BeautyVGSJourney

I agree with Sharon, I wish I had done it earlier!!! I was tired of the yo-yo dieting, I needed help loosing the weight and keeping it off. I am still in my liquid diet and is not too bad. I just think to myself that soon I will be able to eat whatever I want with moderation! I am hoping that having the sleeve will give me and my body time to learn to eat in a new way, so far so good! I was self pay, my insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, I went to Dr. Ponce in Tijuana Mexico and I loved my experience and am loving my sleeve! Good luck in your journey! Trust yourself, you will know if the sleeve is right for you!

Phoenixrise I live in Texas and I went to Tijuana to Dr. Ponce De Leon! I would do it again in a heart beat. Not only is he cheaper but has a lot more experience than most surgeons in the USA. I posted my surgery on YouTube if you are interested in watching it! Good luck in your journey!

I am always here for you!!!

One video is there now, I am hoping to have another posted tonight, if my computer cooperates!

Hi, My surgeon Dr. jaime Ponce de leon from Tijuana Mexico is not on the surgeons list, how can he be added? Thanks!

Alex I don't think the surgeon info as been updated yet. Can I give you that website then? http://www.wls4betterlife.com/htmls/htmls/ponce_deleon.html Trish who is his coordinator her Phone:619 202-6011 Cell: (661)886-4617 his credentials and such are on the site. Thank you!

I had surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana, my PCP was supportive after I explained to her the amount of research I did in selecting my surgeon and my reasons for choosing him and going to Mexico to do it. She will do my blood work when needed. I go to free monthly support groups at local hospitals, they are often open to everyone. I also keep in touch with my coordinator in Mexico and my surgeon and his staff. I just had surgery last week and I have not had to see anyone yet. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! BellybeGone check your email....Candyman, awesome for you! I think you will be there with another man (she told me something about two men coming and having surgery the same time). IT was great having sleeve sisters/brother, makes your journey a little more fun! Its normal to be a little scared, just don't let it take over your emotions, you will be in the words of one of Tijuanas Dr. Dr Rosas (you will meet her she was awesome and had surgery with Dr. Ponce three years ago "the best surgeon in Tijuana" she said that when I asked her why she chose him instead of the many other surgeons available. You will love it!!! MyNewBegining and FatGirlSlim I will post again when I upload the new videos, thank you!

I just got back from Mexico and had a wonderful experience! No gas pains (only pain due to my back injury but not the surgery). I had surgery with dr. Ponce de Leon and him and his team are amazing! I had no problem with money or anything g else disappearing at all. They also offered me a locked storage thing to use if I wanted to but I never felt the need. God luck everyone!

I am not from your area (I live in Texas). But I just returned from having surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana Mexico. I had a wonderful experience and could not be happier. Dr. Ponce is super experienced and is amazing at what he does. I would definetly go again. I went alone, to save money on air fair and I had a wonderful coordinator who was with me whenever I needed her, plus I had sleeve sisters/brothers who also where there for me (along with their companions). If you have any questions or concerns feel free to message me.

I just came back from Tijuana with Dr. Ponce de Leon. I loved my experience and am doing awesomely well! Make sure you are 100% comfortable with your surgeon and his staff, do your research, don't just go with someone because it's cheap or close by. There are wonderful surgeons in Mexico! Most are much more experienced than here in the USA.

I just had my surgery with Dr. Ponce de Leon, he was wonderful! He is extremely well known and loved in Tijuana Mexico, and has a great deal of experience. Best of luck with your search!

There is a difference between being brutally honest, not surgarcoating it and completely careless and untoughtful of their words. Many of us know the true reality of the sleeve, obesity and such, and it's super important that everyone knows but I think most of us benefit much more from kindness and empathy than from feeling like someone is judging us and does not understand us. I loved my surgeon (dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico) and he has more experience in the sleeve than most USA surgeons and not once did he made me feel anything but comfortable, yet he never sugarcoated anything. Good luck!

My insurance has an exclusion on bariatric surgery, they will not cover it no matter what BMI or comorvidities. I went to Mexico w/ dr. Ponce de leon, he has so much experience! I loved my experience and would definetly do it again! It cost me less than $6000 total, I flew alone and had an amazing coordinator who was always there for me as well as met other great new sleeve sisters/brother. I was going to have my surgery here in Texas for about $13000, but after all of my research specially on difference in experience level of surgeons, I am glad I went to Mexico!

Congratulations! I am still in Mexico from my surgery with Dr. Ponce and can't wait to get home tomorrow!

I had my surgery may 10 with dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico. He is wonderful and not to mention his coordinator Trish and the rest of the team. I am now at the hotel (I spent two nights in the hospital and will be two nights at the hotel Lucerna. I could not be happier (ok I could be happier if my back pain would stop, I suffer from chronic back pain and it's been killing me). My primary care doctor in Texas will be keeping up with my blood work and follow ups. I can also call Dr. Ponce and his staff with questions or concerns and they can talk to my PCP. I received a video of my surgery as well as of my swallow test so if there is any question of what was do we can always check. If you have any expecific question please feel free to message me, I can also give you more information in contacting Dr. Ponce. Good luck in your journey!

Dr. Ponce de Leon in Tijuana does the DS he is amazing! i had my sleeve with him yesterday, and I know he is the one that trained Dr. Almanza and many other surgeons and continues to do so. I would also suggest you do not do the lapband my friends aunt almost died recently from complications of it a year post-op. there are many other options out there. If Dr. Almanza does not feel comfortable doing them, I know he often asks for Dr. Ponce assistance, but you can always go directly with him. If you want his contact info please let me know, I will be glad to send it your way. Good luck in your journey!

I am headed to the airport my flight leaves at 6 this morning! Having surgery today, please keep me and everyone else getting their surgeries in your prayers! Looking forward to the loosers bench! Good luck and blessings Sharon and Krista!

Hmmmm not sure I will ask her tomorrow. I will send you some other info on private

I had my surgery with Dr. Ponce De Leon in Tijuana Mexico yesterday! I am still in the hospital and will be here until tomorrow. Dr. Ponce has a lot of experience and it's a much added bonus that the cost of my surgery was less than $6000 including air fair and everything else. I have four sleeve sister sand one sleeve brother here right now, who also had their sleeves with him yesterday. Not to mention the surgeons and other medical personal I have meet who had their sleeve done by him and have nothing but praises for him. Good luch in your journey!

My plane leaves at 6 am! I cant sleep, am so excited!