Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

Helloz, I'm new to this and actually super excited after reading a lot of you guys' post. I actually have tons of questions about the surgery, but I wanted to ask here if anyone has ever traveled out of the states and howd it go. And how long where you guys there before you came back. I'm really eager to find out. It's time for me to do something about my obesity

Considering surgery in Mexico if UHC 100% denies me and I can't get it cheap enough here in Texas. Which Mexico surgeon/facility did you use? Any complications/infections? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello! I just scheduled my surgery for Dr. Alvarez at Endobariatrics. I will be having a lap band revision to a sleeve. to say I am nervous is an understatement. I had always had "thoughts" previously about having surgery in Mexico but after a ton of research I feel good about my decision. Did anyone else have surgery with them? How did it go?

LOOKING FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IN TIJUANA AT BARIATRIC PAL HOSPITAL MX. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE SO I CAN SET A DATE I WILL BE SELF PAYING SO HOPING TO GET IN VERY SOON!

I have read the past thread about Dr. Altamirano and I’ve read the article about the BP not being affiliated or recommending him anymore. I also read the articles about the gentleman passing after surgery, admittedly, it is scary and heartbreaking. There were statements about Dr. Altamirano leaving needles and sponges inside patients, are these instances confirmed or just rumor? I will admit that my experience with Dr A has been prompt and pleasing so far. My surgery is scheduled for September so any information I can get, either way, would be greatly appreciated. *Edit* I have also been bombarded with positive reviews about him. That being said, plea…

The website doesn't say how many nights in the hospital or hotel after the procedure. Any comments are welcome. I plan to arrive the day before surgery.

Hello, My husband is interested in getting the sleeve but our insurance doesn't cover it. We are looking for physicians in the Southern CA area to perform the surgery. We have found a few but want to do more research to ensure the we are choosing the right doctor. Can anybody recommend doctors in the Southern CA area. I'm a sleeve patient myself but I was blessed enough to have my insurance cover the entire cost.

I am going to Mexico to have the sleeve done due to insurance. Has anyone had the procedure done at A Slimmer Me with Dr Andrade?

So, I thought I was sure on who I wanted to do my surgery...but recently two other strong contenders came into the picture. I am looking for some help and thoughts on the three I have listed below: 1. Dr. Ungson at Mexicali Bariatric: Pros: Will allow my husband to stay with me, performs multiple leak tests, has good reviews, Dr. appears very competent but he does lack US certifications like AMBTS. Cons: cost is more expensive, Doc does not have that international certification that I can find 2. Dr. Alejandro Lopez at ALO Bariatrics: Pros: has good reviews, cost is less, Dr does have AMBTS certification Cons: There may be an issue with my husband staying with m…

Looking for anyone who had surgery with dr luis pasten of so cal bariatrics. Give me your experience. Thanks

Anyone have experience with Dr Ponce De Leon ?

Hi, I am looking into having surgery done here in June. The doctor Is Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez. Any one have any experience?

Has anyone one used be light weight and had surgery in Mexico? Hard to find any reviews.

I'm researching potential surgeons and was curious if anyone's had surgery with Dr Alvarez lately? Or within the past 2 years. I'd love to know your experience.

Has anyone else heard the recent warnings about a "super bug" associated with WLS in Mexico? My mom and aunt want me to research this before doing surgery there. It seems like the news stories have come out within the past two weeks. It's upsetting because I've set my kind on going to do this.

Hi there. Just wondering if Bariatric Pal Hospital MX is CSG or JCI accredited? Also, when do you do leak tests & how many do you do? How many patients over 400 lbs have been sleeved & can they be reached to see how their experiences went? And.. How long should patients wait before going home?... And what about potential complications after surgery? (DVT, for example) When should you stop taking birth control before surgery? And when can you resume taking it after surgery? (I'm female, so, need to know this) Thanks for your time!

I just received the following email from Dr. Almanza's brother, who is legally representing Dr. Almanza and Grand View Hospital. According to them, the announcement from the CDC and WHO are "FAKE NEWS." We posted about these warnings from WHO and the CDC in the following topics: As a matter of transparency, I am going to post the emails and any communication I have with the hospital of their legal representatives. I will leave it up to our dear forum members to decide who they should believe. (I am not a Dr.) ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Brecher, good afternoon: In recent days there has be…

The following article was just posted in the San Diego Tribune. "With several patients in local hospitals struggling to recover, public health officials are warning San Diego doctors to be on the lookout for signs of a deadly infection linked to weight-loss surgeries performed in Tijuana The county Health and Human Services Agency this week alerted the medical community that four patients have popped up in local hospitals with drug-resistant superbug infections of the same type that prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a travel advisory in early January. The CDC has continued to caution those who travel to Tijuana …

I am flying out tomorrow morning to head to San Diego to be picked up and then transported to Tijuana for pre-op testing and then surgery Thursday. I am both excited and nervous at the same time. Anyone on here going to Tijuana in the next few days?

