Just got back from a Mexican Chop Shop and I don't recommend it.

[AllieGator]

At 197 lbs, based on results, I wasn't doing what I needed to do to get or keep my weight under control.....exercising regularly or showing much willpower as far as what I was eating or portion size. One of my work clients had had the sleeve done last September and has lost over 100 lbs, which lead me to believe that by "forcing" myself to eat small portions (by cutting off most of my stomach), that may be the tool I need to achieve my weight reducing goals." In the USA, the procedure would have been several times the cost, and frankly, I would not be fat enough to qualify. In Mexico, the procedure was significantly less and I was just at the lower end of the BMI scale to qualify.

I researched my doctor in Mexico, got a reference, felt comfortable with the medical coordinator and had only joked with a few of my confidants that I was going to a "Mexican chop shop" for dramatic reasons. Little did I know how true those words turned out to be.
After 12 hours door to door, I flew down to San Diego and my driver was waiting for me. I had a backpack on me and a small roller suitcase which he did not offer to take for me. I was taken across the border to Tijuana (which, from what I saw...was as disgusting and dirty as I had imagined....I have traveled to 36 countries, so it is not naiviety on my part).

We pull up in front of this clinic....and what I would have LIKED to experience was someone who greeted me, asked me how my trip was, offer to let my use the ladies room and who would sit down with me, even for a couple of minutes to explain the steps that I was about to endure. INSTEAD, a man with no customer service skills took me in and took my height and weight measurements. Then I was whisked into an office where FOUR people very quickly poked and prodded me.....one taking my blood, one putting EKG things on my chest, one handing me papers to sign, some of which were in Spanish, with no offer to explain what I was signing and finally, and most importantly, one was there to take my Visa credit card and ring up the balance in PESOS, with my having NO IDEA what the exchange rate was and whether what I signed was what I agreed to. The surgeon came in to introduce himself and spent about 30 seconds with me.

I was then put in a room that was approximately 6-7 feet by 10 feet with concrete walls and no window....I literally felt like I was in a prison cell. I was on a plastic twin mattress with a thin sheet on it the entire time.
Finally 90-120 minutes later, I walked myself into the operating room, saw half of a face of the anesthesiologist who wasted no time and next thing I know the procedure is done. Although I don't remember this at all, one client's mom said that she saw me walking back to my room after the surgery.

I was then taken to another room right next door to the clinic, which was thankfully, much larger. There was one for me and one for another patient "N" who was there with her mom and other relatives. When I closed my door to block all their noise, there was no ventilation in that room, so I would sweat.

The entire time I was there, I had an anesthesia portage on the top of my hand (a needle that never went away) where my plasma bag would drip into and the nurses would inject antibiotics and pain killers regularly. Here is the part that was quite disturbing to me. I pointed out to the nurse that I was watching AIR BUBBLES about to go into my veins and that she was going to KILL ME. She said if they are small enough the body will absorb them. I pointed this out to her several times...and even to placate me, she should have had the skill set to avoid air bubbles making their way into my body. Clearly, because I am typing this, they did not kill me, but disconcerting would be an understatement.

While staying in that larger room for about 1.5 days, there were literally multiple times when HOURS went by where nobody came to check on us. I literally was texting my husband in the USA to try to call someone next door to send them in. As it turns out, there is a phone outside of my room....but I had forgotten that. I walked around with my metal pole on wheels, which carried my plasma bag everywhere I went. For 3 days, I had nothing but ice chips, 2 sips of Gatorade and finally, a brown popsicle as I left (tamarind flavor), which was actually a treat.

I flew in one day and flew out 2 days later, and frankly, it was total hell. The doctor spent a total of about 90 seconds with me (consious) in three very short meetings and never examined me. I am still hoping he is a skilled surgeon...I suppose time will tell on that end. Also, nearly all of the staff were friendly people, although only a couple of them spoke decent English. A TV and wi-fi were a God sends and I watched way too many ridiculous episodes of the Kardashians to pass the time away.

Had I known what I know now, I would have never done this. I hope I feel differently about it in a few months' time......but my strong recommendation to this facility is that you are dealing with mostly American ladies....and there is a certain expectation of common courtesy. I realize I am one person in a FACTORY of sleeve operation patients, but I don't want to FEEL that I'm in

a pig a factory. Spend a few minutes with me setting the right expectation of what I will be experiencing. Have the doctor meet and examine me one on one. Finally, do not leave the patients alone for hours on end without someone coming by.
The lesson learned in this? Buyer beware and despite the fact that I got references and did some research, this was way worse than I expected it would be. Again, I am hoping that in the long run I will be glad for the decision I made, but I am not feeling that way at this moment.

[Windi]

Who did you have surgery with?

[BigJ]

It would be nice for you to elaborate on your doctors name. Your experience does not mirror anything close to mine.I believe you need to be a little more precise.

[Karl B.]

sounds like overall surgery was a success. Americanos. !Hijole!

[Ann2]

AllieGator's signature block says that her surgeon was Dr. Verboonen.

