leslie1958

I am pre op and would really love to possibly meet others in KC who have had their surgeries. Am I in the right part of the website ?

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is really nice to hear for those of us with the jitters behind you. I'm set for surgery this coming Saturday 3/15. I fly into San Diego on Friday.
Appreciate you.

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!

Congratulations! Glad everything is going so well for you!

Great news! So glad you had a great experience. I would go back over and over again to Dr. Illan. He is such a talented surgeon and his team is totally awesome! Thank you Baja Bariatrics for taking such good care of my friend! ((hugs)) Sherry in VA

Hello everyone ! It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I wanted to tell you about my wonderful experience with Dr Illan.
February 11th, 2014, I flew alone to San Diego. Dr Illans coordinator (the amazing Omar) called me as soon as I landed and directed me to where I met up with my driver who took me across the border to TJ. Omar was waiting for me and took me directly to Florence Hospital. I had blood work, urine test, chest X-Ray and EKG. ALL my different doctors and surgeons came in to talk with me. The nurses were amazing and I realized then why everyone raves about Dr Illan and his team, you have simply never had such total and competent care taken of you. I was whisked away to surgery and woke hours later feeling sleepy but great !! - During my two nights in the hospital I was under constant care and observation. Then I was discharged and taken to my hotel which was like the most comfortable oasis of quiet. Omar even surprised me with a facial on the second night - it was marvelous !! - I spent the next two days being chauffered all over TJ and out of town to a fantastic beach resort for dinner on Valentines night !! Honestly I felt so great (no painkillers needed EVER !!) I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery, I felt more like I was on vacation !
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I chose the most perfect team.
I got home on the night of Feb 15th, I drove myself home, next morning I cooked Breakfast for my husband, did some laundry, walked the dogs, I felt phenomenal. This past Tuesday was 4 weeks since the start of pre op diet and 3 weeks since surgery and I am down 20.4 pounds so I am thrilled.
Dr Illan and his team are young, skilled and progressive. They operate more by word of mouth and by that alone they are busy. The hospital was clean and sunny and comfortable. I cannot come up with a single negative thing to say. If you have any questions at all, please contact me, i'm delighted to help in anyway !!
Cheers !

Hello everyone ! It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I wanted to tell you about my wonderful experience with Dr Illan.
February 11th, 2014, I flew alone to San Diego. Dr Illans coordinator (the amazing Omar) called me as soon as I landed and directed me to where I met up with my driver who took me across the border to TJ. Omar was waiting for me and took me directly to Florence Hospital. I had blood work, urine test, chest X-Ray and EKG. ALL my different doctors and surgeons came in to talk with me. The nurses were amazing and I realized then why everyone raves about Dr Illan and his team, you have simply never had such total and competent care taken of you. I was whisked away to surgery and woke hours later feeling sleepy but great !! - During my two nights in the hospital I was under constant care and observation. Then I was discharged and taken to my hotel which was like the most comfortable oasis of quiet. Omar even surprised me with a facial on the second night - it was marvelous !! - I spent the next two days being chauffered all over TJ and out of town to a fantastic beach resort for dinner on Valentines night !! Honestly I felt so great (no painkillers needed EVER !!) I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery, I felt more like I was on vacation !
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I chose the most perfect team.
I got home on the night of Feb 15th, I drove myself home, next morning I cooked Breakfast for my husband, did some laundry, walked the dogs, I felt phenomenal. This past Tuesday was 4 weeks since the start of pre op diet and 3 weeks since surgery and I am down 20.4 pounds so I am thrilled.
Dr Illan and his team are young, skilled and progressive. They operate more by word of mouth and by that alone they are busy. The hospital was clean and sunny and comfortable. I cannot come up with a single negative thing to say. If you have any questions at all, please contact me, i'm delighted to help in anyway !!
Cheers !

Hello everyone ! It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I wanted to tell you about my wonderful experience with Dr Illan.
February 11th, 2014, I flew alone to San Diego. Dr Illans coordinator (the amazing Omar) called me as soon as I landed and directed me to where I met up with my driver who took me across the border to TJ. Omar was waiting for me and took me directly to Florence Hospital. I had blood work, urine test, chest X-Ray and EKG. ALL my different doctors and surgeons came in to talk with me. The nurses were amazing and I realized then why everyone raves about Dr Illan and his team, you have simply never had such total and competent care taken of you. I was whisked away to surgery and woke hours later feeling sleepy but great !! - During my two nights in the hospital I was under constant care and observation. Then I was discharged and taken to my hotel which was like the most comfortable oasis of quiet. Omar even surprised me with a facial on the second night - it was marvelous !! - I spent the next two days being chauffered all over TJ and out of town to a fantastic beach resort for dinner on Valentines night !! Honestly I felt so great (no painkillers needed EVER !!) I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery, I felt more like I was on vacation !
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I chose the most perfect team.
I got home on the night of Feb 15th, I drove myself home, next morning I cooked Breakfast for my husband, did some laundry, walked the dogs, I felt phenomenal. This past Tuesday was 4 weeks since the start of pre op diet and 3 weeks since surgery and I am down 20.4 pounds so I am thrilled.
Dr Illan and his team are young, skilled and progressive. They operate more by word of mouth and by that alone they are busy. The hospital was clean and sunny and comfortable. I cannot come up with a single negative thing to say. If you have any questions at all, please contact me, i'm delighted to help in anyway !!
Cheers !

