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Need advice on where to have gastric sleeve



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Although at first I did not want to go to TJ, I chose it in the end for the number of reasonably priced doctors using full service hospitals and ease of travel (many direct flights to San Diego and short drive across the border). Then I went about deciding which doctor/coordinator team to go with. It was not easy!

I decided to use Dr. Fernando Garcia through Ready4AChange; had a great experience and paid $4700. I booked my flights (for my husband and myself) early through Southwest. While in TJ my only out-of-pocket expenses were meals for my husband, tips, and minor incidentals. It was less than 6K total.

I will admit I was nervous and my family mostly thought I was nuts but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am down 30 lbs in eight weeks and feel great! We were treated very well and if not for the surgery we would have thought we were on a Mexican vacation.

Good luck with your journey and don't hesitate to ask questions.

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Hi everyone' date=' I live near Atlanta ,Ga. I have decided to have a gastric sleeve in Mexico.I am a school teacher and have United Healthcare Ins, but they won' t cover any weight loss procedures on our school system's policy so I will have to self pay. Since I live close to Atlanta I need to find the best place to go in Mexico with a good price...yes money is a factor...I know my health is important but being a teacher I have to consider price...any information would be greatly appreciated.[/quote']

Hello! I had my surgery done through Baja Med with Dr. Serrano! In TJ! There just amazing and so educated, and there support after surgery is just the best! They make you feel at home! They have different payment plans as well so it's easier on the pocket book! If you need any information I have it all! Feel free to msg me! Good luck! It will be the best choice of your life!

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I was just sleeved with Dr. Garcia at florence on May 20. I am so happy with my choice!!

I'm really glad things went so well for you. :) I'm tentatively booked with Dr. Garcia for the first week in July...but I'm finding it tough to commit! What convinced you ultimately to choose Dr. Garcia?

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Thank you for all the great information. I was hoping to spend no more than $6000 for my surgery. This is what I have saved already. Hopefully I can find a facility that is on the up and up and will fit into my price range.

I'm from Northern FL. My best friend drove from Atlanta and went with me to Tijuana. I saw Dr. Illian and couldn't be happier! I had an amazing experience. My best friend, who was much more skeptical that I was (after all, I'd done the months and months of research!) was so impressed at the care I received. Including airfare for both her and I, I spent around $4.500 total.

You can get more information through his website. He has an on-staff, dedicated coordinator, so you won't find information about him through another company.

www.bajabariatrics.com

~Kat

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Please please pleeeease ont chose a cheap dr in the states. That's a big NO!

MX drs are way more experienced and all are great. You will be pleased with any of the drs mentioned above.

My dr was Dr Ponce and I also recommend Dr Rodriguez (previous surgeries) Dr Ponce is $5,500 unless you're a revision. I don't know Dr Rods sleeve price.

Good luck!

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I chose Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. My experience was excellent.

He is on the higher end of price' date=' 8750, but worth it.

He has so much experience and Almater Hospital is 100% full service, and the WLS patients have their own wing.[/quote']

Hey I just got mine done on may 15 with Dr. Aceves :) He was great! How has your journey been?

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I was very happy with the surgical team of Cabrerra and Valenzuela. I booked with Christy at Mexico Bariatric center and had surgery at MiDoctor Hospital. I'm thrilled with my sleeve so far and my surgery experience was great. After researching pretty much ALL the doctors listed in this thread, I would have been very comfortable going with any of them. Choosing my doctor was a difficult decision because there were SO many competent and capable doctors to choose from... That's a pretty good position to be in!

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I'm also a teacher. I had my sleeve done over spring break in Tijuana with Dr. Garcia. I went through Ready4Achange and Alma was my coordinator. I had a high bmi (over 50), so my cost was $5200 plus the cost of my passport, plane tickets, etc. With everything, I probably spent $6000. I highly recommend Dr. Garcia.

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I was just sleeved with Dr. Garcia at florence on May 20. I am so happy with my choice!! The hospital is small but clean. My surgery went wonderful! I had NO complications at all! not even any pain. I did have some gas! but other than that I did wonderful! Now the docs did tell me I was best case senerio! I had A LOT of people praying for me and I believe that was a huge factor in how well I did! We flew into San Diego cal on sunday' date=' I had surgery on monday was released from hospital on wednesday spent 2 days in the marriott! (which is a beautiful resort!) and I was home by last night! Tijuna is a little intimadating, but I come from a very small town. My total cost which does include passports for my husband and I, flights, food for him, and surgery was around 5600. hope this helps and message me anytime with more questions! I know how overwhelmed I was with the whole process so if I can help let me know! :)[/quote']

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 2 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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