I had a revision on my bypass that was done 15 years ago. I had gained about 50 pounds and didn't want to gain anymore. I have lost in the last 3 weeks, 13 pounds... which was all in the first 10 days and none since. I am keeping to my diet, eating only about 800 calories a day... so, I hope it picks up. I wanted to come on here, cuz there is not a lot of places to talk about surgery in Mexico that are not controlled by the consultants who get you there....ever wonder why all the reviews (like on BeLiteWeight) are all POSITIVE? It's because if you have a less than perfect experience, they deny what you claim and ignore you. I am not even going to mention the rip-off financers they offer but to say we paid $300 for a credit card offered for free online and an outrageous fee to use it for the surgery... a racket but we thought this is how it is done and they told us nothing else. Come to find out later, there is A LOT they don't mention to make more money....

Just to say, the surgery was fine, the doctors were great and the hospital, while not all that wonderful as told to us, was fine... basically a Motel 6 without the charm, but the cafe' food was good my husband says. My problems began in recovery. I was told I would not be left alone, but, I woke up totally alone. After calling out, someone came by and I mentioned I needed to urinate. I was told there was no way for that. What?? Finally, the nurse brought me a bedpan and some paper towels and left. The thing leaked all over. Did they change the sheets? No! My husband had to do that once I got back in the room! I sat on wet sheets over an hour. He had to chase down the sheets, while I tried (2 hours after the surgery), to give myself a quick sponge bath in the bathroom. I am so glad we bought our own towels and washcloths as they offered only one large towel the entire visit. The nursing staff was nice but very slow and sometimes ignored me, especially about pain control. I had, what the doctors told me, was a very long and involved surgery and I would/should be in more pain than I expected... so true! Not that I am a wimp, I had two fully natural births of 10 pound babies at home! But does being a pain wimp really matter? Everyone knows pain control is essential to promote healing. It was nearly impossible to get good pain control, and one time they tried to give me something I am allergic to...so bring a computer or smart phone a search everything they give you. The one time they got my pain under control, they refused to give me the same thing the next time. At one point, I was in tears and hyperventilating and it was absolutely no big deal to them at all!  They kept pushing cheaper, less effective drugs... one way they cut costs I guess, at my expense! When I told them a certain drug had no effect at all, the answer was, "Take two."  I was not ready to leave when I did, but I was so eager to get out of there, I did go. I had some codeine in the car from a past dental treatment and thank God I did! My advice, bring your own pain meds, just in case. The other ways the cut costs is by never changing your gowns, linens or towels, cheapy breathing exercise devices, lousy TV (bring your own entertainment) and basically not having enough staff to attend to you. It was hard, at times, to get anyone to come to the room or come back quickly after a request. Not too bad, just go prepared not thinking what BeLiteWeight says is at all true.

Lastly, when I reported my experience to my consultant Sylvia at BeLiteWeight, she ignored me and forwarded my email to the owner JoAnne... who, never apologized or even asked any questions about it all. NO ONE there has ever apologized, checked up on me or frankly given a damn... I guess they got their money and that's it. Meanwhile, I have say I still feel traumatized for the pain. I have had many surgeries and never had anything near what this pain level was and the fact no one really cared what happened, hurts my soul.

Having flown on several different airlines before surgery, I can tell you that they are all uncomfortable.  Sorry for the bad news, but it is what it is.  You may be more comfortable in an aisle seat.  I always asked for an extender when I first boarded, to avoid the people around me knowing about it.  Good luck to you.

Hi sorry I haven't been on this site in a while.. There are 2 Dr Lopez.. I had Alejandro Lopez he's not with a lighter me.. I had my surgery at Vida surgery center.. My experience was 1st class. 

I got nsaids and an antacid. I didn't need any pain meds after the surgery, believe it or not. I had surgery on Thurs and I was back at work by Monday. Piece of cake. My surgeon was very good. Just make sure you walk after the surgery immediately.

Hi - if you plan on keeping your cell phone off, you can get away with not needing a roaming option in the states. I'm assuming you're going to either Texas or California and being driven across the border to Mexico? 

I will say that I didn't need anything when I was down there. The only person I tipped was the waiter at a restaurant the night before I went into surgery (I was able to eat until midnight that day).

 But as far as tipping goes - maybe this will help (its the site I used):

http://www.gomanzanillo.com/features/tipping/

Restaurants: The normal tip amount is 10-15% of the bill. 20% for an upscale restaurant with excellent service. Sometimes there is a national value added tax (IVA) of 15% included on all restaurant bills. This is not the tip, this is a federal tax.  Make sure you check the bill carefully for this 15%. Also do your own arithmetic and add the bill up yourself. Many times there are mistakes. Be sure and check to see if the restaurant has added on a tip. Some do if they think they can get away with it. Many people leave a tip equal to the IVA, 15%, or leave 10% of the total bill that has the IVA tax included. Not all restaurants pay the waiters in the same way. Some restaurants pool all the tip money and divide it equally between waiter, bartender, and kitchen staff. Others allow each waiter to keep his individual tip, and he has to pay a percentage to the bartender and kitchen staff. If you pay with a credit cfard and add the tip to the charge, the waiter will be charged a 4% bank charge of the tip amount. Pay the tip in cash, if you can. The waiter will get more.

Bellhops and luggage handlers:  $1-2 dollars per bag.

Concierge: $2 dollars or the equivalent if they do something for you (e.g., book a table at a local restaurant); more if they undertake some particular research (e.g., found you a local tour operator, car rental agency, or chauffeur). If you don't speak Spanish, remember that they will also be acting as translators for you and you should take this into account with your tip.

Taxis: Depends upon the city, type of taxi (meter or negotiated price)... Make sure you have small change. Taxis will not carry change so they can keep yours.  If you ask the price before you get in, also ask if they have change for whatever bill you plan to give them. If not, they'll stop along the way at a taxi stand to make change. Do not pay in American dollars. 

[more info at the link provided above]