Hello All, I wanted to share my review of A Slimmer Me with Dr. Montano. My experience with A Slimmer Me (ASM): I chose this company for a couple reasons: 1. They are family owned and operated, coming from a small town, which is important to the economy in my neck of the woods. 2. Annette and Lizette are extremely great at communication and making you feel like a part of the family. 3. Great price! I was fortunate enough to get mine scheduled and done while they were having a special so even better! 4. Great reviews. My Experience in a Nutshell: Day 1 – Arrival- It was pretty smooth and sim…

If you had surgery with Dr. Mario Almanza, Weight Loss Agents or any other surgeon at Grandview Hospital in Tijuana, México after August 2018, it’s recommended by the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) that you should be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Please read https://www.who.int/csr/don/5-march-2019-carbapenem-resistant-p-aeruginosa-mex/en/ for more detailed information. “A local investigation at Grand View Hospital identified reusable equipment that was not being appropriately processed, which poses a small but potential risk of transmission for bloodborne infections among patients.” There are some amazing…

Hello to all sleevers!! It has been a very long time since I have posted here. Lately I’ve been lurking around because I have some questions regarding being re-sleeved. First let me give you some back story. I was sleeved about 7 years ago. Had amazing success! I did self pay in Mexico through a surgeon in Cancun Dr Perez. He was a wonderful the surgery went well I had no complication or issues. Lost tons of weight and kept it off. I am now pregnant with my second child and most likely my last. I have definitely put on some weight in the last two years mostly due to pregnancies but I have definitely noticed I am able to eat so much more and so much more often then I used…

We've received verified reports that Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon is operating at Grand View Hospital after the recent CDC warning and WHO warning on Drug-Resistant Infections! More recently, the Public Health Agency of Canada has also issued warnings about using this hospital and associated surgeons. We're very disappointed at Dr. Poince's decision to put patients at risk for this life-threatening infection. There are some amazing surgeons and hospitals in Mexico. PLEASE do your research before selecting any surgeon in any country!!!

Had one used Dr Juan Arellano in Mex?

Hey guys, I am planning on going to Mexico for vsg. However I’m terrified of dying on the table and leaving my son without a mother. I would never forgive myself if that happened. I would never be approved is the US; I have a BMI of 32. I would like to I know your oppinions of ALM. I have gained and lost the same twenty pounds for the last 20 years. My weight just keeps creeping higher and higher. I’m so frustrated with myself and afraid of leaving my son without a mother.

I finally made a decision with the Doctor I have chosen to go with. I am having surgery at the end of the month. I am going with Dr. Zalvalza. He is very kind to speak to and was able to discuss my previous surgeries an answer my questions and concerns about how they will play into a Sleeve surgery. Being able to speak to the doctor was a crucial element for me and made all the difference in my decision. I had several companies and doctors to choose from. I hope I have made a good one. Thanks everyone for the help. Wish me luck!

For those who are going to Mexico due to cost and approval restrictions in the US . Go to Nigeria. $1,500 flight. $500. Can't guarantee you'll survive tho.

On January 9, 2019, The CDC issued a Level 2 Alert about Drug-Resistant Infections at Dr. Almanza's Grand View Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican government has closed Grand View Hospital until further notice: Key Points Recently, some US residents returning from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, were diagnosed with infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. All of the travelers with this particular infection had an invasive medical procedure performed in Tijuana. Most (but not all) of them had weight-loss surgery. About half of those infected had their surgery done at the Grand View Hospital. Based …

Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista We recently received information about Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista that we need to share with the Bariatric community. Dr. Francisco Manuel Contreras Guarista was sentenced on 2/04/2011 for DRUG SMUGGLING! https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/California_Southern_District_Court/3--10-cr-00834/USA_v._Contreras-Guarista/ He is currently being represented by Santé Surgical Group and operating out of Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. We also received information that he is a medical doctor and is not licensed as a bariatric surgeon in Mexico! Please make sure you share this informati…

