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 agree about the whole people seeing us naked but there where about 15 staff members between the two OR's at hospital MI, hate to say it but I'm sure a lot of people saw us all naked the day of surgery. It's a hospital and I'm sure it didn't phase any of them. I also agree waiting does suck, but I never had an issue with not knowing time frames and my coordinators were in my room to check on me every day, even in the hotel. I'm sorry to hear some people have this experience but I truly think those are few and far between, and although the diarrhea may suck! A lot of people in the hospital with me were so constipated and jealous of any of us thy could poop! Lol I also expected some funky colored pee with the crazy blue liquid we had to drink, although it was a little disturbing

Ok I guess I would respected you more if you posted this under your real name. I'm confused on why you didn't or felt the need to hide. This is your opinion and your journey. I respect that. Just like anything in life, everyone's experience is not the same. What bothers one might not be a issue for another.

Ruh roh!

Well I had surgery there last Monday and yes there is a lot of waiting, but that happens here also in US hospitals. I have had many many surgeries in 7 yrs that's always been a factor for me, the waiting. In regards to the coordinator mine were pretty busy and once I reached the hotel I saw her one time to but she called me every day, I don't know what company you went with but the Marriott is instructed to call your coordinators and doctors if need be. In regards to the diarrhea I too have that the last 2 days but I have ingested more gas x strips then I used to Oreos! Going in to the OR I did see the person in the other room but I absolutely didnt see any nakedness. And I could give a crap who sees me naked anyway, to be honest. :-) again I have had plenty of surgeries in the US, 4 in Florida and 3 in ohio and the experience wasn't far off! Not all are blessed with insurance WHO WILL PAY, so 25000 to 5200 I am in!!! :-)

I agree about the whole people seeing us naked but there where about 15 staff members between the two OR's at hospital MI' date=' hate to say it but I'm sure a lot of people saw us all naked the day of surgery. It's a hospital and I'm sure it didn't phase any of them. I also agree waiting does suck, but I never had an issue with not knowing time frames and my coordinators were in my room to check on me every day, even in the hotel. I'm sorry to hear some people have this experience but I truly think those are few and far between, and although the diarrhea may suck! A lot of people in the hospital with me were so constipated and jealous of any of us thy could poop! Lol I also expected some funky colored pee with the crazy blue liquid we had to drink, although it was a little disturbing <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

The green pee... OMG, why does this take me back to the Gladlock Zipper Bag commercials of the 80's and 90's. Yellow and blue make green...

Amanda Rae

What Stephanie said. I can't say my other surgical experiences have been stellar either as far as waiting and/or attention. My worst was in Germany when I had a C section for my daughter; the drs and nurses were complete jerks. Also, after 3 child births, I have no pride left. And we're all naked under our clothes

I think if you have not had major surgery these stories are scarier......

What Stephanie said. I can't say my other surgical experiences have been stellar either as far as waiting and/or attention. My worst was in Germany when I had a C section for my daughter; the drs and nurses were complete jerks. Also' date=' after 3 child births, I have no pride left. And we're all naked under our clothes <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I think if you have not had major surgery these stories are scarier......[/quote']

I concur pantala!!!! Major surgery is scary and if you never had one and you go to some hospital you are unfamiliar with its even worse!! Yup I had 2 babies and everyone and their mother saw me naked.....a bunch of Mexican docs and staff won't bother me!!!! :-)

Well, considering what I've seen posted about another surgeon that charges $4500, what you received was a huge improvement. Last I heard Garcia is $4700, right? I think at that price point, since all your "complaints" are really centralized around your convenience, you received a good value.

I will say if you want to be catered to more, and have more interaction, you would have had to gone to a higher priced surgeon. For anybody that feels that these problems are aggregous then I'd highly recommend spending the $5500 to go to dr. Ponce de leon or Dr. Kelly.

This is just my observation/opinion.

Well' date=' considering what I've seen posted about another surgeon that charges 4500, what you received was a huge improvement. Last I heard Garcia is 4700, right? I think at that price point, since all your "complaints" are really centralized around your convenience, you received a good value.

I will say if you want to be catered to more, and have more interaction, you would have had to gone to a higher priced surgeon. For anybody that feels that these problems are aggregous then I'd highly recommend spending the 5500 to go to dr. Ponce de leon or Dr. Kelly.

This is just my observation/opinion.

[/quote']

Not my complaints the original posters complaints! I was thrilled! :-) mine was 5200 because of revision!!

I have never heard of anyone waiting so long for surgery. With any MX surgeon. Perhaps there is a reason behind it? Depending on the prior patient, the doc can be delayed and of course your Cordinator, like Dr Ponce's is right with you until you are taken in and therefore involves you in every aspect of what's going on. Did you demand to know what's going on? I think I would have been marching right up to the doc and saying ..hey, what's up!

It's not normal to not have a surgery date and time.. Something went wrong!

I had surgery with Dr. Garcia on Feb 19th and the coordinators were there with me from the minute I got to the hotel and were there every step of the way. I went through ready 4achange and Rosie and Melissa were always in reach and just a few minutes away if I needed them. The morning of surgery we went to the hospital at 10am and started filling out paperwork, they were so ready for me that before we'd even finished the nurse came down to draw my blood work so it could be sent off to be analyzed. My husband finished paperwork while I sat with the nurse to have my blood drawn. We were moved to our room and within 2 hours were in to surgery.

I never saw anyone before surgery in the OR room. After the leak test I never had green urine but it does make sense that it could happen. It's like drinking too much blue koolaid aid lol When we got back to the hotel we had a nights rest and the next morning saw Dr. Luna and Rosie again. They answered any questions and checked my incisions. I didn't go shopping, I was there to have surgery and rest/recover so hadn't planned on shopping so can't say anything about that. On the departure day Samuel was delayed but that was due to a very large Mary Kay convention at the hotel so things were a bit crazy.

I know everyone's experience will be different but mine was pretty smooth sailing. I just wanted to post to help set some people's minds at ease that of course things can go wrong in any hospital anywhere in the world but things can also go right.

OH MY!!!!!! I am scheduled at end of March. So recent sleeves please post whether you experienced any of this. I have found most of y'all's story to be consistent with each other. So please but my mind at ease.

In terms of scheduling and time, you MUST understand culture. I lived in Costa Rica and it is VERY typical to say 12:00 and have a doctor walk in at 1:15. I would show up late and still be "early". Really screwed with me when I got back to the states. Latin American cultures are typically very laid back and time is not focused on....

Cindysc

Don't freak out. It's not like that. I don't know what happened here, but I don't have the sharts (yet?) and and there were no birthday suits seen. Unless it was mine and I could care less. I was asleep. Lol

Thank you Amy. By the way I hope I am in as good spirits and mood when I'm one day out from surgery. I enjoy your posts!