Sorry to have been a lurker on here -- I've never participated in a forum mostly on iPad before... I keep thinking I'll get to a desktop and do the courteous thing and post and respond, but I'm seldom at a desktop ! Sorry about that! I am an older (50 year old) mom to 3 kids under 12 who has become obese the last five years and stayed that way despite very regular, concerted exercise the last 18 months. I have many high BP readings, high-ish cholesterol, sometimes high-ish blood sugar. I feel like a ticking time bomb of bad health and I need to do what it takes to get healthy now (BMI has bounced around 31-33.5 the last three years despite a lot of effort on my part).

I am getting ready to pull the trigger and firm up a sleeve date in MX in November. I have spent hours reading these forums and various blogs, etc., and--for somewhat intangible reasons, I have become comfortable with Dr. Illan and florence Hospital.

BUT-- I'm now at the "seeking-reassuring-information-to-provide-to-loved ones-so-they-will-help-with-chlldcare" stage and I'm eager to find a few easy links or printouts to put under their noses. They won't/don't have the time to surf forums for hours. In fact, my husband is a broadcaster/journalist whose efficient, analytical research style will lead him right to a senior/expensive "elder statesman of bariatric surgery" type doc like Dr. Aceves, which would be fine if every $500 didn't matter to me, but it does.

If anyone has seen a posting or blog where someone succinctly recites some verifiable stats or facts about Dr. Illan and/or Florence Hospital, I would sure appreciate being directed there. The kinds of things that will get my dear husband in helpful mode (agreeing to handle care of three kids while I'm gone) would be info on which hospital Florence uses as back-up for severe complications (I assume Angeles, based on what I've read, but I don't have the facts to sing praises of Angeles' sophistication, stellar rating, etc.), impressive, verifiable fact-lets about Dr. Illan, what support might be available if a complication occurred back home, etc.

Thanks in advance if anyone can send me a link, etc. I have joined the helpful FB group for their practice and (as a result of hours of reading and some corresponding with patients) *I* am comfortable, but I need those bullet points for the husband if possible .

Best wishes,

Annie (getting close to a November 2013 Mexican sleeve date)

Thank you, everyone, for the helpful input!

Whatever the industry or profession, I am used to paying more for high profile, seasoned/accomplished veterans with easily verifiable credentials. Sometimes when I don't have time to research, I'll go ahead and spend extra $$ on one of those to up the chance that I won't have issues. But most often I like to put extra energy in to finding talented up & comers & save my re$ources. I've found a couple of good & reassuring morsels about Dr. Illan that I hope to summarize & offer up to my husband (and to this forum) soon.

Thanks so much again!

Annie (mid-November sleever to be )

I didn't mean to cause such an uproar... I have done my research for months and months, TRUST ME. Let's face it, the bottom line there is a chance of something happening no matter where someone goes. I have heard about the situation with the poor woman that passed away, and it's all very sad. I guess I came across a little too opinionated, and obviously people really love this Dr. Things happen and I understand that, I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Thank you' date=' everyone, for the helpful input!

Whatever the industry or profession, I am used to paying more for high profile, seasoned/accomplished veterans with easily verifiable credentials. Sometimes when I don't have time to research, I'll go ahead and spend extra on one of those to up the chance that I won't have issues. But most often I like to put extra energy in to finding talented up & comers & save my reources. I've found a couple of good & reassuring morsels about Dr. Illan that I hope to summarize & offer up to my husband (and to this forum) soon.

Thanks so much again!

Annie (mid-November sleever to be )[/quote']

Congrats on ur decision! I'll be TJ with Dr Illan on Nov 9th! Im super excited and ready to be on the other side. Maybe I'll see u there