Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Because I am unemployed and my insurance does not cover bariatric surgery I have been looking for ways to help finance the surgery. I found that my state does offer bariatric surgery assistance through the Vocational Rehab program. After a meeting today I am one step closer to approval. Has anyone else received assistance through vocational rehab? Any words of encouragement?

I am scheduling for single sleeve gastrectomy with Dr. alejandro lopez in Tijuana through MexicoBariatrics and would appreciate hearing from anyone else who has had this surgery with him. Thanks!

Hi all, I am trying to decide on a surgeon and I found one that seems very competent, has good reviews, and is in my price range. The problem is he has a video up of him doing a surgery and his nose is not covered by his mask. No one in the operating room has their nose covered actually. Should this be a deal breaker? Or is it not that big of a deal? I checked several other videos and most surgeons have both mouth and nose covered even if wearing eye glasses. I did see one or two where someone other than the surgeon didn't have their nose covered. In addition - I think I saw the first one (nose not covered) open a package of something - maybe a bandage - while…

Hi! So I have scheduled my sleeve surgery for October 2014 at the OCC with Dr. Ortiz! I'm excited and really nervous! I want to make sure I come prepared.. So, what did you bring with you to Mexico? Anything you wish you'd taken? Anything not to take (I tend to be an over-packer)?

I am going to Dr Cabrera August 26th for sleeve surgery - is there anyone who has used him or is planning to use him?

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy, and if so how was your experience?

Hello all I am pretty new here I'm 24 years old and have read some posts here and have decided to book with dr.lopez who will be performing surgery at Mi doctor. On August 23rd I will be driving there since I like 1 in a half away. I don't have insurance in the states *yes I know bad* so I'm kinda scared for the after care but I will be looking to see who is willing to attend me Any input is grateful thanks

I'm not sure where to put this. I was wondering if anyone who has already had their surgery done in Mexico been back for plastic surgery? If so would you mind sharing your story with me?

I am in the planning stages of my surgery, have applied for my passport and have decided on a surgeon in whom I have great confidence. I have also decided to be up-front about my WLS with my family, supervisors and co-workers. It may not be the best idea for everyone, but for me it has been great. There is no doubt that laughter is the best medicine. Every day at least one of them comes up with a new "I know somebody" story. Everything from "uneducated surgeons with dirty gloves" to "stealing kidneys, livers and lungs." It's really getting to be the office joke. I think they are having more fun with this than I am! Actually talking about it so openly is helping me …

I booked with Dr Ramos-Kelly after reading many good reviews about him and his staff. I had the surgery scheduled for monday august 18th. I signed the contract which said the procedure date was aug 18. I wanted to spend a few days in San Diego before the surgery so the flight information I forwarded said I was arriving Friday aug 15. But I made it perfectly clear that I was to be picked on Monday. So Yesterday I get an email confirming that my surgery is booked for Friday! HUH! Attached to the email was even an incorrect hotel booking confirmation. Hopefully they can fix this and i don't have to cancel my plans in San Diego. Another thing that doesn't give me confidenc…

Hello all, I am having a heck of a time getting sleeve surgery scheduled with Ponce de leon. I have been dealing with Trudi, but despite exchanging emails for a week I havent heard from her in 3 days now (despite the message I left and email I sent days ago) and I am just getting the feeling This is a sign that I should look elsewhere. I looked around a bit but most of the surgeries are $4500 or so and the doctors are not ones I have seen or heard of before. Anyone have any hot leads for me and my wife? We both are wanting sleeve and looking to get it done in june.

I have been doing some research and I am almost ready to get up the nerve to call OCC but I would like to know do I need a passport? Did you have a passport? Was it required. It didn't sound like most people were actually in TJ for more than 72 hours please advise. I just read the following: Tijuana, Mexico, lies less than an hour from San Diego, and many Americans head there for its cheap products and raucous atmosphere. Crossing the border into Mexico usually takes just a few minutes, and American travelers going no farther south than Ensenada for 72 hours or less do not need a Mexican tourist card. To cross back into America, travelers must have certain documents …

I am putting a collection of videos of various Mexico surgeons doing the sleeve procedure. It is gross to watch the first time or two but then you get used to it and start understanding what you need to ask and look for in a surgeon.

