jan8j

I was worried about the bathroom problem on the plane, too, but I never had to go on the trip home. I was flying to San Antonio. I had a problem with a combination of gas and a little diarrhea. I had some light days pads with me and I carried lots of GasX so every time I felt like I might have gas, I took one and that stopped it. You probably won't have been drinking much, so you may not have to pee much! I would recommend taking thin maxi pads, just for peace of mind if nothing else. You might check out my post on Reflections of Cancun. I talked about the hotel, clinic, and other things in Cancun. Good luck to you. You will be happy you did it!!

I had surgery just over 1 week ago. I am no expert, but I thought I would post some tips for VSG in Mexico, based on my experience. I hope others will post their tips too. These are my personal suggestions, but as always, the old disclaimer applies…”your mileage may vary!” The top 5 criteria for choosing a surgeon in Mexico are usually location, price, the DR, the facility, and the coordinator. You can narrow down your choice by focusing on answers to these criteria. Location-It seems that most people on the forum go to Tijuana/Mexicali, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta. There are other locations, too. Location is a good criteria to start narrowing down your choices if the location is important to you. Price-The cost varies by location, doctor, and coordinator. Your BMI and other health factors will also affect the price. The coordinator web site will explain those. DR-For everyone, the DR will probably be the primary concern. Do a search on the forum and read what others say about the DRs you are considering. My thinking is that any of the DRs mentioned on the forum are probably equally competent. It is in their best interest to take care of their patients and not have any issues. You can also check out information about them on their coordinator’s web site. I think many doctors may be represented by more than one coordinator. I also did a google search on the DR I chose. I felt very comfortable with him based on the information I found, I went to Cancun with that confidence, and it never wavered. I think that was a key component of having a good experience. Facility-If you narrow your choice down to a specific DR, you might not have much choice in the facility. If the facility is critical to you, you might want to decide on that before narrowing down to a choice of DR. I want to say one thing about comments on “strip mall clinics.” I went to one that some people would call a strip mall clinic. It was a building that adjoined other shops along the street. I would not call it a strip mall in the American sense. You have to keep in mind that you are in Mexico, not the US. I would compare the clinic to an older small hospital that you could find in many small US towns. It was very clean and while a few nurses did not speak English, communication was not a problem. They use the same medical practices as in the US, although they may not be as high tech. For instance, they took my temperature with a thermometer in the armpit instead of the high tech thing they stick in your ear in the US. Both methods work! Coordinator-The coordinator may be your least important criteria—it was for me. However, I realized that the coordinator can help you immensely. I chose a coordinator with a top BBB rating and with lots of positive comments on the forum. You can find lots of information on their web sites and you can ask them any questions you have. To sum it up, I think my experience was good for me because I was confident in my choice and once I made my decision, I didn’t look back or question. My husband went with me and he was great support. He had traveled in Mexico more than me and he helped me to maintain a go-with-the-flow attitude that made the experience stress- free. Suggested Reading -For post-surgery, you really need to make sure you understand the diet you will be on when you get home. You won’t have a nutritionist to consult with, unless you choose to find one yourself. Or this forum can be a great help too, although when I have seen some of the posts about diet by newly sleeved forum members, I don’t think they all quite understand what they should be eating. For that reason, I recommend that you buy Dr Alvarez book, Successful Weight Loss with the Gastric Sleeve. It will explain the surgery in Mexico and gives good information on the diet. The other book you will find useful is The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve by VST’s own Alex Brecher. You should have both of those books. Post Op Diet-I had diet instructions form the clinic and from my DR. I already was pretty familiar with the diet, thanks to the above mentioned books and working with a nutritionist 5 years ago when I considered lap band. But when I got home, I found I was confused because I was trying to stick to all the suggestions. I finally threw away the clinic instructions and modified my DRs instructions using the timeline in Dr Alvarez book. People think the DRs all have different diets, but in reality the diets are all the same. It is just the timing of each phase of the diet progression that differs. The progression is clear liquids, full liquids, soft food, pureed food, regular food. My understanding is that full liquids is the stage where you add the protein shakes. I am following my DRs food choice guidelines, but using Dr Alvarez progression so I am not starting soft/pureed food until 3 weeks. I am very happy with my choice I have a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to it. The key is to make your decision, arm yourself with information, and never look back!

I'm glad other sleevers are leaving their comments. I think people who are considering Mexico, but are afraid will be reassured. One book I forgot to mention--The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes gives recipes and more importantly, the "science" behind creating smoothies, hot drinks, puddings, and ice cream with protein powder.

FYI, I didn't notice the shape option at first. When I selected that, I didn't get any results. For those of you who didn't get results--try not picking a shape.

Thanks for posting this. It is a good tool. I have a problem opposite from anorexics. When I look at my self front on (most of the time), I still see that 115 lb 21 year old. It's only when I look at the side that reality sets in! Ha!

I felt bad for the young man. He was kind of shy, but very professional. I think he was trying to tell me he was going for a female and I didn't get it. But no harm done. He was just about young enough to be my grandson! I hope I didn't scar him for life!

