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Good afternoon everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience for those of you considering Bariatric Surgery so I could maybe help you along a bit in your decision making. My insurance agreed to pay but I would still be out of pocket around $4000 and I would be on a required diet for 6 months. Well I am an impatient girl and I didn't want to wait that long. I have 3 little girls and a husband so this was a HUGE decision for me and I did research for the next month or so. I finally decided on Bariatric Team MX and Dr. Jalil Illan. I scheduled through Bill Yanez at BariatricPal and I went alone for my surgery because I wanted to leave my husband behind to care for our girls and comfort them. I flew into California very scared and skeptical and my husband was a wreck! I was met at the airport by a great guy named Memo and taken across the border and straight to the hospital. I was greeted by a BariatricPal rep and the kindest hospital staff I have ever met. I was given a little something to relax me because I was NERVOUS Y'ALL! After that there was and XRAY taken, blood work, and my IV was put in. All this was done professionally and with no issues which is fabulous for me because I never do well with blood work and IV's, my veins like to hide. I met Dr. Illan after that before he begun his surgeries for the day. He is a sweetheart. A bit later I was taken back and given something in my IV and don't remember anything after that. I had the gastric sleeve. I woke up in recovery and was taken back to my room. I fell asleep after a very incoherent conversation with my husband. :) Day one was tough, Day 2 was much better, and every day after has gotten better and better. WALK AS SOON AS YOU CAN! I did and I did not have any issues with gas pain. The nurses love what they do and they genuinely care about you, they are sympathetic, they are amazing! I met the most special nurses. The Valets, Bill, and Stacy the nutritionist checked on me often and the vallets were my besties and kept me company. I never felt alone but I did miss my family. I had a leak test and Day 3 I was checked into the Hotel Pueblo Amigo and stayed there 2 days. It is a very upscale hotel and I was very comfortable there. They have a casino and a dining area but I didn't go. I was very well stocked with everything I needed by Stacy. They do give you broth coupons to use in the dining area. After I was checked in Juan, a hilariously fun valet, took another fellow sleever and myself out to dinner. I had a virgin Pina Colada and shrimp broth. It was super yummy but I honestly couldn't eat much and Juan scolded me. :D After that we agreed to go back and rest. The following day we shopped all day together and had lunch. I had a great time with Juan and my fellow sleever and we became good friends and still in contact daily! I felt safe at all times. The following morning I packed up and headed back to San Diego airport with Memo and finally got to see my babies and hubby again!

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that Oasis of Hope Hospital, the nurses and staff, the valets, Bill, Stacy, Dr. Illan (the Surgeon), and Dr. Flores (the anesthesiologist) are amazing and they will have a special place in my heart forever! Let me tell you that everything that was promised to me was 110% delivered. I had my surgery on November 18, 2016 and today I feel amazing, better than I have in years. My incisions are healing nicely, I have not been nauseous, and I am currently following a "clean eating" type of program but have still not added raw fruits and veggies to my diet because I'm still not that far out. I weigh once a month so I'm still not sure how much I've lost but my clothes are falling off! Please don't wait to make this decision, if you need the surgery, do it now! Feel free to ask me anything!

Edited by mamasasuperhero

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I am not exaggerating when I tell you that Oasis of Hope Hospital, the nurses and staff, the valets, Bill, Stacy, Dr. Illan (the Surgeon), and Dr. Flores (the anesthesiologist) are amazing and they will have a special place in my heart forever! Let me tell you that everything that was promised to me was 110% delivered. I had my surgery on November 18, 2016 and today I feel amazing, better than I have in years. My incisions are healing nicely, I have not been nauseous, and I am currently following a "clean eating" type of program but have still not added raw fruits and veggies to my diet because I'm still not that far out. I weigh once a month so I'm still not sure how much I've lost but my clothes are falling off! Please don't wait to make this decision, if you need the surgery, do it now! Feel free to ask me anything!

Thank you so much for taking your time to share your experience with BariatricPal TeamMX! :D

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What a great post!!!! Thank you! I'm scheduled for January 18 and it can't get here soon enough!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@Adriane, you are in great hands! I can't wait to hear all about it when you're back! I want to add that the support does not stop when you get home. They check on you and they are there for you and answer any questions you have promptly. The private Facebook group also provides a great source of support. I'll see you on the board Arianne!

