Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

After a LOT of research, I've decided to have gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Corvala at Hospital Angeles on 11/18. He was definitely not the cheapest option, but I feel very comfortable with his experience, great reviews and the too notch hospital. Anybody else having surgery with Dr. Corvala in November? Would also love to hear from those who have had surgery with him in the past and/or at Hospital Angeles. How was your experience with him, the facility, staff, etc.? Thanks!

Many people have heard about Long Term VSG and their $2999 price and many people were skeptical because it was so low. I just had a follow up with Ruben and the price is going up. So if anyone is interested in grabbing this cheap price, you best do so now because it'll be going up to $3600 real soon.

I am 6 months post op after having my surgery in Tijuana Mexico with A Lighter Me and Dr. Ortiz. I had surgery on Feb 27th, 2015. I weighed 207lbs. I now weigh 138lbs. That is a loss of 69lbs. I can't believe it. I will be honest though, the first couple weeks was ROUGH. I was so weak and so tired. I could not get enough liquids in and I couldn't eat very much at all. I came so close to having to get an i.v. with liquids just to get me hydrated. Then adjusting to eating real food was hard because I would always overeat out of habit and it would make me hurt and sometimes even throw up. I learned to eat slow and what my new portions looked like. I would truly say that afte…

I am just in the researching phase, i have my pre approval with Medicard for financing and I am leaning towards Dr. Pompa with Weight Loss Forever Clinics, has anyone been to Mexico and seen the facility there? I do hear great things but i am needing the reassurance to decide YES do it!!

I chose to go to Mexico for surgery. I'm an RN for 28 years started with 3 Los Angeles surgeons in June 2015, all Centers of Excellence. Wanted to have surgery mid Sept because it was the only break I would have from work. By August 2015 I realized none of the LA surgeons were going to work out. Poor follow up, wanting me to undergo unnecessary preop studies, ie. sleep apnea, endoscopy, etc, wanting me to get co-morbidities from other doctors, i.e. high blood pressure, etc. I knew I would have to do a lot of legwork and probably still fight with my insurance. By the way, my anthem blue cross had a $5000 deductible plus another $3000, so it would have cost me $8000 here an…

I'm hoping to make my deposit on Monday, so I can schedule my surgery for November 16. I was totally surprised by the quick communication from Dr. Lopez himself. He has made my decision to switch from WLA to Bariatricpal so much easier. Even the support from members here is so much better than over at gastricsleeve.com Are there any others going around the same time as me?

I am planning on having surgery with Dr. Garcia in December. I have been speaking with Karen through Tijuana Bariatrics. I have scheduled my surgery and need to pay my deposit. I was wondering how you guys made your deposit and if it is legit to pay over the phone using your credit card?

Hi everyone. I'm having surgery the end of march with dr. Pompa in Mexico through weight loss forever. Just wanted to see if there is anyone out there who has had surgery with this doctor and if you could share your experience with me Thanks

I am flying into San Diego airport at 9:25 on Monday, 8/24/15. I will have MGB with Dr Ponce de leon sometime later that day in Tiujana. I will be happy to answer any question anyone may have.... may not be until I get back.

I am fairly new to this site, I just got my date of December 2!! I am going to see dr pompa in Mexico I've heard great things. Looking for some support along the way. I know I will struggle with the pre op diet I am very excited but also very nervous.

the general consensus is that you have to have a passport to travel from Arizona to Mexico. I do know friends that regularly travel in and out of Mexico by car and do not use a passport. Anyone headed to Mexico for surgery and not using a passport? Thanks!

Just wanted to give some information on Dr. Zavalza for anyone looking to go to Mexico for surgery. I chose him after doing months of research but still had my reservations considering I was going out of country to have my sleeve done. Working with Bariatric Pals and David Lopez I could not have made a better decision. Dr. Z is the most accommodating people I have ever met and is willing to go the distance to make sure of your comfort as well as no problems after surgery. His follow up is done by Skype and will go on for 2 years. He has become a friend to my family as well as seeing the results I have nothing but great things to say about him. If you would like to see oth…

I can't believe it is here - still doesn't seem quite real - someone please tell me everything is going to be ok !

