Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

I found this site to be very helpful. Its kind of concerning that Dr. Kelley has been excused from various hospitals. I thought that was good to know. Just my thought. Anyway here is the link (LINK DELETED BY SITE ADMIN)

Hi everyone. My name is Chrissy and I am new to the site. It is looking like February 26th for me. I see so many staying at the Marriott. I will actually be staying at the Hotel Pueblo Amigo. It looks really nice online. I hope it is the same in person.

I assume most of you going to Mexico for vsg surgery are like myself and either have no health insurance or your health insurance coverage doesn't cover bariatric surgery. I have two health policies and apparently neither policy covers bariatric surgery as it is not legally mandated in my state. After reading the forum about post op complications on this site, I asked the question what if I come back from mexico and develop complications like a leak or stricture. I checked my policies and my first policy is silent about if post op elective surgery complications are covered. That means maybe they are and maybe they are not. The insurance rep could not give me a definiti…

What items do you think I should take to Tijuana with me? I am leaving this Friday and having same day surgery with ALM and Dr. Elias Ortiz. I'm afraid i'm going to forget something important.

Both my health plans don't cover bariatric surgery. My state doesn't mandate bariatric coverage. As a result I am looking at going with Corvala at hospital Angeles in Tijuana. If I have post op complications I believe my two health plans won't cover post op complications. Does anyone know of separate insurance policies I could buy that would cover post op elective surgery complications for vsg, I'm not plugging the company below but I noticed that they do offer policies to cover complications from elective plastic surgery. I intend to see if they and or othe companies offer optional policies to cover post op complications from elective vertical sleeve gastrectomy VSG …

Well I guess my body is putting me on my own clear liquid pre op diet. Noooo!!! I was really looking forward to a few of my favorite meals this week! :'-( I guess I'm just glad I've got it now instead of next week!

I had a call from my rep with BeLiteWeight this afternoon. She said that they received notice this morning that Hospital Angeles in Tijuana will be closing. Has anyone else heard this? She said that the hospital was raising their rates drastically, even for those already on the schedule, and so BLW was rescheduling all of the patients they had booked there. I'm disappointed because this hospital is where I felt most comfortable having my surgery done in March. Now I will have to choose another?

I notice the activity on this board is almost non-existent. Is there a reason for that? Should I not be considering RNY Gastric Bypass in Mexico?

Hello, I have my money for the surgery and am looking into having my surgery with Dr. Jaime Ricardo Ramos Kelly but I can't find much information on here as to who used him and how it was or even if anyone is going to use him. I found him listed when I searched for him and it shows he has like 61 reviews but when I click to view it says, Dr. Kelly does not currently have an active surgeon listing with BariatricPal! anyone?

Hello all, if all goes well ill be flying to tijuana, mexico for RNY GASTRIC bypass anyone have any info or personal story relating to getting weight loss surgery in mexico . preferably tijuana.

I am on my way under. Wish me luck amd pray for me!!!

Hello Fellow Sleevers, Trying to see if anyone is scheduled with Dr. Alejandro Lopez at Vida Hospital. I'm scheduled in March 2015 and just learned that he is no longer with the former company. Curious to hear about any recent experiences.

This news story ran in BC, Canada earlier this week. A lady came back to Canada after VGS surgery in Mexico, with a leak and a sliced spleen. The story does not specifically name the surgeon she had, but they show the receipt she got from the clinic she used, which was "Bariaticenter" in Tijuana. You can figure out who the surgeon was from there. http://globalnews.ca/video/1569692/mexico-surgery-warning The lady sounds a bit nutsy, but even so, she didn't pay for this. I am still going to Mexico next week for my VGS surgery, but not to this clinic. This video is a bit of fear mongering I think, but obviously, this lady had a very bad experience. Research, resear…

Today I started my first day of my 3 day pre-op diet. Things went pretty well. I drank a peanut butter chocolate protein shake for breakfast, vanilla protein shale for lunch. I had some chicken broth and sugar free popsicle for snack. I had a headache for about 4 to 5 hrs. I took some Tylenol for it. Then for dinner I had 2ozs of tuna. I had a pretty good first day and wasnt that hungry. I just hope that Iwil eventually be able to make my protein goal. I had a hard time drinking those two shakes. I just wanted to give up. I would have rather not had anything. They just seemed to thick. I mixed it with 8ozs of fat free milk. Day of surgery will be here before i know.

I'm about to start packing for the hotel and hospital stay. Could you please help me out? ???? I already have an idea of what I need, but a little help is always appreciated.

Hello Sleevers!, I am looking into several abroad options and just wondered if anyone here had used Medical Tourism Corp or Dr. Curiel in Tijuana? OR Clinica San Juan? Any advice for someone planning on going to Mexico? I don't plan to have the surgery until spring but I want to be super prepared. HELP!!! P.S. I've also been quoted for BeLite Weight and A Lighter Me. Medical Tourism quoted me $3,950. The other to are upwards $4,600. Any experience with these companies?

