BrandNewMe2013

I hadn't planned on being a part of this forum. I posted my experience because this is where I found my information about my surgeon and alternatives for those who had insurance issues. The posts that I read helped a lot but I am not a blogger. If the information is helpful then great. I am just hoping to reach out to women who are looking into alternatives. My surgery was $4500 and I haven't heard from the doctors ever since. I am not advertising, I just recounted my experience, which wasnt bad at all.

I had my surgery in Mexico, at Mexico Bariatric Center, because it is too expensive in the US and I didn’t want to wait 6 months as required by my insurance company. It took no time to decide on my doctor and reserve a date for my surgery with Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela at Mexico Bariatric Center. My driver Victor, who was very nice, met me at the San Diego Airport on time. He took me to the Marriott where Tatiana my care coordinator who explained my stay and logistics met me at the Marriott Tijuana. The hotel was Marriott with 5 star service and personnel. The hotel’s shuttle takes all bariatric patients to the various hospitals at 6:30am. I checked out and met several other ladies that were to have similar surgeries that morning. Mi Doctor hospital is comparable to any European hospital. It is clean and has 24-hour surveillance and security. There were four other ladies that were having the gastric sleeve surgery that morning and we waited in the reception area together. The receptionist called us one by one to complete documents. I then received blood work, an EKG and other health screening tests. After my test work came back I waited for my turn to have my surgery in my room. I came with someone so my room had two hospital beds (no extra cost). They provided cable TV, a large bathroom, with a walk in shower. It was clean and well kept. I changed into my toms and surgery scrubs. Around 4PM my turn had arrived and I was whisked off to surgery. They did not attempt to influence me to have the surgery. Ultimately, you are not committed to the surgery until you are on the table and are about to receive your anesthesia. The doctors are very professional and they explain in detail the surgery and anesthesia. After the surgery of 45 minutes, I recovered for another 45 minutes then was taken to my private room. In the room I attempted to walk immediately because the surgery calls for CO2 to expand your stomach and the remaining gas must be released. I was nauseous due to the anesthesia, but it did not affect the other ladies. When the anesthesia wore off I noticed a drain attached to 1 of the 5 incisions, it was to drain for the next 1-2 days, in some cases longer. There was approximately one nurse to 2 people that provided round the clock care. Dr. Valenzuela and other doctors visited several times during the first 24 hours. After 2 days at the hospital my drain was removed and I was discharged because my leak tests and other tests were fine. (Marriot) They provide in-depth details about the surgery to give to your primary as well as a video of your drip test. They give you a manual on how to take care of your little tummy. At the hotel I continued my doctors orders and the care coordinators kept in contact with me. After two days in the hotel Arturo drove me back across the border that used a fast pass that granted us quick access through the checkpoint. With any surgery there are risks and the risks do not disappear in the US and Canada, they are the same. I was comfortable with having my surgery in Mexico because Dr. Valenzuela was more experienced than the doctor I was with in the states. You do not have to be very big to have the surgery in Mexico. A BMI of 32 is all that is needed. The doctors in Mexico expect you to be adult enough to tell them the truth about your health issues and follow pre-op and post-op procedures because they do not see you but for a few days and there isn’t much history to go buy. There is no handholding going on so after they give you pre- and post-op instructions you must take the initiative to follow them. They do give you their nutritionist’s information that you can contact anytime. However, I saw with my own eyes Canadians and American patients completely disregarding doctor’s orders and pre-op procedures such as pre-op liquid diet, drinking alcohol and smoking. Some ate tacos before surgery. One patient was caught smoking just before her surgery and 3 doctors talked to her for hours about her health and potential complications. Going to Mexico is an option for people who need another option. It is Mexico so expect most of the staff to speak Spanish. They are still able to communicate with you. I had a Care Coordinator and another person that is dedicated to watch over you. If you are interested in any other procedures let them know day one so that they can find a good deal. (Botox, Lasik, Braces, Skin Care etc.) Ultimately, I feel like a million bucks. I pat myself on the back because of my decision. I saved money and time. And no insurance agency dictated what and when I had my surgery. I can only endorse Mexico Bariatric Center but have heard of many other great experiences at other practices in Mexico. I hope this helps anyone who is thinking about going to Mexico for the surgery. Email me for a verbal recommendation. Kesha