Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I made it across the country on two planes and two cars to get back home. I will be honest, the travel was tougher than I expected. I sipped my Water and walked on the plane, but I was SO tired the whole time. Once I got home, I started feeling dizzy. I realize that I hadn't had anything to drink the whole last flight because there was no beverage service and I had to rush onto the plane. I was asleep before the wheels left the ground. So now I a home and getting down a little more liquid and going to bed. I will be picking up the baby tomorrow. I'm not hungry which is AMAZING but I am so tired I can barely function.

Hello all, I've find the Star Médica hospital in Juarez for a gastric sleeve with Dr Rodriguez. Did anyone go there who want to share information (i.e. surgery price, how your surgery went, the staff, safety issue, any complication, anything else?) Cheers J

Has anyone heard from her? I think she was scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Aceves yesterday?

I went out to dinner tonight with my family to a Chinese Restaurant. I know not a good choice for food but It was more to be with the family than to eat. As dinner winded down,the conversation turn to my surgery. Mostly negative so I won't repeat the whole conversation. After about 30 minutes defending my decision for WLS, the waitress brought me my fortune cookie and the bill. The fortune cookie read.....Sometimes travel to new places leads to great transformation. 32 days and counting!!!!!:whoo:

Day two was not my favorite day. Day one was more of a breeze because I was still high. Yesterday I was living with the surgery aspect. My pain was managed but not so much that I couldn't function. I got to walk around and did my juice test. It was very nasty. I finished with all positive reviews. I got a sleeping pill last night and was out like a light! Today is much better. I had my fluoroscopy test and passed. It is so neat to see things go through your new tummy. I am having chicken broth and Gatorade. I hope all the other slivers this week are having a great experience.

Hey everyone, Looking to find out how long people have had to wait to get there sleeve done by Dr. Aceves. Does he have a long waiting list, or can you get in pretty quickly? Thanks!

Hey everyone. I got sleeved this morning at about 10 AM Pacific time. I will detail my experience when I am a little less doped up. All the good things I heard are true. Ernesto, Yolanda, Sergio, Dr. campos, Dr Aceves, and all the nurses are wonderful. I have never been treated so well during a medical experience. Heck the last time I got this kind of service I was at Emeril's Restaurant. I am being a total tourist and taking pics of everything. So far I have no complications. I am experiencing nausea any time I sit up straight and walk more than 5 steps. Dr Campos says this is normal for some people and I should be better by morning. Eith I am on super pain p…

Hi, I'm new here and scheduled for a vsg with dr. Almanza on sept 15. Very nervous but VERY ready for this life long struggle to be over. Reading here on the boards I've seen discussions on bougie sizes. Does anyone know what size Dr. Almanza uses? Thanks

Everything is just as you all said it would be. I have passed my pre op tests and I will have surgery tomorrow. The hotel is beautiful. Ernesto was great. I am so lonely. I thought there would be a couple of others in the van or in the hospital but I was the only one on the van and I am the only one scheduled for surgery tomorrow. I feel like I am doing this all by myself and my confidence is fading fast. I am just now eating something so I am fighting a headache. I have this fear that I will be walking the halls alone tomorrow.

I am heading out to meet Ernesto in a minute but I wanted to say thank you so much to all of you that helped me get through my nerves yesterday. After a pep talk in the shower this morning and a good night of rest, I am feeling much better. I am ready to start my journey and will see you all in the Sleevy Club in a few hours.

Hi, You have been so helpful on these boards, is it okay if I ask you a couple of specific questions? I graduated to mushies this week and I seem to be having difficulty tolerating it. Creamy Soups seem ok. In addition I have tried a little chicken all mushed up with a little gravy. I've been measuring it and eating 2 ounces. I have also tried scrambled eggs twice with a little cheese. Thats what I had tonight and I feel like I've eaten an entire chicken. It feels like it is all the way up in my throat. I didn't measure the egg, assuming 1 egg couldn't have been more then 2 ounces, maybe I was wrong. I've been eating 2 ounces of Soup or chicken at lunch and the…

Has anyone used Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez? I've been scouring the internet trying to find surgeons in Mexico that work with finance companies. I've been denied by them all, but I found that Dr. Rodriguez has In House Financing for those that have been denied before (a large down payment required.) I called and the scheduler said that she would get back with me on Monday or Tuesday to let me know if I was accepted or denied. His resume looks impressive and the hospital looks nice. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with him. Thanks for any info you can give me!

