My journey with Mexico Bariatric Center - Tijuana Mexico

[maleteacher 14]

Hey guys,

I looked on this page and others before choosing my doctor, so I figured I would share my experience now that I am done! I know it is a little bit long.....but it is everything I wish I would have known to ease my curiousity

I went through Mexico Bariatric Center. Once I filled out the contact request I received an email from CHRISTY - who became my contact person the whole time. She was amazing! She was very friendly, stayed in contact with me frequently, stayed honest throughout, and made me feel like she was in it with me! I actually booked a surgery back in November....bought my ticket.....then chickened out. She did not try and persuade me at all! She agreed not to do it until I was ready. I ended up contacting her again, because I felt comfortable, and booked it for Dec. 21, 2012.

The night before I flew down I received a call from VICTOR - who was my driver. He was such a sweet man. He had stories and jokes to share about Tijuana TO and FROM the airport. I flew in the day before surgery. Victor was already outside of the baggage claim when I arrived. We went directly to the Hotel Marriott. It was very beautiful and safe! In fact, you have to use your room key to even get the elevator to move. Everyone there was extremely friendly and helpful. The beds were so fluffy that I had a great sleep before the big day. When I arrived at the hotel I was greeted by my go-to person DANIEL. He was also very friendly, informative, and caring!

Daniel is not just the contact person, but like a "brother from another mother". He makes sure everything runs smoothly, translates for you, and is there for you at every transition! He even came to visit a few times each day at the hospital! If you go through Mexico Bariatric Center you should totally request Daniel to be your contact person.

On the day of surgery I took the Marriott (free) shuttle to Mi Doctor Hospital. Daniel was there to greet me and take care of all of the talking. I was given a room, a Johnny and TIGHT leggings to wear. I then had a pre-op session. This was where they did blood work, took my weight and height, and inserted the I.V. I was also visited and introduced to ALL of my doctors and nurses. Shortly after I was wheelchaired to the surgery room. It was very clean and non-threatening. I couldn't believe how many doctors/nurses were in there. Surprisingly I was NOT nervous at all - since I knew that I wouldn't remember anything once I fell asleep LOL. The anesthesiologist was so caring and gentle! I felt like I knew him............and then fell asleep! The last thing I remember was him smiling down at me while Dr. Cabrera rubbed my face. DR. LOUISIANA Valenzuela was heading my surgery with DR. ISMAEL CABRERA-GARCIA as her assistant. They normally take turns being the lead - but BOTH are excellent at what they do!

Apparently my surgery went from 1 hour to 2 hours because they found a Hiatal Hernia in my esophagus. That is when your stomach pouch is larger than normal and pushes it's way into the esophagus. They repaired it along with my surgery for $500 more. I was so glad that they found it and fixed while up in me! I woke up in a recovery room. As soon as I woke up they walked me to my hospital room - where I slept in and out throughout the day. Closer to the evening I started my walking rounds around the hallway. (VERY IMPORTANT FOR RECOVERY!) I was barely in pain!!!! The easiest way to describe the pain was like a cramp when you are running. This pain was NOT constant! Whenever I felt it, I put my hand over it and pushed in - which helped ease it. The next day (day 2) I felt GREAT! I did a lot more walking around the nurses station and started drinking Gatorade. (after they did the Xray with the liquid). I had many visitors from the doctors, Daniel, people from the recovery room, and even my anesthesiologist! I couldn't believe how great I felt - after hearing about other people's experiences! You will feel gas bubbles here and there - but practice pushing it out through burps and eventually you will get a good fart in....smooth sailing from there LOL

On day 3 Dr. Valenzuela came to do my final check before releasing me. Once again, I felt great.... little pain..... and was ready to go - BUT I had to get my tube taken out first. OMG, although it takes less than a minute to remove it - It was a surreal feeling to get a long skinny tube slowly pulled across and out of a whole in my stomach. Yes it hurt for like 30 seconds, but it had to be done! Once that was done, she gave me my 4 different medications, explanations, and a lot of nutritional paperwork. It also included a CD of the Xray of my new banana shaped stomach pouch! You can watch the liquid going down it - too cool!

