Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Hi. I'm new on here. I was wondering if anyone has ever used medicalfinance to help pay for their surgery? I am having surgery with dr Garcia in April. I'm so excited.

I applied to my credit union and not only are they going to give me 6,000 for the procedure they are going to give me 4,000 more to help pay off my credit cards and my payment is only going to be 230.00 i can't beleive it.. i prayed to god last night to please help me through this so i can be a better mom and wife and praise the lord it really happened... Now to nail down a date in april or may.. .anyone going to see Dr. Kelly in those months? That's who i'm going to.. so happy i've only been hoping and researching since last January!!

My sister and I are both here at Florence Hosp in rooms across the hall from each other. I felt decent yesterday but my poor sister was vomiting all day . I felt so bad for her. Today she is doing well and I am feeling a little weak and shaky. Everyone here is very sweet and helpful. I have to say I feel MUCH better than when I had my gallbladder out last summer. We both have very little incision pain. I think we were in very skilled hands with Dr Kelly. Trish is wonderful also. My sister and I were the last two patients she coordinated for Dr Kelly and I was happy to meet her. If you are on the fence about Dr Kelly I can say with confidence you will be in great hands. O…

Flight is booked, surgery booked! I'm going in under 3 weeks. April 3, 2012. I'll be at INT and having Dr Ponce de Leon. I'm so excited and nervous. My mom offered to pay for my sister to come with me. My boyfriend wasn't sure it was going to be a good time at work to go, and I was eager to get it done asap. \

As anyone received any cosmetic procedures from their doctor? Just wondering. I could use a few wrinkles filled while there.

DR. GARCIA!!!! YA'LL JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I'VE BEEN WRESTLING WITH THIS DECISION OF WHICH DR TO CHOSE!!! SERIOUSLY!! LOL!! I'M SO AT PEACE WITH THIS DECISION AND I KNOW THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME!!! SURGERY DATE IS SET FOR MAY 11TH!! I'M SOO READY FOR THIS ADVENTURE!! WONDERING WHO MY SLEEVE BUDDIES WILL BE??!!

I can't believe how fast it is going by. I'm so excited!! Any one else getting sleeved by dr Garcia on April 5th or 6th? I am starting to think of what I'll need and what to pack. I'm concerned about carrying around a carry on bag. Was that too much for anyone? And did any one have trouble taking a heating pad on?

Hey, for those of you who have paid/are paying by pay pal, where there any extra hidden fees or is it just the cost of your surgery point blank period? If there are no extra fees when using pay pal that sounds alot better than callin in with my card and being chraged an extra 3%... for thousands of dollars. thanks for input in advance.

Was wondering if some of the nausea people are feeling post op is caused by the sudden change in diet? My husband gets low carb flu, and it makes me think this is related, and if going really low carb a few weeks before sx would help? Not to say that the sx itself doesn't induce some, but wondering if it would be improved quicker by preparing your body better before sx?

So is the down payment subtracted from the final price ?

I now have my date scheduled with Dr Aceves- April 20th, woooo! But my husband and I are having a bit of a debate. I live near Tucson, AZ - and AAA maps tells me that I can drive from here to Mexicali in 4.5hours. If we decide to fly instead, it's a 60 minute commute to Tucson airport, then around 5 hours to get from Tucson to San Diego (since there always seems to be a layover in LA or PHX or whatever), then another 2 hour drive from San Diego to Mexicali. Same for the way back. So I'm seriously considering just driving. The question is for you post op people - how well did you handle driving at 5 days post op? If needed, we could hang out in Mexicali another day…

Was just wondering what was there and is it worth doing.

Ok, I had my surgery in Mexico, everything went great. I had no problems and very little pain. I actually felt pretty good. I did not have any nausua or anything. I felt this way for almost 2 weeks. I was really surprised at how well things were going. Over the last 4 days or so, I have been getting more tender in the area of the incisions and the area of the stomach. Sometimes it just feels sore, other times it is just a very mild pain / sornes right below the rib cage and just a bit on the left side. I do not have any fever, food is ok, still restricted on what I can eat. The first 10 days or so I got in and out of a car no problem, now when I do it, I feel th…

Hi, What are you waiting for? If you are someone who is sitting on this board and you are reading ALL the postings and not saying anything—this is quite normal. I did that for a few months too. I was trying to figure a few things out about weight loss surgery. Having WLS is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. What I learned once I started asking questions was; there is an enormous amount of helpful people on this board that helped me along the way and answers my hundreds of questions I had. You can NEVER ask too many questions OK. Two of them were my mentors and I received incredible amount of support from them and I am so blessed and thankful for thei…

I'm so excited! I'm finally booked for March 2nd with Dr. Almanza! Is anyone else flying into San Diego on March 1st?

