Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

i promise

I'm so glad to be the official BariatricPal TeamMX Nutritionist! Please feel free to email me: nutrition@bariatricpal.com. You can also call me at (619) 651-0803

I recently rec'd VSG with Dr. Zavalza in Tijuana at Florence Hospital on Jan 12th. First, it was such a unique and exciting experience. As a Registered Nurse, I notice bedside manner, customer service, and clinical expertise. Dr. Zavalza exceeds in all 3 categories and provides such personalized care. When we arrived in SanDiego, I didn't know exactly what to expect with the staff at BariatricPal. We were picked up at the airport by Roberto as soon as we landed. He eased our anxiety by providing a geographic tour as we drove to Tijuana. He was so friendly and professional that my faith in the process was quickly building. As we arrived to the Florence Hospital,I admit I …

Basically, I'm trying to figure out how much time I should plan on requesting off from work. I had put in for a total of 3 weeks off (one prior to, and 2 after), but my supervisor is concerned that it may not be enough time to recuperate fully. Her daughter had gastric sleeve here in the states, and it was over a month before she was cleared to go back to work. My employers have been fairly supportive, and I'll be filing FMLA paperwork, etc... but I have to admit the idea of taking a month or more off work freaks me out a little (okay maybe a lot). Logically, I know it would be fine, though tight financially, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it. Should I reall…

I was on the "Naturally Slim" diet several months ago and it was successful until I fell off the wagon. One of their staples was H2Orange, basically 1 part pure orange juice and 7 parts Water. The idea is that immediately on waking in the morning drink a glass it breaks your fast (breakfast), gives your metabolism a kick start, it gives you a small sugar input to get you going and is filling. That way you put off your first meal for an hour or two. It also tastes pretty good and encourages you to drink water throughout the day. Comments anyone? NUTs feel free to jump in.

I'll be in TJ 1/8/16 for my sleeve. Funny that the timing of my pre op diet coincides with the New Year. I feel like I'm just another person with a weight loss resolution. But I'm going to really loose!! Where is everyone else with the pre op diet? Packing? Last minute freak outs? Let's chat it out...

Anyone here sleeved in Mexico on the same day as their spouse? Just wondering, my husband and I are planning for May of this year. Wanted to know what it was like for anyone else, or do you think this is a terrible idea?

Got my call last night from my coordinator! surgery is scheduled for April 15th with Dr. Cabrera! Anyone going around that time??

I am trying to decide between these two surgeons. Have you had any experience with either one, good or bad?

Dear everybody, My Name is Michael, im 26 years old and I wanted to Share my experiences of my gastric Sleeve surgery with amazing Dr. A on the 12th February 2016. I started to Research the option of having a WLS Last year. As everyone in the States i guess i First approached my Insurance Company and asked them if they would Pay for it. Im from Europe, Germany especially. They would eventually, but only After i did a one year Programme with a Meeting every monday evening at a certain Time. To be Noted, you can only Miss out Maximum 2 of the total 52 Sessions. But i also couldnt stand my "fat life" with Almost 350 pounds. I work as a Check in staff for Lufthansa at t…

Hello, I am new to this forum, my friend told me about it as I am going to have to be a self pay. I have done research on other forms and have been reading through all the many post and I am wanting to get some information from past patients. I have been denied by my insurance several times now and so have decided to look into Mexico as I can not afford to pay in the US. Over the last several months I have made a list of doctors I think would be a good fit for me but just need some insight from past patients. I have been looking at Dr. Illan, Dr. Zavalza, Dr. Pounce or Dr. Lopez and would like to here the good and the bad and how I start the process to get qualified for…

Hello, I am new to this. I have look on other forums but was told by a friend to try here. I am a self pay and looking to go to Mexico but not sure where to start. I have heard of several doctors and trying to find the right one for me. I have narrowed my list of doctors down to 3 that I am looking into and would like some feed back at to your experience, and who you went through to book with them. D. Zavalza, Dr. Illian and Dr. Ponce. Thank you for your help

Hi everyone ! Which protein powder do you recommend/like?! I'm not really sure which one to buy.

has anyone had surgery with Dr.Elias Ortiz from a lighter me?!? If so how was your experience?! And so on...Good and bad experiences please. Will be having him as my surgeon in April and would love to hear some of your stories .

Hello all, I have never joined a forum of any type so I don't know how it all works but hopefully I'll get the hang of it. I don't have a confirmed surgery date (very close to making the decision) but wondered if anyone has been to Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC? I have researched Dr. Ortiz and the center very extensively and I feel pretty comfortable with my decision to go there. Any feedback would be great.

I am scheduled to have my gastric sleeve procedure on 2/29....I am so excited! My best friend did her procedure in Mexico with another dr. My family and coworkers are very concerned about me going to mexico for the procedure. I am in the medical field, and two of the MDs I work for are very skeptical. I found very little about Dr. Vazquez, who is the one who will actually do the surgery. Anyone have any experience with those Drs?

