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So confused! Newbie here..help :/



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I have had surgery in Mexico twice, once of r plastics and once for my sleeve, and scheduled for another round of plastics in September. They're are world class surgeons practicing in Mexico and the level of care you can receive there far surpasses any care I've received in the US. If you figure out what your criteria ar end do your research, you have nothing to worry about. The poor experiences are few and far between and almost always are because people didn't do proper research or weren't honest with their surgeons about their medical history/conditions.

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I'll catch h**l for this but I'm going to say it anyway. First, I do NOT work for anyone but myself and that is providing cosmetic tattooing services. I have NO association with any doctors or clinics from which i receive ANY benefit.

So here it is: Avoid Dr. Almanza at ALL cost, i dont care how attractive his prices are, how endearing his staff, or he seems to be ((i found him quite sleazy but there are those who are 'taken' by him)). He could have killed me, my insides will never be the same. If you would like to read my story just follow the link and read my posts. If not, thats fine.

I have such a bad taste for TJ, MX because of Almanza, which i know is not fair.. there are probably some very good doctors there, but he ruined it for me. He has put people in comas, had a man dropped off at the border who was near death because of Almanza. You dont have to take my word for it... look him up.

I think the doctors associated with THIS site are reputable. I will tell you the place where I found my sanctuary: the Mexicali Bariatric Center. I originally went to Dr. Aceves, who I fell in LOVE with. Unfortunately he passed in a tragic airplane crash. I had 7 friends from AK (my home) , 1 from TN, 1 from GA, 1 from FL, 2 from CA who, after seeing my wonderful results also went there and there has not been one reported negative result. Anyway,,, again, no i dont work for them, i receive nothing from them, I simply respect and love them for what they have done for me. I would go to ANY of the doctors there, and if I can ever afford skin removal, I will consult with them for a referral. It was suggested on here that I contact you after your post, and it has taken me some time to find you. I hope you will read my story. I dont want to REpost it on your thread because that really seems to piss people off. I dont spend enough time here to be acquainted with the 'rules and protocol' so I've had my butt chewed several times and been accused of being a.. cant recall what i was called, but basically they said i obviously 'worked' for a doctor and was trying to steer business away from Almanza. To that I say 'heck yeah, guilty as charged EXCEPT I work for NO doctor, nor gain any advantage'. I simply hate to see Almanza to maim, destroy, and butcher people. Are there those who would defend him???? Absolutely!!! But would you want to take that chance? Read up on him if he is one you are considering. Dont go by just my word. . This doc on here... Brechter, Brecher... not sure, but his office was incredibly helpful to me during my disaster. Best of Luck to you.

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I actually went to Mexico using Bariatric Pal (This website). I had a fantastic time, and am doing really well. They've helped me along every step of the way.

I also agree w/ the posts on do your research on your doctor- Dr Almanza has horror stories out there. Google your doctor!

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There are affordable self pay Dr.'s in Texas, Mexico and Las Vegas, My recommendation is do your research. For me I knew that I wanted my after surgery are to be hospital based vs a hotel or a recovery center. Do you want post nutrition care through the surgeon/booker or do you want to find your own dietician or nutritionist? Do you need it financed or can you pay all up front?

I wanted hospital after care and I can call or email the nutritionist if I need to. I also had to pay up front CC or Cashier's check. I knew all this up front and this is o.k. with me. Like I said you need to know what you want from your experience and then find a surgeon that can meet those expectations otherwise you will not feel good about surgery in another country.

My surgery went great and the surgeon, hospital staff and stay was amazing, it was the best decision I've ever made.

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    • 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. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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!

    • 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. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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