Hello everyone ! It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I wanted to tell you about my wonderful experience with Dr Illan.
February 11th, 2014, I flew alone to San Diego. Dr Illans coordinator (the amazing Omar) called me as soon as I landed and directed me to where I met up with my driver who took me across the border to TJ. Omar was waiting for me and took me directly to Florence Hospital. I had blood work, urine test, chest X-Ray and EKG. ALL my different doctors and surgeons came in to talk with me. The nurses were amazing and I realized then why everyone raves about Dr Illan and his team, you have simply never had such total and competent care taken of you. I was whisked away to surgery and woke hours later feeling sleepy but great !! - During my two nights in the hospital I was under constant care and observation. Then I was discharged and taken to my hotel which was like the most comfortable oasis of quiet. Omar even surprised me with a facial on the second night - it was marvelous !! - I spent the next two days being chauffered all over TJ and out of town to a fantastic beach resort for dinner on Valentines night !! Honestly I felt so great (no painkillers needed EVER !!) I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery, I felt more like I was on vacation !
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I chose the most perfect team.
I got home on the night of Feb 15th, I drove myself home, next morning I cooked Breakfast for my husband, did some laundry, walked the dogs, I felt phenomenal. This past Tuesday was 4 weeks since the start of pre op diet and 3 weeks since surgery and I am down 20.4 pounds so I am thrilled.
Dr Illan and his team are young, skilled and progressive. They operate more by word of mouth and by that alone they are busy. The hospital was clean and sunny and comfortable. I cannot come up with a single negative thing to say. If you have any questions at all, please contact me, i'm delighted to help in anyway !!
Cheers !

Hello everyone ! It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I wanted to tell you about my wonderful experience with Dr Illan.
February 11th, 2014, I flew alone to San Diego. Dr Illans coordinator (the amazing Omar) called me as soon as I landed and directed me to where I met up with my driver who took me across the border to TJ. Omar was waiting for me and took me directly to Florence Hospital. I had blood work, urine test, chest X-Ray and EKG. ALL my different doctors and surgeons came in to talk with me. The nurses were amazing and I realized then why everyone raves about Dr Illan and his team, you have simply never had such total and competent care taken of you. I was whisked away to surgery and woke hours later feeling sleepy but great !! - During my two nights in the hospital I was under constant care and observation. Then I was discharged and taken to my hotel which was like the most comfortable oasis of quiet. Omar even surprised me with a facial on the second night - it was marvelous !! - I spent the next two days being chauffered all over TJ and out of town to a fantastic beach resort for dinner on Valentines night !! Honestly I felt so great (no painkillers needed EVER !!) I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery, I felt more like I was on vacation !
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I chose the most perfect team.
I got home on the night of Feb 15th, I drove myself home, next morning I cooked Breakfast for my husband, did some laundry, walked the dogs, I felt phenomenal. This past Tuesday was 4 weeks since the start of pre op diet and 3 weeks since surgery and I am down 20.4 pounds so I am thrilled.
Dr Illan and his team are young, skilled and progressive. They operate more by word of mouth and by that alone they are busy. The hospital was clean and sunny and comfortable. I cannot come up with a single negative thing to say. If you have any questions at all, please contact me, i'm delighted to help in anyway !!
Cheers !

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

I also used Baja & Dr. Illan & my expectations were also exceeded. I am a researcher & was going to spend twice as much on one of the "famed" /veteran Mexican surgeons if my research didn't lead me to feeling my safety & success wouldn't be as good or better with Dr. Illan. The whole team is very detail oriented & professional & they are determined that you come away happy about your experience, your choice of surgeon & Mexico in general. I was low BMI & have lost approximately 75% of my excess weight in 2.5 months (and all but 5lbs of that has been fat). My cholesterol has gone from 215-ish to 150 and I can't manage to get anything but a normal blood pressure reading no matter how many times I try.
One side note: I would definitely deem Dr. Illan the surgeon to use if you have a loved one who is spooked about your going to Mexico... the practice unofficially specializes in skyping & communicating with prospective patients & their loved ones before scheduling and they ALSO seem to have a sort of mission statement to flood each patient & his/her family member(s) with amazing personal attention & care once there.

