My insurance wouldn't pay for the gastric sleeve surgery. So, I did a lot of research and liked what I read about Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. I contacted his office and filled out medical history forms and all that, and they just got back to me today to let me know that they have approved me for surgery and they let me know of several dates that they have available.

What I am wondering is, when having the surgery done in Mexico, what do you do before and after? And where do you do it? I live in a state bordering Canada, so I live no where near where this doctor is. I know that there are a lot of appointments typically to be had before and after the surgery.....what do I do about those? Should I schedule appointments here at home? If so, what appointments? And with who (the local metabolic center or can I use my regular doctor?)? Or are they more of an insurance mandated thing and not something that I actually need? I just had a blood panel done with the nearest bariatric center (everything was great except for low vitamin d) and also met with a nut who gave me the basic rundown of what I can expect pre and post-op (I had these appointments before I found out that insurance wouldn't pay. once we heard from insurance the local center dropped me like a hot potato).

If I am really going to do this, I want to do it right. I am just not exactly sure what I should be doing from this point on. I would greatly appreciate any help or info anyone could share.

Thank you!

That's how I'm feeling...I'm scheduled on the 5th Puerta vallarta.   So nervous so both of y'all get back in here and let us know how everything went!  I'll be thinking about yall

Believe me I know the feeling.  I did not choose the same surgeon as you, but I did do my surgery in Mexico.  And yes, everyone thought I was crazy, especially my mom.  But I am doing great and have more energy than ever.  It is absolutely normal to be nervous before surgery, even more so for surgery in another country.  Good luck to you.

I've been doing intensive research on all the doctors I can. Dr. Lopez would have been a serious contender for me but I didn't like that the hospital would let my husband stay in the room with me overnight. Nothing to do with Dr. Lopez, just a hospital policy that didn't work for me. I've heard nothing but amazing thing about him. 

Well, let me tell you I'm in the same situation or even worse. I just feel like I'm ok with my weight and I don't need wls. It's a joke, of course. I'm also confused, frightened, scared.. I planned the surgery in 3 weeks and a day, but I feel like there's a loooooong way till then. All in all, my insurance didn't cover the surgery as much as I tried to fix it. My BMI is around 52 and getting insurance in the United States to pay for weight loss surgery depended on the employer, so.. Anyway, I've made a research in order to learn about medical tourism because it was my only hope. So for bariatric surgery in the US I would have paid between $17,000 and $35,000. In Mexico, the same procedures cost between $5,500 to $12,500. Well, it's a difference. That was the point when I contacted Placidway and they found for me some packages in Mexico.

So here I am, thinking of travelling abroad to have the most intense experience in my life. I really hope everything will be fine and we'll reach our desired goals.. Good luck, my friend! Come back and share the experience, can't wait!