Once I got my release, Daniel was already there for me with the Marriott Shuttle. We even detoured to an outside pharmacy to pick up one more medicine bottle, and Snacks for my plus 1. I then stayed at the Marriott for another night (but could've stayed for two nights). Victor called an confirmed pick-up times. (By the way, at the hotel - the patient can eat in the restaurant for free using their room key. Make sure you tell them you are there for Bariatric Surgery. You can get broth, Jello, and popsicles. If someone is with you.....they have to pay BUT you get 25% discount. GET THE BUFFET! It is worth it - especially with the discount)

To end my journey, Victor picked my plus one and I up at the Marriott. We then had to drive through customs to enter U.S. and make our way to the airport. NOTE: The San Diego airport is HORRIBLE and offers very little food options. They are under construction and will have a food court one day......but not yet! You can go to Terminal 1 where there is a Starbucks and a really nice restaurant! Although I couldn't eat......it smelled and looked so good. Starbucks had a good mint tea that I drank - which was very soothing!

FINALLY (I PROMISE) a few points I wanted to add:

*Tijuana is safer than you think!

*Going into the border is quick and easy...Out of the border takes longer, but make sure you have your passports and meds out!

* $1 US dollar is equal to $ 12.60 Mexican dollars. (although the currency changes daily)

*Gastric Sleeve is running $4500 American dollars right now (which is great!) This includes pre-op lab work, Surgery, 2 day hospital stay, medicine, food for patient, personal driver, personal contact person, 1 pre stay hotel, 2 post surgery stay at hotel. (does NOT include airfare or food for the plus one). MY PLUS ONE STAYED IN THE BED NEXT TO ME AT HOSPITAL

*Have your plus one bring snacks. There is a deli on the 1st floor of hospital which seems to run @ $6.00 American for a meal - but they close EARLY! If YOU, the patient, want broth, Gatorade, Popsicle, etc... be sure to ASK! It doesn't just come.

* DR. VALENZUELA/DR. CABRERA are the doctors to go with!!! Call Christy before you change your mind... (you want to ask to have Daniel and Victor too)

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any question........ I know what you are going through! In a separate blog I'll update my status since this is so long LOLOLOL......

David

[lwilliams65 102]

Thank you so much for this! The longer the post the better to read:) im going to Tijuana in February and reading posts like yours makes me way less nervous!

[Timeforachange 15]

Thanks for all the detail... I'm scheduled for the same doctors in February, and you answered a lot of my questions.

[maleteacher 14]

Iwilliams65 - Thanks for the note! I'm a very personal person, but felt that it was important to post that LONG email to help ease at least 1 person's nerves! There were so many "what if's" I had before heading there! Good luck

[maleteacher 14]

Time for Change - I'm so excited for you! Especially because you are going through the same doctors! They really are both good at what they do! I know you must be anxious..... February will come before you know it, then it becomes a surreal moment. Good luck to you, and let me know if you have any more questions! By the way I am 8 days post op, and I am having NO issues....my cuts are almost healed up.... and I'm now onto Full liquids (rather than clear). This will be easy for you!

[Timeforachange 15]

Please keep sharing your story, maleteacher.... it's helping me immensely. 42 days til surgery! Any tips on getting ready?

[Shergirl 18]

Thank you Male Teacher. I will also be traveling to Mexico for surgery on 1/17. I am so nervous but excited to get rid of this weight and move on with my life. Please keep updating. The information is really helpful.

[schavez2010 32]

Thank you Male Teacher. I will also be traveling to Mexico for surgery on 1/17. I am so nervous but excited to get rid of this weight and move on with my life. Please keep updating. The information is really helpful.

Let us know how your surgery went, I'm am scheduled in march. Please advise of you entire experience! Good luck!!