Hello, I'm getting SCARED.. Lemme tell ya. It's starting to sink in. Did anyone bring their laptop to Dr. Ramos- Kelly's facility? Do they have WIFI? Or did you just have your WIFI card? I know mine won't work down there... Thanks!

I was denied health insurance because of my weight and the only insurance I could find was far too high for me to pay. ($630 / mth) I am otherwise healthy. I will be traveling to Jerusalem hospital next month for the gastric sleeve. After I loose the weight I would like to find some medical insurance but I don't know if I should mention it or not. I'm thinking they will not let me get insurance if I tell them. Also I'm sure if they do they will exclude anything related to it. Anyone have any insight into this?

I will be having revision surgery in Oct. With Dr. Aceves. I wasn't working when I got the lapband three years ago, so this wasn't an issue. My co-workers know that I am having surgery, but not the details. I've been told that my surgeon will need to clear me to return to work with a letter. I don't want to reveal what type of surgery I had or explain why I had it in Mexico (I work at a US hospital!) Did any of you have this dilemma and how did you deal with it? Thanks.

I am only a few days away from surgery so to fight my anxiety, I am doing research (some of it over and over again). I finally watched the actual surgery video on the MBC website. Great Googly Moos! I was holding my breath through the whole thing. No wonder we are so sore afterwards! Has anyone else watched it? I was fascinated and grossed out all at once. For some reason I now really want a picture of what they take out of me. I keep imagining it is going to be HUGE and it will probably be the size of a golfball and completely overrated. HDub

My big fat journey starts tomorrow! Well officially not until really early Monday morning, but I am dropping the baby off tomorrow night. - I have everything squared away at work. They won't see me again until next Monday. - I have called the credit card companies and let them know I will be making purchases in Sexy Mexi. - I have bought all my post-op home supplies: GasX, liquid Tylenol, a counter full of vitamins and minerals, lots o' protein (Isopure clear and Isopure and Unjury creamy), a family pack of sugar free jello cups, boxes of sugar free pudding, lots o' different clear broth, 6 boxes of Almond Milk, 4 powerade zero bottles, a grocery cart full of s…

Hi everyone - It's been one week today since I had my VSG with Dr. Kelly.. Thank you all for your encouragement and support - I woke up!! Recovery for me went well, I didn't vomit nor was i very nauseated. My friend had the opposite experience, I felt bad for her. The overall experience was very good. The team at the hospital were fantastic, they truly have some excellent nurses there. The after care when we went to the hotel was awe striking. Not ever has my doctor come to see how I was doing and he did that all three days. We were fortunate enough to also meet his family as well as meet and speak to Dr. Romero for a while. Since I've been home I'm doing ok an…

I am going to see Dr. Aceves on the 16th. I keep hearing that people took Tylenol for pain after their surgery (maybe when they got home?). When I leave the hospital, will I be able to handle swallowing a pill or should I try to get the liquid tylenol? Also, where did you find the GasX strips? I was in Target today and they had every possible kind of GasX EXCEPT the strips. Thanks! HDub

I am paying for my own surgery with Dr David Kim on 8/22. My BMI is just slightly too low to qualify me for insurance and in any event I would not want the Lap Band or bypass that they would pay for. I considered Mexico but at the time I made my decision I had not been on this board - otherwise I probably would have gone with Dr Aceves. My total cost is $12,300 - the only extra was paying for my EKG as that was required a few weeks in advance. Plus $400 flight and 4 night hotel stay in Dallas. Dang, I wish I'd known in advance about the good options available in MX!!!!

