jessicaemilia

After many years of failed dieting and dashed hopes I put my tummy in the hands of Dr. Kelly in Tijuana, Mexico on January 3, 2012. Everything was as described by my coordinator. I was picked up at the airport by Hector (who was kind enought to wait over 2 hours since my plane was diverted to L.A. due to fog). He and his son were so courteous and made me feel at ease. We crossed the border and I arrived at my hotel at 130am that morning. I was picked up at 7am and taken to the hospital. What a CLEAN facility. That was huge to me. X-rays were done, blood tests, an EKG, blood pressure, temperature taken, and I met with a cardiologist. Soon after I met Dr Kelly and after a warm embrace and answering a lot of my questions he asked me for my understanding of the procedure - which I thought was pretty cool. After an hour or so I was wheeled into surgery. Everyone was kind they made sure that I had my anti-embolism socks on and they asked if I had any final questions which I didn't. I was asked to breath deeply and the next thing I know I woke up in recovery. I was so nauseas. OMG was I ever! I through up a lot. The pain in comparison was minimal. I wouldn't even describe it as pain, it was instead as if I had one a million sit-ups w/out stopping. I felt so sore. After an hour in recovery I was wheeled to my room. Dr. Kelly told later that night, that tomorrow I would feel dramatically better. The next day was a new day. I walked a lot, bathed on my own and visited with other American patients. The day after that? EVEN better...I did the barium swallow test (which, by the way is the WORST thing in a cup - EVER!) and I saw my new LITTLE tummy fill up. I was soon discharged and taken to my hotel. The room was beautiful and the bathroom stunning. The room was so large I think it qualified to be a suite. Well for the next 2 days I'd make my way to the restaurant down stairs and would exchange vouchers I was given for broth. The restaurant was adjacent to a casino. All I can say is that everything in the hotel was so beautiful! On my last day, I was picked up with another patient and her mom (who helped to keep my company, since I choose to go alone) and driven across the border and caught my flight. The gas pains (which were not bad, they were evil) long subsided and my family has to remind me that I had surgery only a week ago because I am so active and want to do much more than I should. I am so happy with my bold step to stop talking and hoping and dreaming and just having the surgery done. It's truly a new year...a new day.

I will be going to Mexico on my own to have surgery with Dr. Kelly on January 3rd (in just a few short weeks!) and have questions on how others secured their items while in surgery...i'm talking about your passport, wallet, credit cards and smart phone...did you leave it at the hotel? So if you did, does that mean that you went to the hospital without any ID? Can these items be secured in the hospital? Aside from items how secure did you feel on your own??? Is there anything within walking distance of the hospital/hotel that you could easily walk to? Last questions...whille at the hotel...how did you arrange for food? Room service...or did you feel up to getting food on your own??? Sorry for all the questions! Any answers to some or all of these questions are SOOOOO appreciated! I'll take answers from those that have already gone or those who plan on going solo! Here's to us LONE RANGERS!!!

Thanks to all for ur responses. Im On the plane right now. Probably an hour or so outside of San Diego. Surgery tommorrow....please wish me luck!!!!

i've paid $4,000 through my coordinator, the remainder which is $1,600 is being financed through a creditor, I think they are called Financial Monterrey. My surgery is next week (yikes!!!) and my first installment payment will be in February. I will pay off the reminder in 12 months. My coordinator sent me the info on financing and I jusy applied for it and was approved.

I told a friend about the surgery and I regret it. She put the fear of God in me. She told me to think of my daughter and that anyone with common sense would not take the risk of death with a small child to raise. That I should try to diet once more...that I should walk more and eat less and YADA,YADA, YADA! She told me about a woman that died due to a staple becoming loose...she played on my fears. I told her that I was thinking of my daughter and that she is the prime reason that I am doing this surgery. But now i'm scared and wondering if maybe i am crazy to think that this might actually work and that I will do well as I venture off to Mexico (!!!) to have a doctor i've never met remove a huge portion of my tummy. I've heard wonderful things about Dr. Kelly, my chose doctor...but I AM FREAKING OUT. My surgery is on January 3rd...about 2 1/2 months a away.... I'm rambling...but i'd like to know how do you all cope as you prepare for your surgeries...especially those without insurance...how do you not freak out thinking that something could happen. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I am originally from Queens, NY and now reside in Orange County...Harriman. It would be great if we can arrange once a month in person meetings or something like that...don't know...just a thought... I am having surgery on 1/3/12 with Dr Kelly in Mexico. Very excited!!! I wish everyone on here luck on their own journeys with the VSG.

Great topic! I struggled with this myself. I told a few people and stopped when I got the first very negative and very unsupportive comment. I don't need that negativity so close to surgery (1/3/12). After surgery I will let people know. I'm not going to perpetuate the beleif that diet and excercise is the simple answer for all people, because unfortunately it was not for me. I needed a special surgery in order to carry my daughter to term and I felt empowered to have the surgery because so many others were so open about it in person and on blogs over the net. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread...it is about paying forward for me. I know the joy that is to finally be a mother after losing 2 baby girls mid pregnancy. I have told so many people about the surgery I had in order to carry my daughter to term...and know of 2 people personally that had the surgery because I was open about it...and I know of many others that have told me online that they are looking into it or having it done because I was open about my expereince. I am looking forward to a positive outcome with my VSG and will pay the knowledge forward asap

I thank everyone on here for their heartfelt responses - thank you, thank you, thank you. My closest family members -my husband, my mother, close relatives and a dear friend are 100% behind me. They get that i've tried it all and exhausted all other possibilites of weight loss. This is about more than me as someone on here pointed out, I do this for my duaghter especially....how can i teach her to eat well, and respect her body and to love herself if don't do it myself??? All I owe my daughter, my spouse and myself is to do my research and and truly take steps to be my best self. AND...i've decided to keep this friend at a distance until after surgery...in order to stay fully positive.

I'm having surgery on January 3rd...maybe we can connect while there w/Dr. Kelly...PM me once you know if you will be there that week....and thanks for your wonderful response.

I've been dealing with the same question on and off for a while...never got around to posting it...thanks for doing so and thanks to the responses.

My surgery is on January 3rd with Dr. Kelly too! I guess I'll see you there!!! I am so nervous!

I was able to work out a plan with Dr Kelly's office: I will put down $1,000 a month as of last month in order to have $4,000 down by the end of December and they will finance the rest in January. So I will have $4K down, and will finance the remaing $1600. It's been really tough putting that much down a month, but I am so ready for this surgery! I don't know if you are looking into Dr. Kelly, but perhaps the surgeon you are considering may have in-house financing. I wish I had a rich uncle! Good luck to you.