vickialess

I am happy for you!! I can't wait til I am scheduled! And it will be soon!!
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I was out 3weeks not including my off days on the wekend[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]. I said I was having my gall bladder removed, they make the same incisions for that. Not sure about the excuse tho. I don't know why they wouldn't tho. I got my PCP to give me an excuse since he knew the whole process....GO ME!!!!

I have been wanting to do this for so long! And am booked for March 16th with Dr. Illan! I am hoping someone on here will be going around the same time as me! Feeling nervous and excited.

I am scheduled for march 16th with Dr. Illan, hoping to find someone that will be there with me too!

I worry about those too, but not just because of going to Mexico. Complications happen in the US too, and sometimes complications happen from patients not following proper post op care. If you Google or even look through the message boards here there are all kinds of stories of complications right here in the US because this surgery is not risk free. No surgery is. A young guy I went to college with just died from a routine outpatient gallbladder removal!

I've been researching doctors for over a year now and for me it always comes back to Dr. Illan. Now that he partnered with BariatricPal and they've vetted him, that just sealed the deal for me that he is one of the best Bariatric surgeons in Tijuana. And I would bet he would rank highly among Bariatric surgeons world wide.

I also feel more at ease having 4 days of monitored post op care. Here in the US you get discharged from the hospital after 24 hours and I feel like you're kind of on your own until your 1-2 week checkup.

The support given by Dr. Illan and the BariatricPal Team MX is beyond amazing. The hospital rooms are large and private and have the most glorious shower (lol). The nursing staff and Doctors that assist Dr. Illan are the most kind and compassionate people I have ever met. And the Hospital Staff (admissions and the director) are phenomenal. In my opinion, you cannot ask for a better surgeon than Dr. Illan.

Hello everyone!
I just thought I'd share the experience of my surgery in Tijuana. I had surgery on Monday, December 12th, at Oasis of Hope Hospital. Dr. Illan was my surgeon. And it all started with BariatricPal Team MX. I chatted online with someone, asking different questions. Then I was referred to Bill Yanez, who sent me an email with information and a questionnaire I needed to fill out. I spoke to him a few times on the phone, and within days, after finding out that I was approved, I called Bill and scheduled my surgery. I paid my deposit, and just like that, I had a surgery date. I did research on Dr. Illan previously and was confident that I had picked the right surgeon.
Then my NUT Stacy Eckel emailed me with my pre-op diet. She also answered any and every question. On December 12th, she picked me and my daughter up from the airport in San Diego and drove us to the hospital. I filled out paperwork, had my blood drawn, chest x-ray, and ekg. Then an IV was put in, I was given something to relax me, and off to my surgery! My surgery was a success. I woke up in recovery and after a while, they wheeled me to my room.
I had a great recovery. The more I walked, the better it got. The doctors and nurses were amazing. Not to mention the valets - Carlos, Juan, and more whose names I can't remember. They were a big help. After I was discharged on the fourth day, we went to Pueblo Amigo Hotel & Casino. The junior suite was nice, more than enough room for my daughter and I.. Gary made sure we were taken care. He took us out with two other surgery sisters to go to the pharmacy and do a little shopping. By the time it was time to go (Memo took us back across the border and to the airport), I knew we were part of the family. I couldn't have made a better choice!!!! Thank you Bill Yanez, Stacy Eckel, Dr. Illan, the entire surgical staff, all of the doctors and nurses, all of the valets, Gary, and Memo!!!!!!!! ❤️
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I just got back from Mexico with Dr. Illan and I have to say that I have never been treated so well or felt as Safe and Secure as I did when I put my Health in Dr. Illan and his staff's hands. You will meet everyone prior to surgery. His Anesthesiologist is Amazing, his Cardiologist thorough and Knowledgeable all of his nurses gentle yet caring. His skills as a Surgeon are impeccable and honestly he will put you at ease by answering all of your questions. I honestly thought in the Beginning that this type of care is just too good to be true but I can Honestly say I would recommend him to any and everyone. The Best part is how well the Valets take care of you and your companion.

