Alright so I'm approved for surgery, got funding through Medicard, booked my flights and am now just counting down the days until my surgery in Mexico.  I got in instructions for my liquid diet for 3 days before my surgery and although I'm a bit nervous about my ability to behave myself during all my layovers on my trip down (and back) I'm so excited to start my journey like the rest of you!  I would like to hear about all of your Pre-op stories, post-op struggles and finally your successes - anything to keep me focused on the goal.  I can't wait to hear it all!

As for me, I'm 25 years old and have run the gamut of diets but everytime I lose weight, it comes back with a vengence, I am now 5'3" and 206 lbs and I don't want to chance getting any bigger - my hopes are, with this surgery and a complete change in outlook on life and food, I can begin living my life. I will be getting my surgery on November 10th in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Almanza and I couldn't be more excited to get started.  Is anyone else going to be at Emmanuel clinic around this time?  Any stories or tips you can share with me if you've had your surgery here - maybe what you did when recouperating, shopping? salon? spa?  I just don't know what I'll feel up to doing but I know that I'll want to keep busy...any tips?!  I'm also looking into finding a good psychologist, just to really talk out my relationship with food - any tips or stories on what other people did to get into the right state of mind about food?

I'd love to hear your stories and can't wait to join the land of the lighter!

Lighter Dayz,
E

Well, I did not have surgery in Mexico, so I can't offer you any advice there.  I'll just say good luck.  I will say that in the week after my surgery, I did NOT feel like shopping or anything else, really.  Just lying on the couch watching TV.  So don't be surprised if you don't feel like doing too much.

I think finding a therapist to talk about your relationship with food is a wonderful idea.  I was in therapy before I even decided to have WLS because I've struggled with depression for years, but my therapist was very helpful as I went through the process of having surgery.  You really do have to change your whole relationship to food, and it's not easy.  One thing I used to do was reward myself with food, and I had to stop doing that.  I also felt deprived or like I was being punished or something if I couldn't have something I wanted to eat, and I had to get beyond that.  And when I was lonely I wanted to eat, and I had to quit that.  I certainly had a lot to work on!  I'm still working on it, really, but I've made a lot of progress.  I think most people going through WLS could probably benefit from some therapy, really.

Kelly

 why do you have to have it in mexico??

Maybe they're just choosing to? It isn't always something someone "has" to do. Insurance might play a big part, or she may have found an excellent surgeon after doing extensive research.

thats why i asked her!   and why would she choose to.....    well because I just got back from Mexico, and had someone I was with get sick and have to go to the hospital then they died...  and it was a disaster...  I personally would NEVER EVER have any type of Medical Procedures done in Mexico..  If she has an option to have the surgery in the US  I would urge her to seek that out before going to Mexico...  the Mexico Health care can not be trusted!  I know this first hand!   I was there!  God forbid anything go wrong....   I know people who have gone and not had any problems.. but I have also known people who have had problems...   also know that my surgeon has had to take care of many patients who had their surgery in Mexico and go to him to save their life.    again the Laws in Mexico are not the same as in the US as far as Medical they dont have the same requirements and are not held to the same standards  I know this because I just lived throught it................  so if she could possibly have the surgery in the US I would urge her to do that instead of Mexico.  and if she does not have a choice in the matter then she should do what she needs to do.....    some people dont know about the Dangers of the Medical care in Mexico...   I did not until i just lived through it... I was shocked.....    thats why i asked

Bigotted posts like yours absolutely infuriate me!  GAWD!  Just because someone is Mexican they suck at surgery?  People die in the US every single day from crappy surgeons but I don't see you suggesting nobody have surgery in the US.

Do you have any idea how many botched US surgeries my Mexican surgeon has fixed?  What the hell makes you think that just because it's Mexico it is bad and just because it is the US it is good?  Are you that dense?  Seriously?

I had the best of the best surgeons.  My insurance would have paid for both my band and band removal but the surgeons in Phoenix leave a lot to be desired, especially the revision surgeons.  My surgeon is fantastic, he's skilled, caring, and compassionate and when bigots like you scare people out of having surgery in Mexico that often times means they cannot have surgery at all due to cost.  That means people DIE.

Pull her head out for goodness sakes.  Open a book, do a little research, it's FREE!

Ahhhh... no.  The OP did not find an excellent surgeon I am sad to say. :o(

I don't have to - I chose to.  I went to an information seminar with someone who's had their surgery there and had no issues whatsoever - in fact the clinic was built specifically to service Americans, Canadians and Europeans and from the footage that peanutfree mom has showed me, it's beautiful!  The reason why I chose to go to Mexico over staying in Canada is mainly cost but also time - in order to have VSG or any type of bariatric surgery here, you have to qualify for it...by having a BMI of over 40 and showing 2 or more signs of extreme obesity. After that the cost is a measley $30,000 and you could be on a waiting list for up to 2 years. 

Don't get me wrong, I love our healthcare system for everything else and have no complaints at all otherwise, but I don't want to have to gain weight to get on the right track.  I made the informed decision, after a lot of research to have my surgery done at Emmanuel Clinic in Mexico and I'm excited to get started.  The facilities are top notch, I've checked into his experience (which is greater than even some of the surgeons performing in Canada or the US because he bariatric surgery is all he does...nothing else, he even did his residency in bariatric surgery unlike other bariatric surgeons) and I have every confidence that I'll be fine. 

I've met at least 3 other people who have had their surgeries there and haven't had a whisper of an issue and the cost was 1/3 the price.  As far as waiting time - I was approved for credit last week and have my surgery in 13 days.  I honestly can't wait to get started! I'll let you know how it all works out!  How did your surgery go Valarie? Where did you have yours done?! What type?

You are a lightweight like I was so may feel pretty darn good after surgery.    I had open RNY in Mexico in June.  The third and fourth days I was able to walk around the markets and shop.  I also walked at least a mile in the San Diego airport on the 5th day.   What I did do was take the pain meds whether I hurt a lot or not just to ward off any ugliness.   I have nothing but positives to say regarding surgery in Mexico.  My only advice is to make sure your PCP is on board for followup care.

Best of luck to you!

Tuna

I am planing to have my RNY in PV Mexico and I am very happy and confident about it, My sister had a Lap band done in Mexico and I have met well over 50 people that have also went to Mexico and they have all told me they would do it all again and not change a thing,  they were all up and shopping son after and enjoying being on vacation..... so trust yourself and surgeon and no matter where anyone goes common sense is your best friend and frankly I feel like you get better care in Mexico then the states... at least there being a BBW or BHM your treated with dignity then stared at and made to feel like a slug.... now maybe that is mine and a few of my friends personal view but it comes down to one thing if you feel good about what your doing then it is right for you and you alone. Good luck on your new journey.... I will be heading to Mexico on 1-11-2010 for mine and looking forward to a new life.


Lisa