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That's fantastic! I spoke with Cathy at Specialized Bariatrics today, and she was extremely helpful. The single incision procedure will add $1500 to the price tag, but she said that I would heal faster and would just have one umbilical scar, which sounds pretty wonderful. Especially when I hear such inspiring stories of fast healing like yours. Thank you for the top about the silicone strips. If they're working well for you, I'll get some for me too. Thank you again for sharing!

Thank you for sharing, Tawny. It is such a relief to hear that! You must be very pleased, since your body is definitely bikini-worthy!????

Hi JakeLancaster, I'm glad all went well with your surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy. It seems like everyone really likes him, and that he does great work. How are the incisions he made healing up and looking? Do you think the scars will be noticeable after everything is all healed? Thanks!

EagleS12, I haven't heard anything about Dr. Ortiz performing the single incision technique. So far the only one I know of in Mexico who does it, is Dr. Lopez. If you hear about anyone else, please let me know!

Freebird14, Thank you for sharing your experience and fabulous success! It is so encouraging! Did You happen to have Dr. Lopez perform the single incision technique, and if not, how large were your incisions and how are they healing? Thank you!

Diet and exercise...hmmm let's see...medical research gives that a success rate of less than 3%. And how is it that otherwise intelligent people, up to and including physicians, still suggest it boggles the mind. I wonder if they would recommend you take a medicine or have a surgery if it only came with a 3% chance of long-term success?

Hi SparkleCat, Would you mind sharing about how the incision sites from the surgery are coming along? I'm a bit anxious about that aspect. Thanks!

Packerfan61964, I'll be pulling for you, and can't wait to hear about your experience and wonderful results. You'll be through the worst part of the healing when I'm going in for surgery!????

Packerfan61964, through which medical tourism company did you book with Dr. Osuna, and how has the follow up been? I am scheduled with Dr. Lopez in December for a single incision sleeve. Also how are your surgical incisions healing?

Teensiebaby, All you need to do is Google Dr. Alejandro Lopez Specialized Bariatrics, and his information is all there. I very much doubt that your insurance will pay for you to go to him, as he is in Mexico. But if you end up going the self pay route, you should check him out.

You will find a great deal of information and feedback on this system that will help you greatly in your endeavor. I hope you find a great surgeon for you, and have a happy, healthy and successful outcome!

I'm still debating between two doctors, but I'm leaning towards Dr. Alejandro Lopez at Hospital Vida. He does a single incision sleeve Gastrectomy, that allows for faster healing and less scarring.

I planned my surgery for December 16th, and plan to return after the holidays on January 6th. I figured it's a slow time of year, and the least impactful time to be away from the office. My job entails travel by car and plane, meetings, attending events, business lunches, dinners, etc, as well as follow up desk time in my office. While it's not physically demanding, the long hours, meal situations, as well as the fact that Im not telling anyone at work, make it such that I figured I'd get past the initial healing and liquid diet phase before having to throw myself into balancing all of that.

TrulyAmazingToo, I am scheduled with two different surgeons still, but am leaning toward Dr. alejandro lopez, as he is the only surgeon in Mexico I've found who does the single incision sleeve Gastrectomy. I really like the idea of not having all the scars of the traditional method. Who is doing yours?

You will do it, AvaFern!

I really relate to this thread, as I've decided to keep quiet about my surgery. I know I would be in for all kinds of berating, as I have a BMI of 30, carry my weight well, and have low blood pressure with normal chemistries. My weight crept up to this level within the past two years, as I could no longer handle the very extreme measures I'd taken since I was a teen to stay thin. For most of my adult life, I looked like the picture of beauty and health. I even spent a few years as a behavioral health educator and program manager in charge of a high-risk obesity treatment program. I was 5'8" 127, ate healthy and exercised regularly. Meanwhile, under that veneer was an ugly, carefully hidden eating disorder, that was consuming my life and feelings of self worth. As years wore on I could no longer hide and "control" my problem. I'm having counseling as part of my health and healing journey, but it is because of this surgery that I truly have hope that I can look forward to a future where I am no longer food's bit*h! I'm also imagining the energy I'll have for a life outside of work, instead of dragging myself home at the end of each work day, and week, and then sequestering myself inside until it's time to start over again the following Monday. We still have a ways to go when it comes to understanding all that goes into human health, and even further when it comes to people's acceptance and understanding. So for now, I'm keeping quiet, and appreciate all of you on here who break off little pieces of your life experiences to feed others with your wisdom, support and honesty.

Ky89 and Cinamini1, I will be sleeved in TJ on December 16th. I am literally counting down the days on my calendar. Who is doing your surgery?

I am self-pay, and am having surgery in Mexico in December.

You all look fantastic! What an inspiration you all are. It really makes me feel so excited to get on the other side of this too!

Tawny, Can you share about your surgical scars? How large and visible they are now that you're all healed? Thank you!

It is so encouraging to hear all of you report on your wonderful experiences and outcomes. Did any of you have the single incision sleeve technique by Dr. Lopez? He is the only surgeon in Mexico that I know of who does it, and I haven't found anyone yet who has had it done. I would love to hear how anyone who has had that technique is doing.

Hi JerryLynn...I'm so glad to hear about how well things are going for you. I'm hoping to have a similar experience. Can you share with me what the surgical scars are like? I know it may sound silly, but I'm really concerned about it. Thank you!

From what I've come to understand, the following attributes warrant the higher fee: 1. Hospital Almater, where his group (Mexicali Bariatric Center) perform all their surgeries, is supposedly the only JCI approved facility in Baja. 2. Mexicali Bariatric Center, employs their own staff and coordinators, as opposed to contracting with a medical tourism service. 3. They use Ethicon staples and top of the line equipment, such as what are used in the U.S. (Some of the less expensive providers I've looked into say they do, as well. 4. They schedule a maximum of 3 cases a day, to ensure each patient gets adequate time and care. The feedback from every patient I've seen so far seems to substantiate this claim. 5. Additional procedure needs, i.e. hiatal hernia repair, are included in the fee, whereas the less expensive providers typically charge additionally for those services/needs. 6. I personally noted a marked difference in how they present themselves on social media (more in keeping with the professionalism of a medical practice in the US), as well as the quality and professionalism of the coordinator I've been dealing with. 7. They are located in Mexicali, which I understand is a safer area than Tijuana. With all that being said, there are some things that I am still considering: 1. Your (Rocky1) point about his role prior to the death of Dr. Aceves. 2. Checks for Dr. Wilhelmy's services are to be paid to Dr. Aceves's widow. In the US, a surviving spouse could not take over and collect fees for medical care unless they were a licensed physician. But perhaps there aren't any rules against the corporate practice of medicine in Mexico? 3. Dr. Wilhelmy does not perform single incision sleeve Gastrectomies, as he feels it adds additional risk and may not result in the best work. I did some reading and the NIMH reported on a recent study that demonstrated no difference in the weight loss/effectiveness, or risk in either group. It also cited a faster and less painful recovery for the single incision patients. I really don't want the additional scars if I don't have to have them, so it's on my mind. So those are my thoughts from the research I've done. I'll be interested to hear anything more that you learn.