Did you guys experience problems getting aftercare in the us after surgery in Mexico? Have you had to have any adjustments made afterwards?

I had a regular check up with my PCP today and I talked to him about my interest to have my surgery in Mexico. I printed off info from the 2 places that I'm interested in. He said that his only concern is the after care and what if something happens because more than likely surgeons here will not want to touch me. He said he did want to do his own research about the Dr.'s I picked. I said no problem and I appreciated it. Has anyone ever had their PCP disagree with your choice of going to Mexico? If so, did you go ahead with it? Thanks!

Hey guys! I'm scheduled to have a gastric sleeve done by Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras on July 29th. I had everything all set up, but my husband just found out he's not allowed to go with me because of his job. The State Department says it's not safe to travel to that area, which has changed from when I scheduled my surgery. Has anybody been there recently? I'm curious about what other people's experiences have been like.

Hi Everyone! Wondering if any former patients of Dr. Alvarez would be willing to address scarring and incisions? I am terribly and healer, so I am concerned about that. I want to be able to wear a bikini..sigh..oneday. I have even been considering single incision with other docs (Dr. Diaz, Dr. Lopez, Dr. Garcia, etc.) but Dr. Alvarez seems so solid. Would be great if someone would post pics:) Thank you!

Just read on FB that Dr Aceves was killed today in a plane crash! I did not know or use him but many have or were scheduled with him. Very sad to hear this! Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Hi, I was scheduled to have a surgery with Dr. Aceves in august. Because of tragic death, the surgery is done now by Dr. Beltran. Does anyone know him? any word of wisdom? I am worried about using this unknown doctor, given he had never done any surgery on his own, without Dr. Aceves Thanks in advance

Do I have to tell my employer or HR manager what I'm doing? I didn't want to tell anyone about the vsg surgery I plan on having with Dr. Garcia. We have pto (paid time off) not sick/vacation days. I am planing on using 7 of my pto days in March to have the surgery. My only concern would be if God forbid there are unexpected complications that keep me out longer. I have a desk job with no lifting required other than picking up the phone and feel like even with a little pain I should be able to push through, but what's your guys take on this?

This is what I have for my pre-op diet. It is for 1 week with Dr. Illan. Any suggestions along these guidelines for yummy stuff? - Broth: low sodium - Soup: tomato, strained cream Soups, strained soups, - Tea: decaf, fake sugar - Coffee: decaf, fake sugar - Jello: sugar free - Popsicles: sugar free - Pudding: sugar free - Fudgesicles: sugar free - Juice: Fruit > crystal light, sugar free, - Juice: Vegetable > diet v-8 splash, - Milk: skim 1% (limit 2 cups per day), almond milk (no limit) - Yogurt: Greek, fat free, no fruit pieces, low sugar - Protein shakes: sugar free, almond milk, few pieces of fruit or sugar free syrup, fake sugar

I've never had any problems with my gallbladder (to my knowledge) but I've been considering asking the surgeon to just remove it when I'm being sleeved. Has anyone done this or thought about it?

Hello again all! I was hyperventilating earlier [figuratively speaking] because I called Dr. Lopez's company, Specialized Bariatrics and spoke with Kathy. She sent me an email with general information, pricing and the health history form. I've already filled out the form and sent it back to her. From what she sent me, the VSG in Puerto Vallarta will start at $5,200. I could save $700 and go to Tijuana and have the price start at $4,500 but I've never been on a plane before and I'd really prefer the 2.5 hour plane ride to PV instead of 4 hours and a car ride across the border. Anyway! Kind of beside the point. My REAL question is has anyone on here ever used their HSA …

My Bad experience with MBC, Dr. Lopez, Specialized Bariatrics. First of all it’s all very confusing. Dr. Lopez and Dr. Osuna claim that with Specialized Bariatrics there is no middle man. But all phone numbers and everything lead to MBC. I never wanted to go through MBC because I did my research and I personally didn’t like this company. After having personal experience with them, I feel even stronger about my opinion! First of all, I was one of several of us that had to have a hernia repair. Of all the people that I met in the hospital and the hotel, there were only 2 that didn’t have a hernia repair and were not charged the additional $1000! We met several pe…

