TAB2012

Wow, so glad I came across this post. Thank you Catherine, your post was very helpful. I've been a bench warmer for a year and have been flip flopping between locations, surgeons, and co-ordinators. I'm scared to have surgery. And keep thinking ill try one last diet.. Which of course doesn't work. I don't know why it's such an internal conflict. Alma actually said something I found helpful.. There are more risks associated with being obese then there are with weight loss surgery! And that actually clicked for me.

I'm currently trying to decide between Dr V and Dr Perez in Cancun, both seem suitable and have great reviews and operate at the same hospital. How to decide??

I inquired about the single incision. I didn't realize its only available if your BMI is under 40, which mine is not.. so its not an option for me.

Hey Alanah, that's great. I'm in fort Mac too! I'm aiming to get sleeved in Tijuana in April!

I'm thinking about going to Dr Garcia in Tijuana, but still deciding. How do you make a claim to AB gov? That would be great to recover some costs!!

Ladybug-who was your surgeon? Anyone who has had the surgery done in Mexico I would love to know what surgeon/location you used? And if you recommend them of course My family doctor actually has encouraged me to go to Mexico. He knows the wait times are long and I would not get approved, as despite being over weight I have no other health problems by medical standards.

Nice to find some local Albertans. I'm aiming to have my sleeve in April, in Mexico, but no date set.

Has anyone had the single incision sleeve?

I've thought about the same thing. I know I can get away without too much detail for the time off.. But won't it be obvious after the surgery? What to tell people when they comment on how much weight your losing?? It's not something I want to discuss with my co-workers.

Hello, Has anyone here done their VSG in Canada? Specifically Alberta? And what was the wait times? I'm looking at self-pay options because I assumed the wait time was really long. But I'd like to know if it's an option to do it here.

Fort McMurray

Wow.. that was fast. I thought it would be around two years.

So after reading so many great things about Dr Garcia here.. I decided to inquire about having surgery with him, with a lighter me. The co-ordinator told me that Dr Garcia has had some fatalaties the last few months!! And suggested another surgeon. Thoughts anyone??

This is what I was quoted: The cost for the VSG with the surgical team of dr. sergio verboonen is: $5,500usd at the Victoria Surgery Center $6,500usd at the Hospiten Hospital $7,500usd at the Galenia Hospital. But I haven't found a lot of testimonials about Dr Verboonen on here.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out!

Jesser- this is off topic.. But Rosetta Stone is having a really good sale right now. Complete Spanish set for $324. Learning Spanish has been an uphill battle for me.. So I'm hoping Rosettastone helps

Would you guys mind sharing the prices you've been quoted in Cancun and for which dr? I've been all over the place trying to pick locations and drs.. But I think I'm going to pursue Cancun!

Co-ordinators playing musical surgeons is getting really frustrating and depressing. At first I contacted A Lighter Me to go with Dr Garcia.. didn't have a good experience. Do not want to use ALM. Then I was leaning on Dr Lopez and was considering PV.. so I went through his "official" website which is actually MBC. They reply promoting other surgeons.. I reply that I'm only interested in receiving info on Dr Lopez and they don't even reply back. Ready4achange seems a bit more professional but now they also don't book with Dr. Lopez. It seems like everyone has been switched around the last month or two. If anyone knows a co-ordinator other than these 3, please let me know. I really want to get this ball rolling!!

Have any of the Canadians here looked in to having the surgery in Canada? If so, what was the estimated wait times? I'm assuming the Canadians going to Mexico are mostly because of the long wait times.

Thanks Amanda, he seems like a great surgeon as well.

Good luck btw! What surgeon did you chose?

I don't have any major health problems other than being over weight, so I have a feeling I'd be bottom of the list. Thanks for the info!

Yeah that may be. But christy could have at least responded to me telling me they no longer work with him, instead of just ignoring my email. How much is dr ponce de leon?

The flights are about the same for me. Tijuana is closer but going to PV means I can go direct from Canada and not connect through the US. Going through customs twice in one day is NOT fun on a good day, espcially not if I've just had surgery. But it's cheaper in Tijuana.. so I'm really torn! But I will make a decision this week!!

Yeah it's true.. the Dr has to be your first choice not the co-ordinator. It doesn't help that I'm flip flopping between Tijuana and PV either. But Dr Lopez works in both locations so that helps if I chose him.