I have recently been doing a lot of research on different Coordinators and have read a ton of posts about their deal. Why is there so much animosity between these folks? I was working with one gal and fell in love with her. She answere dmy questions quickly and helped me tremendously. Than I deal with the actual Doctor's coordinator and feel slightly dissapointed! I get none of my questions answered and actually feel scolded when I dont understand what they mean and have to ask again. I shouldn't feel this way as I'm the one paying for services. I was told b they the Dr's assistant to ignore the other coordinators as they knew nothing about what they were doing! I'm s con…

Okay... I NEED HELP!! I am taking one Prevacid in the morning 7am, and one Prevacid in the evening, 7pm. It does not seem to be working. Sometimes I cannot take a deep breath because the pain is there. At night, my chest will really hurt sometimes. I started trying to take GasX and Tums inbetween times, and maybe it helps a little. I am TRYING to find a doctor who can help me get this lined out but that is proving VERY difficult. WHAT ARE YOU TAKING? How often?

I am in the hotel right now, (absolutely gorgeous!!), and will be getting sleeved tomorrow by Dr. Aceves! Had the pre-ops done today...rather hurried and didn't like how we had to walk around in hospital gown....but overall good. The anesthesiologist said he was going to put some kind of pain killer in my spine, which really freaks me out!! Anyone else have that happen? I think he said it was for the pain after the surgery, not during it.....Anyway, would appreciate any and all prayers and good wishes! See y'all on the losers bench!!!

I am looking for anyone who has use this dr good or bad, i would like your input on a Dr. Jaimie Ponce DeLeon at the INT Hospital in Zona Rio area of Tijuana Mexico? I am considering him to do my VSG and would like to more info and opinions from others on him and the hospital too. Thanks Dr. Jaimie Ponce DeLeon at the INT Hospital in Tijuana Mexico?

Hi Everyone,:kiss: Why do I always post a lot on this site? I have such a passion about the success that I had after having weight loss surgery with Dr. Aceves and his staff. My entire life changed. I had the most wonderful support from so many people on this board when I was first starting out and was “just thinking” about what kind of weight loss surgery I wanted. Then once I was sure I was going to do it and that I wanted a sleeve, came my thousands of questions. Now these people were so patient with me and ALL my questions—trust me I had a lot of them. They really helped me educated myself. They were there when I had opposition from my own family and enco…

Many have said they received a post-op "bible" with all their post op info from their physician b4 heading home. Does Dr. Aceves also give these out? I am interested in being as informed as humanly possible about my post-op life BEFORE I have the surgery. If he does do this is there anyone willing to scan the pages (or clear pics would work too, I have software that can enlarge things without harming the integrity provided they are clear shots and this may even be easier for you) and e-mail them to me so I can read them? If so please PM me and I will give you my e-mail addy. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone - I am new to this website although I have been reviewing it for a while now. My friend and I are going for our VSG on Saturday - yes three days away with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana Mexico. While my friend is excited, I'm nervous and have anxiety! I want to be sure I wake up. I know it may sound silly and I need reassurance that all will go well. I have not told ANYONE in my family as I feel that will just add to the stress and know they will tell me I look fine. I carry weight well although, I want 50-60 pounds gone forever! I'm excited for the end results, I guess just getting there is a little daunting. Any thoughts, insights that you can give me, is…

I'm going to see Dr. Aceves to get sleeved on August 16th! I fly in on the 15th! :clap2: Is anyone going to be there with me? I am going to be alllll byyyyy myseeeeelf.

Hey everyone. I was recently denied by my insurance and so now I am trying to research all of my options. If you don't mind sharing, what did going to Mexico and having the surgery there in the very end cost you, all together (passport, flight, stay, everything!). The cost of my surgery here without insurance is something around 14 or 15k. What would I look to spend going to Mexico, in money and time? (ie: getting a passport, how long did it take to get one?) All stories and advice are welcome... Thanks so much! <3 Caitlyn

I had a few firsts today. - My first Debbie Downer experience. I am trying to keep this as quiet as possible because of the stigma attached. I felt comfortable telling one close friend (because she may be watching the baby while I am gone). I have to admit that I thought for sure she would be excited because she has relatives in Mexico. Well, you know what happens when you assume. She was Debbie Downer! I gave her all the reasons and research and she still wasn't picking up what I was putting down. Sigh...oh well. - I had my first "doh!" moment today. I mistakenly read the finance company as Care Credit instead of CosmetiCredit. I got approved for Care Credit…