I wanted to post because I did not see many self pays in the U.S. I knew off the bat that I would not have insurance coverage, so I went in knowing I would be paying the bill. The first place I went to felt like a factory that cranks out procedures. So I went to another place. They were awesome. On my first visit I met with the surgeon himself. I was impressed with the office, staff and him. At first I though I wanted the band since my BMI is under 35. But after speaking with all of my doctors we decided that a sleeve would be better because of all the medication I take and will take indefinitely. I had the EDG scope and it showed a large hiatal hernia along wit…

HI Everyone, I'm new to the board here. Finally scheduled my surgery day for September 15th, with Dr. Garcia in Mexico through Ready4Achange. I had 3 friends get gastric sleeve by him and they are all doing wonderful. Just wondering if you are all willing to share your experience/story with me as well. I'm most fearful about how to train to eat after the surgery, and after care. Do they give you enough instructions to figure it out after? Also, did any of you end up having a hiatal hernia surgery as well and do they charge extra for that do you know? Thanks much! Jas~ =)

Has anyone travelled from Canada to Mexico for weight loss surgery? If so I have a few questions!

Has anyone had a procedure done with Dr. Jose Luis Curiel??? Or has had a procedure done under http://www.medicaltourismco.com/?? How good is this Doctor??? Or that medical tourism??? Thank you

Hello all. I was curious. Where do you go for after care when u have surgery in Mexico.

Hello! I just joined this site a while ago after stalking for two days! I'm looking at going with Dr. Quinones for the gastric sleeve but was wondering if people had any opinions about him. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated-this is a terrifying yet exciting possibility!

curious if anyone who had a long flight after surgery had any special advice or if drs did anything special to prevent DVT on the flight home. I'm being sleeved in Oct in TJ and will be flying home to AK. For some reason I'm fixated on this, maybe because occasionally (not often) my ankles swell on long flights. Am I just being paranoid?

Just wondering because my whole plan was to call myself being slick and waiting until the month of my procedure to buy plane tickets to save some extra money. Of course, this is just for conversation and ideas for other people. My procedure isn't until July of NEXT YEAR so I'm not even thinking of a ticket right now. Example: Last month when just browsing to see how much tickets cost during different times a year, and also depending on how far in advance they were bought, a July plane ticket to San Diego was $600 instead of the now $400. An August ticket is still $600+. What's the longest you waited and what kind of deal did you get?

I'm going to get sleeved by Dr. Garcia on November 8. Can any one tell me how their experience was? Or is anyone going do there at the same time?

My surgery date has been set and making payments every week till the surgery date so I can have it paid in full before going to Mexico. Having surgery with Dr. Quinones and I am very excited and nervous at the same time. Anybody else out there have Sept dates as well??

So I went to my family physician today for a check up and to discuss my final decisions on getting the gastric sleeve. Her and I had previously talked about me having surgery and knowing my history and my current health she feels i am a great candidate. Today I wanted to further advise her that I have found a surgeon and that I am booked at OCC with Dr A Ortiz for Surgery. I had no idea what she was going to say, and admittedly i was nervous as this has been a big decision on my part and after a lot of research. The long and short of it is this.... the conversation was not about Mexico... it was not about the Surgeon ... it was about my post op and what we would do …

Illan with Baja Bariatrics? YES Would I go back to Mexico to be sleeved? YES! Am I happy with my decision? YES! Dr. Illan is a very talented surgeon and his WHOLE team is amazing! I took a family member back in January to be sleeved and would recommend his team to anyone. While in Tijuana I met other patients from different doctors and noticed they didn't have someone there checking in to make sure their spouse/friend/family member had eaten or was ok. When out shopping with Omar I ran into the same people who had to take a cab and had no idea what to do or where to shop. The Baja Bariatric team goes OVER & BEYOND anything you can even think of during your stay.…

Dr. Garcia was a wonderful surgeon. He spent time with me before the surgery going over what he would be doing and answering any questions I might have about the surgery. He was very friendly and his English was pretty good to very good. We didn't have much of a language barrier at all. The nurses were very friendly and competent although the language barrier was a problem from time to time and we did a lot of gesturing to figure things out. Dr. Garcia came in to check on me himself after surgery and also the day of my release. He made sure any questions I had were answered and that I was assured that my surgery had gone very well. He did emphasize that I needed to keep w…

Hey folks, I am new to this site. I am headed to Mexico for a VSG with Dr Ramos Kelly! My surgery is this Monday July 21, 2014 and the butterflies are here to stay! Has anyone been to him ? Any last minute advice from vets?? All is appreciated!

