Nervous About Mexico

[runner 53]

there is more then just this site too. make sure you look everywhere you can for information. Bottom line....If you are not 100% comfortable with your decision then dont do it! Its not a decision to be taken lightly.

My first time looking into this I got a really bad feeling that I couldnt shake for days on end. I decidced to cancel and Im glad I did. A year later I am more then comfortable with my decision to have the surgery and my doctor(s)

[shermika 1]

Hi I am also scared about goin to Mexico and I Water knw have anybody had their sleeve done in Juarez mexico at star medica

[kekerene 35]

I am definitely a real patient of Dr. Aceves. I think all of us have had the same exact emotions you are having in regards to going out of the country to have a surgery. I can tell you that I had an amazing experience. The doctors and staff and the care I received was far better than anything that I ever received in the U.S. The facility there was top notch and the cleanest hospital I have ever been in. There are some surgeons in Mexico that are much more reputable than others and some facilities that are far better than others, so please do your research. If you have concerns about the people being real or not then ask for phone numbers to call and talk to these people, ask them to forward before and after pics. Anything that will ease your mind about making the decision. I would be more than happy to provide these things to anyone in doubt. It is a life changing decision so you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the decision you make. Best of luck to you!

[bellabbr 50]

I am a real patient of Dr Almanza. I went through the same feelings, but researched the heck out of it and made the best decision possible and I was very happy with the care I received.

Best of luck.

[Rehab-Jedi 0]

Hello, My wife and I are getting ready to go in March to see Dr. Almanza. To get our VSG's done. Do you have any helpful words of wisdom for us? And how are you doing After surgery?

[andersonlj 32]

I had surgery on Dec 11 and I am not a paid person for the doctor that did my surgery. I went with Dr F Garcia and I could not be happier with my results with the surgery. I did not feel the least bit scared when I was in Tijuana. I was picked up at the airport by Hector and taken to the Hotel Pueblo Amigo where I spend Sunday night. On Monday morning Hector picked me up at the hotel and took me to Hospital MI. I had my preop and a scope to make sure that all was right with my lapband that was coming out and to have the sleeve. I had surgery Monday afternoon and all of the staff....nurses, doctors, anesthesiologist, cardiologist were wonderful. I can not say a bad thing about my experience.When I was discharged back to the hotel Hector took me from the hospital back to the hotel and got me checked back in. Then 2 days later he picked me up from the hotel and took me back to San Diego to the airport and I flew home.

The day after I was released I also went out to the shopping mall that is new and did not feel the least bit nervous because I was in Tijuana, Mexico.

My surgery cost a little more as I had to have the band removed and some extra testing but I still paid under $6000 compared to the $40,000 they wanted here in the US.

[Karen B45 38]

I am not super nervous about going to Dr. Garcia...I think I am more worried about how I am going to feel trying to get back home than I am about the actual surgery down there, if that makes sense. Being in a foreign country with English not being the first language is also a little intimidating...but I will have someone with me, and hopefully that will help me feel more comfortable.

I did read about a place that did surgery in a strip mall, and then had a private recovery house. I don't think i could do that, but the hospital I am going to is supposed to be very clean and professional, and then the hotel I have looked up on Trip Advisor and it has gotten good reviews.

I agree with what everyone has said, you have to do research and pick what is going to be most comfortable for you. It's not for everyone.

[Capt Derel 287]

Check out my perspective. Take a look at the VSG on youtube. They show you pretty much step by step. Its so easy a caveman can do it. I know without a doubt that I can perform this surgery on someone.

Next, $4500 bucks is a hell of cheaper than my USA quoted price of $12000 cash. Less money equals more patients, more patients equals more experience.

If it would be a heart surgery or something really serious that would be a different story. But this is a really noninvasive surgery. They would really have to miss alot of staples or puncture the liver to do enough harm to kill you.

The staple gun used shots 6 rows of micro staples at a time separating your stomach into 2 pouches. I could see a problem with stitches but this state of the art gun is the bees knees. It automatically offsets the centerline staples to make a mesh line of interweaving staples. I have totally gone through the steps of this surgery and I am confident that anyone with common sense can preform this surgery. I would feel alot better if I could do it to myself but thats another story.

You should never fear death because gods on your side.

(null)

[5DogMa 62]

Really, I seriously doubt "a caveman can do it" and you've really over-simplified the whole process and proceedure. Anesthesia is equally risky and has it's complications for many people and may even be more of the risk for some than the actual surgery. Everyone should feel this is very serious and not to be taken lightly. Even in the most experienced hands things can go wrong. All surgery has a risk regardless of how invasive it is. Bottom line is each individual has to make an infomed decision and feel confident in their choice to have the surgery in a state of the art facility with the doctor they feel has the experience and reputation to provide the best outcome.

I've had this surgery and it wasn't a cake-walk for me. I had an unexpected bump in the road to recovery and it didn't have anything to do with my most highly experienced and reputable surgeon who performed my surgery in a Bariatric Center of Excellence facility here in California. So don't down play the seriousness of this surgery. Everyone's experience will be different. Luckly most don't suffer any complications and recover quickly.

I'm taking my 29 year old daughter this weekend down to Mexico where she will have surgery with Dr. Garcia on Monday, Jan 23rd. I am scared for her, but she is determined even after seeing what I've gone through. Don't think for a minute I won't be scared and anxious until I see her out of surgery and recovering well beyond the trip to Mexico. Am I scared about Mexico? No! About choosing Dr. Garcia? No!

Research, make an informed decision, and listen to your inner voice.

[andersonlj 32]

I agree with 5DogMa......this is nothing a caveman could do. I do believe that the more surgeries that a doctor does the most advanced his technique becomes. I too went to Dr Garcia and I know that I was nervous but I place my faith in Dr Garcia after doing my research and talking with Dr Garcia and asking questions that were important. Every surgery has risks but this was one risk that I was more than willing to take........and for me it was well worth that risk. I went alone so had nobody to talk to about how I was feeling or doing when in Mexico except the staff. They understood and treated me like gold. I will always be grateful to Dr Garcia and his entire staff at Hospital MI.

5DogMa....you will do great and are in good hands. Best of luck and I will be thinking of you and please tell them all that I said hello from me.

[NewLife2011 13]

I had my surgery with Dr Aceves in Mexico and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. 4 months later I'm down 60 lbs and feeling fabulous. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner.

[Capt Derel 287]

You said everything perfectly in paragraph 2. Read that again

User error, age, genetics and health problems all play a big part in bumps in the road. So please dont come here and say that I downplayed the surgery itself.

Now after 4 day out is where most problems occur. So its really in your hands from there.

(null)

[andersonlj 32]

Capt Derel......you lost me with your post.

Also what does the (null) in the post stand for?

[Capt Derel 287]

Apparently the quote from 5dogma didnt post up

Null is my signature because people always dismiss reality for their candyland version.

(null)

[PhatGurl80 26]

I had surgery in TJ with Dr. Garcia in September. Hospital me was small but very sterile and comfortable. I don't think I could've been any more comfortable in a U.S. facility. We walked around TJ before and after my surgery and felt very safe.