[jaimaroo]

Ann, I was just going to say the same thing.
Yep...it says it right there.
Allison, thanks for the message this morning.
Drink your liquids, walk around, come on here....and you will get through this!
I am sorry it was such an awful experience. I might have walked out.
Maybe you should go see your doctor here in the states just to make sure everything is ok?

[odesskiy]

From complaintsboard.com:

My wife went to good ole Sergio and as a result had 7 sergury's afterwards to try to FIX what he screwed up. No she has no stomach, replaced esophagus, and NO life. She can't absorb protein and continues to lose weight. Thanks to good ole Serg my wife has lost EVERYTHING, will spend the rest of her life on disability.Hmmm, I wonder why he lives in San Diego and practices in Mexico, because you can't sue!!!
Mark Irvin

I can't believe people still go to Mexico to be butchered.

[Dizzygrl]

I feel going my experience mirrored this. The hotel was gross. The clinic was in a strip mall on the same floor as a birthing ward. The can you drive around in is disgusting. The people are nice; but most don't speak English. I brought my husband with me - and we ended up leaving early. I had Dr Almandza - who I saw a total of 20 seconds and don't even know if he's the one who really did my surgery. (Never saw him) down in a basement Operating Room. It has been 2 months- I hardly ever feel good. I struggle eating and drinking. Food is now my new project. Where I used to love to cook- I now hate it. I am disappointed but will continue to try and figure this whole thing out.
Good luck to you.

[didi100]

I think you are very lucky to have made it home alive

[Kindle]

From complaintsboard.com:



I can't believe people still go to Mexico to be butchered.

I went to Mexico specifically to have my VSG with the best Bariatric surgeon I could find. My surgeon has taught laparoscopic surgical techniques in the U.S. And Canada. He is published worldwide. He worked with the original inventor of the lap band. He has been featured on NBC Nightline with the newest WLS options. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence certified by the SRC. His experience blew away the surgeons I was looking at in the U.S. His complication rate is 1/10 of the U.S. average.

His surgical facility is an International Center of Excellence....a distinction exceeding most U.S. hospitals. It was clean and I observed good aseptic techniques by everyone there. I was extremely well cared for by a staff of Bariatric specialists including a second Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence, a cardiologist, two anesthesiologists, a certified advanced life support doctor and several RN's. They were attentive and available throughout my stay. Even 18 months out, they are readily available for consult or questions via phone or email, including on weekends....how many U.S. doctors offices can you say that about?

My Mexico VSG was the first time I've ever woken up from anesthesia not nauseous. I even had the anesthesiologist send his protocol to me for use in the event of future surgeries. I had a pain free, easy recovery. Never took a single pain med either in or out of the hospital.

So no, not all Mexico surgeons are "butchers" and to think that is small minded and racist.

[cathbas]

actually i read this and think..why would you "let" someone do this to you? the minute you felt uncomfortable..you should have been out of there..
so it was your decision to stay....

[odesskiy]

So no, not all Mexico surgeons are "butchers" and to think that is small minded and racist.

Racist....LOL! The last place I thought I'd see the race card played is on a gastric surgery forum. Especially in such a moronic way. You voted for Obama, didn't you? In case you didn't know, Hispanic origin is NOT a race, it's an ethnic category. Hispanics are Caucasians, just like me, but don't let that stop you from throwing out ridiculous accusations.

Please point out where I said that ALL Mexican surgeons were butchers?

[Ann2]

I can't believe people still go to Mexico to be butchered.

So what did you mean, Odesskiey?

Racist....LOL! The last place I thought I'd see the race card played is on a gastric surgery forum. Especially in such a moronic way. You voted for Obama, didn't you? In case you didn't know, Hispanic origin is NOT a race, it's an ethnic category. Hispanics are Caucasians, just like me, but don't let that stop you from throwing out ridiculous accusations.

Please point out where I said that ALL Mexican surgeons were butchers?

And for our continuing education:

"In 2011 a large scale mitochondrial sequencing in Mexican Americans revealed 85 to 90% of mtDNA lineages of Native American origin, with the remainder having European (5-7%) or African ancestry (3-5%)."
At https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexicans

Also ...

Caucasian: of, constituting, or characteristic of a race of humankind native to Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia and classified according to physical features —used especially in referring to persons of European descent having usually light skin pigmentation
At http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caucasian

[cathbas]

alliegator,
sorry for being so blunt earlier..i am sorry you had a hard experience..you know what ..it is done..and soon you will be doing so well...seriously..and now you might be able to tell others what to look out for...but for now..just get better and healed ..and take it easy..now that that experience is behind you..you have blue skies ahead!!

[Kindle]

Sorry, my mistake. Try prejudice. "still going to Mexico to be butchered" implies one would not receive good medical care in Mexico. Have you had surgery in Mexico? If not, any comments you make about it are not based on all of the facts or personal experience, which is the definition of prejudice. You lumped an entire country into a category based on one doctor in that country. I was simply pointing out that going to Mexico does not mean you will be butchered and to think so is utterly ignorant.

But then again, you did quickly categorize me as an Obama supporter based on one completely unrelated politically neutral comment on a WLS board, so I guess forming opinions and making judgements on very little info is something you do. And no, I did not vote for him, so for the second time in this thread, you are wrong.