Hi everyone! My name is Krista, I'm new to the board. I am from the east coast of Canada where the wait time for surgery is 10+ years, so I have made the decision to have surgery in Mexico. I have narrowed it down to two surgeons, Dr. Kelly or Dr. Ponce DeLeon. Both seem very qualified and well respected. I have been keeping up on various message boards, and it sounds as though Dr. Kelly is handling patients himself rather than using a coordinator. I filled out the contact form on his website asking for information, and received an automated reply from A Lighter Me instead of Dr. Kelly. Is he still working with them? He isn't listed as one of the surgeons on their website. Is there an alternate email address where I might be able to contact Dr. Kelly himself to gather more information? Also, I have heard glowing praise for Dr. Ponce De Leon's coordinator, Trish. Would anyone have contact info for her as well? One question I'd like to ask them is how long of a waiting list they have. Is it a matter of weeks or months between booking and the big day (I need to get my passport arranged, so I'm wondering if I should rush it or not) Also, what is included in the $5500 that he charges? Do they arrange my hotel stay after surgery or am I on my own for that? I'll be bringing hubby with me, will he be able to stay with me in the hospital? I think that is it for the questions part of my post.

I do have a few concerns as well. I'm confident in both Dr. Kelly and Dr. Ponce De Leon's abilities, but I have never had major surgery before, and have never been on a plane before. My hubby spent the better part of three years in Afghanistan so he's well practiced in air travel and assures me it's no problem, I guess it's just a fear of the unknown. Has anyone else been in the same situation?

Thanks in advance for any advice, aside from the butterflies in my tummy, I'm getting super excited!

Krista

Seriously thinking about Dr Kelly. You choose the doctor not the coordinator. Those of you who had Kelly, tell me what you think HONESTLY!

Most, if not all, of the doctors do leak tests.

I have really enjoyed my interaction with Dr Kelly and his staff so far. I'm scheduled for June 14. Let me know if you have specific questions I've been personally corresponding with a couple of his patients who swear by him. I trust what they have to say more than anything on these boards. And yes pick your doctor, not your coordinator!!!

PM me with questions!

Thanks!! Just please let me know how things turn out for you. My sister is an rn and her only comment was drain vs no drain and for me to ask why he doesn't use one. I will be going alone and looking forward to the me quiet time! Lol. Looking like August. Again keep me posted!

My sister and I were the last 2 patients that Trish co-ordinated for Dr Kelly. It was pretty stressful because they were NOT getting along! If I had had to choose, I would have stuck with Dr Kelly. I thought about switching to Dr Ponce, but when I was planning my surgery in Jan (surgery 3/9) there was practically NO information on him. I searched obesityhelp, gastric sleeve talk and this forum. I couldn't find more than a handful of his patients. I think Trish is doing a good job getting his name out there recently! My sister and I both swear by Dr Kelly. There are lots of great Dr's in MX. My advice would be to talk to POST op patients. That's really the only relevant info:)

My sister and I were the last 2 patients that Trish co-ordinated for Dr Kelly. It was pretty stressful because they were NOT getting along! If I had had to choose' date=' I would have stuck with Dr Kelly. I thought about switching to Dr Ponce, but when I was planning my surgery in Jan (surgery 3/9) there was practically NO information on him. I searched obesityhelp, gastric sleeve talk and this forum. I couldn't find more than a handful of his patients. I think Trish is doing a good job getting his name out there recently! My sister and I both swear by Dr Kelly. There are lots of great Dr's in MX. My advice would be to talk to POST op patients. That's really the only relevant info:)[/quote']

So who did you go with? Too lazy to go re read!!

I know Dr Kelly used to use a drain, as I watched a youtube video (from Oct or Nov 2011) where someone was showing their incision from the drain & they had Dr Kelly. But he no longer uses the drain. Not sure why, but must have learnt it is not necessary for some reason.

I am scheduled for May 10th & been very happy with the communication from Dr Kelly's team so far!

I will also post a full report once I get back from Mexico.

MGm, DD used Dr Kelly. But I also agree with her, which is how I decided on him - talking with post op patients! There are several on here. Those of us pre oppers can only relay what we have heard!

I had my surgery on 3-28 -12 . I had no problems at all . Feel free to pm me with any questions.

I have my surgery with Dr. Ponce on Thursday and will also report back. I agree the top priority is the doctor in any decision you make.. but once you've decided who that may be to you.. .then the next thing i look at is how everything else will go as far as getting there safely and back since i have no idea what is safe vs not safe in mexico. It helps when people come back and let us know how their experience was for sure!!

Good luck on Thursday!!

I have my surgery with Dr. Ponce on Thursday and will also report back. I agree the top priority is the doctor in any decision you make.. but once you've decided who that may be to you.. .then the next thing i look at is how everything else will go as far as getting there safely and back since i have no idea what is safe vs not safe in Mexico. It helps when people come back and let us know how their experience was for sure!!

Good luck on Thursday! I think you will be pleasantly suprised at how nice TJ is. INT and the Lucerna are in a very nice part of town. You will have a beautiful little balcony off your hotel room, either overlooking the fountain out front or the gorgeous pool area. Its a very nice place to recover. Trish will pray with you, make you laugh and just put you totally at ease

I found the hospital and the whole experience amazing. Very little pain , mostly from the gas and walking around helped. I posted some pictures here if you anyone wants to see them...www.photobucket.com/wlstijuana... some from the hotel and shopping as well. My sister who came with me loved the food and took pictures of it too... lol...

I found the hospital and the whole experience amazing. Very little pain , mostly from the gas and walking around helped. I posted some pictures here if you anyone wants to see them...www.photobucket.com/wlstijuana... some from the hotel and shopping as well. My sister who came with me loved the food and took pictures of it too... lol...

Thanks for sharing your photo's and experience.... can't wait to get there.. and have mine!!

I love the questions and follow-ups that are happening in this thread.

I am also bias because I went to Dr. Kelly. I came through the surgery with no problems. I initially had mild nausea, but it was due to the anesthesia. It only lasted about three hours and I slept the majority of the time. I kept asking my parents if they see an incision because it didn't feel like anything had been done to me. The nurses were exetremely attentive and took time to get to know your needs. I did have a night nurse that spoke limited english, but there was a translation sheet that I was able to point to if she didn't understand what I was saying.

Both of my parents were impressed and eased by the attention to detail and the work Trish did to make them comfortable.

My advice is to continue to do what you are doing now. Research research research! At this time, both doctors have competent coordinators that I believe are both happy.