I have anxiety about everything including FLYING! I haven't been in a plane since I was a child, over 30 years ago. So, maybe I can get some helpful advice here. I have specific questions. Economy or Pay extra for first class, with surgery recovery as a thought here? Drive 2.5 hours to the airport to NOT have to switch flights and save hundreds of dollars or fly from 30 minutes away at a higher cost and requiring switching flights at other airports. I don't know how to switch flights. will someone help me at the airports? Carry on bag and purse and CPAP machine and luggage. How many bags should I plan on. Any and all help is appreciated. Than…

Local hospital that did all of my presurgery testing is awesome however insurance denied and after three denials I’m considering Mexico. Problem is my local hospital said they won’t touch me for yearly follow ups for a sleeve done in Mexico. Folks who have done it... how did you work this issue?

Hi everyone, I hope I can get some support from this page because I’m lacking in it everywhere else. I have a HUGE family (both physically and quantitatively, lol) and it seems that no one is 100% supportive about my surgery. It’s making me question my decision. A little about me, I am about to turn 27 and I am 5’1, 247 lbs. I have PCOS and a history of diabetes and heart attacks in my family. Every day I fear I’m closer to death with my lifestyle. I have tried everything under the sun: specialized obesity clinics, endocrinologists, low carb diets, ketogenic diets, juicing, and even physician-supervised phentermine plan (I got heart palpitations as a result o…

Hi, I'm having the Gastric Sleeve done in TJ on Wed 9/19 and plan to fly back after 2 nights in the hospital on Sat 9/22. I'm curious to know how soon after surgery did others travel. Thanks!

I’ve been so positive about getting surgery and changing my life for the better.... Then all of a sudden my fears kicked in at lightning speed. I had a nightmare recently and it was associated to a post I came across on A FB group. Ever since then my thinking about surgery has gone down hill. I’m having anxiety just thinking about the negative “what if’s”. For example- I’ll be traveling alone to get surgery in Mexico, what if that’s the last time I’ll ever get to see my sweet babies again. What if I die and they just dispose of my body, like I was never there. Can someone please talk some sense into me?! I want this more than anything. I know the risk of dea…

Hello I have been doing a ton of research on Dr IIIan and have view so many glowing reviews of him and Bariatric Pal Mx. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with any links pertaining to his certifications or affiliates? I would really like to use them for my band revision surgery, but I am having trouble finding anything that states his qualifications from a non biased source. I also researched the ASMBS website search for Doctors in his area of Mexico and could not find him? Maybe I am doing the search wrong. Thanks

Hi, this is my 1st post. I’m looking into RNY in Mexico. I was approved in the states only to find out that our insurance didn’t cover Bariatrics at the end of my consult. Most posts I find are about VSG. I’m looking for input of those of you who had RNY in Mexico and how after care has been. I think one of my biggest fears is if I have any complications and need to be seen. I’m located near San Antonio,Texas. So if anyone is near that area it’s even better. Thank you!

I just purchased a Smart weight scale to help me track my weightloss along the way. Hoping others can share other instruments or gadgets that were veey helpful after VSG. Blenders, fitness devices.... HELP! Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and figured I would start out by telling my story. I work in the medical career field and would probably be the LAST person you would expect to go out of country to have a surgery done. Too many episodes of "Botched" didn't help. Somehow my sister talked me into it (although in the back of my mind I had decided if we got there and anything seemed off, I would back out). It helped that she was in touch with 2 other patients that had had VSG with our surgeon and both had only good things to say. We flew into San Diego and were picked up by Rick from Trinity Medical and driven across the border to Tijuana. It didn't feel real at all. …

I did not find a lot on Dr. Wilhlemy on this forum, so I wanted to share my experience for anyone researching him and the hospital in Mexicali. I flew in from Canada to have a revision from LB to VSG done. I learned about Mexicali Bariatric Center by 3 coworkers that had been there to have surgery with Dr. Aceves and they spoke very highly of the hospital, the staff and had marvelous results! I must admit that I looked at a couple lower priced places but immediately knew that I wanted a certified doctor a certified hospital, a place where I knew patients were having very good long term weight loss results and my chances of a complication were low. I found all o…

We were just notified that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US embassy in Mexico have issued an urgent health alert. The U.S. Consulate General advises U.S. citizens of several cases since August 2018 of antibiotic-resistant infections affecting U.S. patients following surgery at the Grand View Hospital in Tijuana. U.S. citizens considering seeking medical care overseas should carefully review the risks associated with medical tourism provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The Grand View Hospital is owned and operated by none other than Dr. Mario Almanza. Weight Loss Agents is their booking agent. Ther…

