I'm working on financing for the VSG which I will get answer by 5-11. I'm still deciding on doctors, but I'm liking Dr. Kelly the best so far. Besides the cost of the surgery & flight, what else OOP do you have to pay for in Mexico. Food? Medicine? Hotel extras? Teeth Whitening? I'd like to get an idea how much cash to bring with me. I'm so excited. I've thought about doing this so long that if I would have done it 4 years ago when I starting considering it I would have been skinny by now, lol.

I had my surgery in Mexico and everything was included. You won't be eating anything only clear liquids. They also give you medicine so thats also not a concern.

Surgery for me was $4500

Hotel suite Ticuan $300

Popcicles LoL $15

Tips $40

Airfare from Louisiana to San Diego $850 including baggage for 2 people

San Diego hotel 1 night $120

All in all it was right at $6000 bucks for me. Half price compared to my local surgeon. I know that I made the correct choice. I was sleeved Feb 17,2012 and as of today I have lost 67 pounds total. But tomorrow morning I know its going to be 68 lol.

Oh and as far as the teeth whitening. Better wait for when you go get your mommy tuck did. Cause theres no way that I was going anywhere after my surgery. I just wanted that bed and popcicles lol

I got sleeved with Dr. Kelly in late March. I wrote about my experience in my blog on this site. As far as money goes:

I paid $5,500 for the surgery (which included airport pickup and drop off). I spent an extra night at the hotel (I would have been fine with the 2 nights but I wanted to make sure I was ok before I left Mexico so that was an extra $90)

I bought some gatoraid and popsicles at the store across the street (no more then $10 for the 3 days I was there at the hotel. An earlier poster was correct. You won't be feeling up to drinking/"eating" anything else).

I got my teethed whitened (although in retrospect I probably should have just waited until I got back to the states - see blog). That cost $200.

I got my hair cut, dyed, styled, a pedicure, and my legs waxed for about $130 + tip (which is what I like to do on a "vacation" instead of shopping).

Ana (coordinator) will take you down to the shopping area of TJ so if you want some spending money for that. I don't recommend it unless you want jewlery or like haggling. I would think you need to tip Ana for the extra time she drives you to the whitening and shopping.

I spent $25 to check my bags on the way back (glad I did) and probably about $10 on juice and Water in the airport.

I paid for airport parking when I got back ($50).

Hope that helps. I highly recommend Dr. Kelly. I am about 5 weeks out and I couldn't be happier. I've experienced no real pain (except if I overeat and that is more like intense discomfort). Everything was handled well in Mexico and I left thinking that I would definitely have procedures done in another country again after that experience.

Thx Imlosing big, I fugured the rxs would be a bigger cost if I had to pay oop.

Congrats on 68 lbs Capt Derel ! 6K is what I'm planning on my entire budget so that # sounds good.

MrsTeacher, I'm glad you loved Dr, Kelly. I might have that pedi instead of teeth whitening. It's $300 at my dentist but for a ridiculously low price, I couldn't say no .

My surgery w/ Dr Kelly was $5200, airline tickets were $310, I brought money to tip the driver (to and from airport) $15 each way, singles to tip the hotel staff (housekeeping, baggage carrier, room service) I checked my carry on for the return trip ($25 well spent) Dr Kelly paid for all of the perscriptions, both Dr Kelly and Trish brought us drinks (tea,gatorade,water). We had a pedicure compliments of Trish but tipped the woman $10 each. Uuummm, I did spend a lot of money on jewlry while shopping but I put it on cc. Broth in the cafe is $7. Ask for a complimentary popscicle on your way out:)

do most of the restaurants accept credit card's? Just in case we use up all our cash?