After much research, I picked a surgeon and am booked! Thank you everyone who helped me out. A special shout out to zmdh39 who wrote volumes educating me about how to pick a surgeon. There were 3 surgeons I was seriously considering. Any one of them would have been acceptable to me. I also liked every coordinator I spoke with. Each of us has a 'click factor' that just makes you feel a surgeon is right for you. For me, that 'click factor' was Dr. Illan. Here is why: > He graduated in the top of his class with honors. The university he went to is widely regarded as the leading university in the spanish speaking world including Spain and Portugal. (source:…

I really want to go buy some Soup at Souplantation lol i bought boxes of broth and they were absolutely revolting! i'm 5 days out of surgery...not sure if I should drive yet? and also if you have ANY recs for broth/soup that's clear, plmk! Thanks

Hey everyone, I have been reading all of your posts now for a few months. And thought i should join finally. I leave for surgery on July 15th with Dr. Garcia. One of my best friends went to him almost two years ago and see looks amazing. I can't wait to see the changes in me. Is anyone else going then?

Hi! I will be traveling to puerto vallarta on June 29th to have the gastric sleeve performed by Dr. Joya. If you had this procedure, please share your experience. Experience with dr. Joya , his staff, how was the hospital, how did they handle follow up, meaning did they check on you. Did you hear from them after you left mexico . Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

So random question, but do you wear anything under the hospital gown? I mean for the few days your are in the hospital. I'm asking because I'm diabetic and wear an insulin pump and need something with pockets to put it on/in so was thinking of taking shorts to wear underneath the gown? I don't know...any suggestions? When I had my gallbladder taken out years ago, I wasn't on the pump so it wasn't an issue. And I can't remember wearing anything underneath. Help? I have surgery tomorrow and am trying to pack :/ Thanks!

I'm seeing dr Almanza at his new hospital in Tijuana, the HMN hospital. I'm just wondering if anyone else has been?

Hello All! Sorry in advance for the long post! I'm new to the forum and looking for a bit of help. After years of struggling with my weight, and seeing a full body picture showing how large I actually am at last weeks family reunion, I've finally decided that it's time to take action and begin saving for the gastic sleeve procedure. I'm 5'4, 265 lbs with a BMI of 45 [eek!]. I've researched and read forums posts until I was cross eyed! Research is not my strong point but I've done the best I could but a little more help won't hurt. As far as the surgery goes, it would be ideal if it could be done in early Aug of 2015, before my kids go back to school later that month.…

I'm going tomorrow and getting nervous...anyone else going to be there? Surgeon is Dr. Corvala at the Angeles hospital....would love to have a sleeve buddy that I can text and talk to about this

I have two questions... with planning to have a VSG in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta to be specific, how does the pre testing differ than if you were to go through a US bariatric surgeon? I'm assuming your PCP still had to clear you? What tests were done? Are there some tests that aren't needed since I'm going to MX, like a psych eval? I don't have any medical issues other than the usual aches and pains that come from being overweight. Also, how did you approach your PCP about it? I'm asking because my husband and I have been in Houston for 4 months and I have not met my PCP yet. I will be upfront about what I would like to do but have no idea about how to even begin that co…

HI, I DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT ANYBODY GETTING THE SINGLE INCISION DONE & WANTED TO HEAR FROM ANY OF YOU & WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING IT DONE. I'M SCHEDULED AUG.6TH W/ DR.DIAZ @ MI DOCTOR TO HAVE IT DONE, ALSO. THANKS KAREN

What are the general methods for self pay. Cash Check paypal do they take credit cards. I know some finance. I am really leaning on Dr Sergio Q and one know if he finances ??