My first interaction with BariatricPal Team MX was with Bill. He was very helpful and prompt in his replies. I originally wanted Single Incision Gastric Sleeve but Dr. Illan advised against it after reviewing my health questionnaire. I had consulted with, and been approved for Single Incision Sleeve with the two other surgeons, both of whom had the same information Dr. Illan had. I felt compelled to go with the doctor who took my health and recovery into consideration even if it meant booking me for a less expensive procedure. Decision made, I booked my surgery and was on my way to Tijuana less than 2 weeks later!
Day 1. Stacy (also the nutritionist) picked us up at the San Diego airport the day of surgery and took us directly to the Oasis Hospital. After some quick introductions, my sleeve sister and I immediately began our admittance paperwork and testing. We were brought to our spacious private rooms where our bags were already waiting. The hospital staff and doctors came in and introduced themselves, and answered any questions I had. After all testing was complete, my husband and I passed the time until my surgery watching NFL playoffs on our iPad using the hospital supplied wifi. Yay for wifi!
Surgery was quick and recovery for the most part was painless. The pains from the gas were a little uncomfortable but the staff has you walking as soon as you are able which helps to alleviate that discomfort. The nurses were very professional, attentive, and thorough in their care. The valets took great care of my husband and myself. They made sure he had food to eat and was comfortable. One even brought in a bag of coffee grounds so he could make my hubby the plain old black coffee he had requested in the middle of the night, seriously the valets are awesome.
Day 2. The leak test was performed onsite which was a pleasant surprise as the other TJ surgeon I was considering took his patients to an alternate location to have that test performed. Stacy brought me a care package containing the Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve, the meal plan, and all the goodies needed for successful eating while at the hotel. Such a relief to not have to worry about what I should be eating or where to get it, although the valets would have made sure I had what I needed.
Day 3. I was discharged from the hospital with all the necessary medications and transported to the Pueblo Amigo Hotel and Casino. The hotel suites are very nice and roomy, nicer and roomier than some of the boutique hotels I’ve stayed at in the states. There is a spa on site if you are interested in scheduling a facial or other spa services. The hotel staff is very customer oriented, we had a problem with our room that was QUICKLY handled by hotel maintenance. About an hour after checking in we met up with our valet for the day and another sleever for an afternoon of walking and shopping. We visited Revolution Avenue then caught a taxi to lunch, since we were both feeling pretty good we walked the 1.5 miles back to the hotel from the restaurant. It felt good to be out and about.
We opted to leave a day earlier than planned. Bill was amazingly helpful working to change our transportation so we could return to San Diego immediately after the Doctor had visited me at the hotel and cleared me to go home. Henry was waiting to take us to the airport.
I'm two weeks post-op and down 13 lbs. Dr. Illan, Bill, and Stacy have all been wonderfully responsive to the questions I’ve had regarding diet, aftercare, and medications. The private Facebook groups have proven to be extremely helpful and a quick way to get questions answered and connect with other patients of Dr. Illan.
I’m very happy I chose Dr. Illan and BariatricPal Team MX for my gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Illan is a caring, competent surgeon with a great team who are there to support you at every step of your weight loss journey!

I think the safety or lack thereof in Mexico is nothing more than rumors at best. You can ask anyone on here and we that have all gone to have surgeries there can attest that there is no safety issue. Most of us went out with valets from BariatricPal TeamMX so we were not alone. I felt so safe that I let a valet (Juan, I believe) take my daughter out to get something to eat. He also took her to the beach, her first beach experience. So it is definitely as safe or more safe than a lot of places in the US.

As far as having the surgery in the states for more money. Here's the thing: no hospital in the US will have you in the hospital for more than a day. With Dr. Illan, you will have at least two days in the hospital and another two to three days in the hotel, where you will be checked on by a doctor everyday. That will not happen in the states. In other words, not only is it cheaper, but you will receive better and more attentive care there, especially with Dr. Illan and BariatricPal TeamMX.


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I have been wanting to do this for so long! And am booked for March 16th with Dr. Illan! I am hoping someone on here will be going around the same time as me! Feeling nervous and excited.

Premier Protein shakes, Cambells Soup on the go (creamy chicken and creamy broccoli) and some other Soups that I am going to run through the blender. I kept the Soup carbs to 10-15 per serving. I plan on adding broth to them if I need more to eat. I also got SF Jello and SF popsicles.

