Should I tell family and friends I am having WLS and going to Mexico?

Hi Everyone,

If you are going outside of the US for your surgery there are some things to consider. Is it safe to cross the Border to get to the city where you are going?

This is a great site to get a lot of information. Spend some time reading all the good information they have to offer us. http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

The other thing you should consider is if you are going to be using your Credit or Debit cards, make sure you call your banks and let them know the dates that you will be outside of the US and what countries you plan on traveling to. If you don’t do this they may block your charges thinking your card may be stolen. For so many of us Mexico was our destination.

Now you may already know that you are taking someone with you. For me I felt very comfortable going by myself and I knew the conditions of where I was going and knew about my transportation across the border. Remember if you are driving your own vehicle into Mexico, your insurance for your vehicle is NO good once you cross the border. 

Should you tell people what you are going to do—and that you are going outside of the US to do it? I would say tell a select few where you are going along with the name of the Hotel and Doctor that you will be seeing. Honestly you will be amazed at the opposition that you may get from your family and friends. They really have not had the opportunity like you and I have had to educate ourselves about the Doctors, the Hospital and the type of surgery we are having. They only know horror stories and are sure we are going to dirty filthy places to have this surgery. They listen to a lot of gossip and honestly believe it. They will try to talk you out of having this done. You have to become strong and just do what you know is right for you—this is NOT about them.

I believe that by the time you have made a choice of who your doctor is going to be and what kind of surgery you are having, you have done quite a bit a research. If you aren’t comfortable with what you are hearing about your choice take a little more time to find out more about this doctor and his facility. For me I am not willing to have the surgery done in a clinic and be sent to a recovery house or hotel to recover—I knew I want a FULLY equipped hospital.

I knew a lot about my choice for a doctor and that was Dr. Aceves. I knew that his driver Ernesto was going to be picking me up and taking along with others that day to Mexicali, Mexico. I also knew that was a very safe border to cross and I knew the drive did this 2 times a day every day. So I was comfortable with all my information.

This is a big step that you are about to take, take your time, ask a LOT of questions and be comfortable with your choice. There are no bad questions to ask. Keep asking until you are comfortable with your answers. This is a life changing event and I recommend having the VSG also known as “the Sleeve." That is just my choice and I can only speak about what I know the most about.

This is all about you and don’t let ANYONE bully you into thinking that this is wrong and I knew a lot about my choice for a doctor and that was Dr. Aceves. I knew that his driver Ernesto was going to be picking me up and taking along with others that day to Mexicali, Mexico. I also knew that was a very safe border to cross. So I was comfortable with all my information.

This is ALL about you and don’t let ANYONE bully you into thinking that this is wrong and you shouldn’t be doing this. It has nothing to do with them but everything to do about YOU. I wish you great success in your weight loss journey. 

Hugs, Suzanne
Sleeved 10/28/2008

Even though I felt comfortable going alone, I took someone with me. Boy am I glad that I did. Had I not, no one would have been able to get me to the hospital when I had my complication and passed out the day before we were to fly home.

I'm not saying that this will happen to everyone, but if you can, take someone with you because you just never know!

Omg!!! Yes tell your family...tell them who what when where...just in case.!!! Please bring someone with you...preferably bilingual.

Hi,

I did tell family and friends.  That is how I learned about all their opposition to me doing this.  Not everyone, but a select few.  I agree people should know where you are going who the doctor and hospital are and how they can contact you. The dates you will leave and the dates you will return and what airlines you are going on.

Hugs,
Suzanne

Hi,

I liked your responseso much and you are right.  I knew I wouldn't ever be alone.  They picked me up at the airport took me to the hospital spent a night in a hotel the night before the surgery, picked me up in the morning from the hotel, and took me back to the hospital.  I stayed in the hospital a total of 4 nights and went home on the 5th morning.  The same driver took me from the hospital and drove all of us back to the airport in San Diego.  So when I said I knew exactly how my travel was being taken care of that is why I didn't mind going alone.  I always had someone there in case I needed anything.

You were smart to take someone with you.  And she knew just what to do when the time came.  Congratulations on planning for all these things, they can happen.

Hugs,
Suzanne