Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I'm scheduled for surgery w/Dr. Almanza Aug. 3rd. Does anybody know or plan to follow up (post op care) with a local physician? I don't know if I should call my family care practitioner when I get back to the States. Thanks~

I have been waiting for awhile to have a phone consultation with Dr. Kelly and haven't been able to get in touch with him. My surgery is scheduled for this coming Thursday and I'm starting to freak out a little. To the patients who have gone to him, did you do a phone consultation? Did it help calm your nerves?

Anyone else going to be in Mexico on or around the 25th? After switching Drs (and then the date) I am anxiously awaiting to get sleeved. I am making this journey alone, so i was hoping to get in touch with someone else who will also be there! I am having the surgery at Mi Doctor Hospital .... has anyone been there? I have attempted NUMEROUS times to find any reviews or experiences from this hospital and cannot seem to locate anything!

Hi, The time has finally come! Seems like yesterday I was on here asking if you guys were real. Well I will find out soon enough LOL Arrived in San Diego last night. It was only 61 degrees. It was a 100 at home. Nina had arranged for us to stay at the Holiday Inn Old Town. It is only 89.00 a night if you get it through them. My view this morning is a 10 lane freeway and a barbwire fence, but the hotel itself is nice and I didn't even notice the traffic sound. They serve a full complimentary Breakfast,it looked really good, but I am nothing by mouth after 7am so no breakfast, plus I have never been much of a breakfast eater. I will post tonight about how the p…

Anyone going the Dr Aceves the end of July?

I am a stay home mom of 3 toddlers ages 5, 3 1/2, 2 1/2. Any ideas that could help me explain to them my 5 day disappearing. My concern is my middle one since he always requests mommy cuddles, even after daddy reads bedtime story.

So many of you are newbies and have just had WLS or you are sitting out there thinking about having it. I used to be one of you. I had my sleeve surgery done on Oct 21, 2008. After 6 months of research and asking a lot of question from tons of people on different boards and checking on the Internet, I made the choice to have Dr. Aceves do my surgery. So if you ask me who would I have do surgery, I will honestly admit he is the “top of the line doctor.” Yes, I am very prejudice about him. This is the only thing I have to judge by. I had excellent care in a top of the line hospital by and extremely skilled group of doctors and nurses. I saw 2 doctors 3 times a day wh…

After talking to Aetna today, I am probably looking at self pay. My doctor includes the Blis after care program in his self pay price. I called Blis and they do offer loans for self pay patients. I am wondering if anyone here has used them for self pay and and was it a good or bad experience? Khy

Hi Everyone, 4 more days I will be in Mexicali!! Seems like just yesterday I was on here asking if you people were real!! LOL Sure hope you all are : ) cause I got my cashier's check today. Okay any of Dr. Aceves patient's know if the tv's at Almater hospital can play game systems? My partner wants to bring hers so she will have something to do. Thanks Cathi

Hi, I am re-posting to see if anyone else is having surgery with Dr. Kelly on the 18th. I am excited about going but it would be great to have someone else going at the same time frame.

Is anyone else having trouble reaching trish by phone or email?

http://www.ibariatric.com/42G_Protein_Bullet_p/pb42.htm I read about these on a different board, has anyone ever tried them? I went to the web site and it says 42 grams in 3 ounces. Surely I could gag that down LOL Cathi

Hi, Am getting sleeved July 13 with Dr. Aceves. My partner will be accompanying me. Anyone else been there with a partner? I thought I read a post on here somewhere where a woman mentioned her partner and I think she was also sleeved by Dr. Aceves. Anything we should be concerned about? Thanks Cathi

Seriously considering surgery in mexico but i need to hear back from more people and hear about your experiences. I have to self pay and 5500 is alot more affordable than 12000. So please tell me what doctors you used how you came across the information, Please and thanks.

After reading YellowRoses' Grand Adventure, I was sort of surprised at the 3 hour border crossing. I am wondering if that was a time of day, a long weekend thing, or if that is standard. What's your experience been like?

