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How long is the waiting period for surgery in Mexico?



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Well, I have been turned down by my insurance company (an HMO) multiple times now despite having a BMI of 42 (i don't really have any other life threatening issues...i'm just fat). So i'm considering having the surgery in Mexico (i live in Southern California). My question is...from the time you first emailed the surgeon of your choice, until the day of your surgery...how long was it? does it take nearly a year like in the US or is it a faster process. I am considering Tijuana Bariatrics (Dr. Garcia??) any thoughts? Obviously, I'm slightly terrified with the idea of this...so any input is greatly appreciated. :-)

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I had my surgery at OCC. I inquired on 4/11 and was sleeved on 5/9.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I'm having mine on 6/23 at Alo Bariatrics. I emailed them on February 23rd and chose a June date on purpose. I am positive I could have gotten a date sooner if I wanted.

www.alobariatrics.com

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Two weeks for the pre-op diet. Also depends on if you have any other medical conditions. I would have had mine earlier, but there was only one time in 2014-15 when I had three weeks to recover, didn't need them, but I was planning for worse case.

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Two weeks for the pre-op diet. Also depends on if you have any other medical conditions. I would have had mine earlier, but there was only one time in 2014-15 when I had three weeks to recover, didn't need them, but I was planning for worse case.

Excellent point. My pre-op starts 15 days before surgery and liquid diet starts 8 days before.

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Well, I have been turned down by my insurance company (an ***) multiple times now despite having a BMI of 42 (i don't really have any other life threatening issues...i'm just fat). So i'm considering having the surgery in Mexico (i live in Southern California). My question is...from the time you first emailed the surgeon of your choice, until the day of your surgery...how long was it? does it take nearly a year like in the US or is it a faster process. I am considering Tijuana Bariatrics (Dr. Garcia??) any thoughts? Obviously, I'm slightly terrified with the idea of this...so any input is greatly appreciated. :-)

Hi fancypants67

I will be more than happy to answer all your questions regarding the surgical procedures.

We can schedule a free Skype or facetime consultation, feel free to contact us!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Hi! Do not be terrified, it is not as bad as you think, and most likely it will be the best decision you have ever made. I did my sleeve in OCC in December 2015 and it wen pretty well, 75?pouhds down and counting, I am at my normal weight right now, I did not have any health issues either but what a difference it made! To answer your question I have started collecting infor end of September 2015 and had my sleeve done on December 4th. I would no call it a waiting time - you are only limited bt your own limitations, like time you can take off work and time you can come up with the money. I completely relied on this site for information as I did not know a single person who did sleeve anywhere, so this site is pretty good as information source, just ask the question and take time to read reviews.,good luck!

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I had my surgery through Bariatric Pal with Dr Jesus Lopez. Whichever of their surgeons you chose you could not be in better hands from the min you get there till you are ready to go home. Like being with a loving family.

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I think my first inquiry to OCC was on July 18, 2014 and my surgery date was Sept. 1. I could have probably had the surgery sooner, but they did want me to try to lose between 5-10% of my body weight pre-op and do a 15 day pre-op diet.

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I inquired about 3 weeks ago with Dr Illan, was approved within a couple days and scheduled mine for July 28. I probably could have gotten in sooner but for personal stuff I had to wait.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I inquired about 3 weeks ago with Dr Illan, was approved within a couple days and scheduled mine for July 28. I probably could have gotten in sooner but for personal stuff I had to wait.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm on for July 29 with Dr Illan. Can't wait!

Edited by jban0307

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Thank you all so much for your input and support! I have started the process with Dr. Illan and feel better and better about it every day. I hope i get approval, and still need to work on financing but they are very supportive at the TeamMx office so i really feel as i will be in good hands. I'm sure i will be back with more questions and pre surgery jitters...but thank you all so much!

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    • 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!
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    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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