I wil be staying March 5th-10th and would love to get together with some people who will be there at the same time. I will be going by myself and I'm a little concerned.

Hello, Is there anyone going to dr Almanza around April 17?

Hello!! I plan to have my surgery done in Mexico through A Lighter Me on February 28th. Last week I decided to apply for a loan through Citerra. I put my boyfriend as first signer. He makes 45k /year. I also work but it's only a part time. So I don't make that much. We asked for 6000 (4300 surgery plus flights and money to take to Mexico in case of an emergency) Gen, the person who is helping us with the loan contacted us the next day after applying. She asked us for boyfriends paycheck stub, and mine. She said she could only get us 5300. (Boyfriend did not like this because he has a good credit and pay on time) I said it was ok. We sent her the documents. She was …

Please give me all feedback and suggestions!

Are any of the bariatric doctors in Mexico American board certified. How important was this in your decision to go to Mexico?

I am starting my 3 day pre op diet tomorrow. My surgery is scheduled for 02/20. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am ready for a change...a healthier change!!!!

Hi all, I am scheduled for surgery on April 20th with Dr. Corvala at Hopital Angeles. I have a BMI of 50. In the last week I've lost 13 pounds on this liquid diet, and I have another week to go. My question is, if you have a similar situation, how long were you in the hospital? I've been told to expect 5 days in the hospital and 2 in the hotel. Does this sound right to you? I don't want to stay in Mexico any longer than I have to. I would much rather come back to San Diego and get a hotel. Just wondering what other peoples experiences have been. Thanks, Lara

My insurance doesn't cover Bariatic "anything" (United Healthcare through Neighborhood). So, I have decided to go to TJ & self pay like some of you... However, deciding on what surgeon has been difficult! Please share your Dr. experiences, THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY, I want to hear it all, please!! This will help make my decision.

I'm scheduled in March with the Dr.'s listed above. I'm just wondering if any one has had their VSG with them, if so how was your experience & how are you doing to date? Any info would be appreciated. I did lots of research and I'm looking forward to my new beginning! Happy holidays!

Has anyone heard of or used this Dr? I am scheduled for April 3rd. I don't see his name much on the board. Thanks Jaime

Hi everyone. It is almost time for me to start my pre-op diet and I am indecisive on what Protein shakes/powder I want to buy. I have been provided information but would like to hear what others are using. Also, I would like to possibly get one that could work pre-op and post-op. Your insight is greatly appreciated.

hello! im having the gastric sleeve done in oct 2014 with DR Hidalgo in puerto vallarta... can anyone tell me anything about their experience with him???? experience having gastric sleeve in puerto vallarta?? thank you!

I am new to this forum, and new to gastric sleeve. I will be self pay! I live in the Houston area. I have looked into Dr. Scarborough and Dr. Boner. I have also heard great things about Dr. Ponce de Leon in mexico and think that may be an option!!!!! Share with me your experiences, and prices if you can!

Hello everyone this is my first ever post though I have been lurking around :-) I am in the process of making plans to have my surgery done in July in Tijuana. So my question is this....Has anyone or do you know of anyone who has brought their service dog with them to the surgery? I have a service dog for PTSD and hearing and am wondering what the Mexico Policy is. So any info advice or opinions will be appreciated

i was scheduled for 1/29 then hubby fell off the roof and life was put on hold. hubby is now doing fine and up and mobile so i rescheduled for 2/27 with dr illian. just purchased my plane tickets and am, all of a sudden, second guessing myself. i have read this is pretty common. anyone want to talk me out of the tree????? any other dr. illian patients wants to regale their experiences to me.

Hi! I have a question. How did you manage to ask your manager/boss/ supervisor for 6 days off? I'm a sales associate at a women's store. I don't get vacation, sick pay, etc... I'm sure I can tell her about my surgery but I don't know what she is going to say when I tell her that I'm going to Mexico to have it done. She's nice but she gets all dramatic, and fatalistic when people have to ask for days off... I already have almost 3 weeks in advance to ask her. So please, what should I tell her?

What happened to the 80+ page thread on OCC and Ariel Ortiz that Kindle started way back when? I can't find it anywhere and I wanted to post an update in it.

Anyone else with the same date? ?

I am thinking of choosing this Dr. Have heard good things.

Hi, I'm from NJ. Will arrive in San Diego on Sun. 2/22.

Anyone getting sleeved on or around that time? I am going to Tijuana alone and Dr Almanza will be my surgeon.

I'm not even sleeved yet and I'm already worrying about plastics, lol. I know I can get insurance to pay for the skin removal but really want the full "mommy makeover". Does anyone know about having plastics in Mexico?