I cut out my beloved Coke Zero two weeks ago. That was a little rough. I drink iced tea sweetened with Stevia or Splenda and flavored Water.

On my first day, I only drank one shake, two Soups, a thing of Jello and a popsicle. That was only 630 calories. It was hard to get up this morning so I will definitely be having two shakes today.

ABSOLUTELY!! I actually came down the day before my surgery, so I took the train down from where I live...Stacy picked me up at the train station in downtown San Diego (she was waiting there before i even arrived!) and we drove right down to Tijuana. We zipped right through the border (they don't really stop you going into Mexico) and she took me to the Holiday Inn. The hotel is really really nice, VERY clean and the bed was super comfortable. TV was mostly Spanish speaking but that's no biggie. WiFi worked so I played with my ipad. The next day Stacy picked me up and took me to Oasis at about 9am...the hospital is LOVELY. Everyone is so kind and attentive. The room was private, and it looked brand spanking new. Needless to say I was a nervous wreck...when the nurses came in to take my vitals, my blood pressure was very high. Since I traveled down there alone (which in retrospect i'm glad I did because then I didn't have to worry about anyone other than myself) I calmed myself down with some Netflix in the room (Family Guy!). I then had blood taken, an EKG and xrays over the next couple of hours, Dr Illan came in and introduced himself and he was so reassuring and patient and answered all my questions. That wait before surgery can seem like an eternity, but all the while the staff was keeping me company, checking on me and making sure that i was comfortable. I went into surgery around 1:30 or 2 i believe, the next thing i knew, I was waking up in recovery (this was the hardest part of the whole ordeal for me, only because of the gas discomfort and one bout of nausea ...but i never DID get sick!). They wheeled me down to my room and from then on, the nurses came in approximately every hour and a half to check on me. I only had 2 other instances of nausea and they passed quickly. The gas was uncomfortable, but not painful. For some odd reason, if I laid on my side for a while, then rolled to the other side, that would cause me to burp and it helped a lot. They really DO want you up and walking around pretty much right away, which i'm not gonna lie, i wasn't anxious to do, but I did...but they know what they are doing and they are right, it helps move the gas. The first night is difficult, because you don't get much sleep...but again, I'd be worried if they DIDN'T come check on me! But everytime they came in they told me what they were doing and asked if i needed anything. I spent the whole next day in the hospital, took a shower, walked and tried to catch up on my sleep. The 3rd day (thursday) I was taken back to the hotel by Stacy...she had a whole "care package" ready for me with Vitamin Water and Protein powders and Jello. Also the Bariatric Surgery book which is dove RIGHT into immediately. Roberto was my "guide" later in the day and he was AWESOME! He was so easy to talk to! I checked back into the Holiday Inn, I took a nap and a shower, and then Roberto and I went over to Revolucion for some French Onion Soup (Broth)...it was AMAZING! As a matter of fact, it was so good, we went back the next day too!! On thurs and friday night, a doctor came and checked on me and answered any of my questions and told me how to care for my incisions and take my meds. Saturday morning I was picked up pretty early (8:00am) and taken back over the border to the US. we were pretty lucky because it only took about 45 minutes total. In fact, I was so lucky, I was able to take a MUCH earlier train!!
Now I'm 4 weeks post op and I feel AMAZING! I'm down about 35 pounds since I started my pre-op diet. Honestly, I am surprised every day by how lucky I am that this recovery has been a piece of cake. I had surgery on 8/23 and went back to work on 08/30 with no issues whatsoever other than being a little tired at the end of the day. I believe the majority of that had to do with the care and treatment I had with Dr Illan and the staff at Oasis, as well as the support and advice given to me by Bariatric Pal Team MX. Granted, this recovery is a slow process...and it is a LOT of re-learning how your body reacts to different foods and drinks...and what is hunger and what is thirst (thats the BIG one for me!). But literally EVERY day is a little bit better and easier. I cannot TELL you how happy I am that I did this!! I do not regret it for one minute! My life has been given back to me. I understand the trepidation people feel with going to Mexico for surgery...believe me, i felt it, and I faced it from family when I told them I was doing this, but honestly I cannot recommend it enough! If you are considering it...DO IT! I wish I had done it a long time ago. Throw the "Mexico" concerns out the window because I truly believe the care is even BETTER than in the States. It's true...I feel like a new person!

