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BariatricPal Team MX with Dr. Illan
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Good afternoon everyone,
I just wanted to share my experience for those of you considering Bariatric Surgery so I could maybe help you along a bit in your decision making. My insurance agreed to pay but I would still be out of pocket around $4000 and I would be on a required diet for 6 months. Well I am an impatient girl and I didn't want to wait that long. I have 3 little girls and a husband so this was a HUGE decision for me and I did research for the next month or so. I finally decided on Bariatric Team MX and Dr. Jalil Illan. I scheduled through Bill Yanez at BariatricPal and I went alone for my surgery because I wanted to leave my husband behind to care for our girls and comfort them. I flew into California very scared and skeptical and my husband was a wreck! I was met at the airport by a great guy named Memo and taken across the border and straight to the hospital. I was greeted by a BariatricPal rep and the kindest hospital staff I have ever met. I was given a little something to relax me because I was NERVOUS Y'ALL! After that there was and XRAY taken, blood work, and my IV was put in. All this was done professionally and with no issues which is fabulous for me because I never do well with blood work and IV's, my veins like to hide. I met Dr. Illan after that before he begun his surgeries for the day. He is a sweetheart. A bit later I was taken back and given something in my IV and don't remember anything after that. I had the gastric sleeve. I woke up in recovery and was taken back to my room. I fell asleep after a very incoherent conversation with my husband.
Day one was tough, Day 2 was much better, and every day after has gotten better and better. WALK AS SOON AS YOU CAN! I did and I did not have any issues with gas pain. The nurses love what they do and they genuinely care about you, they are sympathetic, they are amazing! I met the most special nurses. The Valets, Bill, and Stacy the nutritionist checked on me often and the vallets were my besties and kept me company. I never felt alone but I did miss my family. I had a leak test and Day 3 I was checked into the Hotel Pueblo Amigo and stayed there 2 days. It is a very upscale hotel and I was very comfortable there. They have a casino and a dining area but I didn't go. I was very well stocked with everything I needed by Stacy. They do give you broth coupons to use in the dining area. After I was checked in Juan, a hilariously fun valet, took another fellow sleever and myself out to dinner. I had a virgin Pina Colada and shrimp broth. It was super yummy but I honestly couldn't eat much and Juan scolded me.
After that we agreed to go back and rest. The following day we shopped all day together and had lunch. I had a great time with Juan and my fellow sleever and we became good friends and still in contact daily! I felt safe at all times. The following morning I packed up and headed back to San Diego airport with Memo and finally got to see my babies and hubby again!
I am not exaggerating when I tell you that Oasis of Hope Hospital, the nurses and staff, the valets, Bill, Stacy, Dr. Illan (the Surgeon), and Dr. Flores (the anesthesiologist) are amazing and they will have a special place in my heart forever! Let me tell you that everything that was promised to me was 110% delivered. I had my surgery on November 18, 2016 and today I feel amazing, better than I have in years. My incisions are healing nicely, I have not been nauseous, and I am currently following a "clean eating" type of program but have still not added raw fruits and veggies to my diet because I'm still not that far out. I weigh once a month so I'm still not sure how much I've lost but my clothes are falling off! Please don't wait to make this decision, if you need the surgery, do it now! Feel free to ask me anything!
Edited by mamasasuperhero