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Guest

Good afternoon everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience for those of you considering Bariatric Surgery so I could maybe help you along a bit in your decision making. My insurance agreed to pay but I would still be out of pocket around $4000 and I would be on a required diet for 6 months. Well I am an impatient girl and I didn't want to wait that long. I have 3 little girls and a husband so this was a HUGE decision for me and I did research for the next month or so. I finally decided on Bariatric Team MX and Dr. Jalil Illan. I scheduled through Bill Yanez at BariatricPal and I went alone for my surgery because I wanted to leave my husband behind to care for our girls and comfort them. I flew into California very scared and skeptical and my husband was a wreck! I was met at the airport by a great guy named Memo and taken across the border and straight to the hospital. I was greeted by a BariatricPal rep and the kindest hospital staff I have ever met. I was given a little something to relax me because I was NERVOUS Y'ALL! After that there was and XRAY taken, blood work, and my IV was put in. All this was done professionally and with no issues which is fabulous for me because I never do well with blood work and IV's, my veins like to hide. I met Dr. Illan after that before he begun his surgeries for the day. He is a sweetheart. A bit later I was taken back and given something in my IV and don't remember anything after that. I had the gastric sleeve. I woke up in recovery and was taken back to my room. I fell asleep after a very incoherent conversation with my husband. :) Day one was tough, Day 2 was much better, and every day after has gotten better and better. WALK AS SOON AS YOU CAN! I did and I did not have any issues with gas pain. The nurses love what they do and they genuinely care about you, they are sympathetic, they are amazing! I met the most special nurses. The Valets, Bill, and Stacy the nutritionist checked on me often and the vallets were my besties and kept me company. I never felt alone but I did miss my family. I had a leak test and Day 3 I was checked into the Hotel Pueblo Amigo and stayed there 2 days. It is a very upscale hotel and I was very comfortable there. They have a casino and a dining area but I didn't go. I was very well stocked with everything I needed by Stacy. They do give you broth coupons to use in the dining area. After I was checked in Juan, a hilariously fun valet, took another fellow sleever and myself out to dinner. I had a virgin Pina Colada and shrimp broth. It was super yummy but I honestly couldn't eat much and Juan scolded me. :D After that we agreed to go back and rest. The following day we shopped all day together and had lunch. I had a great time with Juan and my fellow sleever and we became good friends and still in contact daily! I felt safe at all times. The following morning I packed up and headed back to San Diego airport with Memo and finally got to see my babies and hubby again!

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that Oasis of Hope Hospital, the nurses and staff, the valets, Bill, Stacy, Dr. Illan (the Surgeon), and Dr. Flores (the anesthesiologist) are amazing and they will have a special place in my heart forever! Let me tell you that everything that was promised to me was 110% delivered. I had my surgery on November 18, 2016 and today I feel amazing, better than I have in years. My incisions are healing nicely, I have not been nauseous, and I am currently following a "clean eating" type of program but have still not added raw fruits and veggies to my diet because I'm still not that far out. I weigh once a month so I'm still not sure how much I've lost but my clothes are falling off! Please don't wait to make this decision, if you need the surgery, do it now! Feel free to ask me anything!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I'm glad to be part of your Journey!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@Adriane, you are in great hands! I can't wait to hear all about it when you're back! I want to add that the support does not stop when you get home. They check on you and they are there for you and answer any questions you have promptly. The private Facebook group also provides a great source of support. I'll see you on the board Arianne!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The facebook page is a lifesaver!!!! 36 more days for me. I'm ready!!

Edited by Adriane

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Jalil Illan Fraijo" data-cite="Dr. Jalil Illan Fraijo" data-ipsquote-timestamp="1481640904">

