So let me start by saying a few words as to why I'm writing this. I was recently sleeved by Dr. Garcia in Tijuana and I am very happy with my results -- so far. If you want to read moment by moment blows of someones happy surgery, this isn't the blog. I've read every blog here and a majority are dead on accurate. But there's a lot no one bothers to mention and I wish someone had. Also, I'm posting this from a made-up user ID.... I read the boards daily and respond frequently, but prefer to keep some elements of my issues private (as you'll read). Thanks!!

First, Waiting! I appreciate in the U.S. were go-go-go people who are comfortable with our busy, full schedules but in Mexico, there is NO scheduling at all! You sit and wait, and wait, and wait. The day of my surgery we were taken at 6:45 to the hospital, we waited until after 9am for the hospital staff to even arrive to check us in. Once in my room, more waiting; I didn't have my surgery until NIGHT! Despite numerous attempts to ask when (approx) my surgery would be - "soon" is the only answer I got. Want to go shopping after surgery, plan to wait. No one can tell you if or when or how long. I waited 2 whole days and then in a matter of minutes of a phone call, was expected to be ready.

Second - Coordinators. Good luck. I saw my coordinator ONCE on the very LAST day. Once I was taken back to the hotel, I had questions I needed answered and despite my attempts (for over an hour) and the hotels attempts, no one could reach them. And their voicemail boxes were full - wonderful. What if I had an emergency?

Third - Not Like U.S. Hospitals. Now I accepted this going in. BUT, if when waiting to be taken into ER I am awake and can see the person before me laying naked on the OR table - I'm sorry, I find that bothersome to several degrees. First, how many germs are flooding through those open doors? Second, if I was awake enough to see someone (who I actually knew from these boards and hotel), then who is seeing me? Not cool.

Fourth - The Yucky (yes, the yucky truth - feel free to skip) No one bothers to tell you that your pee after your final leak test will be BRIGHT green for days - not an issue, but a heads up would've been nice. And the diarrhea - oh my stomach aches just thinking about it. It smells horrendous - like sick tummy. Its lasts for, I don't even know how long, I still have it, and its explosive. So yes, you probably will shart yourself. Just speaking the truth here.

Again, I want to say I am HAPPY with my results ---- these were just things NO ONE bothered to mention and it would've been nice to prepare a bit better. So, bring a extra book, ask all your questions before you leave, ask to be drugged up before going to the OR and sit on a towel afterwards and you should be ALL set!

I have read a lot about the poops afterward.....silly question. Why? If we have ate nothing?

There are some doctors that do no pre op diet and the people can eat up until the night before!!

And no bowel prep...

I was doing yogurt for 3 days before surgery, I hardly ate anything. Didn't eat anything at all the night before my surgery.

I was doing yogurt for 3 days before surgery' date=' I hardly ate anything. Didn't eat anything at all the night before my surgery.[/quote']

You went to Dr. Ponce right? (Hope I am)...did u experience any bad bathroom issues? Im just wondering read where some take Imodium for plane ride then softner for at home.

Yes I am the one that wrote that, I was OK at the hospital but right when I got to the hotel I had diarrhea, and then after at home I've been taking a stool softener as a preventative measure.

I saw gas strips...can u take pills after surgery? Like Tylenol, Imodium, or r u suppose to do liquid?

I am very new here. I am a bit "freaked out" by what I am reading. I am scheduled for surgery 8/1...so I have MONTHS to work myself into a frenzy and it's starting now.

I have read several comments about price....I have chosen dr. sergio verboonen and have already paid a deposit, bought the airline tickets and am counting the days until I can get this surgery. I am paying $4500...and it seems from what I am reading this is too cheap?

YIKES.

I am very new here. I am a bit "freaked out" by what I am reading. I am scheduled for surgery 8/1...so I have MONTHS to work myself into a frenzy and it's starting now.

I have read several comments about price....I have chosen Dr. Sergio verboonen and have already paid a deposit' date=' bought the airline tickets and am counting the days until I can get this surgery. I am paying 4500...and it seems from what I am reading this is too cheap?

YIKES.[/quote']

I encourage you to remain confident in your research. Cheaper price doesn't mean less skill. Pricing depends on so many factors.

Thank u so much! I appreciate the honest threads like that more then anything! I can be more prepared and I'm thankful to know this stuff ahead of time

I am April 12. Starting to not sleep at night. Just nervous

I am April 12. Starting to not sleep at night. Just nervous

I haven't slept in weeks thinking about this....I will be glad when my surgery is here....too much anxiety waiting!!!

