My 4star experience with Dr. illan and Baja Bariatrics in Mexico
For anyone interested in having bariatric surgery in Mexico, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Baja Bariatrics with the surgeon Dr. illan.
When I booked my surgery, I looked at several surgeons. I wanted to get it done relatively quickly so I wouldn't talk myself out of it or have nightmares for months prior to going. I was able get financing through a personal loan place online called The Lending Club through credit karma which is who we use to monitor our credit. my husband and I are both self employed, so going through insurance in the US was not an option. I ended up going alone because my friend had to work. And my husband had to stay behind to work and take care of our kids. All the website information that I saw kept saying "gas pains" and I didn't want that much flatulence around anyone anyway. Lol
I decided on dr. illan because he is a trauma surgeon and has the experience I felt my kids deserved in the event, God forbid, something went wrong during the surgery. He also works a few days a week as an Emergency Room surgeon in a large local hospital in Mexico. His pricing was comparable to others and he didn't do 4+ surgeries a day. Mine was actually the only surgery the day I had mine which made me feel like the center of attention. Lol
I flew from Dfw to the San Diego airport through Spirit airlines for about $170. I arrived around 10am, was picked up by a beautiful woman in a nice newer model white Honda within five minutes of texting the coordinator my pickup location at the airport. I was taken straight to the hotel in Tijuana which took about 30 minutes. I met two ladies that had just had surgery a few days before. They were on their way to the leak test and they were feeling great. The coordinator took me to the hospital, checked me in ads I was in my hospital room by noon. Surgery was scheduled for that same day at 3pm. I had a little meltdown before surgery, told dr. illan that my three babies were waiting for their mom to come home. He reassured me that everything would be fine and answered all my little questions. Before I knew it, I was being wheeled down the hall.
I woke up and was in some uncomfortable pain under my rib cage. As if I was short of breath. I remember being in and it if consciousness. I got sick and then peed myself lol which was embarrassing. I had to sit in it until the anesthesia wore off more but I was so out of it, I'm not sure I cared lol the nurses were very comforting and took great care of me while I was there. Even though I was the only surgery that day, I met a lady that had had surgery the day before and another lady had surgery the following day. I was never alone and had tons of sleeve sister company.
I was in room 7 at the florence systems hospital. I think the wax ring on the toilet was bad because the bathroom smelt of sewer gas, but as soon as I informed the nursing staff and the coordinator, they moved me down the hall to a better room. They were very apologetic and cleaned like crazy the whole time I was there. It happens though. I've stayed in some beautiful hotels where the wax ring has odored the room.
I can admit that I almost overdosed myself on gas x strips lol walking and the ice chips all helped a ton with the uncomfortable part of it all which went away, literally 24 hours later. My next task was to inhale and get all three balls on a breathing tool up. I could get two and finally on the third day, I got the third. The coordinator checked me out of the hospital and we were on our way to my leak test. They took us to a beautiful hospital but couldn't get it done because the governor was there. So we went to another place. I drank a nasty drink and they watched it go down without a problem. :)
Next was the beautiful lucerna hotel. My room was beautiful. It overlooked the gorgeous pool and restaurant area. The coordinator gave me all my needs and instructions. The fridge was fully stocked with jello, vitamin waters and regular waters. He said we could order one broth and a popsicle a day from room service and then we left to go across the street to eat. I felt great other than my stomach feeling like I'd down 1,000 sit ups. I want hungry but it's important to stay hydrated.I could only take tiny sips on broth and liquid and could definitely tell the restriction. We went across the street to a beautiful restaurant and I had a clear type soup and pineapple juice. It was AMAZING!!!! Then we went to the spice market. I got cute Disney Frozen character marshmallows for my daughter. We went to a flea market area where I got some cute knit shirts and then we went to revolution and I got knockoff mk and lv purses. Tons of walking walking walking. It was so much fun!
The next day I went to the dentist for a fraction of the cost which was all set up by the coordinator. More shopping and more amazing broths at beautiful restaurants. Later that night, we went to a very nice casino.
The whole trip felt more like a vacation than anything and I wasn't ready to leave.
UPDATE:
It has been almost 6 months since I decided to change my life for the better. On April 1st, 2014, I decided to have the gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. I have focused on my nutrition, changed my bad eating habits and stayed consistent with working out. I have officially disappeared a whole 77.2 lbs!! I've gone from a size 22 (barely fitting) jeans to a size 12, 44DD bra to 36DD, 3-4x shirts to large.
I'm 27 years old and and I have three kids. I've always been one of the younger moms in the stands because my step son is 11 years old. Other baseball & football moms that were almost twice my age could've kicked my butt at any athletic task. I hated stairs, my knees hurt, forget running, bending over to pick something up was out of the question. I was overweight and I felt like I was "old" and incapable.
Since I had the surgery,
I now play indoor soccer
