Hi all,

I'm getting my sleeve done in Tijuana. I've done research here and read all of the posts I can find about both the doctor I'm seeing and experiences travelling to Mexico for the sugery. I feel pretty comfortable with my decision and I'm really excited about going and getting this over with.

The problem is, my dad is terrified. He's always been protective of me, but he's convinced himself that this is some scam and as soon as I'm over the Mexican border someone is going to steal my cashier's check and leave me stranded or worse. In fact, he's calling me so often and his concern is so sincere that now I'm a little concerned myself, which annoys me.

I just honestly have no idea what to tell him or what proof to show him to convince him that it's safe, so that he'll feel better about it and settle down a little (or a lot). Any ideas? I mentioned all of the positive reviews here, but he just scoffed and said that of course there would be good reviews, the surgeons could hire anyone off the street to write a bogus review.

I hope this doesn't offend anybody because that is sincerely not my intent and I don't mean in any way to imply that Medical Tourism is full of scam artists, I just would feel a lot better if my dad was more at ease.

I actually have four patients getting sleeved with Dr. Illan during that time frame. I will ask them to check this thread out and pm you, as two of them are going alone and probably love to get a buddy for support while there.

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Lareina007

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Posted 12 minutes ago

My surgery is August 9 with DrLopez, anyone else that day?

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And Omar is absolutely wonderful! Express your concerns to him and they will do whatever to make you and your Dad feel more at ease. I've pestered Omar to death with all of my anxiety and worries... Lol

I actually have four patients getting sleeved with Dr. Illan during that time frame. I will ask them to check this thread out and pm you, as two of them are going alone and probably love to get a buddy for support while there.

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Thank you!! That would be great.

Lareina007

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Posted 12 minutes ago

My surgery is August 9 with DrLopez, anyone else that day?

Thanks! I messaged her. I think part of my problem is I'm really not sure which doctors operate from which location, all I know for sure are Illan and Aceves out of Tijuana.

I feel a lot better having potential surgery/travel buddies, thank you saffikeagan and Susan!

Illan is out of Florence hospital but you stay at Lucerna hotel- and I think so do Aceves patients but he actually does surgery in Mexicali. Dr. Garcia also works out of Florence but his patients stay at the Marriott hotel.

Illan is out of florence hospital but you stay at Lucerna hotel- and I think so do Aceves patients but he actually does surgery in Mexicali. Dr. Garcia also works out of Florence but his patients stay at the Marriott hotel.

Thank you! I knew about the hotel but wasn't sure which hospital. I'm really going to have to call Omar tomorrow, I think, I'm realizing that I don't know as much as I probably should. I admit that I'm really excited to see the hotel, lol, I've seen pictures and it just looks gorgeous. I'm really getting very excited about this whole thing.

Larinea was just on chat. She speaks spanish. She's more than happy to have you join her in your adventure!

I think that's his main problem. He's disabled and can't make the trip, but he's said several times that he wishes he could go. I kind of wish he could go with me because he's a pretty big, strong guy and I've always felt safer around him, but my mom is making the trip with me so that helps. Of course, he and my mom have been separated since I was 4, so that doesn't make him feel any better.

I wonder if he might feel better if he could Skype with the surgeon and ask any questions he might have directly? If it's that important to you that he feel comfortable, there's no harm in asking!

My boyfriend was extremely skeptical but a Skype conversation with my surgeon, where he was able to ask questions directly about qualifications, training, potential complications, etc., made him feel much more comfortable. I think seeing the doctor as a real person rather than some generic entity helped as well.

~Kat

Wow, no kidding? I think I'll call his office tomorrow, I haven't actually talked to anyone over the phone yet. That's so cool that he does that. Maybe if my dad hears from the surgeon himself that his patients indeed make it safely to the operating table he'll feel better. Of course, I can hear my dad now, "well, sure, anyone could buy a lab coat off the street." But it will make me feel more comfortable, so that's the important thing.

Ha! I should have read ahead.

Yep, Dr Illan will Skype and did so with my boyfriend and I. It helped to hear about his training, the mechanics of the procedure, how he was going to handle my particular situation, etc. I know you said your Dad isn't computer savvy but many newer cell phone are capable of Skyping, so you could do it from your phone with your Dad.

~Kat

And Omar is absolutely wonderful! Express your concerns to him and they will do whatever to make you and your Dad feel more at ease. I've pestered Omar to death with all of my anxiety and worries... Lol

Omar is wonderful.

I ended up going with Dr. Aceves but Omar and I still keep in touch via email checking on each other's progress.

Perhaps your dad can talk to Omar as well as Dr. Illan.