Weight Loss Surgery Center Tour

 

Matt Ayers

I started my struggle with obesity in the 2nd grade. I clearly remember having to go to the boys "husky" section of sears to buy my pants. I remained chubby until my 1990 graduation and began adding on the pounds every year. At that time I was around 230lbs. and gradually, one meal at a time I arrived at almost 400lbs. in 2007. The past few years I knew that I had to do something about my weight before it did something to me(high blood pressure, diabete's, heart problems, ect.). I am so greatful that I have not suffered from any of the symptoms listed above and know that it was only a matter of time until I did. I did my research and decided that the lapband was the best route for me to take medically. I liked that fact that it was not permanent unless I wanted it to be and I feared the permanent commitment that the bypass operation offered. My insurance company clearly states that it does nothing for morbid obesity. This really ticked me off because I knew that they would pay for any possible heart attacks, strokes, knee operations, ect... By the way, don't you just hate those two words "morbid obesity"? I remember the first time I saw it on paper after a visit to the Doctor's office. It made me mad at first but mostly it scared me to realize that I was and "endomorph" who was "morbidly obese"! So anyhow, insurance was not an option and I began shopping for a surgeon. Locally the surgery was going to cost me over $19,000.00 and I just did not have that kind of money. There was one other option of having the sugery on an outpatient basis but do to my high body mass index I would not qualify unless I lost 80lbs.. Kind of defeats the purpose of needing surgery doesn't it!?
Thankfully I know a couple who recently traveled to Mexico to get lapband surgery together and they paid half of what they would have paid in the U.S. I pictured them having their surgery in a hut somewhere by a veterinarian and had no idea how advanced the medical technology is in Mexico. Their surgery and hospital visit was far better than I could have imagined. After their wonderful experience I knew that Mexico was definitely my best/cheapest option. I am extremely fortunate to have loving parents who fearfully gave me 80% of my surgical costs. They did not want me to go to Mexico and greatly feared for my medical safety. The other 20% of my surgical costs was provided through private donations in my church. Needless to say, I was extemely overwhelmed by their generosity and love for me! www.stuartheights.org
I originally was wanting to do the outpatient surgery here close to home and came to find out that I did not qualify due to the reasons mentioned above. And I was offered the opportunity to have my surgery in Tijuana, Mexico at the Hospitales Angeles by Dr. Jaime Ricardo Ramos-Kelly. I did alot of research on Dr. Kelly and the hospital. Weight Loss Surgery Clinic
Dr. Kelly's medical background and credentials spoke for themselves and the hospital was state of the art. My wife and I flew from Atlanta to San Diego where Dr. Kelly's office had a gentleman at the airport holding a sign with my name who drove us across the border to Tijuana. We were there in about 30 minutes and we stopped at a clinic where they took my blood and I had to give a urine sample. After that I was taken to the Hospitales Angeles and I met with Dr. Kelly in his office. He was extremely down to earth, spoke perfect English and I knew that I was in good hands. I then met with his psychologist, nutritionist and then was later admitted to a room in the hospital. I had a few x-rays taken of my stomach area and a cardiologist came and did an ekg, checked my vitals and asked very thorough questions about my medical background. His English was also excellent. Then a nurse came in and put in an i.v. of saline in preparation for surgery. And then came surgery. I remember praying that the Lord would protect me and that he would guide Dr. Kellys hands as he operated on me as I was getting anesthesia. Next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room and was shortly cutting up with the nurses speaking with my broken spanish. They then took me back up to my room and I felt really good. My wife had not been made aware that there was a waiting room for surgery paitients in the hospital, so she didn't know how I was until I got back up to my room. She soon calmed down and I was walking up and down the hallway about an hour after surgery. Dr. Kelly came and checked on me several times and even came by the hotel to check on me. This would never happen in America! I recovered a couple of days at the hotel and then Dr. Kelly sent a driver to take us to his office. He asked me if I had any questions and gave me a clean bill of health and I had to hug him as I left. I could not have asked for a better surgical experience than he provided for me! My side effects were minimal and the worst part for me was really bad constipation . We were then driven back across the border which took a little longer this time cause we had to actually walk though customs and meet our driver on the other side of the border. He took us to the airport and we flew home and I have done great! I am now playing the waiting game for my 4 week mark so I can get my first fill. I have had no negative side effects from drinking or eating mushy stuff! I just take it one bite at a time!