I have a couple of questions. The patient information guide for Dr. Aceves says that I should refrain from lifting heavy objects for 3 months. I have a two-year old daughter who is 26 lbs. I am a single mother, so it is usually just the two of us. Does anyone have an idea when I should be able to pick her up to help her into her car seat or her high chair?<br style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">The booklet also says that I can get Nexxium in Mexico. Is it possible to cross the border with 6 months of Nexxium? I have to admit that I made myself laugh thinking I could get stopped at the border for trying to get too much acid relief back into the US! Once I st…

Just looking to get to know some people who will be there before I go. Kind of scared really.

Well, I'm not sure where to start. I have been lurking for quite some time and now I am coming out of the shadows. I have known for over a year that I wanted WLS but never thought I would be able to do it. I thought I would be miserable for the rest of my life. I am at my highest lifetime weight and it is seriously impacting my quality of life. I can't walk for more than 5 minutes without my back screaming at me. My knees are constantly aching as is my left hip. I have a 2-year old daughter that I want to play with and take on walks, and I feel like I am only partly in the game. A dear friend of mine lost her mother earlier this year. After the funeral she sat me…

I was reading a blog that someone posted to someone else. I was nodding along, reading and agreeing with everything that was mentioned... then I saw this: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/2010/03/researching-mexican-or-us-sleeve.html I have never heard of this for weight loss surgery! I know they tend to do it for b4/after plastic procedures but WLS??? Aceves doesn't do this does he? I am a VERY modest person. I can't even stand to have cleavage showing in public! This is something I absolutely WILL NOT DO! For ANY surgeon. Please tell me Aceves does not require this!!?? If he does I need to start looking for another surgeon!!

Hi Everyone, Did you every stop and think “you really do get what you pay for.” Yes I know that there are a lot of different prices when it comes to Weight Loss Surgery. If you are a self-pay patient people look at going outside the US—it just cost a lot less and for many Mexico is the first place they may look. All you have to do is look around on the internet. So ask yourself why are their prices lower for so many doctors in Mexico? What I am going to talk about are some of my concerns about WLS in Mexico—and yes I went to Mexico myself. Here are some of the things I have learned while doing my research into doctors and hospitals or clinics. 1. …

Ok--dear ol' hubby is kinda freaking me out! He said there have been a lot of deaths at the border lately, and that it is not safe to cross due to the drug cartels....I am crossing into Mexicali--is it safe? Trying to relieve hubby's fears--any help? Thanks!

Hi Everyone, If you are going outside of the US for your surgery there are some things to consider. Is it safe to cross the Border to get to the city where you are going? This is a great site to get a lot of information. Spend some time reading all the good information they have to offer us. http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html The other thing you should consider is if you are going to be using your Credit or Debit cards, make sure you call your banks and let them know the dates that you will be outside of the US and what countries you plan on traveling to. If you don’t do this they may block your charges thinking your card may be stolen. For so many of …

I am just beginning this journey but I was wondering, for those who have been down this path, how long does it take to apply, get financing (self-pay), set a date for surgery, and have surgery from start to finish? I know this is difficult because of the possible delays along the way but I am just trying to get an idea. Thank you.

What are my fellow Mexico sleever's doing or plan on doing for your follow up care? I initally thought that I could go to my PCP for follow up as needed. Then I found a local baratric physician (who's self pay cost is $16,000) who is willing to do any follow up care for me. He charges a $1,000 "program fee" and then every office visit would cost $75 (unless my insurance pays for it, which I doubt). What should I do? Any advice....

So, I finally made it to Tj. My initial flight out of my hometown was delayed due to storms... so I ended up missing my connecting flight to SD. I ended up having to stay in a hotel and flying in the next morning. Right now I am just waiting on my turn to get sleeved! He has finished one patient, and is back with someone now. Trish came in and told me I should be expected back between 530 and 7... my nerves are going haywire I think the hardest thing so far is being without my kids. I cried when they dropped me off at the airport, I cried once I was alone in my hotel room, amd then i cried again this morning. I am a stay at home mom... so this is the longest I have…

OK.. so I am going for surgery with a friend in less than two weeks.. she would like to speak to someone directly on the phone that has had sleeve surgery with Dr. Kelly . If you can message me privately I will give her your number and she can call you... Her computer isn't working so I am helping her out with this. I am settled with my decision but she would love to actually speak to a real person.. can't say I blame her Thanks so much in advance.