Illan with Baja Bariatrics? YES Would I go back to Mexico to be sleeved? YES! Am I happy with my decision? YES!
Dr. Illan is a very talented surgeon and his WHOLE team is amazing! I took a family member back in January to be sleeved and would recommend his team to anyone. While in Tijuana I met other patients from different doctors and noticed they didn't have someone there checking in to make sure their spouse/friend/family member had eaten or was ok. When out shopping with Omar I ran into the same people who had to take a cab and had no idea what to do or where to shop. The Baja Bariatric team goes OVER & BEYOND anything you can even think of during your stay. I've lost 101 lbs thus far and am beyond thrilled with my surgery and support I have received from Baja Bariatrics

I just got back from Baja California from having my lap band removed and getting a gastric sleeve revision. I have to tell you that I was a little scared to go to another country to have surgery (at one point terrified actually), but I had talked to a lot of people who'd been to this particular team. I could find no complaints, whatsoever, about the doctor, the assistant doctor, the anesthesiologist, or the hospital. I had a very good preliminary discussion with the doctor regarding my particular situation (which was problematic to be sure). He happily reviewed my CT images of the slipped band (and also had his radiology department consult) and addressed my concerns. I have to tell you that I am beyond pleased with the care I received while there. If you are considering going to Mexico, and you're just not sure, IM me, and I will provide my phone number so you can ask me any specific questions. I'll sum it up here. I recommend Dr. Illan and his team without hesitation.

A big congratulations!
I look at this like it's war. Before surgery it was face to face battles, many of which I lost. After I got my powerful weaponry I began seeing obesity's backside. On the run now, I ran the bum out of my country. I still have to guard the border but he is a defeated foe.
You have him on the run, no mercy!

50 pounds down from my highest weight – UNBELIEVABLE. 50 pounds since 08/21/13 when I stood on the doctor’s office scale and saw 256.6 and cried. I have never lost 50 pounds before; this feels amazing and somewhat surreal. I have 56 more to go, which seems a little daunting as I write that number.
So many things have happened during this journey – I’ve celebrated successes and I have cried at perceived failures. I have consumed more than 200 Protein shakes and logged over 170 miles since my surgery date of 11/14/13.
I have learned a lot about my family and me. I have learned that I get cranky and lash out when I feel out of control, specifically when it comes to food. I have also learned that my family is very resilient to my lashing out.
I have found that I like going to the gym and getting in a good workout. I feel better after a workout and more clear-headed. I like challenging myself on those days where I don’t feel like going or try to come up with an excuse to not go.
I know the next 56 pounds is not going to be easy. I need to continue sticking to my plan, exercising regularly (including the weight training that I haven’t started yet – I don’t know what my aversion is…), and keep my head straight. I have said it before – the mental/emotional part of this journey is the hardest part.

Thanks everyone, wow was just having a rough day and needed to vent. I know a loss is a loss. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

After 3yrs I will be getting off my bp meds Saturday. They had me cut it in half for 2 weeks bc can't quit cold turkey. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I'm 11weeks out today and down 61 lbs.

Today is January 15th 2014. Exactly 6 months ago today (178 days) I took back my life! In 178 days I have lost a total of 104 LBS!!! Sucks I don't have better before pics but as you can see. Befores were only taken when I wasn't aware!
Highest weight 350
Surgery weight 343
Current weight 246

Calcium with Vitamin D, a good Multivitamin, B12 drops. Bariatric Advantage brand Vitamins are good to look at. Check with your doctor to see any vitamins and supplements they recommend.
I also take and plan to continue Bee Pollen capsules (you can get pellets to mix in shakes) aids in digestion. Has Protein and a ton of other healthy benefits. Fish Oil and Flax Seed Oil. Also a probiotic.

Don't be scared, you will be fine. It feels like nothing much has happened once you wake up from the anesthesia. Maybe like you did too many ab crunches or something. The worst part for me was not being allowed to drink anything until after my leak test the next day. In the meantime, I asked for the sponge on a stick things they have to moisten your mouth and that was fine.
Heck, I am almost 60 and was cruising down the halls as if nothing had happened!