I've seen two different websites for the mexico doctors does it matter which one you go with? I've gone with sucessfullyslimmer and am working with christi because she answered my questions right away.....just waiting to have the cash for the surgery.....wish I did right now i would do it asap...so I coups be slimmer for my upcoming cruise in october :-)

I would've totally scheduled my surgery by now.. and now i just wait... you would think a hard workin mom of 4+2 step kido's that has two jobs would be having this issue.. i'm so ready to start my journey.. i hate this waiting crap.. My dad is possibly going to loan me the money but it may not be for awhile... and you know I contemplated selling my grandmothers ring she gave me bless her soul she died last april of cancer. My dad said if i ever feel like i want to sell it he would loan me the money but he's being slow about it... You know it's funny i think my grandma gave it to me just in case i needed money for something.. because it only reminds me of her because …

Hi... Looking for a sleeve sister ... Hopefully you're in the pre operation stage like I am and would prefer not to be in Mexico alone... I plan to have my surgery with Dr Kelly. And I'm hoping to be scheduled sometime in mid to late July. I'm just waiting on my passport to come back... Really looking forward to a brighter future and thinner me!!!

My mom is concerned... The U.S. hospitals include "after care". Mom is concerned that my insurance won't cover anything at home in the event something went wrong. I'm thinking, What?? They cannot refuse service to uninsured people. Seriously? Of course, I don't know if calling them and asking them is wise. No doubt I'd have some sort of red flag in my file hahahaha (am I just sure the insurance companeis are out to mess with people?) Anyway, I will easily get a referral to a nutritionist BEFORE I go have surgery...then it's not "pre-existing" lol as if I got this fat overnight. But does anyone have thoughts on post-op follow-up care>? Don't they just…

Hi Everyone, Right now we have all been celebrating today because it is the 4th of July. This is a day we honor and Celebrate being able to have our freedom. We are so very lucky that we live in a country where we do have a lot of choices. This form is a form for people who are going to be paying for their own surgery and thinking about going to Mexico. For so many of us our insurance will NOT pay for it so that is why we are paying for it--how ever we can figure out a way to do it. Away I am glad that my insurance did not pay--I know that sounds strange to even type it. I would have never found a great group of people for support and made so many life long f…

Hi, I am brand new to these boards. I have been researching, reading all the boards and watching youtube videos of people's experiences of having the vertical sleeve done in Mexico. The youtube videos all look professionally done. I have not found one negative post, well one where a woman complained they didn't give her any jello! So now I am beginning to wonder if it is all one big scam. That the posters on here are hired by the facilities to promote the surgery. I have talked by phone to a patient coordinator Sandy, of Dr. Ramous-Kelly in Tijuana. I am tentatively scheduled for July 12 th, but my family is having fits. The forms the office sent me to fill ou…

I'm thinking about going to Mexico for a revision, Band to Sleeve, if things don't work out insurance wise. I'm wondering how hard it was to get on a plane and fly home post op? Sounds pretty awful. Which doctors are the most experienced in revisions? Also, how long did it take once you made the decision to get in for surgery?

OK, this may be elementary but I cannot find hide nor hair of an answer on the USGOV website (keeping commentary to self here...) To get an expedited passport, I need to prove travel within 14 days. I'm not flying to Mexico and last I checked, you don't need a passport to enter California. Will I have to show a surgery schedule date? Anyone know? And IF I have to show travel to San Diego for good faith, does anyone know if an e-ticket will work or do I have to go get a hard copy? lol details details I figure if I carry my birth certificate and drivers license with me, legally I'm good...but...I really do want to come home! hahahahaha Thanks in advance!

