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Just back from Tijuana



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I just got back yesterday from my vgs surgery in Tijuana, I am doing great. No pain, gas, dry heaves, vomiting, or cramping. Everything went very well. I followed the liquid/soft food diet for 10 days prior to the surgery, and the last 3 days I had nothing but clear broth and Water. My coordinator was a God send, her name is Nina Mehrabani, and she was by far one of the best people I came in contact with. She recently moved to Tijuana from Orange County CA, so she could use her own private residence as a recovery house for her patients, and it was absolutely beautiful! She had her housekeeper who is also trained for our medical needs, take us shopping in Tijuana on Tue and Wed if we were up to it. I went Tue, but not Wed. The only thing I didn't want to do was take a shower, I was afraid of showering in water with open wounds, that nobody will even drink? Better safe than sorry. So I just came home as a dirt ball but healthy! lol..

The surgery went very well, we arrived on Monday morning at 8 o'clock at Jet Blue terminal where we were picked up in a club van from Jerusalem hospital/clinic, there were 4 of us, two women in their 20's and another woman closer to my age, early 50's. My daughter came with me. The clinic is very small and in a strip mall, lol, but clean. We were then taken in and had blood work done, after about an hour we were taken upstairs where we were checked in and had an EKG, then we were taken into surgery one at a time. It was a small room with a table bed in the middle, I was given anesthesia in my iv and I was out in a matter of a minute or two. I was in for about 45 minutes to an hour. I was woken up, then walked upstairs to my bed, where we stayed overnight. The next day, Tue, they took us to our recovery houses where we were allowed to do what we wanted, some of us went shopping, it all depends on who your coordinator is, so I have to mention Nina again, her home was by far the nicest! The clinic picked us up again on Wednesday and gave us a 4 ounce bottle of purple water to drink and took us for an x-ray. When we got there we also had to drink a clear liquid that tasted like alka seltzer, it was awful, then they took an x-ray to check for leaks, but with titanium staples, surgical sutures, and glue, I can't see how anything could be leaking lol. They gave us a copy of our x-ray to bring home with us and sent us on our way. Since 2 of us were leaving very early on Thurs. morning, we went back to the clinic and had our ports removed, we were then given a bag of medicine- Aluminio y Magnesiuo for gas, naproxeno 250 mg for pain, and ciproflozacino Bacproin 500 mg for antibiotic as well as instructions to keep the wounds clean and a diet to follow for the next 8 weeks. We then went back to our houses, and did what we wanted until it was time to leave, Nina took us to a grocery store where we bought some goodies to bring home. We decided to leave at 3 am to catch our flight from San Diego at 7:10, and I'm glad we did. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get through the boarder, which was good time considering it takes 3 - 4 hours, and by the time we got to the airport, checked our bag, and went through security, we only had about 45 mins before our flight. All in all, I had a great experience and would do it again as well as recommend it to anyone who needs it but can't get it done here in the states for any reason. I'm including a link to Nina's web page because I wouldn't use anyone else!

Take care everyone and if you have any questions please feel free to ask me.

Bariatric Solutions in Mexico - Developed by: Roberto Solorzano .com

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Congrats and good luck! You are starting down an exciting path!

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Congrats and good luck! You are starting down an exciting path!

Thank you, and good luck with your weight loss! rolleyes.gif

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Quints:

I wanted to ask u a question or two. I two have been looking into the doctors u used. I suppose there are various coordinators. I basically clicked on the advertisement link here on the main page that advertises for 4499.00. Ive begun talking with Melissa, in the info she sent me it says they do not over sew the suture line, u mentioned that they did all three methods (which I think I like the idea of) u did go to Jerusalem clinics correct? Dr Mario almanza?

Thanks

Pasquini

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Quints:

I wanted to ask u a question or two. I two have been looking into the doctors u used. I suppose there are various coordinators. I basically clicked on the advertisement link here on the main page that advertises for 4499.00. Ive begun talking with Melissa, in the info she sent me it says they do not over sew the suture line, u mentioned that they did all three methods (which I think I like the idea of) u did go to Jerusalem clinics correct? Dr Mario Almanza?

