Benin

I appreciate all of you writing about your experiences.

I only plan on taking 1 person with me, and he is there to support me after surgery. This is whether I stay in state or go to Mexico.

All I really care about is a skilled surgeon who has a record of minimal complications/deaths. And then, of course, communication.

I still haven't had a reply from them so I'm probably not going to keep begging for information. It isn't like they didn't get my email. They did. I got a reply saying I'd receive more info, but that was clearly a while ago now. Oh well. If it isn't meant to be, then you'll know. That's my mantra.

In my area, the range is $9,800 to $14,000.

Oh jeez.. didn't mean to go there! Well, I hope I get a reply soon. I did write in the date range you specified, though.

That is the website I used. I got a reply from Omar on the 3rd with no other replies. I'm happy that it worked out for you. I have heard so many good stories so I really wanted that information! The longer I wait for any basic information from them, the more I feel like many he isn't "my" surgeon.. if that makes sense.

I wrote through his website asking for information a week ago. Finally on Tuesday, I got a reply that they got my message and would be sending me some information.

Still waiting. Is this a typical response from them?

I usually get really fast replies so this has surprised me since it was a basic inquiry (when coordinators/doctors just forward typical intro forms/information).

I like prompt answers so it makes me hesitant to even consider his practice, but I figured I would ask if this is the norm.

HI!! I just had my surgery with Dr Rodriguez in Juarez June 29th. I was soooo apprehensive because of the news coverage and just the uncertainty! I chose to go through Belite for the exact same reasons! I am self employed so I had a hard time getting financed and I had the $4K down so I could do the surgery without having to save for another 6 months! OK, so I'll give you the good bad and the ugly about my Juarez experience!! First, when we got to El Paso we waited for a few minutes for our Amigo Taxi to pick us up. I traveled with my husband and my daughter. El Paso is great, sandy and empty but good =) After we went through the border I freaked a little because of the outskirts of Juarez! Very poor area, and that doesn't even describe it well! I was very relieved when we got to the hospital and it was super nice! All of the employees wear the same crisp uniforms, the nurses still wear white uniforms with little nurse hats lol Most everyone spoke some level of English which made it easier. After pre op I was admitted and my room was like a spa hotel room! leather couches, plasma tv's, hardwood floors, sooo nice =) I met Dr Rodriguez that same day and he was so informative. He sat down with me and my family for about 30 min and went over the details of the surgery and how everything would play out over the next couple of days. He recommended a restaurant next door for my last dinner before surgery and it was great! The area we were in was very safe and we felt comfortable enough to walk around without worry. My mom and daughter went to the mall across the street the next day (yes, my mother came to visit me as well lol) I met with the entire bariatric team the next morning, surgery day, and they all answered any questions any of us had. I had my freak out moment and thought about backing out LOL but so happy I didn't! I had the best experience ever and all of the apprehension seems so silly now that I look back. We didn't even have any trouble getting across the border, I was concerned because I chose the date and didn't have time to get passports for the 3 of us much less the $$, so we used our birth certificates and drivers licenses. They worked with absolutely no issues!!

If you want my advice, I would say go for it! I loved the hospital, the staff, and especially the doctors! My incisions look great, I have no complications, no nausea, no pain etc. I had a great experience and would recommend Belite, Star Medica, and Dr Rod any time =) Dr Calderon was amazing too, he was my go to Dr whenever I needed anything! He even got everything together to get my mom across the border so she could come visit for 2 days without having to drive her car across. Great guy!

I could go on and on but won't! If you have any questions just shoot me a message and I'll answer as best as I can =) Good luck on your journey and don't think twice about going to Juarez, you will be great!

Wow! That makes me feel a lot more comfortable. I'm going to message you!

Thanks all. I think I was just freaking out, which I think is normal considering the circumstances of what I went through with my dad.

My hesitation does make me think I should consider finding a way to fork up the extra cash for a local surgery, but we'll see.

I'm struggling with this. I need to dig up more research about whether or not PE/DVT has any sort of genetic predisposition.

My father was in an accident that left him hospitalized for months with *a lot* of surgeries (as well as broken legs, so he didn't even walk for the first month of his stay).

I know that alone put his risk for DVT/PE through the roof so it should have come as no surprise. I know a VSG that lasts much less time, is much less invasive, and allows me to walk afterward is different entirely from what he experienced so I can't compare. That said, he developed DVT around week 5 of his hospital stay despite his anticoagulants and had 2 pulmonary embolisms.

Watching that happen to him (I was with him for both), particularly the second one where he had to be not only intubated, but on a ventilator for days in ICU.. I'm really scared of something like this happening to me. I had to sign a release to put some sort of net above his liver after the second one.

I have been researching surgeons like crazy since I'm self-pay, but I'm wondering if maybe I should just come up with the extra $8,000 over to find someone local instead so I don't have a flight to worry about, as they can increase your risk of DVT/PE's.

Sorry for the novel, but does anyone know off hand if PE's could have a genetic component? Or what the occurrence rate of developing a PE is with a BMI over 40?

I'm either going to be the last day or so of August or early September. Having a hard time choosing between Dr. Kelly, dr. Ponce de leon, and Dr. Rod! Two of them are in Tijuana also.

I considered all of those surgeons, but I need in house financing for the remainder.

I have $5k period, so I'd need part of that out for a flight if the package wasn't all inclusive with air (most aren't).

My credit is pretty terrible so obtaining another type of loan is unlikely.

Some of the surgeons in Mexico would cost almost $9k with airfare, but I have a surgeon in my home state that charges $9600. If I had that much cash, I'd just go see him since he covers a year of complications.

I could probably come up with a total of $10k by January/February, but I'd really like my health to start get better now! I have a higher BMI than typical (50-59 range) so I have thought about this a lot and am ready to get the ball rolling.

Okay, is it really THAT bad in Juarez? Has anyone had the VSG done there?

I'm self pay due to an exclusion, and there is a surgeon in my state who does VSG for right at 10k, which is super reasonable.

That said, I only have about $5k right now, so I'm thinking of going through BeLite and financing the remainder, which wouldn't be too much.

I know you can go to Tijuana instead of Juarez if you want, but I've seen some great pictures of the Juarez hospital.