RoseFlorish

That's great!!! You are already loosing. welcome !!!!

I'll start first!!! I am scheduled for VSG on July 24th at Hospital Angeles in Tijuana Mexico with BeLiteWeight. The surgeons are Dr. Jose Rodriguez Villareal and Dr. Elmo Aramburo. I am 5'7" and my starting weight is 217. Now your Turn........

Thank you.

I was considering him as I was interviewing the coordinator she quit one week later and two other ladies were trying to contact me on his behalf. I didn't feel comfortable with that so I am going with another surgeon.

How much is dr. Q,s VSG package.

Thank you. I have about 2 more that I need to post. I hope that I get to it today. Please keep us posted on your progress after surgery

Any other July sleevers out there! !!! Please join me

I am a RN for 10 years, NP for one year. My surgery is July 24th. where will you be having your surgery. mine will be in TJ.

I am glad everything went well. Keep us posted with you recovery!

Anyone for upcoming July surgeries...

One More! My VSG was amazing I talked with Joanne made my deposit online.. was supposed to have surgery on 2/19 because I didn't have my bc.. but on 2/18 found my bc, called Jamie and headed down i'm 4 hrs away. They weren't able m to get me across the border at 1030 at night traffic was bad so we stayed at the border in motel 6 very clean & friendly. Joanne met us at border station parking at 8 am went straight across got to hospital with 5 mins literally. She dropped us at front & went to park she signed me in and right away lab tech called me back to changing room, I changed into gown from waist up and immediately they did x-ray, was released to change back and go to lab waiting room wasn't there 2 mins and name was called to get blood drawn.painless and clean, went back to admissions desk, signed admittance paperwork and up the elevator to our room with private bath..translator came in explained how they all wear uniforms if we need anything but most staff speak basic English I gowned up and Dr Rodriquez and Dr Elmo came in, they were both so easy going... Dr Rodriquez held my hand said u have questions or concerns I looked him in the eye n told him take good care of me I have little ones to get home to. He squeezed my hand and said don't worry sweetie you'll be fine turned shook my husbands hand asked if he had any questions and I was off to the elevator. Was in pre-op for about 15 mins seemed like 4 ever every damn scenario was going through my head.. then it was go time. They put me to the or table anesthesiologist came by introduced her self asked me some questions.. explained her part in procedure.. docs came in Dr. Rodriquez said prayer with my consent. Next thing I knew I was in recovery it was easy .. had some mild discomfort in shoulders they explained it was from gas.. and gave me meds through iv. 1/2 hr later I was back in room with hubby.. it was comfortable, hospital is bright n clean. Not at all like some of the clinics claiming to be hospitals.. day of surgery I was up walking halls within 3 hrs of getting back to room, nurses were in every 45 min to an hr checking on me , vitals or meds.. doc Rodriquez and Dr. Elmo came in that evening .. he said surgery took him 25 mins everything was very simple and i should expect great results..they also gave me my certificate of staples with operative report at that time. Next morning I had leak test all came back great, I was cleared for ice chips jello juice tea.. I was in heaven that evening I got broth. They took out drain and iv that afternoon and I was begging to go home I left my 2 yr old disabled daughter for the 1 st time since she was born, I was feeling great n wanted to be home with her. Joanne and Dr Rodriquez discharged me and I was on my way. Hospital staff were beyond amazing and Alberto the driver got us back over the border before the medical lane closed. He was a great conversationist. We got home around 3 am Wednesday morning, I have received numerous calls from Joanne and Jamie and even a text from Alberto saying if i would return to tj he would be my driver.overall i'm glad i paid my couple grand more to be in a true hospital with reqular follow up care, you'll get your med pack your copy of leak test and x-rays all before leaving, I work in a US hospital and hubby is medical professional in the army and Angeles Hospital and Beliteweight.com exceeded our expectations and then some with not just surgery but overall experience. Medical tourism to Tijuana is highly relevant when u cross the border, but I have to say I felt I was in the best hands possible in a secure facility. I wish you the best....

