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Considering Sleeve Surgery in Mexico

VDH

By VDH, in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

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CanucKnucklehead    22

CanucKnucklehead
Posted

My husband just returned from surgery with Dr. Illan and my surgery is in 2 weeks with him as well. He had a marvelous experience!!! Dr. Illan has amazing credentials & a wonderful reputation.

I'm glad to hear this...I am booked with Dr Illan on March 13th so it's great to hear about other people's positive experiences!

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GreenEyedGal    19

GreenEyedGal
Posted

I had surgery with Dr Illan on 2/8 and so far everything is going well. I traveled to MX alone and felt comfortable and well taken care of. They checked on me every hour or two, seeing how I was, checking vitals, etc.

The only negative was I asked the staff to call my husband when I was out of surgery. No one called him. I had talked to my husband right before I went in and he knew he should be getting a call in about 60-90 minutes. 4 hours later when I checked my phone I had missed calls from my husband and some frantic texts.

I have 4 incisions, normal pain and discomfort, and looking forward to the rest of my life and shedding a few comorbidities along with my weight.

Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

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Martha Parker-mcneal    166

Martha Parker-mcneal
Posted

I ditto this remark. I moved to florida and was having no problems but needed my yearly lab work done. when I contacted the local bariatric clinic ( the only one in town) I was told they would not see my unless I had proof that my surgery was done in the usa. I am 13 years out and the hospital in ky only keeps records for 10 years. I finally found some old material I had that they accepted. it is great that it was routine care I needed and not an emergency. just be sure to verify that they will treat you and get it in writing as one person can say one thing and someone else interpreted it another. best of luck

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mbuczkowski    272

mbuczkowski
Posted

My PCP is doing all my follow-up. I have complication insurance and I was nervous about going to MX. However, Dr Illan sent me home with my surgery video, labs, chest xray and leak test video, so my Dr has everything and Dr Illan will share his case notes to the Dr.



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CanucKnucklehead    22

CanucKnucklehead
Posted

My PCP is doing all my follow-up. I have complication insurance and I was nervous about going to MX. However, Dr Illan sent me home with my surgery video, labs, chest xray and leak test video, so my Dr has everything and Dr Illan will share his case notes to the Dr.





Can I ask which company you got your "complication insurance" through? I was thinking about getting something long these lines, but I was told I wouldn't need it. I've seen several posts where people had it, so now I'm questioning the advice I received.

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mbuczkowski    272

mbuczkowski
Posted


Can I ask which company you got your "complication insurance" through? I was thinking about getting something long these lines, but I was told I wouldn't need it. I've seen several posts where people had it, so now I'm questioning the advice I received.


I was told I wouldn't need it. But for peace of mind, I got it. There are a couple companies out there, but this covered me once back in the states.

https://www.globalprotectivesolutions.com



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Please    188

Please
Posted

I'm going to OCC in Mexico, next month for a Gastric Sleeve. The Doctor there was on Dr.Oz and other TV shows. I didn't go on that, but it drew me to the clinic in my research. I was going elsewhere until I found OCC, they charge about 2-3G's more, but I liked what I found out and a lot of people from Canada go there.

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Please    188

Please
Posted

On February 22, 2017 at 7:16 PM, VDH said:

That's great to hear!!! Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Ortiz?! OCC I believe. His name came up during some of my research and people seemed to have a lot of good comments to say about him.

I'm going there next month, my dates March 23rd. We have 2 kids & No family around, so my husband will take care of the kids and I'm going it alone, I'm excited and I'm really not too nervous, as I really think I'm in good hands going to the OCC.

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BCreel    6

BCreel
Posted

I'm going to OCC in June for my surgery. I am new to this forum and I can't wait to hear of others experiences with WLS, especially at OCC or in Mexico. Thank you so very much.

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lurker lora    89

lurker lora
Posted

I am 13 years out and want to remind everyone considering Mexico to do your research FIRST> you will need to go to a bariatric dr for any future concerns as many dr do not understand the bariatric patient and will prescribe medication that will not work for you or understand the special after surgery issues that often arise ( ie gall bladder issues and dental issues as well as bone health in later life.) additionally you will need special blood work done yearly and the regular drs don't know what to test for. I moved to florida and went to the local bariatric clinic and they demanded proof that my original surgery was done in the usa. they would not see me until I got my records from ky so glad it was a routine visit I needed and not an emergency . just check out your local clinic FIRST so make sure they will do your follow up. hopefully you will never need it but just in case you don't want to get medical care refused.

I told my doctor that I was having surgery in Mexico it was paid for and if she wanted to stay my doctor she could do the follow-up work. It was just that simple. She agreed and has been very supportive I find it very confusing that someone would turn you away for having surgery someplace else. I mean I'm sure it happens but I just think it's terrible. Some people can't afford to go to a place in the states the surgery the difference is crazy.

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dmdakd    44

dmdakd
Posted

10 hours ago, AnneElliot said:

Please think of aftercare. Who will monitor you if you have complications once your back home?

I spoke with my PCP prior to surgery and she was more than happy to provide my aftercare. Frankly she was a lot angrier at my piss poor insurance company than me about going to Mexico for surgery that she felt I needed. Please remember we would all love to have surgery in our hometown, we are being forced to find a reasonable alternative by our insurance companies and greedy American health care providers. If your Dr refuses care because you didn't line there pockets for surgery then you should find another Dr. I'm pretty sure they take an oath to help people.

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Please    188

Please
Posted

Yes , I'm Canadain and told my family Dr. Already.

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fatgirlfreed    42

fatgirlfreed
Posted

20 hours ago, CanucKnucklehead said:


I'm glad to hear this...I am booked with Dr Illan on March 13th so it's great to hear about other people's positive experiences!

Oh my! That's MY date with him, too!! See you there!!!

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Go To Topic Listing Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

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    • LeighaTR

      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

      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!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        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. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      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

        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

      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

        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

      CaseyP1011

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

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