Its seems to be the biggest topics on what doctor to use and if the experience was a good one but also one of the main reasons of going to mexico is price. So let's hear it

My name is Teresa de Velasco. I recently had WLS in Tijuana, Mexico, at the Obesity Good Bye clinic. I feel compelled to share my story, so that others do not endure the same horrific experience. I was completely confident to travel alone and had no fears of surgery in another country. I believed I had done extensive research, and made a good decision. However, I was sexually assaulted during my stay at the clinic. I wouldn't advise anyone to travel alone. I am not saying, don't travel to Mexico for surgery. Anyone can have a bad employee working for them. I am just asking you to please read the following, which is a copy of the correspondence I sent to the two patient co…

Hi all! I would just like to know if anyone here has purchased Medical Tourism Insurance before traveling to Mexico for a self-pay surgery. Did you end up needing it? Was it worth it? Would you purchase it again? Or if you didn't get it, why did you feel like it wasn't necessary? Hoping to get some input. Thanks -Taylor

I have finally reached my goal at 148 pounds after losing 230 pounds, 2 years after sleeve operation with Dr.Ortiz @ OCC in Tijuana Mexico. I also had Arm and Breast lift and skin removal in November . Followed by a belt-Lipectomy in March and Exstended Thigh lift and Upper Eye Lid Surgery in June. All Plastic Surgeries were done by Dr Medina Sanchez at Ariel Center or OCC in Tijuana, he is the Chief of Plastic Surgery . My Results are amazing and I had no complications. There are before and after pictures in my profile Gallery. If you are looking into Plastic surgery After weight loss, I highly Recommend Dr Medina. After dramatic weight loss you are faced with Loose…

Hello my name is Maria, and I am pretty new to this website. I just wanted to give a review of Dr. Fernando Garcia with tijuanabariatrics.com. If you ever decide to go with him please do your research. I am not going to say anything on his skills if you are a first time patient. But for revision surgery please consider someone else more experienced. I went to see dr. Garcia for a revision from lap band to sleeve. I payed good amount of money to be promised a sleeve and ended up with God knows what. As soon as I could drink I drank the whole bottle of water and other drinks no problem. They said it was a perfect sleeve and that they used small bougie. I got home I was hu…

I am a nurse and naturally worry about complications that come with surgery. I am hesitant to go to Mexico based on the complications that could take place. Any other healthcare workers out there that would like to shed light on the hospital experience in Mexico? Thanks!!!

I am scheduled to have gastric plictation with Dr Ortiz 3 weeks from now in Tijuana Mexico.I was going to do the lap band but they said most lap banders are coming back to get this done. I should skip lap band and do plictation instead. It just scares me a bit more Please REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE DONE THE PLICTATION? WENT TO TIJUIANA? AND CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. ​ ​

I'm scheduled for August 4th with Dr. Alejandro Lopez and looking for anyone else going during the same time frame.

Anyone scheduled for surgery in PV with Dr. Lopez on Jan 17. Looking for sleeve buddies. My mom is going with me but wanna find some buddies to share the experience with.

Does anyone here have experience with Dr Joya? My hubby and I are looking at surgeons and I've been impressed with what I've seen on YouTube,but I'd like to hear some first hand stories here. I'll be honest, I'm still a little surprised I'm seriously considering surgery I'm Mexico!