This review is from last night! Hi Rose, I'm so sorry its taken me days to answer you. I work a crazy schedule and knew it would take me a few minutes to respond. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about belite, surgery, the hospital, the border, and anything else you have questions with. I'm an open book, so if I don't cover something feel free to ask....even things that sound/seem gross....I also work in healthcare...so nothing is gross to me. I guess I'll just kinda start at the beginning of my journey and go from there. I really did my research about Belite and going across the border from the beginning. My psychologist is actually who brought it up to me (she had a patient do it), I had been denied three times by my insurance to have it in the states, and I was devastated. I was honestly to the point of feeling like I was dying one way or another (life in general or on the operating table). I was scared to death....up until they were putting me on the operating table and sedating me. I went through Belite and their financing program. I actually went by myself, because I have a child that I needed my parents to take care of. I went to Juarez so I flew to El Paso from San Antonio and there was a driver waiting for me at baggage, a very nice man. It took about an hour to get across the border, but it was around 3pm and school was getting out and lots of traffic. Once in Mexico we went straight to the hospital (Star Medica) (about 15 min or so). The hospital is secure and has a secure parking lot and guards at the entrance. The driver escorted me in and showed me where I needed to be...that parts a little confusing. When you walk in there are some glass doors towards the back wall on the left, if he had not taken me in I don't know if I would have known exactly where to go. So that was registration, the ladies there did not speak English very well so they called one of the doctors (the psychologist...Dr. Calderon I think...sorry). He spoke perfect English and got all the paperwork done with me, I paid the balance, he escorted me to have a chest Xray, then to my room, ordered me my last meal, and set up testing for the evening (EKG and blood work, ekg was an old ekg machine...or at least in my opinion, but worked fine and didn't scare me or anything, reminded me of school kinda). I was very anxious so he ordered me a Xanax for bed to sleep. I was scheduled for the next morning for surgery. Of course all night they wake you up and take vitals...just like normal in any hospital. They did tell me that I could leave the hospital that night as long as I checked in and out...there is a mall and movie theatre across the street, but there was no way I was leaving my secure surroundings to wonder around Mexico and I would not recommend it to anyone...even if you don't go alone. The next morning a nurse came and brought me towels and soap and had me shower and she changed my bedding. Then I waited....for what seemed like forever for surgery. Anesthesiologist came and visited with me....she even prayed with me since I was scared. Then about 30 min later they took me to the operating room, where support hose were put on me and a bonnet over my hair. Then the Anesthesiologist was there again making sure I was ok and reassuring me she was there and with me. Then off to sleep I went. I faintly remember being in recovery....I mostly remember them saying my name....then I was in my room again. I slept on and off and tried to walk as much as possible like they recommend. There was some pain...I could tell when I was getting close to another dose of pain meds. I also had nausea (but I get nausea with anesthesia...I get nausea anyways). So they gave me meds for that to. So heres where it might get nasty, but with me you get the good, the bad, and the ugly. I did get sick at one point and threw up a huge blood clot...not gonna lie it hurt and looked nasty, but afterwards I actually felt better. So continued with the walking, sleeping, walking, sleeping....until they brought me ice chips...then sucked on them some (your mouth is so dry). Of course again you have constant attention with vitals and meds and IV fluids. The staff was awesome, I had a great nurse named Ruben that prayed with me and let me cry when I hurt (I jokingly called him my mom). I can honestly say I was treated better there than I have ever been treated in the states at a hospital (with the exception of when I gave birth). I can also honestly say the hospital was so much cleaner than hospitals in the states (I have worked in several here and do now). Some of the nurses spoke broken English (they give you a sheet to