Well today I booked my flight for Mexico! I am arriving Monday evening July 11th about 8pm. Was suppose to have surgery on Tuesday. Nina wrote me back and said I needed to be there before 11am the day BEFORE surgery for testing, so now it looks like I won't be able to have it until Wednesday. I went back and read through the patient guide and sure shootin its right there in black and white several times. It would cost several hundred dollars to change my tickets so looks like July 13th instead of 12th. Oh thats one month from today! Anyway I highly recommend people double checking before booking flightd as to their paticular doctors rrequirements. Anyone else goin…

Hi, Am wondering who else is going to be having surgery around the time I am. Nina mentioned three people were having it the 12th. I messed up my flight and am having mine the 13th but figure our paths will cross. Hoping to make some friends before the big day. Cathi

Little over two weeks and I am heading to Mexico, still hoping to meet some others who will be there at the same time! Anyone else going to be there? Cathi

Hi, Have you been doing what I used to do? I sat on these boards--as a matter of fact 3 different boards and read everything I could read about Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) trying to make up my mind should I or can I just do another diet and exercise more. I called it "lurking." because I never posted anything, Well, WLS was my answer and it was almost 3 years ago and 105 pounds ago. It was the best choice I have ever made in my entire life. If you are sitting there trying to make up your mind and you are a self pay and Mexico is your choice please stop and read a few things and think about a few things. 1. When it comes to WLS you want the best and it is …

Hey Everyone, Just a thought. You may have heard the saying “What I do today is important because I’m trading a day of my life for it.” But have you ever really thought about what is means? It’s probably impossible to plan every 1,440 minutes of the day. But, give it a little thought. What can you do part of that time to make your life happy, healthy and how can you benefit from your choices? Life is short and so make the most of the day that you are trading of your life for. We all stumble and fall along the way, don’t beat yourself up over it. Move on and have a better day the next day.

I'm going to Dr. Kelly on the 7th and my surgery is on the 8th. I'm suppose to be home by the 12th. I have a couple July 13th buddies but it would be great to have someone going the same time I am. I wish everyone luck on their surgeries and can't wait to here the updates. I'm so excited. I literally can't stop thinking about getting sleeved. It even dream about it when i sleep. I'm an addict.

Where do you have your stitches removed? Primary care?

i had my surgery with dr aceves in mexicali front of the hospital almater, the hospital was very modern and clean (i work in hospitals and didn't find anything to complain about.) this was my room another view of the room

Hi, I haven't been to Mexico in years. Back in the day it was recommended you not drink the Water. Is that still true today? If so did anyone get sick from the post surgery ice chips? Thanks, Cathi

After doing A LOT of investigating, I have learned different doctors do the sleeve (or the pouch they create) differently. For instance, I understand Dr. Rodriguez does one called the french bougie--a smaller sleeve to restrict more. Also learned the best staples are J& J and Covidian. I would have never thought to ask these kinds of questions-- Is there anything we should know or ask????? My husband & I are really trying to decide between a few doctors and this is a very hard decision. We keep going back and forth. Can anyone tell me anything to sway me between Dr. Kelly, Dr. Rodriguez and we really think Dr. Aceves or Dr. Ortiz would be awesome, but they ar…

I just wanted to say that I am so happy there is a Mexico forum now!!! I was hoping for one since I joined!

I'm new here, but have learned tons from all of you. It's great coming to this forum when people around here have never even heard of the sleeve. After much research, I scheduled my surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali for June 14th. My hubby will be traveling with me. Most of my fears are completely irrational. Like....I'm more nervous about flying and crossing the border than the surgery itself. Crazy, huh?! I love hearing of all of your wonderful Mexico experienes. Loving the Mexico sub-forum. Woohoo!

Why Im I hungry all the time? six days post. Marla

Hi, I am off to Tijuana from Texas as it is verrry affordable, infact it is $2k more expensive in piedras negras for the lapband and/or the sleeve...I really have not decided which way to go, lap band vs sleeve..I see that many people on this forum have already had the lap band and are switching over...since i do not have insurance cost is a big thing..heeeeellllppp any advice which to go for would be appreciated