Dr. Hidalgo did my surgery at the CMQ Premiere Hospital, I paid $4500 and this included the surgery, tests, and even the hotel. his website is http://www.weightlossteam.com

I just got sleeved on the 14th and wanted to share some of my experience. I was previously banded at age 30 and lost nearly 100lbs. But by age 38 I had complications and had it removed. Now at 40 I had regained more than half the wt lost. So I elected for the sleeve. I chose to go to Mexico because it was less than half the cost of having it done by my original surgeon. As an RN of 18 years I wanted to share some thoughts on StarMedica in Juarez. But first I should say I chose to drive to El Paso and I traveled solo so my wife could care for the kiddos. I woke up on Friday early and made my family a pancake breakfast (had a bite of one myself). Then got on the road for …

Hi all, I am new here and have a question! I've been lurking around a bit but can't seem to find an answer so I decided to suck it up and post my very first topic! I am looking into getting Gastric Sleeve surgery. I am leaning towards scheduling something in Mexico because my BMI is normally 32 or 33 and I have no major health issues that would qualify me for surgery in the US. I haven't tried yet to see if I would qualify for some reason so that might not be out of the question. For those of you who have gone to Mexico for your surgery, was that decision made because you did not qualify for surgery through your insurance in the US and you needed to self-pay? Or for…

I am looking to have the sleeve in December and have spoken with a few different coordinators, but I am thinking I will go with Dr. Garcia and Tijuana Bariatrics. Can anyone give me any advice or any reviews for him? Is paying your deposit through credit card legit?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Surgery will be at CER and recovery will be at the Marriott. Please Help!!!

If you had surgery in Mexico I would like to know what doctor did you use and how much did it cost? Also if your surgery put sutures over the staples to make sure it doesn't leak? Would you rate your overall exsperiance 0 being very bad to 10 being very good. I ask because today is the day that I make my choice and pay my deposit. Thank you all This site is great! I'm learning so much and I thank you for that

Good evening. ...8 weeks out is OK to eat almonds? Trying to introduce new things....

So I am booked for my sleeve in Tijuana on July 29. I am trying to decide if I should bring my camera or not. I am an aspiring photographer, with a fairly costly (well, in my eyrs at least) bunch of gear. I am struggling because I am certain there will be amazing things to see, but am worried something (someone actually) may happen to my camera. Did you feel safe and secure with your belongings? I dont want to miss any amazing opportunities, but I cant afford to buy new gear!

If you stayed at one of the apartments for Bariatric Pal please tell me what to expect during my stay in September? What was it like? What did you do during your time for Rest?, food?, Entertainment? My husband will be coming with me Is there anything i should pack special? Or something you wished you would have packed

I am in the process of interviewing a few of the more popular PS in Tijuana that have been used by folks on this and other boards. For those of you who have done this already can you tell me how you traveled and where did you stay post-op? Also what were your opinions of your choices? I will be traveling from New York.

Just wanted to finally post my experience with Dr. Borland in Louisiana. I chose him because his self-pay price was only $9800 (my hubby wasn't comfortable with Mexico!) and he does the surgery outpatient (I had no desire to stay in the hospital.) His receptionist isn't the friendliest woman in the world, but she does answer all questions you have. You get your pre-op testing done at home with your own doc. From the time I inquired about surgery to the date of my surgery was less than 1 month. You choose and pay for the hotel you stay at. I flew into New Orleans, and the drive to New Iberia was a few hours. You can also fly into Lafayette but its much more expensi…

Hi all! I was reading February/March sleevers and thought we should start an April/May one. My name is Jaime, I am from Iowa, I am an ICU nurse, and will be 39 on the 25th! I want to hit 40 next year, healthy and happy! Current stats are 5'5" 220lbs goal 130ish I am scheduled for April 3rd Surgeon- Dr. Mario Camelo Ramos Hospital- Florence (Part of Oasis of Hope) in Tijuana, Mexico I am so excited! I have a countdown on my calendar!

Hi Natalie, I am in the full liquid stage and know that we can have thinned creamed soups but what about tomato soup? Or is it too acidic?

Our members now have great options for financing their weight loss surgery! We've partnered with the top lenders to offer our members flexible Payment Plans to finance their weight loss surgery! They're able to cater towards members with great or not such great credit scores. They've approved multiple BariatricPal members, just this week alone. Interest-Free up to 15 Months Multiple Loan Options No Pre-Payment Penalty 0% Initial Interest Rate Options Lowest Interest Rates Available Secured and Unsecured Options Terms up to 60 Months Contact us for more info!