I had surgery with Dr Ponce and I was told that my surgery would be within an hour of getting dropped off at the hospital - I waited 6 or 7 hours. It would have been nice to know because I was literally panicking for those hours!!! FYI you can chew gym before surgery - my mouth was so dry and I had no gum for my stinky breath! Dr Ponce does surgeries other than wls as well and I guess he had a very long one in the morning that pushed things back. I was his last surgery of the day - yikes! Lol but the surgery itself was fine. I also had to wait on Trish and the other Dr's (Dr Ponce left for Easter after my surgery). There was a lot of hurry up and waits for me. That could have had something to do with it being Holy Week to (don't go to Mexico the week before Easter). I had an infection on my big incision and Dr Oscar told me he would check on me at my hotel before I went home and he never showed up or called to say he wasn't coming which was really annoying. Trish would show up hours after she said she would. Dr Ponce is a great surgeon and person but just bcuz u pay more don't expect that they are going to be diligent about time. My room was delayed due to a whole bunch of babies being born that day-- its a hospital stuff happens. We do wait in Canada at the hospital but the staff don't make false promises of how long things are going to take - its just a given you wait. If I had to do it all again (And I had complications) I def would with Dr Ponce but I would use Laurie as my coordinator - even tho she charges more than Trish. Trish wasn't bad just distracted.

Btw my pee and poo was blue after the swallow test lol! It scared me at first!

Thank you to the OP for posting. I come to these boards to read about as many of peoples experiences with this surgery and on the surgical experience in Mexico in particular. That to me means all experiences. Being seen naked by other patients wasn't something I considered as a posibility. It's good to know that it is, even if it is only a remote posibility. I've read nothing that had deterred my interest in having surgery in Mexico.

I'm also a Canadian. Bariatric surgery is performed at my local hospital and is covered by my provincial plan. It wouldn't cost me anything to have the surgery and I would likely receive 6 weeks paid time off of work. My choice is still to go to MX. I believe the bariatric surgeons there perform significantly more gastric sleeve procedures. There also isn't the wait time in MX as there is in Canada. I'm comfortable that my decision is no less dangerous in MX than it would be in Canada.

For the Nurse that said she wouldn't consider surgery in Mexico... You have every right to not consider it. It is your personal opinion. However posting your opinion on a thread in this forum serves no benefit to the readers here. I've seen you post your opinion on another thread in the self-pay/mexico forum. I was puzzled because your opinion not to have surgery in Mexico isn't remotely relevant in a forum for people interested in surgery in Mexico.

Thank you to the OP for posting. I come to these boards to read about as many of peoples experiences with this surgery and on the surgical experience in Mexico in particular. That to me means all experiences. Being seen naked by other patients wasn't something I considered as a posibility. It's good to know that it is' date=' even if it is only a remote posibility. I've read nothing that had deterred my interest in having surgery in Mexico.

I'm also a Canadian. Bariatric surgery is performed at my local hospital and is covered by my provincial plan. It wouldn't cost me anything to have the surgery and I would likely receive 6 weeks paid time off of work. My choice is still to go to MX. I believe the bariatric surgeons there perform significantly more gastric sleeve procedures. There also isn't the wait time in MX as there is in Canada. I'm comfortable that my decision is no less dangerous in MX than it would be in Canada.

For the Nurse that said she wouldn't consider surgery in Mexico... You have every right to not consider it. It is your personal opinion. However posting your opinion on a thread in this forum serves no benefit to the readers here. I've seen you post your opinion on another thread in the self-pay/mexico forum. I was puzzled because your opinion not to have surgery in Mexico isn't remotely relevant in a forum for people interested in surgery in Mexico.[/quote']

I saw that too and wondered what the point was?! Lol I'm Canadian but living in Nz ... I went to TJ may 11 w dr Garcia ... Best decision I ever made - you're a wise woman ... They are experts and you will be in good hands x

I too am in Canada and chose to go to Mexico for surgery. 5-7 year wait times in Alberta were the issue. I went with Drs Valenzuela and Cabrera in TJ and my only regret is that I left my hubby at home. I was lonely! Lol. Walked to the local mall the day after I left the hospital, 45 minutes up hill from the hotel. Drs, nurses, coordinators and drivers were all great, as we're the hotel staff. I was dropped off at San Diego airport at 8am and my flight wasn't till 6 hours later but I sat and read sipping my Gatorade until it was time to check in and go through security. I would recommend my surgeons to anyone with the proviso not to expect same cleanliness standards as at home. Room wasn't cleaned while I was in it (at mi dr) sheets not changed and bathroom not cleaned but everything was spotless when I arrived.