RellaBelle

I don't know what her real name is but her ID is big_girl_you_are_beautiful

Good luck!

@@JamieLogical, Thanks for the information. My husband will be coming with me so bags won't be an issue but an aisle seat is a good idea. Did you bring compression socks/stockings or was that not really necessary?

I'm trying to gather up as much extra information as I can because there's a possibility that I could have my VSG earlier than the estimated early August so don't hold back! 1] How long did your Dr ask you to be on the pre op liquid diet? I've seen/heard varying times between 2 weeks and a mere 3 days. 2] What were some of the foods that you swore by? 3] How did you maintain your sanity? What about post op? Was there anything in particular that helped you get by more than something else?

Thank you for the information . I've definitely seen several people mention not stocking up for post op so I will absolutely remember that. Those little storage cups are a great idea.

The place I'm looking at also only does 2 nights. One night at the clinic, one night in recovery then whisked back home on the third day.

Oh! I thought dumping was vomiting... it's clearly just what it sounds like. Thank you for clearing that up. And yes, I absolutely agree that she can't control herself.

I have 3 friends who had the VSG, only one dumps and it's because of how she eats. She eats things even though her stomach doesn't agree with it [too greasy, sweet, etc] and she doesn't stop when she is full. She has a pickle jar that she dumps into while she's eating at home. If we're out, she'll ask for a styrofoam cup or bowl and dump into but will continue to eat. I haven't gotten my sleeve yet but it really just seems to be a matter of listening to your stomach and steering clear of what upsets it... and not overeating.

This may seem like a really dumb question but has anyone tried using any of the "non flavored" protein powders with powerade zero, crystal light or anything like that?

I'm really excited about this place! I just talked to Ruben and he was so sweet and patient with my 8 million questions lol. I was surprised to find out how short the stay is. Just 2 nights! One in recovery, one at the recovery house and you're leaving on the third day. @@LewisD, are you bringing anyone with you? I know @@Chrissyg went alone and someone else stated on a different thread that they were bringing a companion but Ruben stated there is no room at the clinic and it costs an extra $40 for them to stay at the recovery house with you. Not a big deal since it's only one night there anyway. Edit: @@krazypisces.momma, did you go alone? I'm trying to find out what companions did as far as the accomodations for the first night if they came along?

Did anyone's PCP and/or surgeon in Mexico recommend a blood thinner routine before the procedure to help prevent blood clots? Just wondering

@@Chrissyg, I don't know if I just didn't see this part but did you go by yourself? I'm debating whether or not I want to take my husband with me.

Bumping this up... has anyone else gone with this Dr or decided to go? I've started looking back into VSG again and was going to stick with my previous decision of Dr Lopez through Specialized Bariatrics but if I can save money while still getting a quality Dr and care then I'm all for it.

Hello again all! I was hyperventilating earlier [figuratively speaking] because I called Dr. Lopez's company, Specialized Bariatrics and spoke with Kathy. She sent me an email with general information, pricing and the health history form. I've already filled out the form and sent it back to her. From what she sent me, the VSG in Puerto Vallarta will start at $5,200. I could save $700 and go to Tijuana and have the price start at $4,500 but I've never been on a plane before and I'd really prefer the 2.5 hour plane ride to PV instead of 4 hours and a car ride across the border. Anyway! Kind of beside the point. My REAL question is has anyone on here ever used their HSA [Health Savings Account] to help pay for the VSG? I called today and was told that because it would be for treatment for obesity and preventive care [i don't have any issues other than the usual aches and pains] and a recommendation letter from my Dr agreeing that I could benefit from it, they didn't see a problem with me using my account for that. That would be FANTASTIC news considering I have a little over $2,300 in the account. They did say to call IRS to be sure but, of course, I couldn't get through and there were no options for anything other than taxes. I did manage to find the guidelines of included expenses for HSA accounts and operations to treat obesity is one of them. I just don't know what to do. I can call IRS and just try whatever option to get through to SOMEONE and ask them to point me in the right direction or I could use it anyway, make sure I have some sort of letter from my Dr and hope I don't get penalized. Grrrr! Any and all thoughts are welcome!

Just wondering because my whole plan was to call myself being slick and waiting until the month of my procedure to buy plane tickets to save some extra money. Of course, this is just for conversation and ideas for other people. My procedure isn't until July of NEXT YEAR so I'm not even thinking of a ticket right now. Example: Last month when just browsing to see how much tickets cost during different times a year, and also depending on how far in advance they were bought, a July plane ticket to San Diego was $600 instead of the now $400. An August ticket is still $600+. What's the longest you waited and what kind of deal did you get?

