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I also wanted to mention, which I forgot to! That I also had surgery in TJ with Ponce de leon and know tons of very happy, like me, people who had a great time in Mexico!

I even went to Ensenada to the Buffadora (sp?) and markets. It was a blast!

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Educate yourself as to which areas are experiencing problems. Most of them are near the Texas border...and most of the surgeons that people go to are near the California border, not that area.

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Who did your surgery if you don't mind me asking?

Surgery was done by Dr. Mario Almanza (http://hospitaljerusalem.com.mx/bariatric-sleeve-gastrectomy.php).

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If your parents are worried about Mexico, then go to Cancun. It's a great vacation destination. I had my surgery there and took the family. Everyone had a great time and I had no worries at all! I used Dr.Verboonen and have had no problems what so ever!

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"If I can't even drink the Water, why would I have surgery there?"

I'm guessing your parents are referring to the news that the Zeta cartel has been making since... probably last fall. There was a blow-up, but things have gotten a lot more low key. But AFAIK the major conflicts with the Zeta cartel are not in the same area as the hospitals. I'm pretty sure those routes aren't highly prized drug trafficking venues.

^ just best guess from a midwesterner who hasn't crossed the Mex border in a solid 5 years.

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25 years ago I went to Cancun for my honeymoon....my mother was convinced I would be kidnapped and never seen again...and this was BEFORE the lovely internet, 24 hour news, "Nancy Grace" and even cable tv for our area.

I am a mother. i would worry about my daughter (a solder) overseas no matter where she went (and she can kick butt). I believe the state department has travel advisories posted when there are things to truly watch out for, not just what the media portrays. Like anywhere you're not familiar with ... common sense. And even with all the media portrayal..when was the last time you heard of a "fat chick murdered in driveby in TJ?" You KNOW the media would LOVE that! (of course, now that I've said it I 'll probably be the next headline lol)

Like others have said, you can get killed doing anything, including not to anything. :) I will be going to TJ alone. My biggest concern is the Water. (and not the media portrayal of shark attacks in the Water lol)

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StillLooking, as for Water my hotel had free bottled water replenished every morning - 3 bottles each day. :)

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I leave for Tijuana tomorrow to Dr Almanza. I am nervous as anyone can be and I am so glad to find this forum for self pay Mexico .. I seriously need to hear from people that have been to Tijuana and say it is clean and sanitary .. I was also told the anesthesiologist will be in the room during my surgery the entire time.. is this fact for those of you that went to DR Almanza? I am a smoker - quitting and slowing down of course, but I have breathing problems, and that is truly my biggest worry right now., any other smokers? ex smokers that quit just before surgery?

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Ya, I think it all depends on where you are crossing. I live in New Mexico, and I know the people south of our border have gone freaking bugnuts. AZ border is pretty bad too. The dentist my dad used to go to down there was kidnapped and to my knowledge never found.

Sorry- not to scare you, but it seems everyone going to the baja end of Mexico are not having trouble. If it were closer this way, I'd seriously advise against it. I can see why your family is concerned, but the realtime experiences from people on here should guide you in the right direction and give you a sense of what's what.

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Girl my family gave me hell too for deciding on Tijuana, and I'm Mexican... go figure!

All I did was check travel the travel advisories. If they give you the green light to travel, then go for it!!z

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Girl my family gave me hell too for deciding on Tijuana' date=' and I'm Mexican... go figure!

All I did was check travel the travel advisories. If they give you the green light to travel, then go for it!!z[/quote']

Lol who did your surgery? Is it really that bad down there?

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Lol who did your surgery? Is it really that bad down there?

I haven't gone yet, not until December but Dr. Kelly will be doing it.

And I feel really confident that everything will go well because..

#1- I haven't heard of anyone not feeling safe, both on this forum and people I know

#2- there aren't any travel advisories for Tijuana. The big places are like Sinaloa and places where the Cartels have strongholds.

Tijuana has such a big American presence (or so I've heard) ,you really wont feel "out of place" if you don't speak Spanish. And plus everyone that has gone was well taken care of.

I'm sure you will be fine wherever you go, whether here or Mexico . I am extremely confident in my decision and if you have any questions just ask! Good luck on your decision! :)

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I went to dr Kelly. I never felt unsafe. I actually was worried and had a post before I went too. But Omar was with us everywhere hospital was clean and I felt I got great care. The biggest differences I noticed was less automation at hospital. more handwritten. Less computers.

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    • Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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