Finding Myself

Oh I gotcha!!! One of my questions for Dr Kelly was follow up care, too, including any potential complications. Insurance will NOT cover most off us so you have to be sure of your decision! I live in So Cal so Dr K considers me "local" and is gonna be there for me post op. That's awesome info! The most important thing is your comfort level! And that's awesome your coordinator has had the sleeve! What a great resource!

What do you mean by follow up care?

Would you guys mind sharing what kind of complications you had? I am going to Mexico because my insurance will not cover me no matter where I go. It sucks but that's how it is.

Dr Kelly's are up at www.wls-clinic.com also.

This is a great thread! I'm sitting here wondering if I am crazy for doing this and if I will hate it! I almost think we get stuck at the immediate post op stage and forget we are actually gonna lose weight! I know that sounds weird but that's kind of how I feel! So thanks for sharing!

That's cool! I was like, Hey, that looks just like me! haha!

Never mind I found it! Wow more doctors! This is a booming business down there!!!

Ok now I'm really confused. Care here in the states? I'm obviously behind on the info!! Can you share more about this group? I goggled Baja med group and found an old website. Who are their doctors?

I'm confused, are you still going to Mexico?

What is the "new" stapling technique?

Does anyone take this post op? I am in the habit of drinking a big glass every morning. I know I can't do that post op, but was wondering if anybody else takes this kind of fiber later on after you are healed? It sure is good for the GI tract. I know I'd have to cut it down on amount but wondering if it's still possible to take it eventually. Allllllll of my tummy issues disappeared when I started taking my fiber a few years ago!

Didn't want to hijack the other thread on sipping... For those of you who exercise, how do you drink then??? Like during and after running?

Have you called your surgeon? If you don't mind me asking, where was it done? Do shakes and liquids go down ok?

How many days post op are you?

Why is it an .mx? Just curious... Did you start it in Mexico?

What a great post!!! And yeah I could have written the pre op fears too!!!! The idea of deprioritizing food is what is keeping me motivated!! Thank you for your post!

I don't think I've ever heard of him.

Argh I always forget to mention dr. Ponce de leon - several people have used him, too, and have been very happy... There is also a Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta (I think?) who has had good reviews, but I know nothing else about him.

This question comes up a LOT, and I can tell you that you MUST read and read and read, and then read some more... to make your decision. I found myself frustrated at the Medical Tourism aspect (i.e. the coordinators, etc) and the "high sales" tactic - and that turned me off. I kept reading about Dr. Kelly in TJ, Mexico, and finally just called. Talking to him on the phone, talking to his facilitator Omar, etc etc. is what made me make my decision. I also considered Dr. Aceves, who has a terrific reputation and Dr. Alvarez. They both charge a little more but it is still very reasonable. All of them... Kelly, Aceves, Alvarez, Garcia, etc. have good reputations. In the end I chose Dr. Kelly because of personal referral - not because of a coordinator, not because of price - but because of the former patients that I've met through here, from all over the U.S. and Canada - who have had wonderful experiences with the surgery, with recovery and with their weight loss success. I DID research a couple of places here in the U.S. Yes there are some very good ones, also. The ones nearest to me were over $20K and one of them did it as an outpatient procedure. Once I learned that my insurance will cover nothing, not even a complication, then I started looking at Mexico. The doctors are VERY experienced there as this is a "booming business" for them, to some degree. The VSG technique has been done in Mexico since about 2004-2005, whereas it was approved in the U.S. in 2008. That is why some of the Mexican doctors simply have more experience with it. So read about the doctors here (there is a Surgeons button at the top with reviews) and CALL them. Dr. Kelly's info: you can call Omar at 619-395-5347 and he will get you all the information you need for Dr. Kelly. I'm not pushing you in any one direction. Most people here have had great experiences with their Mexican doctors. So you have to decide! Good luck! I am scheduled with Dr. Kelly on June 14th.

How is it going down Sharon? Does it hurt to swallow?

Sleeve dreamer I am similar, almost the same weight and same size 16!!! You have been very inspiring for me!!! Surgery on June 14!!

Just knowing your experience has been so good is gonna help me focus on the positive!!!! Thank you!!!

Hi Sharon!! I have been so excited to hear from you!! Waiting anxiously! Glad to hear it went well! I told Omar to tell you hi for me!!! Congrats!!!!!

Can you tolerate the ginger and wasabi with the sashimi?

Yes!! Thinking about you and wondering how Day #1 went!!! Hope you are doing well!!!