Alberta vs. Mexico

 Hello All! 

I am new to the forum and I am weighing through the litany of information and trying my best to figure out what would work best for me! I was hoping some of vets out there could give me a little guidance. So here is my story:

I am 30 and I have a BMI of 39. I have PCOS and insulance resistance and have been trying to get pregnant for the last 3 years. (Aside from the obvious health improvements, studies have shown that weightloss will dramatically improve my chances of getting preganant and if I still need IVF, they still won't do it on anyone with a BMI over 35.) I have read great things about the Weight Wise program but I live about 2 hours from Edmonton and Edmonton is the closest program. I would like to participate in the weight wise program but am thinking it might be a better idea to have surgery in Mexico since I am worried about the wait.... they don't recommend you try to get pregnant until at least a year out from surgery and the older you are to more issues you have! 

Also, I am worried that I will not be accepted because my BMI is 39 rather then the required 40 and that my co-morbidities won't be enough to approve me. Just because of my timeline, I am  just worried. 

So many questions!!!! Anyway any tidbits of advice would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks!

If you can manage the money Mexico can be a great option, BUT only if you're willing to put in the effort to educate yourself, follow the surgeon's plan, arrange your post-op care before you head south and do your research.

There are lots of surgeons doing WLS in Mexico and they are far from equal. I've heard some horror stories - bugs in the OR, "recovery houses" with less beds than patients... Your health is too important to just go with the lowest bidder - do your homework, talk to people who've gone there, make sure you're comfortable with your decision and take a support person if you go.

Obviously I'm one that went, and my experience was excellent, but I did those things ahead of time. I'll be very happy to answer any questions you have.

 Thanks Kelly-Anne! 

I have been doing a lot of reasearch and I think regardless of whether I go to Mexico or not, I will participate in the weight wise modules since a lot of poeple have mentioned how wonderful they are. Money is not a huge issue but I haven't found a clear answer on the total cost (because there are always little things that add up). Would you mind me asking how much you paid (and anyone else who happened to go down there from the Alberta region). My family doctor actually was the one who suggested Mexico because that is what he did. I am not one for surprises (bit of a type A) so I'll be doing my research thats for sure. Just thought I would see what some of people on the forum has to say since you guys like likely give me a stright deal! 

Thanks again! 

Kelly

I paid $8750 for the package deal with Dr Aceves. That covered transport to and from the San Diego airport, 1 night in a nice hotel before the surgery, pre-op testing, surgery, 3 nights in the hospital and the 3 leak tests.

It did not cover our flights (about $1200 for Barry and me. My sis and her daughter used airmiles), dinner at the hotel in Mexicali (plan on about $25 each), meals for Barry, drugs bought at the pharmacy down there (3 months worth of PPI and several boxes of the sublingual pain med Dr Aceves uses. I had no pain after I left there, but do they ever work on headaches!), or tips. We tipped the driver ($10 for the trip from San Diego and $20 for the return trip) and left a few dollars on the dresser of the hotel room.

You'll want maybe $100 in cash, including some small bills. MasterCard or Visa work fine for most things.
We also chose to add a few extra days in San Diego, but that's a whole different deal.

If you go, be aware that you'll go straight to the hospital fasting and will be ravenous when the testing is done. Take something to eat. They will provide bottles of water. Take a good pen. You'll be filling out a VERY detailed medical history in the hotel room the evening before surgery.

One last thing. The modules are good, but you don't have to go through Weight Wise to take them. They are not aimed toward post-op eating, so be prepared to take what's useful and leave what isn't.

One last last thing. Timeline - I booked my surgery on June 2nd and had my surgery June 26th. My kind of timeline.

 I went to Mexico and had a DS with Drs. Aceves and Ungson. Given my experience I would choose Dr. Aceves over a Canadian surgeon in a heartbeat. He came to my room to check on me twice a day while I was in the hospital, even on Sunday. I also had two other doctors managing my care, one of whom also visited me twice daily, every day. I was off pain meds in 6 days and at home cooking dinner in 7 days. I recovered from this, a major surgery, faster than my lapband ( getting it in and out). I think it is because Dr. Aceves s a highly skilled surgeon and his team specializes in operating on obese patients. I mean no disrespect to our Canadian surgeons but most are not specifically bariatric surgeons.

Another thing to consider is that you may go brought the weight wise program and not get chosen for surgery. I didn't. They decide by looking at factors such as BMI, age, comorbidities and such. I ended up wasting 6 months trying to get surgery here.  If you want any more info, feel free to pm me.

There's something about doing WLS 3 times a day that makes all the difference. I don't know how many DSs Dr Aceves has been involved with, but he's done over 1500 Sleeves. The self pay surgeon I considered in Quebec has done over 100. It wasn't a difficult choice...

I'm in Edmonton and have wheels. Where are you? Maybe we could do coffee...

 Look at you go Jenn!  I'm watching your scale drop and can't wait till my wls!!!!! We will sit on the counters at 2nd cup next time we will both look sooo good! 

With a BMI of 39 and a Co Morb you will be accepted into the program. Sure the wait is longer than self pay, fut it is also no charge.

My wife and I did not have kids until we were 36, so don't be in too much of a hurry, as well the proper education and time to make the needed lifestyle changes really helps.

 Kel098....you just wrote down my exact life story...30, PCOS, insulin resistant, TTC for 6 years...the whole she-bang.
My PCOS was enough of a comorbiditiy for them to accept me into the clinic, i'm in Grande Prairie so i travel 5 hours for my clinic visits...my ones now since i am on the surgeons list are all by phone. the weight wise modules are great and they offer them here in GP, not sure where you are but they may offer them in your area. Print of the referal forms and go to your doc and get ont he list....even if you decide in the mean time to go to Mexico. if you do decide to go south please DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!! i have met so many girls who didnt know what htey were getting into when they went to mexico for surgery and are now regretting not going through the edmonton clinic for the education half of it, its so much more than just a physical surgery.
Good luck!!

Hey!

Sorry I've been super busy from work and I didn't get any notices that you guys had posted!

KellyAnne, I'm about 2 hours north of Edmonton but I am in Edmonton ever so often for meetings so maybe when I'm next planning on being in town I'll PM you.

Teenuh, I know its common, but I really haven't met anyone who has had the struggle I have been having, or they aren't talking about it that's for sure.....Its nice to know that there is someone who would understand how hard it is and how much you want a family.

Thanks for the info Speedtrap, I think I'm going to go ahead and od the Weight Wise modules and get referred to Edmonton. Although cost isn't so much an issue, this is something that I am just seriously considering and I still need time to research, and totally comprehend the whole process. I might as well get on the list for Edmonton while I wait and you never know, went I would be ready for surgery might be when I get in with Edmonton. If not, I can just make arrangements for Mexico.

Anywho hope everyone is doing well and enjoying these last few days of summer!

Take care!