Hi everybody,

I'm new here and not sleeved yet, looking to do it next year. I will be self-pay so I'm most likely going to Mexico (I live in Arizona). While I have not had surgery in Mexico before, I did have a breast reduction in Costa Rica three years ago--a fairly major procedure that required 14 days recovery there before I could return home. I can share what I learned about traveling for a surgery to a foreign country being able to speak only a few words of the language, and I hope that you all will share VSG-specific experiences with me.

With a sense of humor and some Pictionary and Charades skills, I did okay with the language barrier, but a phrase book would have been a big help. Some things were different than what you'd find in an American hospital--for instance, they had me walk right into the operating room and lie down, rather than being rolled in on a gurney. I found staying in my recovery home to be a wonderful experience, however, there was no air conditioning there or in many public places. The standard of care was excellent, although in some ways very different from the U.S.--for instance, pain medication is not pushed and, in fact, is used rather minimally.

A lot of the things I brought with me are irrelevant for a simpler procedure and a shorter stay, but I did pack my own antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, and Hibiclens and disinfected everything I touched.

Please share anything you feel is relevant for those of us traveling to Mexico (or beyond!) for our surgeries.

Hi and welcome to our forums. You will find that there are a lot of us here who had our surgery outside of the US. In our "Tell Your Story" forum, people have listed their experiences, and most of them have turned out excellent.

We look forward to following your progress.

Welcome Kzol! I'm not sleeved yet either, am having that done in January 2010! Can't wait. . . I'm staying here though, too chicken to go to Mexico! hehehe. . . I have my initial visits on the 20th. . . yahoo!!!

KZol - welcome to VST and thank you for sharing your experience in CR. As Susan said, lots of us on this site had our surgeries in Mexico.

Mine was performed by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali at Almater Hospital and I will tell you that it is the cleanest hospital I have EVER been in - they clean constantly - no need to disinfect anything. They also don't make you walk to or from the OR.

Read everyone's stories, or to save time, do a search for Mexicali or Mexico and you will find lots of stories and experiences to read.

I will say that my experience in Mexicali is the best experience with a surgeon/ hospital that I have EVER experienced and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dr. Aceves, his staff and Almater Hospital to ANYONE considering WLS surgery.