POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
33yr Old Going to MX For Sleeve....Scared out of my Mind!! Mexico, MX
ORIGINAL POST
The title says it all!! I was minutes away from...
$4,870
The title says it all!! I was minutes away from sending over my deposit, to only freak out and think I needed to do more research. At the moment I'm scheduled for March 10th, pending I get my deposit in within the next 24hrs. Let me tell you I am scared, nervous, anxious...I could use a few shots of Tequilia.lol Just anything to calm me down.
So here's a little back story, I'm 33yrs old married and a mother of 2 (6 & 3), my gym time is usually at 3am, with my full day starting at 5am. While I did a great job of working out the beginning of 2015, by October I had gained it all back. That's my usual pattern. Loose about 40lbs by August, put it back on by October. I've gone through about 5yrs of this cycle and it's tiring (not to mention expensive, because I keep throwing clothes away, only to re-buy). My highest weight has been 249lbs, with my lowest weight that I can remember being 188lbs.
My insurance plan does not cover this procedure and of course to get it done in the states, that amount is well above $10k. I had a friend recommend going to Mexico for the procedure, as she has gone multiple times for other things. So my research began and kept going, and kept going, and kept going. At one point I had wrote down the names of doctors and just thought about spinning around and whichever one I landed on, that would be it. I went through reviews, videos and blogs. I had finally made the decision to go through one clinic, to only have to wait 5 days to hear back in regards to getting something on the schedule. Then I decided to go through Briatric Pal Mexico and scheduled with Dr. Altamirano (Dr. A).
I reached out to BA on a Saturday. They called me back in a few hours and have been in touch since then. My patient relations manager is Bill Yanez. His emails and information has always been friendly. So I'm looking forward to moving on with this procedure, with them.
Current stats:
Age 33
Weight 237
Height 5'6"
Health Issues: PCOS & minor Sleep Apnea
So here's a little back story, I'm 33yrs old married and a mother of 2 (6 & 3), my gym time is usually at 3am, with my full day starting at 5am. While I did a great job of working out the beginning of 2015, by October I had gained it all back. That's my usual pattern. Loose about 40lbs by August, put it back on by October. I've gone through about 5yrs of this cycle and it's tiring (not to mention expensive, because I keep throwing clothes away, only to re-buy). My highest weight has been 249lbs, with my lowest weight that I can remember being 188lbs.
My insurance plan does not cover this procedure and of course to get it done in the states, that amount is well above $10k. I had a friend recommend going to Mexico for the procedure, as she has gone multiple times for other things. So my research began and kept going, and kept going, and kept going. At one point I had wrote down the names of doctors and just thought about spinning around and whichever one I landed on, that would be it. I went through reviews, videos and blogs. I had finally made the decision to go through one clinic, to only have to wait 5 days to hear back in regards to getting something on the schedule. Then I decided to go through Briatric Pal Mexico and scheduled with Dr. Altamirano (Dr. A).
I reached out to BA on a Saturday. They called me back in a few hours and have been in touch since then. My patient relations manager is Bill Yanez. His emails and information has always been friendly. So I'm looking forward to moving on with this procedure, with them.
Current stats:
Age 33
Weight 237
Height 5'6"
Health Issues: PCOS & minor Sleep Apnea
Replies (19)
February 2, 2016
Congrats, I made the decision that I will be getting VSG this year, no excuses. I hope that you have a safe journey. I'm getting sleeved in Mexico as well, I just haven't decided which surgeon to go to.

February 2, 2016
Congrats to you as well!!! It's not an easy decision and can't be taken lightly. But it's a great step in the right direction of being healthier.
February 2, 2016
I never heard of a sleeve, I thought you were getting a tattoo. Now I know what it is. Be very careful getting a surgery like this in Mexico or at least go to someone your friends have been to. They have payment plans at some Drs. In the US. I think that's what I would try to do. Good luck.