translate and point, but I never had to use it). There was always a doctor and nurse that spoke perfect English though, so if I called for a nurse and they couldn't understand me someone was there with in minutes that could. Mostly its the housekeeping staff that didn't speak English (they would just say "trash" and take out the trash) and the nurses that take your vitals and help you bathe. So night two was a little rough...I could only lay on one side because you have a drain in and the drain is uncomfortable. Once the drain was out the next day I was pretty much pain free except for when I tried to "eat" (broth, jello, tea, ice). Again nurse helps you shower and bathe. So you also have the "leak" test on day three. NASTY! Doctor takes you to a fluoroscopy machine and you drink contrast and they check for leaks...I gagged...no joke. Its not like barium if you have ever had that...its a thin liquid like water...but tastes like crap! You only have to get a little down, then they let you rinse your mouth. After that your done...you keep your walking up and then your ready to go home. I did have a different driver on the way back (he was waiting for me at registration, who was so sweet, he was like a tour guide on the way back pointing out historical sites and even offered to stop and let me shop if I wanted to. It did not take long at all to get back across the border. They did ask for my passport, why I was there, and I declared my medication and they opened my bag and looked at it and that was it. I honestly feel that this has saved my life and I have no regrets. It is in no way easy or a magic solution. You will have pain, you will cry, you will have struggles, but I promise its all worth it. You will be so bored with protein shakes and soups at the beginning, just know it gets better and you will feel so much better!! I never went back to caffeine and that was my drug of choice and I feel so much better. I'm allergic to aspartame so I don't put that in my body and I feel great. I also don't have the health problems I did 165 pounds ago!! Its amazing! My surgery date was October 4th, 2012. So my stats are: Started at 324 (I did prediet for 3 weeks), went into hospital at 302, and I'm at 158. So down 166 pounds total. I'm 5'10" and my personal goal was 180, but I kept loosing and its been great. I have stabilized at this point and I really have no desire to loose anymore (I'm a tall German gal). Was a size 26 and down to a Medium/Large & 8/10. Oh let me give you some advise while I'm writing this novel...ha! Take Gas-X strips with you....they really help...I used them while in the hospital and for about two months after. They also are great for after that nasty leak test cause they are minty. Take as little as possible. I took a nightgown, a change of clothes, several panties, and toiletries. I took my computer and a book and I didn't end up looking at either. I watched TV and slept...honestly I wasn't bored. They do have English stations. I made a friend there that was having surgery the same day and we still talk...so look for the others pushing their IV pole around and walking...helps time go by faster when you have someone to walk with and to lean on once your home. Once your home....your not gonna poop like normal....you don't eat anymore...but it will eventually happen. Watch for signs of dehydration (at first you can only take tiny little sips and its very hard to get your water in). I did end up having two IV's for fluid in the first month. That's the only complication I had. It gets to where you can take bigger sips. Chew, chew, chew...chew til its nasty almost. Follow the rules and you will do fine. You may find things that don't agree with you...like I have to eat moist meat...or have gravy on it. Your body lets you know pretty fast whats not gonna work...but it will eventually. My taste has totally changed, things I used to like do not taste good anymore and honestly its for the best....its things I shouldn't be eating. Its awkward for your friends and family....for you to sit there and not eat....just tell them its weird for them not you...they also tend to question if your "allowed" to eat things. Wow this has just been one big run on sentence/email. I hope all this has been helpful. I wish someone had written me a novel with step by step instructions. Please do not hesitate to call me or email me with anything you need. Support is very important in this. I'm gonna attempt to attach some photos for you. The heavy one is not even my heaviest...I wouldn't let people take my pic so I don't have one at my heaviest. Hope all this helps...sorry its so long!! Sincerely, Kriste

