Surgery in Mexico, timeline? Wait till fall, or go for it now?

[BDutchess 17]

I'm looking into having sleeve surgery done in Mexico (since WLS specifically is excluded from my company policy, the only option I have is to pay cash for it). Patients who went through the same, what was the approximate time line from contacting the clinic, to scheduling the surgery and eventually going back to work? Thank goodness I do have sick days I can use for this!

I have a 10-day vacation booked starting October 1 and as long as I'm able to be in the 'pureed foods stage', I know I'll be ok. My partner thinks I should wait till after the vacation, but honestly, now that I made the decision that I need help, I want to get this process started sooner rather than later. Let me know your thoughts on this, should I wait till early November and work on a pre-op diet first? Time off from work is no issue, I can take it when I need to go. I'm at a point now that the weight is literally weighing heavy on me with every step I take, every time I have to get up, every thing I do in/around our house (we have a lot of animals so there always is a lot of work). So the thought to have to wait another 5 months (even though I'm 43 and have been overweight since my twenties so this has been going on for a while) really is not appealing. Am I going too fast? How did y'all handle this?

[GassyGurl 428]

I started the process less than a week ago. I haven't put down a deposit or chosen a date yet, but they already sent me the preoperative diet to start today. Basically Atkins stage 1 now, then liquids the last two weeks. Plus, they gave me a surgery weight loss goal, and said I had to report my weekly weights.

I've read of folks doing it all as soon as two weeks.



Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

[GassyGurl 428]

Ugh. Accidentally hit send. They suggested 3 to 5 days before going back to work.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

[BDutchess 17]

Ugh. Accidentally hit send. They suggested 3 to 5 days before going back to work.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks@RWoodSC, did you already pick a surgeon/location/date?

[BDutchess 17]

Hi Bill, I tried filling out the patient questionnaire on the website, but it keeps giving me an 'error' message in the top left after I click on Submit.

[Apple1 2,572]

I went through Bariactric Pal MX and had my surgery with Dr. Illan. They were great from the beginning of the process through the end. Your pre-op diet and the length of time you must be on it depends on your weight and BMI. I was low BMI so my diet was just one week prior to my surgery date. So depending on that you could conceivably schedule and have your surgery within 3 weeks. I would contact Bill Yanez and talk it over with him.

[Joann454 1,329]

I'd do it before. You'll be healed and feeling good about yourself and be able to enjoy yourself. I've booked two trips one for 7 weeks out and one for 6 months out. I'm three weeks out and could travel easily (except I get tired fast still).
Also, I had trouble filling out the questionnaire on my phone, it worked great on my laptop.

[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

Agree with @Joann454, the sooner you start the quicker you can start feeling the benefits.

[Ldyvenus 317]

I actually postponed my original date last October. But everything was booked and paid for. So me and hubby went and enjoyed ourselves. There was a lot of drinking involved. 😁 So if you are not a huge fan of alcohol, I say go for it!

[Berry78 4,259]

Keep in mind the need for a passport. It can take a while for that to arrive.

As long as you can get surgery on or before August 1st, then you will be eating normal foods during your trip. So I'd recommend that as your cuttoff.

How long have you been thinking about the surgery? If you just started thinking about it yesterday, then you may need more time to process and learn about it. (There is a ton to learn when going the Mexico route since there aren't all the classes, etc. that docs in the US require.) I spent 2 months learning about wls before going under the knife. That was the right amount of time for me.

[BDutchess 17]

Thanks Berry78, let me send you a PM so I can elaborate a bit more : ))

[Berry78 4,259]

Sure! Always love special mail

[specialkron 32]

So I was actually in pretty much the same boat! I had my surgery all planned for October 21st with Dr. Illan (to give us time to save up and that type of thing) and after talking to my husband, we decided to save as much money as we could together and take the rest out on a loan so my surgery was then scheduled for June 16th.

I don't regret it at all but at the same time I decided after I had scheduled my October surgery that I was going to go back to school so with school starting in August I figured it might be hard. So I'd say talk to your partner again, hopefully they understand how much you want this! If not, October will definitely come before you know it!

I wish you all the best!

[Lillie Lou 18]

I'd do it before. You'll be healed and feeling good about yourself and be able to enjoy yourself. I've booked two trips one for 7 weeks out and one for 6 months out. I'm three weeks out and could travel easily (except I get tired fast still).
Also, I had trouble filling out the questionnaire on my phone, it worked great on my laptop.

Did you go to this doctor and clinic?? I would really like to talk to real people that have been to Mexico because I am seriously thinking about this but not sure how to go about it.

[Berry78 4,259]

11 hours ago, Lillie Lou said:

Did you go to this doctor and clinic?? I would really like to talk to real people that have been to Mexico because I am seriously thinking about this but not sure how to go about it.

I'm sorry to hear about your last-minute cancellation. Insurance companies can be the pits.

If you want to go through Dr. Illan in Mexico (I did), the process is really simple.

1. Fill out the health questionnaire on the website. The doctor will review and you will be approved or denied, and a procedure will be recommended for your situation.

2. Order your passport if you don't have one. Might take 6 weeks to arrive unless you pay for express.

3. Send in the deposit. Schedule your date.

4. Order your plane tickets.

5. (Optional) get fitted for compression stockings for the flights. Flying soon after surgery increases your risk of blood clots, the stockings minimize this risk. They usually cost about $50 from your local medical supply company.

6. Preop diet

7. Fly to Mexico and *finally* be on the other side.