Tiff

Aw so sweet!

3 months post op today and 65 pounds lighter I feel great

I just got home today, woo hoo!
I was sleeved 12/12/13 by Dr Illan fraijo with Baja Bariatrics in Tijuana. I was really scared to go to Mexico after the news the past few years, but the coordinator Omar made sure I was taken care of the whole time. He arranged for my ride across the border and picked me up at the hotel.
After that we headed to the Hospital florence. The hospital is older--my husband is a vet and the florence reminded me a bit of the local VA, clean but not fancy. Blood work, xray were basically what you'd expect. I met the anesthesiologist and surgeon, headed in to surgery.
Woke up in intense pain and the painkillers made me kind of sick. I felt like I was going into shock and then had a very hard time waking up. By the following morning I was in excruciating pain. You know the frowny face charts they use for kids to point out pain? I now know what the frowniest one feels like. It was worse than labor, kidney infections, broken bones, you name it.
Omar had the hospital administrator and respiratory dr come meet with me, arranged for my husband to fly in while the surgical team came back. It turns out I had a bleed and clotting on my abdominal wall (the sleeve itself was fine). I had to buy some blood but they covered the cost of the surgery. Afterward they kept a nurse stationed with me to make sure I was ok.
Once the bleed was fixed and the clots cleaned out, I got better quickly. Dr illan was very reassuring and Omar made sure everything was to our satisfaction. The level of customer service was excellent. They had to put in a drain and it hurt when they took it out, but the doctor came to check my incisions back at the hotel to make sure all was well. Dr illan is also an ER trauma surgeon, and had a calm, confident manner.
My leak test was successful and I spent my final day shopping and seeing a movie. Made it home on schedule. It was strange to go from feeling like I was going to die to walking around tj and catching a movie in less than 48 hours. Omar took us to some amazing foodie places, which was cool. I liked having the dedicated driver/translator/medical liaison.
Right now I'm doing fine and can't wait for clear liquid phase to end.

Thanks for posting your experience. It is posts like these that help others decide in choosing a doctor. I have had my mind made up for months about using Dr. Fernando Garcia but as time passes I keep reading these good things about Dr. Illan. Im confused! But good to know there are some good options in Mexico. As soon as I get that tax refund I will be booking surgery. Cant wait!

I was sleeved 8/31/13 and would go back to him over and over. I had no pain meds after 2nd day. You can go to my blog if you'd like to. I didn't want to leave TJ and my husband and I had the best time that we've ever had. Omar the coordinator took such good care of us and Dr. Illan is such a talented surgeon. I was up and running 3rd day from surgery and haven't stopped since. I started 326 pre op, 301 surgery date and currently 264. Very happy! I will send you a PM to join our group so you can ask any questions you may have I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

I will be having surgery in March but i already told my bf I will reward myself at goal with a pair of christian louboutin black patent leather heels

125 mark.. Working hard.. Everyone u guys r true inspirations.

Just got my approval letter today... I'm so excited!!!!!

Surgery date: 2-16-13
Dr. Garcia
Starting weight 232
Goal weight 155
Current weight 155.........
Soooooo Happy ......this feels awesome!

Leslie,
I am scheduled for the Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Kelly (Dr. Jamie Ramos-Kelly) for July 26th. He is in Tijuana. I booked my surgery directly with his office instead of going thru one of the medical brokers. It didn't change the price, but I knew I was getting correct information straight out of his office. He is not the cheapest, nor the most expensive, but he is one of the most experienced. He also trained in the US and is a member of all of the various US associations for doctors. I started my Pre-Op diet last Thursday. As of this morning, I have already lost 11 lbs. I'm getting more excited with each day that is closer to the 26th.

Best wishes on your surgery and recovery, looking forward to hearing all about it! Im going in March so i love hearing everyone elses experiences.

Surgery tomorrow. See you on the other side.

I started the process on 9/20/12, so almost a year ago. I weighed 657lbs at the first weigh-in. I was told I needed to weigh 450lbs before they'd perform the procedure. I dieted and worked my ass off for 8 months and finally got there. I got approved by insurance and scheduled my surgery date for 5/29/13. The week after I scheduled, my surgeon called and said the hospital made a new policy and patients needed to weigh 410lbs so it would be easier on their CAT scan machine if there were complications. So we put it off another 2 months. I got to 420lbs and they decided that I'd lose enough during my liquid diet that we could FINALLY schedule. My date was 8/26/13, so I'm exactly 3 weeks post-op. I weigh 386lbs and my goal is 200-250lbs.
Point is, I had set-backs and after losing 250lbs on my own pre-op, I too wanted to give up at times. Don't. Just keep going until you can get your insurance to approve. You'll get there. Nothing good comes easy. :-)

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls