Canary Diamond

I imagine Freddie Kruger would make an excellent surgeon, much like Edward Scissorhands was a natural hairstylist.

This is what I'm looking for in a surgeon. Additional desirable features include: -performs surgeries in a hospital (not a clinic or strip mall) -has packages under $6000 (excluding airfare) -requires a 2 night hospital stay -performs daily follow ups ater hospital discharge -is in Tijuana -is a Virgo who enjoys fine dining and long walks on the beach (optional) So far, I'm considering Ramos Kelly and Ariel Ortiz (OCC). Your input greatly appreciated!

Welcome! And congratulations on creating your own Independence Day.

Which hotel are you staying at? Maybe we can meet up!

Anyone else going to be in TJ?

It's a joke from another thread. I am not required to eat insects pre-op.

Me too! Dr. Illan in TJ!

Only teasing. Perhaps if you reread your second post you'll get the joke.

Who is Miss Understanding? I don't believe we've been introduced. And what has she done to make you feel the need to apologize for her? (Can anyone tell yet I'm an English teacher?)

Yes, I hear bug meat can be quite addictive.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Cheri ~ This is an extremely valid point. I spent four months in treatment last year for an eating disorder and having the sleeve fail because I revert back to those behaviors is my biggest concern. I feel like the emotional work was beneficial; learned a lot about myself and why I eat, but the food and exercise pieces were designed for anorexics (i.e., they take away all exercise and encourage you to eat junk food as a strategy for overcoming food fears). I had been working with a personal trainer and had JUST gotten into a healthy cardio/resistance routine, and as far as food fears go - my only fear was not having enough! Needless to say, I gained 20 pounds while I was there. What's worse is that I was told I hadn't gained (you're not allowed to know your weight or blood pressure). Um, then why can't I fit into the pants I wore when I checked in? I've put on more since, but I've also made a lot of healthy changes (I quit my high-stress job, don't drink anymore, got a dog) and I'm much happier. My blood pressure, which has always been high, is 112/64! It doesn't bother me that the number on the scale and inside my jeans has gone up, but I'm starting to have knee and back problems and it's really slowing me down. I don't binge AT ALL like I used to, I just think my body only knows how to gain now. So I'm throwing a wrench in its plans!

Your husband reached out to me last week and we spoke on the phone - very nice man!!! Didn't want anything from me, was just offering to answer questions and give advice. From they way I understood it, he acts as a sort of "medical tourism companion". He is NOT a coordinator and will steer you away from certain doctors and hospitals. It sounded to me like his years of experience and many trips to Mexico with WLS patients have given him a valuable perspective. He was certainly helpful to me!

Man, MBC is losing points fast! You should absolutely ask for a reimbursement. Telling you there had been a change of venue WHILE EN ROUTE is despicable.

Thank you all for your input! After much research and speaking with Omar, I've decided to go with Dr. Illan Fraijo. He worked closely with Dr. Kelly for years and I feel confident in his abilities. Wish me luck!

Have you heard of anyone not getting approved for surgery in MX? I'm wondering what sort of conditions are cause for rejection. I'm concerned because I have been diagnosed and received residential treatment for binge eating disorder and am hoping that doesn't rule me out. Thanks, sleevers!

Can anyone tell me about their experiences with Mexican surgeons post-op? How easy was the surgeon/staff to get hold of to answer questions? Did they cooperate with your PCP in providing records, x-rays, etc. once you were back stateside? The only negative thing I've read about Dr. Kelly is that patients were not able to attain their surgical records and this makes me very nervous. If there were post-op complications, having surgical records and other information could be a matter of life or death.

Thank you, cidmor, that's helpful. Do you feel confident that he would have been responsive if you'd had post-op complications once you were back home?

My father's a surgeon. I want records.

I volunteer at a local animal rescue - I am a HUGE animal lover and want to be a veterinarian. One day I was trying to get into an outdoor enclosure and three small dogs escaped and ran straight for a busy street. I wasn't able to run fast or far enough to catch them. Luckily, none of them were hurt, but not being physically able to respond in that emergency was the last straw for me. I would never have been able to forgive myself if anything had happened to one of them.

I've read some posts about certain doctors using staples on the incisions, which then need to be removed by a different doctor once the patient is at the hotel. I personally would feel more comfortable with the glue. I know it's what the top-notch surgeon in my area (who I can't afford) uses.

I figured it was apt as they are notoriously detail-oriented. But seriously, which surgeons use Dermabond and speak decent English???

An attempt at humor.

Hello, sleevers! I am so happy I found this place and looking forward to sharing our journeys. I've been overweight for 30 years (since age 8), but never considered WLS. I've gone on every diet, tried every weight loss med, been a vegetarian, a raw foodist, and an exercise nut. I never lost more than 15 pounds. I am capable, however, of gaining 30 pounds in a month. I do not have PCOS, thyroid issues, or even insulin resistance - my body just doesn't want to let go of weight. Most recently, I spent four months in residential treatment for binge eating disorder, where I was treated like an anorexic. They took away all my exercise (had JUST gotten into a regular cardio/resistance routine), told me it was ok to eat Cookies, candy bars, and ice cream every day (so I did - all three - every day), and drilled into me that there was no reason to be afraid of food (I never had been, other than the fear of not having enough). I gained 20 pounds in treatment and was told I hadn't gained at all (we were not allowed to weigh ourselves or know our weekly weights). The experience was great for my head, as I learned many valuable tools for dealing with my emotions, analyzing my thoughts and behaviors, and communicating with others, but bad for my body. I've gained 15 more pounds since leaving treatment in November. I still overeat - I just don't feel guilty about it anymore. I've never felt like a fat person and I know I'm not meant to be this heavy. Now I'm starting to have knee and back pain on a daily basis and I have bruises all over my body from bumping into things (I'm that unaware of my recently increased size). I resisted the idea of surgery because it was unnatural, like many people who've never struggled with weight, I thought I just wasn't trying hard enough. Then I realized it was no different from having LASIK or dental work; I am grateful for every day I wake up and don't have to put on glasses or deal with contacts to see, and I'm glad I have straight teeth, not the crooked, overcrowded mess that would have resulted if I'd never had those teeth pulled. Now I see WLS for what it is - a viable shot at freedom. Thanks for reading.