Krista

It's so great to hear that you're feeling better! I hope the trip home goes great for you as well We leave in less than 48 hours, I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that in just a couple of days, this will finally be done! Keep us updated on how you're doing!

Congrats Holly, it sounds like you're doing great! I'm heading out on Wednesday and will be having surgery with Dr. Ponce on Thursday morning. I'm so, so, SO nervous! To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm more nervous about being on a plane for the first time, having major surgery for the first time, or the post op diet. It will be worth it in the long run though. Keep us updated on how you're doing!

Thanks so much for posting this! I'm heading to Mexico for surgery on Thursday, I hope things go as smoothly as they did for you!

Less than two weeks, actually! I just started emailing with Trish early last week. She's awesome

Good luck to you too, hopefully see you at the hotel! If you're up to it, you should join us for a bowl of broth

A week from today is the big day! I chose to go with Dr. Ponce De Leon after hearing about the wonderful job he does and the care provided. Trish has been awesome to work with, and I will have a sleeve buddy, BeautyVSGJourney! I'm so, so excited, but so, so nervous. It will be worth it to be free from the back/joint pain (or at least reduced pain!) and what I am looking forward to the most is being able to ride my horses again. I bought a young horse a couple of years ago and have always had someone else ride him since I was too heavy (although I did ride a few times last spring and got left in the dirt resulting in a bruised kidney, but that's a story for another day, haha!) I'm also looking forward to being able to run. Not jogging or competitive running or anything like that, but just to run if I need or want to. I haven't been able to do that in years! I think my first goal is to walk up the hill up the road from my house. There is a dirt road that I enjoy walking, but I always have to turn around before I get to this long, steep hill, so my first goal is to make it to the top. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated and post a link to the pictures, hubby is a big photography fan so I'm sure there will be many!

Good luck on Thursday!!

Sounds like a plan! Good luck to you as well!

Thank you so much for your thoughts, opinions, and experiences everyone! I'm happy to say that I'm having surgery with Dr. Ponce DeLeon on May 10th, and will be meeting up with BeautyVGSJourney! Trish has been wonderful and so helpful and I can't wait to meet both her and BeautyVGSJourney. I can't believe it's happening so fast, but I'm so excited to finally be having this done after years of thinking, planning, and waiting. I can't wait to get on with the rest of my life! Almost forgot! Cynthia, I'm not too far from you, just across the puddle on the Island Good luck with your surgery, are you self paying as well? NJSharon, I believe Dr. Kelly has his patients stay at Hotel Lucerna? If so, we will likely be there around the same time. If you're up to it, I'd love to chat with another sleever!

Thank you so much for the contact information, I'll send off an email right now How are you feeling after your surgery?

Hi everyone! My name is Krista, I'm new to the board. I am from the east coast of Canada where the wait time for surgery is 10+ years, so I have made the decision to have surgery in Mexico. I have narrowed it down to two surgeons, Dr. Kelly or Dr. Ponce DeLeon. Both seem very qualified and well respected. I have been keeping up on various message boards, and it sounds as though Dr. Kelly is handling patients himself rather than using a coordinator. I filled out the contact form on his website asking for information, and received an automated reply from A Lighter Me instead of Dr. Kelly. Is he still working with them? He isn't listed as one of the surgeons on their website. Is there an alternate email address where I might be able to contact Dr. Kelly himself to gather more information? Also, I have heard glowing praise for Dr. Ponce De Leon's coordinator, Trish. Would anyone have contact info for her as well? One question I'd like to ask them is how long of a waiting list they have. Is it a matter of weeks or months between booking and the big day (I need to get my passport arranged, so I'm wondering if I should rush it or not) Also, what is included in the $5500 that he charges? Do they arrange my hotel stay after surgery or am I on my own for that? I'll be bringing hubby with me, will he be able to stay with me in the hospital? I think that is it for the questions part of my post. I do have a few concerns as well. I'm confident in both Dr. Kelly and Dr. Ponce De Leon's abilities, but I have never had major surgery before, and have never been on a plane before. My hubby spent the better part of three years in Afghanistan so he's well practiced in air travel and assures me it's no problem, I guess it's just a fear of the unknown. Has anyone else been in the same situation? Thanks in advance for any advice, aside from the butterflies in my tummy, I'm getting super excited! Krista