This question has likely been asked a lot however I am new to this and feel I should ask it myself in search of a specific answer... Dr. Aceves or Dr. Kelly? My specific questions are... 1. Does Dr. Kelly work out of a clinic or an actual hospital? It says you stay 2 days in hospital and 1 in hotel.. is that correct? 2. Does Dr. Kelly do the surgery himself of could it be one of his team and not him? 3. How many leak tests does Dr. Kelly do before you leave for home? 4. How long does it take to get from the border to the Hospital as I am nervous of Mexico. I live in a small city in Canada and you can pretty much live with your house and car door unlocked with NO f…

I am having surgery in Mexico on July 30th with Dr Almanzo... I am getting more and more anxious, nervous, or even scared I guess... Would love to hear about your experiences... Will anyone be there the same time?... Thanks for listening. Tammy

I know there are different methods of surgery by different doctors. Has anyone heard of pin holes in stomach due to oversew? What is the difference between glue and manual stitch?

My friend and I are scheduled for surgery on August 2nd with Dr. Verboonen. We will stay two nights in hospital/surgery center and then one night at the Lucerna. My question is about follow up. Did any of you go back to Mexico for follow-up? I never even considered this. I just assumed the stitches would be removed before we left Mexico along with the swollow test and leak test. Someone on another forum really made it sound like you're crazy if you don't have ongoing follow up after the surgery. I don't have any plans for continuing follow-up with my surgeon other than email and telephone communication if I have questions. I certainly can't take more time off work (or ext…

Hello. I am considering getting a VSG with Dr. Aceves in Mexico....am new here and have found some info on him, but nothing recent...I am trying to schedule a date around the end of July...anyone else going around that time? Have some tips/encouraging advice for me? I had the Lap-Band put in by Dr. Ortiz--was great--but the band slipped, so now I have wasted about $8,000, (because-of course-I gained all the weight back plus some!) so I am leery about this procedure. I think it is better because of no chance of slippage, but if anyone is willing, who has gone to Dr. Aceves, to give me a little "push" I would appreciate it!!!

Hi Everyone, What motivates us to have weight loss surgery? I think first it has to be ourselves. How many times have you tried a diet to end up either failing or regaining the weight back???? For me I had to really want to lose the weight and like so many I think I looked at weight loss surgery as my very last chance to make it work. And in the back of my mind I thought “what if I am the one person this will not work on?” I bet you have thought all these same things too. After so many other failures at weight loss in my life I wasn’t sure this was going to be my answer but I was hoping it would be. What I know now 3 years later is that I am the person tha…

My friend and I are going for surgery with Dr. Kelly on August 6th. My question is.. do we have to stay at the Lucerna hotel for two days after the two day hospital stay or can we just stay one night at the hotel? Is two better and do most people stay the two in hotel? Thanks... just need to know for flight return times. Also.. is the hotel far from the hospital if we have problems? That's all.. thanks! Julia

So, I am still trying to get insurance to cover me..but I realize there is a chance that they will not. I have been researching doctors in Mexico for a while now and am interested in your opinion. Originally I had made up my mind to go to Dr Alvarez in the event that insurance does not work out, but now I am realizing there are many doctors that charge less than might be just as competent. I want your opinion of them all, or even any rumors you heard...because I know there is always some basis for rumors. TY =)

Ok, so I am still considering Mexico a very viable option and one which I will probably stick with because I am not finding ANYTHING and the states that I will be able to afford w/in the next 2 years where I feel totally comfortable with the information I have gathered on the physician like I do with Aceves. So, while I continue to search the US, the possibility of getting sleeved in the states is fading fast just like it did the first time I looked into it and I am looking for ways to shave several hundred off our travel costs. I have been looking into alternate forms of transportation. Taking a bus costs more than my other option and I have taken one b4, and now looke…