Hi Everyone, I'm having my sleeve w/ Dr. Aceves on 3/19 & I'm curious about your cell phone experiences while there. I've read about some who had great reception w/ no international charges, while others went ahead & got an international plan for their stay there. Please share your experience... For what it is worth, I'm particularly interested in the experiences of Verizon users (so I'm being selfish, can you blame me?)...

On Monday I will get to meet Dr. Alvarez and have my sleeve. I feel very prepared and confident thanks to this website. I want to say thank you for all that have shared their experience and given suggestions, etc. It really has been so helpful to connect with others that are getting ready to go through the same thing or have already gone through it. I have been getting the house cleaned, clothes washed, grocerys bought, and bags packed. Hubby and I are going to San Antonio Saturday then driving to Eagle Pass on Sunday. Since I was lucky enough not to have to be on a pre-op diet we are going out to eat Saturday night on the Riverwalk. I'm almost as excited to get aw…

I was just wondering what kind of pain meds every one got?

OK. So I have been reading blogs on gastricsleeve.com, obesityhelp.com and ofcourse this site. After reading all the blogs I wanted to change surgeons. I have already paid $500 deposit. I emailed the coordinator yesterday. Called twice today and emailed again a few moments ago tonight but no one is getting back to me. Usually the coordinator is super nice and prompt w/ responses. Anyone have any issues w/ coordinators responding to you ? That makes me a little nervous actually.

I am in a bind. My credit is shot. I have no more money. I need this weight loss surgery BAD! I have severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure and much more. Is there any organizations that help pay for this type of surgery? I know that there are loans available but the ones that I have seen require a lump sum deposit. Anyone know of any others? Anyone know of any places that do in house financing? I am a travel agent so I can do airfare but I dont have access to thousands of dollars right now and I NEED this surgery as soon as possible. To be honest, I dont think I will live much longer...

I have been waiting for a week to hear back from so that I can schedule my appointment. How long does it take? Dr Garcia looked at my medical questionnaire that same night at 9:00pm and approved me. I'm starting to rethink my choice and go back to dr Garcia.

nevermind

Hi I have been thinking about some of the things that many of us have talked about on this board. We have talked about price shopping and I have said “this is not the time to price shop” This is about your health and what is best for you. I had a lovely lady write and tell me that $5,000 was about all she could scrap together to have the surgery and she was going to take her “chances” and go to one of the doctors who charges less. She was single, had children, and was sick and tired of her back hurting and just didn’t want to spend another day being fat. Believe me I heard everything she said and honestly knew right where she was. I had a time in my life wher…

Are the nurses taking care of us ,drawing blood, starting iv's and giving our medications,RN's? Nurses aids? Does anyone know? I will be at Florence Hosp. but also wondered about Mi Doctor.

The day is over and I said my goodbyes to my co-workers and boss for the next 5 weeks! My surgery weekend is finally here!! woohoo! Tomorrow we fly to El Paso, cross the border into Juarez and arrive at Star Medica Hospital! I cant wait to meet Dr. Rod and his team and join you all on the LOSER'S BENCH come Saturday morning!!!! hugs & kisses!

I am in need of assistance of where to search for background/results/any complications on Dr Javier Garcia in Mexico. He is a plastic surgeon. Google does not help. Thank you in advance.

Did anyone go to Mexico for surgery WITHOUT a passport or passport card? I am told that I can get over with my license, social security card and birth certificate...If you came back across the border without a passport was it difficult? My surgery is March 23 and I don't think there is enough time and I don't want to pay the extra expedite fees. Thanks for your imput!!!

Here I am in my San Diego hotel room (Sofia Hotel...beautiful), starving and anxiously awaiting surgery tomorrow with Dr. Almanza. I SO wish I had an anti anxiety to take. That should be included in pre-op....don't you think?

Does anyone know if you can pay off your Care Credit balance early and not have a penalty? For example, if I finance 5000 over 36 months & then 3 months later I have enough cash elsewhere to pay it all off, would I just be able to pay the remaining balance of the 5000? Or would I owe 6238 (the total amount I would have paid CareCredit over the life of the loan)? I hope my question makes sense. Thanks for your help! Sent from my iPhone

I am going to be traveling by myself so I am worried about the safety of the airport in el paso and Juarez as compared to Tijuana. The hospital is newer in Juarez. Any info?

I'm supposed to be on clear liquids 3 days prior to surgery, which means I will be flying during that time. How am I supposed to take broth and jello on the plane? What have you done?

Ive decided to have surgery and I'm going to use Trish as a point person. Dr. Ponce or Kelly will do my surgery. How do you send payment to these guys and how secure is it? How do you really know who you are speaking to.?

