JTHmom

my daughter went to Dr Ponce she said it was amazing she is now down 106 lbs I'm considering dr Ponce or Dr illian just have not decided yet i believe we paid $5000 for her gastric sleeve

Hello
My daughters Dr was Dr Ponce she did not have the single incision. Her experience was amazing everyone was so friendly she was impressed w the nursing care and said she would go back for other work , I'm looking at using Dr Ponce or Dr illian

Bariatric pal is working with a plastic surgeon now Dr Alejandro Galvez you can email Michelle@bariatricpal.com to get a quote and see his work

Dr. Rodriguez-Villereal. Star Medica hospital. Juarez.

There are many places in the US like Baltimore, Chicago and Detroit that are statistically way more dangerous than Tijuana. I went alone in July and was fine. You are never left alone to "wander around in the streets". A driver takes you to your destination and when I went out with my group for a bite to eat and some shopping we were with our valet in a busy shopping area where there were a lot of tourists doing the same. You'll be fine. I honestly find some of these travel warnings put out by the state dept ridiculous. BTW... I traveled again to Mexico about a week ago for vacation and was perfectly fine... because I used common sense and stayed at my resort and didn't venture out to unknown areas.

Bariatric pal is working with a plastic surgeon now Dr Alejandro Galvez you can email Michelle@bariatricpal.com to get a quote and see his work

I had my band removed last month having been banded 10 years losing 120 lbs and I feel the same as you I research the sleeve then think I can do this then I'm back to sleeve right now I'm looking at weight watchers as i need to wait 3 months after band removal before sleeve and ill see how i do if i need a tool i will get the sleeve:) but i am scared to death

I am post-op day 4 from my LBL (tummy tuck, butt lift, outer thigh lift) and I am feeling pretty good. My pain pump came out yesterday and my pain is controlled well with my Norco and Valium. Day 2 was the worst for pain. I am numb all over and very swollen but my belly is flat and my bum is lifted and I feel good! I have a small leak from my rear incision but that is normal and getting better each day. FYI - my surgery was with Dr Bruce Mast who is the head of plastic surgery at the University of Florida, the surgery was outpatient and cost $9200 total. I will post more updates as I progress.
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@Ance how is your daughter doing?

I'm a little annoyed... I didn't tell a lot of people I was having my surgery. Insurance wouldn't cover it and I was afraid if something happened financially (total cost was $22,800) I'd have to tell everyone I wasn't having it... anyway, I feel like people are expecting me to lose 100lbs within a few weeks. I can tell when they look at me. I'm 11 days post op.... people need to back off and give me time to adapt to this new life!!!

I was with Dr, Illan and the Oasis of Hope on 8/10/17. It was one of the best experiences of my life.... Tell your family and friends this is not a nose job or breast implants.... your making a last ditch effort to save your life... I actually had friends and family tell me I was okay being obese because they were use to it and it made them comfortable ???
Take half of everything you packed and throw it back on the bed ... you don't need it..
I went alone and I have heard a lot of ladies saying how empowering it is to go alone.. So you're only taking care of yourself , not someone else. And like everyone else says with all the valets and drivers you are never alone...

My parents had the same concerns about me having the VSG in Mexico, but ended up going with me there to be my support team because my husband couldn't take the time off of work, and they had a fantastic time. Tijuana actually has some surprisingly lovely areas. It reminded me of cities in Spain. I don't know which hotel or facility Dr. Illian uses, but it seems that most surgeons popular with Americans choose ones in safer, more upscale areas. We stayed at the Marriott, which was peaceful and safe. My surgery was at the CER clinic, a relatively short drive away. The clinic was much nicer than ones I've been to in Los Angeles. The Marriott handled all the ground transportation for my family, which also reduced the risk of being taken advantage of by a taxi driver. They took my parents to and from the clinic every day, and to a nearby shopping center that has an Applebee's, Starbucks, and other places familiar to Americans. The one time we took a taxi it was one the hotel had arranged for us, to go to the touristy area to shop. Our experience in Mexico was entirely positive. I hope yours will be as well.

I was just there this past May and my dh and I felt very safe. We walked around near the Pueblo Amigo hotel where we stayed and did not feel uncomfortable at all. The valets take real good care of you so you don't even have to go out alone if you don't want to.

I had surgery on 8/7 with Dr. Illan in Tijuana. I too was worried about gang activity and safety. I can say that we experienced no violence or gang activity at all. We did see a heavy policy presence,...Some with assault rifles. This made me feel safe. My companion walked the streets during the daytime with our valet to go to restaurants. I walked to the store across the street from the hospital after I was discharged. Everyone was really nice.
Lots of people actually jog the streets. I would watch them from my hospital room window. I never heard gunfire or saw anything that looked suspicious. After we checked into the hotel, we went shopping in the shopping district. Everyone wanted to sell us something of course. The locals seem to genuinely like Americans. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Your valets will take good care of you and your companion.
As an aside, Oasis of Hope Hospital is along the border, and you don't have to take any back streets to get there. It is also in a higher class area. There are brand new homes being built nearby from the 200s. The Pueblo Amigo Hotel and Casino is right across from the border crossing area.

thank you For the info I really appreciate it

I don't think there's anything to be worried about as long as you're street smart. If there are any issues I would like to think they would notify those who have booked their dates. I paid my deposit also for October 30th.

I just returned from Tijuana yesterday. Honestly, I don't think that Tijuana is the best vacation get a way location. However, when you travel for surgey they keep you pretty confined to safe areas. If you were traveling for vacation, I'd say pick somewhere else. However, especially with the doctor you chose they will keep you in safe areas. Good luck to you,

I paid my deposit with Dr Illian for November and Ive had a few links sent to me by concerned family etc... that there advising no travel to areas in Mexico and Tijuana is on the list due to an to uprise in Violence w gangs shooting in the streets . How was your experience? I'm getting stressed out

137lbs lost. 9 months post op!

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Thank you for posting this meal plan it is very helpful

Took my daughter 20 minutes you get to use the medical lanes My friend said it took her close to 1.5 hours to get across

I will admit, that was the only real worry I had. Thankfully, my gall bladder, almost two years later, seems to be just fine. I don't see why it would be done during the process of the surgery, why remove something that's not broken. Ya know?

You look amazing !!!!! I think at some point we all go through this fear I know I did when I had lap band 10 years ago! i just had to have the band removed last month and I wake up in the middle of the night in tears that I will gain my weight back . you have a lot of support on her with people going through the same feelings as you are