• Name: Chelsea
• Age: 29
• Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
• Surgery date: May 1st, 2012
• Testimonial date: August 15th, 2012

I am going to be completely upfront and honest with you. I decided to have weight loss surgery in mexico because I couldn't get my insurance to cover it in the states. Although I was severely overweight and met the bmi requirements, my doctor said unless I had diabetes or other severe problems I couldn't have it done. I told my doctor I was trying to prevent those problems and he said that the insurance companies don't care about preventing medical problems they just care about not having to dish out any money to anyone.
I read these testimonials from other people before I decided to have surgery so I was completely prepared for what the experience would be like, at least the best I could be. The hospital isn't in a building like an american hospital. But that is because it is a specialty place, the kind of place that doesn't treat kids with colds, or broken bones. They only do gastric surgeries and plastic surgeries. Which I am happy about because everyone that came in was there for the same reason as me. Its smaller than I expected and is in an outlet looking mall area. However if this surprises you, I think you should do more research on Mexico and Tijuana itself. So I was expecting this. The building itself is VERY clean, and there were a lot of returning patients there looking to get a mommy makeover, or a breast lift, or that had brought there friends because they had such good results. It was nice to see there patients were so loyal, made it easier for me to be comfortable. Unfortunately I was the last person to have surgery, which went smoothly but it wasn't fun waiting around all day. When I woke up I was in tremendous pain, almost unbearable pain. the pain killers they gave me didn't help at all. If you have a high tolerance to pain killers I recommend picking some up at the pharmacy down there, you don't need a prescription for them. The recovery house was nice, and very clean, everyone was very helpful. I don't regret it and have lost so much weight! I am 3 1/2 months in and I've lost about 60lbs. I haven't worked out at all, or really changed what I eat a whole lot. So once I start working out and eating better I know the rest of the weight will drop off! The hardest part of all of this wasn't the surgery it was after the surgery, and dealing with my obsession with food. I had to learn to not look to food as comfort, or love, or help, or companionship, but just look at food as fuel and nothing more. So if you are struggling with a food addiction, eating too much, and don't have the financial support to get the surgery in the states. I say go for it, I don't regret it one single bit, and if I had it to do all over again I would!!!

* This is an actual testimonial, however, your results may vary. For more information, please read our Testimonial Disclaimer and Risks of Surgery.