I've had weight issues all my life and have been encouraged since I was 19 to consider weight loss surgery... I refused it at the time and pretty much have refused to do it up until now. I kept think of it as a cheating and that it would make me a quitter if I resorted to it. So like pretty much everyone else here, I tried everything else - all sorts of diets, I worked with a personal trainer... I would do really well for a while, then something would set me back, I'd give up, gain it all back (plus some). Then a few months ago, I was reading something about Einstein, and his definition of insanity popped into my head, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over agai…

I've been putting this question off for the longest, but here goes... Last year I took a flight out of state... I was having a hard time fastening my seat belt... It took me a long time and I was trying hard to make sure no one noticed... My question is what did you do for your travel to and from TJ Mexico? That was the first time that has happened to me and now I'm afraid of that happening again

Hi, im Glad to found this forum and i hope i can ask some questions. My Name is Michael, im 26 and from Munich, Germany. Im thinking of Doing the Surgery in june in Mexico. In germany its almost impossible to get the surgery paid from the Insurance, if u do it Here it costs roughly around 12000 Dollar. Of course u can do a Operation outside Germany, especially in the East European Countries for around the Same Price than in mexico. But u can almost find no Reviews about that and that kinda turns me Off compared to the dozens of Reviews about mexico. Travelling isnt an issue for me, as i work for Lufthansa and im able to fly very cheap to LAX Directly from munich…

Curious about anyone experiences with Dr. Zavalza and thoughts of hospital in Tijuana

Has any one used Dr. Jorge Maytorena - Long Term VSG? What was the experience and how was the facility? I have found some information on him and the clinic but very limited. Looking at scheduling for the last week in March.

What's the difference between applying for a passport (book) or a passport card? The main difference is that you can only travel overseas internationally by air with the passport book. With the passport card you can only travel by land or sea between the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Costs? It is also much cheaper to apply for the card and it only takes about 2 to 3 weeks to receive it in the mail after you have applied. So if you have not done so, please apply before heading south of the border for surgery. It's much easier than you think. Here is the link: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card.html

I will be traveling alone and my family is not thrilled about me going to Mexico to be sleeved. I'm was leaning towards Juarez with Dr. Rod. I will be flying from Pensacola to El Paso. Any help is appreciated.

I'm usually a pretty private person but I thought I'd share my experience because at one time I was searching the boards for answers. So I hope this can answer some questions or ease some minds out there. Stats: Surgery date: Jan. 22nd 2016 Dr. Altamirano, Tijuana Mexico HW: 264 SW: 225 Currently 4 days post-op You cannot compare the care and kindness you receive in Mexico to anywhere in the states. I've seen my doctor everyday since I entered the hospital. Every person on staff has been friendly. From the moment I arrived someone on staff has been with me or a call away to help with ANY need I had. I was driven to get Water, to get my mother food, we went to th…

Looking for any input on Dr. Alejandro Lopez and the Vida Hospital in Tijuana. I am scheduled for Feb 4, freaking out a little about the lack of patient feedback...

I was really worried about having the conversation with my PCP but he was great about my plans to go to Mexico. He gave me a standing order for the lab so that I can go in every month for blood work and he will call me if there are any issues. I will need to go regularly for blood work as I already have low Iron and B12 levels....so I'm incredibly happy that he was completely on board and supportive. That's another thing off the list! Dr selected. Date picked. Flights booked. PCP on board. Now it's time to mentally prepare myself and prepare the house with everything I need for pre-op and post-op. Hurry up March 18th!

I feel like I have done too much research already - read too many reviews, visited too many websites, sent too many emails. And now I'm confused! What I know for sure: - I will be going to Mexico for the surgery - I'm looking to have the surgery in mid March - My spouse will be coming with me - I would prefer recovery at a hotel and not a "recovery house" - Cost is not the huge factor as they are all similarly priced Now I'm wondering if anyone used the following Dr's and can provide any raving reviews or "don't do it's!" - Dr Ramos Kelly - Dr alejandro lopez - Dr Ponce de leon Thanks in advance!

I would like to know the experience of any others that have had their VSG in Tijuana, Mexico since I´m very interested in going there, though its is a bit scary for me, so please help me by sharing your story and Thank you so so much.

Can those of you who have used the two doctors in Tijuana at the florence hospital share a little bit about it? My husband has to go back to work after being off 4.5 weeks due to a neck surgery. Has anyone gone alone? They told me we fly into San Diego, stay one night at Hyatt and then a driver takes me to clinic and then back to Hyatt. Total of 4 nights. Does that sound right? Thank you for any feedback! Heather

Hi, I had my gastric sleeve a year ago and now would love to have a tummy tuck.. can someone recommend a good plastic surgeon.

To help make your research easier, I have compiled the following videos, and hopefully everything else you could research along with these videos, to help you make an intelligent decision when selecting your physician if you do decide to go to Mexico to have your gastric sleeve. These are the latest three videos that just aired, two in California and one in Florida: http://www.10news.com/news/team-10/team-10-doctor-accused-of-injuring-and-killing-patients-shares-his-story (January 14, 2016) http://www.10news.com/news/team-10/patients-doctor-is-lying-about-injuries-suffered-during-weight-loss-surgeries?autoplay=true (January 15, 2016) http://www.wptv.com/video/…

I was just wondering how the plane ride after the surgery was for any of you? I was thinking it is going to be pretty rough and thought a pillow up against my belly would be best. Any other advice?