UPDATED FROM TxLady_05
1 month pre
New Doctor and Date Scheduled
Well, it's official. I'm on a schedule for March 10th. However, I changed my mind about going with Dr. A, mainly due to a few cosmetic issues that I didn't like with BriatricPal. While I'm sure I could look over those few issues, I just felt like if I was going to do this I wanted to be worry free from all angles. So I decided to up the amount I was willing to pay and went with Dr. Ramos Kelly (which was one of my very first choices months ago).
I can tell you right now, there is a HUGE difference between his practice and the others. My patient coordinator is Heath. The amount of information they send you once you get on the schedule, and before you even pay your deposit, is phenomenal. I'm a risk person by trade, meaning I spend my days reading contracts trying to get down to the bottom line. Without that information, I feel as though I'm not getting the full picture upfront. This is what I was experiencing with the other doctors. Not to say there was anything wrong with it, but it was just a personal preference and needed for myself.
So that's it. March 10th is THE day!! I start my pre-op diet Feb 25th, but I'm going to try to start the first portion of the diet (protein shake for breakfast, with protein and veggies for lunch and dinner) about a week earlier. I am sooooo looking forward to this change and new lifestyle.
I can tell you right now, there is a HUGE difference between his practice and the others. My patient coordinator is Heath. The amount of information they send you once you get on the schedule, and before you even pay your deposit, is phenomenal. I'm a risk person by trade, meaning I spend my days reading contracts trying to get down to the bottom line. Without that information, I feel as though I'm not getting the full picture upfront. This is what I was experiencing with the other doctors. Not to say there was anything wrong with it, but it was just a personal preference and needed for myself.
So that's it. March 10th is THE day!! I start my pre-op diet Feb 25th, but I'm going to try to start the first portion of the diet (protein shake for breakfast, with protein and veggies for lunch and dinner) about a week earlier. I am sooooo looking forward to this change and new lifestyle.
Replies (11)
February 8, 2016
Good luck to you on your journey! Everything will would out just fine for you.


February 11, 2016
Way to go! I'm glad you 've found a doctor who is right for you. I'm in the process of choosing btwn three right now; Dr Aceves, maytora
February 11, 2016
Attorneys, and Dr Joya. All have excellent reviews and most importantly training but I'm still researching.
February 24, 2016
Dr. Aceves died I think over a year ago in a small plane accident. I am going myself to the same hospital in Feb. that he practiced at. He trained everyone who is currently there. Mexicali bariatric center
April 2, 2016
do you mind me asking how much you paid Dr. Kelly?
thanks

April 26, 2016
It was $4870 to have it done at the clinic. To have it done at the hospital the price is over $5500.
February 1, 2017
Hello! I am trying decide if I should go with the clinic or hospital. With the insurance it will be over $8000. Did you get your surgery at the clinic?
UPDATED FROM TxLady_05
17 days pre
Emotional Rollercoaster
My weight has always fluctuated. But due to my height I've always heard, "You carry your weight well". I don't know where these people learned that's a statement that makes everything alright. So at the moment I'm a ball of emotions. I'm happy/excited of the potential. But all at the same time, I'm scared and anxious of what I'm doing to my body.
Thursday will mark my two weeks. But on Tuesday I plan to start my two week diet. I'm extremely nervous about messing this all up.
Weight today: 237
Thursday will mark my two weeks. But on Tuesday I plan to start my two week diet. I'm extremely nervous about messing this all up.
Weight today: 237
Replies (4)

February 22, 2016
You will be happy once you get sleeved. I know what you are going thru. Like I said before I also have PCOS and its hard to lose weight with PCOS. If I wouldn't have never had been sleeved I would still be 220 pounds. Also before surgery I was taking adipex diet pills without them I would have been 246. Now 2 months post op sleeved I weight 195. So basically the sleeved help me alot.

February 22, 2016
You'll be alright, it's just your nerves that are getting the best of you. Have you ever tried meditation? I used to get anxious and sometimes damn near having panic attacks. I learned that all that contributed to my high blood pressure as well. So when I used to feel myself going into that stage, I would close my eyes, take deep breaths, and think of something peacefull or just pray. I had three babies and three C sections. I was woke during each and I almost panic when having my first two sending my pressure sky high. By my 3rd, I learned how to control it and I was fine.

February 24, 2016
Thanks for the advise! I haven't tried meditation, but I bet it will help. I'm going to give that a try. Thanks!
Hi there, and welcome! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. I hope you'll get lots of support from the community. I'd like to share this popular forum discussion with you. Hope you'll find it interesting! Good luck, and please don't forget to update us :)
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