October 2013 Sleeved at Mi hospital with Dr. Lopez through A lighter Me ($4750) Day 1 - travel to Mexico (Ottawa-Washington-San Diego-Tijuana) My companion and I arrived at the San Diego airport around 3:15 pm. Once we were outside we called our driver Abraham from A lighter me on his cell. He knows the airport extremely well. We told him the number of the nearest pick up station from us and he came to us. I was glad that my companion was wearing an orange top. It helped us stand out from the others around us making it easier for Abraham to identify us. He already had 2 passengers with him. Once we picked up two other passengers, we headed for the hospital. …

Hi all. I'm scheduled to be sleeved in TJ on May 4th. My husband just changed jobs and doesn't have any time to get away to accompany me. I also am reluctant to ask a friend as it feels like too much to ask. I have no fears about doing this solo (I lived alone in rural West Africa for three years) but want feedback from others who have been through the process. Do I need someone there to be attentive to the process? I am primarily concerned about something going wrong during the procedure and no one to advocate for me. What do you think? Valid concern or not a worry? Thanks!

Hi fellow sleevers I am a a 55 year old female who has struggled with weight and yo-yo diets for years now. I have just committed to having surgery through Medical Tourism in Tiajuana as my insurance has such strict requirements I can not meet them at this time. I hope to lose about 70 pounds altogether. Its scheduled for March 7, 2015. I am going alone and its now hitting me that I have really started this process for the gastric sleeve surgery and I am excited but really scared about it. I don't have any support from friends or family as they can't imaging doing something drastic like being cut on for weight loss...any support is appreciated. If anyone is having surge…

Would like feed back on anyone who had Gastric Sleeve procedure done by Dr Zavalza

Hello! I was wondering if anyone that has had/is going to have their procedure done outside of the U.S. has heard of physicians refusing to treat patients? It seems like that's been the response when I tell people I am going out of the country for my surgery they tell me that I won't be able to find a doctor to treat me when I return, should a complication arise. Is this true? To me it seems like a violation of the Hippocratic oath, just wondering if anyone else had gotten that kind of reaction...?

Hello! This will be my first post. My name is Jenniffer, I'm 26 years of age, suffering from PCOS (no periods, hirsutism, weight gain, infertility, except for the hair loss) and Hypertension. I'm 5'4 and 266 lbs. I've been overweight my entire life. I developed hypertension when I was 14 years old (inherited) due to my obesity. When I turned 15, I decided to do something for my health and got a gym membership, That's when I reached my lightest weight 180 lbs. Years later, by 2008/09 I was 289/290 lbs. I made it to 207 and then again I'm back to 266/7 in a three year period. I have tried as many diets as you can imagine. I have become a diet connoisseour and a fitness lov…

Anyone else??? I need a pal! I am hoping to have my surgery on 2/17!!!!!

So I haven't checked in for a while, so I thought I would give an update. I had surgery with jaime Ponce de leon on Nov, 20th, 2014 in Tijuana (booked through bariatricpal). I am now aprox 10 weeks past surgery. I have lost almost 50lbs and still losing. What an awesome thing to do through a season we most always hide from the scale. I wanted to share some experiences with me over that time. Like many of you I gained weight over the years, topping out at almost 290lbs (I am a 6'1" male). When I looked in the mirror, I always saw the same me no matter what weight I was. It was the pictures of me I would see that made me say "Am I really that big?". I think we all go th…

Hey guys! I just got to Tijuana Mexico and my surgery is TOMORROW at 4pm!!!! I cant wait!!! ☺ Such a great experience so far! Sorry this is all over the place, just so excited to be here! I flew into San Diego today at 11am and was picked up by David, he is so nice and sweet, I felt like I was hanging out with a close friend. David drove me to Wal-Mart so I could get some last minute things I didn't/couldn't bring on the plane (chicken broth). It took us about 15 minutes from walmart in San Diego to get to the recovery house, so close from the boarder! I just got settled in at their recovery house, It. Is. Gorgeous! I feel very secure, the front has a locked gate tha…

Hi guys and dolls! I will be sleeved March 23rd in Tijuana at the OCC. Currently I am doing Atkins until three weeks out, then shifting to their liquid regimen. I basically have to lose the required 10% by my surgery date. It would be great to connect with someone at the same juncture of the journey. I am 41 5'9 294lbs.

just curious for those who have done the self-pay route in the US ( esp Texas people ) - how long did it take from the time you decided to 1st consult to your actual surgery date? Just trying to prepare myself if this is going to take as long as it would with insurance (i.e. 3-6mo) thx

So I don't know what is going on with me, but this week I have been so depressed. My surgery date is March 20th but I have been feeling really low about my body and being single. I am trying to stay positive but it just crept up on me this week and it is a battle. My weight has always been an issue for me and now I am making the conscious decision to make changes in my life. I am so anxious for me to sit on the losers bench, but I want to be happy now and not depressed about things that will change soon! In a few months I will start losing weight, and feeling better about myself...but this feeling now is for the birds! I have been praying and any encouraging words will be…