Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Hi! I've chosen my doctor. I would like to show my family some of the reviews for Dr. Elias Ortiz. Thanks for posting your review.

Hi All, I'm 3 weeks post-op from my sleeve surgery on March 4th. I wanted to pay-it-forward and share my detailed experience in Mexico. I can only hope that it will help at least one reader gain some additional insight on this experience. Besides, I was helped by so many with their stories. Here's mine... here goes... (***** warning long post ******) _______ Tuesday, March 3rd - Travel Day - It's really here!!!!! I arrived in San Diego, CA airport; flight was delayed due to weather in Atlanta. Either way, I didn't get in until 7:00pm local. However, the driver, Ricardo, was at the airport and I Iiterally walked out of the airport and into the waiting van. …

Anyone else a little freaked out when they read older posts by someone who says they are going for surgery and will post all about it and then they never seem to come back around? Is it just me, or does anyone else worry just a little about this?

I only have to make it through one more day before my surgery on FRIDAY! I've waited months for this and can't believe the time is finally here. I'm ready. Bags are packed, everything is done except getting on the plane and getting to the hospital. (I'm having a Mini Gastric Bypass with Dr. Jose Rodriguez). Thoughts and prayers would definitely be appreciated.

Hi everyone, I'm about to book my procedure and would like referrals for complication insurance. I've only found 2 companies so far. Thanks!!

Hey everyone! I finally had my VSG on March 17th through BeLite Weight (BWL) in Juarez, MX at the Star Medica hospital. First I must say the hospital is the nicest and cleanliest hospital I have ever been in. They kept me there the whole time. They cleaned twice a day and I was able to watch some English channels on cable. The WiFi only worked right outside the room but I was able to keep in contact with people back home. My gf came with me and I was happy about that. It gets boring after awhile and I was awake a lot. It is a hospital so you are constantly waken up to clean your drain, check your IV, blood pressure, temperature and bring you fluids. I went the same day a…

Hi Everyone! I am thinking about getting my surgery in Cancun because it is the closest hospital to my North Carolina home. I am hoping there are others that went to Cancun who can answer my questions. 1. I have read that the doctors are not very "giving" with pain meds. I am worried about that. 2. If there are complications with the surgery when I get back to the USA, will Blue Cross Blue Shield cover the cost? 3. How well did you deal with the flight back? Did you have problems sitting? Any pain? If anyone is planning on getting the gastric sleeve in Cancun in the next 2-4 months I would love to hear from you. Anyone from Raleigh? Thank you!

Everyone that has been sleeved by Dr Almanza please read my posting " New surgery date Feb 20th." Let me know what you think about what has been said about him. Thank you!!

Had my sleeve last Saturday(3/22) with Dr Perez at La Clinica Victoria. So far everything is going great. I'll try and document as much as I remember..... My mom and I flew in on Friday and there was a guy waiting for us at the airport who took us to the hotel in cancun. We walked across the street to the mall for a while and had an early night. Saturday morning, the driver picked us up at 6:30. I got to the clinic, did some paperwork, then headed up to a patient room and got into a gown. They started an iv, did bloodwork, a chest xray, and EKG. The anesthesiologists came and talked to me. After I had my iv, the nurse gave me some antibiotics and something else in…

Hi Everyone! I'm looking for a Mexican surgeon who comes highly recommended in the Coastal areas of Mexico. I know that bariatric surgery is NO VACATION but I want my recovery time to be as enjoyable as possible. I'd like a 5star or equiv. hotel with access to the healthcare team/ special diet as well as a the surgery to occur at a state of the art hospital- NO Surgery Center. Ideally I would like to be within a reasonable distance from the airport so I'm not traveling by car for very long to or from the center. I would also be grateful for any recommendations of Medical Tourism Travel Insurance/ Complication Insurance. I am looking at the gastric sleeve now but am op…

Has anyone on here travelled to Mexico for weight loss surgery? If so I have a couple questions I would like to ask you as my surgery is coming up in a few days.

