Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Illan and BariatricPal MX

[907city2farmgrl 22]

My first interaction with BariatricPal Team MX was with Bill. He was very helpful and prompt in his replies. I originally wanted Single Incision Gastric Sleeve but Dr. Illan advised against it after reviewing my health questionnaire. I had consulted with, and been approved for Single Incision Sleeve with the two other surgeons, both of whom had the same information Dr. Illan had. I felt compelled to go with the doctor who took my health and recovery into consideration even if it meant booking me for a less expensive procedure. Decision made, I booked my surgery and was on my way to Tijuana less than 2 weeks later!

Day 1. Stacy (also the nutritionist) picked us up at the San Diego airport the day of surgery and took us directly to the Oasis Hospital. After some quick introductions, my sleeve sister and I immediately began our admittance paperwork and testing. We were brought to our spacious private rooms where our bags were already waiting. The hospital staff and doctors came in and introduced themselves, and answered any questions I had. After all testing was complete, my husband and I passed the time until my surgery watching NFL playoffs on our iPad using the hospital supplied wifi. Yay for wifi!

Surgery was quick and recovery for the most part was painless. The pains from the gas were a little uncomfortable but the staff has you walking as soon as you are able which helps to alleviate that discomfort. The nurses were very professional, attentive, and thorough in their care. The valets took great care of my husband and myself. They made sure he had food to eat and was comfortable. One even brought in a bag of coffee grounds so he could make my hubby the plain old black coffee he had requested in the middle of the night, seriously the valets are awesome.

Day 2. The leak test was performed onsite which was a pleasant surprise as the other TJ surgeon I was considering took his patients to an alternate location to have that test performed. Stacy brought me a care package containing the Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve, the meal plan, and all the goodies needed for successful eating while at the hotel. Such a relief to not have to worry about what I should be eating or where to get it, although the valets would have made sure I had what I needed.

Day 3. I was discharged from the hospital with all the necessary medications and transported to the Pueblo Amigo Hotel and Casino. The hotel suites are very nice and roomy, nicer and roomier than some of the boutique hotels I’ve stayed at in the states. There is a spa on site if you are interested in scheduling a facial or other spa services. The hotel staff is very customer oriented, we had a problem with our room that was QUICKLY handled by hotel maintenance. About an hour after checking in we met up with our valet for the day and another sleever for an afternoon of walking and shopping. We visited Revolution Avenue then caught a taxi to lunch, since we were both feeling pretty good we walked the 1.5 miles back to the hotel from the restaurant. It felt good to be out and about.

We opted to leave a day earlier than planned. Bill was amazingly helpful working to change our transportation so we could return to San Diego immediately after the Doctor had visited me at the hotel and cleared me to go home. Henry was waiting to take us to the airport.

I'm two weeks post-op and down 13 lbs. Dr. Illan, Bill, and Stacy have all been wonderfully responsive to the questions I’ve had regarding diet, aftercare, and medications. The private Facebook groups have proven to be extremely helpful and a quick way to get questions answered and connect with other patients of Dr. Illan.

I’m very happy I chose Dr. Illan and BariatricPal Team MX for my gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Illan is a caring, competent surgeon with a great team who are there to support you at every step of your weight loss journey!

Edited January 30, 2017 by 907city2farmgrl

[1stNameMiranda 16]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Illan in May! I was very confident with my decision but now I am super confident and can't wait to get to Mexico. Any other advice or tips I would to hear them!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[akwildgirl 7]

On 1/30/2017 at 4:57 AM, 907city2farmgrl said:

My first interaction with BariatricPal Team MX was with Bill. He was very helpful and prompt in his replies. I originally wanted Single Incision Gastric Sleeve but Dr. Illan advised against it after reviewing my health questionnaire. I had consulted with, and been approved for Single Incision Sleeve with the two other surgeons, both of whom had the same information Dr. Illan had. I felt compelled to go with the doctor who took my health and recovery into consideration even if it meant booking me for a less expensive procedure. Decision made, I booked my surgery and was on my way to Tijuana less than 2 weeks later!