I feel great no pain no problems just a qick up date....will post later.....i have the hiccups did anyone get those

Can anyone tell me what the pre op diet for Dr Garcia is? The paper information I have says 7-14 days and the email I received says 3-4 weeks? Also, do I need to do the laxative part?

Has anyone had their surgery with Dr. Alvarez? If so, what was the cost? And how was your experience? Thanks!

So far so good hotel is nice driver was nice Rosie came to hotel she is new but very sweet well I will check in as soon as I can

I feel great no pain no problems just a qick up date....will post later.....i have the hiccups did anyone get those

I just arrived in Tijuana and checked into the Marriott. I will be going to the hospital tomorrow to have my surgery! It seemed like forever for this day to come, and now it's finally here. The weather is really nice here, not bad at all so far. It's a wonderful, beautiful day and I am excited to be starting a new phase of my life tomorrow.

I just got my sleeve the experience was great and my surgery went well, but I found myself caught between my Dr and my coordinator, since they will no longer be working together. I will say other than asking me for additional monies after surgery because it was said that my bmi was 51even tho my bmi was only 48, I wld say everything was wonderful. I have already lost 15 pounds I am grateful.

I have just inquired about a doctors note which will probably be requested by my employer upon my return. I was a little alarmed to learn that the doctors note will come from the coordinator and not the actual doctor or doctor's office. Does this mean its not official?? I wouldnt want to give it to my employer if it wasnt. To prior Mexico sleevers did anyone have a problem with their Dr. note?

Hello out there, I am self employed and don't intend to tell anyone except hubby knows. He did you all keep it a secret and how much time should I take off before seeing clients again. I realize it is different for everyone and that I cant really predict but would love your thoughts! Thanks everyone! I'm scheduled leave next weekend and getting a bit nervous although committed and want to make sure that I manage m own expectations along with m clients who dont know what I am doing.

ok well so far i have arrived on time sunday at 240 in the afternoon in san diego. the plane was crowded but it was a positive flight. the driver samuel came to the airport was there waiting for us. he was so polite. very respectful and spoke great english. i was a lil shocked by the car he drove it was a older volvo. however it ran fine. and it was clean inside. i guess i thought hed have a van. the hotel is nice and the broth soup was really good. im not just saying this. im at the pueblo amigo. the hotel is big and has a pretty bathroom. the rooms are more than sufficent. its just a little different here in tj than in the states. were a little spoiled. over all i fe…

I am trying to figure out what I want my goal weight to be. Does anyone have a good resource to determine this? Any recommendations for how to think about this? I realize that I have to be flexible in the end however I do want something to "reach" for. My entire adult life has been either gaining or loosing so I don't really know what is comfrotable for me...

I was picked up from the airport by Dr. Kelly's wife and Anna in their private vehicle. I was met at the Hotel lucerna by Dr. Kelly and his son. He put my mind to ease about the surgery I'm having in the morning. He is a class act. The hotel is amazing. Will put update tomorrow after surgery.

I have my surgery scheduled with Dr Kelly on March 9th. I am not sleeping well and so nervous about how everything will go. I haven't even had the surgery and I'm stressing about the 10 hour journey back home. I really wish I could afford to fly first class! Also, has anyone asked for the anti-nausea patch that they can put behind your ear before surgery? It really helped when I had my gallbladder out. I'm also really worried that they wont have someone skilled enough to place my IV at Florence Hosp. To say I am a hard stick is an understatment. No wonder I cant sleep!lol

There is a lot of stuff flying around about Dr. Kelly.....I am just wondering if anyone who has seen him in the last three months could post and let me know about your experience and how it went? There seems to be a lot of negative stuff being said and/or implied, but I am sure there are lots of positive stories out there as well and would love to hear a few.

Yesterday I went to the LA Free Clinic for my hypothyroidism (MAN, free clinics suck- I had children coughing on me for 3+ hours in a hot waiting room to see the doctor WITH an appointment!). The doctor was immediately concerned about my VSG (performed in November) and wants me to come back for an EKG, bloodwork, liver function, and all sorts of other stuff. Necessary? I've lost 40 lbs in under 4 months. I ask, because I feel like it's fair routine with everyone to get back to their day to day lives (assuming nothing alarming comes up), after they recover. What kind of follow-up care did you have? What seemed necessary to you? I feel great, I have more energy…

I now have my financing and will be able to move foward with my surgery with Dr. Kelly on March 10th! Just so, so happy that this is finally becoming a reality for me! I have already purchased plane tickets and I'm ready to move to the next, healthy stage of my life! Yay me!

How long are you generally in pain after the surgery, and what type of pain meds do they typically put you on, and how much do they give you to bring home? I'm a big baby when it comes to pain, so I'm kind of scared....

Me and two others from Utah are going to Mexico on Friday February 10th to be sleeved by Dr Verboonen. I cannot wait. Getting closer and so excited.