This is what I recall from last week. I was sleeved on Tuesday the 16th. Hope it helps. My experience with Dr. Kelly and Hospital Nova. Day 1 – Flew into San Diego and was picked up at the airport by Cecy (Dr. Kelly’s wife). She drove all of us across the border to the Hotel first. There was a mix-up somehow and scheduling and one lady was a day early. So we dropped her off at that time and that is when we met Dr. Kelly for a few moments. We then went to Nova. I will tell you that if you are looking for the exact same environment as in the states you will be disappointed. However, don’t get ahead of yourself and wait till you get inside and meet the peo…

I can't wait! I'm a little anxious but I'm so excited!!!

After waiting and wondering if this day would ever actually come, here it is! I'm so nervous, but excited as well. I'm currently at the airport about to board the plane to go to San Diego, Ca. Then its over to Tijuana! I'm having a same day surgery and my surgeon is Dr. Zavalza. I will make updates along the way! Keep me in your prayers!

Anyone want to work on a packing list for Mexico Sleevers? I am very type"A" and organized and I don't want to miss a thing. My surgery date is April 15.

I finally made a decision on my surgeon.... After 3 years of researching and reading stories, talking to numerous coordinators and surgeons, I have picked Dr. Zavalza. This had to of been the most stressful part of this entire process. It's already scary enough leaving the country alone, but to pick a surgeon and hope and pray he's a good one! In the beginning I paid a deposit it have surgery with Dr. Lopez and Osuna, but chickened out and got my money back. I continued reading stories and then decided that I would go with Dr. Garcia. He had soooo many positive reviews, and I was interested in the single incision surgery. After talking with a bariatric surgeon here in Hou…

Quick background - I was banded in 2009, had three kids afterwards (weight loss helped me regain my fertility) and a major slip during the third pregnancy. Two months after baby was born the band was removed. I was 20 pounds from my goal at that time. Six months later and I'm 20 pounds away from my PRE-BAND weight :/ I know it's my fault. I realize I'm an emotional eater I get it - but boy did I love my tool and I used the crap out of it! My husband has said he understands as well and is fine with me getting the sleeve. My insurance won't pay and the only way I can figure out how to afford the sleeve is to go to Mexico. I researched on here, read a TON and finally brave…

So I've been to Mexico numerous times to vacation and I always tip even at all inclusive resorts where they say it isn't "necessary" but I have no idea how this works at the hospitals in Mexico and I even read that it's appropriate to tip your coordinator. Can someone help me out with what is the norm? Thanks!

I am wondering what everyone's experience with crossing the border has been, my patient coordinator said we can use our birth certificates and drivers licenses in place of a passport.. we will be picked up by a driver for Trinity Medical...

Has anyone recently went with med tourism. Dr. Gonzalez? If so how was your experience?

I am considering VSG.My medical Insurance will not cover the procedure so am saving up to pay myself. But I am doing research before choosing a physician. Am wondering if anyone knows how Dr. Alvarez might compare to Dr Aceves? I read good things about both of them. Anyone know comparitive data on number of sleeves done, complication rate, infection rate, cost? Thanks!

Hello everyone, I've been researching for over a year and thought I knew what I wanted. I turned in all my medical evaluation info and turns out what I wanted (sleeve) is not what is ideal for my situation (I have GERD) . I am totally fine with RNY, My question, for those of you going the sleeve route, why did you choose this over bypass? Thanks!

Dr fernando garcia, has anyone used him?

The reason I ask is because I watched a YouTube video about visiting Tijuana and it says for tourists not to publicly display any electronics they might have in order to prevent being targeted for theft.

Any recommendations? Dr. Ortiz at ALM is booked and MBC is hard to get in contact with. I don't want to go to Vida because my husband can't stay there with me after surgery.

