I saw this group had been started but no one had posted anything. So, it is here I will share my experience for the first time.

I was sleeved 6/11/2014 in Juarez Mexico by Dr. Jose Rodriguez at the Star Medica facility. I came to know about this through Beliteweight.com. One of the many places I researched when at my lowest and looking for a way to make this happen. My lower BMI(33) and needing to pay through installments both factored into my decsion.

Originally, I had decided I would only tell my husband. Didn't want the kids to worry and since I do have to visit Mexico on occasion for my job, it was no big deal to tell them I was going to Mexico without elaborating on the reason. I did end up telling 3 work friends and quickly regretted that decison. The two oldest were not, and have not been supportive at all. They had a huge hang up about having it done in Mexico and made me feel stupid like I had not researched this to death! The other friend was not crazy about Mexico either but called me, and made me feel "brave". Lesson learned, stick to your gut instinct.

I flew into El Paso, my driver, arranged by Belite was waiting for me. Drove me to Start Medica, escorted me to the proper location for registration at the hospital. Registration was rather brief due the mountains of paperwork I sent in prior to arriving. From there I was taken immediately to my private room. EKG, bloodwork and x-rays taken. I was taken down for surgery within a couple of hours of my registration. All the doctors spoke great English and kept me informed every step of the way. Some of the nurses didn't speak English but we managed. I had very little pain and was up and walking some a couple of hours after returning to my room. I remained at the hospital for three nights. On departure day, the driver picked us up and took us back to El Paso airport. It took awhile to get across the border but we made it in plenty of time. Flights home were a little uncomfortable but not too bad.

I went back to work 5 days after my surgery. I walked a 5K with pregnant daughter 6 days after returning home, 9 days after my surgery with no problems. We finished in less than hour. I am almost 2 months out and have lost 31 lbs. I have not measured yet but I suspect the inches are down considering I am down three sizes.

I am very happy with my decision and we all have to do what we feel is right for us. It's no one elses place to judge or criticize. No one has walked in our shoes.

So, that is my story and good luck to everyone considering this or any other journey.

You know you are right about this board not having any discussions . I too had my surgery in Mexico and Dr. Rodriguez was my surgeon, he was great and the staff was great. I went through BeLiteWeight because my insurance did not pay a dime. . I had an awesome facilitator named Teri, she answered all my questions and concerns even though financing does cost a bit more it works for me and that is all that mattered to me. I only had 2 issues and that was the shuttle was not what I was told it would be and my surgery was scheduled at Star Medica but I was taken to Hospital Angeles instaed and was told by the driver that Star Medica was under maintenance , I just wish I had been informed of these changes . Otherwise my surgery was smooth , I was sleeved on 7/28 and back home in Houston on 7/30 I'm healing fine ,no complications , all of the staff was extremely attentive and the room was clean and constantly being cleaned every 4 hours{everytime I wanted to sleep)LOL! Met some great people and would recommend anyone going to Mexico to go this route.Started my Journey at 227 and 11 days out 205 very happy each day is getting better!

I also did my surgery at Hospital Angeles on June 30. I thought pammyjo was writing my experience and mine was exactly the same. I was told by my facilitator, Ishi about the change in hospitals before so I knew I would be at a different hospital. I had some nurses who didn't speak English, and my mom who came with me, had some trouble in the restaurant because of the language barrier. The menu was in Spanish, but someone translated it to English for her. Don't know why this wasn't already part of the menu considering the number of people coming from the US to have various procedures done in Mexico. We had trouble at the border too... They told me we weren't supposed to bring drugs into the country or out of it. I told them that the medication my mom had was for her to take daily and the pain meds and anti biotics were for me who had just had surgery... He was an A-hole so I think he was being more a-holish than need be. I am doing well today, and eating small portions but I haven't come across any foods that I couldn't tolerate. I didn't tell anyone at work about my surgery, too judgemental, but did tell my sister, 2 cousins and best friend. I do have 2 co-workers who had the sleeve last year, one is one of my friends and the other didn't tell anyone at work either. we do share our weightloss and diet with each other, so that is helpful.

I am not sure if Belight recommends the forum to their customers but it would be a good idea. I just had my surgery done on 08/18/2016 and I loved this hospital. Dr. Rodriguez and his team are all awesome! I actually live in Las Cruces so I drove to El Paso and parked my car. The driver met me there and took me to the hospital. I was put in a private room and my friend was able to go with me so she stayed in the room too. The nurses were nice enough to help her order food when she was hungry and even helped show her about the pesos so she could pay. I was there 3 days and I was ready to go home on the third day the doctor asked me what time I wanted to leave and we were out of there by 8 am. I was afraid it would be like in the states where it takes half the day to be discharged. After I got home I did overwork my body a little and my left side hurt really bad. When I called the office I actually got to speak with Dr. Rodriguez immediately. He just told me to take it easy for a couple of days and if I wanted to come back for follow up I could since I was so close to Mexico.

I would recommend Dr. Rodriguez to anyone looking to get the sleeve and not wanting to go through the fight with doctors in the states to approve to over charge to have it done.

Good to read all of the reviews. I am scheduled for gastric sleeve with Dr. Rod at Hospital Angeles in Juarez thru Belite.
Anything you guys can prep me for.
If you did it all over again, what would you differently?
Anything you recommend I should take with me
My husband will be accompanying me.
My trip back home will be 3 hours flight. Anything you can tell me to make my trip back home painfree?
I tried to read reviews and find credentials on Dr. Rod online but found very little compared to all other surgeons in MX. But Belite provided me a list of referrals - which no one else did.

So whatever you can share -- good / bad from the beginning to the end. I would love to hear. THANK YOU!!!!!