Considering Sleeve Surgery in Mexico

[vickialess 20]

I am scheduled for march 16th with Dr. Illan, hoping to find someone that will be there with me too!

[Martha Parker-mcneal 166]

I so agree it is unfair. I moved to florida which is a state that is super conservative. I went to my regular dr but she did not understand the needs of the bariatric patient ( kept trying to give me medication we can not take and did not know what I needed to have checked on the blood test.) that is why I went to the bariatric clinic. I just want folks to get great after care and to be sure they research what they will need so if their dr suggests something that is not right--they will be informed and not have a medical issue that can be avoided.

[Taijah 0]

I'm scheduled March 31st with Dr Cervantes. I'm very excited for surgery. I have heard nothing but wonderful feedback on him. Not too sure how to use this app just yet but I seen a good comment left by someone above about Dr Cervantes so thanks for Leaving your review! It just confirms to me that I'm making a good decision.

[Rose73 31]

I just stumbled on this thread and am super glad that I did!

I am hoping to go to Dr. Ilian at the end of May! Although my SO is not very excited at the fact that I will be going to Mexico for surgery, my mother who is an RN volunteered to come with. She has a couple RN buddies who have gone down to TJ for WLS surgery with fantastic results... thankfully my PCP is supportive and is going to do all of my after care.

I am super excited to start my journey and end up on the losers bench!

Good Luck to everyone who has/will be on tis journey!!

[Please 188]

17 minutes ago, Rose73 said:

I just stumbled on this thread and am super glad that I did!

I am hoping to go to Dr. Ilian at the end of May! Although my SO is not very excited at the fact that I will be going to Mexico for surgery, my mother who is an RN volunteered to come with. She has a couple RN buddies who have gone down to TJ for WLS surgery with fantastic results... thankfully my PCP is supportive and is going to do all of my after care.

I am super excited to start my journey and end up on the losers bench!

Good Luck to everyone who has/will be on tis journey!!

Good Luck! I'm going to the OCC in mexico Mexico march 23rd. I'm going in my own , but feeling good about it.

[Rose73 31]

Good for you! If my mom can't come, I will end up going alone as well. I live on the border in Arizona and I have never had an issue going across to or from. Either way I am not worried. Excited Definitely!

[2-Liter 364]

I just got back from Mexico with Dr. Illan and I have to say that I have never been treated so well or felt as Safe and Secure as I did when I put my Health in Dr. Illan and his staff's hands. You will meet everyone prior to surgery. His Anesthesiologist is Amazing, his Cardiologist thorough and Knowledgeable all of his nurses gentle yet caring. His skills as a Surgeon are impeccable and honestly he will put you at ease by answering all of your questions. I honestly thought in the Beginning that this type of care is just too good to be true but I can Honestly say I would recommend him to any and everyone. The Best part is how well the Valets take care of you and your companion.

[MissKay 329]

On 2/25/2017 at 7:14 AM, AnneElliot said:

Please think of aftercare. Who will monitor you if you have complications once your back home?

I don't mean to be rude, and perhaps you're not meaning it this way, but this feels like a scare tactic. See below for why I disagree with this immensely.

On 2/25/2017 at 7:35 AM, Martha Parker-mcneal said:

I ditto this remark. I moved to florida and was having no problems but needed my yearly lab work done. when I contacted the local bariatric clinic ( the only one in town) I was told they would not see my unless I had proof that my surgery was done in the usa. I am 13 years out and the hospital in ky only keeps records for 10 years. I finally found some old material I had that they accepted. it is great that it was routine care I needed and not an emergency. just be sure to verify that they will treat you and get it in writing as one person can say one thing and someone else interpreted it another. best of luck

So yes, SOME doctors won't know what in the hell they're doing. If you're honest and open with you PCP BEFORE you have the surgery, they can prepare, educate themselves, and express any issues/concerns. There's a slim chance you'd have to change PCP's to get the follow up care you need. However, Dr. Illan and his team provide a list of blood work to have done and at what intervals. When those intervals come around, I let my doctor know, she orders the tests, I get my blood drawn, she lets me know if they're within normal range or not. It's easy peasy and isn't even related to anything bariatric when it comes to my insurance or anything. It is entirely dependent on how flexible your PCP wants to be. If they're not willing, find one that is. You can get the follow up care you need, it just might take some dedication and research PRIOR to going to ensure it's all lined up.