Hey! Like the title says, I was wondering if there were any self pay or even Medicaid approved sleevers in Texas? Who did you go through and what did it cost? I've seen a post or two from people saying that they've seen some Houston places that charge what the Dr's in Mexico charge, anywhere from $4,200 to $6,500 but I've yet to see anything like that.

Not only that but you just joined and posted the EXACT same reply on two other posts...

Might want to try in the actual Mexico forum -- you may get more responses. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/486-self-pay-mexico-gastric-sleeve-surgery/ Do a search and you'll find plenty experiences

This bugs me because this person put the same reply on my post on Obesity Help about Dr. Lopez. I'll ask here as well: When did you have your procedure? Who was your coordinator? I'm still scheduled with Lopez but having second thoughts so I'd like a little more information. Who quoted your $1,000 for the repair? I was told it would be $500. Who did your procedure.. Lopez or Osuna? They only work together on high risk patients. Who were the patients that died and who was taken to San Diego via ambulance? What were the complications they had?? I don't understand how Specialized Bariatrics was leading you to Mexico Bariatric Center, they are two different companies. Please elaborate.

Thank you all SO much for replying with all of your experiences. I've never taken diet pills, not even Alli because I just don't trust them and you all have validated my distrust of them. I was just wondering because as I said in my post, a friend who had the sleeve is currently taking it and she seems to be doing alright. Though I will say with all of your experiences, I will steer clear. I have an appt with my PCP this coming Friday and I was wanting to speak with her about my weight and what options I had. I just moved to the area in Feb so I'll be meeting my PCP for the first time and will be immediately talking to her about my weight and what I would like to do [VSG]. I really don't like the sounds of the mind altering, mood altering effects that this medication seems to have on people. Not to mention needing to be weaned off of it once it is time to stop. I honestly did not realize it was an amphetamine. Yeah, definitely will NOT be partaking in that.

Thanks for replying everybody! And @@emc9521, it won't be necessary. I've decided on Lopez in Tijuana but thanks so much!

Hello All! Sorry in advance for the long post! I'm new to the forum and looking for a bit of help. After years of struggling with my weight, and seeing a full body picture showing how large I actually am at last weeks family reunion, I've finally decided that it's time to take action and begin saving for the gastic sleeve procedure. I'm 5'4, 265 lbs with a BMI of 45 [eek!]. I've researched and read forums posts until I was cross eyed! Research is not my strong point but I've done the best I could but a little more help won't hurt. As far as the surgery goes, it would be ideal if it could be done in early Aug of 2015, before my kids go back to school later that month. I've found two places that I'm leaning towards, Dr Perez with Ready 4 a Change in Cancun and Dr Lopez/Dr Osuna with Mexico Bariatric Center in Puerto Vallarta. Both places have financing because, ideally, I would like to have half or more saved up by June or July 2015 and have the rest financed. Of course, that would be in a perfect world but I don't know if that will actually happen or not. I'm also wondering if I should actually call now about getting half of it financed so there will be no surprises when it comes to knowing how much, if any, we are approved for and how much I would need to save. In the meantime, I would like to at least have a decision of what Dr I would like to go through. I also choose those two because they are both no more than a 3 hour flight away. My husband would be coming with me and neither of us has been on a plane before so a shorter flight would be nice though I do have two friends who went to Tijuana and both had great experiences. I've seen posts from people who have gone through Dr Lopez and have had great results, but I don't believe I've noticed posts from anyone who has had their procedure done in Puerto Vallarta. Most reviews, posts and videos are from people who have had their's done in Tijuana [an almost 10 hour flight from TX]. Has anyone gone through Puerto Vallarta? If so, I would love to hear your stories. Or just any Lopez/Osuna experiences in general. As for Dr Perez in Cancun, I'm still researching him but I've heard nothing but good things about Ready 4 a Change. Has anyone gone through him in Cancun? Also, I'm trying to make a list of questions to ask once I start making calls and getting more information. I know I'm just beginning to save but I figure there's no such thing as having information too early. What are some questions that you asked when going through this process? Sorry for all the questions but I want to have all my ducks in a row and get this going. If you stuck with until the end, thank you! LOL

@@Sherri297, @megamoma. Did y'all need to contact Dr. Lopez after the procedure? If so, how hard/easy was it for you to contact him afterwards?

I was going to do the same thing. My Dr requires 2 weeks of 2-3 Protein drinks a day [the 3rd being a snack if needed] and a salad w/ 4 oz protein and low fat/fat free dressing. Followed by a clear liquid diet 3 days before my procedure. I've eaten similar to this before and was able to do it for almost 2 months so I was considering doing it again like you are, especially since most of my weight is in my stomach.

Whoa!!! I've got a year until my procedure and I can only HOPE to have success like this. Work it!