one more review just came in !!! I had gastric sleeve surgery on 11/05/2014. I started ~ 280 lbs., I am now 215. I haven't tried hard to loose weight more than just what naturally came off due to the surgery. I seem to have plateaued now and if I am going to loose more I need to exercise more and watch my diet but 65 lbs. has made a lot of difference in my health and wellbeing. My wife had the same surgery in 6/2012. She went from 260 to her current 115. She is radical about it, walks 6 miles a day and limits nutritional intake. My wife is an RN, I've been an EMT for years. Their hospital in Juarez is clean, everyone is professional. My wife say's they are putting more effort into English speaking staff for the Americans from when she was there vs. when I went (she came with me). The Docs speak good English, 50% of staff mediocre, 25 % no habla.... My wife and I both agree care was adequate/appropriate. Floor equipment is antiquated by US standards, but surgical equipment seemed current and up to date for their specialty procedures. There are no frills, I'd just encourage you to get up and moving after sx. Neither of us had any complications or infections. Normal recovery, after about a week I returned to work with no problem. We flew in to El Paso, driver picked us up at the airport, got us over the border in and out with no problems. Good luck.

Good to know, I will add it to my shopping list.

Ok. thanks. I will check them out

here is more!!! Here is my story Rose, i have been a first responder for 8 years had no medical worries at all!! I was first introduced to BeLite by my best friend in 2011. As I watched her go through a transformation, it was something that I knew I wanted to experience also. It was a slow process for me getting up the nerve to even call. The first contact I had with BeLite was in November 2012; I inquired about pricing and got a feel for what could happen in my life if I had the surgery. As the months went by the pounds got heavier. I got an email in February asking me if I was still interested. I just got laid off and thought well I can’t afford it. Excuse after excuse. When I finally made the decision to call back again in May, The time had come for the change, I was ready for. June the 25th was the date! I flew to El Paso, and there waiting was a taxi that BeLite had set up for me and my mom to be taken across to Juarez. I had lived in El Paso many years ago and had been to Juarez, it was great being back there. We went across and had about a 20 minute taxi ride, great site seeing. I was so excited I knew my life was going to change. When we arrived @ the Hospital there was one of the Dr’s waiting to get me checked in and my test ran. Everything was moving so fast my heart was racing. This was about 11am by 3 pm I was headed back to the surgery prep area. I was back from recovery by 6 pm and walking the halls by 9 pm. 2 days later I walked to the mall and went and had a pedicure. I arrived on a Tuesday and left out on a Friday. My experience at the hospital in Juarez was fabulous, I felt like a princess in the hospital. The nurses were very caring and always asking if I needed anything. The Dr’s were great; their bed side manner was one of a kind. This is one of the best decisions I have made. It has been 8 months (June 2013) and I have lost a total of 103 lbs. (So if you really want to know I weighed in @ 299 before the surgery). That is from my weigh in before the pre-op diet till now. I am still losing weight slowly, I did join the gym 6 weeks after the surgery and I have had a trainer to help me through the transition. I have not set a number goal I just had to set free from all the weight I was carrying around. Now when I see someone who is carrying that same weight I am, I tell them about BeLite, it has changed my life and could change theirs. Thanks Amie Surgeons: Dr. Jose Rodriguez & Dr. Elmo Procedure: Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy / Gastric Sleeve

The hospital, the staf, and Dr. Rod were AMAZING! I would not have the slightest hesitation to do it again tomorrow. They were all so nice! The hospital was the cleanest I have ever seen... Beds changed daily.. floors mopped at least once a day. I had NO pain. I had my sleeve done three years ago. I can't say anything bad about my trip. I had mine done in Juarez. The sent a very nice courteous man to pick us up at the airport. He had no trouble spotting me and introducing himself. He took us to the hospital, we checked in...and he returned us to the airport when it was time to go home. The whole thing was very satisfactory. I took a laptop with me as I knew there would be internet service. It came in very hand for communication. Some of the staff do not speak English so I would bring up a translation sight... type in what I wanted to say and they could do the same with their answer. It was very handy. Even though there was a safe in my room my laptop wouldn't fit in it. I was a little worried leaving it out while I was in surgery but everything was just as I left it when I came back to my room. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. 000 000 0000 best time to call anytime but before 10 am. I hope you chose to have Dr. Rod do your surgery.. he is an extremely nice man. If you have him tell him Maggie Booth says hi and thank you thank you thank you. He changed my life for the better. Oh by the way... I was in size 20... now I am wearing size 8 jeans and loving it. Amanda.

congrats! you won't be sorry as long as you follow their instructions and don't get to thinking you are tougher then others and don't need to. it is better to do it I know that excitement. enjoy your time there, I did, but then I don't travel much so to me it was an adventure LOL.My weight has slowed down and I am struggling with sticking with mostly protein right now but I know I will have those times but then get back to concentrating again. I have 80 more I want to lose. Keep me up dated if you have the time sleeve sister Kathy

Thanks Ms. Golden..I cannot wait either!!! Yes you will be on your way soon!

My thread is under self pay Mexico. Look for my svatar....The yellow flowers....and will see Dr. Elmo and Dr. Rodriguez name on the title Thanks ! I received like 3 more responses overnight. I'll post them later today.