As many of y'all that have read my post know I have been waiting on my tax refund to get my surgery. It has finally been settled and is set up to be directly deposited into my account on Wednesday. Yay for that as I filed all the way back on Feb. 2nd. Took them long enough that is for sure. Of course it would come a couple of days after I need it. I was hoping to have my surgery Monday. LOL This is because I start the training for my new job the following Monday and need time to of course recover. I would borrow the money from some random finance company but no one wants to finance for only a week. LOL I don't do credit cards either. I did offer a friend a ver…

Hi all! I am working on finding a good surgeon in Mexico. I have a date next month to have my sleeve done with DR. FRANCISCO MANUEL GONZALEZ SANCHEZ RUBIO at Clinica San Juan but this can always be changed lol. Has anyone ever used him or the facility? Please give me the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I'm considering Dr Rodriguez at Star Medica in Juarez. I've heard good stories and seen good reviews so I'm excited.. My question is, has anyone done financing through BeLite??? I was sent the finance documents and told to mail them to a listed address which is a home in Wylie, Texas. This kind of concerns me.. Anyone familiar with this???

Hello...I'm a newbie here. I have decided to go with the gastric sleeve as a weight loss solution. It seems to have Enlightened the lifes of many peaople. Howerver, there's a two-three years wainting list for the procedure here in Quebec, Canada. I am considering the Mexico option. Has anyone of you ever had the experience (bad or good)? Following witch criteria did you choose your surgeon?

So I've decided to go with one of the higher priced surgeons, I've saved about half what I need but being impatient as I am and hoping to schedule sooner rather than later I'm considering financing the rest. Has anyone used Fund My Dr or Citerra? What was your experience? Is the payments/interest rate outrageous? Thanks in advance!

So until this am I have been completing reqs for 7+ months for someone other person's policy even though I have from them 7 times in writing that my plan covered gastric sleeve. Anyway after the shock has warn off I have spent the day reading all your great post. I am still doing research but after looking at forums on 3 sites an getting stats I am leaning towards Cordova or Ortiz. My question is scheduling, because I have spent 7 months on this I cleared time and can have coverage at work as long as I have my surgery by early May, Is that do-able or wishful thinking ? I really can't tell you how much I appreciate this forum and the time you all take to post. I could ha…

Hey guys, I found Dr Jorge Maytorena on a website called long term VSG. I talked to a coordinator and he was VERY informative and knowledgeable. I have found reviews and patients for mostly all other surgeons in Mexico except for this one. There is one review on this site and that was it. The person only posted one thing and nothing else after that. The price listed on that site is 2999 and the coordinator said it is that price because they operate out of a obesity surgical clinic instead of a hospital so that is why it's about half the price. I am more than likely going with Dr E. Ortiz but am shopping around doing my research still. Any advice would be very helpful! Th…

Hello! So I just scheduled my surgery through Medical Tourism with Dr. Jose Luis Curiel - having it at Clinica San Jose in Tiajuna. I am terrified but exciting but more just want to be reassured Medical Tourism is a legit agency to go through and the Clinica San Jose will be a nice hospital and that Dr. Jose Luis Curiel actually knows what he is doing and have a good reputation. If anyone has gone this route please let me know your experience and if its legit or if I should cancel my deposit - except I already booked my flights as well so I am just so much more nervous now and praying this is all legit and will work out ugh!

BariatricPal is pleased to announce BariatricPal Deals! This exclusive new program offers unbelievable deals for weight loss surgery with the top weight loss surgeons and best service in Tijuana, Mexico. All-inclusive packages start at only $3899! We cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you! We guarantee our prices and are willing to beat ANY advertised prices for Dr. jaime Ponce de leon, Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez Dominguez, Dr. Juan Francisco Zavalza, Dr. Carlos Altamirano and Dr. Juan A. Lopez Corvala. financing Options are available to help patients pay for the program. All applications and questionnaires are reviewed by our Internal Medicine Doctor on staff.…

I was going to get a Passport card but I figured why bother if I can get back in using existing documentation. What do I need to bring?