So I've had my gastric sleeve surgery here in the States, and now its my wife's turn as she is going to TJ to get her surgery. Which is cool with me, its all we can afford.. and frankly I wish I found out about this when it was my chance.. so much cheaper. Anyhow.... We finally got all the information from the plan and what makes zero sense to me, is the first week, she can't drink protein? She's supposed to survive on clear liquids only? Like Crystal light and sugar free Gatorade? I find this weird, as after my surgery (and various others in my friends circle who had the exact same surgery) all were drinking Premier Protein or some other form of protein day 2. …

Quick question what's the ball park price/cost for sleeve with Dr. Illan? Please and thank you, be blessed.

hello everyone, my insurance denied me bariatric surgery so I am now looking into self pay. of course, the prices are way too high for me in the us but I have done some research on having the surgery in Mexico. I was initially interested in the bariatricpal Mexico facilities but after using the chat function on the website, they say they do not accept care credit. so I am wondering if there is anyone here who had surgery in Mexico and paid with care credit? thank you in advance!

Has anyone here traveled to Tijuana from outside of North America? I am and American currently living in Lima, Peru and am considering self-pay gastric sleeve in Mexico. Aside from the cost (MUCH cheaper to fly in to Tijuana than San Diego), the flight durations / layovers seem like a nightmare. It's about 6.5 hours to Mexico City then 3 or so more to Tijuana which isn't so bad by itself but the layovers are crazy - up to 24hrs+. I am also concerned about aftercare here in a developing country in the case of an emergency. If anyone has any advice or words of wisdom I'd love to hear them! Thanks!

I'm new here. BMI bounces around 34-36 and I don't qualify re other health issues. So I have read the bypass surgery (have GERD so not looking into the sleeve) cost around 10K. Is that inclusive of the hospital stay, surgeon fees etc?

My journey began when I met Stacey Yanez threw a friend of mine. I had been researching surgery in Mexico because my insurance would not pay in the states. Not only did her and her husband Bill work for a medical tourism company.... They lived in Mexico. They drive, eat, work, sleep and experience life in Mexico. They know the doctors and hospitals. They see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears. Nothing is word of mouth! So when Stacy said she lived in Arkansas at one point in her life I knew that was the sign I needed to trust this lady. Then she recommended a doctor. She didn't recommend this doctor just for sales and marketing she recommended the doctor bec…

So I am prediabetic (not on meds) and have mild sleep apnea (don't need a CPAP). I am starting the insurance process with a BMI of 36. I am looking into bypass since I have terrible reflux. I have labs, chest xray etc. all scheduled thru the MD that insurance will cover but they are an hour drive away. So now I am on the fence. I am thinking I will pursue the pretesting thru the MD that insurance covers and knowing that insurance will deny surgery due to no comorbidities that I will switch over to a local surgeon. The coordinator said she doubts it would be covered and I can not gain a pound or would get denied and can only lose 3 pounds or my BMI goes to low and also wou…

So what doctors has everyone had great experiences with out there?! I was approved with Dr. Illan and was definitely most dazzled by that whole facility, but there are no surgery dates available until the last week of November. I think it’s a great sign that he is so booked, and I know 3 or so months isn’t that long to wait. But my problem is that I am a restaurant manager and my peak revenue months are Nov-Jan, making it exceptionally difficult to get approval for vacation during those months. Also, it took a full year to convince my husband to let me do this and the longer the wait the more time he has to rethink it. So I was hoping for some insight into other su…

anyone here have revision from sleeve to gastric bypass or mini gastric bypass? Back story: I had sleeve in March 2017 despite urging of my doctor to have full bypass. After watching and reading countless stories of people who were heavier than me who had fantastic results with vsg, I decided to go with that instead of bypass. Fastforward to today, September 25: current weight 199. Surgery day I was 236.4 with my all time highest weight of 290. I managed to lose 50 pounds pre-op and was hopeful that I would have success post op by continuing the same practices as pre-surgery. Well, that obviously has not worked for me. I am so disappointed. I put my body and …

I am in BC Canada and there is no self pay option here for gastric sleeve. I had a gastric band, but it was removed in September 2017 due to a port infection. My doctor sent a referral to the bariatric program here, but it can be a two year wait for a consultation even... so I am exploring my options. Where can I go??? The thought of surgery in Mexico is terrifying, but so many people do it. Are there any other Canadians out there who had surgery elsewhere? Where did you go? How much did it cost? Are you happy? TY in advance