@@Moorefamily0214,
I have been in your shoes and let me just say it was the best decision I have ever made. TJ Mexico is safer than any large Us city I have ever been in. It is more like an extension of CA than some foreign country.
Please email me at chasitylane34@yahoo.com. I will give you my number and you can call me. I would hate for you to miss out on what I have experienced. Please contact me!
Sincerely,
Sleeved 3/8 and 80 lbs down!!!!
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I might pass y'all at the airport. I'm arriving on the 20th!

My PCP is doing all my follow-up. I have complication insurance and I was nervous about going to MX. However, Dr Illan sent me home with my surgery video, labs, chest xray and leak test video, so my Dr has everything and Dr Illan will share his case notes to the Dr.

I had surgery with Dr Illan on 2/8 and so far everything is going well. I traveled to MX alone and felt comfortable and well taken care of. They checked on me every hour or two, seeing how I was, checking vitals, etc.

The only negative was I asked the staff to call my husband when I was out of surgery. No one called him. I had talked to my husband right before I went in and he knew he should be getting a call in about 60-90 minutes. 4 hours later when I checked my phone I had missed calls from my husband and some frantic texts.

I have 4 incisions, normal pain and discomfort, and looking forward to the rest of my life and shedding a few comorbidities along with my weight.

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My husband just returned from surgery with Dr. Illan and my surgery is in 2 weeks with him as well. He had a marvelous experience!!! Dr. Illan has amazing credentials & a wonderful reputation.

Thank you so much! And you sound so much like me! The hard part for me isn't necessarily losing the weight (after I find the motivation), it's keeping it off. I carry my weight pretty well, but I can see that my weight is getting out of hand. Each year I tell myself, "it's only 5 pounds, or it's only 10 pounds", but those pounds add up to 20 and 30 eventually.
My husband would rather me not do it, but is supportive of whatever I decide. Please let update us when you return from your surgery. Wishing you the best of luck.

I had surgery on 1/13/17 with Dr. Illan, so almost 6 weeks out. It was an amazing experience and no complications. I've lost 24 pounds so far and enjoying food in a different way. I was lucky because I experienced very little pain or gas. It was a breeze. I was at the beach 2 days after being released from the hospital. I followed all the instructions and took the medicine given afterward. Best thing I ever did for myself

Dr. Illan performed my sleeve on 2/8, I have no complaints. Once I got the gas out of my system I have had no pain whatsoever and my recovery appears on track as I am having no problems achieving my nutrition goals with ease. Oasis Hospital was great, the nursing care was as good as I've ever had in the states. Everyone from Bariatric Pal was great the valets are excellent, if you have a companion with you they will take great care of them.
If you have any specific questions let me know.

I will be able to give you my input after my surgery in a couple weeks. Like you, I have no other issues. My BMI is 41. With each diet success and failure, it has been more difficult to start over again. I successfully lost 70 lbs several years ago but over the years have gained back about 40 lbs of that. My weight would go up and down about 20 lbs. I need help so I started looking into WLS. Once I made my decision, I found out that my insurance didn't cover it. I know a few people who have had the surgery in MX so started looking into it.

I have chosen Dr. Illan based on his reputation, credentials and recommendation from a friend. Most of my family and friends freaked out but I told them that I am an intelligent person and did my homework. Now they are supportive. My adult sons were upset and told me that I don't need to lose weight. Haha! My dad is having the hardest time with it but that's because he thinks I have some underlying mental trauma that causes me to overeat, not just that I love food and use it for comfort.

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be having surgery in Tijuana, I would have laughed. Now, here I am, less than two weeks to go before the big day. Good luck in making your decision! I will come back on here and after my surgery and give an update.

Thanks for posting about your experience. I'm scheduled with Dr Illan for March 13th and it's comforting to know you had such a positive experience!

I just came home from surgery with Dr Illan. Awesome experience. The travel home was the worst part...and even that wasn't bad

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been scared to move forward with surgery in Mexico, but I'm researching and reading so many positive reviews about Dr Illan and BariatricPal. I think I'm ready for the next step. I'm also in Alaska! So if you don't mind, I'd like to pm you with some travel and experience questions. Let me know if that's ok. Hoping to schedule surgery before June 2017.