Hi everyone! Newbie here. Been researching WLS in Mexico. I like what I've seen so far from Dr Illan. I have two questions:

1. Were there any unexpected costs? We would be driving to Mexico so we would not need taxi/uber.
2. How was your pain controlled? I read about a physician who wanted $1k extra for a pain pump and wouldn't give any narcotics (even while inpatient) to control post-op pain

Thanks in advance for your replies!!

He was at the top of my list until I looked at the Mexico Board Certified Bariatric Surgeon list and his name or hospital isn't on there. Kind of bums me out. It says he is board certified on his site but I cannot verify it. Unless I am missing something?

I was hoping to find some others having gastric surgery at hospital Cer around May 25, 2017. I just wanted to make a few friends that will be there when I will. Thanks

Hi Curry

Yes it cover all the hospital expenses X-rays medical testing,Internal medicine evaluation oh and the hotel I staid on new city hotel in Tijuana (they book you the hotel)

Below is what I wrote about my experience a month after I got back from Mexicali, and here is a link to Dr. Esquerra's reviews here on Obesity Help. http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/antonio-esquerra/reviews

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!

I received a BilioPancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch from Dr. Antonio Esquerra on March 9, 2017. I specifically chose Dr. Esquerra and Mexicali Bariatric after extensive research. I actually have insurance here in the U.S. that would have covered weight loss surgery for me, but I read long ago that one of the greatest indicators of a surgery's success is how many times the surgeon has performed that particular surgery.

I did hours and hours of research and realized that my covered surgeons here didn't have as much experience with the BPD-DS as I would like, so I began to research self-pay options. I narrowed down my choices to Dr. Esquerra, a surgeon in California, and a surgeon in Washington. I did hours more research and discovered that while most people really liked the surgeons in California and Washington, they weren't always happy with the support staff communication. That wasn't at all the case with Dr. Esquerra. Not only did his patients rave about him, they also raved about the entire staff at Mexicali Bariatric. I couldn't find a single negative review, which is unheard of in these days of anonymous internet reviews!

Once I got to Mexicali and experienced the customer service and patient care, I was so happy with my decision. Meeting Dr. Esquerra, Dr. Gutierrez, and Dr. Campos only further comforted me. They were all personable, professional, and very reassuring.

Just yesterday I had a follow-up Upper GI fluoroscopy to make sure I was healing properly, and the radiologist took one look at the screen and said, "Whoever did your research surgery should be commended, it looks perfect, an A+ job." That was music to my ears, and is exactly what every surgery patient wants to hear.