Thanks

Pasquini

Yes I went to Jerusalem and Dr. Almanza was my surgeon. My coordinator's name is Nina and I highly recommend her. She has had the surgery herself, several months ago as well as some cosmetic procedures, so she can answer any and all questions with experience. She also moved from Ca to Tijuana so she could have a place of her own for her patients to stay, where she can take care of you. Her home is by far the most beautiful recovery house, very large, I believe it has 5 bedrooms, with a beautiful backyard patio and fountain, a fireplace as well as a bbq grille, it's a 10 minute drive into town for shopping on Revolution Dr, which the nurse takes you to whenever you want to get out, and I felt very safe staying there. I bought my daughter along with me and we stayed in the same room with 2 twin beds. The price for vsg at Jerusalem is the same, unless you go for plication, then it's $5000. I'm including Nina's web page so you can express your concerns directly to her. She will call you if you want to talk by phone or converse through email. Whatever you feel comfortable doing. I was told from Nina that we have staples, sutures and glue. I have been home and back to work for a week now and I'm doing very well. My primary saw me on Wed and took out my stitches for me, I have no infections and everything looked good. Good luck in your decision. Anything else you'd like to know just ask, I'll try to answer as best I can. biggrin.gifhttp://www.bariatricinmexico.com/index.php

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Congrats!

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I have emailed with Nina, looking at possibly may 14th! Holy cow! I have gone from not sure when I would be able to do this, to wow look at my tax return, I'm going next month!

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I have emailed with Nina, looking at possibly may 14th! Holy cow! I have gone from not sure when I would be able to do this, to wow look at my tax return, I'm going next month!

WoW I'm excited for you! I'm so glad you got in touch with Nina. I think the recovery house is just as important as the hospital/clinic if not more so. We only stay overnight at the actual clinic - the rest of the time we are at a recovery house, so the nicer the better, and Nina's house is by far the nicest. I also liked the fact that she lives there so she is with you every step of the way!

Just make sure you have your passport or card to cross back into the U.S. also give yourself at least 4 hours to cross the border in all the bumper to bumper traffic to make your flight home, that way you'll have plenty of time to check in and go through security at the airport and maybe grab a cup of tea and relax a bit. Tell Nina quints say's hello and please keep me posted on your big day. biggrin.gifbiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif

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I'll keep ya posted. Thx for the recommendation. I spoke with her this morning and felt good about the choice. My sister is going with me and is a vegetarian and Nina was very assuring that that would not be te slightest problem that she would be as well cared for as I would be. I'm gonna start a video blog next week and document everything. Thx again

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Quints:

I wanted to ask u a question or two. I two have been looking into the doctors u used. I suppose there are various coordinators. I basically clicked on the advertisement link here on the main page that advertises for 4499.00. Ive begun talking with Melissa, in the info she sent me it says they do not over sew the suture line, u mentioned that they did all three methods (which I think I like the idea of) u did go to Jerusalem clinics correct? Dr Mario Almanza?

Thanks

Pasquini

I went to Tijuana but I used Dr Kelly. Dr Kelly does surgery at a hospital where you would spend at least two nights. He does over sew on the suture line. I didn't have sutures that needed to be removed after as he uses surgical glue for the incisions. I would be happy to give you my coordinators name if you want to check out Dr. Kelly. He is a Christian and a very nice man. He was born in the US and served in our military before going to Mexico to practice medicine.

Send me a private message and I will send you the name and number for my coordinator. There is also a physician for after care once you get home you can call at anytime with any questions. He is very nice and knowledgable as well.

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Btw, how r u doing so far?

I'm doing wonderful, better then expected. I've always been pretty healthy, but averaging 25 lbs extra weight and a (chain) smoker. sad.gif Then a few years ago I quit smoking and gained 50+ lbs. I have been yo-yoing ever since. I finally decided to do the sleeve but had to find a place I could afford since I'm self pay, unfortunately the states is out of reach with the malpractice insurance being so high, so I had to find an alternative. That's when I found Nina and Mexico. I am thrilled with my decision and when I go back for some cosmetic in a year or two, I will be going to Nina's again. I'm surprised at some of the sleevers on here who ate a big meal the night before their surgery? I was on a low fat, carb free diet for 10 days prior to mine along with the last 2 days of just Water, clear broth (chicken boullion), tea, and yogurt, and I didn't have any gas pains after surgery at all. I bought along some DISSOLVING gas-x strips with me just in case, but I ended up giving them to the other patients since I didn't need them. You might want to bring some along just in case. I lost about 6 lbs prior to surgery and I'm down another 10 so far. My goal is to loose 65 lbs, but I'll take a 100 if my body lets me. biggrin.gif I'm glad your sister is going with you. My daughter came with me and we went out a day early so we could see San Diego for a whole day, so we spent 2 nights at the Hampton inn. It's a nice place, but there is a train right behind the hotel that sounds a horn every 10 minutes.. For the same price you could check out the Marriott on the bay, they run specials all the time. Ask for a high floor. Check out expedia for your flights now and buy early so you get a cheaper rate, also get two aisle seats across from your sister instead of together. Easier to get in and out for bathroom breaks and to walk around. Buy compression socks to wear home. I have to go..talk later.

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