First of all, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have worked in the medical field since I turned 18 years old. I have struggled with obesity since my early 20's. When I found out my SIHO insurance would not pay for Gastric Sleeve or any other type of obesity surgery, I was very upset. My friend who is an RN started looking at surgery in other countries. I was not sure about trying surgery anywhere except in the US. We both did a lot of research and I finally settled on somewhere I had already visited before. Puerto Vallarta is where I visited on a Cruise. We arrived at the airport on June 8th, 2015, my best friend Sarah the RN and I were met by the cab service that Dr. Hidalgo and Jerald the p.t care coordinator set up. The very nice man took us to our hotel and told us when our driver would meet us the next day to take us to the Hospital. The hotel was beautiful, our room was very nice. The next day when we got to the CMQ Premier hospital I could not believe my eyes. It was so new and modern I was in shock. In the back of my mind I was scared that it would be some type of a sham. Dr. Hidalgo met us down in the lobby and welcomed us. English was never a problem anytime during my visit there. My surgery was excellent. The hospital was so clean and the staff so friendly I would go back there anytime. For you medical professionals. They even did a "time out" in surgery to make sure who I was, the surgery I was there for, reviewed all my medical HX, allergy's, and asked everyone in the surgery suite if they thought there was any reason the surgery should be canceled. After my surgery if I needed anything, my call light was answered in a minute or less and not by someone though and intercom, but my nurse in person. Never seen that in the US hospital. I was up an walking by late afternoon and did so well I was able to be discharged home the next day after I passed my leak test and ate my first liquids. I was back to work in 3 1/2 weeks. I am doing great and have lost weight at a safe pace. 37 lbs. so far. I eat a very small amount and I am full. Not like before when I tried to diet and always felt hungry. I am taking Vitamins as required after surgery and doing better now 2 mts. after surgery getting enough Protein down. My energy level is so much better. I had terrible GERD before surgery and coughed all the time. I blamed most of it on my Asthma. I am coughing about 75% less now and do now wake up in middle of night with acid in my throat. I believe if I had not had this surgery with a BMI of 49 I would of not been able to live a long life, my BMI is now 43 and I feel great. I have not had any problems at all. If you decide to do this, just make sure you read all their before and after surgery information pages. Try to find someone who also has had this surgery so they can be your surgery buddy you can talk to after. This always helps. I can just not say enough about the TEAM of Professionals, that took care of me. Thank you so much and God Bless You All.
