From Struggling with Obesity to Embracing Life Again Through Gastric Bypass Surgery in Tijuana

Hi there, I'm Monica Zuluaga. For most of my life, I poured my passion into food, creating delicious meals as a chef in Austin. But somewhere along the way, that passion turned into a problem. At 55, I was carrying far too much weight, and it was crushing me, literally. My Type 2 Diabetes was out of control, no matter how many medications I took, and my knees screamed with pain every time I tried to walk. Even standing in the kitchen, a place I once loved, became an agonizing chore. My BMI was 42, and I knew I was in deep trouble.

The day my endocrinologist looked at me and said, "Monica, we've exhausted all other options. It's time to seriously consider gastric bypass surgery," my heart sank. I’d always viewed it as a last resort, a drastic measure. But the reality was, my health was failing. I couldn’t play with my grandchildren without getting winded, and the thought of becoming completely dependent on others filled me with a profound sense of dread. The fear of what my future held if I did nothing was far greater than the fear of surgery itself.

I quickly looked into gastric bypass costs in the U.S., and the numbers were staggering – often $25,000 or more, and my insurance provider had so many hoops to jump through, with endless denials for "pre-existing conditions." The wait times were also ridiculous; I heard of people waiting over a year just for an initial consultation. I needed help now, not in a year. I felt cornered, helpless, and increasingly desperate.

That's when I turned to the internet, researching medical tourism for weight loss surgery. I kept seeing great reviews for gastric bypass surgery in Tijuana Mexico. That's how I found PlacidWay. Their website was a goldmine of information, and I saw that they worked with Dr. Jorge Maytorena, who had fantastic testimonials for gastric bypass procedures. I decided to take the leap and filled out their online inquiry form.

Within hours, I got a call from a PlacidWay patient care coordinator, named Sophia. She was just phenomenal – so understanding, so knowledgeable. She explained everything about the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, how it works, the expected recovery, and the long-term changes I’d need to make. Sophia also laid out the costs very clearly, confirming that Dr. Maytorena’s clinic typically offered the procedure for around $5,500, an astonishing difference from U.S. prices. She took away all my fears about traveling, explaining their seamless process for transfers, accommodation, and pre- and post-operative care. She even helped me coordinate my medical records to send to the clinic.

The travel day arrived, and while I had butterflies, I also felt incredibly empowered. PlacidWay’s arrangements were flawless. A friendly driver met me at the San Diego airport and whisked me across the border to my hotel in Tijuana, then directly to Dr. Maytorena’s clinic. The clinic was modern, clean, and surprisingly comforting. The staff, from the nurses to the administrative team, were all incredibly warm and professional, many speaking excellent English. Dr. Maytorena himself was exactly as I'd read in the reviews: kind, attentive, and incredibly skilled. He took the time to answer all my questions, reassuring me about the procedure and the personalized care I would receive.

The gastric bypass surgery went smoothly. I woke up feeling surprisingly good, considering what my body had just been through. The pain was managed effectively with medication, and the nurses were constantly checking on me, helping me take small sips of water. I was encouraged to walk around the hospital halls the very next day, which felt incredible, a small victory each time I took a few steps. I spent several days recovering at the clinic, carefully following the liquid diet and receiving detailed instructions from the nutritionists about my new way of eating.

During my recovery, PlacidWay ensured I had everything I needed, even arranging for a short, supervised outing to a local park, which was a lovely change of scenery and helped to gently test my new mobility. It felt good to be outside, breathing fresh air.

Coming back to Austin, the transformation began to truly unfold. The first few weeks were challenging as I adjusted to my new stomach and eating habits, but the hunger was gone, and I felt full on tiny portions. Most remarkably, my Type 2 Diabetes went into remission almost immediately! My blood sugar levels normalized, and I was able to stop taking most of my diabetes medications. The joint pain in my knees started to subside as the weight came off. I could walk for longer, play with my grandkids, and even started cooking healthy, new recipes in my kitchen. My life, which had been shrinking, suddenly felt expansive and full of possibility.

If you're in Austin, or anywhere in the United States, and grappling with obesity and serious health issues, feeling like there's no affordable way out, please, please consider medical tourism. And absolutely, wholeheartedly, reach out to PlacidWay. They are not just a service; they are a lifeline. They connected me with an expert surgeon like Dr. Jorge Maytorena and handled every single detail, making a complex medical journey feel safe, accessible, and ultimately, life-changing. I am so incredibly grateful.