My Mexico Story (long post)

While researching Mexico as a possible self pay option, I searched for a start-to-finish story & couldn't find one, so here's mine. I hope this helps.

Tijuana, Mexico.

I went thru Mexico Bariatric Center, Cindy was my coordinator and I chose Dr. Lopez.  He averages 25 surgeries per week, so in my books,  he's a pro at what he does.  Cindy called me 2 days before & gave me the driver's cell number. The driver called me the day before I flew to San Diego like he was supposed to. He told me to call him as soon as I landed so he would know that I made the flight. I landed in San Diego & called him. I waited outside for about 45 minutes, but didn't mind. He picked me up, then we picked other VSGers up and made a run for the border. We got thru the border with no issues. I was told that I would be staying at the Marriott, but we pulled into Hotel Pueblo Amigo Plaza & Casino. The driver said the Marriott was full. The Pueblo Amigo is a 5-star resort hotel, so I was happy! To be honest, I would have been happy with a Motel 6 type of place, as long as I got sleeved!

Anyway, we got checked in, I had a suite all to myself, & we were told to be in the lobby @ 7:00am. I was free to roam til then. The hotel has REALLY GOOD chicken broth! 

We all met in the lobby at 7, loaded into the van & went to the hospital. They took a few vials of blood, then did an EKG, then we waited for our turn on the operating table.

Finally, it was my turn. I followed another coordinator thru a series of doors & hallways. She handed me a gown & a plastic bag. I stripped & put everything in the bag, put the gown on, peed, then came out. Since I was by myself, she secured my bag plus my backpack in an office during my surgery for safe keeping. I laid down on a bed and a nurse came over and put compression stockings on my legs. Then they gave me a shot of blood thinner in my stomach (didn't hurt) & a breathing treatment (i had a residual cough from being sick) and started my IV. Once that was done, I walked into the OR. I laid down on the table, and the anesthesiologist (i spoke with her while I was prepping for surgery) said she was going to give me something to relax. That's the last thing I remember. 

While I was in recovery, the doctor came to check on me. I was still groggy, but I asked him if my liver was healthy (reason for pre-op diet) and he said I did a very good job, it was very healthy. 

I stayed in recovery for about an hour, then was wheeled to my room that I shared with another woman. We grabbed my bags on the way thru. I got into my room & a nurse came in and gave me pain, anti-nausea meds & antibiotics via IV. That continued every 4 hours while I was in the hospital. This concludes Friday night, day of surgery.

Saturday, I woke up & started walking. I went back to my room, showered, & the nurse came in & changed my dressings. I walked more. I went back to my room to rest for a little. The nurse brought in some blue liquid in a cup & told us to drink it. We did. I figured since it was for a leak test we would be whisked off somewhere soon. Nope. About an hour later, she came back in & said, " I need to look at your drain". She looked at mine, there was just light pink fluid in it. She said, "no blue, no leak!". I went to the bathroom after she left & my pee was green, so I knew the blue dye made it all the way through my system. Then, a little bit later we were wheeled down to the testing floor. We stood in front of a machine & drank some white/clear reactive stuff. We got a CD of that test to bring back with us. We went back to room and walked & rested. The nurse came back shortly after & gave us G2 & unsweetened apple juice & said our leak tests were fine, we could start sipping. So, now it was sip & walk.

I woke up Sunday morning, showered, they changed my bandages, then around 10am, they said we were going to be discharged soon.  Soon was 3 hours, but I used that time to walk the hallway. They took our IV out, then loaded us up in the van & took us back to Pueblo Amigo. I walked thru an "alley" which was actually a closed market and went to the grocery store for Gatorade. I grabbed a few bottles and came back.

Monday, they took us back to the hospital to have our drains removed. That was a quick & painless process. Back to the hotel. The driver called later & asked if we wanted to go sight-seeing & shopping. We drove around a little, then stopped at a souvenir shop. Then came back to hotel. It was nice to get out for a little without that drain! He told us when to meet him in the lobby for the ride back to the airport on Tuesday.

I met him at noon, my flight was at 3pm. I got to my terminal at 1:30pm. Plenty of time. I requested wheelchair service. 

I only carried a backpack!!!

You don't need more, you aren't making a fashion statement, and you're not going to the prom. Here's my list of things I packed:

Toothbrush/paste, hair comb, 2 pj pants, 3 tops, 5 underwear, 2 sports bras, a box (10-ok) of large gauze pads & tape, mio Drink enhancer and my tablet (or a book).  Thats all I needed. I couldn't bring the Gatorade thru the airport, that's why I bought it there. I rinsed out some clothing in the sink with the soap from the hotel & hung it on the shower curtain rod, it was dry in plenty of time.

I went back to work 6 days post-op (desk job). 

If you have any questions about the process, please send me a pm, since I might miss it here. 

I have no regrets whatsoever.

you are right i have been unable to find a start to finish process from dr lopez and thank you so much for posting it.  hope you are doing well  and thanks

I'm doing well. 10day pre-op, and 12 day post-op has resulted in 30 lbs lost. My incision site (where they pulled my stomach thru) still hurts. And my drain hole is still healing. I'm taking it easy, walking when I can. Once I'm cleared to lift weights, I'll be back at the gym in full effect.

Hi I was wondering your exact cost for the procedure?

Very helpful post! Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck to you!

I will send you a message also, just wanted to say that I am happy to "hear" that your surgery and everything went well!!!! That's awesome how soon you were up and walking around, etc. 

Thank you for posting what you packed. I have been organizing my suitcase this evening. I decided to only take my small roller suitcase as a carry on and pack VERY lightly. Totally forgot about gauze pads & tape! 

My coordinator gave me a bottle of MOM, and the airport tried to give me crap about it being in the carry on back pack I had. If you don't want to deal with TSA, you could pitch it & get more in  US. The nurses change your bandages in hospital, but when you shower at hotel, you have to do it yourself. I showered before I left hospital, then drain removed next day, then I returned to hotel & showered after drain removal.  I didn't want to mess with the dressing around the drain. Any more questions, just let me know! I can't wait to hear your stories!

You can also print out the info from TSA saying you are allowed to take prescription/non prescription liquid meds and you just have to declare it separate from your zip lock bag.  I print it out and attach it on the meds.

After they took my gel nightquil/dayguil, I double check and print it out when I need to take OTC meds.  (Than I walked into the bathroom were their rules stating I could take it.)

AND yes it is very hard to search this site.  I have read many of these great post in the past here while researching and can't every find them as they roll off.

WOW, that's a lot of activity told in a quick story! Love it! Congratulations on a successful surgery and ongoing recovery.

Just made my appointment for July - I felt really nervous after I paid the deposit -kept thinking" what if it's a scam?"  You're post has helped a ton.  Thanks for sharing.