. I am also worried about it working, since I did start at 415 with the band, went to 200 and now 265.. Ive always disliked my band and hate not being able to know when im going to throw up …

My loan is 45% funded so far in just 5 days so I'm getting closer to make the big decision! I want the surgery done this month because June-Sept is my busy season at work and I can't get off and I don't want to wait til fall. My loan after fees is a little over $5700. Direct flight to and from Charlotte, NC is $509 which I can put on a credit card if needed. I'm getting my birth certificate and applying for a passcard this week. Money is also an important factor in my decision. I'm doing this alone and getting so much flack for going to Mexico. I've told everyone that it's not if I go, it's when and with what doctor. My first choice is Kelly. I've read tons of p…

I hit 2 milestones today the first being I faxed in my consent forms and the second being that my passport arrived. so, 2 more things to check off my list.....glad the passport is safely in my hands. was able to expedite it without using one of those companies. took 9 days to get it sent in and received back. Sent from my iPad using VST

If you've already had all the lab stuff done here in states will any of the surgeons in Mexico except those, and reduce the price for vsg?

From what I have read, Dr Kelly uses no drain.. does anyone have an opinion about This? Where does the fluid go if you dont have a drain? I heard that it is alot less painful without the drain but is it ok to drian inside your body? This is probably more of a medical question..

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to update everyone on how things are going , I am officially sleeved as of saturday June 2nd and today im feeling pretty great my experience here at the hospital has been great I have zero complaints it has truely been the best hospital experience by far I had my third leak test today and it went great my sleeve looks perfect I have so much to say about my experience that I will def. share once im home but to anyone considering Dr Aceves I can assure you that you will love it and you will def. not regret it for a second

Im at the airport waiting for my first flight. I'm so scared of flying. Please pray for me to make a safe flight there and home. I have two very little children who need their mommy.

I had a lap band that was removed in the USA in 2010, then I had a sleeve done Jan 2011 with Dr. Almanza in Mexico. During the first six months I lost a total of 40lbs but during the last six months I have gained back 20pounds. So now I am a year post-op from my sleeve with only a 20 pound weight lose to show. I can eat quiet a bit and I am hungry often. I have been in contact recently with the doctor and all that was offered was a resleeve or a resleeve &DS. I know I have to have something else done if I want to move forward with my weight lose but I am so frustrated and mad at times. Now I am having to pay about the same amount again to have a second sleeve when I…

Hi! I am going to dr ponce de Leon for a band-to-sleeve revision on June 15 (I actually will be arriving evening June 14). Just wondering if anybody else thinks they might be out there around then? I do have a sleeve-sister who is getting her surgery on the 14 (looking forward to meeting her! )

I Leave tomorrow morning for Tijuana. My surgery is with dr ponce de Leon. I'm not so much worried about my surgery per say, but more like being away from my babies so long, my plane crashing (wing falling off, terrorist, etc), and then I'm worried about what he may find when he goes in to remove my band. If I have too much damage, I won't be able to get my sleeve, and if I am able to get my sleeve, I'm scared of complications. I'm going nuts here not to mention I'm having some SERIOUS head hunger now, my pre-op diet is yogurt and water for 3 days (im not the hugest fan of yogurt.... I don't know how some of you have been able to do preop diets for weeks at a time!!

Soooo I have the symptoms of a hiatial hernia, and I have no gallbladder so I am worried about scar tissue. I have Dr. Almanza and was wondering from really anyone who had surgery in mexico, did they fix it and how much did it cost? and were there any problems with scar tissue? Thanks!

my vlog will be ready at http://youtu.be/T8ttjL3J8pA if anyone wants an update