Does anyone know if I can use the viber or google hangouts app to make calls back to the u.s. over the hotel or hospital wifi while i am in Mexico? I heard somewhere that voip calls are blocked in mexico but I'm not sure if that also pertains to viper and google hangouts app calls on wifi.

Anybody going to mexico around july 20 to having surgery on the 21 ... Need a buddy.... My Dr Cabrera at Mi Doctor!! With mexico bariatric center

This has been such a looong process for me. I started researching surgeons about 2 years ago and almost went. I had my passport and almost all the money saved up, but talked myself out of it. I'm scared to death to have surgery in another country. I figured that I would try again to just lose it on my own. Which I haven't. Sooo, I'm going next month regardless of how scared I am about it. I feel that it needs to be done and financially, Mexico is the only place that I will be able to make that happen. I think it's quite sad that I have insurance here but it doesn't cover bariatric surgery. I'm still undecided on the surgeon... I go back and forth on it. I have a small chi…

I've read here that people bought a spirometer and took it with them. Some even took a Mexican phone card. Are these things really necessary? I don't want to take anything I don't really need.

Me and my fiance are heading to Mexico on March 31 for my surgery on April 1 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz! I'm excited but so so nervous as we are leaving 3 kids with my parents any tips on when to book our trip? We have been looking but haven't flown in years! Did everyone have to stay in the hotel 2 additional nights? Did everyone have a jp drain? Thanks!

Greetings from Michael, My story begins with research, research and more research. Like everyone I was a hound when it came to getting my gastric sleeve and wanted the best place so I checked all over the US and found out pretty quick I didn't have the time to jump through all the hoops since I was self paying. I contacted a friend who had a lap band done in Mexico with great success found out her doctor and hospital. I checked it all out had everything set to go there and something didn't set right with me. I looked again and came across Bariatric Pal put in a request and got a call almost straight back from David Lopez. He told me he could get my surgery done at less t…

I am wanting to get a gastric sleeve done in Tijuana. I am so unsure of what doctor to use because i'm afraid of a bad experience. I would like to find a great doctor with a great price. Let me know about your experience, price, and how your trip went. Did you stay in the hotel the first night or just the last...etc.

Has anyone had surgery in Tijuana? I want to get some advice and see what you all think of this option?

I was wondering if anyone has or is having Dr . Rodriguez in Juarez,Mexico do their surgery?

Woohoo!!! Im so excited to start my weight loss journey. I was 208 before surgery and now 197. I havent seen under 200 in years. I am 5'4. I had my surgery with Dr Almanza

Looking at several Dr's to have my sleeve surgery. Dr Alejandro Lopez, Dr Jacqueline Osuna, Dr Louisiana Valenzuela or Dr Elias Ortiz. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Hello, I had my surgery this morning at 1030.......no pain, no nausea.....just a twinge in the small incisions. And some shooting gas pains, Been walking a lot. This is a great clinic and the private rooms are lovely. The staff are very friendly and professional. Be glad to get to the hotel tomorrow. Thanks everyone for all your posts pre-op and post-op I have been reading all of them and have found loads of good advice and suggestions.

My husband can't take off work to accompany me and I don't really have anyone else except for my 24 year old son. I feel odd asking him to fly to Mexico with me though I know he would. So who's going with you all?

Has anyone gone with Dr Corvala in TJ? What about Angeles Hospital? Im scheduled for Nov. 26. Just looking for some words of wisdom and encouragement....im getting a little scared and keep questioning my decision. Thanks

Hi everyone, I am currently researching having my surgery with Dr. Sergio Quinones in Tijuana... I am looking for any and all information I can on him. I would really love to hear from people who have had their surgery with this doctor and their thoughts whether good or bad.... thanks!