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Best darn decision I ever made. I'm only four days post op...but when I had the band in I was not moving around like this at four days. My band had to come out bc it cracked and was causing lacerations inside me. My doc knew it wasn't working and instead of telling me to go ahead and take it out then played me along Tory to get the insurance to cleared the sleeve. Well they didn't. Two insurance companies latter and four denials, I opted to have surgery in MX. Best damn decision I made. Treatment was better than I had when I was in NJ. Would recommend it to anyone, once you get over the fear of having surgery in MX. I'm from another country and know darn well that they're great surgeons everywhere. Hope all goes well for you. If you need more info you can contact me

I used Alightermeme....and had surgery with Dr. Lopez assisted by Dr.Ortiz. The best part of my experience was knowing I could call Abraham my driver at anytime to sort things our for me. He was very helpful in getting me from the airport (11:34)pm into Tijuana and to the hotel. The next morning he had the paperwork ready for me to fill out nd I as even given priority over patience from other companies. dr. Lopez met with me once and then returned to PV. Surgery went well. I woke up and ws taken to my room. I had nausea for a day and bc I had a band before ws coughing up blood. As they assured me it was normal and would subside in a couple of hrs. I was not so sure. But as the predicted it subsided and I was eventually placed on apple juice. Dr. Ortiz came by the first day and was helpful with question and yes he is handsome but I thought a little insensitive since he came into my room drinking coffee...and it smelled so good too. I wanted to slap him for that one. After 2 days one nightin the hospital which was very clean even by American standards, we got to the hotel. Dr. Ortiz came later hat night to remove my drain. As of now, I'm waiting to return to the states and home to my children. If I have one thing to say about my experience in Tijuana, is I would do it all again. Do I recommended Alighterme and Dr. Lopez/Ortiz, yes. But the best was Abraham. He genuinely knew your concerns and tried to ease any fears you had.

So happy for you and all your success......you look amazing....

Hey, so glad to have met you and jwma.....the outing was good. Lets keep in touch. It's almost like we've become sleeve sisters, having shared the same doctor and similar journeys to MX....

The nausea Seems to have subsided. Resting in my room at the Marriott. Kinda cold but I turned up the heat in the room and I have heating pads. Someone had recommended on this forum and I brought it just in case.....thank God I did. Looking forward to going home to spend some time with my children and husband

So happy you made it home safely.

Surgery with Dr. Lopez so far so good. Lucked out with a great roommate and lots of support from my coordinator. MiDoctor hospital is very, very clean and hospitable. My biggest problem is nausea, but it also has to do with the fact that I'm a revision surgery client. The nurses are really helpful and give m nausea medication frequently, but I try to walk every hr to help with the digestion. The first night I won't lie, I questioned why I did this, but I've got to stay focus on my goals.

I'm in the hotel right now waiting to have surgery and I have to echo everything you said up to surgery ( bc it hasn't happened yet.). When I booked with Alighterme I was concerned bc their prices are extremely reasonable compared to others. Since working with Ronda, Janese, and now Abraham I can't say enough good things about my exp so far. I pray it continues but trust it will. I'm sorry to hear about the other bad or potentially bad experiences. Some may say that seeing everyone going to one Dr. Makes you think that they are great but I cautioned when I saw almost 20 people going to the same Dr. In one thread. Can't say their bad though.

Wow Amanda, I just came to the hotel last night. Praying that all goes well and that you can be safe and sound at home.

So I flew in last night (really last) and arrived in San Deigo at 11:30. My phone was dead and had to wait a couple of minutes to charge it up then I called my driver. The company I'm with picks us up at the airport. He had called me the night before to give me his cell # so I could call when I was in. He was waiting for me in the parking lot. Originally I thought I would have had to get a hotel until pickup the next day but he said he would cross tonight. So we did and it took us a whole 30 minutes. I must say that I traveled to Mexico before but in the south....Tijuana surprised me bc I was told it was old and different. It's not. The Marriott is better than some hotels in NY. I was able to call my husband using Skype in the hotel and now waiting in my room for pickup at 9pm. Two days ago, I found myself crying out of fear if the unknown, today many of my ears are being unfounded and that feels great. Knowing my husband is 250% behind me as he says with this surgery reassures me I'm doing the right thing. All surgeries have risks and complications and I'd be stupid o think otherwise.....but that is also true if I were having it in NY....so...so far so good....will keep updating.

