I went to the OCC in Tijuana, no regrets! I am 3months post op!

 

I am in Calgary :)

The hospital I was in for my VSG was absolutely spotless, with a much higher staff to patient ratio than you'd see here and faster response when help is needed. I don't think I waited more than 2-3 minutes for any sort of help, even for simple things like getting my IV threaded through the sleeve of my jammies.

There was occasionally a bit of a language barrier, but we were provided with a cheat sheet of common things we or the nurses might need to communicate, most of the staff spoke at least some English and Google Translate is a wonderful thing. (The hospital has very good wifi) The most useful, of course, are dolar (pain), nausea, gracias and agua porfavor. The doctors and coordinators all speak excellent english.

Wait time is negligable. I booked my surgery last June 2nd and had my surgery on the 26th. We booked my husband's 2 weeks ago - his surgery is on the 11th.

I had some pretty severe bouts of referred pain (left shoulder) and nausea during my first 2 post-op days, which were dealt with quickly through my IV, then through the line left in my hand. Once a large gas bubble was identified during my barium swallow xray on Thursday morning and I was given something to break it up, all pain was gone. I slept comfortably on my side that night and was up and ready for discharge next morning.

We were discharged and driven back to San Diego with no problems or discomfort. We'd booked a hotel room for 2 extra nights in San Diego and the driver took us to our hotel after dropping off another patient at the airport. We settled into our rooms (my sis was sleeved an hour after me - her daughter traveled with her), rested for 1/2 an hour, then called a cab and went shopping. Ronnie and I were tired, so stopped to rest every so often, but we really enjoyed a couple of hours of puttering, then were happy to head back to the hotel.

Ronnie and her daughter headed home next day. Barry and I saw them off, then walked a few blocks to the bus stop and went shopping again. Once again I needed to rest every little while, but the walking was really good for me, and all residual gas was gone by that night. Flying home next day was easy, painless and uneventful other than being really tired - mostly because I wasn't drinking as much as I needed to. I was grateful for the woman driving the wee cart at the Calgary airport that offered to drive us to customs. Once that was done Barry made me drink a couple of venti iced passion teas and I felt completely like myself within an hour.

I flew down with a friend a couple of months ago for her VSG and we flew home right after discharge. I encouraged her to sleep on the planes and reminded her to drink. It was a very long and tiring day for her, but other than that it went just fine.

Anything else you'd like to know?
Kelly-Anne

I don't personally know anyone who went o Dr Alverez, but several (including myself) who went to Dr Aceves. The general consensus is hat you can't go wrong with either - they both have excellent reputations.

I was very happy with my experience, and am flying down with my husband next week for him to be sleeved as well. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. What would you like to know?

Kelly-Anne

I'm considering going to Mexico for surgery. I've read lots of posts and it sounds really awesome , still painful and gross but so much better than waiting years in the Alberta process.
I'd really appreciate any feedback, good bad or indifferent.

I was referred to Weight Wise at the Royal Alex on May 3rd 2012. I got in to appointment on July 12//12.....did al my my classes, saw Nurse, Dietician, psyc and about once a month until March 23rd/13 when I saw surgeon. He told me surgery would be in about 6-8 months. I got a call on April 1st saying they had my surgery date for April 22nd. I was half asleep and had to ask..."This year?" they laughed and said yes this year. I thought it was an April Fool's joke. I had the surgery just over a month ago, had my post op with surgeon last week and all is great. I had the VSG done.