Have narrowed my options down to the following -- all are BLIS approved, which is important as I'll be self-pay. I'll also be flying in for the surgery. Has anyone used any of these options and can share their experience? Western Rockies Surgical Center http://www.coloradow...gastric-sleeve/ Denver, CO $12,500 Blossom Bariatrics http://blossombariat...om/out-of-town/ Las Vegas, NV $12,500 Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Lake Norman http://www.lnrmcsurg...weightloss.com/ Mooresville, NC $13,000 Thanks for your help!

I had my gastric bypass earlier today and am doing fine!!

New Refund Policy as of September 8, 2015 Because of Policy Changes in services rendered by BariatricPal MX, we will charge a service fee of $250 USD for any cancelations. Thank you all very much.

So I am having my revision from sleeve to gastric bypass on Friday in Tijuana with Dr Zavalza. Right now can't say that I am nervous or anxious just relaxing and preparing for my flight to San Diego tomorrow. Wish me the best and welcome me to the new "GB losers bench".

Hi, my deposit is paid,sent off for passport, ticket bought, and loan approved. I am having surgery with Dr. Ortiz @ OCC on 9/8. Anyone else gonna be there? I start my preop diet 7/29. 3 weeks Atkins then I start in on the shakes moving to a liquid diet.

Anyone had plastic surgery in Mexico?

I have a few questions......I'm getting the sleeve done 2 weeks from this Friday. I have a wedding that i am going to 4 weeks from surgery date, and i'm going to Disney World 8 weeks from surgery date. Now i know everyone is different but if anyone could give me ideas of what to expect at the 1 month mark and 2 month mark...as far as weight loss during those times and how long it took you to advance from clear to solid liquids and to soft food and to eating A salad? i am hoping to get some of this weight off by Disney time to at least making the walk at Disney a little easier and being able to /order/eat fruit or Salads while on vacation verses broth …

Sooooo very nervous. Having my SX in tijuana. I feel so lost.

WwiW

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I had sleeve surgery through bariatricpal on June 26th. Have not gotten to talk to a nutritionalist because the last one left. I am 2 months out. I am eating 900-1100 calories per day. Logged in 100% of everything on fitness pal app. I am walking a minimum of 10,000 steps per day by going to the gym and walking, elliptical and a little weights. At least an hour every day. Eating 80-100 grams of protein. And I have only lost 30 pounds. Drinking lots of water. Haven't had soda since before surgery. Started at 241. What am I doing wrong? I know my food intake is much much less than before I had surgery. The scale hasn't budg…

Hello Tijuana Sleevers, for those of you that went to the pharmacy after you were discharged, what pharmacy did you go to? Did anyone buy b12 shots? A friend is going for dental work and i want her to get some meds and vitamins for me, wish I had the energy to go after surgery but i just didn't.

Does anyone know if doctors in Tijuana offer post-op consultations and if so, what the cost is? I had my sleeve with Dr. Camelo and would like to set up a post-op check up since I'll be in the area. I'll be contacting his coordinator but want to hear from others that have done this?

This Saturday, September 5, I will be hosting the BariatricPal in Mexico Nutritional Support Chat Session. This live chat is your chance to ask me your nutrition questions and connect with each other. Bring your questions, or just see what other people want to talk about. When: Saturday, September 5, starting at noon Pacific time/3:00 p.m. Eastern time/2:00p.m. Central time. 1 hour. You can drop in at your convenience, and you do not need to stay the whole time. To get to the chat room: Go to http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/bariatricpal_chat.html. OR look at the bottom right corner of your screen - there should be a button that says "Chat Now." Click on it, and you …

The last time I posted here I flipped out over something trivial and swore I would never post again. I think my hormones were out of whack from the surgery and diet. So please forgive me. In the past couple of months my entire life has changed due to the surgery. So I thought I would return to help others and receive more tips and help myself. I have lost 103 pounds since surgery 3 months ago. I'm currently stalled and it's really getting to me. It seems that now I only lose weight if I take laxatives to remain regular. Otherwise, the scale is stuck. Any tips on how to break this stall would be much appreciated.