After ballooning up to 196 lbs., I needed a change. I wasn't able to fit into my clothes, and I felt like I was gaining weight by the day. Besides eating, I had other factors against me like hypothyroidism and a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. After researching, it seemed like with me having a BMI of 35, being approved for the surgery in the U.S. would be hard. So I started researching doctors and afforable programs to have the gastric sleeve. I came across Hospital Jerusalem. I read some positive and negative feedback, but once I saw that dr. Ponce de leon was surgeon I was in. Dr. Ponce De Leon is known as one of the top surgeons in Mexico, and he does corrective surgery as well. I filled out the patient questionaire on the website, and Trudi got back with me. Over the next couple of months, I would make payments with her, and she would check on me to make sure the surgery was still a go. On May 14th, 2014 I flew from Houston to Arizona to San Diego. Carlos, one of the drivers picked me up from the airport to bring me to Tijuana. Ladies, beware- Carlos is a hottie. I was like out of all the drivers to send, they send a sexy one and I'm not looking good right now- lol. Anyways Carlos was friendly and very informative. He helped me with my bag, and I made sure to tip him. I was taken to the Orchid House, which is a guest house. The ladies that run the guest house are very nice. There's internet, a couple of U.S. phone lines, a few English stations and they provide free food like chicken broth, popsicles and Jello. I came in, showered, got in touch with my family to let them know I was ok, and got some sleep. The following afternoon, I was picked up by Juan (another sexy driver) and taken to Hospital Vidal for blood tests and an IV. I met with the doctors to discuss the surgery, changed and before I knew it I was waking up on the table. The nurses were so sweet, which was a relief since I traveled by myself. They continuously checked on me to see if I needed meds for pain or nauseous. They helped me shower, and they took care of the dressing of my wounds. After having this surgery, I now know why it was so important to start the Protein shake/liquid diet before the surgery because it is a big change. The hardest thing is remembering to go slow and not gulp because it will hurt. On the 17th, I drank a blue liquid and then a white liquid for the leak test which turned out well. The doctors gave me a copy of the x-ray, and I then went to stay at Hotel Pablo Amigo Casino Hotel. The beds at this hotel are very comfy, the rooms have good AC, there are lots of English cable channels, and the chicken broth is pretty good. Antonio is very helpful. He works at the hotel and when he found out I needed to go to the store, he volunteered to take me in his golf cart and I even did some souvenir shopping along the way. Carlos picked me up on the 18th to take me back over the boarder to San Diego to catch my flight. Before leaving, I was given antibiotics and pain meds with the directons on how much to take. Overall this was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again. Research and make sure you know what you're getting into because this is a big change. Please tip your drivers and nurses because they really do take care of you. If any one has any questions, ask away. I had the surgery 4 days ago, and I've already lost 6.5 lbs. I'm on my way to getting my sexy back and I'm so happy.

Where did you go to get the price of $3695? What did that include?

I went to Tijuana, Mexico through Hospital Jerusalem. It came to about $3800.00, and that included everything but the flight.

mwaller81, congratulations! you are a week out from surgery now, How are you feeling? what struggles have you had so far? I'm scheduld with Dr Ponce De Leon in a week & a half.

Ok, see this confuses me because in the big Ponce de leon thread - Alex (the forum owner) said that they do not offer the special through Hospital Jerusalem. A coordinator for Dr. PDL told me on the phone that Hospital Jerusalem was closed cuz the owner died. I have no clue what is going on with this doctor, this special and which hospital is being used. Good luck if someone figures it out.

PS - The reason for the pre-operative diet is so the liver loses fatty deposits and shrinks. This enables the doctor to see the stomach easier and work around the liver. By losing the fatty deposits, the liver is also not as slippery to hold.

PPS It would be great if you could edit your post so that it has paragraphs lol. Just point near the quote button and you will see an edit button materialize.

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by Travelmego

Hi Duval003, I'm feeling pretty good. I have tried to eat a piece of meat and egg, and I vomited so that was a big no no. I'm sick of the liquid diet, but I have no choice. There is a tiny bit of hunger, but when I drink a Protein shake I'm fine. I wish I could drink Water and other drinks faster with out the acid reflux and the pain in my stomach, but its not going to happen. I have to sip. I am ready to exercise, but I still have like 11 days so I just walk.

Travelmego, I can only tell you my experience and what doctor I used. Several websites offer dr. Ponce de leon. I was on a budget and researched the doctors for 2 months. There was a doctor that was on one of the operating teams that did pass, however there is new clinic open and Ponce De Leon did my surgery. FYI- my time when I get the time to reply on this website is NOT my job. If you have a problem with how I choose to respond, please click on the x in the right corner of your screen. I'm here to give my experience not for you to critique my writing on a forum. Go to college and preach on "paragraph form" over there because this is not the place. I'm a stay at home mom whose job is to travel around the world, take care of my 2 year old and to look fine as hell for myself and my husband. So kick rocks!

I didn't mean to insult you. I just wanted people to be able to easily read what you took the time to write. Sometimes various browsers will make text come out in one long form because it takes paragraph formatting out automatically.... so I wanted to let you know that there is an edit button. I couldn't find it for several days.

What's the new clinic that just opened? That's interesting? PDL operates there now?

It's called Hospital Vidal.

Travelmego, I can only tell you my experience and what doctor I used. Several websites offer dr. Ponce de leon. I was on a budget and researched the doctors for 2 months. There was a doctor that was on one of the operating teams that did pass, however there is new clinic open and Ponce De Leon did my surgery. FYI- my time when I get the time to reply on this website is NOT my job. If you have a problem with how I choose to respond, please click on the x in the right corner of your screen. I'm here to give my experience not for you to critique my writing on a forum. Go to college and preach on "paragraph form" over there because this is not the place. I'm a stay at home mom whose job is to travel around the world, take care of my 2 year old and to look fine as hell for myself and my husband. So kick rocks!

This was really uncalled for. Most of us won't even bother with reading gigantic walls of text like your original post. In fact, I did not read your original post. @@Travelmego was only trying to be helpful.

Travelmego, I can only tell you my experience and what doctor I used. Several websites offer dr. Ponce de leon. I was on a budget and researched the doctors for 2 months. There was a doctor that was on one of the operating teams that did pass, however there is new clinic open and Ponce De Leon did my surgery. FYI- my time when I get the time to reply on this website is NOT my job. If you have a problem with how I choose to respond, please click on the x in the right corner of your screen. I'm here to give my experience not for you to critique my writing on a forum. Go to college and preach on "paragraph form" over there because this is not the place. I'm a stay at home mom whose job is to travel around the world, take care of my 2 year old and to look fine as hell for myself and my husband. So kick rocks!

you might want to slow down there mwaller, take a deep breath and read on the forums a bit before you start reacting to people like this. if you feel someone is really abusing you, you can report them, otherwise, assume no one is attacking you or means you harm. she did not personally attack you or insult you... i too skipped over most of what you wrote because of how it was formatted. she was giving you some practical advice. most people around here are kind or at least benign, so take some time to soak up the vibe before you go off on someone for something pretty mild.

Do you have pictures of your Dr ponce? I was told first hand that there are a few Dr's down there posing as Dr ponce.