**** warning stomach pic included***

Pre op, I did research for few months , went to 2 seminar state side and found out my insurance would not pay for gastric sleeve. They claimed it was experimental but they would cover RNY/DS/Banding. I said thanks but no thanks and looked to Mexico.

Came across Dr Ilian and his coordinator Omar ( thanks GAmom ). I called Omar sent him my healthy questionnaire and traded question about time line ,payment etc. Scheduled same day surgery for a month out to allow delivery of my first baby. Got my cashier check $4000, no deposit required, round trip plane ticket delta ATL to san diego 269... such a steal

Wednesday April 10th, grabbed my back pack hop on the plane (4.5 hr) Got to San deigo ( 10.30 am) and was picked up by beautiful Aracely. took about 20 min to get to Oasis/florence hospital. Checked in and was usher in a beautiful room with huge glass wall. I was still trying to enjoy the scenery and I heard behind " please sir change into this hospital gown you need to go to xray" another nurse came simultaneously said " blood draw for the lab" I kinda panicked I was not expecting it to go so fast but too late to back out. Spent the 30 mins doing x ray cardiologist , weight in and blood draw. IV drip was not good all, I have small veins and pre op dehydration made it worse ,I had 3 nurse try and insert the drip no luck after over 1 hr the anesthesiologist herself finally made the insert. Dr illian came into the room I spoke to him and I was so comfortable he explained the details of the surgery ( I opted to preemptive remove my gallbladder? and introduced me to his team. I was wheeled into the OR about 2.15 and I remember saying please make sure I woke up...pufff

I remember waking up with some gas pain and fell in and out of sleep till the next morning, my body was trying to catch up from 2 weeks of sleep deprivation with a screaming newborn. Some anxious hours for wife back home when could not talk to me immediately after surgery. Spent the next day walking the halls with other patients . checked out from the hospital on friday and immediately went to Angeles hospital for the contrast leak test ( passed ,I had 4 in total , one gas , 2 blue dye and contrast ) then next to the nutritiologist, got some chicken broth and checked in at Lucerna Hotel . I opted to spend only one night at the hotel so that I could go be with wifey and baby . I had some gas pains for about 3 day, zero pain and enough meds if I need it. The trip back across the border took about 30 mins thanks to the driver having medical pass. I saw dr Ilian twice before leaving the hospital and again at the hotel. he is the nicest dr I have ever met. If money was not an issue I would still go back to TJ for the surgery . I believed I received better care and skill with dr Illian and his staff best $4000 ever spent. I am 2 weeks out and down 24 lbs. So happy i did this .

So glad everything went well! And lol I remember those sleepless nights with a newborn very well! Enjoy them tho kids grow up so fast!

Congrats on surgery and on baby! Good luck with everything.

That is one super cool picture (I'm in the med field).

That is one super cool picture (I'm in the med field).

Cool pic! I thought about asking for one too lol