• Name: Mindy
• Age: 47
• Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
• Surgery date: December 11th, 2015
• Testimonial date: June 8th, 2016
• Surgeon: Dr. Mario Almanza

After spending 3/4 of my life in the morbidly obese category and losing a little piece of my life with every pound I gained, I made the decision to live or die trying. My insurance wouldn't cover the surgery as it was considered an option and not a necessity, in the same category as plastic surgery. I would end up paying over $20,000 for the surgery in my state. I had a friend tell me about her experience and saw her results and decided to give it a shot. Everyone I told thought I was crazy to even consider having surgery in Mexico, let alone in Tijuana. My family was supportive after I discussed with them all the research I did. Yes there are those scare stories about all that can go wrong, but as I looked at them the stories seemed to all lead back to 2 cases. One of which was a reaction to the sedative, which could happen anywhere, even in the very best American Hospitals. I was going to wait until after the first of the year to have the surgery, but thought why wait, let's do this and I scheduled for between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although I did miss all the goodies of the holidays as I was on the liquid/mush stage of my recovery, it was so very worth it.
When I got to the clinic/hospital I will admit I was taken back by the look of the place. I am not sure what I was thinking (actually I was thinking of American Hospitals and this isn't that, think instacare clinics that do surgery and you will be right there). I arrived about noon and met with the staff and Dr Almanza (what a good looking doctor). He was able to get me into surgery that afternoon and it was a blessing to be able to have one more day for recovery in Mexico. The staff didn't speak much english at the hospital but they were very friendly. The accommodations were sparse but doable and I was in a room with two other women who had the same surgery. The staff at the hotel were superb. I couldn't have asked for better care.
As of today I have lost 65 pounds in just under 6 months. I feel so much better. I am doing things that last year I just couldn't do. I am more active than ever, yet I know I could push even harder and be even more active. I am enjoying life and hey, I did not die ;)