My surgery with DR Perez was 5450. Your cost will vary if you have a BMI of higher than 40. I think the Ready 4 A Change site has the prices. Alma was my coordinator. If you contact them, they will be happy to answer any questions you have. I highly recommend Dr Perez and Ready 4 a Change. You have to go to Clinica Victoria, which was fine for me, but if you want a big US-style hospital, you might not like it.

abmc, I just noticed your question about Clinica Victoria. I wouldn't call it a strip mall, but it was on a street where there were attached stores next door, so other people might. It is an ACTUAL hospital, though and very clean! I believe they may deliver babies there, although I didn't see any or hear any and they also specialize in gastric-type surgeries. I felt I was in good hands before I went and I still feel the same way. It will help if you have a go with the flow attitude and realize that it will not be just like the States. I had some waiting, but I have read that others in the US had longer waiting than I did. I got there at about 8 on Friday morning and I think I walked to surgery at about noon. I was only awake in the operating room for about a minute. I remember they had me lay on the table and since it had 2 channels for your legs, I thought it felt pretty comforting. Weird thought, maybe! They take your temperature with a thermometer under the arm, but it works. I always felt like everyone was very competent and friendly. The clinic was noisy in the mornings and I was really glad to leave, but it was still a good place. Vanessa will be the coordinator there and she will help you with anything you need. She works for the Clinic, not Ready 4 a Change. Have your husband check out 100% Natural for meals, a few doors away. My husband loved it and I heard someone else's husband did too. There was another woman there and she was alone. She was very nervous too, but she survived! Abraham, the driver is great. And the hotel is breathtaking. I wrote another post about some of my experiences, look for Reflections from Cancun.

I was thinking of getting some laughing cow too. Cottage cheese is on my list of OK foods, so I think that would be similar.

I'm doing fine. It was surprisingly pretty easy with no major issues. I went to Cancun. That beautiful beach was a great tonic! I had a little issue with a combination of gas and diarrea. I thave found that GasX helps that. I didn't have much gas from the surgery, though--no shoulder pain. I didn't walk enough, but I didn't need to . I found the IV pole awkward to maneuver. Thanks to my wonderful hubby who stayed with me and helped me with the pole! To Ms. Jones (I'm a Jones, too), sorry about your issues. My Dr gave me gatorade for the first few days. The instructions said to discontinue it after day 3, unless you had nausea or diarrea. I still drink it some and it helps. Of course, it is also good for dehydration. And for the coffee lovers. I found a mocha espresso flavored protein called Click. It is awesome! I think I'm going to wait a bit to drink it, but I tried a taste today when my husband made some. I think I have the protein figured out pretty well and the "meal" times, but I am having trouble remembering to keep sipping water!

I had surgery with Dr Perez on 6/28.My surgical experience was pretty much the same as others, hardly any gas pain. GasX strips came in handy when a combination of gas/diarrhea set in after I started eating ice/drinking blue dye. I went to Clinica Victoria. If you are expecting it to be exactly like a US hospital, you might not like it. My philosophy was to go with the flow and that worked out fine. I did have my wonderful and supportive husband with me--which really helped. He has lived abroad and traveled in Mexico, so he helped with the go with the flow attitude! I had no communications problems with nurses. A few did not speak English, but it wasn't an issue. They knew what they were doing. I don't know why it would be imperative for everyone in the operating room to speak English. They aren't going to be talking to you--just sayin'! They need to know what they are doing and be able to communicate with each other. I had a great experience and highly recommend Dr Perez.

I just had surgery 6 days ago and I am not back to protein shakes yet for a couple of days. But I found a book that might be helpful. It's called The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes. She gives some recipes, but tells you tips for mixing shakes and combining ingredients to your taste. You can get it on Amazon and it has a five star rating--pretty good achievement!

