gibson_girl

I understand your struggles. I hit my all time low weight and over a pregnancy and 3 years I put back on 160 lbs. When I first heard about surgery in Tijuana I was like NEVER. But I found a surgeon who trained on the states, has 7,000 surgeries, and is a member of the prestigious FACS and the American College of Bariatrics. His credentials were so much better than surgeons charging 3 times as much in the states. I was scared but hooked. This is day number 3 sitting at the fabulous Lucerna and very happy with my treatment with Dr Kelly, his staff and the Oasis/Florence hospital. Top notch. Good luck. I wasn't prepared to wait and be scrutinized and turned down by insurance or still pay a huge deductible. I paid $5500 plus plane tickets (better perks booking with Dr directly). God bless you in your journey.

Before sitting my fat a.....thanks a lot. I'm sitting here post op and I didn't want a deep belly laugh I just hoped the flight wasn't full. People could clearly see that I was encroaching on the seat next to me and my mom was by the window. Oddly enough no one sat in the middle :/ This is Southwest with the festival seating

I knew from the beginning I didn't want to work with a large coordinating company and I wanted a surgeon with tons of experience and American credentials (FACS, American College of Bariatrics). Dr Kelly was the first one suggested with this profile and I researched him and kept coming back to him. I think if it wasn't Dr Kelly I would have chosen Dr Aceves but what hooked me was he trained completely in the states and has the most experience I could find and is 3,000 cheaper. 2 days out I feel I made the right decision. I'll certainly keep updating so you'll know how everything goes while I am here and after.

I think that posts like that shouldn't even be allowed. Pure ignorance. He just did my surgery and he is a bright, healthy, very well kept man. Working in the medical field I've seen my fair share of drug users. Your accusations disgust me. I have no vested interest with the exception that I have been treated very, very well from airport pickup on time until now (I'm about to get 2nd leak test then to hotel). I sincerely hope no one believes this greedy, evil gossip. There are plenty of surgeons that I would have gladly went to, but I'm very happy with my choice and think everyone should keep him on their short list when deciding.

Just WOW! First, how do you know Dr Lopez has never lost a patient? How do you know his complication rate? Most importantly why would you say Dr Kelly is on drugs? Most surgeons in the US operate at ONE hospital. Why would Dr Kelly need to operate at 5 hospitals? I'm actually at Florence/Oasis as we speak. He also operates at Mi Doctor. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Shows how different we all are, mine is much better while standing haha. I'll be happy to get to the hotel tomorrow, the hospital is very nice but the Lucerna sounds great.

Ok, I'm one day post op with Dr Kelly and I know tomorrow I'll have a leak test at a different hospital. The thought of me swallowing anything but water, even something yummy, sounds awful. How much stuff do you need to drink for the test?

That sounds cool! My pain has been managed with IV NSAIDS because I don't want anymore nausea and I'm feeling good. Yes, now that's it over it's nothing to worry about. I've been annoyed by burps that don't want to come out, but the pain waves from them have been few and far between. I'm not a tiny bit hungry. I hope to get some appetite by tomorrow for some soup:)

I'm worried too. I fly home Friday into Pittsburgh with only a 40 minute layover in Baltimore.

How cool. That's worth looking into. I also had major nausea after my csection. It's just now about 24 hours and I have very little, but they are quick and generous with the Zofran when I need it. Dr Kelly stopped in to check on me again last night after checking on me post op. He ordered it as often as safely possible which is twice as often as normal. Thanks to this I never actually threw up! I haven't needed any for about 8 hours now.

That's awesome if its not much. I'll remember gum I got out of surgery about 6pm pt and already feel so much better today so I imagine tomorrow will keep getting better. Ice chips are going down well

His actual website owned by him is wlsclinic.com and you can reach him or Lora at info@wlsclinic.com I did a lot of research before I came here and I'm glad I did!

Actually I booked directly with Lora/Dr Kelly. You get a better hotel etc that way. I'm one day post op today and starting from the airport until now I have nothing bad to say, only great things! The hospital is better than I pictured described on here, the standard of care is excellent and Dr Kelly and his surgical team are fabulous! The nausea was hard to deal with the first 12 hours but manageable with Zofran. 16 hours later I just feel like someone beat me on my upper abdomen.

Yeh, I got back too lol. Nothing like reassuring you need surgery by not fitting into seats. Everyone was very kind to me though.

BUT they gave me one no problem. I'm a women's size 26.

I just went through this today. Not only can I not fit it in the front row of the plane where the armrests are stationary, but I needed a seat belt extender. Embarrassing. You also can't sit in the roomy emergency isle if you require a seat belt extender. Fun fun!

I made it through the pre-op diet! I fly out from the east coast 7:15am and arrive 11:05 pt. I can't believe it is finally here! Did anyone get any sleep before? Lol

I'm all tested and IV'ed, waiting on EKG. Nervous! Love the hospital. Being the google translate app!

I'm in San Diego waiting for the medical van. Excited and scared. Surgery approx 430. PT. Prayers, lots of prayers please! God bless you all

I made it through the pre-op diet! I fly out from the east coast 7:15am and arrive 11:05 pt. I can't believe it is finally here! Did anyone get any sleep before? Lol

Has anyone used Google voice on their smartphone in MX with the free Wifi at the hospital/hotel? It's free and works over wifi and it just hit me that it may work. I'm trying to dodge the 50 cents per minute.

I sure will, thank you

Congratulations! I'm at the same hospital/different surgeon tomorrow. Your story is very calming! Thank you

My mom is going with me thankfully. That is the hotel I'll be at, uh oh! Oh well, I've made it through the preop diet with an xtra large stomach so I hope avoiding the buffet is a breeze post op My layover is in MDW and only for 40 minutes. I'm hoping liquids will get me home.

Thanks Andrea! I'm about to have a nervous breakdown! Lol. Not regarding surgeons or coordinators, just traveling thousands of miles from home and having surgery. I still can't believe I leave tomorrow morning! I am excited though I can't believe in a little over 24 hours I'm going to join the wonderful sleevers I've been reading about.