One more just came in!!! Hi, I had my sleeve done in Oct.in Juarez Mexico and so glad I did. I feel the Beliteweight team were great. I have no complaints about the whole experience. You being in the medical field you and your husband will be impressed over the staff and the cleanliness of the hospital. Better then any I have been in in the states.I flew from Ohio and went down and back by myself. I would do it again in a heart beat if I needed to. I do understand your fear though but it is all for nothing but you won't really know that until your back home. Follow the instructions they give you and you won't have any trouble. This is important! Kathy

My surgery is scheduled on July 24th with Dr. Jose Rodriguez and Dr. Elmo with BeLiteWeight in Tijuana Mexico. I have a thread under he Mexico surgery page. We are all in this together

Hi Lilly, head on over to the "BeLiteWeight thread" and you will find a bunch of revies on Juarez hospital.

Hi Rose, I just came back from Tijuana, Mexico on April 10. Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Elmo are amazing, ALL of the doctors are. My anesthesiologist was the sweetest doctor ever. She held my hand and told me everything would be alright. She was the last person or saw when I went to sleep and the first person I saw waking up. Truly a delightful lady. The nurses are very attentive and helpful. I had better care at Star Medica Hospital than any hospital in America. My recovery was awesome...within hours I was up and walking. The hospital is very clean. I had to sign off on the housekeepers sheet after she cleaned that it was to my satisfaction . It was every single time. The nurses are so efficient. My experience was great. The only downside is traffic going back into America. Totally with it. I'd do it again lol I honestly don't think you can do better than doctors Rodriguez and Elmo Best regards

more reviews received today! I know it is normal to be nervous...my husband was the one who found Belite Weight so I did a ton of research...of course our insurance didn't cover surgery here...so we signed up and Valentine's Day 2013 we left Georgia to El Paso where they have a cab company that picks you up and takes you over the boarder...it was about a 20 minute drive to the hospital and let me tell you that it was the nicest hospital I have ever seen...maybe like something you would see on television for a fancy plastic surgery hospital...we were greeted by the Hospital Administrator who was very very nice...he took us on a short tour after we filled out our paperwork...he then took us down stairs to have our blood drawn (weird thing there is the girl didn't wear rubber gloves)...new needles of course...then we went down stairs and had x-rays done...after that we went back to our room and left the hospital walked down the street to Denny's and ate our "last supper"...after that we went back to our room and went upstairs and watched some television...about 9 pm or so they came in and did an EKG on both of us...there is a language barrier between some of the staff and us...the Administrator gave us a piece of paper with the most commonly asked questions in English and then the Spanish translation that we pointed to the nursing staff and then they point to the answer....they do have some that speak English...the doctors and anesthesiologist spoke very clear english...the next morning the nurses came in about 5:30 am and put our iv's in...after that about 7 or so the anesthesiologist came in and she told us what she was going to do and what we could expect...then a few minutes later Dr. Rod and Dr. Elmo came and told us that all of our tests came back just fine told us our surgies would begin at 11:30 and answered any questions we had...they held my hand both the surgeons and anesthesiologist and put me at ease...at 11:00 a nurse came in and asked who would be first me or my hubby so I went...they took me down stairs and prepped me for surgery...they put a medicine in my iv (they called it tequila) and I immediately started getting drowsy...then the wheeled me into the operating room had me switch beds...the anesthesiologist gently rubbed my cheek and told me to have a good nap..when I woke up in the recovery room which is the same as the prepp room I couldn't even tell I had surgery...no discomfort no pain what so ever...I stayed there for about half an hour and was taken back up to our room...I saw my hubbys bed asked about him and they said he was in the room and doing fine...my surgery only lasted abou half an hour 45 minutes...about an hour later my hubs was brought back into the room...the nurses literally came in about once an hour...at night they came in about every 2-3 hours...they understood what we said and asked...the next day we did a lot of walking to get rid of some of the gas...I have suggested people use Dr. Rod and Dr. Elmo....we were there a total of 2 whole days and left at 10 on Sunday...we had the leak test done the night before we left...stuff taste nasty...it was the most amazing experience ever...I would suggest this place to anyone and everyone who will listen...and yes I would do it again...I do feel I picked the right team...I feel my care there was A+...I had my surgery in Juarez....I had no complications and the whole thing was super easy.... I hope this helps don't hesitate to ask I will help as much as possible...get ready for life changing operationMichelle