Good afternoon everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience for those of you considering Bariatric Surgery so I could maybe help you along a bit in your decision making. My insurance agreed to pay but I would still be out of pocket around $4000 and I would be on a required diet for 6 months. Well I am an impatient girl and I didn't want to wait that long. I have 3 little girls and a husband so this was a HUGE decision for me and I did research for the next month or so. I finally decided on Bariatric Team MX and Dr. Jalil Illan. I scheduled through Bill Yanez at BariatricPal and I went alone for my surgery because I wanted to leave my husband behind to care for our girls and comfort them. I flew into California very scared and skeptical and my husband was a wreck! I was met at the airport by a great guy named Memo and taken across the border and straight to the hospital. I was greeted by a BariatricPal rep and the kindest hospital staff I have ever met. I was given a little something to relax me because I was NERVOUS Y'ALL! After that there was and XRAY taken, blood work, and my IV was put in. All this was done professionally and with no issues which is fabulous for me because I never do well with blood work and IV's, my veins like to hide. I met Dr. Illan after that before he begun his surgeries for the day. He is a sweetheart. A bit later I was taken back and given something in my IV and don't remember anything after that. I had the gastric sleeve. I woke up in recovery and was taken back to my room. I fell asleep after a very incoherent conversation with my husband. :) Day one was tough, Day 2 was much better, and every day after has gotten better and better. WALK AS SOON AS YOU CAN! I did and I did not have any issues with gas pain. The nurses love what they do and they genuinely care about you, they are sympathetic, they are amazing! I met the most special nurses. The Valets, Bill, and Stacy the nutritionist checked on me often and the vallets were my besties and kept me company. I never felt alone but I did miss my family. I had a leak test and Day 3 I was checked into the Hotel Pueblo Amigo and stayed there 2 days. It is a very upscale hotel and I was very comfortable there. They have a casino and a dining area but I didn't go. I was very well stocked with everything I needed by Stacy. They do give you broth coupons to use in the dining area. After I was checked in Juan, a hilariously fun valet, took another fellow sleever and myself out to dinner. I had a virgin Pina Colada and shrimp broth. It was super yummy but I honestly couldn't eat much and Juan scolded me. :D After that we agreed to go back and rest. The following day we shopped all day together and had lunch. I had a great time with Juan and my fellow sleever and we became good friends and still in contact daily! I felt safe at all times. The following morning I packed up and headed back to San Diego airport with Memo and finally got to see my babies and hubby again!

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that Oasis of Hope Hospital, the nurses and staff, the valets, Bill, Stacy, Dr. Illan (the Surgeon), and Dr. Flores (the anesthesiologist) are amazing and they will have a special place in my heart forever! Let me tell you that everything that was promised to me was 110% delivered. I had my surgery on November 18, 2016 and today I feel amazing, better than I have in years. My incisions are healing nicely, I have not been nauseous, and I am currently following a "clean eating" type of program but have still not added raw fruits and veggies to my diet because I'm still not that far out. I weigh once a month so I'm still not sure how much I've lost but my clothes are falling off! Please don't wait to make this decision, if you need the surgery, do it now! Feel free to ask me anything!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I'm glad to be part of your Journey!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much for helping me change my life forever!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

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@@mamasasuperhero I'm going down 12/26 for VSG surgery alone. Is there anything you wish you'd brought or known before you went? I'm getting nervous and second guessing not taking my husband, but like yours, someone needs to stay with the kids especially over Christmas break. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Congrats on your sleeve!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@Laughitup

Hey there! Congratulations, I am so excited for you! I did a bunch of research and ended up taking just what I needed. You will be fine on your own and probably enjoy the time to yourself. :)

-Be sure to take some cash for shopping, eating out 2 days, uber fair, and tipping if you want to. I took about $200 in cash and I didn't even spend it all. Be sure to have some 5's 10's and 20's. If the valets got something for me then I usually tipped them. Uber and dinner are extremely inexpensive. Uber was $3 and I think my dinner was like $7 and it was a nice place. I paid for my valets meals also but it was super inexpensive.

-Don't bother bringing food, Stacy has you covered and you won't need it.

-Bring something comfortable but cute to wear while shopping around and eating out so you don't feel so "post"

-comfy clothes-you will be puffier than normal (BUT NOT FOR LONG :D )

-gas x strips

-small extension cord for you phone because I had to get up every time I wanted mine

-clear lip gloss or chapstick (my lips were dry)

-Flash Drive for a copy of your surgery video, I actually watched it and thought it was cool but I'm weird

-all your other typical toiletries and stuff. They did have Shampoo and body wash at both the hospital and hotel and I actually thought it was pretty good stuff. I didn't use the one I brought from home.

I am so super excited for you!! Please let me know how it all goes and don't waste anytime worrying and wondering if you're going to live through it all because you will and you will love it over here on the loser side! I had such a good time...really! I'm adding you to my buddies. :D Take care

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So did I read correctly that they picked you up in San Diego at the airport and transported you to the hotel/hospital and back? I would have to fly into San Diego if I were to go the route of surgery in Mexico and was stressing about how I would get down there.

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So did I read correctly that they picked you up in San Diego at the airport and transported you to the hotel/hospital and back? I would have to fly into San Diego if I were to go the route of surgery in Mexico and was stressing about how I would get down there.

One of our friendly drivers picks you up and drops you off at the airport. We take care of everything from a-z once you land.

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@@Adriane @@mamasasuperhero thank you for sharing your experiences, i have my surgery date on March 1st and i cant wait. please keep in touch best of luck ladies

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So awesome! Stay in touch, it is awesome on the other side!

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