Day 1. Stacy (also the nutritionist) picked us up at the San Diego airport the day of surgery and took us directly to the Oasis Hospital. After some quick introductions, my sleeve sister and I immediately began our admittance paperwork and testing. We were brought to our spacious private rooms where our bags were already waiting. The hospital staff and doctors came in and introduced themselves, and answered any questions I had. After all testing was complete, my husband and I passed the time until my surgery watching NFL playoffs on our iPad using the hospital supplied wifi. Yay for wifi!

Surgery was quick and recovery for the most part was painless. The pains from the gas were a little uncomfortable but the staff has you walking as soon as you are able which helps to alleviate that discomfort. The nurses were very professional, attentive, and thorough in their care. The valets took great care of my husband and myself. They made sure he had food to eat and was comfortable. One even brought in a bag of coffee grounds so he could make my hubby the plain old black coffee he had requested in the middle of the night, seriously the valets are awesome.

Day 2. The leak test was performed onsite which was a pleasant surprise as the other TJ surgeon I was considering took his patients to an alternate location to have that test performed. Stacy brought me a care package containing the Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve, the meal plan, and all the goodies needed for successful eating while at the hotel. Such a relief to not have to worry about what I should be eating or where to get it, although the valets would have made sure I had what I needed.

Day 3. I was discharged from the hospital with all the necessary medications and transported to the Pueblo Amigo Hotel and Casino. The hotel suites are very nice and roomy, nicer and roomier than some of the boutique hotels I’ve stayed at in the states. There is a spa on site if you are interested in scheduling a facial or other spa services. The hotel staff is very customer oriented, we had a problem with our room that was QUICKLY handled by hotel maintenance. About an hour after checking in we met up with our valet for the day and another sleever for an afternoon of walking and shopping. We visited Revolution Avenue then caught a taxi to lunch, since we were both feeling pretty good we walked the 1.5 miles back to the hotel from the restaurant. It felt good to be out and about.

We opted to leave a day earlier than planned. Bill was amazingly helpful working to change our transportation so we could return to San Diego immediately after the Doctor had visited me at the hotel and cleared me to go home. Henry was waiting to take us to the airport.

I'm two weeks post-op and down 13 lbs. Dr. Illan, Bill, and Stacy have all been wonderfully responsive to the questions I’ve had regarding diet, aftercare, and medications. The private Facebook groups have proven to be extremely helpful and a quick way to get questions answered and connect with other patients of Dr. Illan.

I’m very happy I chose Dr. Illan and BariatricPal Team MX for my gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Illan is a caring, competent surgeon with a great team who are there to support you at every step of your weight loss journey!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been scared to move forward with surgery in Mexico, but I'm researching and reading so many positive reviews about Dr Illan and BariatricPal. I think I'm ready for the next step. I'm also in Alaska! So if you don't mind, I'd like to pm you with some travel and experience questions. Let me know if that's ok. Hoping to schedule surgery before June 2017.

[mbuczkowski 272]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been scared to move forward with surgery in Mexico, but I'm researching and reading so many positive reviews about Dr Illan and BariatricPal. I think I'm ready for the next step. I'm also in Alaska! So if you don't mind, I'd like to pm you with some travel and experience questions. Let me know if that's ok. Hoping to schedule surgery before June 2017.

I just came home from surgery with Dr Illan. Awesome experience. The travel home was the worst part...and even that wasn't bad

[CanucKnucklehead 22]

Thanks for posting about your experience. I'm scheduled with Dr Illan for March 13th and it's comforting to know you had such a positive experience!

[907city2farmgrl 22]

8 hours ago, akwildgirl said:

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been scared to move forward with surgery in Mexico, but I'm researching and reading so many positive reviews about Dr Illan and BariatricPal. I think I'm ready for the next step. I'm also in Alaska! So if you don't mind, I'd like to pm you with some travel and experience questions. Let me know if that's ok. Hoping to schedule surgery before June 2017.

Feel free to message me. I would be happy to answer your questions.

[amyo79 2]

I'm also from AK. (Anchorage). I would love to connect with people from here. I am still researching.

[amyo79 2]

Thank you!