Hey all! First time poster, long time lurker here. I haven't chosen a surgeon yet but I know I'm going to have to have my surgery in Mexico. I'm going alone and I wanted to know how those of you (esp. ladies who have gone alone) thought of your patient coordinator? I don't mean the coordinating company, but the people who help you once your in Mexico.

Did they drive you around to get groceries, go shopping, get prescriptions, etc.?

Did they take you out to eat? If so, did they pay for it?

How was their English?

Was there anything you wish they had taken care of that they didn't? Like call your family when you were out of surgery, or take your husband out to eat while you were recovering? Or been with you on the plane!

Are prescriptions included in the surgery price or did you have to pay for them?

If it was a man and you were a solo women did you feel comfortable being alone with him? Would you have prefferred a woman?

I'm trying to figure out if there will be any extra costs once I get there (aside from shopping, obviously!) and I'm a little paranoid about being hit on. Long story, but I have a hard time trusting men.

Please and thanking you!

PM me

I am scheduled for surgery next week but I feel pretty confident because once u make your appointment they give u every detail possible and help walk u thru what u will need to do and what to expect. I am going through Dr. Ortiz at the OCC. there are a lot of utubes if interested or have not chose a doctor. Oh yeah, my pain medications are in addition to the fee and was told to bring $125-$150 for them. Hope this helps.

Thanks VG1978! This is gonna sound weird, but I'm not so worried about finding a good surgeon. I know there are a lot and my chances of having complications aren't going to change becuase of the surgeon. What I really want to know is, how are you taken care of when your down there?

Like I said, I'm a little paranoid about going alone and being alone a lot with someone (a man) I don't know that well. Are there any doctor's/coordinating companies that have a woman who helps you in Mexico?

Ohh, I see. I can't hep u with that one until after next week

Hi Hopin, I'm about at the point you are. I'm looking at doctors, coordinators, dates etc. I plan on going alone, but I've traveled alone before and know a bit of Spanish. I'd really prefer just to drive down to the Texas boarder towns and save on airfare, but there's been so much scary stuff happening down there that I think I'll suck it up and fly to San Diego instead. The Texas boarder would be so much more convenient tho

PM me. I will tell you what my husband does for patients. He does NOT work for any doctors or agencies. And best of all... he does not charge! I call him a patient advocate. He has been there (TJ) 12 times... soon to be 13

In went alone and it was awesome. My surgery was at the OCC with Dr Ariel Ortiz and I was well taken care of by all concerned. From the driver to the staff at the OCC to the Marriott. I was never afraid for my safety and the Marriott was a great place to relax and recuperate. As a single mom of an 8 year old not worrying about anyone or having to answer 100 questions was so peaceful.

Westcoastlady, I will PM You. Does your husband speak Spanish? How is he able to do this without charging?

My coordinator didn't drive us around, but the hotel would take you where you needed to go. Also broth at the hotel came with the package so there was no going out to eat. I didn't have a plus one but if I did, he could have gone to hotel dining room, ordered room service or eaten in the hospital cafeteria so the coordinator wouldn't have needed to entertain my plus one.

The coordinator basically made sure we got to the hospital/hotel via the hotel shuttle. He helped me check into the hospital. He watched my laptop for me while I was in my surgery and he offered to call family. He also checked in on me daily both at the hotel and in the hospital to make sure that I was OK.

As for medications. The only medication I needed to pay for was the acid reducer. I actually didn't even buy any since I had brought my acid reducer from home. If I did need to buy it, it would have been $20.00 for a three month supply which is a decent price.. and the coordinator offered to go pick it up for me.

SerendipityHappens, which coordinating company did you go through? And what hotel did you stay at? Did you have to get antibiotics and Diflucan post-op? Or are you saying those were included int he price?

I am just looking into doctors now, just joined this sight today. I am divorced, both parents are gone, and basically looking at doing this all on my own too. I am kind of afraid to travel to a foreign country by myself, but it is the only way I can afford surgery.

I am thinking about either Aceves, Illan, Kelly or Ortiz. Right now, Illan seems like the one closest to my price range, but I want to learn more about him and all the other doctors before I make a final choice. I just want to make sure their hospitals are in a safe place too, and that if I need to go out, they will have someone that can help me.

I was alone after surgery....my best friend was there for surgery Monday, made sure I was back at the hotel Tuesday and then flew home. I used Dr. Ortiz at the OCC as well and their driver took us in groups back and forth to the hotel/office. Was never alone with him and felt safe the whole time at the hotel and traveling in TJ. I saw several people sharing taxis to sight-seeing or shop. If you get to TJ the day before, get a taxi to Costco or WalMart, pay them to wait for you while you go buy Vitamin Water or Gatorade. Ask the hotel to keep it for you while you have surgery and bring it to your room after you check in again. Bottom line is if you aren't out partying and wandering alone, you will be fine.

I have been to DrOrtiz (band) and DrAceves(revision to sleeve) and I have gone alone several times. I have been to TJ jeez I dont even know exactly how many times...12? I had a friend with me twice. I also had plastics at cosmed. I have been to Mexicali once for my revision

Feel free to PM me. I felt totally fine going alone. I had a very long drive and two flights too. It wasnt fun, but was do able

Thanks to everyone for your responses! Relax #3 - I sent you a PM. WestCoastLady - I tried to PM you but couldn't.

I am in TJ with my mom and sister and we have been treated like royalty. The men at the hotel have bern wonderful and the taxi that took me to Walmart waited an hour for me and didn't charge ne extra. There are good and bad in every city. I would come back again. I even went to the dentist who was a superstar.