Hey all my DFW area sleevers from Mexico. Who are you using in the area for your aftercare and follow ups if anyone other than your primary care physician? I'm in mesquite area!

Ok so I have a friend whose insurance does not cover Gastric Sleeve. I told him about mine and he has tried everything to lose weight- i'll spare you the story we all have. He is diabetic but not on any meds because he did lose 70 pounds and since has gained 20 back. He did the medical weight loss 700 calorie a day shake thing. Yeah...... Anyway- he is self employed so I believe he is on Obama care and can not get surgery- his insurance told him it is cosmetic. I told him how great everyone is here!!! Personally i don't feel he is all that big but I know how it feels to be overweight and desperate for a solution. He knows where he is headed back to and fast. Surgery i…

I'm buying my ticket today [AAHH!] and I need some advice. Did anyone find that their particular seat made their flight easier or more difficult? I don't know whether or not to reserve an aisle seat or a window seat. I'd think an aisle would be preferred in case we need to use the restroom but then I think we can only take tiny sips so I probably won't be doing a lot of peeing. But then I also feel like I'd want a window seat just to be out of the way. Where did y'all sit and did it make your trip comfortable/uncomfortable? Did you actually get up and walk around? The first leg of my return flight is 1h 16 mins with a 1hr layover in Phoenix [which is fine because that mea…

Hey all, I am looking into going to Mexico to get the VSG. I am wondering if there are any Oregon members here that had it done in Mexico. I had an apt with my primary care doctor and she told me not to do it. She said she is treating several patients that had it done in Mexico. She stated that they are not doing well. I don’t know if she was trying to scare me...I don’t know if these people did their research and went to good doctors. I was so excited now I am just questioning everything. Finding a doctor is becoming hard. Once I have my mind set on one, I read another forum and find other Doctors that sound better. It was such a hurdle talking my family into this. N…

I'm scheduled for March 14th but I won't be able to buy my plane ticket until maybe March 1st. Yeah, that's cutting it really close but I don't have any other option [unless I win the powerball]. What was the latest any of you have bought your plane ticket? Was the price higher or lower than when you first started looking at flights?

Any recommendations for Vitamins I should start taking before surgery and after. Having sleeve done in March.

I've made my sleeve appt for January with Dr Lopez. I have told my immediate family (husband sister and grown kids) and they are so harsh. It's not safe in Mexico. It's too major a surgery. If something goes wrong it's my own fault. It's the easy way out and not a long term solution. And they won't just have their say and stop its over and over. I want the surgery but I'm already a little apprehensive about surgery alone in another country but I feel like I have no one to talk to about my nerves because then I get the big "i told you so". And this is BEFORE the surgery. I feel like I won't even be able to recuperate and will have to act like it was nothing just so I do…

I am currently booking sleeve surgery with Dr. Lopez in Mexico for mid January. Is anyone else scheduled around that same time with him? Also I would love to hear people experiences with him.

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I am getting close to scheduling my surgery through aLighterMe and had decided to first go with Dr. Elias Ortiz, but I'm considering Dr. Jose Curiel Marchena instead since he a has a little bit of a lower price. He appears to have a lot of credentials and experience, but I'm not able to find much about him online - reviews and patient experiences. Has anyone used him before? Did you have any complications or issues? Thanks so much!

Would just like some personal accounts with this doctor.....seems info is hard to come by for him....Thank You!

Anyone out there having surgery in Mexico? Or has had??

I'm having VSG next Saturday in Tijuana. Can I drink the water? Or should I plan on buying bottled water somewhere? Someone told me I shouldn't even drink the water or ice chips at the hospital. That can't be......

Hi everyone. Trying to decide between Dr. Altamirano and Dr. Ponce De Leon. They both seem to be great Doctors but they have a bit of difference in price when using the BP deal. Also, wondering if the BP deal is better since recovery is at a condo vs hotel. Any advice? Thanks in advance!!!

I was close to 330 pounds and knew I had to make a change. I did not want to go anywhere because I was ashamed of who I allowed myself to become. I had done almost every diet out there. I just was tired of fighting hunger and craving. I heard about lap band and started to do some research. I quickly identified I did not want that procedure. That lead me my gastric sleeve and bypass. I did not feel comfortable with the bypass and decided in gastric sleeve. Now to find a surgeon. I found a surgeon and started to research him. The surgeon had good reviews, so I set up the conference. Went to the conference and another surgeon was there. I was not impressed. I was…

I know Bariatric Pal doesn't have a relationship with Dr Lopez Corvala (anymore). I'm not sure why, but based on my research I'm leaning towards surgery with him. I want to have surgery in a full fledged hospital rather than an outpatient center and like his other qualifications. I emailed with Dr Ortiz nurse and coordinator and they were evasive with their answers to my very specific questions despite their good patient reviews. My final piece is to find some people that have experience to help me dedice if I should go with him... Anyone out there have experience with Corvala?? Thanks