I just wrote this on another thread...I had severe 2nd thoughts the morning of surgery, in admitting. I was terrified. Once I started thinking about the reasons why I was doing this, those doubts went away.
It's scary, I know.
I had my surgery done on an outpatient basis - I was in admitting at 6:00 am and back at the condo at noon the same day. I can't explain what happens in the hospital after...other than, I started walking immediately upon leaving the recovery room. I think the walking helped my recovery. I walked every hour - at first in the condo, back and forth, back and forth. Then graduated to the parking lot. Walking will help with the gas - they pump air into your abdomen to make room - GasX didn't help and neither did the pain meds for that pain.
And you sip, sip and sip some more...sipping Water. It's important to get your Water in or you'll get dehydrated. That happened to me on Day 3 and it sucked. I switched from plain water to Vitamin Water Zero which was much easier to get down. Plain water was like sandpaper to me.
I didn't experience much pain - I only took 4 pain pills after surgery and that was so I could get better sleep, not so much the pain.
As far as the being scared point - once I decided to go thru with it, I had no more fear. And after the first day of recovery, I've had no buyer's remorse. This was the best thing I could have done for myself.
Best of luck to you on MOnday - you got this!

DOS
12/15/11
235 lbs
57 years OLD
5'3
1/12/14
130 lbs
60 years YOUNG
GOAL
still 5'3
love showing my stats
there are not enough H's to describe how healthy and very happy i feel
i am retired
3 years ago i would sleep til 10:00 am!!!
didn't see that much reason to get up
nothing special to do, or just didn't want to go out
in the dictionary next to the word "miserable" is my picture (DH very sad when he read that, me too )
now, my internal clock goes off daily at 7:50 am - and i get up excited ready for a new day
i am always running here, there and everywhere
do my volunteer work which i love
just "stuff" that keeps me busy
the age "issue" does bother me a bit
trying to deal with that
but, i am as old as i feel
and i feel very YOUNG
but my mom said to me this morning these exact words..........
"kathy i can't believe how old you are!! "
i am pretty sure she meant that as - she felt even older (she's 83) having a 60 year YOUNG daughter
but my sister said something like "kathy you look so good, wonderful"
enjoying my new life
life is good
kathy

You could be talking about me, I was feeling EXACTLY how you are now.
I have not had my surgery yet but I have been struggling more with this decision than anything else I've ever done. I thought maybe I could just get serious and really lose weight on my own this time, then I was worried about having an irreversible surgery and the list just went on and on. And to make matters worse, a lot of folks who had been sleeved seemed a hundred times more confident about their decision than I could ever be. I would literally wake in the night with cold sweats and panic about having this done. I'm not someone who prays (not wanting to offend anyone at all, but I'm just not) but lets just say I sent a request out into thin air and asked if I could just make a decision one way or another as this was driving me mad.
Well I got my answer, yesterday I ended up at my GP's office with insanely high BP (my doctor said I was in "stroke territory") and had to be kept there for two hours until it came down to a safe level. They also did a lot of blood work including checking me for pre-diabetes etc. I am only 55 years old.
I tell you something, you can do an awful lot of soul searching in two hours while you sit in a cold doctors office. I was plain angry at myself. I wasn't in there for a sore throat, or a sprained wrist, I was in there because I could not stop over eating, plain and simple, I COULD NOT stop over eating and yesterday this might have made me stroke or die.
I left there with a 100% certainty that I WAS having this surgery, I was not scared, I did not question it, I WAS having this surgery.
I truly and honestly wish you the same certainty no matter what your decision is !! All the best to you !!

You could be talking about me, I was feeling EXACTLY how you are now.
I have not had my surgery yet but I have been struggling more with this decision than anything else I've ever done. I thought maybe I could just get serious and really lose weight on my own this time, then I was worried about having an irreversible surgery and the list just went on and on. And to make matters worse, a lot of folks who had been sleeved seemed a hundred times more confident about their decision than I could ever be. I would literally wake in the night with cold sweats and panic about having this done. I'm not someone who prays (not wanting to offend anyone at all, but I'm just not) but lets just say I sent a request out into thin air and asked if I could just make a decision one way or another as this was driving me mad.
Well I got my answer, yesterday I ended up at my GP's office with insanely high BP (my doctor said I was in "stroke territory") and had to be kept there for two hours until it came down to a safe level. They also did a lot of blood work including checking me for pre-diabetes etc. I am only 55 years old.
I tell you something, you can do an awful lot of soul searching in two hours while you sit in a cold doctors office. I was plain angry at myself. I wasn't in there for a sore throat, or a sprained wrist, I was in there because I could not stop over eating, plain and simple, I COULD NOT stop over eating and yesterday this might have made me stroke or die.
I left there with a 100% certainty that I WAS having this surgery, I was not scared, I did not question it, I WAS having this surgery.
I truly and honestly wish you the same certainty no matter what your decision is !! All the best to you !!