Tiff

Bignose, are you have surgery with Dr illan? Have you joined our fb support group?

Thank you for sharing. I am scheduled on 03/24 and although I pretty much know what to expect, I love hearing every little detail about every one else's experience! Can't wait to meet Dr. Illan and Omar in person and start my new sleeved life.

Thanks for sharing Leslie! I am scheduled with Dr. Illan for 3/24- exactly two weeks away! So excited. I have already seen how great the team is, as I was able to skype with Omar and Dr. Illan. I can't wait to be back on here sharing my weight loss success!

Jen40 I have heard mostly good stories about Aceves as well but just a few that have really scared me. One user anabanana has a leak which has caused so many complications. Again I think he is skilled, and complications can happen with any doctor. Its just scary and we have to go with what we feel is the best decision for us.

SLCmommy5, I cannot tell you personally about all of those drs but I did see a negative post recently regarding Dr. Ortiz. I'm going to Dr. Illan and am part of his private facebook group, I encourage you to check it out, Team Illan, there is a woman who recently took her daughter down to be sleeved and just an overall good group of people who are sharing their experiences daily. As with all surgeries there is always a possibility of complications but I have heard of too many with Dr. Aceves. Just a personal decision I would not choose him. Out of the ones you listed I would go with Dr. Alvarez, however at the end of day I felt most comfortable with Dr. Illan and his team. If you have any questions, the Dr will even arrange a skype call with you. I decided to go with him based on his reputation and qualifications as head of ER Trauma. Everyone has to go with their own gut feelings. Should a complication occur I feel good about the fact that Dr. Illan is qualified to handle emergencies. Good Luck!

Beautifully transformed!! As Brandnew Brandy said, I also hope to follow in your footsteps! I'm scheduled with Dr. Illan also, 34 more days!!!

87formula, I can totally relate to the feeling of being out of control with my diet now that surgery is scheduled. Every time I have something that I enjoy, I tell my bf, I have to enjoy this while I still can. But then talk about how post op and how much healthier we will be eating. Initially I got excited and lost ten pounds a few weeks ago, then went totally off the wagon But thats the reason we need this surgery. We dont have that self control. Best of luck to you..

I'm finally scheduled and flight is booked. Dr. Illan at Baja Bariatrics on March 24th! Cannot wait to meet Dr. Illan and the famous Omar. Ready to do this!!

readytobehealthy, that's great! I just booked my flights for my surgery with Dr. Illan on 3/24!! You will be in good hands with Dr. Illan and his surgical team and living the sleeve life before you know it! I can't wait to read your updates, Please keep us posted on how it goes!

Rredruby, 23 pounds, thats great! Thanks for sharing your experience, it gives me alot to look forward to! Brandnewbrandy, im having surgery the 24th but arriving the day before. I cant fly all those hours without something to drink. I hope to see you there!

I originally scheduled with another popular mexican surgeon but have since switched to have my surgery with Dr. Illan and Baja Bariatrics. The fact that Dr. Illan is also an ER trauma surgeon made me feel like I will be in good hands should any complication arise. I was also able to skype with the coordinator Omar and Dr. Illan to address questions I had about scar tissue and his stapling procedure (triple titanium staple line as well as sutures and bio glue) and I felt very comfortable with his answers. I can't wait to have my surgery in March!!!

I've heard positive things about Dr. A but his price when I requested was 8500 and in south florida there are 2 drs I know of that offer vsg for 10,500. Both out of my price range. Not saying I would go to any dr who was cheapest, that is not the case. But there are qualified surgeons in Mexico that are more affordable.

Any update? Did you find out if your stomach has fully healed? Just thinking about you, hope all is going well.

check out Dr. Illan at bajabariatrics.com. I have not been sleeved yet but all of his patients rave about the care they received not only from the medical staff but from Omar the coordinator as well. I have scheduled with him and feel at peace about it. Also, very affordable. They even have a facebook page Team Illan where all former and future patients gather for support. I live in Florida also

I watched those movies as well as Food Inc. I tried the juicing but can not live off of it. Then I went gluten free and vegan for most of 2012. I can tell you I FELT Better and my sinus pain I had been dealing with for over a year with daily medication slowly went away and after 3 months, of being vegan I no longer had to take meds. To this day I have no sinus issues because I cut out dairy significantly. However, even though there are many health benefits from juicing, vegan diet etc, I think we dont have to be so drastic if we just eat clean, including lean meats, fish etc. Eating vegan also meant alot of carbs for me. Lots of rice and beans lol.

When one doctor uses the same size bougie as another doctor, could there be a difference in our long term results based on their skills, etc essentially making a tighter sleeve? I'm obsessing over the difference in the top two drs I was torn between. I noticed overall that patients with my weight, lost more weight faster than the patients of the other dr. I finally chose one and scheduled surgery. I know everyone loses differently as well. Just wondering.

Thanks Michigan, I definitely do not have any actual statistics, just based on my browsing and looking at patient stats. I did not consider the after care either which is very important! I think I found a great dr with a great support group, I guess second guessing myself is just in my nature. I feel good knowing the actual sleeve difference wouldn't be significant.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! Melixxa, thanks for being honest about being hungry! It is something we have to learn to manage with choosing the right foods. Tessie, wow, what kind of work out are you doing??! You look great!!

For my Dr. Illan patients...bougie size?

So inspirational! Thanks for sharing! Did you have plastics done in mexico also? You look so happy!

Congratulations on your journey to a healthier new way of life!

Good Luck, update us on when you're on the other side!

I would put some ice on it and you have no relief in a couple of days I would go the doc and get it checked out. On the subject of hip pain, whenever I sit on the couch in my favorite comfy position (legs bent and feet up on the couch to my left)my hip will often get stuck and I am in extreme pain and usually need help hobbling around until my hip unsticks itself, if that makes sense. No idea what causes it but it sure does hurt.

Thanks wendim. Congrats on your success!! Glad your experience with Dr. Garcia was positive!

2btrim, thanks so much, I enjoyed reading your entire experience! Really glad to know that Dr. Illan was okay with scar tissue, as I have plenty. Supbanan, I read your blog, fantastic descriptions as well and I love the pictures! You look fantastic! Thank you both for sharing your experiences in such detail.