FailureIsntAnOption

OMG I felt the same way. It truly was a leap of faith for me too but luckily, I knew three other people who went to the surgeon I went to. I live in Corona, CA. not too far from you. My husband and I drove to Mexicali for my surgery (about a 3 hour drive). Once I arrived at the hospital and met my surgeon all my fears left me. I had Dr. Alberto Aceves. He was awesome. I have twice returned there for my fills. I had a couple of family members try to talk me out of going to Mexico so I decided not to tell anybody else until after it was done. Surprisingly, everybody was really supportive after the fact. Good luck to you! Donna

Just have to wait for your incisions to heal. I think I waited about 2 weeks.

I was allowed to walk all I wanted after surgery and at 4 weeks post-op I started working out at the gym.

It's about the same distance for you whether you go to Tijuana or Mexicali. My cost was $7,000 but I just noticed Dr. Aceves lowered the price to $6,500. This cost included round trip transportation from the airport (San Diego, CA) in my case from a parking lot in Calexico, CA. It also includes all pre-op testing, hospital stay and surgical costs, hotel stay and lifetime fills. Be sure you fully investigate whatever surgeon you decide to go with. Dr. Aceves has done over 3000 bariatric surgeries.

It is very important that you stick to your post op diet and give your stomach time to recover from surgery. If you eat solid food too soon you may cause your band to slip. We have all been in the same position as you and we understand. Your brain is withdrawing from sugar which will affect your emotional state. Focus on Protein. If you are allowed Protein shakes then drink them. Make sure you get your 64 oz of Water in each day too. This feeling you are experiencing is only temporary. You will feel better once you get a fill and have some restriction. Don't worry about losing weight until you are recovered from surgery. the first 4 weeks is about healing not losing and yes, your body probably does think it is starving and is holding onto fat. Don't worry about this yet. Just follow your doctor's orders and the weight loss will happen. Hang in there! Donna

Congratulations! I had my surgery in Mexico too.

Congratulations Phil!

My insurance gave me the run around too. I was ready to have my surgery so I decided to have it done in Mexico. I saw your other thread asking about a doctor in TJ. I went to Mexicali. My surgeon was Alberto Aceves. He was awesome.

If in doubt, call your doctor.

I don't have time to eat breakfast at home in the morning so I usually bring a protein shake to work with me.

I wait for an hour after meals to resume drinking water. Also, if your doctor wont give you a fill maybe you should start shopping for a new doctor.

I too was able to eat more then a cup of food up until my last fill. I think your doctor is wrong. Everybody is different. How can he possibly know if you are at your sweet spot or not? You may need just a little more fill to get there. I am willing to bet that because you are working out so hard you are building muscle and losing fat. Muscle weighs more then fat which is why you don't notice the loss when on the scale. Give it time and the scale will so reflect your loss and your clothing will become much looser on you.

I second what Mimilou said.

Where are you having your surgery?

You're from Anaheim, wow we live close to one another. I'm in Corona.

Oh, it's easy. Just click on your screen name at the top next to welcome, then click on customize profile, then click on edit signature under setting and options and just paste your ticker url there and save.

I have returned to Mexicali for both of my fills. My medical provider has agreed to do them as well but not under fluoroscopy. For this reason I return to Mexicali. It's only about a 7 hour round trip drive for us so my husband and I just make a day of it and enjoy the outing. The assistant surgeon is the one who does my fills.

RestlessMonkey has given you some good advice.

I had my surgery in Mexicali, Mexico and everything this far has gone very well. No complications or problems. I wish you well, Donna

Good luck to you. Hope all goes well. Donna

Congratulations! I would love to hear how you lost your weight so quickly. Please share.

Rancho is pretty darn close to Corona. Congratulations!

LA277, You are off to a fabulous start. Congratulations! Where in So. Cal. are you. I live in Corona. Donna

Aside from the occasional sip of Water and broth, I slept most of the time. I would wake up take a walk around the hospital and go back to sleep. The pain wasn't too bad. I would say it was more of a discomfort. I guess it just depends on your tolerance for pain. I've had two c-sections so for me the band surgery was a walk in the park. I don't think I felt hungry for several days but I have read many posts on here of people who were hungry coming out of surgery. I would suggest perhaps bringing a book or magazine in case you feel up to reading. If you don't, just leave it in your suitcase. For me, there isn't anything I would do different. Just roll with the punches is my advise to you. Good luck to you.

Hello Coloradomom, I was banded in Mexicali, Mexico for the sum of $7,000 which included my 2 night hospital stay, 1 night hotel stay, pre-op tests, lifetime fills. I've seen ads on this site for as low as $4,000 in Mexico.