I'm a lover of many different types if ethnic foods. I was wondering I anyone has problems with any types in particular or just can't handle them at all....this would be a real bummer for me since I'm due to have surgery on march 22...

So this morning I confirmed something I was suspecting. My friend and I were both banded in 2008 and both had to have it removed. Hers was done immediately in August of 2012 but my insurance denied me bc of low BMI. Recently I found out I was denied again and went about getting an appointment with a surgeon in MX. Only my husband knew. I really didnt want to tell anyone else but found myself telling her bc I needed a ride to the airport (my husband will be at work). I was shocked at her response. She thinks I'm doing it too quickly....werent we in it together last yr. Now she has moved on with loosing 100lbs and Im really happy for her bc its making her healthier. But shouldnt I get the same kind of support. I told my husband and we've agreed for me to just drive myself and he'll pick up the car. I wonder how many more friends I'm going to loose in this process.

I had an appointment with her but cancelled. She came highly recommended by my regular doctor who was the head of his department at Columbia Pres in NY, she also works out of there. Everyone is different but it does make a difference you know someone else that have used that surgeon. Good Luck. P.S. I was rejected by the insurance company thats why I ended up with a different surgeon.....

Prays for strenght and guiding hands......good luck.

Amanda I'm so happy you finally made the decision and acted on it. From experience I know it was probably a mind blowing, second guessing ourselves decision. Have fun, relax and my prayers are with you.

My friend and I were banded in 2008 at the same time....it didn't work for both of us but bc I started with a lower BMI my ins rejected me....Ironically, she was sleeved already in NY and things have taken on a different role. When I talked to her about MX she just couldn't or didn't wan to understand. No one but my husband knows what I'm doing and I like it like that

Me too.....I'm heading down on Thursday night....can't wait

In fact, I have some clothes I bought "for when I lose weight" that still have tags on them. Omg....I have a whole section of my closet dedicated to these....I can't wait to get into them

Good luck with your approvals...I pray it works out better for you guys

Thanks a lot guys, but I was rejected by the ins comp again. They said I could appeal but I've been on this journey a full yr now since I found out something was wrong with my band. Since having it removed I've gained all the weight back and these ins comp want to play with my life. I've already scheduled to have surgery in MX on March 22. As God would have it it's even earlier than when my NJ surgeon could have done it. I truly can wait. I'm not apprehensive about having surgery abroad because there are great doctors all over this world. Can't wait to start my new life....I'll keep you posted

How ironic I just bought that tonight....I'm trying it in the morning....I think I will bc I love me some PB

Thank you all for you supportive words and gestures of kindness in meeting up in MX. I have made my decision my decision t be sleeved in MX and have contacted several agencies. I think I'll feel more comfortable in Tijuana. I can't wait to be on the other side. The only downside is that now I have to wait all the way until July first. As a teacher I have a small window to do the surgery and originally wanted to have it done during spring break. Alast, now my husband can't get off and he really wants to go with me. I WILL get this done for no one but myself. P.S: I was banded in 2008 and originally lost close to 80 lbs. unfortunately my band cracked and caused internal damage. Because my insurance carry felt I had lost sufficient weight they originally denied. Several months later i got married and changed insurance company. After gaining back most of the weight after the band was removed in October, they rejected my claim again. Now I'm close to the BMI I started with 37. But I won't give up hope. I'll be in Martha's Vineyard for August and byglolly I will be in a size. 12.....right now I'm comfortably in an 18. The insurance company said I wasn't above 40 BMI and or 35 with comorbidities. Both my sisters have diabetes and are insulin. My mother has high blood pressure and hypertension. But thats not enough. I refuse to have those develop.

Congratulations.....yeah!!!!