That aside.

I had my surgery with Dr. Illan on June 13, 2016. Before they made the move to Oasis. I'm actually jealous they weren't there when I went. Even so, the hospital was great, the staff was great, he was fantastic, and my boyfriend was taken care of every step of the way as well. I got better treatment and care from them and their staff than I've ever experienced in the US. I'm terrified of hospitals and was scared about going under as I never had before, but they eased me through it and got me to the other side. Now I'm sitting here at 199lbs, and 49lbs away from my goal. I don't regret it one bit, other than wishing I'd done it a couple years sooner. If I ever needed anything again in the future, you can bet I'll be going to Dr. Illan and his team again.

I had no complications. I experienced a bit more pain post-op within the first 3 hours of surgery than I expected. Some people say they experience none. I, however, did have some and I have a VERY high pain tolerance. So this surprised me. Once they found a good pain medicine and coupled it with anti-nausea, I was great. Once I was released 2 days later, I didn't ever have to touch the pain meds I left the hospital with.

Of course do your research and talk with your regular doctor beforehand, you only hurt yourself by not doing so.

[Martha Parker-mcneal 166]

you are being rude. I was not suggesting that someone not go to Mexico but only warning them of the possibility that they may need to check with the dr prior to going. we are not here to judge each other but to be supportive in our journey. that means being well informed and I was just sharing what happened to me and encouraging others to be proactive in their after care.

[dmdakd 44]

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[MissKay 329]

13 hours ago, Martha Parker-mcneal said:

you are being rude. I was not suggesting that someone not go to Mexico but only warning them of the possibility that they may need to check with the dr prior to going. we are not here to judge each other but to be supportive in our journey. that means being well informed and I was just sharing what happened to me and encouraging others to be proactive in their after care.

I wasn't being rude, in fact, I agreed with you. I directed the 'scare tactic' at the person I quoted before you, so please chill. I was reiterating and providing the info to the OP that prevented me from having any issue with exactly what you were expressing concern over.

5 hours ago, Please said:

Take it easy, don't jump on band wagons.

Now this is rude and unnecessary. It's not a band wagon. Not everyone is lucky enough to have insurance or access to insurance that will cover the surgery. If the research and steps to ensure post-operative check ups are done, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting this done in Mexico. There are many of us on here that are living, breathing proof of that.

[Please 188]

I'm going to Mexico too, lol

BE HAPPY!!!???take it easy

[Martha Parker-mcneal 166]

I obviously offended folks when I related what happened to me in florida when I attempted to urge folks to do lots of research on aftercare and not just the surgery itself. to those I offended I am deeply sorry.

[Please 188]

8 hours ago, Martha Parker-mcneal said:

I obviously offended folks when I related what happened to me in florida when I attempted to urge folks to do lots of research on aftercare and not just the surgery itself. to those I offended I am deeply sorry.

Some people just like to argue, pretend some great insult was made ,lol.i said "don't get on the band wagon" meaning don't more people attack your statement, but apparently someone wants to find fault in everything, lol...don't worry about it, people like to attack everything.

we're gonna reach our goals no matter what or where we go!!!??? 3 weeks from my day!!

[utahgirll 81]

The only thing.. are you ok with reflux. Gerd, that acid that comes up in your throat? I hear the sleeve can cause that. Have you researched MGB? Some folks are having to revise from sleeve to mgb. I am going to have the mgb after much much research.