I chose Dr. Perez to do my vertical sleeve in Cancun in June 2013. I can’t say enough good things about Dr Perez and Alma and Gail, with Ready 4 a Change, and Abraham, our driver. The hotel and beach was fabulous. My experience was pretty similar to all the others that have been reported in detail, so I am not going to repeat all that, but you can send me a private email if you have questions. I had minor gas pains (none in the shoulder), with the worst issue being regular-type gas pains accompanied by diarrhea. That didn’t happen until I started with the ice and the blue dye. I quickly realized that GasX helped to ward that off. I took some light days pads, which came in handy, but I wished I had brought full sized ultra-thin pads. But I made do with no big problems. If you can go with the flow and can accept the differences, Clinica Victoria is a good place for the surgery. If you expect it to be just like the States, you might not like it. It was a good experience for me and I credit Dr. Perez and Ready 4 a Change for helping me change my life. The best thing I bought for the trip were Big Skinny wallets for my husband and myself. They are very thin and they have pockets that your Passport fits in, slots for a few credit cards, a coin pouch, and slots for bills. We found that dollars could be used everywhere, but you should make sure you have small bills so you will have less issue with change. Use a bill close to the total amount of what you are purchasing. I would recommend that you take clothes and particularly bathing suits that dry quickly because of the humidity (maybe it’s not so bad at other times of the year, though). We went swimming the day before surgery and our suits were still wet when we had to leave the hotel. I hung mine in the bathroom of the hospital room and left it there during my stay. Flipflop or slipon sandals are the best for the beach and for putting on quickly at the hospital. If you are like me and don’t like to flap around a lot in public, you should take a soft comfortable bra like an Ah Bra for after the surgery. One of my incisions was right at the bra band. I put a Band-Aid on it when I was flying home, but left the other incisions uncovered. The Lagunamar hotel prefers to take a credit card and then if you purchase anything at the gift shop or restaurants there, you just give them your room number and they charge it to your bill. Make sure you review your bill when you leave, ours had added for the two days we spent there after surgery, but after we pointed that out, they checked and found that all 3 days were prepaid, not just the first day. You will check out the day you go to the hospital and then check out again when you are ready to go home. You won’t keep the same room. BTW, they upgraded our room both times to a one bedroom suite, which was SWEET!! Hotel dining can get rather expensive—we noticed that the breakfast buffet was $35. But if you skip the buffet and order a la cart, prices are pretty reasonable. There is a palapa restaurant by the pool, several other restaurants throughout the hotel that are open at different hours, a sports bar (pizza and wings), and a small gift shop/deli. My husband said the food was good at all the restaurants, and I enjoyed photographing him stuffing his face while I had nothing! It was nice to be able to sniff the pizza and cinnamon French toast that he ate, though. I appreciated the smells, but I wasn’t really hungry. There is a mall just across the street from the hotel. You can buy souvenirs, go to restaurants (your companion!), and there is a small convenience store where you can buy some personal products and other things if needed (Band-Aids!). While we were at the Clinic, my husband fell in love with 100% Natural, a café a few doors down from the Clinic. He also walked a block to a local Market for souvenirs and sightseeing. Someone else’s hubby liked 100% Natural too, it has all kinds of juices, breakfast, Mexican, Italian, and deli foods—or so I was told. We have to go back to Cancun when I can eat—I want to try that place! Al-in-all, my Cancun adventure is one we will never forget. I’m looking forward to my new life, thanks to Dr. Perez!

I'm thinking the doctors in Mexico need to be warned to beware of some of their female patients!

I just started my 7 day pre-op today diet. By dinner I could have eaten a horse, but I settled for salad and chicken! .

My photo!

Thanks Kat. I will write more tomorrow. My experience was exactly as expected, based on other's posts. If you do choose to go to Clinica Victoria, it very clean and probably similar to a small hospital in a small town in the US. They seem to be up-to-date on medical practices, but not so much technology as in the US. They took my temperature with a thermometer in the arm pit. But it works! My one negative about the clinic was that it was very noisy in the mornings. Apparently some construction was going on, but not sure if it was the clinic or next door. But if you can go with the flow and don't need a lot of hand holding, I think you will find it is OK. My wonderful husband was with me, so that really helped. He has traveled in Mexico and was very comfortable with the differences. He love 100% Natural, the café near the clinic, and walked a couple of blocks down to a market. He thought it was a great area for the little amount of exploring he was able to do. I'm attaching my "doctored" photo that Dr Perez took of us just before I left the clinic. I think it expresses what I thought of him. I think he has changed my life!

I am back home after surgery. Everything went well and as expected. Thanks to all who have posted their stories! I will write more later. Dr Perez is wonderful!

I am! But I'm going to Cancun. I haven't found anyone else going there this week.

Day 2 of preop was a little easier. I'm hoping to hear from anyone going to Cancun for surgery next week. Although I guess, if I'm the only one--I will get more attention! :-)

Check out the article linked in the post, giant sucking sound . Show that to your parents. Medical tourism in Mexico is booming!

Wear combat boots when you get weighed for the insurance! Seriously, the high cholesterol and neck and back problems should qualify. No matter what your starting weight, they will want you to lose a few pounds to decrease the size of your liver before surgery any way. So if you were close to the BMI weight, you might be a little under after dieting for surgery any way.

OMG! I had to get me some of those too!! You cost me money, girl!

I can't wait to hear more when you are back. I'm going at the end of June!

The seeds don't have a flavor, they just add texture. My husband makes us smoothies by mixing 2 T ground chia with a protein powder or yogurt (flavored or unflavored), a liquid (coconut water, tea, V-8 Fusion Lite, unsweetened juice, water, lemonade, whatever!), and usually some fruit(banana, strawberry, blueberry, papaya, peach, etc.). We have both noticed that we feel a lot better with the smoothies. We have at least one light meal a day and two or three smoothies. We noticed that not having a meal later in the day seems to work well. We have both definitely cut down on the amount we are eating. My husband (who doesn't have much of a weight problem) used to take 3 or 4 Tylenols a day for all over pains. He said he is feeling much better with the smoothies and isn't taking pain relievers now. I have been trying to get him to go to the Dr to check it out, but he is allergic to Drs!