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Single mom thinking of going to see Dr Illan



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I'll try and keep this from turning into a novel. I think I just need some encouragement.

Last year I was going through the process to be approved for the VSG with BCBS. I ended up being laid off and losing my coverage and my new coverage doesn't cover bariatric procedures at all. So... off to Tijuana I go!!

First, I'm a single mom of a toddler with little support. I would be looking at going to Tijuana by myself and telling nearly no one I was going or what I was going for. Has anyone gone down and made it back home safely alone?

How will the surgery effect me being able to parent? I know rough stuff is out of the question, but being able to get in and out of the car seat, bend over to change pullups, leaning over the tub for bath time, etc? Will I be able to complete my everyday tasks by the time I get home.

Lastly, I know they split the payment for surgery, but how much is the deposit and how much is due when you come? I'm trying to plan and see if I can get this done before the fall.

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Something I have learned is that each person is different. I went to Dr. Illan and had a wonderful experience, no nausea or pains. I was up and moving very shortly after surgery. I tried to get up immediately, but they made me wait. Now, my surgery sister next door was throwing up all night. She got meds to help...but this is highlighting some of the differences.

I was told a lifting limit of 10lbs for a few weeks. So, having a toddler might be tough. There are others who have done that and been fine. As soon as i was out of the hospital, I was on the move. I never really struggled with the recovery. However. I have no kids, just large dogs.

The deposit was $500 and the balance was due prior to surgery.



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So I'm a single mom as well of a very active girl and I was able to do everything I did before the surgery. I seriously had no pain except for the first 12 hrs. I was so gassy from the gas they blow up your stomach with it was painful because the gas pressure. But I brought lots of gas x strips which helped a lot. My incisions had no pain at all, no pain when I was bending moving nothing. IT was the easiest surgery ever and I've had quite a few. I had my surgery Jan of 2014 and I'm still doing great and love having my body back to a place I feel comfortable. Now I didn't go alone but the way the experience was I wouldn't be worried to go alone if I needed to go back alone I wouldn't mind. My dad was totally opposed to it and super skeptical and he went with me and he was really surprised by how great the entire experience was.

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23 hours ago, mbuczkowski said:

Something I have learned is that each person is different. I went to Dr. Illan and had a wonderful experience, no nausea or pains. I was up and moving very shortly after surgery. I tried to get up immediately, but they made me wait. Now, my surgery sister next door was throwing up all night. She got meds to help...but this is highlighting some of the differences.

I was told a lifting limit of 10lbs for a few weeks. So, having a toddler might be tough. There are others who have done that and been fine. As soon as i was out of the hospital, I was on the move. I never really struggled with the recovery. However. I have no kids, just large dogs.

The deposit was $500 and the balance was due prior to surgery.


Thank you so much! This is really helpful.

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On 2017-03-23 at 2:36 PM, msdr1 said:

I'll try and keep this from turning into a novel. I think I just need some encouragement.

Last year I was going through the process to be approved for the VSG with BCBS. I ended up being laid off and losing my coverage and my new coverage doesn't cover bariatric procedures at all. So... off to Tijuana I go!!

First, I'm a single mom of a toddler with little support. I would be looking at going to Tijuana by myself and telling nearly no one I was going or what I was going for. Has anyone gone down and made it back home safely alone?

How will the surgery effect me being able to parent? I know rough stuff is out of the question, but being able to get in and out of the car seat, bend over to change pullups, leaning over the tub for bath time, etc? Will I be able to complete my everyday tasks by the time I get home.

Lastly, I know they split the payment for surgery, but how much is the deposit and how much is due when you come? I'm trying to plan and see if I can get this done before the fall.

I went alone to the OCC, in Mexico.im glad I went alone, I relaxed and didn't concern myself over my husband or friend. 5 days post op today and I'm home as of yesterday and doing Great.

Edited by Please

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I am a widow/single mom and I traveled by myself and did not tell anyone but my sister and my cousin who had the sleeve 6 months ago. Everything was fine. I paid a $500 deposit and then balance due before surgery.
Down 27 lbs in 6 weeks!


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I went to Dr Illan and have a 2 year old. I went alone for the surgery because i wanted my hubby to stay home with our three girls. Vallets were a BIG help! I didn't experience much pain but I was up and walking the second I could and I walked a bunch! I think that is why. By the time I got home I was able to handle my mommy duties just fine but I did teach my 2 year old to crawl into her car seat with minimal assistance from me before I left as a precaution. You know, just kind of guiding her in. All other mommy duties like the carpool for my older ones, diaper changes, etc were no problem. I was pretty much back to myself when I got home.

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